Disclaimer: I don't own Glee or Losing My Religion.

Note: Hoping to get some more reviews with this chapter. There will be fourteen chapters total in this story. I'm actually really enjoying writing this, so I hope you enjoy reading it as well.

The distance in your eyes
I've said enough

"So…why do you live with Kurt and Finn?" Rory gingerly perched himself on the edge of the living room couch. "Where's your real family?"

"Kentucky," Sam said. "See…oh, wow, this is kind of hard to talk about it."

"I'm listening," Rory placed his hand over Sam's comfortingly. That same jolt of electricity that had been there before shot up Sam's spine. He felt strangely at ease with the blue-eyed boy, comfortable enough to tell him the truth.

"See, I'm from Tennessee, originally. I moved to Ohio when my dad got a new job. But then he lost that job, and…and we were homeless." Rory nodded, listening intently, urging Sam to go on and letting him know that it was okay to. "We lived in a motel for a couple of months. But then he got a new job and moved us out to Kentucky. I guess I know why Finn and Rachel tracked me down now," he laughed, the sound a little forced. "They needed more members, and I was the first one they thought of. I had to beg my parents to let me come back for the rest of the school year, and Finn said I could crash with him when it's not break. Well, that's my story." He studied Rory's face, trying to read into his expression. He realized that Rory's hand was still over his own, and felt Rory's fingers squeeze his.

"Life just sucks sometimes," Rory said finally. "But at least you have friends that care about you and support you. And you have a family that loves you. That's all that matters, Sam." He cleared his throat. "They tell me you're a player."

"I wouldn't say that," Sam blushed. "I dated Quinn, but…well, she cheated on me with Finn. Kind of ironic, 'cause she cheated on Finn with Puck…but, anyway. Then I rebounded with Santana, but she's a…lesbian. And Mercedes…" he sighed. "I really care about Mercedes. I thought she'd still be waiting for me when I got back. But when I finally did, she was with another guy. It hurt so bad, to see her with her new boyfriend. I took her to Prom, you know…she was…so beautiful…" he swallowed hard.

"So you've had your heart broken a fair amount of times, then."

"Yes," Sam said quietly. "I suppose I have." He shook himself out of it, finally pulling his hand out from underneath Rory's. "So…what about you?"

"I don't date," the boy said.

"Why not? Do your parents not let you?"

"Not my style," Rory shrugged. His eyes seemed far away again, and Sam decided not to push it. "You want Mercedes back? You go get her back."

"I can't compete with her new big-shot boyfriend," Sam said sadly. "I'm just this southern hick. And I'm white…she's black…a lot of people in America don't like that."

"So? If you really love her, you won't care what people think about your relationship. She told me a lot about you. I think maybe she still fancies you and was just using this boy as…as a crutch of some sort, thinking you would never come back. Well, then again, I haven't talked to her much, since she left New Directions for the Trouble Tones and all. But she went to Brittany's house one day to rehearse and introduced herself while she waited for Santana and Britt to get out of cheerleading practice."

"What did she say about me?" Sam sat up straighter.

"She told me you were her ex-boyfriend and that you were nice, and that Santana never really liked you. She doesn't like me much, either, so I can relate. Oh, and Santana mentioned your giant lips a bunch of times."

Sam subconsciously covered his mouth. "Oh."

"I don't think they're that big, and I think that Santana is a bitch."

Sam laughed. "Well, thanks, Rory."

Kurt closed the front door. "Oh, hello there, Rory. I see you've made the acquaintance of Mr. Evans. Well, just pray, dear, that he doesn't try to seduce you with his abdominal muscles or a cheesy love song played on the guitar. And Sam, please refrain from doing any of your impressions. Well, I must go get ready; Blaine and I have a study date later."

"But you and Blaine don't have any classes together," Rory pointed out.

"He needs help with his French homework, and since I am fluent in French, I decided to offer him a hand. Oh, I'm sorry, I shan't intrude on your little date any longer!"

