He turned around, looking at Brian. The younger man took his bottle of water out of his backpack and had a sip. Brian had only been carrying his two bags and his backpack, Kevin, on the other hand, had his three bags, another one of Brian's and his backpack. He wasn't complaining, of course, he was just plain tired.

Brian offered his water to Kevin, who took it and practically drank half in just one sip. Capping the bottle, he gazed over at the six bags in total. They had packed only the necessary, but in a two-month trip, he really hadn't been that sure on what was the necessary.

"Brian!"

Both Brian and Kevin turned around as a bundle of blond locks and blue eyes came crashing onto Brian, hugging him tightly. Kevin chuckled, turning the bottle in his hand.

It had been about two days since they had last seen the blond. Lou had given them two days off to relax a little bit just before their first tour. Even if it was only a tour cross half country to try and hit as many high schools and pubs as they were able, it was a tour nonetheless.

Pulling away from the blond, Brian spoke, "Nicky, what ya doing here? I thought Kevin and I were going to be the only ones here, since it's practically the middle of the night."

Kevin only glared at his cousin, not even bothering with a reply. They had been called to be at the office at 6.30am sharp and Kevin had been forced to wake Brian up at 5 am, for which the younger man complained loudly.

Nick giggled, knowing that Brian was exaggerating. "No, mom and I got here about ten minutes ago," Nick said, stiffening a yawn. He was still half asleep, even though he had been excited at seeing Brian. He was starting to get bored all on his own. "She wanted to be on time as well."

Just then, Kevin was able to recognize the form or Mrs. Carter walking over to where they were. Apparently, both her and Nick had been sitting on the hallway, where their bags still were.

"Jane," Kevin greeted, smiling at her.

"Kevin, it's so good to see you. I was starting to fear I had mixed up the time."

"Good morning Mrs. Carter," Brian said politely.

Jane smiled at him. "Oh, good morning to you too Brian dear." Extending her hand, a thermos held there, she offered, "do you want some milk? Nicky wouldn't have his breakfast at home, so I brought it here."

Brian stopped himself from grimacing. He had never really liked milked, he only had it because his mom made him. And now, even at eighteen, Kevin still forced him to drink it. "No, hmm, thanks."

"Don't worry Jane, Brian already had his cup of milk of the day and he'd die before having another one."

Jane chuckled at Kevin's words, fully understanding the difficulty in making a child have a glass of milk. She liked milk, even though mostly she had coffee. "Sure." She looked at the bags that were by their feet. "I see you've packed quite a bit."

Kevin tried not to blush. "We tried to pack as little as possible, but three months it's a long time."

"I know, Nick has three bags, his backpack and I had to lend him my traveling handbag so some of his stuff could fit. The suitcases already looked like they are about to explode."

"Brian," Nick started as he realized his mother and Kevin would have a lot to talk about, "I got my GameBoy, do you wanna play?"

"Sure." And off they were.

Kevin turned around, watching the two youngsters running over to the corner to play for a while. Before he could comment on that, he heard the doors open and saw AJ and Denise arriving.

"Hey Jane," Denise said as she carried in two bags, AJ with another two and his backpack in hand.

"Denise, good to you see you here. I thought we were going to be running late."

Denise gave Jane a forced smile, which Kevin noticed, then proceeded to greet the older man while AJ walked over to the other side of the room, barely nodding towards Jane and himself. As AJ took a seat, he got his Walkman from his backpack and settled himself to listen to some music, evidently ignoring them.

"Have ya talked with Lou?" Denise asked, not even reprimanding AJ on his behavior.

"Yeah," Jane started, "he opened the door for Nicky and me, but I haven't seen him since. He left a little bit afterwards. Said something about having to make some errands before we left."

"Errands? At six thirty?" Kevin frowned slightly. That was a new one.

Jane shrugged. "I don't know. He probably had to talk with the bus driver that's going to take you guys, coz there's nothing in the parking lot."

"What about Donna?"

