Chapter 09: Moondance

Title: Haunted

Genre: Angst / Suspense

Rating: M

Summary: Two years after breaking up, Big Time Rush reestablish their friendship in the time of a danger that could possibly destroy everything for each of the boys...

Written: June 2011

Word Count: 3,530 words

A/N: Thank you so much Lovin' Big Time Rush and bigtimedegrassi for your amazing reviews!


"The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them."

~ Confucius

Stephanie had dropped Geraldo off with everything, and thanked Carlos graciously. Carlos sweetly had pecked Stephanie on the lips, causing the latter to flush with giddy excitement. She hugged Geraldo and cried slightly, but promised that she would visit him whenever she could. She shook hands with Logan, James, and Kendall and for a moment, she felt as if she was taken to a moment ten years ago when she first met the boys and practically scared the living entrails of Logan and Carlos. She wished all the boys a goodbye and Geraldo hugged his mother, before letting go. As she left from the elevator, he began to bawl into Carlos's leg. Carlos's heart immediately softened and he picked up Geraldo.

"Where do you want to go, Master Geraldo?" Carlos asked, holding Geraldo on his back. Logan, James, and Kendall all smiled. They were still surprised that someone as young as Carlos was a father, but they knew he was a good one. He obviously held genuine love for Geraldo, and Geraldo seemed to simply attach himself to Carlos.

"I want to go the moon!" Geraldo proudly announced, as Carlos began to make noises like a rocket, and flew across the room of 2J. Kendall and James grinned while Logan laughed heartily. It was nice to see such sunshine back into their apartment suite.

Later on that evening, James and Katie talked on Skype, with Kendall comically appearing behind James and scaring him. Katie laughed happily, as she stared at her brother and boyfriend getting along. It was any girl's dream.

Katie invited James to a party that was happening at UCLA. She knew James was hesitant about doing so, but she promised as his future agent (she held up a contract he had signed years ago, insisting that he would make her his agent, and that she didn't have a crush on him) that this appearance would only help him. James trusted Katie's judgment and knew in his eyes, she could do no wrong. He made plans to drive to UCLA and with Kendall's blessings (and stern brotherly warnings).

Kendall, despite having been ruined thanks to Jo, never returned for any of his petty belongings in her house. She had never attempted to reach him, and he had never tried to reach her. He hoped in a vicious manner that this fans would support him and boycott Jo, but he knew that in his inherent heart, he could never wish ill toward Jo, even if she practically ruined his career.

Despite everything going on for the boys, Kendall decided to have a nice Fish Stick Friday dinner. Logan, the least famous of the four thanks to his pursuit of medicine, decided to go out and buy as many Fish Sticks as he could, along with dinosaur shaped nuggets and chocolate milk. It was just like old times. Meanwhile, Kendall personally invited both Charlotte and Mrs. Knight, and told Carlos to invite his parents. Carlos eagerly accepted the offer and immediately went to go call his parents, telling Geraldo he was going to meet his grandparents. Geraldo immediately exclaimed that he loved "Cawlos" and hugged his leg. Carlos grinned widely as he hung up the phone, his parents excited to meet Carlos's tertiary family.

While James and Katie continued their chat on Skype, Kendall noticed Logan hadn't returned yet. The market wasn't too far, and he noticed Logan had forgotten his phone. Figuring he would meet Logan on the way, Kendall adorned himself in a disguise that he had once used to secretly meet Jo. He found it a bit ironic; he would have to hide himself to meet the person for which his heart was beating.

So eventually, Carlos and Geraldo found themselves alone on the couch, watching some television. Carlos discovered that Geraldo was a huge hockey fan, and knew a ton of random trivia that Carlos thought he solely remembered.

"Geraldo, why is that red line broken on the ice?" Carlos asked, pointing to the screen displaying a hockey game. Geraldo put his finger on his chin for a moment, as if to think. He immediately blurted it out:

"Was it because back then, there was no col-col..." Geraldo was having trouble pronouncing color, due to his unusual pronunciation habits and thus Carlos grinned.

"Color?" Carlos put it out there, as Geraldo nodded eagerly.

"Yeah! That! So the bwoken line could be diffewent than the blue line!" Geraldo proudly exclaimed, as Carlos patted him on the back.

"Who taught you all this trivia?" Carlos smiled. He was so proud of his son!

"I taught it to me!" Geraldo proudly grinned, as he stood up on the couch, stumbling slightly. Carlos picked up Geraldo again and held him up high, despite Carlos's notoriously short stature.

"You are Super Hockey Man!" Carlos laughed as Geraldo giggled sweetly. Carlos then put Geraldo down and ruffled his head.

