A/N: I can't tell you guys how happy I am to be writing again! Not to mention how happy I am that y'all are reading it! Read and review...If you like what you read, let me know. If you don't like it, don't tell me! Kidding, I wanna know that, too. Thank you all! You're the greatest!

DeniseDEMD: re-reading both stories?! OMG I'm flattered...you really like me! :-) Thank you SO much for the loyality! MUAH! Yes, your Frendall fascination is not lost on me! LOL Hmmm, Kendall a full time dad, huh? Interesting. We'll see what he reveals and when...it oughta be good!

Meangirl8: I'm on it! Enjoy!

James instinctively jumped to his feet. If Kendall was coming at him the last place he needed to be was on his ass! Judging by the look in Kendall's eyes, James could see he was ready for a fight!

"Easy, Ken-," he warned with out stretched hands.

Kendall, ignoring the signs, took a step toward James, cutting the taller man off before he could finish speaking. He didn't want to hear what James had to say, all Kendall knew was that his so-called friend was trying to take his place with Kendall's daughter just like he took Kendall's place with Francie.

"No fuckin' way! You can't have her! Not gonna happen!"

Francie snapped out of her stunned state and bolted from the couch placing herself between the two much taller men. Trying to calm the uncharacteristic hostility Kendall was displaying, she put her hands on his chest.

"Kendall stop!" The petite brunette was more than shocked as Kendall slapped her hands away.

"Hey!" James threw a long arm over the top of Francie's shoulder, shoving Kendall back. "That was uncalled for!"

Kendall stepped toward James but Francie, not to be deterred by Kendall's show of aggression, stepped toe to toe with him placing her hands, once again on his chest. Her temper flared, through clenched teeth, she scolded her former love, "That's enough! You're going to wake your daughter!"

Kendall swiped his hand through his dark blond hair, "You're right. My daughter. Mine!"

"Ken," Francie's voice softened, "no one's trying to take Marley from you." Her voice, so soft and soothing, echoed in his ears.

"Come on, man," James' voice pulled Kendall's glare to him, "I would never do that to you, you know that."

Disbelieving eyes darted back to the face of the woman he loved - and lost - to his best friend. "Really?!"

Ignoring the sarcasm in Kendall's voice, and her gut reaction to punch him for it, Francie nodded as her fingers gently rubbed his chest, "Really."

James nodded confirmation.

Releif began to sweep through Kendall. He lost Francie already and the thought of losing Marley was too much to bear. His sweet little girl, his baby, she's all he has. Things have been kind of strained lately with Tiff, Francie has moved on, his whole world revolved around Marley and he'd be damned if let someone take her away.

"We were going to ask if you could keep her for a few weeks, Dimples." Hearing his pet name loving fall from Francie's lips made his heart ache. He felt like a class A dick.

Having the decency to look ashamed, Kendall awkwardly apologized to Francie and James. "I - I, um, I'm sorry." How do I explain this?! How do I tell them that I was afraid of losing my daughter to the same man I lost her mother to? I'm supposed to be over that!

"It's okay," Francie smiled up at him. "It's alright. I apologize for the confusion. I didn't mean to make you..." Flip shit?! Francie thought. She quickly came up with a better word, "...worry."

"Yeah, Kendall, I'm sorry, too. I should have just told you earlier." James shook his head, still confused by Kendall's assumption and outburst. "I never dreamed that you..." Though so little of me?! James edited his thought, "...would misunderstand it all."

"No, it's not your fault, it's mine," Kendall's hands rubbed at his neck, trying to ease his tension. "I've been so wrapped up with my..." Feelings for Francie?! Kendall found a more acceptable reason. "...new parental duties and my music and..." Kendall's words faded off again. Should I tell them about Tiff and the distance I've felt between us? No, no that would only worry them. "...and everything."

Francie cast a concerned look over her shoulder at James then back to Kendall. "Maybe now's not a good time to ask you to keep Marley."

"No, it's fine," Kendall shook his head. "Besides, all of my issues will be sorted out by April. I'll be glad to keep her for your honeymoon."

Another glance from Francie to James had Kendall asking, "What? What's wrong?"

"It's not for our honeymoon. James was offered a part in a movie."

"Oh, wow. Hey, that's great, Jay. Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"So, you're going with him?" This time...Kendall thought to himself, but all three of them had the same idea in their heads. No one wanted a repeat of what went down a few short weeks ago. It's probably for the better, considering what happened the last time James was out of town...and they don't even know the worst of it.