Jane shrugged again at another one of Denise's questions. "I'm sure she should be arriving any minute now."

Kevin nodded more to himself than to restate Jane's comment. He hoped she arrived soon enough.

Just then the chirping of the door was heard, a barely awake Howie entering the room with three bags in his hands and a tired looked on his face. "Could you guys help me?"

Kevin chuckled as he walked over to him, taking two bags in his hands. "What is it Howie? You're moving out?"

"Ha. Ha. Ha. Very funny." Howie only glared at him. "Actually I've got another bag in the car."

"You're kidding, right?"

He shook his head. "Not really. Most of this stuff is just... stuff. Nothing really fit here."

Kevin nodded, leaving the bags besides the chairs, Jane nodding at him at his silent question to keep an eye on them. "Ok, let me help you."

"Thanks," was Howie's answered as the two of them made their way to the parking lot.

*****

It was finally half an hour later, a lot of things to take of in the meantime, that the guys were able to see and aboard the bus. To say that the five of them had been surprised when they saw it would have been the underestimation of the century. They had gasped, stared, gazed, blinked and even cursed a little bit. It wasn't the latest technology but it was huge with five bunks, a kitchen area and a small dinner table. It had one TV and one stereo. And for the five of them, it was heaven on wheels.

"So," Howie started after having stared at the complex for about a minute, "how do we choose bunks?"

"Lets make this fare and square," AJ said over the brim of his sunglasses. "Lets draw straws for it."

Nick frowned slightly, his baby blue eyes squinting the slightest. "And if you win, what do you get?"

"Ah..." AJ teased, rumbling the blonde's hair. "That's easy little Nicky--"

"I'm not little!"

But AJ continued like he hadn't been interrupted. "You get to choose which bunk you want."

Kevin nodded. "That sounds right." Walking over to the kitchen area, Kevin looked for tooth picks. After he found them, he chopped them in different sizes so they could choose. Holding them in one hand, not revealing the real size of any of them, he showed them to the guys. "Choose."

And so they did. Howie went first, Kevin second, followed by AJ, Nick and Brian, who pouted at being the last one. It didn't matter much, because, as expected, Howie choose one bunk of the side, AJ the one on top of him. While Kevin held one on top, Nick under him and Brian the one by Nick's side.

After they had done the choosing and picking, each one of them started uploading their bags.

As Kevin was picking one of Brian's heaviest bags, he heard Jane's voice. Turning around, he smiled at her.

"Kev," She continued, looking at both sides. The guys were coming and going while Donna was talking with Lou and Denise. "Sorry to interrupt, but I was thinking if I could have a minute with you."

Kevin nodded. "Sure." Seeing Brian coming inside for another bag, Kevin gave him one of his own, which wasn't heavy at all. "Do me a favor B and place this in my bunk, could you? I'll be right there."

"Sure," he said, running after Nick who stuck his tongue out at Brian.

Jane chuckled at his son's antics, walking over to the side of the room and down the hallway. He didn't want Denise or Lou of all people hearing his conversation with Kevin.

"Yeah?" Kevin asked as soon as Jane stopped down the hallway that led to one of the rooms where they used to practice with Claudia.

Smiling tenderly at the younger man, Jane run her fingers through her blonde hair. "I'm sorry to interrupt. I know you and the guys have things to finish. I too wanted to have a moment alone with Nick before he left, but I just wanted to speak with you for a little while. I was planning on doing it while we were waiting, but then Lou called and Denise and I had to go and see the driver about him being late and everything and I just didn't have the time."

"I know."

She nodded again. "Yeah." Taking a deep breath, she realized this wasn't as easy as she had first thought. It was her son after all. "I wish I could go with you and the guys, I really do, but I can't leave my other kids alone. Bob works all day long and they would have to stay on their own and I just can't do that." She knew Kevin understood. Probably out of all of them, Kevin was the only one who understood. "Still, I hate leaving Nicky on his own. I've always been with him during rehearsal."

