Hello Dear Readers! Here's the next installment in We Found Us, in which AJ gets ill, Gavin takes care of him, and the prepare to go to the Hummel-Anderson's for the Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy, even though I still don't own anything related to Glee. I am, however, counting down the days until September 20th.

~oOo~

AJ was on the last paragraph of his reading assignment for US history, when his phone rang. A picture of his smiling grandfather popped up on the screen and AJ answered.

"Hi Grandpa!"

"Hey, boy! I'm calling to check in on you. How'd your talk with Gavin go?"

"It went pretty well. We decided to be friends for now, you know, make sure we are solid in the friendship department before we consider if there will be anything else. We've been hanging out with each other and our friends. Things are good," AJ said, moving from his desk to his bed.

"I'm glad to hear that. You are both smart boys and I knew everything would be fine. The other reason I called is to see if you'd like to come to dinner on Saturday night. Gavin is invited too. Gram and I would like to get to know him a little better, if that's okay with you," Burt said.

"That sounds great! I'll ask Gavin if he's free. Can I call you back later?"

"Of course. Talk to you soon. And AJ?"

"Yeah, Grandpa?"

"I love you."

"Love you too."

AJ hung up and made his way to Gavin's room, where he knocked on the door. When he didn't answer, AJ was confused. Gavin said he'd be studying. AJ knocked again, this time louder. He heard feet hit the floor and walk towards the door.

"AJ!" Gavin said, rubbing his eyes and yawning. "I think I fell asleep while I read my history assignment. Imagine that," he deadpanned. "Come in. What's up?"

"Hey, I just got off the phone with my Grandpa. Say no if you don't want to do this, but he and my grandma would like for us to come to dinner on Saturday. What do you think?"

"We have that soccer game in the morning, but it should be over in plenty of time. Sure! It sounds fun. Do we need to bring anything?"

AJ shook his head, "No, but if we are smart boys, we'll stop along the way and buy flowers for Grandma. She loves it when 'her boys' think of her."

"Duly noted," Gavin said. "Actually, eating at your grandparents' sounds really good right now. Your grandma is a really good cook, and the food here is okay, but…"

"I totally understand," AJ said. "So, we leave after our game on Saturday? Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect," Gavin said, giving AJ a quick hug.

"Okay, I'll go call Grandpa. In the mean time, dinner with me in half an hour?" AJ asked.

"Yes. I'm really hungry tonight." Both boys paused and looked at each other. "Who am I kidding? I'm ALWAYS hungry," Gavin said, laughing.

"Stay awake and study. No more sleeping!" AJ said with a wink and he returned to his room.

~oOo~

"Come on, don't beat yourself up over one measly point!" AJ said, looking at Gavin as they drove to Lima.

"Yeah, I can take that advice a little easier when that one point doesn't lose the game for us," Gavin said.

"Hey, my dad always says that if a goal is scored, it's everyone's fault, not just the keeper's. The keeper is just the last line of defense. The ball had to get taken away from the offense and past a whole lot of our defenders to get to you. Does that make you feel better?" AJ asked.

"No, but I'll get over it. Thanks for trying to make me feel better. I just hate making mistakes like that," Gavin said.

"So, have you always been this competitive?" AJ asked, grinning at Gavin.

"In soccer, yes," Gavin replied. "Besides, look who's talking. I saw you slam the ground with your fists when Number 15 knocked you down. I also recall seeing a little dirty play when he had the ball a few minutes later. Have you always been a revenge-seeking center forward?" Gavin turned and smiled at AJ.

"I don't know what you are talking about," AJ said, looking straight ahead at the highway. Moments later he couldn't keep a straight face, and started to laugh. "Okay, yes, I've always held a bit of a grudge on the soccer field, but only if someone acts in an unfair manner."

"Suuuuuuuuure," Gavin drew out.

"It's a good thing I'm driving or I'd…" AJ said.

"Or you'd what?" Gavin challenged.

AJ turned to Gavin and smiled.

~oOo~

Gavin pushed his chair away from the table and patted his stomach. "Carol, your food makes me homesick for my mom's cooking. This is the best meal I've had in a very long time!"

"Oh, it's nothing, sweetie. You and AJ are welcome for dinner any time. It's sure been nice having you here and getting to know you a little better. Anyone ready for dessert? It's peach cobbler," Carol said.

"I think it's safe to say peach cobbler all around!" Burt said. "Come on boys, let's clear up the dishes." In a flash, the dishes were stacked and carried to the kitchen, while Carol dished up the dessert. Gavin opened the door to the dish washer and started to load plates.

