A/N-For some reason, FF didn't show that I updated this story yesterday so if you've only read Chapter 1, make sure to go back and read Chapter 2 before getting into this or it won't make sense. If you're reading this story, thank you! Hope you enjoy it.


Allowing James to plug in his phone was a better idea than Logan had realized—it kept James quiet and preoccupied enough to leave Logan in peace. Other than the navigation system speaking occasionally, the car was silent for the first thirty minutes after leaving the restaurant, until James opened his mouth.

"What's wrong?"

Jumping slightly, Logan glanced over to see James staring at him with that narrowed gaze again. "What?"

"What's the matter? You're all uptight again."

"I...what are you talking about? I'm just driving."

But it was true, Logan had been lost in thoughts of his future and fears of failure as well as anxiety over new people and surroundings that were foreign to him.

"I can feel it. You're gripping the steering wheel way too tight, too. What's on your mind?"

"I don't think that's your business. It has nothing to do with you."

James shrugged as if he couldn't have cared less, then reached out suddenly to turn the radio on and flipped to a different station. The blaring rock music set Logan's teeth on edge.

"Turn that off."

"Why?"

"It distracts me."

"You can't drive while listening to music?"

"Not that kind of music."

"So...what do you like, then?"

"I like a lot of things. Just not while I'm driving."

"Logan, you can't be serious. We're not gonna spend the next twenty-four hours-"

"Actually, it's thirty-four and a half now."

"Whatever. There's no way we're driving all that way without music."

"We aren't driving; I am. And for that reason, I make the rules about it. If you don't like it-"

"You'll leave me by the side of the road. Right. You've only said that about a thousand times."

"I've said it twice. Almost thrice, but you didn't let me finish."

After a few seconds where James' eyebrows furrowed together, he asked, "Almost what?"

"What?"

"What did you just say? Almost..."

"Thrice. Almost thrice. It's a real word, it means three times."

"Then why don't you just say that instead?"

At a loss, Logan opened his mouth but then shut it again. Finally he snapped, "Please just turn the radio off."

"Fine."

James did, then tried, "Are you gonna flip out if I open the window?"

"If you're warm, we can turn on the air."

"I just need real air."

"It is real air. It comes in through the-"

"Never mind," James interrupted, eyes rolling to the sky. "How do you live?"

"With what?"

"With yourself! I've never met someone so uptight, how do you live like that? You must be a ball of constant nerves, no wonder you can't relax."

"I relax just fine, thank you very much. I'm out of my element right now and-"

"You're in a car. Is this new for you?"

"No, but it's a new car. My mother paid for it with the money she'd saved up to send me to college. I don't want to wreck it."

Logan was really beginning to hate James' habit of studying him intently. "And driving with the windows down will make you wreck the car?"

"No, of course not. I just..."

"What?" Logan couldn't come up with an answer, so James answered it himself. "You're just too worried about every little thing that could possibly go wrong to enjoy the beauty of this experience."

"What's beautiful about it?"

"Look around you, dude. Do you see any buildings? Look up at the sky. The mountains in the distance. I admit, I'm normally not the kind of guy who enjoys being away from civilization, but this is a special occasion. We're starting our lives!"

"It's hard to look around while I'm driving," was all Logan was willing to say.

"I could drive."

"Uh, no." The mere thought of it brought chills to Logan's flesh.

"Why not? I know how."

"Because this is a new car. I thought we established that."

"Yeah, right. You wouldn't let me drive your car even if it wasn't new."

"I don't even know you," Logan reasoned. "I wouldn't let any stranger drive my car."

"Admit it, you don't trust me."

"James, will you just...you're exhausting. Just play on your phone or something. Leave me in peace."

Crossing his arms over his chest, James smirked at Logan. "You weren't in peace. You were stressing out."

"I was not! The only thing in this car that's stressing me out is you."

"Which means the stuff you're freaking out about is outside the car. Why don't you just talk about it? You'll feel better."

Knowing James was right only irritated Logan more. Both his mother and Kendall were big on "talking things out," and he'd come to understand that they were onto something in that; however, James wasn't someone he could comfortably confide in. "There's nothing to talk about, James. Just drop it."

