Wow! Real life and perfectionism have made the completion of this story take much longer than it should have. This is the last chapter. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with it! I hope you've enjoyed it!

Chapter 6: Magnus Intervenes

Henry found himself mulling over his conversation with Magnus. Until their talk he had been seriously contemplating writing off Will. He hoped he could just chalk it up to a mistake in judgement, attempt to salvage his heart and mend whatever remained of their friendship. Now... well now Henry was conflicted. Magnus had never steered him wrong but he was afraid to get more emotionally invested that he already was. As he had told Magnus, there was no doubt in his mind that Will was interested, but Henry couldn't shake his doubts regarding whether Will would be able to get over the homophobic block that he seemed to have. Despite his doubts, Magnus had suggested patience so he would give it a try, however patience and forgiveness were two separate entities to Henry. He missed Will and wanted the easy friendship they used to have; if it took a little patience with Will to get that back he would give it a try, but Henry did not feel that it was his responsibility to take the first step in mending their battered relationship.

While Henry spent the next few days contemplating Magnus' advice, Will was wracking his brains on how to fix what was broken between them. The comments he had received from Magnus had been a wakeup call; something had be fixed if others in the group were noticing their discord. He was completely aware that he was the cause of the chasm that was destroying their friendship but did not quite feel capable of mending it. All he knew was that he missed Henry and didn't know how to get back to where they were before.

"This is ridiculous!" Ashley exclaimed, flopping ungracefully down on her mother's office couch. She had just come from lunch and a very awkward and uncomfortable interaction between the two men. "I just want to lock them in a room and knock their heads together."

Magnus did not even ask to what her daughter was referring. "We can not work this out for them," she told her daughter. "However satisfying your solution might seem," she added with a slight smile and a twinkle in her eye.

"Isn't there something you can do?" Ashley asked. "It's been days and nothing is improving. In fact, it seems to be getting worse. You're great at manipulating people without them realizing it. Isn't there some way you can get them to work this out?"

"I do not manipulate people!" Helen tried to look aghast at her daughter's comment. "I just guide them to the result I think will be best. That being said, I think there is something we might be able to do."

Will walked into Magnus' office, responding to her brief phone call requesting his presence. Upon arrival he stopped in his tracks when he saw Henry sitting on Magnus' couch. Will panicked, having to fight down his desire to bolt. Only the lack of the other members of their Sanctuary family allayed his fears that this was an intervention of sorts. After taking several deep breaths, Will was able to control himself enough to walk into Magnus' office with a quick rap on the open door. "You wanted to see me?" he asked, attempting casual.

"Ah. Good, Will. You're here." Magnus handed a file folder to him and an identical one to Henry as Will took a seat on the opposite end of the couch from Henry. He flipped open the file to find a dossier of an abnormal Will had never heard of. "There have been reports of this abnormal being spotted outside Rio. It is a quite docile creature but has a veracious appetite and has been destroying farmland. I need the two of you to go down, 'bag and tag' as you would put it, and bring it back."

If the situation hadn't gotten to the point of being unbearable Magnus might have been amused by the identical looks of panic that crossed both men's faces when they realized she meant for them to go alone.

Henry glanced quickly at Will and gulped. "Are you sure you need me to go? Wouldn't Ashley be a better choice?"

"Yeah, and I do have quite a full case-load this week. Lots of patients to see." Will valiantly chimed in. "Perhaps the Big Guy..."

"Reschedule your patients," Magnus said firmly, all but glaring at them. "I need you two specifically to go on this mission. Not Biggie, not Ashley. You two." And you better have worked out your issues by the time you return or I might take Ashley up on her offer to bash your heads together. "Now, let's get this meeting over as your plane leaves in two hours."

Will was in his own personal hell, trapped alone on a jet for a 13 hour plane ride with a man who seemed determined to ignore Will as much as possible. I deserve this, Will thought miserably. That knowledge didn't help the pain at the snub, or the empty feeling inside him caused by how much he missed Henry in his life.

