A/N—Here's part two of the dinner with Cargan. This wraps up Friday in the story, and then we move on to Saturday. A lot going on Saturday, but it's all necessary before they can file their petition Monday. Whatever it takes to get Noah back, right? :)

James started his pacing thing when they reached the bedroom; Kendall pulled him down onto the bed to keep him close (and still) while they talked to Paul.

"Kendall's here, too," James shared. "And Carlos and Logan are both at the apartment with us, so we can pass on what they need to know."

"That's perfect." Paul's voice came through loud and clear on speaker. "I just wanted to update you on everything. I finally got hold of Pete, and...I'm sorry, James. He isn't willing to testify against her."

"No big surprise there," James sighed.

"We can make him, though, right?" Kendall asked. "You said we could if we had to."

"We can," Paul said slowly, "but I'm hesitant to make an enemy of him. He admitted that he does think Noah is happier with James—"

"On record?" Kendall interrupted. "Did he say it on record so we can use that?"

"He did not. He said that his grandson's happiness is important to him but that he can't risk losing his wife. Asked how strong our case is. When I told him I thought we had a pretty strong case, he said he'd rather not get involved. I'm sorry."

"Dammit, Pete," James muttered. "Stand up to her for once in your life." To Paul, he said, "Can we win without him?"

"I think we still can. Because if he doesn't offer much at the hearing itself, the judge will see that and wonder why Noah's grandfather isn't doing more to keep you from gaining custody. I wouldn't be surprised if the judge questions him on the spot. So as long as he doesn't lie, it should be fine."

Kendall nodded. "He had Noah call us today, just to check in. Had to do it without her knowledge. I asked if Sherry was being mean and Noah didn't answer, but he seemed okay."

"Did Pete say anything we can use?"

"Not really," James sighed. "But the fact that he has to sneak phone calls when she's out...that says something, right?"

"I'll add it to our list. James, your boss delivered the records of your drug tests this afternoon. I also got in touch with Harvey today. The doorman?"

Kendall sat up straighter. "Oh, right. He told us he's going down tomorrow."

"I have him scheduled for nine, but he should be done quickly. Can you have Carlos be here by 9:30?"

"No, he doesn't get off work until ten. But Logan's free at 9:30, can we start with him?"

"That's fine. Since I don't know how long his deposition will take, I didn't want to make Carlos wait around. But that will give me an hour with Logan, which should be plenty. So I'll plan on Logan at 9:30 and Carlos...10:30?"

"He'll go straight there after work," Kendall promised. "Do we need to be there for all this? I know we agreed to meet at noon, but if you want us there sooner we can be."

"It's not necessary, though if you'd like to be present you can. I'll be at the office by eight, so we can go over our strategy in questioning before everyone else arrives."

"Let's do that," James agreed. "I just...I can't sit here and do nothing. I want to be part of it."

"As long as none of them oppose your presence, you can be there. And if any of them wants to have their own attorney present, that's fine, too."

"What would they need a lawyer for?" James wondered. "We're just asking questions, right?"

"Yes, but in any legal matter a right to an attorney is required. So let Carlos and Logan know that."

"Carlos is fine," Kendall assured him.

James pointed out, "I don't even think Logan has a lawyer."

Kendall added, "But he is really nervous, Paul. He will need some coaxing. He said he doesn't know what information will be helpful to the case."

"I'll handle all of that. Just have him here by 9:30."

"Okay." James stood up, Kendall letting him go. He paced as he asked, "So you think we have a strong case?"

"As long as we can prove she's lying and overbearing to a detrimental degree, yes. I got the background checks started this morning after talking to Carlos. Those normally take forty-eight hours at the minimum, not including weekends, but we'll pray for a miracle that I get the results back early enough Monday to include that in our petition. I already got the results of your drug tests and everything's clear. Just waiting on Carlos."

"He went down today after work," Kendall offered. "So hopefully soon."

"I put a rush on all of the orders and paid extra for quicker results on the background checks. I figured you'd be fine with that, James."

"Whatever it takes," James agreed. "And Paul...thank you. I know you have other cases and probably don't work weekends, but we appreciate that you're doing all this for us."

"I actually do work Saturdays. It's normally my catch-up day. I refuse to think about anything legal on Sundays, though, so don't expect to hear from me then."