"Whatever."

Finally giving Logan what he wanted, James dismissed him and turned toward the back to reach for his jacket.

"I thought you were warm," Logan frowned.

"I never said that. I said I wanted fresh air. But that's not why I need my jacket anyway."

With repeated quick glances to the right, Logan watched James reach into a pocket and pull out a pair of ear buds.

"Is it okay if I listen to music with these, at least?"

"Of course. Why would that be a problem?"

"Because everything seems to be."

"Oh come on, you're exaggerating. I'm not that bad."

"You totally are. But if you decide you want to talk about whatever's freaking you out, I'm here. Just let me know. I'm gonna try to sleep, since I was up most of the night."

Without another word James plugged his ears with the tiny buds, cutting off Logan's next question, which would have been "Why didn't you sleep?" Logan ignored the faint feeling of hurt that washed through him, deciding this was for the best.

Finally he could have peace and quiet in which to freak out.


Approximately two hours later, Logan pulled off the highway for gas. Though the tank was only half empty, he preferred to take no chances and had scheduled gas stops every few hours.

At the freeway's exit he glanced over at James to find him still in a dead sleep. James had curled his leather jacket up into a ball and tucked it between his head and the window, and Logan had been grateful to find James wasn't a snorer.

Surprised that James hadn't stirred by the time he parked next to a gas pump, Logan shut off the ignition and reached out to gently shake James' arm. It took a more firm shake to get a reaction, James opening his eyes suddenly and jerking.

"Sorry," Logan apologized. "You okay?"

"Fine." James rubbed at his eyes before stretching. "Crazy dream. Where are we?"

"Our first gas stop. Make sure to go in and-"

"Pee, right. Got it."

James stepped out and stretched again before reaching into the car for his jacket. "It feels so good to stand up," he commented as he slipped the jacket on.

From his spot next to the pump, Logan agreed. He used his mother's gas card to pay, then watched James head toward the convenience store. "Don't take forever. We're on a schedule-which we are now behind on."

"Relax, I'm just gonna pee."

"Grab some breakfast, too!" Logan called after him. "You must be starving by now."

There was no answer as James held the door for a cute little blonde, then grinned as he followed her in. Logan rolled his eyes and muttered, "We'll be here all day with Mr. Perfect-Hair-and-Teeth chatting up girls."

Logan was lost in thought, wondering how James got his brown hair to shine like that even when not in sunlight, when the pump stopped. James returned just as Logan was setting the nozzle back in place. "That was fast."

"Doesn't take long," James replied. "You ready?"

"No, I need to go in and pee."

"Okay, hurry."

"You're rushing me? Did you get anything to eat?"

"Don't worry about it, just go."

"Fine."

Logan waited until James was settled in the car before walking toward the store, making sure he hadn't left the keys in the ignition; they were safe in his pocket.

After using the facilities, he debated whether to buy himself a snack there or stick with the granola bars and water he'd packed for the trip. As he studied a rack of donuts and danishes, it occurred to him that James might not have any money. Didn't Kendall say he'd been scammed out of it? He also recalled his comment to Kendall about not buying food for James, but now that he'd met the guy, he felt guilty. How could he just sit there and stuff his face in front of someone who was starving and broke?

Giving a mental groan at being suckered like this, Logan picked up two packages of donuts (chocolate and powdered, he'd give James the choice) and two bottles of orange juice. If James didn't like that, there was water-or he could suffer.

In another two minutes Logan was back in the car, setting the small bag of snacks between them on the console.

"Finally," James muttered, leaving Logan to raise an eyebrow at him while reconsidering his offer of food. He was about to once again remind James about the seat belt but noted it was already in place. Strapping himself in, he thought of one of his mother's favorite sayings-will wonders never cease?

A pang of loneliness passed through him suddenly, but then he remembered promising his mom he'd call at the first stop. The prospect of hearing her voice perked him up a little, and he pulled his phone from the cradle.

"What are you doing?"

"Calling my mom. I promised her I would when we stopped."

"Dude, seriously? Put her on speaker, let's just go."

