Sam was driving down the upper side of Lima, Lima Park Estate, it was a new development that was drawing unusual numbers of families from as far afield as Arizona, Georgia and of course Texas. Before the 'move' as his parents had phrased it to Stevie and Stacey, the Evan's had lived in Lima Terrace, a middle class neighborhood, pools dotted the backyards, everyone had a nice hedge, but best of all, Sam had liked his families picket fence. It was sort of silly but Sam liked to think of the picket fence as the true patriot of America.

Every principle that had seemingly worth been standing for in history had been provoked and pushed for with a picket line. Sam had loved this little piece of the people's voice in his front yard. Plus, with the hair raising stories Puck had told him, a bit of extra security is was always reassuring. But now, living in the 'American Family Motel', Sam was being exposed to the Lima society that even Puck frowned upon. Two night s ago, at about ten 'o'clock Sam had been brushing his teeth when there had been a knock at the door. Assuming it was his parents Sam had straight away opened the door; he'd been faced with a sixty something bum. With a straggly grey beard, missing teeth and the strong smell of booze wafting off him Sam had hurriedly closed the door and spent the next hour comforting Stacey and Stevie while the old guy had banged their door and yelled expletives.

Turning into one of the cul-de-sacs Sam pulled up and killed the engine. Reaching into the back seat Sam grabbed the insulated pizza carry bag and pulled the receipt off the bag, holding it up to window he read it by the light shed by the lamppost he'd parked beside.

Schuester

54 Franklin R. Crescent

1 x Triple Cheese

Shit. Sam thought opening the car door. Putting the shoulder strap around him Sam jammed the keys into the door and twisted, the locks inside locked with a click and Sam jumped up over the gutter and made his way to the footpath. Slowly walking past mailboxes Sam counted the numbers. It wasn't like he didn't like Mr. Schuester, it just seemed that more recently every, 'How're you doing", was overshadowed by it's "Poor Sam" undertone. He was touched by everyone's kind heart, but all the same, it's not like someone died.

48, 50, 52… 54. Sam turned to see Mr. Shuester's house. Scuffing his feet on the path, Sam hitched up the bag a little more as he jumped up the step onto the porch and re-read the receipt, but the same person, place and pizza was still there. Shaking his head Sam rang the doorbell and stepped back.

Will Schuester opened his front door and smiled to find one of his Glee club kids on his porch,

"Sam, how are you?" he asked ushering Sam inside into the hall, Sam seemed to cringe as he came in,

"Yeah, good thanks Mr. Schue…" Sam mumbled struggling to juggle the pizza box he'd just removed from its bag, the payment folder and his keys, sliding his hand under the box Sam suddenly felt his phone buzz in his back pocket, straightening up with shock Sam proceeded to drop his bundle, box, bag, folder, keys, emotional composure, all of it.

Will saw Sam's shoulders slump and saw him bite his big bottom lips, as it began to tremble.

"It's ok Sam, we can clean it up…" Will began reaching for Sam's shoulder, but before he could reassure Sam, he tore his phone from his back pocket and began to read a message. "What's up?" cautioned Will.

"Quinn" Sam said huskily, "She'd the only one who'd message me, and only if something was wrong with Stevie and Stacey". Will bit his lip,

"They ok?" he asked leaning towards Sam, instead of answering he flung himself at Will thrusting his arms around his neck and sobbing into his shoulder, Will was reminiscent of a similar moment he'd shared with Finn over a year ago, moments after being told Quinn was pregnant, Finn had come to Will for comfort, and now Sam had extended Will the same expression of trust. Sam gradually stopped crying and stood up straight, his brow was furrowed and his jaw clenched, Sam thrust his phone towards Will, taking the phone gently Sam sat down on a chair and began to cry once more into his hands. Frowning Will looked at the LCD display expecting the worst,

Going out for ice cream. Made sure I have the keys. Every1 is ok. C U soon :) 3

Unable to stop himself, Will sighed with laughter in relief.

"Well that's ok isn't it?" he said giving Sam's phone back as he knelt beside him, Sam brought his hands away from his face, and shuddered as he breathed in,

"Yeah, but, the feeling that something terrible has happened, it's like your stomach drops five floors…" Trailing off Sam's breathing began to become irregular as he fought off a new wave of tears, "Their so little, and life has just dished them up some pretty big stuff, I can't let it get to them" Sam finished sniffling. Will stood back up and surveyed the young man sitting in his wicker chair. Sam had kept his families situation under raps so long, and since letting it all out, had seemed to have a weight lifted off his shoulders, but it was seeing him, like this, Will realized just how much was still left for Sam to struggle through.

"Sam, I can't say it'll get better, but it'll get easier, I promise. Do you know how worried I was about taking charge of Glee club? I was suddenly the courier of six young people's hopes and dreams. It could crush them if I failed, and as that number grew, so did the pressure I felt to make them succeed. But then, every so often, I look at you guys, and realize what brilliant young people you've turned out to be. And now, that you're growing up, your taking charge of your own hopes and dreams, and I'm not the be all and end all for your futures". Sam looked at Mr. Schuester and frowned,

"So I'm in charge of Stevie and Stacey's hopes and dreams?" he said confused ruffling his blonde fringe, Will shook his head and smiled,

"No, you're just in charge of them, but stop beating yourself up, you're doing a fine job. And I think at the moment, you are their hopes and dreams. They wanna be just like their big brother. A young man who shows extreme strength of character," Will said, squeezing Sam's shoulder, at this Sam looked up and grinned at Mr. Schuester.

"Thanks Mr. Schue." Sam said, his voice no longer affected by tears. Will patted Sam's back and looked down at his carpet, strewn with all the makings of a pizza delivery boy, box, bag ect.

"What do you say to coming back over here tomorrow morning, and I'll fix you and the little one's some pancakes and then do the school run?" Will said reaching down and picking back up Sam's kit. Sam had also gotten down on his hands and knees and had begun replacing his tips and payments into the correct slips.

"S-s-sure". He said faltering, stunned by Mr. Schuester's gesture, Sam's voice faltered, "S-Stevie and Stacey would love that. Their crazy about you since you let them join in at Glee club," Will grinned, he'd always had an affinity with kids, he'd be grateful if Sam let him help out in this small way.