Disclaimer: I do not own or claim any rights to Big Time Rush or the characters portrayed in this story, nor do I own or claim any rights to The Bachelor. It's all in good fun and because I can't contain the visions in my head that scream to get out.

Claiming ignorance in this chapter if anything proves to be unbelievable. I've never been to Hawaii and though I read up on some things mentioned in this chapter, I'm guessing at a lot of it. As always, hoping I didn't screw anything up too badly and that if I did, it doesn't affect the plot of the story.

We're getting so close! Just a few more weeks until the hometown dates, when James gets to visit the families of the final four contestants. I remind you again that things continue to change and that no pairing is set in stone (well, in my mind it is, because I know what's going to happen, but as far as the story at this point, it can change).

Thanks for the wonderful reviews, guys. Still makes me smile and laugh and flail when I read them. I love you guys so much for reading this and sticking with it.

So for those who don't know, this is how "The Bachelor" works. Approximately 30 contestants are chosen to compete on the show. They live in one big house together for about six weeks, and each week at least one contestant is eliminated at the rose ceremony. If the Bachelor gives you a rose, it means you stay another week. There are other roses given for other reasons (for example, the First Impression rose is given to the contestant who makes the best first impression on the Bachelor), and once you receive one of those roses you're guaranteed to remain until the next week. At the end of each date the Bachelor also has the choice of giving his contestant a rose or deciding not to, and that decides whether you go home or not. There are group dates and one-on-one dates and the drama gets out of hand sometimes because the competition can be vicious, but ultimately it gets down to two contestants and at that point the Bachelor decides to propose to one of them, or he can choose to propose to neither of them. I've taken some liberties with the rules and the process here, partly because I'm not sure of all the rules and partly because it works better for the story, but hopefully it makes sense and stays somewhat true to the show's atmosphere.

I dedicate this to kathrynew30 because even though she laughs at me for watching the show, she is always encouraging when it comes to my writing and she's been wanting this story for a long time. My other two betas Aranelle and PromiseMeTheStars also have informed me who they think should win, and while I love how each of them are rooting for different guys, in the end it's up to James. God help him, because the poor guy is going to go through so much emotional upheaval before he's forced to make a final decision. How is he supposed to choose between these three incredible men?

Everyone was excited to hear their next stop was Hawaii. It was a new place for both Logan and Carlos (Kendall had of course visited before, taking his family there on vacation one year), and they'd always wanted to visit.

Chris came to visit once they were all settled in their new hotel, explaining that this week there would be one group date and a two-on-one date, and that this week only two people would be eliminated. Carlos asked what a two-on-one date consisted of and Chris informed them that James would take two men out at once, with only one receiving a rose; this meant one would go home at the end of the date.

The pressure was definitely on, tempers short as everyone waited in the main suite for the first date card. Rob and Austin were known to bicker constantly, with Ryan calming them down when necessary, and today it was worse than usual.

Kendall rolled his eyes as they started up again. "I hope James takes both of them on a date. Even a group one, I don't care as long as they're out of my hair for a while."

Carlos agreed. "Maybe they'll get that two-on-one date and one will be sent home. I wonder how they act around James. I bet they don't fight."

"I don't think either has been on a group date, so we wouldn't know. Actually, they haven't been on any dates. No wonder they're pissy. I hope they get something this time, at least."

That much they could all agree on, Carlos and Kendall nodding when Logan finished speaking. The door opened and everyone jumped up, rushing to gather around the envelope placed on a table.

"This is for the group date," Rob said as he picked it up. "Come on, James, don't let me down!" He opened it and started to read. "'Deep below the surface you can explore the way to my heart. Ryan, Carlos, Kendall, Logan.' Damn! That's so unfair, some of us haven't even been on a group date yet, and you guys have all had one-on-one dates!"

It was true, and as the four guys looked around at each other there was guilt on their faces. Relief won out, though, as they all realized this meant more time with James—and for the first time, the three of them would be with James at the same time.

"Does one of us have to go home at the end of this date?" Carlos asked in fear.

"No," Logan replied. "One will get the rose, but the others will stick around until the ceremony."

"At least we know we're safe from the two-on-one, though." As soon as Ryan said it, he cringed.

"Gee, lucky you!" Austin yelled. "Like he'd send you home anyway, he fucking loves you!"

"Hey," Kendall interrupted. "Back off, he has no control over what James does. It's not his fault."