"I can't, she doesn't know you're with me."

"I'll be quiet, I promise. Just drive already! You said we're behind on your schedule, right?"

Because that was true, Logan sighed and dialed the number before putting it on speaker. "Not a peep out of you, Mr. Perfect-Hair-and-Teeth."

A sudden bright grin appeared on James' face. "Yeah? You think my hair is perfect?"

"Shh!" Logan hushed, ignoring James primping himself in the side mirror. He pulled away from the pump just as his mother answered. "Hey, Mom!"

"Hi, honey! How is it so far?"

"Good. A little behind schedule but I should be able to make up the time if there's no traffic."

"Sounds good. At your first stop?"

"Yeah, just left." Noting that James had pulled down the visor and was now practicing different expressions in the mirror, Logan rolled his eyes.

"Okay. Honey, are you sure you don't want to stop at a motel for the night? I put plenty of money in your account."

Cringing because that wasn't something Logan wanted advertised to James, he sighed. "I'll be fine. I already planned out which rest stops I'm going to use and have spaced them out in even increments. I'll just rest for an hour each time."

"That sounds so dangerous, Logan. Promise me you'll stop for the night if you need to."

"I won't need to, but okay. I promise. Starting to lose my signal again, so I'll go now. Love you, Mom."

"I love you, too, honey. And I know you've probably worked yourself into a bundle of nerves by now, but remember-you'll make friends and your teachers will love you. Let yourself meet girls for a change. There's no need to be scared."

James froze in the act of puckering his lips for the mirror, holding the expression as his head swiveled in Logan's direction.

"Okay, Mom, thanks," Logan said in a rush. "Gotta go, bye!" He ended the call quickly, face hot as he focused on the road and pretended not to notice that James was back to that narrowed, analytical gaze. Hoping to distract him, Logan offered, "There are donuts and drinks in the bag, if you want some."

"Oh, no. We're not ignoring that conversation. Is that what you're worried about? No one liking you and not making any friends? Or...meeting girls?"

"It's nothing. I'm fine. There are chocolate and powdered, take your pick."

"I've got food. Did you leave a girl behind at home?"

"I'm not comfortable discussing my personal life with a stranger."

"I'm not a stranger, you've known me for..." Lifting an arm to pull back the cuff of his jacket, James squinted while looking at a watch. "Two hours and forty minutes. That makes us friends."

"Hardly."

"Dude, come on. You'll never have to see me again after tomorrow, why not just talk about it? It's not like I'm gonna tell anybody what you said. The only person we both know is Kendall, and I'm sure that whatever it is you're worried about, he's already heard it. Am I right?"

Logan committed nothing more than a shrug.

"Exactly. So what can it hurt to open up to me and get it off your chest?"

"I don't know you."

"That's even better. Because I'm an outsider, I can see the situation objectively."

"There's no situation, James. It's just...life. It's my whole life. It's not a problem to solve or a puzzle to put together. It's my entire personality, and that's not something that can be fixed."

James studied Logan with lips pursed before replying. "Personalities shouldn't be fixed. I mean, I've met some real assholes in my time, and yeah—those could use a few adjustments. But you shouldn't be afraid to be yourself."

"I'm not."

"Why are you so nervous all the time, then?"

"It's not because of...I mean, my personality does...why are we even talking about this? Let's talk about something else."

"Sure," James smirked, amused but letting Logan off the hook for the moment. "What do you want to talk about?"

"Why don't we eat instead?"

"Fine by me, but you're not escaping this conversation. It'll be back before you know it."

James reached into the pocket of his jacket and extracted a small package of chocolate donuts identical to the one Logan had purchased. Watching him break open the wrapper, Logan offered, "There's orange juice in the bag, and if you don't like that I have water in the backpack behind my seat."

"O.J. works. Thanks, dude."

When James had eaten his way through half the pack and Logan had still not pulled his from the bag, James asked, "Aren't you gonna eat?"

"Not while I'm driving."

"Why not?"

"Two hands on the wheel at all times, James. Do you even know how to drive?"

