.:Chapter Eleven – Big Time Friendship pt.1:.

"Ok, just follow my finger…and blink."

Sydney did as he was told, and lightly kicked his feet back and forth as he waited for the doctor's diagnosis. His siblings were sitting around him on the couch in apartment 2J. Kendall, Carlos, Katie, Logan, Ronan, and Mrs. Knight were standing around them, different expressions on their faces.

"Ok, despite the bumps and bruises, you all seem to be perfectly fine," Dr. Hastings stated as he put his stethoscope around his neck. He chuckled a little bit. "You know, considering how long you've gone through this kind of pain." He gave a small smile. "You're very brave."

"What's going to happen to our dad?" Rhuben asked, getting to the point.

"Well, he's sitting in jail right now," Ronan replied and then paused for a second. "But, I have to be honest with you guys. There's a good chance that someone could bail him out of jail, and if that doesn't happen. There's a good chance that after a few years in jail, he could come out on parole."

"What?" Katie cried as she turned to look at the Jacksons' music producer. "That bast-"

"Katie!" Mrs. Knight interrupted, effectively cutting her daughter off so she couldn't curse.

"That bad guy, goes and hits his children, possibly almost killing them at any other time, and there's still a chance that he can come out of jail and do it again?" she looked disgusted. "That is totally and completely stupid!"

"Well, unfortunately, there are a lot of kids in the world who are being abused, and the judicial system still hasn't come to the realization that these guys should stay in jail for life." Ronan replied with a helpless shrug. He walked over to the Jacksons, who avoided his gaze. "Now, what I want to know is why you didn't tell anyone? Or, why you didn't tell me, I thought we were friends."

"You're more like a dad, actually," Sydney pointed out as he rubbed his arm. "At least, better than the one that we have."

"But Ronan is right," Kendall cut in. "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Yeah, I thought we were your friends." Carlos added with a puppy-dog pout. Riley and Rhuben winced when they saw the look that he was giving. Sydney used it again them all the time and it worked. Now even if the person is a teenager, they hate to look at the puppy-dog pout because they would usually give into any demand that was asked of them.

"When did we become friends?" Patrick looking genuinely confused.

It was like Riley had said before; their dad had never really let them become friends. That's why they're good at any sport they do or anything they try. Their father pushed them and pushed them so hard that he didn't give them a chance to socialize with people their own age, so they were never that great with making friends. Riley and Rhuben always had the suspicion that the only reason that someone wanted to befriend them was because they were famous (which was what most of the reasons where.), Patrick and Noah seemed to scare everybody by acting extremely close, and Sydney was just really shy when it came to people that he doesn't know.

"Probably as soon as we met you," James replied with a bright smile. "Or when you snuck around in the air vents to try and prove that your dad stole our song."

"You did what?" Mrs. Knight and Ronan cried in unison. Before their eyes, Mrs. Knight rushed over to Kendall and started to baby him like she usually did when she heard that he had done something dangerous. "Are you ok? Did you get hurt? You didn't inhale too much dust did you? You know how that can set off your allergies."

"Mom, I'm fine!" Kendall replied as he lightly pushed his mother away.

"We didn't tell because we figured that it was no one's business," Riley answered the averted question. "Plus, we didn't think that anyone would care." She looked confused. "How did you find out anyway? Most people don't really notice."

"That was all me," Logan replied with a nervous smile as all eyes turned to him. "Um, I had noticed that you guys were acting kind of weird. And I had noticed that you had a lot of bruises on your arms and legs."

"So, why didn't you say anything?" Noah inquired. He wasn't mad, he was just curious.

"I didn't think it was my business," Logan explained. "Besides, it could have been the fact that you guys were playing soccer and kicked each other in the leg, or just fell down or something. But after a while, I started to get a naggy feeling and asked the guys if they thought you were acting weird. I asked Ronan too." Ronan nodded when the Jacksons looks over at him silently. "So, today I was going to the library to look up the signs of child abuse, because that's what I thought was happening. When I realized that you were showing a lot of the classic signs, I went to Mrs. Knight and the police and that's where we are now."