"Gavin, you don't need to do that. Besides, the dish washer isn't working quite right and Burt hasn't had a chance to look at it. The water isn't getting through like it should," Carol said.

Bending down, Gavin stuck his head into the back of the washer, immediately seeing the problem. A piece of paper, probably a label from a jar, covered the water access. He peeled it off, removed himself from the washer, and turned to Carol. "I think it will work now," Gavin said. "This paper was covering the spot where the water comes in. It happens a lot." AJ entered the kitchen with the last of the glasses and silverware just as Gavin explained the problem to Carol.

"Dude! How did you know what to look for?" AJ asked.

Gavin giggled and said, "Well, my dad owns a plumbing company and I work for him in the summer."

"So, are you, like, a plumbing genius?" AJ asked, trying to keep a straight face.

"Burt, Gavin fixed the problem with the dishwasher!" Carol exclaimed as Burt entered the kitchen, looking for dessert.

"He's a plumbing phenom!" AJ said, starting to laugh.

"That's enough out of you, chuckles," Gavin said, shooting AJ his best glare, which he wasn't able to hold for very long. "It's no big deal. Now, how about some dessert. That cobbler smells wonderful Carol!"

Burt stood behind Gavin at the table and quietly said, "Thanks for showing me up, kid. Now my wife thinks you are a knight in shining armor." Burt lightly punched Gavin on the shoulder.

Gavin smiled and continued looking forward. "Anything to help a lady in distress," he said, turning to smile at Burt, "especially when she cooks like Carol!"

~oOo~

"Well, O Plumbing God, we'd best hit the road if we're going to make it back to school before curfew. Grandma, best meal ever. Thank you." AJ got up and went to hug his grandma.

"AJ, you look flushed and you feel kind of warm." Carol put her hand up to AJ's forehead. "You've got a temp. Are you feeling okay?"

"I feel a little warm, but I think I just ate too much. I'll be fine," AJ said.

"Well, let me take your temperature before you leave…"

"Don't bother, Gram. I'll be fine. I promise," AJ said, pulling away from Carol's grasp.

"Well, if you start to feel worse, make sure you rest and drink fluids. Go to the nurse too." Turning to Gavin, Carol said, "Gavin, I'm going to trust that you'll get AJ to the nurse if he needs help. He's like his dad and his Uncle Finn; they have to be on their deathbeds before they'll even consider seeing someone."

"I promise Carol. I can be very convincing when I need to be," Gavin said.

"Psssh," AJ scoffed. "I'd like to see you try and make me…"

"Don't push me, Hummel-Anderson," Gavin said, grinning.

"Whatever, O'Keefe. Okay, let's get going. Bye Grandma and Grandpa. Thanks again for dinner!" AJ called as the boys walked down the driveway. Burt and Carol waved until AJ's car was out of sight.

Ten miles from Lima, Gavin looked at AJ and said, "Seriously, you look really flushed. Are you feeling okay?"

AJ was quiet for a moment, realizing that he was starting to feel nauseous. "Uh, no. I don't feel okay. Do you mind driving?"

"I thought you'd never ask. I'm sorry you feel crappy, but I'm really excited to drive your car!" Gavin said. At that moment he realized that AJ was really not feeling well because he didn't even attempt a smart remark in return. After bringing the car to a stop, both boys unbuckled and exited the car. As they met up at the trunk, AJ quickly leaned towards the edge of the road's shoulder and threw up. Gavin was immediately at his side, keeping AJ's hair away from his face and rubbing AJ's back.

"Okay, I guess I'm sick," AJ said. "God, I hate throwing up."

"There's nothing worse," Gavin said as he moved towards the car and returned with his water bottle, some tissues, and a tin of mints. "Here. Rinse and have a mint. That will help." After AJ was done with the water bottle, Gavin dampened a few tissues and said, "Look at me." When AJ faced him, Gavin dabbed AJ's mouth, making sure any traces of vomit were gone. "Better?" Gavin asked.

"A little, but I still feel gross," AJ said, putting his hand on his forehead.

"Let's get you to school," Gavin said, helping AJ back to the car and helping him buckle into the passenger seat. "Here, use my sweatshirt as a pillow," Gavin said. Gavin went around the car and slid into the driver's seat. As soon as he was buckled in, AJ leaned on the console between them, resting his head as close to Gavin as he could get. Once on the road, Gavin rested his arm lightly on AJ's shoulder and ran his fingers through AJ's curls as he slept. "Awe, sweetie," he whispered, as AJ settled in. Gavin looked at the precise moment that AJ's mouth turned up into a small grin. The rest of the way to Dalton, AJ slept while Gavin drove and kept watch.

