Hey everybody! So, recently I've been hooked on Big Time Rush – the show and the actual band. I've read a few amazing stories on here pertaining to Big Time Rush and they are the reason I found inspiration to write a fic of them of my own. This is my very first one so bear with me folks. Also, this is an odd couple pairing, but when I seen them interact with each other on one of the episodes of BTR. I had to write about them. So I hope you enjoy! :-)

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Big Time Rush (unfortunately) or any of their characters. Sorry.

Summary: The events leading up to how James Diamond and Stephanie King found love and also committed The Ultimate Betrayal. Expressed from both points of views. R&R!

A/N: The point of views will periodically change throughout the story.

Chapter 1: Words of Wisdom

James Diamonds' eyes sparkled with a mixture of love and lust as he stared down at the beauty beside him.

Stephanie King.

She was the new girl at Palm Woods and had just moved here from her hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana.

She had the most beautiful locks of shiny, brunette hair he's ever seen, the way it flowed down her back seamlessly as she walked. The sexiest curves he's ever seen on a woman, no matter what she wore, she always made it look so toothsome and alluring, yet it was still effortless like she rolled out of bed looking like that.

She had this aura about her that was of sweetness and purity. Yet, something about her draws you in without you even having the knowledge of it until it's too late. Maybe it was the way her piercing, honey colored eyes bores into yours with such intensity that it would make any sane human being's heart skip a beat…or maybe just his.

She had a natural beauty about herself and didn't need to wear an ounce of makeup. James reminded her of this. He smiled at memory of the scarlet color that flooded her cheeks when he told her that. He loved when he made her blush. It made the hairs on his neck and back stand.

James let out an unsteady breath as he moved a couple of her brunette locks from her angelic face, he was in love with her and he knew it.

Yes you heard that right, James Diamond – the ladies man? The one who loved no else but his reflection in the mirror…was in love?

The thought had taken him aback himself. Not only was he in love, but he was also in love with his best friend's girl.

The ultimate betrayal.

A wave of guilt surpassed as he thought about one of his best friend's: Carlos Garcia; the goofy, fun, loving, cheerful one of the group. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve the lies, hurt, pain, and betrayal this would all cause.

James knew Stephanie felt the same, she hated just as much as James, the hurt and pain she knew she was putting him through. She had loved Carlos, she truly did. But something, somewhere in their relationship, had gone wrong.

Somewhere down the line, Stephanie had fallen out of love with him and she didn't know until the moment she had met James, one of Carlos' best friends, if not, brother. Stephanie knew she felt something with James. She remembered the exhilarating feeling she got by just the touch of his hand. She felt a sudden, profound connection with James that no girlfriend should feel about her boyfriend's best friend.

She knew he felt it too by the startled look on his face as he stared down into the young girl before him with shock and mere interest.

But before anyone gets into any of that, you must know how the two even ended up in each other's arms completely and hopelessly in love right?

Well sit tight because this is going to be one heck of a ride…

Three months prior: In apartment 2J

"Has anyone seen Carlos?" Logan asked curiously, coming out from his room. "I haven't seen or heard from him all day." Logan plopped down on the couch next to Kendall and James, whose eyes were glued to the television screen.

Kendall was the one to speak, finally tearing his eyes away from the screen in front of him and onto Logan. "I think he's out with Stephanie."

"Again? Wow. He's practically gone out with her every night this week. Things must be getting serious."

"Yeah," Kendall agreed. "It's been a month since he asked her to be his girlfriend, right? I wonder if they've made it exclusive yet."

"Well if he hasn't then he will soon."

James clenched his jaw as Kendall and Logan's words began to sink into his psyche. Why did it bother him so much that Stephanie and Carlos were getting serious? He should be happy for his best friend. He deserved to be happy. But James couldn't help but feel envious of Carlos. The fact that he could hold, kiss, and touch Stephanie whenever he pleased annoyed James immensely.

James shook his head, desperately trying to rid of the thoughts that lingered in his conscious and focus on the screen before him.