It's for the best, his brain argued. He can't hurt and abandon you if he isn't paying attention to you.

...but I'm already hurting, he realized. Can it really get much worse than it is right now? "Can we have a truce?" Will asked finally, his words startlingly loud against the quiet of the past several hours of the flight.

The fact that Will was finally talking to him startled Henry more than the fact that the silence had been abruptly broken. As pleased as a part of him was at the fact that Will was speaking to him - the sucker part of me, Henry chastised himself - he couldn't stop the bitterness and anger that bubbled to the surface and laced his voice. "Oh, so you're talking to me now?" Patience, Henry. Remember Magnus advised patience and when has she steered you wrong? Henry took a breath and counted back from 10.

"I deserved that," Will said miserably. "Look, I'm not asking you to forgive me. I'm just hoping maybe we can work on getting to a point where you don't hate me."

The look in Will's eyes radiated his deep misery at the situation and Henry could feel his anger dissipating. Finally Henry sighed and responded. "I don't hate you. I don't understand you but I don't hate you." This would be much easier if I could hate you.

"Well that's a start, I guess." Despite his words, Will did not seem much happier.

Now that the door had been opened between them, Henry wondered if he should press the issue. Uncertain, he erred on the side of caution. "I've missed you," he said simply.

Will finally gave him the first genuine smile, however small, that Henry had seen from the other man in a very long time. "I've missed you too."

The plane seemed to fly much faster once the tension level of the cabin decreased. Although the two men did not speak much more during the long plane ride, the flight became much more bearable once they cleared the air.

Once in Rio they did not have any difficulty finding their contact who pointed them in the direction of the ravenous abnormal. However, true to Sanctuary precedence, things were anything but simple.

"Magnus has got to stop calling abnormals 'docile!'" Will yelled as they ran for their lives from the large goat-like creature. It had been pleasant until they had tried to 'bag' it. It hadn't liked the idea of being trapped and had taken the offensive. Because of this Will and Henry found themselves running for their lives through the underbrush.

"We need a plan!" Henry yelled, over the crunching of leaves under their feet.

"We have a plan. Run!" Will screamed at his companion, dodging through the underbrush and hoping that Henry was following.

"We need a better plan!"

Will couldn't disagree with him there. Their stunner had gotten lost in the underbrush at the first charge of the creature and currently their speed was the only weapon they had against the angry abnormal. Will thought he saw a shortcut in the underbrush, a way that looked like it might be too small for the abnormal, and made a sharp turn, yelling for Henry to follow. His command turned into a yelp as he suddenly found the Earth giving way beneath his feet. He reached frantically for anything that might stop his fall down the muddy hill but only succeeded in getting several deep scratches for his effort. A large rock at the bottom of the hill succeeded where Will had failed, stopping his fall with a crack as he rolled into it sideways. He felt a crack in his leg and registered shooting pain in several parts of his body before the world turned to darkness.

One minute Will was next to him, running for his life and shouting for Henry to follow him, the next he was gone. Henry heard Will's yell as he disappeared into the brush and looked through in time to see Will slam sideways into the boulder at the base of the hill. Their pursuer momentarily forgotten, Henry scrambled down the hill, taking care not to slip and succumb to the same fate as Will. Henry could hear the abnormal pass, unaware that they had veered off the path, but Henry knew it would not be long before the creature doubled back and caught their scent again. When Henry finally got to the bottom of the treacherous hill and reached Will, he gave Will a once-over before touching him. Will's leg was definitely broken, lying as it was at a sickly, unnatural angle. He was unconscious and his head was bleeding, probably as a result of hitting it when he came to a stop. Henry made a mental note to find out the symptoms of a concussion. Upon further inspection, Henry found Will was also covered in a multitude of small cuts and newly-forming bruises. "Oh, Will!" Henry pushed his feelings and worry aside for the moment and ripped a part of his shirt to make a bandage to hopefully stop the bleeding on Will's head. The pain from the pressure Henry was exerting roused Will. "Shhh, Will. Stay still. You're hurt."

