Logan and Carlos spoke at the same time.

"You're Marley's father?"

"What?"

James couldn't speak. He just felt ill.

"Guys, guys, I said there's a chance. I just want to find out. I want to be sure." Kendall knew that if Marley was his daughter he would do right by both girls. Kendall still loves Francie he's certain of that, but it's been over seven years. Does he still love her today like he did then or has that love changed into a different one? Things change. People change. Hell, Kendall's changed. But have his feelings changed? The fact remains that he would do anything for Francie, whether he's Marley's father or not. The results of the paternity test wouldn't change his feelings for heR,one way or another, would it?

"Jay? You haven't said anything, man. What are you thinking?" Kendall asked.

Carlos groaned inwardly. Oh no, don't ask him that! Carlos silently pleaded, afraid of what his friend might say.

James opened his mouth to speak but before he could Carlos spoke up. "Kendall, he's just shocked, that's all. Doesn't know what to say, right buddy?" Please God, let James follow my lead.

James looked up into Carlos face and saw a look of understanding. Oh God, Carlos knows how I feel about her. Shame filled James, he looked down at his hands and said, "Yeah, Kendall, 'Los is right, I – I'm just shocked."

Carlos squeezed James' shoulder and released the breath he'd been holding. Thank you, Lord.

"Is Francie going to tell Ryan about the test?" Logan questioned.

"No," Kendall replied. "She was adamant about keeping it from him. Maybe she doesn't want to rock the boat if it comes back that I'm not Marley's father."

Logan nodded his head in understanding. "Smart."

"You know, Francie seems, I don't know, scared of Ryan," Kendall said.

James looked up quickly, and squared his shoulders. "Scared? Why?" The fierce protectiveness was lost on no one.

Kendall and Logan looked questioningly at James. Carlos cringed…aw, shit James you're making this hard on me! "Easy there White Knight, protector of women!" Carlos grinned, patting James on the shoulder.

James, again taking his cue from Carlos, relaxed his posture and chuckled. "Sorry, chivalry isn't dead, I guess." Logan and Kendall smiled at their friend.

"I don't know. I've got no proof she's scared. Just a feeling."

Logan spoke up, "Maybe she's nervous about the paternity test, man. Or it could be the divorce."

"He's probably right." Carlos said.

James concentrated on his poker face and tried to think of a way to get the hell out of this room before he says or does something that Carlos can't cover.

"Well, I've got to finish packing for Salt Lake City. Um, listen Kendall, this will all work out, okay? Either way it goes, you'll get through it…we'll get you through it." James gave Kendall a brotherly hug and a pat on the back. Then he turned to leave, careful to not to look like he was running from the fires of Hell.

"I've got to finish packing, too." Carlos stepped forward and hugged Kendall. "We're all here for you, Kendall. You know that, right?"

"Thanks 'Los, I know." Carlos left the room.

As the door shut behind Carlos, Kendall asked, "Logan, is it me or is Jay acting strange?"

"Stranger than usual, you mean?" Logan grinned at his green-eyed friend. "Yeah. Stress, maybe?"

Kendall thought for a moment then nodded his head. "Could be."

James closed his door and leaned his back against it, closing his eyes. "Shit. Why is this happening?" He said aloud.

Knock, knock.

"Jay? Hey man, open up."

"Carlos." James whispered. He sighed, turned and opened the door, admitting Carlos.

"What's up Carlos?" James put on his best smile for his friend.

"Cut the shit, man."

"What?" James raised his hands in question.

Carlos looked at James, wondering how to confront him without sounding like he was judging him. "We've been friends a long time. I can tell when something's bothering you and something is bothering you." Carlos crossed his arms over his chest; his stare never wavered from his friend's.

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," James said, as he brushed past Carlos and started to pack his suitcase.

There's no other way to do this but to jump in with both feet thought Carlos…so, here it goes. "You're attracted to Francie, and that bothers you. You think it's not right because she and Kendall have a past, and now maybe a child, and that bothers you. Them possibly having a child could also mean that they may have a future, and that bothers you. You're jealous of Kendall, and that bothers you…should I go on?"

Irritated, James turned with his hands on his hips and at looked down at Carlos. "No, because the only thing bothering me right now - is you!" James jabbed a finger at Carlos.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, really."

Carlos shook his head, "You're lying." Carlos jabbed a finger back at James. "You know it, and I know it."

James turned back to his packing. "Are you done? I have things to do."

"Jay, please? Let's talk about this."

"I'm good, bro. There's nothing I need to talk about." James kept packing.

"You need to talk to someone. If you decide you want to talk to me about this - you know where I'm at." Carlos turned and left James' room.

"Dammit!" James threw a pair of Converse across the room. He lay back on his bed and covered his face with his hands. "I hate it when he's right!"

"Kendall wants to take a paternity test? Are you serious? I can't believe he wasn't pissed!" Nikki couldn't believe what Francie was telling her.

