A.N.: Hi, guys! First off, I'd like to officially welcome all of our new authors to the fandom! There have been so many of you lately, bringing so many different stories and ideas to the table. I'm on summer vacation currently, and the writer's block has finally ceased (knock on wood)! So far, I've written two and a half out of the five chapters for this story. As always, I can't wait to hear what you have to say and hope you enjoy!

The funeral was nothing compared to the lunch afterwards. His mother had taught him about folding the flag, marching, uniforms. She was proud of these things. Dry chicken, somber faces, and quiet classical music were things she would pretend to enjoy but then go eat a hamburger and laugh while listening to rock n' roll in the car right afterwards.

"Hey, little man," his ten-year-old cousin PJ had come up to the table, "I don't want to sound like a meanie, but Donovan, Dante, Cassie, and I were gonna go explore. We wanted to know if you'd like to come."

He didn't really want to go off with his cousins, but anything had to be better than this. As the kids left the dining hall, he pretended not to hear the grown-ups talking about him. How he hadn't cried. How he didn't talk much. How hard it would be for his dad to take care of him.

They followed Dante out into the field behind the dining hall. Murky, grey clouds masked the sun. Even without the sun, the kids could feel the heat and humidity weighing down on their shoulders. However, no amount of unpleasant weather or unfortunate circumstances could stop them from taking part in their usual antics.

Today, the cousins decided on a game of sorcerers. Donovan, Dante, and PJ were the fire-based sorcerers chasing the two water-based sorcerers.

"Ice blast!" Cassie shouted, freezing their enemies in their tracks, "We need to split up! Run!"

The youngest cousin made a mad dash towards their base, a large rock on the other side of the field. In his haste, he did not notice a branch on the ground and fell down. As he sat up, shaking dust off his jacket, he noticed a strange scent he had been previously oblivious to. A faint buzzing caught his attention, and he saw several flies hovering around on small area about a yard away from him. He crawled over towards the strange smell before being overcome with horror.

"Keith!"

"Come on, little man! Wake up!"

"I'll go get Uncle Leo!"

The youngest cousin slowly became aware of the voices above him. He tried opening his eyes, but they just wouldn't budge.

"Do you think the dead bird scared him?" Cassie asked.

"I dunno. Maybe," PJ replied.

Still struggling to open his eyes and still failing, Keith heard the sound of footsteps trampling through the grass.

"Thanks, Dante," he heard a familiar voice say.

"No problem, Uncle Leo."

The little boy's eyes shot open.

"Daddy?"

Keith watched as relief washed upon his father's face. Without hesitation, Leo scooped his son up into his arms and began walking back towards the dining hall. As Keith nestled his head into his father's warm shoulder, he could smell the aftershave he had used that morning.

"I'm glad you're okay, Keith," Leo whispered, "I don't know what I'd do if I lost you too."

A.N.: So there we have it! The very first chapter! The father/son relationship was really never played up too much on the show, so I'm kind of taking inspiration from Burt and Kurt Hummel on Glee AKA the quickest way to make me cry. But anyways, what do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions as well as guesses on what causes the other four times Keith passes out!