"So Super Hockey Man-"

"Stop it! You're making me shy!" Geraldo blushed, as he smiled widely. Carlos laughed loudly as he began to sing to Geraldo.

"We pull up, open the door, all the girls, scream there they are," Carlos began to sing the lyrics to City is Ours. He remembered the entire song, but his part the best. "It's packed from wall to wall , and everybody is calling. Here we come, it's almost time, feel the rush, now hit the lights. We gonna get it all started-"

"The city is ahws!" Geraldo exclaimed. Carlos's smile grew. His son knew his music.

"You listened to Big Time Rush?" Carlos asked, his hopes rising. Geraldo nodded, as he came closer to Carlos, to whisper in his ear.

"Do you want to know a secwet?" Geraldo asked, as Carlos nodded, his hairs rising slightly.

"When I was little, mommy took me to a concert of Big Time Wush, and I heard you sing, and I thought that you were my daddy!" Geraldo blushed, as Carlos raised his eyebrows, amused.

"Mommy told me I can pick anyone to be my daddy. First, I said Ewik Estwada, but he was too old. But when I said Cawlos from Big Time Wush, mommy cried. I thought she was mad, but she hugged me." Geraldo grinned as he finished his story. Carlos felt tears coming to his eyes. He was so happy to have this adorable little boy as his son, and he would never want to let him go.

He immediately embraced the younger boy and the two sat there, hugging each other until James cleared his throat. The two looked at James as he pulled out his laptop.

"Geraldo, it's time your Uncle James showed you how your daddy was when he was little." James gave a wicked grin to Geraldo, as Carlos paled. Geraldo clapped excitedly as James sat on the other side of Geraldo, opening up the laptop.


Meanwhile, Kendall was walking past several vendors. He walked past a convenience store, near the market, and he almost walked past it until he saw Logan admiring some magazines. He walked in past two security guards who had been placed there due to recent robberies, wondering why Logan was glancing at periodicals that he considered trash. He noticed Logan pick up a magazine, and Kendall immediately followed him and picked up the same one. His heart fluttered when he noticed it was a magazine for parents and how to deal with their child coming out to them. However, he noticed something odd. Logan hid the magazine inside his pants, and underneath his shirt. Luckily, Logan didn't recognize Kendall's costume, but Kendall continued to give discreet glares. Was Logan shoplifting? Why would he? He surely had enough money to go through medical school ten times.

Kendall quickly paid for his magazine, not meeting the eyes of the cashier, and watched as Logan walked past the security guards. However, hidden sensors began to blare as Logan stood, frozen. The two security guards immediately cornered Logan, as he fumbled with his words.

"Steve, give him a cavity check." The hefty security guard ordered the lankier of the two to do. He nodded as he began to pat down Logan. Kendall felt furious, but mostly confused as to why Logan was

even shoplifting in the first place. He then noticed his receipt, and had an idea. It was as if the Kendall from years ago was back again.

Inevitably, the security guards found the magazine, and while some bystanders in the shop glanced with interest, the cashier was trying to facilitate the growing line. Logan looked as if he was about to cry.

"Sir, why did you attempt to steal this magazine?" The tall security guard, Steve, sneered. Logan mumbled something.

Kendall was the only other one close enough to hear the next few words from the hefty security guard.

"Is it because you're ashamed to be a queer?" The man asked, as Kendall's blood boiled. No one was going to talk to Logan like that.

Rushing, Kendall immediately found a plastic bag to hide his merchandise in, and he immediately acted casual.

"Excuse me sir!" Kendall tried to forge a fake voice, which Logan bought in distress. Logan, however, didn't turn to him.

"I think you dropped your receipt!" Kendall smiled through his disguise as Logan looked confused. Kendall held out his receipt, and Logan slightly understood what the stranger was offering him. He showed the receipt to the guards, who both held sour looks. Kendall walked by them, but before leaving, he turned to them as Logan left the shop, dazed.

"Listen Steve and," Kendall looked at the hefty man's name-tag, "Harvey. I know your boss, Freight Train. You pull a stunt like that again, and I'll personally contact him." Kendall glared at both men, who seemed to shrink upon hearing Freight Train's name. Kendall smirked as he walked out, and caught up to Logan who look as if he was about to cry.

"T-Thanks...I..." Logan was at a loss for words. How could he reveal to a complete stranger of the torment he was feeling. Kendall noticed a bench, and decided to try one more play before revealing himself.

"Why don't you talk to me about it?" Kendall smiled, although he tried to hide his eyes. Fortunately, Logan was too distraught to see anything.

"...I am being harassed by this person," Logan revealed, tears threatening to fall. Kendall immediately knew who put Logan in this state, but he bit his lip to stop himself from revealing himself. He knew Logan would never tell Kendall what was wrong in order to prove himself to be strong.

