Author's Note: Many apologies that this is late, but I hope it's worth the wait.

Anyway, last's chapter's cliffhanger was the only one I ever wrote on purpose. What's one of my stories without a cliffhanger right? Now we get to the part of the story that wasn't supposed to happen, but my beta got the ball rolling and the boys wouldn't let me get rid of the idea. *shakesfist*


Kendall is beaming like a kid opening presents on Christmas day. He is super excited for Carlos. The surprise he's put together is genius. Logan really has rubbed off on him.

"So when is this going to happen?"

"Next Friday, before Logan and I head back."

"What? And leave no time for celebration?"

"What celebration?"

"C'mon, Carlos! There's no way we're not celebrating after!"

"I don't want to jinx it! If I pull the surprise right before we leave, I at least have an out."

"You won't need it." Kendall acquiesces with a twinkle in his eye.


James doesn't know what to with all this free time. Logan had given him the option of dropping him off on campus and then taking the car to explore for the next few hours. He refused, thinking that the time alone would help him sort things out. He's definitely regretting that decision now.

He moved to Hollywood three months ago and not a single day was spent relaxing at home. Even when he was unemployed, he was out there pounding the pavement going to auditions. Sitting here at Logan's place with nothing to do is driving him crazy.

It didn't help that his mind wouldn't shut up. He'd been able to suppress his emotions all these years knowing exactly what he's working for and just how much it could affect him, both professionally and privately, but now that he's on the track, he's not sure if it's worth it if he's not happy. Maybe it was a bad idea coming here to see Logan. He probably should have gone straight to Minnesota, or at least called Kendall.

Unconsciously, James was pacing, but this revelation stops him in his tracks. He hasn't talked to Kendall since he found out about his injury. He really is a horrible friend. James collapses into the couch and takes out his phone. Just as he is about to dial Kendall's number, he sees that he has an awaiting text message.

James involuntarily smiles when he reads the message.

My helmet has cracked in 630 places.

That code phrase hasn't been used in 6 months, but apparently he and Kendall need to talk about Carlos and Logan. Also, according to the message, Kendall couldn't talk now. So James texts him back.

Sorry, man! 630 places you say? Hope all is well.

James smiles at the fact that they've reverted back to secret messages. He makes himself comfortable on the couch, thinking about what could be and eventually dozes off.


Buzzz! Buzzz!

Carlos' reaches for his phone and checks the caller ID. His heart flutters when he sees that Logan's calling him.

"Twice in one day. What did I do to deserve that?" Carlos teases.

"You left me. That's what." Logan horribly feigns hurt anger.

"Hey! This is all your idea."

"Alright, alright!" Logan surrenders, a smile evident in his tone. "Can we start over?"

"Sure thing." Carlos takes pauses for a second, "Hey, babe!"

"Hi, hun!"

"Soooo… now what?" Carlos laughs.

"Now I decide if I really do miss you."

Carlos gasps, "That hurts… Hey, don't you have a final today?"

"Finished it twenty minutes ago."

"How'd it go?"

"Better than expected. Tomorrow's test is the one I'm worried about."

"You'll be fine. You're the smartest person I know. Heading home now?"

"Not sure if I want to."

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's James. He's been acting weird. Nearly bit my head off this morning. Did he say anything to you when he called?"

"Hmm… No, nothing… What exactly happ-" Carlos' words are cut short by a crashing sound.

"Carlos, what the hell was that? What's going on?"

Silence.

"Carlos, talk to me!" Logan's panicky voice comes over the phone.

Carlos breaks the silence with a little bit of laughter. He gets back on the phone.

"Nothing to worry about, Logie. It was just Kendall. Still having trouble maneuvering his semi-immobile leg."

Kendall gives him the death glare and pushes himself up off the floor. Once standing he loosens his neck and prepares for a chase.

"Uhh… Logie, sweetie, I'm gonna have to call you back," Carlos says realizing that he has just become the prey to Kendall's hunter. "Kendall's got this look in his eyes and… I think I'm dead meat. If anything happens to me just know I love you!"

"Love you, too! Now go survive!"

"I should have brought my helmet!" is the last thing Logan hears before the call is dropped.

Logan smiles knowing that Kendall is better, but wishes he was there to nurse Carlos back to health after Kendall is through with him. He starts up the car and pulls out of the parking lot preparing to find out what it is that's bothering James.


Logan arrives home and allows the door to slam behind him.

"KENDALL?" James unintentionally exclaims after being rudely awakened.

Logan jumps a foot in the air, momentarily forgetting that James was in the apartment. James sits up, rubs his eyes and searches the room for the source of the loud noise.

"Oh... hey, Logan!"

Logan is still in the entryway breathing heavily and clutching his heart.

"What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"First off, there are no such things as ghosts. Secondly, you have a really bad habit of scaring me half to death!"

"Oh, Logan. Still as jumpy as ever!" James laughs.

"It's not funny! And Kendall's not here." Logan explains when he is able to finally breathe normally and puts his stuff away.

The blood drains from James' face as he stutters, "O… o… of… course he's not here! Why would you say that?"

Logan's 'a-ha' grin appears on his face. "Oh, no reason. I thought I heard you call his name. Guess not. I guess you were dreaming of our childhood when you had to explain to us the significance of the Ken doll."

James throws a pillow at him, which Logan catches and throws it right back.

"So, you've had two hours to think. Whatcha wanna do for the rest of the day?"

"Ummm… Actually, I've got to call my agent around 6:30," James lies, "he says that he's got some big news for me, but can't tell me until then."

Logan looks at the clock. "Okay, so that gives us two hours. That's plenty of time to give you a quick tour of our new stomping grounds."

"Bu… bu… but…"

"No, 'buts', James! I gave you a chance to decide what we're going to do and you didn't. Plus, I'm not letting you just see the inside of our apartment on this trip too."

"Hey, I saw the other stuff the last time I was here." James jokes.

"I-4 and the inside of a hotel don't count either. Now, go get dressed, I'll meet you in the car."