Kevin hurried to wave away Jane's worries. He placed a hand on the woman's shoulder, squeezing it a bit. "I know what you mean. But he'll be fine. He's a wonderful kid."

"Thanks. I know you mean it." Reaching over, Jane caressed Kevin's face. He looked so young and so old at the same time. Poor kid, she thought, having to grow up and become a parent for Brian at such a short age. She wasn't going to help at that either, but it still pained her. He should be going on parties every night at the age he had, but she also knew he wouldn't do that. Giving him another smile, she clasped her hands together. "I wanted to ask a favor of you."

"Sure Jane. Anything."

She sighed slowly. "I don't want Nicky on his own." Seeing Kevin was about to interrupt her, she hurried to continue. "I know he isn't going to be on his own. You and the guys are going to be with her, along with Denisse and Lou. But... Well, I was hoping you'd be able to keep an eye on him. I want you to take of him when he needs you. He's not a bad kid, he's just a little hyperactive sometimes."

"I know that. He's very much like Brian in that sense."

She nodded. He was right. Brian and Nick seemed so very alike despite the age gab that separated them. "I know. It's for that that I'm asking this of you. You're a good man Kevin. A great man. You're good with Brian and Nick; and I've seen you with the twins. You've got charm. You're a keeper." She smiled as the young man blushed at the compliment. "You are. I'm not saying I don't trust Denise. It's just that we're so different in the way we raise our children. And you seem more like me when it comes down to worrying about them."

Kevin knew Jane was right. He was a worrisome. Always had, probably always will.

"So," Jane continued in a low voice, "could you do that for me?"

Giving the woman the brightest smile she had ever seen, his dark green eyes dazzling, Kevin nodded. "Of course Jane. I'll do that."

Smiling back at him, feeling an emanating sense of relieve at the man's affirmative answer, she was able to let out a long sigh she hadn't even been aware she was holding. "Thanks. Really."

"Oh, you don't have to thank me. I could never not watch out for him."

"I know." After a moment of seeing the sincerity in Kevin's eyes, she checked her watch. "Oh my, isn't it late. We better get back."

Kevin nodded again, following her as they walked back to the guys trying to upload everything they had brought.

When Brian met up with Kevin, he asked, "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, sure." Kevin said, rumbling Brian's hair and chuckling as he did so. He picked up the heaviest bag of all and took it to the bus. "Hurry. We're running late."

*****

Placing the last bag on the bus, and a million other stuff in the way as well, Kevin let out a long sigh. Looking at the bus from side to side, Kevin just had to smile. Maybe it wasn't big enough for five guys to live, and maybe it didn't have all the comforts of home, but it held so much more. In these four walls and four tires, it held the key to their future. They'd be able to reach so many people if they just fought for it. And they would. They were as Kevin thought about it.

"Kev!"

It was, as usual, Brian's voice that brought him back from his musings. He turned around, smiling at his younger cousin.

"We gotta say goodbye! Mrs. Carter is with Nick right now but she wanna see you."

Kevin nodded, watching Brian run off to where his friend stood. Walking out of the bus, he could see Jane kneeling in front of her son, planting soft kisses on his rosy damp cheeks, tears falling down her own. It broke his heart to see both Nicky and Jane having such a hard time saying goodbye. He understood, of course. He had been in a very similar situation a couple of years back when he had to say his goodbye to his mother and father when he left for Florida. He was glad it hadn't been that hard on Brian. He had talked with aunt Jackie and uncle Harold last night.

"You take care Nicky. Please, behave, I don't wanna hear any complains from Kevin."

Nick nodded, trying his best to summon the little courage he was sure he had somewhere around. He didn't want to cry, knowing the guys would tease him, but he didn't want to leave his mother behind. "I'll be fine mom." Daring one last time, he leaned over and gave her a peck on the mouth. "I love you."

Chocking back her tears, she gave him a sad smile. "I love you too darling."

With that, and before anything else was said and he ended up making a four year old temper tantrum and holding onto his mother's leg, he turned around and, along with Brian, walked over to the bus.