"I do. Shelly taught me. And I know that it's okay to drive with one hand. Just eat."

"I can't even open the package with one hand."

"Why didn't you do that back at the gas station?"

"You were rushing me, remember? And then I had to call Mom, and I forgot."

With a roll of his eyes, James reached into the bag. "Chocolate or powdered?"

"I prefer chocolate."

"Well, at least you have good taste. Though the white ones are tasty, too, I guess." He gently broke open the package and held a donut up to Logan's mouth.

"You don't have to feed me," Logan complained.

"Ah ah ah, can't have you taking a hand off the wheel, right?" With a grin, James shoved the donut into Logan's lips, forcing him to open his mouth. Logan almost choked at the intrusion, but managed to chew it down to a manageable size. He was about to reach for the orange juice when James lifted his own half-consumed bottle.

"Uh uh." Logan shook his head, attempting to swallow the chewed-up mess.

"Just drink it."

After finally getting the food down but annoyed that it was still stuck in his throat, Logan stated, "I don't share drinks with anyone."

"What, are you afraid of my cooties?" James teased.

"I'm afraid of everyone's cooties. Germs are a real thing, you know."

"Give me a break. I was just trying to be nice."

"I appreciate that, but—what are you doing?"

James was now shaking the unopened bottle. "You'll drink out of this one, right?"

"Not while I'm driving. I told you, I can't-"

"Oh my god, I'm gonna help you. Stop whining."

"No, because you'll just end up spilling it down my chin or something. We're in a moving vehicle, it's hard to-"

"I'll hold my arm steady. You are so ridiculous."

"I'm just-"

"Ridiculous," James finished, then twisted the cap off and tilted the bottle against Logan's lips so that he was forced to either drink or let it dribble down his face. After he'd swallowed a few sips, James lowered the bottle. "There, you survived. And look! No mess. Trust me once in awhile."

Logan had to admit that he was able to swallow more easily now, but he wasn't about to say that out loud. "Thanks," he uttered grudgingly.

"Anytime!" James grinned. After popping another donut into his own mouth, he suggested, "Now why don't we talk about your social anxiety issues."

"Why don't you try talking without a mouth full of food?"

"Did you understand me?" James asked after swallowing.

"What?"

"Did you have a problem understanding what I said?"

"No."

"And did I spray food everywhere?"

"Not that I know of, my eyes are on the road."

"Well, the answer to both questions is no. So what's the problem with me talking with my mouth full? It's not like you had to see me do it."

"It's still rude."

"You're avoiding the issue."

"I'm not discussing my personal life with you. Eat another donut. Wait, on second thought, that's not going to make a difference because you'll just keep talking anyway."

After shoving a fifth donut into his mouth, James nodded. "Damn right." He washed down the bite with more juice. "Ever had a girlfriend?"

"Not your business." Logan automatically opened his mouth for the donut that appeared before it.

"I'm gonna guess no, because of the way your mom was talking. What's the problem?"

"There isn't one."

"Oops, did you just talk with food in your mouth?" James teased, delighted at the prospect.

"Shut up. Juice me."

Still grinning, James complied with a sparkle in his eyes. Once Logan had swallowed, he gasped. "Oh no! I gave you the wrong one, you just drank out of my bottle!"

"What?!" Logan raged, eyes panicked. "What the fuck is wrong with you? How could you be so-"

"I'm just playing," James laughed. "But your face...man, that was the best. Is that the first time you've ever cussed?"

"What? You..." James' laughter only incensed him further. "Why would you do that?"

"Because it was funny. And I'm trying to show you that it's not a big deal."

"It is a big deal, you could be carrying a virus that you don't even know about yet! What if you're coming down with a cold, and now I get it, and I'm sick my first week of college? What were you thinking?"

"Calm down, I didn't even do it. I swear, that was your bottle. Mine is...oh. Shit."

"What?" Logan groaned, not really wanting to hear the answer.

"I drank out of yours, though. It was an honest mistake, I had yours in my hand and drank from it."

"And then let me drink again?!"

"I'm sorry, I swear I didn't mean to!"

"If I get sick, I'll-"

"I have auditions! You'd better not get me sick!"