Logan decided it was time to leave. "Guys, let's go get ready for our date." The other two followed him out the door, Ryan bringing up the rear.

"Thanks, Kendall. You didn't have to do that."

"Well, I understand why they're upset, Ryan, but it's not your fault."

"See you guys soon."

They waved at Ryan before heading into their own room, Carlos bouncing back onto his bed. "This is gonna be so cool! I get to hang out with you guys and James!"

"Don't forget Ryan," Logan reminded him.

"Yeah, but Ryan's okay. I can't believe we all got another date so soon! He must really like us."

"I do feel bad for the rest, though," Kendall frowned. "Logan, didn't you say James said he needed to spend more time with the other guys?"

"He did. I'm kind of surprised we got dates at all this week. I expected us not to."

"It's because he loves us, guys. He can't get enough." Carlos jumped up to find his suitcase. "What do we wear? Logan?"

"Uh...let me think. Deep under the surface...so we're going underground."

"Hmm," Carlos mused. "Underground. So we should wear...pants?"

Kendall nodded. "I remember reading about some caverns last time I was here. We're probably doing something like that, exploring caves."

"That would be neat, I've always wanted to do that," Logan grinned, excited now. "Definitely jeans. Let's go with t-shirts, too. Maybe some button-downs we can tie around our waists."

Two hours later the four men were climbing out of a van in front of a sign that read Kazamura Cave. James rushed over to hug them all, and Kendall noted that he was more relaxed than they'd ever seen him on a group date. James was smiling, almost bouncing on his feet in excitement, arms around his and Carlos' shoulders to drag them inside a nearby building. "Come on, this is gonna be fun! We're exploring a huge cavern! Keep up, guys!" he called back to Ryan and Logan.

"This must be the side of him that Carlos sees," Logan smirked. "The little kid all grown up."

"It's cute, isn't it?" Ryan asked. "He's usually more serious with me."

"Me, too. Though that's probably because we tend to be more serious."

"Is it true you have a daughter, Logan? It's not my business but some of the guys were talking."

"It's true. She's back home in Wisconsin."

"And James...knows that?"

Logan nodded as they approached the other three and a man who had been waiting for them. "He does. So far he seems okay with it, which surprised me."

"I think there are layers to him that no one sees. It kind of scares me."

Shrugging, Logan replied, "I think what matters is that genuinely he has a good heart. I sense that much or I would've left a long time ago."

James craned his head around at them. "Guys, will you get over here? This is important stuff, you have to listen." He reached out an arm to grab Logan's, pulling him closer so that he was standing behind Carlos.

Brian, their guide, explained that they would be underground for the next three hours, exploring what was known as a lava tube. They were given lights and helmets to aid them below, instructed not to take anything they might see no matter how tempting, and even had to wear gloves. The guide asked if any of them was claustrophobic, to which they all shook their heads, and after a few more instructions they set off down a crazily-built ladder to the cavern below.

Carlos wondered if there were bats to worry about, and the guide laughed but informed him that no, they were safe from that. He led them through the caves, Logan joining him at the front of the little group after a few minutes in order to discuss everything they were seeing. As the history of the cavern was relayed, Logan threw out bits and pieces of his own knowledge, impressing Brian. Carlos was still a bit on edge, glancing around nervously as if a swarm of bats was going to descend at any minute, and Kendall absently grabbed his hand to reassure him as they walked. James and Ryan stayed between the two pairs of men, listening to Brian and Logan talk and asking questions occasionally.

As they went deeper, the temperature cooled and the air became more dense, making it harder to breathe. Carlos shivered, prompting Kendall to hug him close as they walked.

"You're fine," Kendall whispered. "He said there aren't any bats in here."

"Yeah, but did you hear what he just said about the old times? They used to throw people in here in the dark, to punish them. Leave them here to die. I bet there are ghosts."

"Carlos, there's no such thing as ghosts."

"You don't know that."

"Fine. If there are, I'll protect you, okay?"

"Promise?"

"Swear."

Carlos sighed, trying to relax, and looked ahead in the gloom to see James watching them carefully. He said nothing, just spun around and returned his attention to Brian, but Kendall's heart sank.

"Fuck. He's jealous again."

"But why? We're just talking."

"And cuddled up like a couple."

"Oh." Carlos stepped away, Kendall letting him before sighing. Why was it everything he did seemed to push James further away?

Then again, when he next looked up James' fingers were intertwined with Logan's, so really James had no room to talk.

