Take Me There

Chapter 14

A/N: Ok, so I know that chapter 13 was mostly fluff and while some liked it, there were a couple of people who thought it was overdone. To those people, sorry! I wanted them to have a happy moment before anything bad might happen. The rest of this fic will be full of drama, romance, and on occasion FLUFF!! Hope everyone likes it:)

Previously...

Unlike the previous times when Ryan had been the one to kiss Chad, even if it was just on the cheek, this time it was Chad's turn. He leaned over and placed a small, feather-light kiss on Ryan's lips. Not waiting for Ryan to react, Chad smiled, rolled over and turned the light off. He pulled the blanket up over himself.

It was soon after that Ryan could hear Chad's soft snores. Ryan on the other hand was now wide-awake. He didn't think he was gonna find sleep all that easy tonight. For the longest time he laid there, next to Chad listening to him breath and watching him sleep.

"So this is what love feels like." Was his last thought as he finally drifted off to sleep.

Ryan Evans was in love with Chad Danforth. What an interesting summer this was turning out to be.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Ryan was shocked. He hadn't been expecting it. Maybe a nice handshake or a pat on the back, but a kiss..wow, was all he could think. Not only had it shocked him, but it had upset him in the tiniest way. Instead of taking it any further, Chad had kissed him ever so lightly on the lips and then WENT TO SLEEP! Ryan couldn't believe it. He had a hot guy in his bed, who was actually sleeping. If he wasn't confused before, he sure as heck was now.

Sleep hadn't exactly come easy that night. All Ryan could remember dreaming about that night was the fact that Chad had kissed him.

Waking that morning, Ryan rolled out of bed and made sure not to wake Chad. It was early still and he wanted some alone time anyway. He took a quick shower and made his way into the kitchen. He made himself a pot of coffee and sat down at the counter. He sighed, his head dropping down into his hands. He was so frustrated. Chad was sending him all these mixed signals and after last night, he was more confused now than he ever was.

Jumping slightly when the coffee machine beeped, he got up and get himself a cup. After pouring a cup, he turned and sat back down. Taking a small sip, he sighed once again. His head was beginning to hurt from all the confusion.

"I know how I feel about Chad. I like him. He's my best friend. And for a while, I thought he liked me too. But how could he just kiss me and then fall asleep. Maybe he only sees me as a friend. Just because we are both gay, doesn't automatically mean he wants me. I just don't understand."

Ryan continued with his mental conversation for the next few minutes. He was seriously confused and not exactly sure what his next move should be.

"I mean, is it a good idea for me to be moving in with him if I feel this way and he doesn't? Its only going to lead to heartbreak and it looks like it's my heart that will end up broken."

After finishing his first cup of coffee, he poured himself another. It was days like this when a good cup of coffee seemed to ease his nerves. Finishing his second cup, he placed the now empty cup in the sink. He walked back to his bedroom, intent on finding something to wear. Walking inside he saw that Chad was still asleep.

"I don't think I have ever seen someone sleep that much! By the time he wakes, the day is mostly gone." Ryan smiled to himself as he watched Chad sleep. He knew he didn't just like Chad. He knew that if given the chance, he could fall head over heals in love with him. That is, if he wasn't already on his way there. Sighing again, he walked to his closet. After deciding on an outfit, he silently dressed. There was no point in leaving the room. Chad was still sleeping, after all.

Finally dressed, he walked back towards the living room. Halfway there, they phone rang. When he answered, he smiled as he heard who was on the other line.

"Hello."

"Ryan, dear, how are you?" It was Gloria.

"Oh, hello, Gloria. I'm glad its you."

"What's wrong, honey? And don't lie, I know something is up. I just had the strongest sense that I should call and talk to you."

"I just have a lot of things on my mind, is all."

"Would it have anything to do with my son, perhaps?" She asked, as if she already knew the answer.

Ryan sighed before he answered.

"Yes, it does."

"Then talk to me, honey. Who knows more about Chad then his own mother? Has he done something?"

"In a way."

"Tell me, dear."

"Well, it was last night. After I got back from shopping with you. Chad was so happy when I told him the clothes were for him. He said he had never had anyone in his life do something that nice for him, for no reason. Except you that is. I asked him to model the outfits for me. After practically begging, he gave in and said he would."