"See? Now it's not so funny, is it?" Logan smirked. "Don't even think about trying to make me drink from either of those bottles."

"You can't eat donuts dry."

"I've got water in the back. Will you grab some for me?"

"You already have my germs now, what difference does it make?" But James busied himself reaching behind Logan's seat to pull out the pack, then worked it open. "This thing is stuffed."

"You can never be too prepared. Just grab a water, please."

Once James did, Logan snatched it from him.

"Are you driving one-handed?"

"Just for a second. I don't trust you, so I'm going to risk it."

After zipping the pack closed and replacing it according to Logan's specific instructions ("Make sure you shove it down tight so it doesn't bounce around!"), James reclaimed possession of the water bottle.

"Don't even-"

"I'm just opening it for you. Relax, Mr. Uptight-and-Cranky."

"I am not cranky."

"Hey, you made up a nickname for me, I get to make one up for you. Though I have to admit, I like my name. You really like my hair?"

"I didn't say I liked it, I said it was perfect. As in, perfectly styled and in place."

"It's not styled. I rolled out of bed like this."

"Liar. I smelled some kind of product as soon as I set foot in the car with you."

"Oh, that's my shampoo! Do you like it?" James beamed, carding a few fingers through his chin-length tresses. "I pay enough for it, so it's nice to know it does the job. Does it make my hair shiny like it's supposed to?"

Using the water as an excuse to put off replying, Logan grabbed the open bottle from James and took a few swigs. Once James had closed it again, Logan snatched it and set it between his legs. He sighed when he sensed that James was still waiting for an answer. "Yes. I noticed that earlier."

"Did you? Awesome. I just hope the casting directors notice it as well."

The visor came down and James was back to primping again. Shaking his head, Logan reached across the console for his pack of donuts and placed that in his lap, too. He supposed it couldn't kill them if he drove one-handed for a few miles, though he ate faster than normal to be safe.

"See?" James said suddenly, attention still on his hair and face.

"See what?"

"You're driving with one hand and we're not dead."

"It could still happen at any moment."

"It could happen even with both hands on the wheel. Isn't that what you said earlier? It doesn't matter how safe of a driver you are, other drivers are unpredictable."

Hating to admit that James was right, Logan nodded. "I suppose. But it's still a good idea to be cautious. What are you...you carry a comb?"

"Never leave home without it." Using the small black plastic tool he'd slid from a pocket of his jeans, James parted his hair on the left. "What do you think of it this way? I was actually wondering if I should cut it to look more sophisticated. My agent told me I'd have more luck getting parts if I looked young, but I don't know. I kind of want to be taken more seriously than kid parts, you know?"

"I...honestly don't know enough about the industry to give you sound advice about your career."

"That's fair enough, I guess," James sighed. "But you don't have to be anyone special to tell me how I'd look best. What do you think? Do you like the long hair?"

"I've barely looked at you, James."

"You looked at me enough to notice the shine in my hair, Logan," James pointed out smugly. "Don't act like you haven't been checking me out."

"Checking you—what?! You're completely insane, you know that?"

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm hot. It's totally natural."

"I have not been—you are so full of yourself! Kendall told me that, but I had no idea it was-"

"Kendall said that?"

"Yes. He says you're an okay guy, just a little full of yourself. And I can see why he would say that."

"Look, I have to care about my appearance. My career depends on it. You've got your tools, I've got mine. My hair is like...a scalpel."

Logan opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. "Okay, I need to hear this." He reached down for another donut before urging, "Please, explain to me your logic."

"You want to be a doctor, right?"

"How do you know that?"

"Kendall told me. He said you're going to L.A. to study medicine."

"True enough," Logan agreed. "Go on."

"So if you're doing surgery, what's the most important tool?"

"I don't know that there is just one, James. They all work together."

"Exactly! My tools are hair, face, body, style...even how I walk. If you don't have the whole package, you won't be successful. And if you're missing one of your tools during surgery, you're kind of fucked, right?"

"I suppose that's one way to put it."

"But the scalpel...that's what does all the work, gets you started, right?"