~oOo~

AJ's eyes flew open. Immediately he realized that he was not in his bedroom at home in New York and he was not in his dorm room at Dalton. Sitting up slightly made his head swim with pain, so he quickly lay back down. Turning to his left he spied a surfing poster and he immediately realized he was in Gavin's room. AJ heard a stirring from the floor. Moments later, Gavin's head popped up over the edge of the bed.

"Hey," he whispered, brushing curls back from AJ's forehead. "How are you feeling?"

"Still crappy. How come I don't remember getting here?" AJ asked. "Did you slip something into my water bottle, Gavin O'Keefe?" Gavin could see AJ's smile in the dark.

"It took an entire army to get you from the car to my room. Thank heaven Michael and Jacob are like pack mules. Basically, they muscled you over their shoulders and carried you up here."

"Great," AJ said, "I'm sure I'll never hear the end of that one."

"I told them you should stay here with me so that they don't risk exposure. They brought your pajamas over…"

"Oh god. I don't even want to know how I got into my pajamas," AJ said.

"Don't worry. I kicked the boys out and I helped you. You were actually quite cooperative." Gavin smiled. He held his hand to AJ's forehead and said, "You feel cooler than you did when we got here. Open up." Gavin grabbed for the thermometer on his bedside table. He put it under AJ's tongue and waited for the beep.

"How's it look?" AJ asked.

"You are closer to the normal range, but still a little warm. I'm guessing your fever has broken and you are on the mend."

"My head really hurts. Can I have some water?" AJ asked.

"Of course," Gavin replied, getting up to retrieve a water bottle. AJ drank half and then reclined again. "Better?"

"Yes."

"Okay, AJ, try to sleep. Wake me up if you need anything," Gavin said as he returned to his pile of blankets and pillows on the floor. Gavin assumed that AJ had drifted back to sleep until he heard a whisper.

"Gav?"

"Yes?"

"I feel gross."

"I know sweetie."

"Will you…will you come sleep with me?"

Gavin paused for a few seconds and said, "Of course I will." AJ shifted towards the wall, making room. Gavin climbed in next to AJ, wrapping his arm around him and allowing AJ's head to settle into Gavin's shoulder. AJ sighed and relaxed.

"Gavvie?" AJ asked. Gavin smiled in the dark.

"Yes AJ."

"Thank you."

"Anything for you AJ." Gavin rubbed AJ's back and said, "You know what? There's only one other person who gets to call me Gavvie and that's my little sister Siobhan. As of…" Gavin paused and looked at the illuminated face of his watch, "…three hours ago, she's now four years old. She's my favorite person I the world, but you know what?" AJ lifted his head a bit and looked at Gavin, questioningly. "She's going to have to share that title with you from now on." AJ smiled and Gavin kissed his forehead. Both boys fell into a comfortable sleep.

~oOo~

AJ awoke the next morning, feeling much better. He could hear Gavin talking to someone in the bathroom, and he didn't sound happy at all. A few minutes later, Gavin emerged, placing his cell phone on his desk.

"Hey! You're awake! How are you feeling?"

"Much better," AJ said, sitting up. "Are you okay?"

"Eh, just some family stuff. Do you feel up to some breakfast? I'm guessing you are hungry after throwing up last night."

AJ groaned, "Don't remind me. And yeah, I am a little hungry. Do you want to talk about the family stuff? I don't want to pry, but I'll listen if you need to talk," AJ said, taking Gavin's hand and making room for him to sit on the bed.

Gavin sighed. "That was my dad. See, last spring, my Nana Kathleen, the grandma who lives in Ireland, died. We all flew in for her wake and her funeral. There are still things that need to be dealt with, like her will and selling her house. My parents have decided to fly to Europe over Thanksgiving break. They want me to go, but I'll have to miss an additional week of school. I really don't want to do that. My mom said I could go with my grandparents who live here in town, but they'll be flying to California to spend two weeks with my cousins and I really don't want to do that. So, I guess I'll be spending the holiday here at Dalton."

"Nonsense. You'll come home with me. It's probably time for you to meet my dads anyway. I'm sure it will be fine. Let's call them this afternoon and check. In fact," AJ got a scheming grin on his face, "I have a perfect plan to make my dads a little bit crazy."

"Well obviously, you are feeling better!" Gavin said, grinning. "But seriously, I can stay here. I don't want to impose."

