They had been practicing their singing for the past three hours in a row and all of them were starting to feel sore. First they had started by learning each other's ranges. Howie had a very high falsetto. Kevin, something Brian had known all along, had a very deep voice. Perfect bass. Brian's was on the high note, beautiful tenor, but with enough range to be able to do some solos. AJ's was kinda raspy but with a very good edge to the up-tempos. While Nicky's angelic voice had quite a broad range, even though his voice was still a little bit nasal, since he still was a kid.

If you hear each one of them in their solo practice, you'd say it would be hard for any of them to make a solo career. But when their voices mend into just one, it was magical. Five different sounds, contrasting within each other, melting into one: perfect.

"God, I'm tired!" Exclaimed Kevin as he sat on one of the chairs, folding his hands on top of his face.

"It wasn't fun." Nick complained as he took a long sip of his water, being banded of having coke while practice. "This isn't like when we used to practice the letters."

"No, it isn't. We need to see who can reach what notes the best. The reason why you, B and AJ are tired the most is because you are the one with the broader range."

Nick sighed. "I don't like it."

The kid was, after all, just a kid. Kevin laughed. "It should get better after this break. We're gonna practice a couple of songs so we can present them to the labels. We need a contract if we wanna make it big in the industry."

"Ok. So, we have to keep practicing the letters?" Nick asked half confused of what was going on. He only wanted to sing songs, not this very boring letters.

"Yeah, we practice them until we know them by heart." Picking up his own bottle of water, Kevin took a sip as he looked around the room. Brian had joined them and he and Nick were talking about a video game Brian had trouble finishing, one Nick had already beaten. They had come to realized they both loved video games to death. Meanwhile, Howie and AJ were talking quietly with each other. Once again Kevin wondered about those two. He had been thinking they didn't like either Brian or Kevin, since they had know Nick for a while already, and that was why they were acting so... close up. But during practice Howie had been anything but nice to both of them, while AJ had been pretty quiet, if it wasn't his turn to sing. And boy, could he sing!

Kevin had to admit that the fifteen-year-old had a great voice. More than great. He could hit most of the notes, unless the very high or lows, without any difficulty. His rhythm was great and he'd never loose one single beat. Unbelievable, if he had to say so himself.

"They aren't that bad J." Howie stated as he looked at Kevin, who sat at the other side of the room, from time to time. The guy had a great deep voice, the kind of voice that would put you to sleep in no time. Perfect for ballads. Brian had such beautiful voice, soft and gentle. Howie smiled. They had a great range of voices.

"The younger one seems ok, but I don't like him." AJ answered, his eyes not even once leaving Kevin's form. The older man was watching as a hawk how the two kids played around with some cards Nick had brought. And AJ was watching him watching the kids. Kevin had a very deep voice and AJ believe it wasn't necessary such a strong tone. But Lou had already accepted him and he'd be damn before talking with him. "I don't like him D. I really don't."

"I can see that." Howie said softly. "What is it Alex? Kevin seems really nice and he's taken both Nick and Brian under his wing already. Why is it that you don't like him?"

AJ's eyes were locked with Kevin's back as he sat down with Brian and Nick and started to play himself. The usually soft shade of brown turned cold and even darker as he closed them slightly. "He's too old and his voice too deep." He tried to validate his thoughts.

"He's only two years older than me and his voice is very nice. We need someone to do the backgrounds, his is perfect."

AJ sighed. Howie wasn't seeing what he was seeing. Time, time was all he needed to be proven right.

*****

About two hours later, they were finally able to call it a day. They had been practicing a song called "Tell me that I'm dreaming" that Nick had enjoyed singing, since he had a lot of the solos. Howie and Kevin had only joined them in the chorus, something that didn't bothered the dark haired mad in the least.

Kevin sat down on one of the chairs as he took a drink of the water. It was amazing how good their voices sounded together. He was still in awe at it. While he was trying to rest for a little bit, both Nick and Brian were running around the room. Apparently Nick had said something about how Nick was almost Brian's height, even thought he was five younger than him and how he didn't believe he was actually Kevin's cousin, being too different. Brian hadn't taken Nick comment so nicely, as he had started chasing the kid threatening to beat the crap out of him.