"Well, there are other things to worry about beforehand, like anesthetic and-"

"But you see my point. The scalpel does the cutting to get you in the door, so to speak. Or in the body, in your case."

"I...okay. Yeah, I guess."

"That's what hair does for me. It gets me in the door. While most casting directors say the eyes are what does it for them, hair is the second-most important quality. I can't do anything about my eyes, I'm stuck with them. Damn good thing mine are amazing, right?"

"Once again, I haven't studied them long enough to-"

"What color are my eyes?"

"They're kind of...brownish, but I see green as well. So I guess technically, hazel would be the correct term."

"But you haven't studied my eyes," James smirked. "See, I've learned that much about you, Logan. Not much gets past you. You're an observant kind of guy."

"I am," Logan nodded. "So you're saying that since you can't do anything about your eyes, you have to focus on the next tool, which is...hair?"

"Exactly. Hair can make or break you in Hollywood. I've got mine in great shape, I just need to decide on the cut and style. If I want to go for more mature roles, I can't go in looking like a kid."

"But you are a kid. We both are."

"Acting is all about becoming someone else, though. So the question is...who do I want to be?"

Logan attempted to unscrew the cap from the water bottle, not arguing when James came to his rescue. "Thanks. And that's something only you can answer."

"Yeah. That's what this whole move is about, starting over and figuring out who I want to be. You should do the same, you know. If you're unhappy with who you are, change it."

"I'm not unhappy."

"You're just uptight all the time."

"It's not always a bad thing."

"Gonna give yourself a heart attack before you're thirty. You're the doctor, you know that better than I do."

Logan licked his lips before swallowing more water, remaining silent because Kendall had told him the same thing numerous times. What bothered him most about it was that he knew they were right, but he didn't know how to stop it.

"Oh shit," James suddenly hissed, eyes widening as he looked into the visor's mirror.

"What's wrong, find a pimple?"

"Shit, Logan. Shit!"

"What?" Logan understood what James was referring to when red and blue lights suddenly flashed from three cars behind them. "Oh no. They know I've been driving with one hand! Shit!"

"Shut up, this isn't about you. Fuck! I thought I was clear!"

"Thought you were...James, what are you talking about? What did you do?"

"Fuck," James muttered again, panic written on his face. "I can't go to jail, not now, not when I'm so close! No! It's not fair!"

"James, what the hell did you do?!"

The cars behind them were pulling over to allow the cruiser to pass.

"I'm sorry, Logan, I didn't mean to—I just didn't know what else to do, I-"

"What did you do?!"

"I stole the donuts, I was starving and I didn't know you were gonna-"

"You stole the—what the hell is wrong with you?!" Logan screamed, panic setting in as the cruiser closed the distance. "I can't believe you're so stupid, why didn't you just ask?!"

"I'm sorry! You were so irritated with me already and—what are you doing?"

"Pulling over!"

"No, you can't!"

"I have to! I'm not going to jail for you!"

"No, Logan, wait, just-"

"No! That's it, this is..." Terror rose up into Logan's throat as the police car neared them. Should he shut the car off? Wait until they told him to? He'd never been pulled over, he didn't know how to react. The panic closed his chest so that he could hardly breathe, his head growing dizzy as he turned the car off.

And then, miraculously, the cruiser flew past them to chase down a speeder in the distance.

"Oh my god," James gasped. "Oh my god! It wasn't even us!" he laughed, relief making him giddy. "I was so scared! That was crazy!"

Logan bent forward to rest his head on the wheel, gulping down deep breaths and closing his eyes in an attempt to clear his head.

"I can't believe that, I really thought—whoa. Dude, you okay?" There was no answer, James resting a hand on Logan's shoulder. "Logan?"

It was another minute before Logan could speak. "The next city we get to, you're out."

"I'm...no, come on, Logan." The hand dropped away. "Don't do that."

"I'm not chauffeuring a criminal across the country."

"I'm not a criminal! It was a pack of donuts!"

"It was theft! A crime! And that makes you a criminal by definition. How could you do this to me? I'm doing you a favor by driving you all the way to California because I felt bad for you, and you repay me like this? You steal from a convenience store?"