"Nope. Won't hear of if. Unless you don't want to come home with me…"

"No! No, no, no! I just…I'd love to go home with you and meet your dads," Gavin said, looking AJ in the eyes.

"It's settled then! Let's call them after lunch. And I'd really like to catch Michael and Jacobs's lacrosse game today. They are using monster masks to scare the other team." AJ said.

"They truly are an unending source of free entertainment, aren't they?" Gavin said. "Come on, let's go get breakfast."

~oOo~

Gavin sat across from AJ at a burger place in town. It was noon on Sunday, and the boys were having lunch before attending Michael and Jacob's lacrosse game. After ordering, AJ took out his cell phone and called his dad, Blaine's, cell phone. Blaine answered on the fourth ring.

"Hey son! Just about ready to come home for the holiday?"

"Hi Dad! And yes. Actually, I'm dying for meals cooked by you and Dad. The food at Dalton sucks this year," AJ said.

"So, how's school?" Blaine asked.

"It's okay. The weather just turned a bit cold, so most times we're stuck inside. That makes Michael and Jacob really antsy. Do you know what parquor it?" AJ asked.

"Oh my gosh, yes! It was really popular when I was a young kid. People would set up the craziest stunts, film them, and the put them on youtube. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I walked in on Michael and Jacob jumping from desk to bed to windowsill to couch, all the time screaming 'Parquor!' They looked like freaking spider monkeys swinging through the trees!"

Blaine laughed, remembering observing Wes and David doing the same thing when the boys were sophomores and juniors. "I understand, buddy. When Wes and David got that way, I'd go to the commons to study. And after Daddy transferred, I'd just go hang out with him. Honestly, living with roommates can be a pain!"

"No kidding. I'm glad I'm not the only one that gets annoyed by roommates! I used to think it was because I'm an only child and how I never had siblings to deal with, but now I'm leaning towards believing it's just because Michael and Jacob are totally insane," AJ said. "I called because I have a question. Do we have any big plans for Thanksgiving break this year?"

"No. The plan is to stay home for Thanksgiving and then travel over winter break. Southern California and Disneyland, remember?" Blaine said.

"Right, right. Well, I have a question for you then. Is it okay for me to bring a friend home for the holiday?"

"Certainly! Your friends are always welcome. What's the deal? Is this friend far from home?"

"Yeah, sort of. My friend's parents have to travel to Ireland to settle some issues surrounding my friend's grandmother's death. The trip will take longer than our break and my friend doesn't really want to miss any school, so my friend is opting to stay stateside. So, this is okay?" AJ asked.

"Of course. Who's coming home with you AJ?" Blaine asked.

"I'd rather keep my friend's identity secret for now, Dad. I will tell you that this person is really important to me, as in, I really like this person."

"Come on AJ, spill!" Blaine said, his interest piqued.

"Nope. You and Dad will just have to be surprised! Oh, and I've already arranged to take a shuttle from the airport, so don't worry about meeting our plane. We should be at the house around noon the Tuesday before Thanksgiving," AJ said.

"Okay AJ. Well…I guess…uh…we'll await your return home with bated breath? I'm kind of confused as to why you won't tell us who is coming home with you, but that's fine. I'm assuming it will all make sense when you get here." There was a slight pause and Blaine asked, "AJ, boy or girl?"

"Not telling, Daddy B, not telling! This will certainly answer a question that you and Daddy K have always had! Good night Dad. Talk to you soon and see you in a few weeks!"

"AJ, have I ever told you that you are kind of a pain in my side sometimes?" Blaine said, laughing.

"Aw, Dad, how boring would your life be if you didn't have me around?" Blaine could feel AJ smiling through the phone.

"Good point. Bye, son."

"Bye Daddy."

Gavin felt uneasy about AJ's scheme. "Do you think they'll be disappointed?" Gavin asked.

"Of course not. I'm just messing with them. They are going to love you. Trust me on this, okay?" AJ said, looking Gavin right in the eyes and grinning at him.

"Okay, but for the record, I don't think you have to be so extreme in my introduction to your family!"

"Duly noted and again, don't worry!" AJ said, standing up from the table and reaching for a hand. "Now come on. We're going to miss the lacrosse match. Watching Michael and Jacob tear up the field and use their animal-like behavior to make their opponents run screaming the other direction never gets old!"

~oOo~

It's just about time for AJ to take Gavin home to New York! I can't wait! Do you recognize that conversation between Blaine and AJ?

Until we meet again, take good care.

GirlFromTheWest xxoo