Ryan wanted to hear more about those left for dead, so Brian indulged him. Carlos was now starting to get extremely creeped out and at that point Kendall didn't care—let James be jealous. He slid his arm around Carlos' waist, Carlos resisting at first because he was worried of what James might think, but the more Brian talked the more Carlos' resistance faded and he clung to Kendall, face buried in Kendall's chest by the time Brian instructed them to turn off their lights.

Carlos' head came up immediately. "Are you crazy?"

"Shh, I'm right here," Kendall whispered, and after snapping off his own light, he reached out to extinguish Carlos' as well.

The absolute darkness was meant to convey what it must have been like for those criminals who were left in the cave to die. With the sense of sight completely stolen away, the other senses heightened. James' grip on Logan's hand became stronger, and Logan felt another hand on his face as if searching before warm lips smothered his, setting his body on fire as he reached out to pull James closer. He felt like they were free-falling, no sense of direction or time or anything except the sensation of touch, and nothing existed other than the two of them seemingly floating in space.

Kendall was trapped in a death grip, Carlos' face buried in his chest once again and fingers digging into his back as Carlos clung to him. He wrapped his arms tight around Carlos and tried to reassure him through touch that everything was fine, they were perfectly safe and as long as he was there, Carlos had nothing to worry about. When Carlos' body began to tremble violently, Kendall pressed his lips to Carlos' hair, making shushing noises and whispering that Carlos was safe, that he'd never let anything happen.

It was only about a minute of darkness but it seemed to stretch on forever, Ryan finally flipping his light on and finding a nearby rock to sit on. James stepped away from Logan, both of them needing a moment to breathe, and Carlos slowly relaxed his grip on Kendall.

"It's okay, open your eyes. We're safe."

"You okay?" James called over.

Carlos nodded, not ready to let go of Kendall yet, but he found his voice. "Just freaked out."

"Let's get moving, we've got about a half hour of the tour left."

They all followed Brian, Logan purposely keeping his distance in an effort not to attack James, and as they finished up the tour he spouted off knowledge of their surroundings. Carlos remained under Kendall's arm, not letting him out of his grip, and eventually they reached the surface once again.

"That was certainly intense," Ryan commented.

The remaining four all stared at each other; they couldn't agree more.

The evening was taken up by an authentic luau, the men joined by locals whose job it was to provide the true Hawaiian customs. There was music and so much food they felt as if they could be rolled home, the five of them sitting around a fire and laughing over nothing as they let their food settle.

"Who's gonna dance with me?" James asked, eyes sparkling as he gazed on each one in turn. "Carlos?"

"Are you kidding? I can't even move. Ryan, go for it."

"No way. My sides are about to split. Kendall. You're up."

"Uh...I don't dance. Ever."

"Oh, really?" James stood and dragged Kendall to his feet. "You do now."

They all watched James lead Kendall over closer to the little band, Kendall shaking his head and looking scared.

"Man, this is awesome!" Carlos exclaimed. "Never thought I'd see Kendall scared."

"You should see him on horse," Logan giggled. "Poor guy, I thought he was gonna have a heart attack."

"Maybe someday I will," Carlos smiled. "Can we really come ride horses with you and Caroline?"

"Of course. One day when this is over and we have normal lives again, we'll do fun things like that."

"Kendall says we can all go back to San Fran, too. I wanted to do some shopping."

"That would be fun," Logan agreed, then realized how awkward this must be for Ryan. He glanced over but Ryan's eyes were glued to Kendall and James. Following his gaze, Logan took in James attempting to get Kendall to dance, both of them giggling but James trying to be serious.

"Look at them, they're so silly," Carlos said fondly.

Logan busted up laughing, the other two turning wide eyes on him. "I'm sorry, but coming from you...and I don't mean it as an insult. You're silly. And it works for you. It's why we love you so much."

Ryan nodded. "I have to agree, it makes everyone love you. There's not one person in that house who's said a bad word about you. Or hotel. Whatever. My point is everyone likes you."

"I keep hearing that."

"Maybe it's true, dummy." Logan shoved Carlos, who shoved him back, and then they were giggling as if they'd been drinking for hours, the mood buoyant. It lasted until James' hands were on Kendall, then his arms as well, and he was practically hanging on Kendall as they moved. Silence reigned at the campfire as all three watched, the carefree mood sinking when it became real again that only one would end up with James.