"I was hungry," James replied in a small voice.

"Then ask me for food! Don't-"

"Kendall told me you weren't gonna buy me anything, that it was your rule. How was I supposed to know you would suddenly change your mind and be nice?"

He had said that to Kendall. Angry because he couldn't fault James' logic, Logan nevertheless said, "Because I'm a decent person. I wouldn't have let you starve."

"You hate me. Why would I think you'd care if I live or die?"

"I'm not heartless, James. I just...I'm..."

"I know. The donuts surprised me, and I realized I'd misjudged you. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry I stole, I just...I was desperate."

"Were you going to continue doing that the entire trip?"

James bit his lip, looking away.

"You were. Oh my god."

"If I had to. Look, I know it's too late to change what I did, and if you really want to dump me at the next stop...I guess I can't blame you. But I'm broke and I don't know how I'll get the rest of the way and-"

"We're not that far from home. You can catch a bus back."

"No. I'm not going back. I'll starve on the streets of some random city before I go back there."

"Look, I'm willing to pay for a ticket to get you back home. It's either that or-"

"Then just leave me here right now. I'm not going back. You can't make me."

The vehemence in James' voice caused Logan to study him closer. "What was so bad at home?"

"You don't talk about your personal life, I don't talk about mine."

Knowing he'd hit a sensitive spot, Logan was intrigued. "I'll talk about mine if you'll talk about yours."

James raised an eyebrow, arms crossed over his chest. "Does that mean you're not kicking me out?"

"I should. I'd be an idiot to continue driving you. How do I know you're not going to pull another stunt like that?"

"I won't do it again. I swear. And I promise I'll eat cheap, if you could just help me until we get there. Give me your address and I'll pay you back when I make some money. I'll even give you money for all the gas you're using, just...please. Get me there. Once I'm there, I'll be fine."

Seeing that James genuinely believed that, Logan replied gently, "You know it isn't going to happen overnight, James. Nobody shows up and catches a break right away."

"I will. I'm gonna do this. I've got the looks and I know how to succeed. It's gonna happen."

The final stages of his panic attack dying away, Logan laid his head on the steering wheel again to consider the situation. Was he really going to leave someone stranded in an unknown city with no money? Even someone who'd potentially set him up for aiding and abetting in a crime?

"Hey," James said softly, daring to rest a soothing hand on Logan's back. "Are you okay? You were really freaked out."

"Of course I was," Logan mumbled, not caring that James could probably barely understand him. "I almost went to jail."

"They wouldn't have taken you in. Just me. I was the one stealing."

"And I was the one driving the getaway car. Did that not even occur to you?"

When there was no immediate answer, Logan shifted his head so that he was resting on his cheek to study James, whose shocked expression showed that no, it hadn't occurred to him at all. "You never even considered that, did you?"

"No. I was willing to risk it for me, but I never...damn. Logan. I'm really sorry. I never meant to cause you any problems."

Realizing what he had to do, Logan sighed deeply and turned the car on before pulling back onto the road to reverse their direction.

"What...where are you going?"

"We have to pay for the donuts, James. I'm not going to live the rest of my life in fear that one day a cop will bust me for it."

"Dude...no. I got away, I swear nobody saw me. I made sure."

"That doesn't change the fact that you stole and you need to make it right."

"But then they'll know! They'll arrest me! Logan, you can't, we can't do this, we can't-"

"We're doing it. You have to make this right."

"Look, I'll never steal again, okay? I swear to you right now, just get me to Hollywood and-"

"I'll get you there. We're just...going to be a lot later than I'd planned, apparently. Because my itinerary is pretty much out the window at this point, other than the timing of the rest stops."

"Logan, please! Don't do this, I can't take the chance! I got away with it, why would you make me turn myself in?"

"Because you have to face the consequences, James. And it's not like I'm going to march in there and tell them you shoplifted. I'll tell them it was an honest mistake, that you thought I'd paid for them or something."

"You'll lie for me?" James asked in surprise.