"Ok, so, what happened after that?"

"Long story short, as we were getting ready for bed, he thanked me one more time for everything I had done for him. I told him he was more than welcome and then he kissed me."

Gloria was silent.

"You still there, Gloria?"

"Of course, Ryan dear. Is that all? I'm not sure I understand what's wrong with you. My son kissed you. You should be more than happy."

"But that's just it, Gloria, after he kissed me, he turned over and fell asleep." This time instead of hearing silence, Ryan could hear Gloria trying to hold back her laughter.

"Are you laughing at me?" He asked.

"Oh, sweetie! That's what is wrong with you? You're upset because he fell asleep?"

"Kinda."

"Ryan, there is something I think you should know about my son. While he may be gay, he is still a gentleman. He would never try anything on you without your permission first. If he doesn't think you like him that way, then there is no way he would, oh what is it you kids call it, make a move. He has far to much respect for you and for himself."

Ryan was floored. He hadn't seen it that way. Now he felt like a fool.

"But I do like him that way. I do have feelings for him."

"Does he know that? Because if he doesn't, then he wouldn't think of laying a finger on you in that way."

"But how do I know if he has feelings for me? Maybe he just thinks of me as his best friend or maybe a brother, a very pale brother, but still."

This time, Gloria laughed out loud.

"Chad was right."

"About what?"

"About how lame your attempts at joke telling are. Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I don't mean to laugh but when you get to be my age, very few things in life are truly funny anymore."

Ryan had no choice but to laugh. It was true. He couldn't tell a joke to save his life.

"Gloria, does Chad talk about me often to you?"

It was as if Ryan could see the smile on her face.

"All the time, dear. All the time. Now, I want you to get off this phone and go and wake my son. Tell him his mother is on the phone and would like to speak with him."

"Ok, Gloria. It might take a minute or two, you know how he can be first thing in the morning." Ryan placed the phone down on the table and walked back towards the bedroom. Chad was, indeed, still asleep. Walking to the bed, he gently shook his shoulders.

"Chad, wake up. You mom is on the phone. She wants to speak with you."

Chad's only response was a grunt. He pulled the blanket further up around his shoulders and fell back asleep. Again, Ryan tried waking him.

"Come on, Chad. You moms on the phone! She wants to talk to you. Wake up!" He shouted a little louder this time. Still not getting any response from Chad, he decided to step it up a notch. He walked down the hall to the bathroom. He filled a cup full of cold water. Walking back into the bedroom, Ryan had nothing but a smirk on his face. He knew Chad would get him back for this, but right now, he didn't care.

He walked over to the bed and spoke to Chad one more time.

"This is your last chance, Chad. Wake up." More grunting was all he got.

"Ok, don't say I didn't warn you." With that, Ryan poured the cup of cold water right on top of Chad's head. This woke him instantly.

Chad jumped out of the bed like he was on fire.

"RYAN! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Chad screamed, while Ryan laughed.

"You...wouldn't...wake...up!"

"SO YOU THOUGHT YOU'D POUR COLD WATER ON MY HEAD?" He was still yelling and Ryan was still laughing.

"Your...mom...is...on...the...phone!" Ryan laughed even harder at Chad's failed attempt at a growl. He could hear him mumbling under his breath as he walked out of the bedroom. Ryan followed him to the living room, where he was now on the phone with his mother, telling her exactly what Ryan had done.

"He actually poured water on my head!" While Ryan couldn't hear what Gloria was saying, from the look on Chad's face, she must have been siding with Ryan.

"But mom, it was cold water! Yeah, I know. But still..." Chad sighed and handed the phone to Ryan.

"I'm going to take a shower. A warm shower. She wants to talk to you now anyway."

Still laughing, he spoke to Gloria.

"Hello."

"Oh, Ryan! Sounds like you found the perfect way to wake him up."

"Seems like I did. And just so you know, I gave him fare warning before I did anything. He still wouldn't wake up."

"He'll get over it. Once he's out of the shower, he'll be laughing right along with us. But anyway, that's not the reason I called. I wanted to ask if you and Chad were free today?"

"Um, I guess we are. What did Chad say?"

"He said it was up to you."

"Then yeah, we're free. Why? Did you have something in mind?"

"Actually, some of the family are getting together today and I wanted Chad to bring you along so you could meet everyone."