"We won't." The pacing making him crazy, Kendall dragged James down onto his lap and wrapped his arms around his fiance. "And we really are grateful."

"Anything I can do to get Noah away from that woman, I will."

"But you can't tell us why?" James asked.

"I can tell you it's based on things Shannon said. Nothing more."

"God, I wish we could use that," James sighed. "Didn't you say once that you might be able to find a way around that?"

"If we have to, and only then. It's not something to be used if we can win without it. My loyalty is still to my client."

"But I'm your client now."

"And she was already under confidentiality. I'm sorry, James."

"Fine. Okay. Oh, Jett came to see me today. He was the one who told the detective all that made-up shit about me bringing work home with me and having guys around all the time."

Paul was quiet for a moment as he pondered that. "Why would he lie?"

"He was pissed off at me and admitted he was drunk. He said he's willing to tell the judge that if it helps. Will it?"

Again, Paul considered the information silently before saying, "The judge might think he's just covering for you, since you two have a history."

"But it's our history that made him say that in the first place," James argued. "He was hurt because I dumped him with no explanation."

"He's still biased. But so is Logan, so...give me his number. I'll see if he can come down in the morning and state that for the record. We'll decide afterward if we want to use it or not."

"He'll be there. He feels horrible for causing all these problems." James rattled off Jett's information. "Got that?"

"I've got it. I'll get right on it."

"Thanks, Paul. So we'll see you tomorrow morning. Anything else?"

Kendall grabbed James' arm. "The collage. And the sentences."

James gasped. "Oh my god! Paul! We picked up Noah's schoolwork today and he used his spelling words to write things about us. He said, and I quote, 'Gramma is bad.'"

"He wrote that in class?"

"Yes," Kendall confirmed. "And we have a collage to show you, too. We'll bring it all tomorrow. I think we can use it."

"That's fantastic. And when you talked to him today, Noah said nothing to indicate he's in danger? He seemed normal?"

"Yeah," Kendall answered. "Pete said he'd watch over him. And we promised Pete that he can still visit Noah if we win."

Paul's voice was careful when he replied. "You do realize that she will most likely be granted visitation? I don't think any judge will deny her that, as long as it's supervised and she's not damaging him in any way. In fact, I think we should offer that at the hearing. Should you win."

"Are you kidding?" James scoffed. "She won't let me near my son but I'm supposed to be the nice guy and invite her over?"

"It will make you look better," Kendall pointed out. "Show the judge that you're not unreasonable. Which is exactly what she is. And remember, it'll be supervised. The court will set something up so he's not alone with her."

"Whatever." James was tired, it was evident in the way the fight drained from his posture. "I just want him to live here, and whatever else...we'll figure it out. I want my son back."

"We'll make it happen," Paul stated. "Make sure Logan and Carlos come down tomorrow."

"Done." Kendall stood up, keeping James close once both were on their feet. "Thank you, Paul."

"You're welcome. Get some sleep."

"We will."

"Thanks again, Paul," James added.

"I'm happy to help. Goodnight."

Once the call was dropped, Kendall slid his arms around James and kissed his temple. "No sex tonight. You're sleeping."

"I sleep better after sex."

"We already had sex today."

"So there's a limit now?"

"James," Kendall laughed. He touched their lips together. "I just want you to rest. I know you're exhausted."

"I didn't even do anything today."

"Yes, you did. Today was emotionally draining. We're both in need of sleep."

"Well, we can't do that until our company leaves."

"Damn, I forgot they were here. Do you think Carlos scared Logan away yet?"

"Probably," James smirked. "Let's go rescue him."

Logan was still present, though, as was Carlos. They were standing in the kitchen, and at the sound of Kendall and James returning both glanced over. Kendall knew what was coming before Logan even opened his mouth.

"I gotta go."

Carlos' face fell.

"What?!" James exclaimed. "We're not done here."

"You can just text me whatever I need to know." Logan was already rushing out of the kitchen and toward his jacket.

"Logan, wait," Kendall tried. "Please. At least stay for dessert."

"I'm really not hungry; I ate too many potatoes." Now clad in his jacket, Logan spun around to look back at Carlos, who was still standing next to the sink with a sad expression. "I'm sorry. I know what you want, but...I just can't."

Carlos shrugged. "I meant what I said. Friends is just as good."

Logan gave a short nod and turned away. "Thanks for dinner. I'll be there tomorrow. Just tell me what time."