"What do you think about it, James?" Logan suddenly asked.

"Huh?" James turned his head to his friend, completely oblivious to what Logan was talking about.

"What do you think about Carlos and Stephanie?"

"Um, they, uh, make a great couple I guess." James said, hoping that his response didn't sound as sarcastic as he meant it to be.

Logan and Kendall looked at James with confused looks plastered onto their features. Logan opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the front door opening and in walked a giddy-looking Carlos hand and hand with Stephanie.

"Hey guys!" Carlos said as he and Stephanie sat down next to Logan and Kendall and across from James.

"Hey Carlos, hey Stephanie!" Logan smiled, "What's up?"

Carlos shrugged, "Nothing much. Stephanie and I went to get something to eat, then to a movie that was boring as hell. Good thing I had Stephanie here to distract me most of the time." Carlos winked and a maroon color flushed across Stephanie's cheeks as she smacked Carlos on the arm.

"Carlos!"

"What?" Carlos grinned, throwing an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. "You know you enjoyed it just as much as I did."

Stephanie didn't respond, but the deep cherry color that flushed her rosy red cheeks once again, said enough.

James quietly glowered at the two from across the room as he watched them giggle, cuddle, and hold hands with one another. Right as Carlos was about to lean in for a kiss from Stephanie, James abruptly stood from his sitting position. "I'm going for a walk. I need some fresh air. See you guys later."

And with that, James was gone leaving everyone slightly confused by his behavior.

"That was…weird." Kendall said.

"I'll say…" Carlos replied.

But Stephanie stared after James, worried for him. Why? She had no clue. She wanted to go after him. But she couldn't. She was Carlos' not James'. Stephanie felt a sting at the realization. She didn't know why but she did.

"You okay babe?" The sound of Carlos' voice is what brought her out of her thoughts (thankfully) and back to reality.

"Huh? Oh yeah. I'm fine." Stephanie, for the first time in their relationship plastered a fake smile upon her face and leaned in for a peck which Carlos happily complied to.

Somewhere in the Palm Woods Parking lot

James sat in the BTR mobile, thinking of what had just happened and why in the hell was he was acting like an ex-boyfriend who's not over his girlfriend. James ran his fingers through his hair in a frustrated way. Ever since the day he laid eyes on her, he couldn't get her off of his mind. James tried. He tried desperately to rid of his mind of a girl that didn't belong to him, but belonged to his best friend. But she seemed to be the only thing on his mind worth thinking about.

"Argh!" James groaned, hitting his head against the steering wheel in frustration.

'You really need to stop thinking like that, James. That's your best friend's girl. He's happy and deserves it. Don't go and ruin that for him. He doesn't deserve it.' James' conscious warned. Sometimes he hated having a conscious…

Somewhere on the third floor of Palm Woods apartment complex later that night

Stephanie huffed in frustration as she tossed and turned in her bed, finally giving up on any chance at a peaceful night of sleep. She didn't bother glancing at the alarm clock beside her. She already knew what time it was and how long she had been up, switching positions, changing pillows, throwing the blankets on and off of her throughout the night.

Her thoughts and over active imagination was the cause of her insomnia. Her thoughts of a certain tall, broad-shouldered, 6'1 male with a killer smile and breathtaking physique that lived only on the second floor beneath her.

And sadly, that male was not her sweet, fun, loving boyfriend. It was his best friend. His good-looking, charismatic, you-can-look-but-can't-touch best friend. Did she mention how good-looking, sexy, hot, and attractive he was? Oh good.

Stephanie groaned. Why did he have to be Carlos's best friend? Why did he have to be so hot? Most of all, why couldn't she stop these illicit thoughts that continued to sneak into her psyche with her own permission?

Grrr…, when did life become so effing confusing?

'Oh I don't know, maybe when you started ogling over your boyfriend's best friend! Not that I can blame you though. The boy's smoking hot!' Stephanie's conscious spoke.

"Oh shut up." Stephanie grumbled out loud. "And I was not ogling over him."