Making his way to where Jane stood, wiping away her tears, Kevin was only able to offer her a handkerchief. "You ok?"

She nodded, but he didn't buy it. She wouldn't have either and she knew that. "I'm going to miss him."

"I know."

"I wish I could go with him."

"I know." Placing an arm around her shoulders, he brought her to his side, where she shed the last tears she had been holding back.

Pulling away, she run the handkerchief over her cheeks and around her eyes. "Thanks. I needed that."

"Anytime." He smiled at her, trying to cheer her up. "It won't be long. And I'll make sure he calls you every night."

"Thanks, I just need to know he'll be fine." Dark blue eyes stared intensely at clear green ones. "You'll take care of him, right?"

With all the seriousness he could muster, Kevin gave her his word.

"That helps." Letting out a long sigh, she closed her eyes, smiling softly. "This is the best for you and the guys. I know that. I feel it."

"I hope you're right." And he did. Even though he portrayed confidence, in the very deep end of his soul, he knew he was worried he was just wasting his time. These were their lives. Their hearts poured into this job that meant the life to the five of them. They had to be on the right track.

Embracing Kevin in between her rather small form against Kevin's tall frame, Jane gave him a small peck on his cheek. "Take care Kevin."

Letting enjoy the show of affection from the woman who was entrusting him with her son, he hugged her back, nodding as he did so. "I will."

"Ok guys!" Lou Perlman's voice forced Kevin to turn around, pulling away from Jane as she stared at the older man as well. "It's getting late and we gotta get going."

Giving the woman one last smile, running off to the bus, Kevin bit his lower lip. This was it. There was no turning back. Brian almost crashing against Kevin, sending an apology flying, run off to where Jane was standing.

"Goodbye Mrs. Carter," he said, hugging her.

Jane chuckled at Brian's antics. At least Nick was going to have someone to have some fun with. "Goodbye my dear. You too behave."

He nodded, waving off as he rushed into the bus where Kevin didn't know if he should reprimand Brian for leaving things to the last minute, or just hug him from his thoughtfulness. Instead, he just pulled Brian's back to his chest, resting his chin on top of Brian's head. Nick joined them barely a moment later, standing by Brian's side as Kevin hugged him as well.

AJ and Howie, who had said their goodbyes to Jane a while ago, stood near the other window, waving at her.

Lou, Donna and Denise hopped up onto the small van that was going to take them to their destination.

"By guys!"

The five of them, a small smile on their lips, even if it was for different and inexplicable reasons, waved at her. It was only a minute later that the figure on the horizon wasn't visible anymore.

*****

Steering the pasta, Kevin lowered the fire. It was almost noon and they hadn't stopped. Yet. And for the looks of it, it was going to be a while until they did. It was noon and Kevin was almost starving. With nothing else to do in the bus but read a book while Brian and Nick played GameBoy and Howie and AJ talked, Kevin had decided to put his time to use and at least make something for lunch.

He turned around as he heard the fridge being opened.

Lifting his head from behind the door, a coke in hand, AJ closed the fridge. "Hey," was all he said, nodding his way.

"Hey." He would have said something more, started conversation, but it seemed pointless. AJ didn't like him, which was obvious. Which wasn't, was the reason. He hadn't done anything to get on the youth's black book. However, apparently, AJ felt like he had.

Frowning slightly behind his dark shades, AJ leaned over. "What's that?"

"Pasta. I found some in those cupboards and some canned sauce, so I thought this could do until we got some supplies at a store."

AJ nodded. "That's good." He paused, considering if it was save to continue the conversation. "I was starting to get hungry."

He just couldn't help himself; he had to smile. AJ saying something nice to him? That had to be the first. "Yeah. I thought you all would."

"Alex, I can't believe it takes you half an hour to get a Coke," Howie said, entering the room. Seeing the two of them in the kitchen set his alarm bells off. He turned around, looking at AJ. "J?"