"Logan, will you just..." James gave up on that when Logan was out the door, then said to Kendall, "I'll be back."

Kendall nodded and waited until the door closed to face Carlos. "What did you do?"

"Nothing! I didn't do anything! Everything was perfect and then you guys came out and ruined it all!"

"Carlos, he looked terrified."

"Yeah, because he's scared. I think he's starting to feel things and it's scaring him."

"Oh." That could be a good thing, Kendall thought. "So you talked?"

"We talked a lot. Kendall...I don't know what to do. I'm already so into him and he doesn't think of me like that and..."

James stepped into the apartment. "He's gone. I told him to be there at 9:30 tomorrow."

"Oh, that's perfect!" Carlos grinned. "That's what we planned anyway."

"We?" Kendall echoed.

"Yeah, we talked about...okay, why don't we do this over brownie sundaes? Are they your brownies, Kendall?"

"Not this time. We picked them up at the store."

"Ugh. Well, I'm sure it'll still be good. You guys owe me."

"I guess we do," James said with a roll of his eyes. "Kendall, can you grab the ice cream? Fudge is in the cupboard. Thanks, babe. Now, Carlos. What did you do?"

Silence falls between them once James and Kendall escape to the bedroom. Logan won't meet his eyes, so instead Carlos busies himself snagging the last piece of French toast from a plate between them. "You mind if I take this?"

"No, go for it." Logan leans back in the chair, about to reach for his coffee when he suddenly changes his mind. "Are there any potatoes left?"

"Yeah, help yourself." Carlos passes the bowl to him, trying not to stare while Logan scoops more onto his plate. Everything Logan does fascinates him. Something in the way he moves, each task efficient and deliberate and careful, brown eyes possessing that alert and intelligent spark that drives Carlos wild. "So how long has James been cooking like this?"

"Uh, since high school. He was lost for awhile but then renewed himself, and this was part of that. Stopped eating junk food, started working out, and learned how to cook food that could be used as fuel more than just...sustenance. He used Shannon and me as...I guess you'd call us taste testers."

Carlos smiled picturing that. "There's nothing healthy about this meal."

"No," Logan chuckled. "He expanded his skills over time. He cooked for me and my roommate a lot in exchange for a place to stay, and neither of us were fans of healthy food, so..." As if realizing he'd relaxed and opened up too much, Logan returned his focus to his plate and looked at nothing else.

Carlos wanted to get that relaxed side of Logan back. "How'd you end up with such an awesome job? You're pretty young to be heading up a team of your own, right?"

Logan shrugged, uncomfortable. "I was on a fast track in college. Got through it early, and my degree got me a position with the lab. I moved up quickly."

"I bet." When Logan glanced up as if to ask why Carlos would say something like that, Carlos added, "I just mean you seem really smart. I'm sure they recognized that in you."

"I guess."

"I wish I was smart enough to work in a place like that. I love science."

"Really?" Logan asked, daring to meet Carlos' gaze for all of three seconds before reaching for his coffee. "Why didn't you follow that dream to a career? How'd you end up in a coffeehouse?"

"Kendall got me the job," Carlos admitted with a blush. "And I like it okay there, tips are good and it's not a bad place to work. Plus all the free coffee I want."

"Definitely a perk," Logan agreed, then laughed softly when he realized he'd unintentionally made a pun.

"Nice one!" Carlos grinned. "Did you plan that?"

"No, just..." Logan cleared his throat, uncomfortable again.

"Well. Kendall got accepted to university out here, and after high school he moved. I stayed behind for about a year trying to figure out what I wanted to do."

"But that's what I don't understand, Carlos. If you love science so much, why didn't you take that career path?"

Now he had Logan's full attention and it was intoxicating. He was about to ruin it, though, by admitting he was an idiot. "The truth is I'm not very...I mean, I think I told you before how I have trouble retaining things?"

"Right," Logan nodded.

"It's like...in the moment, I understand everything. I listen to lectures or watch documentaries and I'm so right there in that moment. But my brain doesn't file the information away like it should. And I have trouble focusing sometimes and it makes things hard."

"Carlos..." Debating his next words, Logan hesitated. "I hope I don't offend you, because I don't mean anything derogatory by it, but...have you ever been diagnosed? That sounds a bit like ADHD."