"Wow, that hurts," Carlos finally said softly. "Way more than it did when they were making out before."

"They're not even making out right now, just dancing," Ryan pointed out. "And it still hurts."

They looked up when Logan stood, then turned on his heel and walked away down the beach.

"You gonna go after him?" Ryan asked.

"No. He wants to be alone right now, I can tell."

They watched Kendall and James laugh again as Kendall almost fell, James catching him and holding on tight. "I think I've seen enough," Carlos remarked.

"What are you gonna do?" Ryan asked.

"Make it stop." After standing up and dusting off his pants, Carlos stomped over and pulled them apart. "Excuse me, I think it's my turn."

"Wow, Carlos, really? You're gonna cut in on me like that?"

"I'm gonna show you how to dance, Kendall. Stand back."

James' eyes widened in surprise, a smirk on his face. "Please. Show us how to dance."

Carlos did, the two of them mesmerized by his small but powerful frame. He danced around James, who eventually started dancing with him, Kendall finally returning to the campfire and dropping down next to Ryan.

"Where's Logan?"

"He went for a walk."

"Shit. Which way?"

"That way?" Ryan pointed down the beach, where darkness swallowed the shore.

"Fuck. I'll be back." After kicking off his shoes, Kendall took off running in the sand, overtaking Logan about half a mile down. "Hey. You okay?"

"Fine. I just needed some air."

"Logan, you're at the beach. There's air everywhere."

"I'm aware of that, Kendall."

"Then why did you-"

"I couldn't handle it, okay? It was fine when I didn't care, when I thought I was going home, but now it makes me sick to my stomach. I'm sorry. I can't...I don't want...I don't want to hate you," Logan finished, remembering Carlos saying the same thing a few weeks before. Now he understood.

"Ah, Logan, come here. Stop walking."

"No. I'll be fine, just give me a few minutes."

"Don't make me tackle you. I will."

"Kendall, just go back. I'm fine."

"Stop."

"I'm fine."

Kendall took a flying leap and tackled Logan to the sand, the water washing up to the shore and soaking them quickly.

"Oh great, now I'm wet. Thanks, Kendall."

"I told you to stop." Kendall stood, helping Logan up.

"You're lucky we left our belongings in the car. I'd be pissed if my wallet got ruined."

"You're pissed anyway. Knock it off, we knew how this was gonna be. Would it make you feel better to go make out with James in front of me? Go for it, I won't stop you."

Logan sighed, fighting for calm. "I'm sorry. You're right. I know you're right, it's just...really hard."

"You think I don't know that? I walked away from Carlos seducing him, and I bet right now they're mauling each other on the sand."

"Is that why you left?"

"No, I left because I was worried about you. And poor Ryan, sitting there by himself having to watch that."

"Yeah, let's go back. I do feel bad for Ryan. Carlos and I were just talking about what we're gonna do after the show and I felt horrible."

"He's not a bad guy, he's just not..." Kendall trailed off, not sure how to express it.

"He's not one of us. That's the best I can come up with."

"Exactly! He's not one of us. I got jealous when we came back from the carnival and you two were playing chess. Like you did after your first group date."

"We're ridiculous. How can we be jealous if we're just friends and want nothing more?"

Kendall shrugged. "It's just that kind of friendship. It's our little coven, and nobody else is invited into it."

"Except James."

"Except James," Kendall agreed. "He kind of fits, don't you think?"

"Yes, and I think that's the only reason it might work after the show, this friendship between the four of us. Because he fits. I'm still not sure he's okay with that, though, having to see us all after saying goodbye to two of us. Or maybe even all three."

"He'll have to live with it. I'm not giving up you or Carlos."

"Good to know."

When they returned, it was to find Ryan with James, and Carlos by himself at the fire. Kendall immediately felt guilty for leaving him alone. "Everything okay?" he asked, settling down next to Carlos and slinging an arm over his shoulders.

"Yeah. I felt bad for Ryan, so I told James to dance with him."

"Seriously?" Logan asked.

"Well, he was all alone over here. I feel kind of bad for the guy, he's kind of left out."

Kendall and Logan smiled at each other, then relayed the conversation they'd just had about the same thing. Carlos agreed with everything, adding, "I wonder if James will be able to handle it, though. Because he won't just stop loving the other two. And wouldn't we always be worried about that? Whoever wins him?"

"That's...a very good point," Logan responded, catching Kendall's eye.