"I never said he wasn't pissed…he was. I don't blame him. But we worked it out." After they decided to get a paternity test done, they ate lunch and Francie apologized profusely. Kendall, being the stellar guy that he is, accepted her apology and it seemed that he understood the predicament that she faced over seven years ago. Francie could hardly believe it.

"Have you thought about what you're going to tell Ryan?"

"Uh-huh, nothing."

"Nothing?"

Francie shook her head, "Nope, not a thing."

"What about after the results come back? You'll have to tell him something if they show that Kendall's her father."

"What did you say?" Both women jumped at the growl that came from the doorway behind them. "What in the hell did you say?!"

Every time James closed his eyes he saw her smile, those soulful, dark eyes. He could hear her laugh. God, that laugh is infectious. He remembered the warmth of her cheek on his hand, the smell of her hair when he hugged her goodbye. He could imagine how soft those lips would be, how sweet they would taste.

When Kendall got to LA, he'd share stories of this great girl he had to leave to pursue his dreams in tinsel town. Through those stories, James fell in love with the Italian girl who loved as hard as she fought, who couldn't complete a sentence without using her hands to save her soul, whose smile would light up a room. Her sarcasm and sharp wit kept even Kendall on his toes. She'd do anything for anyone. She was caring, funny, loving. God, she sounded too good to be true. But she's real and James finally met her. Now he can't get her out of his mind. James wondered how Kendall could forget about her, but life gets in the way. Now, Kendall is lucky enough to reconnect with the dream girl…and James was jealous.

His stomach in knots, James sat up and saw his reflection in the full length mirror on the wall. He spoke to the stranger staring back at him. "Oh, Jay. What are you doing? You got it bad, man." He shook his head.

What would Kendall say? How would he react?

"If I were him, I'd kick my ass. Shit!" James pinched the bridge of his nose. He wished he knew how Kendall felt about Francie, how she felt about Kendall, or if Kendall being Marley's father would change any of those feelings.

Carlos was right, James needed to talk to someone. He checked his watch. If he left now, he should have plenty of time to get there, say what he needs to say, and get back before the tour bus pulls out. If he was late, he could grab a flight to Salt Lake City and meet the guys there. This was something he had to do. James got up off the bed, went to the dresser and grabbed the small piece of paper. He made sure he had his phone, wallet and room key and walked out of his suite. All he could think about was seeing Francie.

Ryan Quinn was a handsome but intimidating man. He stood at six-foot-three with broad shoulders and a trim waist. Ryan's athletic build hasn't changed much from his high school days when he played wide receiver for the state champion Wichita Braves football team. He has thick, perfectly coiffed black hair, emerald-green eyes and a smile that would make an angel want to sin. It's easy to see how Francie was drawn so easily to this stunning man.

But Ryan also had a dark side. He had a temper that would erupt making Mt. Vesuvius look like a sixth grade science fair project. He had no problem working things out with his fists. Even with his wife. This is what had Francie so scared of Ryan Quinn.

"Ryan, what in the hell are you doing here?" Nikki questioned the man looming in the doorway.

Francie quietly said, "You don't live here anymore. You can't just-"

"I came to see how my daughter enjoyed the concert tickets I got her for her birthday." Ryan answered Nikki but his eyes never left Francie's face. She cowered under Ryan's glare. "And – I can do whatever I want, I paid for this house. Now, what in the hell did I hear you say?"

Francie meekly replied, "She had a great ti-"

"Cut the bullshit, Francie!" Ryan screamed making both women jump. "Kendall thinks he's Marley's father? Who in the hell does he think he is?! How did Kendall find you?!" With each question Ryan yelled louder and Francie shrank away not able to find her voice.

Nikki stared at her sister with her jaw dropping. What in the name of God is up with her? Francie is such a spitfire, even ballsy. Why is she so scarred of Ryan? Nikki just couldn't wrap her head around it.

"The concert tickets you so graciously bestowed upon your dau-" Nikki stopped before the word came out of her mouth. "…upon Marley were to Big Time Rush. Kendall Schmidt is in Big Time Rush. You dropped Francie, and Marley, right in his lap. Now back off my sister, asshole!" Nikki yelled at Ryan.

Ryan spun on his heels and headed for Nikki. Francie knew what was coming. She had been on the wrong end of his rage before. Francie positioned herself in between her sister and her husband – oh, that word pained her. "Back up, Ryan!" Francie found her voice.

Ryan was stunned into silence. Francie was facing Ryan, her eyes never leaving him. She spoke over her shoulder to Nikki, "Take the girls and go to the park for a while."

Nikki hesitated then spoke, "You sure?"

"Go, now!" Francie spoke louder.

Nikki grabbed her purse off the kitchen counter and went out the back calling for the girls to get in the car. Marley slightly resisted, wanting her mom to come along, but Nikki mentioned ice cream and off to the car Marley ran.