"This one time, yes. I don't normally like to lie, but..." Logan shrugged. "I don't see what else there is to do."

For the remainder of the drive back to the gas station, the only words from James' mouth were, "I'm sorry." It was spoken softly and after a long period of what Logan sensed was James reflecting on the situation so that when he spoke, he truly meant it.

"I know you are," Logan replied. "Just try to think things through before acting on them. Don't be impulsive. That's what gets you in trouble."

Though Logan sensed that James believed sometimes impulse was essential (he ignored that Kendall believed that as well), James held his silence until the car had pulled to a stop in front of the convenience store.

"Do I have to go in with you?" The terror was real.

"No. I think they'll know immediately that you meant to do it, because you can't hide anything."

"I hid what I did from you, didn't I?"

"That doesn't count."

"It totally counts! If I can slip something past Mr. Observant, I can-"

"I thought I was Mr. Uptight-and-Cranky."

"That, too. But my point is that I got it past you."

"I wasn't inside watching you. Had I been, I would have seen you do it."

"Nope. I'm that good at it."

Understanding that it wasn't the first time James had done it, Logan frowned. "Are you a klepto?"

"Uh...no. I'm a Scorpio. Why?"

"No. A klepto is someone who steals because they can't help themselves. Like an addiction."

"Oh! Well, no. I only do it when I have to. When I'm desperate."

"James, listen to me." Logan unbuckled his safety belt and turned in the seat, waiting until he had James' attention before continuing. "What you do outside of this trip is not my concern. Live a life of thievery if you must, but as long as you're in my car and under my care, there is no need to steal anything. Or commit any other crime."

"I won't do it again, I told you-"

"I'm just making sure you understand that there's no need when you're with me. I'll make sure you eat, okay?"

James held Logan's gaze, searching, before he lowered his eyes. "Why?"

"Because I'm a decent person. Also because I don't want to go to jail."

As Logan had hoped, a tiny smile widened James' lips slightly. "You won't. I won't do it again. I swear, Logan."

"I believe you." Logan opened his car door and set one foot on the ground. "Just don't make me regret that."

"I won't. Promise."

After nodding, Logan stepped out and headed into the store. It was more nerve-wracking for him than he'd let on to James, as there was a small part of him that worried the store clerk wouldn't believe the story and want to arrest him instead, but the man seemed to genuinely buy it and even joked that it happened occasionally. Logan paid for the donuts and thanked the man for being understanding before turning toward the exit and reaching into his pocket for the car keys.

His hand found nothing and panic flooded him at the realization he'd left the keys in the ignition.

Rushing to the entrance, his breath caught at the sight of his new car parked exactly where he'd left it, James' head of dark hair bent as he looked at something on his phone. Letting out the breath he'd been holding, Logan chastised himself for assuming James would steal the car.

Desperation led people to do crazy things, though.

He stepped up to James' side of the car and rapped on the window, startling James. When James attempted to roll down the window but found he couldn't, Logan pointed to the keys. It took James a second to get the idea, and then he turned the ignition enough to activate the power and roll his window down. "Am I going to jail?" he asked, Logan hearing the fear behind the words.

"Not this time. Come on in."

"Why?"

"Stop being so suspicious, I thought you might want more food. How long has it been since you've eaten?"

"I just had donuts, remember?"

"I meant before that."

"Oh. Dinner last night. Around six maybe? No, eight."

"So I'm sure that tiny pack of donuts didn't fill you up."

James only shrugged, again not meeting Logan's eyes.

"Come on. And grab the keys, I don't want to spend more time here than we already have."

Logan waited to make sure James did just that, and after rolling up the window and shutting the power down James followed him back into the store.

"Just enough to get you through until lunch, okay? We're stopping in a few more hours for that."

"Cool. Thanks, Logan."

Five minutes later James was happily munching away on cheese puffs, a wrapped sandwich and a candy bar resting on his lap while Logan drove just under the speed limit toward the highway.

"Better?" Logan asked.

"Perfect. Thanks, buddy."

While Logan didn't feel they were anywhere near buddies, he let the endearment stand. It was certainly better than "Mr. Uptight-and-Cranky."