A/N: So. My name is Chris. This is my first story :D. Well, the first that I've published anyway. I write all the time, but I suddenly was inspired to begin this project. I'm not sure exactly how long it's going to last, but I know that I'm going to ATTEMPT (please note: attempt) to update every week. I'm a college student, though, not a miracle worker, so don't expect perfection. Please let me know what you think, either via review, rating, or PMs. I'm happy to receive any and all feedback.

Legal matters: I don't own Big Time Rush or any of the various performers within. The name, songs, images, etc. are all property of Nickelodeon/Viacom. I don't intend to make any suggestions as to the sexualities, personalities, etc. of any of the characters within. This is a work of FICTION and thus is FICTIONAL. Again, I don't own any of these characters or anything. They're all copyright of Nickelodeon/Viacom. Also, I do NOT intend to profit from this work.

Enjoy. :).

Kendall Knight stood at the end of the world. He stood at the precipice of humanity's conquest, the line of demarcation between Civilization and Wild. He stood at the edge of the Grand Canyon. It was no easy feat - it had taken several minutes of internal goading and self-directed insults to push himself forward, inch by inch, to the sheer cliff's end. He vaguely recalled some piece of advice given to him about vertigo. Just...don't look down, he assured himself. Kendall took a deep, calming breath and studied the horizon before him instead, taking in the stretch of azure sky and creamy white clouds that went on forever. Such a perfect day.

Then he looked down.

The world began to spin as he did so. Even with his suddenly altered vision Kendall could make out the ridges and grooves that lined the canyon's sides, scars left by eons of erosion. At the very bottom of the etched walls was a single string of blue, running like a vein through the gorge's heart. If he weren't so absolutely afraid of dying, he mused morbidly, the sight might have been beautiful. Unfortunately, a crippling fear of heights - or, as Kendall called it, human fucking instinct - had already taken hold. And he was about to die.

"Kendall, you really could use to get out of the house. All you've been doing since the move is sitting in your room, sulking. Why don't you go see the sights? I'm sure Flagstaff has plenty to offer."

Kendall scoffed. "This is Arizona, mom, not Vegas. There's nothing for me to do here. Besides, it's nearly a thousand degrees outside. Unless you intend for me to become a shriveled mass on the sidewalk, I'm not leaving."

His mother cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? Aren't you? Well, then. To keep you from getting too bored, I've got a couple of things you can do for me. Sweep and mop the kitchen floor, vacuum the living room, your room, my room, and Katie's room, clean the bathroom, wash -"

"Alright, alright...I'll just go find a vigilante group to join. Then you'll be sorry."

"I'm sure, honey. Now get out - you're the Rebels' only hope, after all."

It hadn't taken him long after he left to decide that the only noteworthy place in all of Arizona was the Grand Canyon. Now he was wishing he hadn't been so disparaging. Compared with an obscenely untimely death, bingo at the Elk's Lodge sounded nice. He made a mental note to play a round or two if he survived. This seemed unlikely, as the world's sudden decision to abandon physics left him off balance. Kendall unwillingly lurched forward. Guess this is it... He closed his eyes and braced for impact...

...but felt only the fabric of his t-shirt constricting his windpipe as he was pulled back. Shocked and relieved, he tripped and fell onto his back. Stars floated before his eyes, mingling painfully with the sunlight beaming directly above him. This blindness lasted only momentarily, however, and was quickly replaced as a hulking shadow filled his vision.

"Are you all right?" The shadow grunted.

"Y-yeah...I'm fine. Thanks to you, I mean...I could have died, there." Kendall was surprised at how strong his voice was compared to how weak he felt.

"I noticed. Any particular reason you were thinking of falling into the Grand Canyon?"

Kendall's expression darkened. "I wasn't planning on falling in...I'm just not good with heights."

The shadow laughed. It was a short sound, but clear as a bell. Kendall couldn't help but admire it. "Why, then, would you come to the Grand freakin' Canyon? Let alone stand at the edge."

"I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. I wanted to conquer my fear. Listen, it doesn't really matter does it? I was stupid, you helped me out. Now could you help me up? As fun as it is to lie on the ground, I'd prefer to be in a less vulnerable position."

A hand reached out and Kendall took it, using the leverage to boost himself up. Without the sun's rays blinding him, he was finally able to get a good look at his mysterious savior.