"Thank You." Rhuben stated.

"Without you, we could possibly be dead right now," Patrick added and snorted a little bit. "I mean, we've been close to it before, but…I have a feeling that it could have happened."

"Well, we don't know that for sure," Kendall replied. "But we're glad to have you guys around."

The Jacksons blushed with embarrassment, since all of the attention was put on them, and Noah suddenly spoke up. "What about all of the money that we have? What will the concert and promotion that we've done, what will happen to that?"

"Right now, Julius has access to his part of your money, since he's an adult now." Ronan replied. "But everything else I've been put to watch for you."

"Considering this moment is getting really awkward," Riley looked uncomfortable as an awkward silence filled the room. "Can we go home?" she asked Ronan.

"I think it would be a better idea if you stayed here for tonight." Ronan replied as he crossed his arms over his chest. "The chief of police doesn't think it's a good idea for you to go back to your apartment, just in case your dad gets away and tried to find out. So he's sending a couple of police officers to go to your apartment and watch if from time to time. And I don't want you guys to be bugged out of your skin all night long." He nodded over at Mrs. Knight. "As long as she doesn't mind," he added.

"I don't mind at all." Mrs. Knight replied with a warm smile. "The guys haven't had a sleepover since they were thirteen."

Riley, Rhuben, and Katie snorted, lips curled in disgust, hiding the fact that they were about to burst out laughing.

"You had sleepovers when you were thirteen?" Rhuben questioned. "Isn't that kind of a girl thing?"

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to hang out with your buds all night long!" Carlos defended himself and then smiled a little bit. "Except for that time when we spent the night making cupcakes and-"

"Shut up, Carlos!" James, Kendall, and Logan snapped in unison, hitting him on the arms. Well, James forgetful as always, hit him on the head, forgetting that he was wearing a helmet and hurt his hand. Carlos laughed at him, mockingly, and James let out a scream and tackled his friend to the ground.

"Well, if you're going to be staying the night, I guess I should get dinner started." Mrs. Knight stated without blinking an eye and turned to Ronan. "You're welcome to stay too."

"Oh, no, I have some work to do at the studio and with the police station," Ronan replied with a grateful smile. "But I'll be back for them tomorrow morning." He gave a small wave to the Jacksons. "Bye guys, I'll see you later."

"Bye," the Jacksons replied at slightly different times. Sydney looked nervous and upset that Ronan was leaving and Mrs. Knight noticed easily.

"Hey, do you want to help me make dinner?" she asked the young boy.

"Yes, please." He replied politely and got down from his chair to help her at the stove.

"Suck up." Patrick muttered and then smiled a little bit, the reality of what had just happened to them finally starting to sink in.

"Do you guys want to play a card game while we wait for dinner?" Katie asked as she took Sydney's seat at the table. "Do you know how to play spoons?"

"Yep," Rhuben replied as she grabbed the deck of cards and started to shuffle them. "Let's play." She looked over at the guys. "Hey, you guys come play too; it's more fun when more people are playing."

"Alright," Carlos slapped his helmet before hurrying over to the table.

"Carlos, I don't think you'll need your helmet," Riley stated with an amused smile as she picked up her cards.

"I've seen people play this game before," Carlos replied as the cards were slowly dealt and the game started at its fast pace. "It can get pretty ugly, and with guys as competitive as these," he motioned to Kendall, James, and Logan, who smiled innocently in reply. "I'm going to need protection."

"Whatever you say."

So they played round after round after round of spoons, screaming and shouting occurring as they game went on. They stopped playing only when it was time for dinner, and after that the Jacksons continued playing as Big Time Rush and Katie relaxed on some of the couches and chairs, watching TV.

"Thanks for letting us stay overnight, Mrs. Knight," Noah said politely. "But you didn't have to make us dinner…and you don't have to keep giving us desert either." He added, looking at the ever growing pile of freshly baked cookies on his plate. "I don't think I can eat another bite."

"Speak for yourself!" Riley and Rhuben harmonized before grabbing his plate of cookies.