"Oh?" Was all Kendall could mutter out.

"...They asked me if my parents...wanted a gay son. They even...sent me this horrible story of gay medical student being tortured and beat u-up..." Logan sobbed, as Kendall suddenly felt terrible. He was playing with Logan's emotions and he knew it. Logan never once questioned his sexuality until Kendall revealed himself to Logan, and Kendall only felt guilty.

"Listen," Kendall cleared his throat, "you should follow what you believe. Just because something may have made you take a detour from your original thoughts doesn't mean it's the right way. You might need to make a U-Turn or something to find the truth." Kendall spoke. Logan froze slightly, and Kendall was afraid Logan had identified him.

"...K-Kendall?" Logan asked as he immediately looked into Kendall's eyes. Busted.

"Sorry Logie...I..." Kendall was now at a loss for words. Logan had many emotions on his face. Shame, Confusion, Anger, Sorrow, Regret...

"...I'm sorry. I promised never to steal again, but I was just so upset and it seemed like the only thing to do!" Logan began to suddenly sob into Kendall's shoulder. Kendall patted his back comfortingly, and sighed. But then a thought him; again?

"L-Logan...you said again?" Kendall asked, as Logan froze.

"I...It must have been a sl-" Logan tried to justify himself, as Kendall gave him a hard glare.

"...Back in Minnesota, as Hortense, I used to steal from shops. One time, I almost got caught until-"

"Is that why that security guard was asking about Hortense? And we all joked that we didn't know a Hortense? And that no one would name their child Hortense?" Kendall asked, as realization hit him. Logan simply nodded. Kendall sighed again as he held Logan's shoulders.

"You told me that I could be whatever, but most importantly I would be Kendall Donald Knight. Similarly, you can be whatever, and you're still Hortense Logan Philip Mitchell to me." Kendall smiled earnestly as Logan looked up to Kendall. They embraced for a moment, before entering the market to buy food.


"And this was when Carlos met your mommy!" James showed another picture of Carlos and Stephanie together after Carlos had been scared out of his mind from Stephanie. Geraldo clapped again as Carlos grimaced. James was totally stealing his rep!

"You know Geraldo," Carlos smiled slyly, "your Uncle James used to dress up for pageants." Carlos grinned, as James sat shocked.

"You told me those pictures were deleted!" James was surprised. Carlos winked.

Geraldo laughed as both men grinned evilly. James took the left side and Carlos took the right side and began to tickle Geraldo. Geraldo was reduced to a fit of laughter, tears, and joy. James and Carlos were having so much fun and were enjoying the pleasure when the doorbell rang. Carlos let James take over and unlocked the door to see his parents.

"Papi! Mami!" Carlos grinned as he embraced his parents. They embraced him back.

"Geraldo, come here! You too James!" Carlos motioned, as his parents walked in, admiring the suite. James smiled and shook hands with both of Carlos's parents, as they identified him. However, when they saw Geraldo, they were slightly confused.

"Papi, Mami," Carlos began, "I met a girl, Stephanie, ten years ago. It turned out..." Carlos was suddenly afraid. He didn't know how his parents would react. "that she gave birth to my son, Geraldo." Carlos stood proudly. For a moment, his parents were shocked until they began to cry.

"Carlos," Carlos's mother began to cry, "you have made us so happy. You have given us back our son, and also a granddson!"

"And perhaps a daughter-in-law as well?" Carlos's father grinned as James laughed heartily. The group laughed, as Geraldo yawned, not understanding the joke. They sat around the table while Carlos got the guests a glass of water.

"Would you guys like to see Carlos when he was younger?" James smiled wickedly, as Geraldo clapped and nodded widely. Carlos grimaced again. By the end of the night, James was going to have ruined Carlos's reputation. Carlos huffed as he silently excused himself. He tried to look for his phone, and didn't know where he left it.

He heard laughter, and smiled. He was glad James was connecting with his parents and son. He suddenly heard a beep from Logan's room and entered. He found his phone on a draw, and figured Gerado must have hid it there as a joke. However, something caught his attention. A notepad.

On it, it read "Clues". Carlos read over it:

On the first page, it read "Murderer". Under it, Logan had written clues.

9:06 PM, Jennifer's, Mercedes, Camille, and Jo enter party, Carlos hears scream before 9:06 PM. Logan remembers that Jennifer Golden, Jennifer Opal, Jennifer Tiara, Mercedes, Camille, and Jo walking in that order. Kendall saw the video in which Dak and Jett also attended the party. James remembers that Jo, Camille, Dak, Jett, and Jennifer Golden all had a stench of blood on them.

Under this paragraph, Carlos read something else.