"Yeah, I am," Francie smiled, clearly happy to be joining James on this trip to L.A.

Resting his hands on Francie's shoulders, James smiled, "It'll be nice for her to get away for a while, don't you think?" And away from you. James couldn't deny his feelings. I know I'm an asshole for thinking that, but I've got to admit to myself, it's true. Kendall has gotten close - too close for my comfort - and the whole wedding dress scenario that happened earlier doesn't help any.

Kendall agreed, "Oh, absolutely." A little bit of distance between me and Francie probably wouldn't be a bad thing considering I can't get her out of my head as it is. "I think it's a great idea. You guys will have a good time. When are you leaving?"

James lightly squeezed Francie's shoulders as he answered Kendall's question, "Shooting's supposed to start February first."

The month quickly registered in Kendall's head. February? That's Francie's birthday, Valentine's Day, and their shower... Kendall drew his eyebrows together in question, "You're not going to be here for your birthday?"

"I'm not sure when -," Francie started to reply.

James didn't let her finish. "We haven't hammered out the details yet but if she's with me, I'll make sure it's a birthday she'll never forget." James nuzzled Francie's neck to emphasize his words.

James was a little annoyed at Kendall. What's he care if Francie's here or not? She's not his girlfriend anymore...she's my fiancée. And what's up with the 'you're not taking Marley from me, too, James' shit?!

Kendall grinned as best he could as a pang of jealousy hit his heart. "I'm sure you will Jay." What's my problem?! Of course she'll be with him on her birthday. What do I care? "I was just wondering for Marley, that's all," Kendall shrugged. "Don't know how she'll take it."

"Like James said, we haven't finalized any details yet. I'll talk to Marley when we're sure, I'll make sure she understands."

Kendall nodded his approval, "Okay then, sounds like we have a plan. I'm happy to have her, we'll have a good time."

Francie threw her arms around her former boyfriend's neck, "Thank you, Kendall! Thank you so much!" Kendall wrapped her into a hug.

"Yeah, thanks, man," James held an outstretched hand to Kendall. "I appreciate it."

Kendall had to release Francie with one hand to shake James'. "Not a problem. You guys know I do anything for you." Especially you, Freckles...

"I just...I just want to walk him home. I feel like I need to talk to him, James, considering how bad things went down earlier."

Francie put her coat on as James grabbed Kendall's from the hall closet. The two were standing by the door, waiting for Kendall who was checking on Marley before leaving for home.

"That's fine, Sweetness," James caressed her cheek, "I understand. Things did turn pretty shitty. I can't believe he thought -"

"She's sleeping like a log." Kendall noticed Francie had her coat on. "Where are you going?"

"With you."

"I haven't had that much to drink, Freckles," Kendall chuckled, "I can find my way home by myself."

"You goof, come on. I want to talk to you about tomorrow night's party. See what food you need."

"I'm a big boy, I think I can handle it."

James handed Kendall his coat. "Why are you arguing with her? You know you're not going to win."

"I've had enough beer to think I have a shot." Kendall took his coat and slipped into it.

"Dude, you had three." James shook his head and scoffed, "Lightweight."

"Hey! I told you I only wanted one." Kendall leaned towards James and lowered his voice, "Were you trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, Jay?"

With a wink, James replied, "You know it."

Kendall playfully hugged his friend and together they squealed like a couple of fangirls, "KAMES!"

"Alright you two, break it up," Francie giggled. "Let's go."

Francie heard James shut the door behind her and Kendall. She drew in a deep chilling breath and exhaled watching the 'smoke' released into the cold night air.

"So," Kendall said quietly, "what did you really want to talk to me about?"

Turning her head to look at Kendall, she caught the silhouette of his profile. His strong nose and scruffy jaw slightly lit up by the reflection of the nearly full moon off the white, snow covered landscape. He was staring straight ahead, alerting Francie that he knew a serious discussion was about to take place and Kendall wasn't looking forward to it.

Studying her ex-lover in the moonlight, Francie searched for the words to express the concern, both, she and James felt from Kendall's earlier outburst. Before she could broach the real issue, Kendall spoke up, "Don't try to deny it, Freckles," he turned to look at Francie. "You don't want to talk about the party. I know you, remember?"

She nodded, "I know you do, and that's why I'm shocked that you'd think I'd try to take Marley from you after all we went through to find out she was your daughter."