Brian had always been very touchy when it come to his height, but he had never let it be an inconvenience. He had prove of that in just how good his younger cousin was in basketball. Now Kevin sat with a small smile on his lips as he watch Nick being chased around by a very happy Brian. Just as he was about to yell at them to reduce the speed, Brian run right into AJ, who was talking with Howie.

"Watch it jerk!" AJ said angrily as Brian hit him square in the shoulder.

Brian, eyes wide open in surprised, stood half frozen in his place. What was the matter with him? Why did he had to be so rude? "I'm sorry, I didn't see where I was going." He apologized sincerely. After all it was his fault, but it didn't mean AJ could talk to him like that.

"Well, you should see where you're going, you asshole!" AJ hissed loudly as, in a quick motioned, he pushed Brian with as much strength as he could muster.

The blue eyed man tripped and fall down mercilessly on his butt with a loud thud. His eyes transfix with the brown orbs of his aggressor. Nick's gasp was heard as soon as AJ's hands touched Brian's shoulder and pushed him forcefully into the cold ground.

"AJ!" Howie's voice run through the room as he placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder, trying to calm him down.

Kevin saw the whole scene unfolding in front of his eyes and he couldn't the rising anger forming inside him. No one hurts his family. No one. He stood up from his chair and made his way over to where AJ was standing and Brian was still sitting on the floor.

"Look, I'm sorry ok? I didn't mean to hit you." Brian's voice was soft but firm at the same time. One thing was being apologetic about hitting him, but something entirely different was being as rude as AJ was. With one quick movement, he stood up and started brushing away the dust.

"I don't care about it asshole. I don't give a damn!" AJ walked menacingly over to where Brian was standing, half glaring at the older man.

"Alex, he didn't mean it. Let it go." Howie walked after AJ, hoping - praying - he'd let the whole matter drop. It wassn't the best place, or time, to start this. Not when they had barely met.

AJ turned around and looked at Howie, then back at Brian. "No. I won't let it drop this kid--"

But Kevin was there in a second, placing himself between Brian and AJ, always keeping an eye on Nick, who was by Brian's side, somewhat scared. "He hit you, yes, but he's already apologized. Now it's your turn." He towered the fifteen year old with no effort whatsoever, after all he was a lot taller than him.

"Why should I country boy?" AJ snapped.

"Because." Kevin started slowly, his southern drawl more evident on purpose. "Not only did you yelled at him, but you insulted him. Now you apologize."

"Like hell I will!"

"Alex." Howie moved over to AJ's side, so he could whispered to the younger man. "Just do it, ok? Kevin is a lot taller and bigger than you are. He could kick your butt."

AJ turned to look at Howie, then back at Kevin. You've gotta choose what battles to fight, right? And AJ knew this was not one of those.

Looking at the younger Kentucky cousin, AJ glared at him. "I shouldn't have yelled."

Brian, knowing this was as good as he was gonna get, gave him half a smile. "Sure."

AJ turned around in his heels and walked back to the side of the room, where he and Howie had been chatting before.

Howie took a step forward and, looking right at Brian, he spoke. "I'm sorry for all that, he didn't mean it like that. He's really a cool kid."

Brian snorted. "Yeah, I can see that."

Howie smiled at Brian and Kevin, before walking over to where AJ was waiting for him.

"What a prick!" Brian hissed as soon as both AJ and Howie were out of earshot.

"Brian." Kevin said sternly as he heard the younger man's words. One thing not being able to correct AJ, after all he had nothing to do with him, but Brian was another matter completely. Kevin knew his aunt Jackie would kill him if her youngest song came back home with a potty mouth.

"Hush! I know Kev. I know." Brian slumped his shoulders as the older man patronized him. Aunt Ann had taught him well: no cursing - no matter the reason.

"What's the matter with him?" Nick questioned, speaking for the first time since the whole incident.

"I don't know." Kevin started as the three of them walked over to where they had been previously sitting. "That was totally uncalled for. I think he just wanted to get at someone's face."

"And you didn't let him! You yelled at him!" Nick expressed happily as he started jumping up and down, like nothing had happened. "You yelled at the asshole's face!"