"You're a really good cook, Mrs. Knight." Sydney added as he took a large gulp of milk. Mrs. Knight, who was sitting at the head of the table smiled in embarrassment, blushing at the praise.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it," She replied and then looked at her watch. "But it's getting late; I think it's time for you guys to get going to bed."

"Mom, you can't tell my friends when to go to sleep." Kendall was beyond embarrassed now.

"Yeah mom," Katie spoke up as she walked into the living room, a large book in her arms. "We have to show Kendall's baby pictures" she grinned evilly over at her brother as she started to hand the book to her mom.

"Wow, your sister is evil." Logan commented carelessly from where he was sitting on the couch, reading a Popular Science magazine. His lips curled into a smile as he watched Kendall jump up, grab the book from his sister, and started to fight with her. He looked over at the Jacksons who were laughing along with them, and looking downright happy in general.

He could tell that they were relieved that their old, bad life was going to be over forever and that they were going to start living normally again.

And he couldn't have been happier for them.

For the next two weeks, Big Time Rush gave the Jacksons some space, so they could get used to not being threatened all the time. And as the two weeks progressed, the Jacksons' attitudes had changed dramatically, they didn't flinch whenever someone raised their hand, they weren't as standoffish as they used to be, and they didn't want to go home. Well, before they never really wanted to go home, but now they had so much fun hanging out with the guys, Katie, Camille, and newcomer, Jo that they didn't want it to end. Logan had explained to Riley and Rhuben that they had known each other before, but they didn't believe him. So after a lot of arguing and the relocation of a yearbook, they figured out that he was right and decided that they should try and be best friends again. So far, it was working fine.

Camille had heard about what happened and was especially worried for her new friends, she even made up a few new dramatic and action monologues of what she would have done if she was in their position. It made the Jacksons laugh really hard, and it helped them forget even more. At first, Jo wasn't sure how to react around them, but as the Jacksons were at the Palm Woods to witness the guys fighting over her, they became friends with her easily (Riley and Rhuben especially as they, Jo, and Camille had bonded over how stupid guys were.)

So it was just another day in LA for the two bands and their friends. But just like any other day with the boys of Big Time Rush, something was going to happen that caused everybody around them to get involved.

"So, you're telling me that if I wash my hair with cold water then it will be better for hair growth?" Patrick asked James, eyes wide in wonder. The two were standing in the bathroom of apartment 2J, admiring themselves.

"Exactly," James replied with a proud grin. "And that way your spikes will stay up even longer."

"Cool." Patrick beamed in reply and then leaned in close to the mirror to inspect his face, making sure that there weren't any pimples or anything.

"It's a good thing that you're keeping my brother preoccupied, but I don't want his head to get any bigger." James turned around to see Rhuben leaned in the doorway, a wary expression on her face. "Last time he got ideas like that, his head got stuck."

"Ha ha" Patrick rolled his eyes as he leaned away from the mirror. "Love you too, Rhu-Rhu."

"Wait a minute," James stated as he looked at Rhuben's reflection. "What's that bruise on your arm?"

"Bruise?" Rhuben repeated blankly and then let out a small chuckle. "Oh!" she pushed up the sleeve of her t-shirt to reveal a purple quarter note tattoo. "That' snot a bruise, that's a tattoo."

"You actually got a tattoo?" James winced. "Didn't it hurt?"

"It depends on where you get it, anyway," Rhuben smirked a little bit and stood up straight as she scratched her arm. "We have to go or we'll be late for school."

"You're still getting home schooled?" James questioned as she pulled his lucky comb out of his pocket and started to move it through his hair.

"Yep," Rhuben replied as she grabbed her brother's arm. "Today Ronan is teaching us something about physics and displacement?"

"Whose idea was that?" Patrick asked as he curled his upper lip in disgust.

"Sydney's," Rhuben rolled her eyes. "Whose do you think?" she tugged on Patrick's arm again and effectively pulled him out of the bathroom, placing her hands on his shoulders, leading him towards the door of the apartment.

"Leaving so soon?" Logan asked as he looked up from the newspaper.