Will started to say something and was interrupted by the growl of their pursuer nearing. "Henry, you've got to get out of here. That thing is going to kill us if we stay." Will's eyes widened and he tried to sit up.

Henry put a hand on Will's shoulder to hold him gently but firmly in place. "I'm not going without you," he stated adamantly.

"We'll both die if you stay. Please, Henry. Go. Leave me!" he exclaimed, weakly attempting to push Henry away, eyes pleading with him to comply.

"I'm not leaving you. That's not an option."

They both looked up as the growls grew louder. Henry looked around, trying to access their situation. It was obviously just a matter of time before the creature found them. Will was not up for fighting or being moved. They didn't have any weapons, having dropped the stunner that had proven useless on the creature anyway. As unpleasant as it was, Henry reached the conclusion that there was only one option left to them. He only hoped he was strong enough to handle it. He stood and started stripping. Will's eyes grew wide. "What are you doing?"

Henry stopped his actions and turned to kneel in front of Will. "Do you trust me?" he asked intently, staring deep into Will's eyes.

"Yes," Will said instantly, surprised to realize he implicitly did. That was new.

"Okay. Then I need you to trust me that I will be back. Just stay still and hold on until I get back, okay?" Before Will could do more than nod his ascent he found himself pulled into a gentle but searing kiss.

Shellshocked as much from the kiss as from his injuries, Will watched as Henry ran up the muddy hill in the direction of their pursuer, changing into his werewolf as he loped up the hill.

Will closed his eyes as the sounds of fighting reached him, hoping Henry would return safely. Dizziness and nausea warred in Will but he fought them as best he could. he closed his eyes, which seemed to help, listening to the sounds of the scuffle. The sounds ended and Will held his breath, hoping fervently that Henry was okay. When Henry came into view, scratched and bruised but alive Will could have cried. When Henry's only concern was clearly for Will's well-being, the tears became even harder to contain.

When Magnus saw Will's name pop up she braced herself for what she would face on the other end of the line. She was expecting they would either have gotten into a full blown fight or would have patched up what had been broken between them.

"This is Magnus."

"Doc! Oh, thank god!"

"Henry? Why are you calling from Will's phone? Is everything alright?" she asked, although her instincts were telling her that everything was far from alright.

"I dropped my phone somewhere. No, things aren't okay. Will's hurt, Doc, and I'm not sure what to do to help him."

"Okay, Henry. The first thing I need you to do is take a deep breath." Despite what she knew was Henry trying to remain calm, she could hear the beginnings of hysteria slipping into his voice. She couldn't help them if Henry lost it. When she heard him take a breath she continued. "Okay, now tell me what is wrong with Will."

Henry hung up with Magnus to conserve their dwindling cell phone battery and went to take care of Will as she had dictated. He felt calmer after talking to her. He now had a game plan, a list of things to check regarding Will's injuries as well as a helicopter on the way to rescue them ASAP, using the GPS from Will's phone to guide them.

Henry placed a gentle hand on Will's shoulder to rouse him from his nap. "Sorry buddy. Magnus wants me to check your injuries."

"You talked to Magnus?" Will asked weakly, trying to sit up as he did so.

"Just lay down," Henry said urgently, taking his jacket and putting it under Will's head to use as a pillow. When Will stopped trying to get up Henry continued. "Yes, I called Magnus while you were out. She's sending someone to get us so we just need to hang tight and wait. But I need to check on your injuries, okay?" Will nodded. Henry checked Will's pupil dilation as Magnus requested, checked to make sure his hastily covered head wound was not dirty or showing signs of infection. Finally with no other excuses Henry moved to the injury he had been avoiding: Will's broken leg. "Okay, Will. I'm sorry but this isn't going to be pleasant."

Will's wounds tended as much as was possible, given their circumstances, Henry sat back. With the adrenaline rush over and Will sleeping on the ground next to him, Henry started to realize his surroundings. Specifically the coming darkness and how cold it was becoming.