The first thing he noticed was the most obvious - it was a guy. He was tall and striking - like a model straight out of a magazine. His hair was a rich brown, cut stylishly, cascading along the slope of his head, bangs sweeping across his forehead. Broad shouldered with high cheekbones and a prominent nose. From the way his tight clothes clung to him - a white V-neck and skinny jeans that made Kendall swallow in spite of himself - it was easy to tell that he was muscular. After his initial inspection, Kendall met his newfound ally's eyes. They, like the boy's hair, were a deep brown that made Kendall weak in the knees; he just didn't understand why. The boy flashed him a dazzling smile that made Kendall melt.

"I'm James, by the way. James Diamond. And you can let go of my hand now."

Kendall realized that he was still grasping James' right hand. Laughing weakly, he retracted his own appendage. "Oops...sorry. I'm Kendall, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Kendall. Or should I call you Evil Knievel?"

"That'd just be false advertising - he actually made it across."

This earned an earnest reaction from James, who threw his head back and laughed until tears streamed down his face. Kendall couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride at this.

"So, not-so-evil Knievel, do you have a way home?"

Kendall blanched. "Actually, no...I took a bus here and I have no idea how to get back."

"Don't sweat it - I'll drive you home. Unless...your mommy told you never to take a ride from a stranger?"

Kendall rolled his eyes. "I told my mother I was joining a band of vigilantes. A ride with a stranger is the least of her worries."

James grinned. "I was hoping you would say that. Come on. I parked over here." He waved indistinctly as he walked away. Kendall followed, excited to have made a friend, amused by the situation that led to their meeting, and unsure as to why he wanted so badly to touch James's hand once more.

"Holy..." Kendall breathed at the sight of James's car. He was no avid collector, but he knew that was James drove was a thing of beauty. It was a 1967 navy blue Chevy Impala with leather seats and chrome rims that shined with a luster that spoke of their detailed care. The car was enormous - almost like a boat with wheels - but it was still a thing of beauty. He reached out and stroked the car's hood, only to have his hand slapped away.

"Nobody touches my baby but me," James threatened wryly. "Now open the door - carefully - and get in so we can head out."

Kendall did as he was told and was immediately assaulted by the small of leather and...body spray. When he asked about the latter James lit up.

"That's my 'Cuda ManSpray. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure, but I think it smells great all the same."

"I...I agree." Kendall refused to let him know how much the smell made him want to puke.

"You don't have to lie, you know. Everyone hates it."

"I can see why...it smells like sweat and cheap perfume." Kendall rested his hand on the arm rest between he and James.

"Oh, ha-ha. At least I didn't almost fall into the Grand Canyon."

"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Got it in one."

"Jerk," said Kendall. He suddenly noticed that James's hand was beside his, mere inches away. An overwhelming desire to close this miniscule gap filled him. It took all his willpower to resist this urge, his hand twitching all the while. Kendall could swear that James's hand was doing the same.

Not only that, Kendall also wanted to ask James why he had been visitng the Grand Canyon at exactly the same time: it wasn't as if Kendall had been there too long, and the parking lot was empty when he arrived. But the rest of the ride took place in silence.

James parked the car outside Kendall's house. They exchanged phone numbers and promised to keep in touch. James drove slowly away and Kendall went inside. He slammed the door shut behind himself and took off his sneakers. A short walk later and he was in the kitchen where he found his mother with a cup of coffee and a copy of Women's Day. She asked how his day had been and he perfunctorily told her of his trip to the Grand Canyon and his encounter with James. Kendall tactfully left out the details of his encounter, mentioning only that they had met at an observation point. He made up a quick excuse to escape her questions and sped off to his room.

As soon as he opened the door, he threw himself on his bed and closed his eyes. So much had happened - between his near-death experience, his meeting James, and his internal questioning of his sexuality, Kendall was exhausted. Sleep came quickly and was filled with images of those deep, brown eyes...

A/N: Craziness, huh? You probably have a bunch of questions. Just stick around and I promise they'll be answered. More than likely, any obvious holes in the plot WILL be plugged in later chapters. Remember, I LOVE to hear feedback so feel free to share that any way that you can. I appreciate any and all of it.