"Nick!" Kevin said with a fatherly tone as he looked down at the young blond. "I don't think you're mother would be very happy if she heard that, do you?"

Nick looked at the floor and shook his head.

"Just don't say those things, ok? You're still too young to be cursing." Kevin said softly.

Nick, hearing this, looked up from the floor and gave Kevin a big toothy grin.

Kevin laughed. "I usually don't go off like that, but I wasn't gonna let him yell at Brian either. That's my job, after all." He finished with a smile.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny Kevin." Brian said with a serious face.

Kevin started mussing his cousin's hair as Nick laughed happily. "What? You think you're gonna get away that easy?" he questioned the young blond as he got a hold on him and started mussing his hair as well. Both kids were trying to get away from the dark haired man, but were laughing so hard that their attempts were futile.

*****

Howie sat by AJ's side, keeping an eye on the tall man as he walked to the other side of the room with the two kids. "What is wrong with ya!?" He questioned totally exasperated.

AJ shrugged once again. "I don't know, ok?"

"You don't know? You don't know? Well, you should have an explanation for going after that kid like that! Specially knowing his cousin was in the room!"

"I don't know! He hit me!"

"He bumped onto you!, but he apologized right away. You shouldn't have--" Howie started, but was cut off by a still angry AJ.

"Will you cut it off! You ain't anyone to tell me what to do or not to do. Got it?" The young man said coolly. Taking one last look at Howie, he stood up and walked out of the room towards the bathroom. He needed to cool off. He needed to.

Howie sighed. It was always like this. AJ would get mad and whenever Howie tried to talk with him, to correct him, AJ would go off like that. Answering back and, just like now, leaving the room.

He knew perfectly fine why it was, why AJ acted all tough all the time, and it hurt him to see his friend like that. It was his father's heritage. His legacy after him and AJ's mother had divorced back when AJ was barely four, and had left not talking with his son ever since.

AJ had taken it personally and was deeply hurt, and still was, for what Howie could notice. He wasn't a bad kid, just a little... lost. Howie had tried to be there for him, to help him, but AJ acted like he didn't need anyone or anything. Always getting on trouble and picking up fights he should know not to look for.

Denise, it wasn't that she didn't care, she did, a lot, but she had enough with working to be able to pay for AJ's education and didn't have the time to pay attention to everything that happened in her son's life. So it was mostly AJ all the time. Until Howie had come along and they had both gotten pretty close.

Howie had tried to help, to do something, but everything always fall in deaf ears and blind eyes. And the older man was starting to run out of ideas.

*****

"Guys, listen up. This is all for now." Claudia smiled as she heard the cheering and a couple of groans of exhaustion. "We'll see you on Monday. Bright and early guys!" She called after them as they started standing up from the semi-circle of chairs. "Eight sharp!"

Kevin turned around and gave the twenty three year old girl a small smile. "Bright and early Claudia. See you on Monday."

She returned the smile. "Sure Kev." Now that smile could light up a room.

Both AJ and Howie left right away. They had plans for the night, after all it was Saturday night. A movie and some popcorn at Howie's place and, if he played his cards right, he could convince him to go to the "Full Moon" club. AJ knew the doorman there, he would let the him with twenty bucks. Yeah, it could be a cool night at the end.

Kevin walked over to where Brian and Nick had sat. Nick was half gulping down his bottle of water, totally wiped out. Poor kid. "Tired Nicky?"

The blond nodded. He had always hated being called 'Nicky', thinking it was a lousy shorten for his name. But, from the dark haired man, it sounded nice... very pretty. He liked it. He liked it when Kevin called him Nicky. "Yeah, I wanna go home." He whined.

"At least tomorrow is Sunday." Kevin smiled. "You can watch some TV and play Nintendo. Is your mom coming to pick you up?

Nick nodded. He had been glad when she said she couldn't wait for him during rehearsal. She had to BJ to a friend's house for some project. She was supposed to be arriving any minute now. "Yeah, she's coming." Suddenly his face brighten with a toothy smile. "Tomorrow's my birthday and I'm gonna have a party in my house. You guys wanna come?"

