Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

After several long hours driving through the empty plains of Texas, Houston finally came into view. AJ gently nudged Finn awake. "Hey, look,'" he said, pointing out the windshield. "We're almost there."

Finn stared blearily out the front window, notably missing the characteristic excitement he usually exhibited when entering a new city. He scanned the skyline, seemingly sizing up the buildings, then turned back to AJ. "Why'd you wake me up for?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Well... Don't you like lookin' at the buildings and such?" AJ enquired, shifting his gaze between Finn and Houston a few times. "You've never been to Houston before, right?"

A bored expression suddenly crossed Finn's face. "I've been everywhere, AJ," he replied with a sigh. He turned back to the window at his side and mumbled to himself, "Everywhere, and yet nowhere all at once."

"Right," AJ stated, pulling out his phone and tapping at the screen. He brought up Luke's contact information and sent him a quick text: "You hear that?"

Luke's phone buzzed loudly in his lap, waking him up from his well-deserved nap. He grumbled to himself as he checked the message and sent another back: "Hear what?"

"Finn said he's been everywhere"

"So?"

"He hasn't"

"So?"

"He's not excited to see Houston"

"And your point is?"

"That's not normal"

"We've established this. Just take a nap or something. You're tired."

"It doesn't take a genius to see there's something wrong here"

"It also doesn't take a genius to see you need to calm down."

"No I don't"

"Just leave the poor guy alone, AJ."

The second Luke tapped 'Send' on the last text, he silenced his phone and set it in the cup-holder next to him. AJ sighed and set his own phone aside, shooting a worried glance at the back of Finn's head. "Hey, Finn," he said, "How about that UK tour we're goin' on in a couple weeks? You excited?"

Barely glancing back at him, Finn replied, "What's the point?"

"Uh… You'll get to see Ireland again," AJ answered, floundering for a response to the unexpected question. "An- And your family. You've missed them for sure, right?" Other than a half-hearted shrug, Finn made no indication of an answer.

Suddenly, Karl cried out, "Avast, ye maties! The port o' Houston be nigh."

"Again with the pirate bit, Karl?" Luke groaned, slapping his forehead. "It's getting old."

"Argh, you need some rum in you," Karl grumbled, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Several minutes later, Karl parked the car in the arena parking lot, despite the fact that the show wasn't scheduled to start for another few hours. "You guys want to walk around a bit?" Karl asked, stepping outside and stretching.

"I want to go back to sleep," Finn mumbled, dragging himself out of the car and rubbing at his eyes.

"But you slept the whole way here," Karl pointed out, grabbing Finn by the arm. "C'mon, we need the exercise!" he declared as he dragged him off.

AJ exited the vehicle, shaking his head. "Karl ain't that oblivious, is he?" he chuckled.

"I wouldn't like to believe so," Luke responded, leaning against the car as he watched the other two jog around the parking lot. "If anything, he's just in denial."

"Kinda like you?" AJ shot back, folding his arms.

"I'm not," Luke declared, shrugging. "I just think you need to relax. You're gonna end up smothering the guy if you don't stop worrying about him like that."

"Well, I know. He just ain't ever like this," AJ explained, shaking his head again.

"Just tone it down," Luke directed as Karl and Finn approached again. He pushed off of the car and waved the other two over. "So, are we gonna go for that walk or not?"

"Yeah, let's go!" Karl exclaimed, starting for the sidewalk. The other three followed close behind.

Not long into the group's walk, they came across a young boy and his mother. The boy practically danced around them with excitement while his mother fumbled with her phone for the picture. "Hey, slow down, little man," Karl laughed. "You wanna be in the picture too, don't you?"

"Sorry," the kid giggled, stopping but still shaking somewhat. "I'm e'cited."

"No worries, kiddo," Karl assured him. "I'd be excited to meet guys as awesome as The Club too." He discreetly nudged Finn and muttered, "C'mon, man, don't look so glum. Where's your famed 'Finn Freeze'?" The Irishman shrugged and complied, although his smile didn't reach quite as far as usual.

The young fan didn't seem to notice however and, as soon as the picture was taken, he bounded over to his mother to see. They then thanked the men profusely and continued on their way.

"What's your problem, man?" Karl enquired once they too had recommenced their walk. "I mean, you're always good with the fans, especially the little ones."

"I don't know," Finn replied, the smile immediately dropping off his face. "I've just been so tired. That's all."

Luke suddenly stopped in front of them, bringing the entire group to a halt. "Maybe we should just hang around the arena for today," he suggested. "Houston's not going anywhere."

"I second that notion," AJ piped up, glancing at Finn for half a second. "We all got matches tonight to prepare for anyway."

"I guess," Karl groaned, turning back. Finn trudged along behind him, looking almost ready to fall asleep on his feet. AJ and Luke shared a concerned glance before following the two back to the arena.