A/N: Hey there! Sorry it's been so long, but I have not had internet for a while and I am doing this from the library. Ughh...

Thanks to my wonderful reviewers of the last chapter: SyFyDiva, mavk4444, Cryss'BTRusher, EverlastingRusher, and BTR'slovesong. Of course I also want to thank the many people who actually read, alert and favour the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Big Time Rush!

xxx

James awoke in damp sheets and sleep clothes, making him feel uncomfortably clammy. He found Kendall pressed into his side, his hair clinging to his forehead, and obviously the reason. His features were not calm and peaceful, but twisted in distress.

James adjusted his body to slowly remove his arm from beneath his tormented friend and brother. Unfortunately, the movement only served to wake the other boy with a start, and eyes wide with apprehension.

"It's okay, Kendall. It's just me, James," he murmured, as he finished removing his arm. He pulled him close, trying to comfort him. He watched a silent tear slowly make its way down the bruised cheek. "Please, tell me what happened," he begged.

He patiently waited, studying Kendall's downcast eyes. He hoped that those intense green eyes would open and meet his own hazel ones. They did not. Frustrated, James inhaled sharply, and followed his gaze as it traveled to where Logan and Carlos lay. For a moment he felt a twinge of jealousy. Kendall might be seeking the comfort of the other boys instead of him, but it quickly waned when he felt him latch on to his arm.

James slowly released the breath that he held, and nuzzled into his friend. He adored Kendall, but he couldn't help but wish that he was the one comforting Carlos, since he was easier to read, and seemed grateful just to have someone to snuggle with when he was upset. He sensed that Kendall was hurting deeply, and he did not know how to break through the tough exterior. He had to admit that it even hurt a bit, when he wouldn't open up to him.

Maybe, he should encourage Kendall to go to Logan, he thought. He seemed calmed and comforted by the other boy's analytic take on things, and he could make Kendall smile, even when he didn't want to.

To his surprise, he felt Kendall's gaze fall back upon him, pulling him from his thoughts. He turned to meet the gaze, finding luminous green pools of pain there. He swallowed, finally sensing some sort of breakthrough. He choose to stay silent, giving him a warm compassionate embrace, instead.

Suddenly, another unexpected tear dripped from Kendall's eye, and fell with a soft plop to the navy bedspread. He even seemed surprised by it, and watched the dark stain blossom across the surface.

"A g-guy tried to...m-mo-molest me in the orchard...last night," Kendall whispered the last part hoarsely. He seemed to have the most difficulty with the word molest, and James had to lean in close to catch it.

His heart wrenched, as the words sunk in, before his heart began to thump in his chest. He felt sickened by the thought, frightened by the idea, and angered, all at once. Poor Kendall. He felt his own body tensing. Forcing back the images for the sake of his friend, he relaxed his muscles, and embraced him tighter. He rested his chin atop the warm head.

A part of him felt honored that the distraught boy had finally opened up to him, no matter how painful it was. However, now the full burden of the knowledge weighed heavily upon his own shoulders.

"I'm so sorry. Did he hur-hurt you?" His voice broke.

Kendall nodded into his chest. "Yes...but he d-didn't..." his soft voice trailed off.

James hugged him tighter. "Thank God," he said tenderly.

Kendall swallowed at the lump that had painfully wedged in his throat, and turned his gaze back to James. Their eyes locked, and he searched for any sense of judgment. All he found was brotherly love, and understanding.

Inside, James was feeling a bit out of his comfort zone. He had no issue with defending Kendall's name and honor, or in protecting him from bullies, but this was so...difficult. He hated seeing him so broken, and he desperately wanted the old Kendall back. He was used to his leadership as much as the others were. It was easy to use his own size and muscle, to keep his friends from harm. He was good at that, but he wasn't so comfortable with doling out emotional support. It was the one thing that he had always lacked, within his own life. The only thing that he was sure of at that moment, was that he yearned to do the right thing by Kendall.

Kendall began to sniffle, and sat up abruptly. It was as if he was trying to escape his own thoughts. He stared at the other bed where Carlos and Logan were curled up with one another.

Logan, as if by a sixth sense, slowly rose and stared in their direction. His dark brown eyes were questioning. All was silent.

"Morning, Logan," James said quietly.