"Date? What…" Sam looked confused. But Kurt had already run upstairs.

"Is he always like this?" Rory asked, bemusement in his eyes.

"Actually, ever since he met Blaine…yes, pretty much. Especially after they started dating, back when Kurt was at Dalton Academy."

"Wait, what?"

Sam chuckled. "You have a lot to learn about New Directions."

Later that night, Sam was hanging out in the basement-turned-rec-room. He was throwing a tennis ball against the wall and catching it with an old baseball glove that had been lying around. He looked up as he heard the door open and close. "Hello?"

"Hello, Sam," Kurt sauntered downstairs. "Amusing yourself, I see?"

"Gotta stay in shape for baseball season," Sam grunted. "Did you and Blaine have a nice study date?"

"We didn't do much studying," Kurt smirked. "How was your not-date with Rory?"

Sam blushed. "It was fun."

Kurt gasped. "I was right! You do like him!"

"I do not," Sam blushed harder, bouncing the ball against the wall a little faster.

"You are gay," Kurt leapt onto the couch next to Sam. "I knew it!"

"Am not," Sam grumbled. "I'm just being nice to him 'cause I know what it's like to be the new kid and he was having trouble making friends. That's all."

"Straight guys don't dye their hair, unless they're models or sometimes actors," Kurt said. "And teenage guys especially don't dye their hair, unless they're gay."

"I'm not gay, Kurt," Sam was becoming frustrated. "Rory's cool, okay?"

"He's…nice," Kurt admitted. "A little shy, but he has a good singing voice. Of course, not as good as me…" Sam whacked him with a throw pillow. "Okay, okay! But he's talented, I'll admit that much. Sometimes I have no idea what he's saying, but eh."

"He has the most beautiful eyes," Sam said softly.

Kurt looked at him strangely. "What did you just say?"

"Oh," Sam coughed. "I said, 'I hated to see him cry'. He, um, he was kind of crying. Earlier today. And he looked like a sad puppy."

Kurt frowned. "We…we didn't have anything to do with it, did we?"

"Nah, some jocks were being assholes to him, and he got upset."

"Oh," Kurt settled back into the couch. "Well, if you think he has beautiful eyes, then you should tell him that." He smiled slyly and wiggled his fingers at Sam before getting up and going upstairs to his room.

Sam froze as he realized that Kurt had heard what he'd said after all. Damnit! Well, it was true: Rory did have very pretty eyes. But how was he gonna say that to him?

The next morning

"Rory?"

"Oh. Hullo, Sam. How are you today?"

"I'm fine, how are you?" Sam replied politely.

Rory shrugged. "Missing home a lot." His eyes were distant and cloudy.

"Well, I have a proposition for you," Sam leaned against the row of lockers, folding his arms across his chest. "Why don't you come home with me for the holidays? Home to Kentucky, I mean. I called my parents last night, and they don't mind. I don't want you to be alone for Christmas. Brittany told me she's going to New Mexico with her parents, which would mean that you'd be in their house…all alone…for over a week…well, unless you're going home yourself, and in that case, I've been rambling for nothing."

"It's too expensive to fly home right now," Rory said somberly. "So yes, I'd be here. I…I'm not sure, Sam. We just met and all. Are you sure your mum and dad wouldn't mind me staying there?"

"Nah," Sam smiled. "My siblings would love to have someone else to play with. And by play with, I mean bug incessantly!"

"Siblings?" Rory brightened. "How old are they?"

"They're twins. Stacy and Stevie. They're six. They still believe in Santa, and I kind of like keeping the magic alive for them. Why, do you have any?"

"I have a younger brother, Seamus. He's seven, just a year older than yours. I miss him so much." Rory paused. His eyes seemed clearer now, brighter even. "I think I'd like to spend the holidays with you, Sam Evans."

"Great," Sam grinned. "That…that sounds great."

To be continued...