"You should take your jacket back. It's getting cold." Will stated, startling Henry. Apparently Will was not sleeping after all, Henry thought.

"No, it's okay. I'm fine," Henry said, trying not to shiver as he lied.

Will just stared at him, unconvinced. Damn, Mr Perceptive. "Seriously, Will. I'm fine. You need it more than I do."

"It's not going to do either of us any good if you freeze to death." When Henry made no attempt to take the jacket, Will pulled it out from under his head and placed it on the ground next to Henry.

"What are you doing?" Henry protested.

"You might as well use it because I'm not going to."

Henry sighed. "How about a compromise... I'll put my jacket back on and you can use my legs as a pillow. That's a nasty gash on your head. I really don't want it in the dirt."

Will nodded his ascent and Henry scooted closer to the other man. Having little else to focus his attention on, Henry watched the man in his lap. He couldn't help being pleased when Will's eyes finally fell shut and his breathing evened out. He knew he shouldn't let him sleep, considering he might have a concussion, but Henry wanted to allow his at least this little respite from what had to be horrible pain. Almost of their own accord, Henry's fingers reached down to stroke through Will's hair, careful to avoid the wound. Will's head in his lap was the only thing that stopped him from jumping when Will suddenly asked, "Why didn't you leave me behind when I asked you to?"

He suddenly found himself the sole focus of intent blue eyes staring up at him. "You should rest," Henry stated, attempting to deflect Will's question. When Will simply locked his gaze on Henry and waited, Henry finally sighed. "How could I leave you behind? You were injured."

"I was a liability. You could have gotten really hurt." Will argued pragmatically.

"You were already hurt." Henry attempted to keep the fingers carding through Will's hair gentle, despite the anxiety the topic was creating in him. Why would Will think that Henry would ever leave him, injured or not? "Would you have left me if the situation was reversed?"

"No, but that is different." Will said hastily.

"Exactly. Because in this situation I could Were out and get rid of the bad guy and you couldn't have if it were reversed."

"No. It's different because Magnus needs you."

Henry looks at him like he has grown a second head. "Are you serious? Does it occur to you that Magnus needs you too?" That I need you? Henry almost added.

Will scoffs, too in pain to try to pretend. "I seriously doubt my skill set is unique."

"Will, you are part of our dysfunctional family now. We don't leave family behind. I couldn't have lived with myself if I had left you." Silence fell in the grove as both men contemplated what had transpired. As the seconds wore on, Will began to realize how truly cold the air was becoming, how the ground was leeching what body heat he had. Reluctantly he tried to push up off of Henry's lap into a sitting position, to Henry's expected protests. "The ground is cold, Henry," he stated softly. Henry helped him upright then pulled Will in to lean against his shoulder, wrapping his arms around Will to share some body heat. Will considered protesting, then realized the foolishness and leaned into the comfort and warmth. Once Will was settled Henry gathered up his courage to ask softly "Is that why you keep pushing me away? Because you think we don't need you?" He felt Will tense in his arms and was almost afraid to hear Will's answer. As the silence increased without a response Henry considered letting the subject drop, however every instinct in his body said this was the right time to finally get some answers. He decided to change tactics slightly. "What happened to you as a child?"

That got Will's attention. Henry suddenly found himself the sole focus of alert eyes, trained on his concerned ones. For a long moment Henry was probed by those observant eyes, being profiled no doubt, using his perception to try to figure out Henry's true motivations. Henry stared back, trying his hardest to be as open as possible. He tried to radiate friendship and sincerity from every pore of his being. Read me, Will. See that all I want from you is you.

Will wanted to run away; away from this conversation, away from Henry. You know he is being sincere, his subconscious nagged. And he did know. He wanted to confide in Henry. He wanted to trust him and see where this went. The idea was terrifying. Maybe it was the concussion, but Will was so tired. Physically, mentally...No desire to fight anymore. He wanted to give in and accept the comfort Henry was offering.