"Let's not worry about it right now. For all we know, Ryan's going to win."

"He got the rose," Carlos said in a monotone.

"What?" Both Kendall and Logan squinted in their direction, and sure enough there was a rose fastened to Ryan's shirt.

"Well, fuck," Kendall whined. "What the hell did he do that we didn't?"

"Right?" Carlos complained. "They hardly talked all day."

"Maybe that's why he did it," Logan pondered. "Because he felt bad for leaving Ryan out. James would do that."

They all stared over at James and Ryan, who were laughing and dancing, though somewhat awkwardly.

"You know what I noticed?" Carlos tossed out. "About Ryan?" The other two waited, eyes on the couple near the musicians, and he continued, "James doesn't touch him."

"What?" Logan lifted an eyebrow at Kendall, who shrugged.

"I'm serious. I noticed it earlier today, when Kendall and I were walking behind them in the cave. Like...with all of us, there's always some kind of touching. He holds our hand or puts his arm around us or whatever. He even did that with Jerry and Dave on our group date last week, and in the limo on the first one with Jerry and Mike. But I've never seen him actually touch Ryan."

Kendall frowned, thinking that over and calling to mind the few times he'd seen the two of them together. He realized then that he hadn't actually witnessed them together much.

Logan's mind seemed to be running the same track. "We haven't seen them together a lot, Carlos. How are we to know what happens when they're alone?"

"But that's my point. How much can really be happening when they're alone if nothing's happening when they're around other people? I mean, not even hand-holding? James loves to hold hands. Look at them right now, they're dancing but there's all that space between them. He was hanging all over Kendall."

"You too," Kendall threw in. "He was hanging on you, too."

"Exactly. Logan, go cut in. See if he touches you while you dance."

"I'm not interrupting them! That's rude!"

"Just do it!"

"Carlos, no!"

Kendall nudged Logan. "I think he's got a point. Go dance with him, see what happens. In the beginning he didn't touch you much, right?"

"No, but that's because he always felt like I didn't want to be touched. The first time he kissed me, he said he thought I was never going to let him do it. Not that I'd ever stopped him."

"I'm telling you," Carlos pressed. "I've been watching them, they don't touch. That's got to mean something."

"Go, Logan." Kendall pushed him harder. "Go break them up, see if James touches you."

"You guys are insane." Logan stood up anyway, rolling his eyes before making his way over hesitantly.

James' gaze caught him over Ryan's shoulder, his lips splitting into a grin. "Logan! Last dance of the night, get in here."

Ryan graciously moved away, smiling at Logan before heading back toward the campfire, and the second his back was turned Logan was in James' arms, pulled up close against his body.

"Hey, I was afraid you weren't gonna let me dance with you."

"I hate dancing."

"Not really a surprise." James' hands slid up Logan's arms, settling behind his neck. "You can touch me, I won't bite."

"Unless I want you to," Logan grinned, sharing the old joke, but his arms wrapped around James' waist. "I'm not sure how we can dance to this type of island music in quite this position."

"We'll make it work." James leaned in for a kiss, Logan sighing in relief because every time their lips touched it felt like coming home. He didn't allow it to go on too long, knowing they were being watched and how deeply it hurt to witness, having been on the other end. "Thank you for inviting me on this date. The caverns were amazing."

"Yeah, I remember watching something in school when I was kid, these guys went exploring and I always wanted to try it. That's what's cool about doing this show, I'm getting to try things I've always wanted to."

"You were so cute, all excited about it. Ryan and I thought it was adorable."

"Oh, did you? Is that what you two were whispering about behind us?"

"Damn, this time I actually was whispering about you and got caught."

James laughed, kissing Logan's forehead before hugging him close again. "How's Caroline?"

"She's good! Pissy because my mom finally found a game that she can win."

"Oh, yeah? Which one, I'll try it on Lana's niece."

"Chutes and Ladders. It's about counting more than colors, but it's still anybody's game. I'm not sure why Caroline has worse luck with it."

"Does she still want you to go to Australia?"

"Of course. She asks every time I call. 'Did you get me a kangaroo yet?'"

"Is that why she wants you to go there?" James giggled. "She thinks you're gonna bring her back a kangaroo?"

"A baby one, to be exact. And when I made the mistake of calling it that last night, I was harshly reminded that it's called a joey."

"It is?"

"Yes, James. A baby kangaroo is called a joey."