"We have to go to school," Patrick mumbled in reply, a dark look crossing his features. He laughed a little bit and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Speaking of which, aren't you guys going to be late?"

"Yeah, well, we're still waiting for James to come out and criticize our clothing to death," Logan replied and Katie, Kendall, and Carlos, who were sitting at the table with him, eating breakfast, nodded with their mouths full. "In fact, he should be out in three…two…one…"

"Ok guys, let's go!" James stated as he walked out of the bathroom with a bright grin and his backpack on his back. He slowed down his walk and then looked at his friends. He pointed to Carlos. "That shirt doesn't match those pants," Carlos made a growling sound as he continued to eat his cereal. He pointed at Kendall. "Your hair could use more brushing."

"Bite me." Kendall replied with a full mouth.

"And what's with that sweater?" James asked as he walked over to Logan and lightly lifted his arm, before dropping it back down. "I'm pretty sure that those went out of style years ago."

"Well, now that we've gotten that done on time, we can go." Logan smirked, not paying attention to the comment that James just gave him. "How long is your guys' classes today?" he asked Rhuben and Patrick.

"Uh, for four hours today," Rhuben replied as she looked at the ceiling in thought. "We're going over Physics and displacement, and then we have a math test. After that we get free reign until we have our dance practice"

"Kill me now." Patrick agreed with another eye roll, he smiled a little bit when Katie laughed.

"That reminds me," Rhuben looked over at Logan and held a curious expression on her face. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah," he smiled. "What is it?"

"When are you going to give Mr. Rogers his sweater back?" Rhuben cracked and then she and Patrick bolted to the door, laughing hysterically.

"Ugh, school is boring." James murmured over Miss Collins' rambling, as he rested his arms on his desk and then placed his chin on his forearms. He smiled as he stared ahead of him. "Except for the beautiful scenery." He added as he watched the Jennifers fix their hair and put on makeup.

"Yeah, like they're really going to pay attention to you," Kendall replied with a roll of his eyes. "Like Logan…is paying attention to the lesson." He added and rolled his eyes again, but this time with an air of amusement as he watched his friend frantically taking down notes.

"Shh, I'm trying to get this done." Logan hissed as he briefly looked up and continued to write.

"Kiss up." Carlos muttered from James' other side, where he was balancing a pencil on his upper lip. He was tilted back in his chair, his helmet on the desk in front of him, as they weren't allowed in class, and his lips were puckered to try and get it. He frowned when the pencil fell off of his lips and when he picked it up, his hand shook, making the pencil wobble. "Wow!" Carlos' eyes grew wide as he sat up, a large smile gracing his features. "Did you see that?" he started to shake his hand. "Look, a rubber pencil."

"Kendall, are you sure that that helmet is helping him?" James asked.

"Now, I'm not so sure." Kendall replied before chuckling a little bit. "I still can't believe that we're here in LA. I don't know, it just seems so-"

"Shh, I'm concentrating." James interrupted, staring intently at something below his desk, as if he didn't want Miss. Collins to take his stuff away.

"On what?" Carlos asked as he leaned over to see. "Don't tell me that you're taking notes."

"Notes? Pshhh, of course not." James looked offended as he snorted. "I'm not that much of a nerd."

"Gee, thanks." Logan replied sarcastically. "And I gotta say, I just love your hair this morning. What did you do? Cut it with a lawn mower?"

"You better take that back!"

"Stop arguing and tell us what you're looking at." Kendall snapped, sounding annoyed.

"Two more headshots that I made," James replied and pulled them out from underneath his desk. "Hot young doctor and hot greasy mechanic."

"Thos are…great, James." Kendall replied, looking as if he didn't care in any way. He let out a sigh of relief as Miss. Collins let them out of class. "Finally, free time!" he declared, punching his fists in the air as they walked through the halls of the Palm Woods. "And no Gustavo to boss us around."

"Yeah, shouting and screaming at us for no reason." Carlos agreed.

"Crushing our hopes and dreams," James added with a sigh.

"And calling us dogs," Logan concluded.

"Not quite." Big Time Rush turned around to see Riley and Rhuben standing casually behind them.