Carlos' face lit up. "Yeah! That's exactly it! They told me that in school, I had to see a therapist and everything. Like in junior high. They said I'm mildly ADHD. So it's not bad enough that I can't function, but it made school harder for me."

"I can see how it would," Logan nodded. "And college would be..."

"Even harder. I love to learn. Like in school we went to the space museum and that was the best day ever. I remember standing around reading all the plaques and Kendall kept dragging me away with the group but I just wanted to read everything! I'd kill to go there again on my own and just...you know. Take my time."

Logan gnawed at his bottom lip. Carlos could tell he wanted to say something but was holding back. Finally he said, "We were supposed to go tomorrow. To the space museum."

Remembering that Kendall had said not to let on that he knew about the trip, Carlos played dumb. "Who?"

"All of us. James, Kendall...we were going to take Noah. He was excited about it."

"Oh. Is that what James was talking about earlier?"

"Yes. But now..."

"Yeah," Carlos sighed. "This whole thing sucks. Kendall was a wreck last night when I drove him over here. He thinks of Noah like a son."

Logan absorbed that, then studied Carlos. "Is that...it doesn't seem weird at all to you? That they've only been dating for about a week but they act like a married couple and Kendall is practically a father to James' son?"

"Well, if you're saying that they moved really fast, sure. Kendall was a little worried about that; it's not like he doesn't realize it. But I see them both happy, and when Noah was here he was happy. So yeah, it's super fast. But as long as everyone's happy, who cares?"

"And you don't think that's going to change over time? I mean, it's new and exciting right now, but what about when reality sets in? Fatherhood isn't all fun and games. It's responsibility and long hours and is Kendall really ready for something like that?"

"Dude, I know you don't get it, but you don't know Kendall. I've known him for almost my whole life and trust me, he's ready. This is what he's always wanted. A family. He has this need to make up for the way his dad treated him. Being a dad to Noah is like...his dream come true."

Logan frowned. "So then is he just using James for his kid?"

"No," Carlos sighed, wondering how to explain it. "He was into James long before he knew about the kid. I've been listening to him drool over that guy for years. He's so far gone, man. You don't see that when they look at each other? How intense it is between them?"

"I...haven't spent a lot of time around them together."

"I have. Trust me, Logan. It's real, what they have. They definitely rushed into it, but it's real."

Logan nodded slowly, not in agreement but more in understanding of what Carlos was trying to say. "I don't understand that mentality. Rushing into things. Especially relationships. Even when you take it slow and think things are okay..." He shook his head. "You never really know what's going on, you only know what you perceive as the truth. And it's not the truth."

"That's why you can't hold back. Just be honest."

"That doesn't guarantee the other person is being honest."

"No, I guess it doesn't. Sometimes you just have to trust."

Logan rolled his eyes. Done with the conversation, he stood up and started gathering plates. Carlos followed his lead, and soon he was rinsing dishes while Logan loaded them into the dishwasher. Carlos sensed that Logan was doing heavy thinking, or perhaps remembering; maybe he was lost in memories of the guy who'd broken his heart. If only there was something Carlos could say to get him past that.

"What time are you going down to the law office tomorrow?" Logan suddenly asked.

Carlos almost dropped a glass. Was Logan trying to make sure they didn't run into each other? "Probably right after work, so about ten-thirty?"

"And they said your deposition won't take long?"

"Right."

"So if I plan on being there at ten, or even earlier, we can both be done by eleven."

"Maybe?"

"Okay. Do you have plans tomorrow? Other than work and the deposition?"

This time Carlos did drop what he was holding, but luckily it was nothing more fragile than silverware. He could hardly breathe. "Shit, sorry. Um...no, I thought I was working all day."

"Good. I'm taking you to the space museum. And you can have all the time in the world to read those plaques. The observatory's not too far from the museum, so maybe we can have dinner in between and then head over there. They open the giant telescope when it gets dark. Ever looked through one of those?"

How was he even standing? Carlos' legs were so weak he had to hold on to the counter, letting Logan gently shove him aside to reach for the silverware he'd dropped. "No," he whispered.

"It's amazing. You're gonna love it." Logan turned off the faucet and dried his hands on a dish towel, only then noticing the expression on Carlos' face. "Hey. I'm sorry, I should've clarified...it's not a date. I don't date. It's nothing against you, I just—"

"No, I totally get it. That's fine, I'm happy to just be your friend."