"Huh. See? This is why I need you around. I learn things. And then I drop these random bits of knowledge into a conversation and I sound smart."

"Right, because there's no other reason to keep me around." Another giggle escaped James, prompting Logan to comment, "You're happy tonight. I haven't seen you this relaxed before today. What changed?"

"A lot of things, Logan. A lot of things. And no, I can't talk to you about them. But as I get closer to my goal, I let go of things that drag me down. And we'll leave it at that."

Thinking of the three who had gone home in San Francisco, Logan wondered again what had happened between James and Peter. He knew better than to ask, though, and wondered who would be sent home this week. Only two were leaving. Would any of their group be sent home? Or Ryan, perhaps?

"By the way," James murmured, leaning down to speak into Logan's ear. "I've discovered something about myself that I never would've guessed."

"What's that?" The tone of James' voice sent shivers down Logan's spine and it was only then he realized just how closely they were standing and that their "dancing" wasn't more than swaying in time to the music. His breath caught when James spoke again.

"I'm apparently turned on by smart guys. Watching you in that cave today, using all those big words and knowing so much about everything, every time you mentioned the name of a rock or started talking about how lava cools and turns to magma, whatever the hell that is, I wanted to jump you."

Logan's head dropped onto James' chest, his breathing stilted. "Is that why you attacked me in the dark?"

"I couldn't help myself. The opportunity was there and I took it."

"I wasn't complaining. And I think if Rich was here, he'd yell 'Brooke' right about now."

Surprised, James laughed hard, hugging Logan tight before putting distance between them. "Rich has the day off today, we're stuck with Larry. He's a nice guy."

"He's really quiet, too. I kept forgetting he was even there inside the caves earlier."

"Yeah, they're good at their jobs. Really good."

"James, I'm completely monopolizing you. It's not fair to the other guys, we should get back to the fire."

"Fine," James sighed. "It's about time for dessert anyway."

James held Logan's hand until they were back to the other three, then squeezed it before letting go and sitting down between Carlos and Ryan. Carlos shot Logan a look that said "I told you so" and Logan smirked. It was true, the moment Logan was near James' hands were on him. Now as he watched, James laid a hand on Carlos' knee, absently twining his fingers with Carlos' when Carlos reached down to touch it.

Logan had no idea what it meant, but it was absolutely the case—James did not touch Ryan. He'd hugged them all at the cave when they first met up, and he hugged them all again when they said goodnight (Carlos even got a kiss on the cheek), but otherwise James' hands were nowhere near Ryan for the rest of the evening.

It gave them all hope.

The two-on-one date was given to Austin and Rob, and once they were gone the general consensus was that no matter who went home, at least there would be peace in the house. The group was allowed out to enjoy the beach for most of the day, all of them reveling in the freedom and alternately sunning themselves and playing in the water until it was time to return for the rose ceremony. They found that Austin had returned, Rob had not, and that left them with only one to be eliminated that night.

At the cocktail party, James made a point to take each of their group aside, if only briefly, and each was left knowing they'd be getting a rose—not from anything James said, but the fact that he assured them with kisses that his feelings hadn't changed. With Logan there was an extra step, one that shocked him, and when James mentioned it, Logan asked him to repeat the words.

"I asked if maybe we could call Caroline. If you're not comfortable with that, it's totally fine."

Looking at James more closely, Logan saw that he was terrified. Whether of Logan saying no or saying yes, he wasn't sure, but he forced his heart to stop thundering and said, "She's probably in bed. It's later there. Like the middle of the night."

"Right. I wasn't thinking."

Sensing that James was mentally backtracking in a hurry, Logan suggested, "Maybe we can do that next time we're alone together. I don't know when that'll be, or even if we'll get that chance, considering I might be going home tonight, but if there's an opportunity, we'll do that."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Logan smiled. "I'm not sure how I'll introduce you, I guess as my friend, but if you tell her you might take me to Australia, she'll be your best buddy. Mention you might bring her a koala, and she's yours for life."

James laughed, pulling Logan in tight and kissing him lightly. "I'll keep that in mind, should the opportunity arise."

When they all gathered for the ceremony, Kendall and Logan stood with Carlos between them, the three holding hands. Logan mused that eventually they wouldn't be able to do that, because there wouldn't be enough men left standing in front of them to block the view, but for now he was happy to have his safety blankets there with him. Jacob was the only one to not receive a rose, and Kendall let out a breath of relief when it was over.

They were down to eleven now.