Brian's face lit up at the thought of a party. Fun. He turned around and used his sweetest smile. "Can we Kev?" It'd be useless to ask for him to go alone. Kevin was gonna go with him - if he accepted - and there was no question about it.

Kevin looked at his younger cousin, trying to charm his with his smile. Then at Nick, who was giving him the puppy dog eyes once again. He sighed. "Ok, sure. We'd go."

"YEAH!!!" both kids cheered at unison. Brian laughed as he realized this while the young blond giggled.

Kevin, glancing at both teenagers, smirked. They were so very alike and had gotten really closed in the past couple days. It hadn't taken long for either of them to started talking about Nintendo games, which both of them loved, or just having fun around wherever it was they were. They were kids, and they were enjoying it.

"This is great! It's been ages since I've gone to a birthday party." Brian looked from Nick to Kevin, then back at Nick. "What time?"

"Around four thirty." Answered Nick, his baby blue eyes shining with joviality. "Mom also invited AJ and Howie, though."

Brian shoulders slumped and he glared at him in mock of disdain. "Just great. Just what I needed."

"Hey, B, they've known Nicky here longer than either of us. Besides, he's not gonna cause any trouble, I'm sure. I'm gonna be there." The older man finished with a soft smile on his face. "What's your address?"

"Oh, right!" Nick walked over to his backpack and got out a sketchbook and his Garfield pencil. Writing down, with a scrappy twelve-year-old handwriting, his home address, he torn the page out it out from the rest. Handing it to Kevin, he grinned. "Here. It isn't far away from here. About a ten minute drive."

Kevin looked at it and tried his best to understand the letters. After a moment of indecisiveness, he nodded. "Sure. We'd be there."

Just then Jane Carter came into the room and looked around until her eyes fall down on Nick's blond head. "There you are Nick."

"Hi Mom!" Nick half trotted over to the other, meeting his mother half way. She hugged him tightly and when she released, she gave him a kiss on the forehead.

Placing her hand along her son's shoulders, they both made their way over to where the Kentucky cousins were smiling. "Kevin, Brian. How are you?"

"Good night Mrs. Carter." Brian said politely.

"Hi Jane." Picking his jacket, and Brian's -- since the younger man had conveniently forgotten it by the chair --, they both joined the older woman. "Fine, a little tired, but fine."

Nick run over a chair standing by and, throwing inside his sketchbook and pencil, he zipped it up and run back to his mother. "I invited them over to my party mom. Is that ok?"

"Sure Nick." She said as she patted his head. "I was gonna ask them if you didn't before." Turning to meet Kevin's green eyes, she spoke. "You are joining us tomorrow, right?"

With a soft smile playing on his lips, he nodded. "Yeah. Brian was ecstatic. I'm sure he'd have a great time."

"Uh! You get to meet my sisters and brother. Even though Angel and Aaron are just six. They can be really annoying."

"Nick!"

The young blond smiled a apologetic and half embarrassed smile. "Sorry mom."

Kevin chuckled. "Younger brothers can be trouble makers some times. Specially when they are so young."

"But you're the youngest of you all!" Brian retaliated.

"Yeah, but I've got you."

"AGH! That's it. I'm calling mom and asking her to come here. You're too much for me." Brian complained like a drama queen as he started walking around, his hand on his hips. "I'll tell mom. Worse, I'll tell dad. Nope, better, I'll tell Jerald."

Kevin laughed at his younger cousin as he tried to pull up the big guns - his eldest brother. "He'd support me Brian. That's for sure."

"This is it! I'm changing families." Brian turned to look at Nick and Jane - who were struggling to keep a straight face. "See what I have to put up with? See?"

Kevin's laugher only continued as Nick and Brian trotted a couple of feet in front of Jane and him. He glanced at his younger cousin and who was rapidly becoming his best friend. Kevin's eyes lingered in Nick's blond hair and shining blue eyes for a second longer. "They are quite a pair." He heard Jane say.

The older man nodded. "Yeah. They'll be best friends in no time."

"Who would believe they've got five years in between." Said Jane - chuckling slightly.

"That's Brian's doing. He's still ten at heart."