'Oh please. And what do you call what you were doing just five seconds ago? Simply admiring from afar? I think not!'

Stephanie rolled her eyes mumbling "Whatever."

'You know it's true, Stephanie. Who are you trying to fool? You're attracted to him. Just admit it. Everyone knows he's definitely an eye catcher. But let that be only what he is to you. An attractive guy who is best friend's with your boyfriend and completely off limits.'

"But-"Stephanie tried to protest.

'You love Carlos don't you?'

"Of course!"

'Then focus on that. Focus on how much you love him and how much pain and hurt you will cause him if you carry out this thing you have for James. You would not only be cheating on him, but cheating on him with his best friend. You would be walking on dangerous grounds and could ruin a lot of people's lives, including: James, Carlos's, Big Time Rush, and not to mention yours and Carlos's friendship with James. Would you really want to be the cause of that?'

Stephanie sighed, "…No."

'I didn't think so. The best thing to do is erase all of the thoughts you have had of him and direct all of that on Carlos. He's the one for you. He loves you and you love him. This is how it should be. Don't mess up with a good guy because you can't control your hormones.'

Stephanie lay silent as she thought over the words of her conscious. She knew everything that was said was true. Getting involved with James in any other way than friendship could – no would turn out disastrous. So many lies. So much betrayal. Stephanie didn't know if she would even be able to live a life full of lies, hurt, and betrayal. She wasn't that kind of person.

Was she even willing to risk losing a great boyfriend to just test the waters with James and see where it took her? Her brain was screaming: HELL NO! But her heart and everything else screamed otherwise.

Stephanie groaned again, finally glancing over at the clock which read: 3:01am.

"Go to sleep Stephanie. It doesn't matter…"

But it did matter. It matter more than anything. But for now, what mattered is getting the much needed sleep she had been craving for all night.

Stephanie mentally planned that by tomorrow morning. All her thoughts, fears, and wishes would be gone. Her feelings for James would be almost translucent (at least she hoped it would be) and she'd wake up tomorrow all smiles, refreshed, and ready to start her day with her wonderful boyfriend whom she loved oh so much.

It may have been an unrealistic thought, but it was enough to lure her into the sleep she desperately yearned for all night.

Tomorrow morning she would forget all about the peculiar boy who kept her up most of the night, lingering in her thoughts like a bad dream. She would wake up, more in love with Carlos than ever had been and the thought of James would just be a distant memory….

Stephanie couldn't have been more wrong in her whole life about anything. She had awakened the next morning almost yearning for him. To be under his gaze. His touch. Everything.

This morning had definitely gone left for her. She was so sure she would be over James by now. But she wasn't. She was anything but over him.

Stephanie groaned. What a sucky way to start the morning. Just as Stephanie thought things were at its worst, she heard her phone buzz from her nightstand.

1 New Text Message, it read. It was from Carlos: Good morning beautiful! The guys and I decided 2 go down 2 the pool 2day. Do u want 2 come? Camille & Jo are coming 2.

Stephanie was a little apprehensive at the thought before responding. James was definitely going to be there. And the way she was feeling at the moment, she wasn't sure she wanted to see him at all. But she decided against it. Maybe being around Carlos could take her mind off of James for a while. Hm, sounded like a good plan.

Stephanie quickly sent the reply back to Carlos and within seconds he replied back with: Yay ok we are meeting down at the lobby at 12 k? See u then! Love you :-)

Stephanie smiled at the text before setting her phone down and glancing over at the time which read: 11:05am. She decided to take a quick shower, only hoping this day would go smoothly and drama-free.

I mean…, one could hope couldn't they?

A/N: So there's the first chapter! I hope you guys enjoyed it! I have revised it so many times I lost count. Lol anyways, if you're wondering how they met it will be revealed in the future chapters. I just decided to start it where James was beginning to have feelings for Stephanie or see her in a different light lol whatever you want to call it. Any who, reviews would be absolutely wonderful! They are motivation! :-)