Logan subconsciously rubbed Carlos' rising and falling back gently, as the boy's soft snores filled the space. He wanted more than anything to comfort his traumatized friend across the room, but he knew that he would seldom allow it. Besides, he could clearly see that James was the one doing that. Logan's concern was clear from afar. James motioned to the dark-haired boy while Kendall cried softly into his pyjama shirt.

Kendall hated that he was the needy one. He was the leader of the gang, wasn't he? He was the one who held everyone else together when things were rough. He could not break. Quite frankly, the vulnerability frightened him to no end.

Logan reached the bedside, and wrapped his smaller arms around his shaking friend. Instantly, Kendall stopped crying, and turned to see whom the second set of loving arms belonged to. He was looking back at him expectantly, waiting for the nod to allow him in. Kendall looked like a little lost boy whom had just been beaten, but didn't know why. Logan's throat tightened.

Kendall released a shaky breath, and then released James, looking at him almost apologetically. James was the one to nod instead, and just smiled warmly, consenting to turn him over to the other boy's comfort. Logan took the signal and leaned further in, opening his arms wider to his brother.

"Please tell me, Kendall," Logan pleaded, his eyes shining with tears. "Kendall..." Logan reached over to lift the trembling chin. He searched his eyes for an answer.

Although Kendall had tried to bottle up his emotions once more, it was no use. He relented, as he was almost startled by Logan's persistence. He finally let loose and began to sob. It was just what he needed to allow for complete release. His shoulders shook, as they wracked his slender frame. Logan threw his arms open even wider, hoping to engulf some of the pain himself, and cried along with him. He had no idea what was causing such intense grief, but he felt it, nonetheless.

Logan and he, held on to one another, as if time had stood still, and as if they would never be able to let go again. Kendall's tears fell rhythmically on the dark head of hair, as he rested his chin on its softness. Kendall choked back the sobs long enough to speak, and pulled back to look into the concerned brown ones of his friend. He felt that he owed him an explanation, too. Somehow, it was much more difficult, this time around. Logan was the one that he always wanted to protect. The one that always needed protecting. He hated feeling like the roles had suddenly been reversed. First, he hesitated and his voice hitched in his throat, but he finally uttered the difficult words.

"A m-man tried to m-mo-molest me in the orchard, last night." There, it was out.

Logan's eyes grew wild for a moment, while he mulled the words over. He felt such anger toward the horrible man, who could do such a thing, as well as a mix of deep fear...and most of all sorrow.

"I love you, Kendall," he whispered without hesitation. Kendall actually smiled a faint crooked smile, causing Logan to release his own signature crooked one, in return.

"I know," he said playfully.

James shook his head in amazement. Only those two could share a moment like that. James could not deny that he was a bit perplexed by the intimate exchange, but he also felt a sense of relief. Somehow, the two coming together had eased the tension, and the burden was now shared.

Now, all they needed was their loveable and cuddly Carlos. He resembled an over-sized teddy bear lying tangled in his covers, as he slept through the entire ordeal, all cozy and warm. A particularly snort-filled snore broke from the boy, causing the other three to giggle aloud.

One eye of the small brunette opened warily. Pleased, and a little surprised to awake to its melodic sound after the way the night before had ended, he breathed an audible sigh of relief. Maybe, Kendall would be okay after all. Even Logan didn't seem to be in a bad mood any longer. To top it all off, there was the warm inviting aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls wafting up from the kitchen below. How could anyone be in a bad mood?He sprung from the bed, and raced to the shared one, lunging between James and Kendall.

"Ughhh!" they all cried.

"Carlos! You're not a puppy!" James scolded.

"How come I feel like one, then?" he asked with an impish grin.

They laughed. Logan shook his head affectionately at the boy. Kendall's expression suddenly took on a more somber tone, as he realized that he would have to tell Carlos, as well. Carlos noted the change in mood, and studied the damp faces. Kendall's was glistening with fresh tears, and he gulped.

"Are you okay, Kendall?"

Kendall looked away for a moment. It was especially difficult to share the truth with the innocent Carlos. In addition, he found himself having to repeat those same dreaded words...one more time. He wished that it would be the last, but sadly, he knew better.

"A m-man at the orchard...tr-tried to mo-molest me, last night," he said brokenly.

"Oh my God!" Carlos cried, throwing himself on Kendall's heaving chest to encircle him in a bear hug. Kendall willingly returned the hug, biting his lower lip to steady it. Finally, Carlos pulled away, his deep brown eyes puzzled.