Kendall dropped his gaze to the snow feeling foolish for jumping to conclusions and making a scene. His paranoia had gotten the better of him, he couldn't help it. Kendall was at a loss for words.

How could he explain to Francie his fears of losing Marley to the same man he lost his old flame to - an old flame he would take back in a second if he thought he could have her...how?

The simple answer...he couldn't. He couldn't open up to Francie without revealing the way he felt about her, not without telling Francie they had slept together and all those emotions had bubbled to the surface, not without shattering the friendship he's built with James over the years, and, most importantly, not without ruining the chance of a happily ever after for the woman he loves.

Kendall realized that in all of those reasons he had, Tiff wasn't one of them. In his heart he knew that he and Tiff were on thin ice. Maybe their relationship had run its course but maybe, just maybe, it could be salvaged if he'd pull his head out of his ass and pour all of the energy he had been wasting on dreaming of a future with Francie into the relationship he has with Tiff. But would that be enough?

The shadowed couple reached the front porch of the Schmidt house. Kendall unlocked the door letting Francie enter first. He unzipped his coat and decided it was time to say something, anything, to Francie's statement that he left unanswered in the winter night.

"I'm sorry, Freckles, I didn't mean to come unglued on you guys. I just...I'm feeling a bit out of sorts."

Francie's eyebrows rose, "A bit? Kendall you freaked!"

Kendall went on the defense, "I had a moment, okay?"

"A moment? You had a meltdown! I was sure I was going to be scrubbing blood out of my carpet!"

"Look, I'm sorry." Kendall threw his arms in the air, "I don't know what else to tell you!"

"You can start by telling me if you really think James and I would try and take Marley from you. Do you think we would do that? After everything we've been through, do think that, Kendall?"

James stole you from me, why wouldn't he steal Marley, too?! But Kendall knew better. No, that's not fair. It was my fault for leaving Francie...mine. She got over me and moved on, now I need to do the same. Kendall remained quiet.

Kendall's unwillingness to answer prompted Francie to step closer to the tall, green-eyed man she shared a daughter with. Raising her hand to his cheek, she spoke softly, "Dimples, James loves you. I love you," Kendall's heart fluttered with Francie's words, "and Marley loves you. You know how hopeful James was for Marley to be your daughter." Kendall's vision began to blur with the tears in his eyes. He knew James was always his biggest backer.

"You know how thrilled he was when we found out she was yours. He would never want to take her away from you. Ever." A tear fell onto Francie's hand. "As much as he loves our daughter, James is content being her stepfather, her 'Uncle James,' he's never asked for anything more, Ken."

Kendall gazed into his ex-girlfriend's dark eyes, he was being pulled in deeper and deeper. He covered Francie's hand with his own, feeling the warmth of her dainty hand. "I know but..." He never asked for you and he got you, didn't he?

"But, what?"

Kendall shook his head unwilling to say the words he had in his head.

"What is it, Kendall?"

The softness and concern in Francie's voice began to loosen Kendall's tongue. He took a deep breath and whispered, "I'm afraid of losing Marley to James..." His voice trailed off.

Francie finished the sentence for him, "...too? That's what you said earlier, 'you're not taking my daughter from me, too, James'."

Ashamed, Kendall dropped his gaze to the floor. "I...I meant that -"

"You meant that James took me from you...but that's not true, Kendall. James didn't take me, I wasn't yours."

His gaze met Francie's again, "You used to be, Freckles." The sadness in Kendall's eyes pierced Francie's very soul, but she knew she had to push on. She had to clear this up.

"Yeah, used to, but I haven't been for a long time. You've moved past that, right?" The rhetorical question hung in the air long enough for Francie's hand to slide down Kendall's cheek and neck to rest over his heart. "Tiff lives here now," Francie's hand left Kendall's chest and moved to cover her heart, "and James lives here."

"I know," Kendall nodded. Boy, do I know.

Francie shook her head, "James didn't take me, and he's not taking Marley, okay?"

"Yeah," he nodded.

"Do you believe me?"

"Yeah, I do." Sort of...

"Okay, we're all good?"

"All good."

Francie's eyebrows rose in question, "Really?"

"Really," Kendall added with a nod.

"Alright," she turned and walked toward the kitchen, "now, let's talk food!"

Kendall's mind wasn't on the spread for tomorrow night's party, instead he was dwelling on the mess he was in. A failing relationship, another relationship that obviously wasn't going where he wanted it to, slight distrust and jealousy of a best friend, and a secret that could blow everything to kingdom come.