Ryan was speechless.

"Um, are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, how would they react to a gay kid? They don't know about Chad, do they?"

"No, honey, they don't know. But it shouldn't be a big deal. For the most part, they are open minded."

"Well, if you're sure about it. Then yeah, I guess we can come. What time and where?"

"Around 2:00pm should be fine. And its here at the house. You know they way." Again, Ryan could hear the smile on her face.

"Yeah, we do. See you then."

"Love you, dear."

"Love you too, Gloria." With that, they both hung up. It was around this time that Chad came walking out of the bedroom, now showered and fully dressed. In one of his new outfits, Ryan noticed. This made Ryan smile.

"So, I see you must not be too mad at me. You're wearing a new outfit."

"I'm not mad. But know this, I will get you back. You won't know when and you won't know where, but I'm gonna get you." Chad started laughing as soon as he finished talking. Ryan just rolled his eyes.

"So, I guess we are going to your house today. That cool with you? I mean, it is your family after all."

"Fine with me. It's been a while since I've seen a lot of them."

"Well, then hopefully today goes good."

"Yeah, me too. So, what time are we meeting everyone?"

"Your mom said two o'clock at the house. So, we have a little while before we need to leave. Seeing as we are both dressed and ready to go now, how are we head on down to the dinning hall and have some breakfast?" Chad's eyes lit up at the mention of food.

"Sounds good to me! Let's go." He grabbed Ryan's wrist and pulled him out the door.

HSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSMHSM

Breakfast was wonder, as far as Chad was concerned. He ate everything sat down in front of him. He even tried some of Ryan's. Before long they were finished and just as Ryan and Chad were about to get up to leave, a voice stopped them.

"Ducky?" Ryan turned around to see his mother standing behind him. His eyes immediately turned cold.

"What are you doing here? And don't use that name. You lost that right a long time ago." Ryan had moved and was now standing beside Chad. He felt Chad's hand on the small of his back, offering comfort and support. He smiled at Chad. He turned back to face his mother again.

"Again I ask, what are you doing here?"

"Du...Ryan, I'm here to see you."

"Why? We have nothing to say to each other."

Looking at Chad, she spoke again.

"Um, I would rather we spoke alone." Believe it or not, Chad actually made a move to leave. Ryan, however, stopped him.

"No. Absolutely not. Whatever you want to say, you can say in front of Chad. He's been better to me than any of you people ever have. He and his mother are my family now." Ryan could see the hurt that flashed across her face at the mention of Chad's mother.

"Ryan, please, son. I just want to talk."

"Why now? Why not when father was yelling at me? Or when Sharpay was calling me all those nasty names? Why couldn't you speak up when father kicked me out of the house? Or when he was about to hit me? You never even opened you mouth! You know who stood up for me? Chad! He was the only one to take up for me! My own father hit him, while trying to hit me! And what were you doing in all of this? NOTHING! You stood there and let it all happen! You have no right to even be here right now."

"I'm so sorry. I know I made a mistake. But dear, you have to understand; you have just told us you were gay. All the hopes and dreams I had ever had for you were crushed right then."

Ryan scoffed at her.

"What hopes? What dreams? You mean getting married and having 2.5 kids and living in a house with a white picket fence! What makes you think I can't still give you that? Granted, you would be getting a son-in-law and not a daughter-in-law, but I can still marry! I can still have children! Hello, have you ever heard of adoption?"

"But Ryan, it's not the same. You have to understand..."

"That's where you are wrong. I don't have to understand anything. I no longer have to understand anything that comes from you or father or Thank God, even Sharpay! For all I care, you can all go to hell!" He shouted in her face. He could see she was on the verge of tears but he didn't care.

"Please, Ryan. Just listen to me."

"No, I'm done here. Chad and I have plans today. Plans with Gloria. We have to be going now or we'll be late. Goodbye, mother." He took Chad's hand and left the dinning hall.

He left his mother in tears but he didn't care. She was no longer a part of his life now. That chapter of his life was closed. He was now on his way to opening a new one.

One with Chad and Gloria. And he couldn't be happier.

A/N: Please review and let me know what you though! I decided to go with some drama in this chapter. Did it fit? Reviews are the only way of letting me know! You know the drill! Next chapter will be up tomorrow night. Until then, Tootles:)