It had been months since she'd set foot in Rocque Records. Before the tour, before the hiatus, before the… development. Gustavo had given her time to deal with whatever family emergency she might need to handle but the family situation she needed to handle would take more than a few months.

She'd originally chosen a Monday morning because she knew the boys would be in school. She'd have plenty of time to talk to Gustavo before they arrived to record. But everyone else would be there with questions and sympathies and curiosity. So she moved it to Sunday, extra early. Gustavo would be in for certain but the boys would be late as usual. They were so predictable it was funny.

She would be quick, turn in her resignation letter and apologize for the short notice. Beg him for a good reference at whatever job lied ahead. Then she'd go home to her mom for a while to set up. Away from L.A. and Big Time Rush and any of the Knight family.

She still hadn't decided if she could tell Kendall. She knew that she should. But how would he explain this new kid to his mother, his grandparents, his various relatives? He'd been seventeen at the time of conception.

He could never know.

She knocked lightly on Gustavo's office door before entering, knowing the big man would be calm as he was having his morning coffee. He glanced up from his mug and surprise hit his face.

"Kelly?"

She stepped inside, shut the door behind her.

"Hi."

He set his coffee down, relief on his face.

"How is that family thing? You coming back to us?"

He was hopeful it was obvious. She need only to see the disoriented state of his office to know he was lost without her. The mighty Gustavo Rocque could not function without an assistant.

"I hate to disappoint you but…" she handed him the letter.

Gustavo eyed it warily before taking it.

"What is this?"

She took a deep breath, reminded herself that this was for the best. She couldn't afford to be around Kendall.

"It's my letter of resignation."

He dropped it as if it were on fire.

"What?" that was not a happy tone.

"Kelly, what the hell, you can't quit."

She'd known he'd put up a fight.

"I just did. Believe me if I could help it I wouldn't leave but my family emergency is more critical than I thought. I have to go now but I hope that…that maybe in the future I can count on you for a positive reference?"

Gustavo was dumbstruck. He stared for a moment as if disbelieving what he was hearing.

"No," he finally answered.

Kelly felt her heart drop. So he wouldn't be giving her a good reference. She'd known he had a quick temper but she hadn't expected him to be this spiteful.

"I'm not accepting this letter."

For emphasis he tore the paper apart right before her eyes.

"What are—"

"You're the best assistant I've ever had Kelly and to be honest this place is falling apart without you. So whatever your situation is, take all the time you need, I'll even still pay you just as long as you give me your word you'll come back when it's over."

She blinked, taken aback by his offer. Even more so by his admission. Gustavo Rocque was a proud man. She had to practically pull his teeth just to get him to acknowledge when the boys had done a good job on a song.

Remembering the boys she glanced at the door.

"I don't know what to say," she confessed.

He gave her a level look.

"Say you'll stay. We need you here Kelly. The dogs need you."

The dogs i.e. the boys. Now that was the Gustavo she was used to.

"I…"

She wanted to say yes. Under different circumstances she would but how could she face Kendall? Especially after she'd received that note her last night of the tour. She still had no idea who had sent it and what they would do if she was seen anywhere near the band.

"Gustavo—"

"I'm not taking no for an answer."

It was funny that despite how often Gustavo lost his temper, he'd never intimidated her. She usually found it more annoying or sometimes amusing but today she felt his sternness and couldn't refuse.

"I would if I could but…"

God what was she doing?

"…maybe give me a year?"

That would be enough time to have the baby, set up a contingency plan and by then everything with Kendall would be forgotten. It would slow her career down but it wouldn't take her out completely. She waited for Gustavo to make a remark about how a year was too long. To ask what the hell could be so dire that she put her job on hold for a whole twelve months but he did no such thing. He only nodded, his brows furrowed with concern.

"Okay. One year. Then you're back full force."

He waited for her to nod in agreement. Then he cleared his throat.

"Kelly…whatever this emergency is, if you need anything, I'm here. Don't be afraid to ask."

It wasn't often that he showed this side, the tender teddy bear that existed deep down. It was touching. So much so that Kelly felt her eyes begin to water. Oh god she wasn't a sap. It had to be the hormones. How soon did pregnancy start screwing those up?

She blinked several times to hold her emotions at bay. She was about to thank him again when Gustavo reiterated.

"You're a part of the Rocque Records family. We take care of ours."

Well if that didn't break the dam down. Of course when she started bawling Gustavo couldn't let her leave. Again odd for him, he was not the nurturing type as she'd often seen in his lack of patience with the boys. Logan in particular always needed reassurance after dealing with the man's short fuse.

But perhaps it was her tears, her situation, her gender that softened him enough to step from behind his desk and awkwardly pat her shoulder. She accepted the tissue he offered and after more embarrassed apologies was able to make her escape. But her visit had taken longer than anticipated (thanks to the tears). The boys were due at the studio soon. She'd better make like a ball and bounce quick. If she didn't hurry she might end up—

"Kelly?"

She'd made it to the elevator when the doors opened to reveal one quarter of the boyband she'd done everything in her power NOT to see today.

"Logan?" she gasped.