Alex just shrugged. "Dunno." Jerking his head towards where Kevin was standing, he continued. "He's making pasta."

Howie lifted his eyebrow. "Really? I was starting to get hungry."

Kevin chuckled at the comment. It was like they weren't going to say anything about food until someone else thought about it. "Yeah, I figured."

Just then, the two kids of the group -- even though AJ was the second youngest -- run their way onto the kitchen area, giggling all the way.

"Kids," Kevin said out of instinct.

Brian nodded. "Sorry." He turned around, glaring at Nicky, who only stuck out his tongue.

Turning around, nose high on the air, Nicky squinted his eyes a bit. "Is that pasta?"

Kevin had to bite back the urge to chuckle. "Yep."

"Oh, great. I love pasta." Nick walked over to the stove, watching the pot over Kevin's arm. He turned around, baby blue and a dazzling smile greeting Kevin. "That smells good."

"Thanks. It should be done in a minute."

"At least now the question of who knew how to cook has been answered."

Not really understanding the comment, Kevin questioned. "What do you mean Howie?"

He shrugged. "AJ and I were talking about stuff and that kinda came up. I can barely fry an egg and AJ can burn water."

"Hey! I resent that."

Howie shook his head, not even listening to him. "Anyways, I think that pronounces you as Cook Extraordinaire."

Kevin chuckled, "I hope that means I'll only cook twice a week, coz I ain't cook all week long." Kevin's southern drawl suddenly seemed more obvious as he felt more at ease with the group.

He turned around, looking at Brian, whose eyes pleaded for mercy. And Kevin would have given him some if, this time, it hadn't been every man on his own. "Brian can help," Kevin started just as Brian decided that hiding his face between his arms was going to protect him. "He can fry. He used to work at a fast food chain."

That drew the attention of the guys onto the younger Kentucky cousin.

"Really?"

"No shit."

"How come you didn't tell me?"

Brian could only shrug from behind his shield. "It wasn't much."

"What was the name of the place?"

Sighing as he was forced to answer Howie's question, Brian had to give in. "John Long Silvers. And it didn't last for too long."

"Eight months if I'm not mistaken." Kevin had so much more ammo; Brian wasn't going to know what hit him. "He also holds a record at the place."

This time Brian's groans were audible as he glared at his flesh and blood. "Thank you very much Kevin."

Putting on his most innocent face, Kevin smiled at him. "Your welcome dear cousin of mine."

"Record?" AJ frowned, taking off his glasses for what seemed like the fifth time since the group got together. "What kind of record?"

"I was just a cook with like... other three guys, I think. And I was in charge of the fry pan. It was rather fun," Brian said, a small smile on his lips. He had to admit it had been fun. He had only left a month before coming here for the group because school was starting to get harder than he had first thought. "I used to fry hushpuppies. Once I fried 67 in one minute."

"Is that a lot?"

Brian nodded at Nick. "Yep. Actually, it's a lot. I think the record is still standing."

AJ chuckled. "Hey, lets see if you can say that five years from now."

"It was fun," Brian shrugged. "And it gave me some money, so it was great."

"Can you fry hushpuppies for us one day?"

Brian messed Nick's hair, who tried to fight back, in a sure way to keep him quiet. "Probably. Some day."

And to Brian's luck, the subject was changed as Kevin called out, "Lunch is ready."

A chorus of "Yeah!" and "Great" where heard in the bus.

Chuckling, Kevin turned off the fire, leaving the pot for a moment while he opened the can. "Be careful guys, the pot's still hot. Why don't you find some tablemats? Set the table while I get this thing opened."

It was surprising how they actually did as told. Five minutes later and some mess in the poor kitchen area and table, they were sitting, ready to have their first meal as a group.

They looked at each other, smiling all the while. As the guys tasted the food, Kevin had to admit he was a little worried about they liking it.

However, AJ whistled, looking straight at Kevin, he said, "this is the best canned food I've ever had." That made Kevin smile. He knew he had done fine.