"Kendall...what exactly does molest, mean?" he asked innocently.

With that, all four boys broke into laughter, releasing all the pent-up frustration and fear. It may have actually bordered on hysteria, but it had a healing effect, regardless.

Just outside the door, Anna stood tentatively, her arms full of freshly washed clothing to deliver to for church that morning. She was stunned to hear laughter on the other side. She smiled to herself when she realized just how resilient the boys actually were in their youth. She respected for their undeniable inner strength. They were growing into fine young men, and she had developed such an unconditional love for them.

She faltered once more, then laid the folded stacks on the hall bench, turning to leave. They could spare just a few more minutes of brotherhood, before being forced to deal with the grown-up world, that awaited them outside of the door.

xxx

The ice cream social was only weeks away, and the planning was in the works. The town was already amid preparations to accommodate the many vats of homemade ice cream flavors, and people who would travel to sample them. The signs were hung, and the boys were getting restless, waiting to learn whether they would be allowed to attend.

James was especially anxious, because Bonnie had mentioned in her letters that she might come for a visit which would coincide with the event. She would arrive by train with her father, and stay with friends nearby.

Carlos was also giddy to attend, because he had his heart set on tasting each flavor of ice cream. However, the missed essay stood in the way, and they could not help but feel that Miss Irene was unjustly holding it over them. Her accusation resulted in James being humiliated, punished like a naughty prince, Carlos receiving stitches, and Kendall almost being raped in the orchard. Needless to say, Logan was furious when he discovered the truth behind the confusion.

He had reviewed his completed assignments for the final exams, when he stumbled upon a sheet which had typing on the opposite side. He held it to the light, and out of curiosity, flipped it over to find the original syllabus. Apparently, Miss Irene accidentally re-used the sheets. His only problem now...how to call attention to her error without winding up in trouble with either Miss Irene or Farmer Slate. Somehow, it always seemed to backfire on him, even when he wasn't at fault.

They returned to school the following morning after the eventful weekend, and could not help but feel anger toward Miss Irene. All they wanted was to not be blamed unjustly, and be allowed to attend the social. Kendall was badly needing his mum and sister now, and they would be able to reunite with their families for the event. Logan decided that the results might just outweigh the risks. He would speak to Farmer Slate about it right after school.

The day went by quietly and the boys were on their best behavior. He vowed to not tell the others about his plans.

xxx

"F-Farmer Slate?" Logan asked timidly, while the others ran ahead to wash up for dinner.

"Yes, Boy?"

"May I speak with you for a moment?" He twisted the paper nervously in his hands.

The large man had headed around back, when he had believed that all four boys had already clamored up the stoop. He did not hide his surprise that the boy was bold enough to stop him from doing so. He raised one eyebrow, and waited expectantly.

Logan opened his mouth to speak, wanting to get it over with. "I-I have-"

"Right after dinner," the farmer interrupted, as he wiped his greasy hands off on a rag. He was determined to finish with his equipment oiling that evening. Logan froze. The farmer studied the boy's mood, with a tilt of his head.

"Something wrong?" he asked, a little more gruffly this time.

"N-No, Sir. I d-don't know, Sir," Logan muttered, more nervous now. He took a deep breath.

The farmer tried not to laugh. "Well, if you don't know, I don't know, Boy!" he exclaimed.

"I-I'll just w-wait till after dinner," Logan stammered, turning and running off.

The farmer shook his head at the retreating figure. He hoped that he wouldn't be whipping him or one of the others for something they'd done that evening. He really was just in the mood to relax and listen to the radio. Those boys sure could be a lot of trouble sometimes.

xxx

During dinner, all four boys were thinking about the upcoming ice cream social. Logan was more nervous than ever now that he'd been to wait to speak with Farmer Slate. He hoped that he would say all the right things, and not anger him too much.

The farmer had been pleasant enough through the dinner, and Logan was relieved that he seemed in a relatively good mood for him. They finished up, and the giant man rose and stretched.

"That was delicious!" he announced to Helga, as she cleared away the plates with Anna.

"Thank you, Mister Slate," Helga said shyly.

"Well, come on Boy!" Farmer Slate called to Logan.

Logan jumped up and followed behind him, as the other boys exchanged puzzled looks with Anna.