"Hey, Riley, Rhuben what are you doing here?" Carlos asked with a bright smile as he looked at Rhuben and then Riley.

"I'm Rhuben, Carlos." Rhuben corrected and then laughed when Carlos made a face at his guess being wrong.

Every day for the past two weeks he has been trying to figure out the two sets of twins. He got Patrick and Noah pretty fast, as they're visibly different and they act differently. But with Riley and Rhuben except for what they wear sometimes, they pretty much act the same. So it's really hard for him to tell the two of them apart. For the rest of them, they either stopped trying altogether or they had gotten it way before him.

"You'll get it eventually. Anyway, we have a break after school and before our dance lesson, so we thought that we would come by to see what you guys were up to." Rhuben explained.

"We were going to ask if you wanted to go to the pool area, or something, because Rolling Records is full of old people" Riley jumped in. "And we heard Gustavo shouting for you guys from a mile away, so we thought we'd come over and warn you that you have to go to Rocque Records as soon as possible."

"Ugh." The four boys groaned, rolling their eyes.

"Thanks for the warning, though." Logan replied as he dropped his backpack to the ground, stretching his shoulder.

"No problem," Riley shrugged. "We'll just go see what Camille and Jo are up to."

"Speaking of which," Carlos seemed to have suddenly remembered something as he turned to Logan with a smirk on his face. "How did you date with Camille go?"

"Don't ask." Logan replied as he shuddered a little bit.

"Too late." Kendall, James, Riley, and Rhuben chorused, also interested in the story.

"We went to a restaurant and she made a whole monologue out in public." Logan replied. "I'm not sure what show it was for this time though."

"Who cares about that?" James interrupted, waving his hands in front of Logan's face. "Did you two kiss? You know, not like she hasn't planted one on you before."

"Well, we did kiss, and it was actually kind of nice." Logan admitted.

"Nice?" Carlos repeated with an apathetic look on his face. "No, kisses aren't 'nice'" he put the word in air quotes. "Bubbles are nice, art is nice. We're talking about a kiss here. Was it hot or not?"

"You guys can be such guys sometimes," Riley stated as she shook her head. "I wonder why I hang around you so much; I can practically feel my brain melting."

"You have a brain?" Kendall shot back.

"Funny." Riley made a face in reply.

"If I can interrupt this lover's spat," Rhuben cut in with an annoyed expression. "I'm pretty sure that you guys should get going or Gustavo is going to cause the earth to implode. So we're going to head out."

"Hey, before you go, can I get your opinion on something?" James asked with an eager smile. Riley shrugged her shoulders again. "I really need to see what a girl thinks about this."

"Why not?" Rhuben replied carelessly. "We don't have anywhere to be right now."

"Cool," James beamed and pulled out his headshots again. "Which do you like better?" Riley and Rhuben leaned close to each picture, clearly studying both of them. Finally, Rhuben straightened up and made a face as she still thought.

"I don't know," she replied. "This one shows how you can act any type you want," she pointed to the mechanic picture and then to the doctor one. "And this one will show people that they can rely on you."

"And you got that out of one picture?" Kendall asked as he raised his eyebrows.

"Hey, we're girls," Riley gave a small smile. "We over analyze everything." She laughed a little bit and then pointed to the doctor picture. "I like this one better. It looks more like you, plus, you have a good smile."

"Cool, thanks."

Suddenly the ground and the walls started to shake, and Big Time Rush and the girls were positive that they knew what it was coming from.

"Oh no, Gustavo sounds like he's going to pop a blood vessel, we better go." Logan stated, sounding a little antsy. "We'll see you later, girls."

"Later." The twins replied before going off to find Jo and Camille.

Hanging out with the guys was ok, but they needed a bit of girl-time every once in a while.

I hope you guys are enjoying this story and thanks for reading. This chapter is sort of like a filler, so that's why it's sort of boring. But I wanted to show how Big Time Rush and The Jacksons/DarkElements get along. Constructive Criticism is welcome.

Don't forget to read my sister's story 'Welcome To The Big Time'.

Thanks!

-Riley