Logan didn't seem convinced of that. "Really? Because you were extremely flirty the day we met. And..." Face on fire, he continued, "You did call me beautiful."

"Yeah, well...you are. I'd date you in a second. But I respect that you're not into that, or into me like that, and...I don't have any smart friends. I mean, not that Kendall's stupid or anything, but—"

"I get it," Logan chuckled. "And that's all I'm offering. Friendship. Or at least one day full of science. You deserve that."

"I'll take it! And I'm buying dinner." Logan started to protest, reminding Carlos that it wasn't a date; Carlos waved that away. "Friends do that. It's my way of saying thank you. I expect you to educate me on everything while we're there."

A soft smile widened Logan's mouth. "I'd enjoy that."

Caught up in Logan's eyes, which were for once looking right into his own, Carlos was at a loss for words. The need to kiss those lips was almost impossible to fight, and he knew it would only be worse when Logan was expounding scientific knowledge. The seconds stretched out between them, neither breaking the moment; how was he going to survive an entire day of this?

"And that's when you two walked out here and ruined my moment! He was actually looking at me, noticing me, and then bam! He runs out of here like a pack of wild dogs is on his heels."

James glanced over at Kendall, impressed. "Carlos. The fact that he invited you to hang out with him...nice work!"

"Yeah, but you saw him when he left just now. What if he changed his mind?"

"Don't let him," Kendall instructed while scooping up a bite of brownie with vanilla ice cream melting over it. "If he tries to back out tomorrow, remind him that you're okay with being just friends."

"Guilt him if you have to," James agreed. "Tell him you were so excited about the museum and the observatory. Look sad if he tries to cancel."

"That part won't be acting," Carlos sighed. Kendall passed him a napkin and he wiped chocolate fudge from his chin. "It was nice to have him alone for a bit, though."

"You're welcome," Kendall smiled. "We had a lot to talk about with Paul, so..."

"Anything I need to know?"

James shook his head. "Just go straight to the office when you get off work. And plan to leave on your date right after."

Carlos argued, "It's not a date. If I let myself believe it is, I'll ruin it."

"It's totally a date," James smirked. "Logan doesn't take dudes anywhere. He doesn't even have friends he hangs out with other than me. If he asked you to go with him, it's a date. He just doesn't know it yet."

"Stop it! Don't get my hopes up, man!" Carlos swallowed down milk. "I'd invite you guys, but I think we really do need time alone."

"Nope," Kendall said. "We're not going without Noah. We're gonna wait for him."

James' half-smile died. "I really wanted to take him there."

"You will, babe. We will."

Having cleaned his plate, Carlos pushed his chair back. "I can see you both are exhausted, so I'm going to leave you in peace. Thanks for dinner! It was incredible."

"Thanks for cleaning up," James replied. He let Kendall be the one to walk Carlos to the door, but called out, "We'll see you after work!"

"I'll be there!"

Kendall stepped out in the hallway after Carlos. "Hey. I just want to thank you again, for all of this. I know it's a hassle going through a background check and a drug test."

"Dude, it's fine. I want you guys to get Noah back. I see the difference in him," he added, referring to James. "It's like his light has gone out."

Kendall thought that was a perfect way to describe it. "I've had the same thought."

"Take him to bed, make him forget for a little while."

"I did that earlier."

"Do it again. Help him keep his sanity."

"Sleep will do that."

Carlos leaned closer and whispered, "But sex is more fun."

"Get out of here," Kendall laughed, shoving Carlos away. "I know what my man needs. Now you go home and figure out what your man needs."

"Kendall, I'm gonna dream about him all night. Can't wait!"

"See you tomorrow," Kendall smiled. "Night."

"See ya!"

When Kendall returned to the apartment, James was cleaning up their dessert dishes. "Leave it."

"What?" James asked, looking up from the table.

"Leave it, babe. We'll take care of it in the morning."

"They'll be harder to clean if we let them sit like this."

"I don't care. You're coming to bed with me. Now."

Even through the exhaustion, James' eyes suddenly glowed with that light. His breathing faltered. Kendall held out a hand and he went, and they proved Logan right by leaving the lights on in the kitchen and living room; moments like this didn't help the impending energy crisis.

But even more importantly, they proved Carlos right—sex was more fun.