Camille told me, Logan, that "L-Logie, it's not like we will be, or we are being secretive. I think being smart, or being extremely blackmailed are two different things. By goodness, I am meeting someone today!" Source is Kendall's video on the phone.

Carlos noticed several marks and pen marks, until a few words were circled. It was every fifth word.

We. Are. Being. Blackmailed. By. Someone.

Carlos then noticed Logan made a log of his calls to Camille, none of which she picked up. Carlos sighed, and flipped to the next page.

"Reaper" it read. Carlos scanned it as Logan listed out theories. He noted that it was a blonde, and left Mercedes, Jo, or Jennifer Golden as prime suspects. However, he put two tally marks next to Jo's name and three next to Jennifer Golden's, while none were on Mercedes name, which was crossed out by a pencil.

"Carlos? Are you in here?" James's voice called out, as he entered Logan's room. Carlos silently handed him Logan's notepad, and James paled as he recalled the murder and that Reaper still existed.

As if one cue, his phone began to vibrate.

"Jamez, I can't wait to see you at the party at UCLA!" The text read, from Reaper. James inhaled sharply as Carlos read it and paled.

However, their silence was broken when they heard Mrs. Knight, her companion, Logan, and Kendall laughing at some pictures on the laptop. The boys made a note to talk to Kendall and Logan after the dinner.


The dinner was the best moment in the boy's life at this time. The three other boys cheered for Mrs. Knight and her friend, Charlotte. Mrs. Knight and Carlos's Mother hit it off, while Charlotte and Carlos's Father discovered they worked for similar companies. Geraldo was getting tired, however, and thus the party was slowly ending. The parents wished the children a good night and a vow to have another dinner party again, which the boys promised to do. The boys promised to do, as they closed the door for the final time. Geraldo had stumbled into Carlos's room and fallen asleep. Carlos smiled, and while Logan volunteered to do the dishes, Carlos stepped into his room and snuggled near Geraldo. This was almost a perfect day.

The next morning, however, Carlos woke up to see his pants soiled and Geraldo still sleeping. Carlos's face paled. He had forgotten about his little problem and began to tremble. He didn't know how he would clean this up without waking his son.

Unfortunately, Geraldo stirred. Carlos looked at him, afraid, and his heart began to beat fast. However, Geraldo noticed the moistness on the bed, and immediately jumped out. Carlos tried to say something before Geraldo ran out of the room, silent. However, to Carlos's surprise, he came back with water and paper towels.

"Mommy always taught me how to clean up if there is an accident. Don't wowwy Daddy, it can be our secwet!" Geraldo grinned as he tried to clean up the mess. Carlos bit his lip to stop himself from crying, as he awkwardly embraced Geraldo. The two of them cleaned up the sheets and dumped them in the laundry. Carlos then got ready, and let Geraldo get ready as well.

As the two sat down for breakfast, they noticed James packing some belongings. He nodded to them, and winked at Geraldo who laughed. Carlos stood up and squeezed James's hand, looking at him.

"We're only a call away. Don't let Reaper get to you." Carlos whispered, as James nodded again. James then departed, leaving the two boys alone to watch TV.


A few hours later, Kendall and Logan woke up and ate breakfast. Geraldo was excited to start hanging out with Uncle Kendall and Uncle Logan, both of whom enjoyed the younger ones presence. The four boys decided to play some dome hockey, and to their surprise, Geraldo was quick and agile, complementing his father's strength and precision. To their shock, Kendall and Logan lost. Laughing, Carlos made them pay for the pizza that they ordered as Geraldo jumped on the sofa, turning on the TV.

"Daddy! Look! Uncle James!" Geraldo exclaimed, as the three boys ran over to the TV. Surprised, they saw Jennifer Golden talking to another reporter.

"Did you hear that James Diamond, once a duke of pop music, is dating his ex-band mate's younger sister Katie Knight?" The reporter asked Jennifer, who nodded.

"Yes indeed. In fact, we have sources of James helping out at UCLA for their big end of the year party. James has really stirred a positive force into these kids, and according to an interview with his girlfriend, James has finished his drug usage." Jennifer smiled. The clip changed to an interview between Jennifer and Katie, in which they discussed the relationship between James and Katie. They left out several details, but managed to make the story sweet and romantic. Jennifer Golden smiled to the camera and left the show with a few words:

"Could this mean the return of James Diamond? We shall see!"

Kendall flipped off the TV, too excited to hear anything else. The other boys exclaimed their emotions, while Geraldo jumped on the sofa, confused as to why his father and two uncles were celebrating. Geraldo always found the news boring.

However, a call ruined the exclamation. Carlos immediately picked up the phone and was shocked to hear James whisper to him.

"Jo is here."