When Will finally broke Henry's eye contact it was to look off at the fading light of the setting sun. There was such a long silence Henry started to think that was all the response he was going to get. Then Will's quiet words drifted to Henry's ear. "When I was eight my mother was killed by a monster," Will said, so softly it was only because of Henry's superior lycan hearing that he was able to make out all of the words. "After that, well... nobody wants a sad child who believes in monsters. And even after you stop trying to convince your foster parents that monsters exist, the world finds it unnerving when you can tell them the history of their house from the observation of a few cracks in the plaster."

Will was a little unnerved by the fact that he was confiding so much in the other man. And the fact that Henry's arms were still wrapped around Will added a layer of intimacy that Will didn't think he would normally allow. It's very comforting, Will couldn't help thinking.

"Well you are at the Sanctuary now. And we definitely want you."

For how long? Will thought to himself. "I just... I'm starting to think coming to the Sanctuary was a bad idea." Will quietly stated.

"Why?"

"Because it's starting to feel like..." Will's voice cracked slightly and he cleared his throat before continuing. "to feel like home." And I just can't take the thought of losing another home.

"Will, it is home, or could be if you would let it. Will it work out forever? Maybe not, but not because we think you are a freak or unworthy. Hell, you've already proved you are worthy, and you're surrounded by freaks." Henry rubbed his hand in small circled against Will's back, in what he hoped was a comforting manner. Then he couldn't help asking again, "Is that why you keep pushing me away?"

Will turned to look into the eyes of the other man. "Henry, I..." He looked away as Henry saw his eyes start to well up.

Henry reached out one hand and put a gentle finger under Will's chin, directing his gaze back towards Henry's. Will tried to avert his eyes but Henry was patient, gently stroking Will's cheek with his thumb, trying to convey all of his feelings through that simple touch.

"Henry..." Will said, not looking at him. "I...I can't. It's not that I... I just don't..." Will took a breath. "I don't want to get hurt by you."

Henry chuckled slightly and Will finally looked at him, surprised at his reaction. "Will, I don't want to get hurt by you either. I haven't been chasing after you just for the thrill of it. I care about you. I think we'd be good together. I don't completely understand what kind of people you had in your life growing up, or how they could overlook someone as amazing as you," Henry heard Will's soft scoff but chose to ignore it and continued, "but the people around you now want you there. Hell, the doc hand-picked you. She picked you because she thought you would be a good fit for us, not just because we needed another person in our group." Will didn't look as despondent but still did not look convinced. Henry took a breath, uncertain how to proceed. "Will, see you the way I see you. Please. You are smart and funny and sexy as hell. You are someone I want to get to know, someone I could come to love, not someone to be abandoned. Those people are fools. Don't let fear of abandonment be the reason we can't be together." Henry paused, unable to help the bit of self-conscious doubt and fear that crept into his voice. "...If you don't want to be with me for who I am, I can understand. You aren't the monster after all. But let the reason you keep us from being together be because you don't think you could love me, not the other way around."

That got Will's attention. The empathetic doctor couldn't help reacting to the pain in the werewolf's voice. He reached out to wrap his arms around the other man, pulling him close. "Oh, Henry," Henry couldn't help the small sob that came from him at the voluntary hug from the man he had been pining after for so long. After the confessions his heart hurt.

Will clung to the other man. "I think I could love you, Henry," Will whispered in his ear, pulling him in even tighter. "That's why I push you away." Just that small admission made Will's heard palpitate with anxiety. Despite that, it felt like the right way to go. This was Henry. If he was honest with himself, he already loved Henry.

Henry, on his part, felt like he was on cloud 9. His heart soared at that admission. If that's the way it is, nothing else mattered. As long as Will cared about him, Henry could fix the rest.

A.N. Thank you so much to everyone that has read, favorited, or reviewed Finding Normal. It turned out a bit sappier at the end than I originally intended but I hope you enjoyed it. This seemed like a good stopping point for this story arc, but for anyone who is interested in what happens next, I am mulling over the plot of a sequel. (Perhaps after NaNoWriMo and the holidays).