A/N—Hey, all. I hope everyone's healthy and doing well. This chapter is the second half of the long talk between James and Logan (with a few phone calls thrown in), obviously they had a lot to say. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy it. :)

This time when they settled in for talk, Logan went to the sofa with James. He was aware it might not be the best idea, but they both needed to know they weren't alone. James opened his legs and held out his arms in invitation; Logan dropped down over James to gently snuggle in, at home nestled between James' body and the blanket that was thrown across him. James squeezed him closer and kissed his hair, but pushed it no further.

All in all, this was heaven.

"Ready for more talk?"

"If we must," James sighed. "I like this better, though. I can't see your face. Your judging eyes."

"James, I'm not judging you."

"Still. When you look at me I feel...naked. Like you see inside me."

Logan couldn't resist a kiss to James' shoulder for that. "I do."

"It's scary."

"I know."

"But also...safe. Does that make any sense?"

"Yeah." Logan closed his eyes, at peace. "So you're staying?"

"I never said that."

"What can I say to make you stay?"

James deflected that with, "Have you talked to my mom tonight? Does she know I'm here?"

"She does. I didn't say anything about you wanting to leave, but I knew she'd worry when you disappeared from the party. She knows you're safe and that's all she wants."

"I could be safe in Hollywood, too."

"How? Do you have a place to live out there? A job?"

"I'll find those things. I'm not worried about it."

"You should be. That stuff doesn't happen overnight. Do you even have a friend to stay with?"

James held his silence.

"That's what I thought. James...there's nothing for you out there."

"My career is out there."

"Maybe, but not if you do it this way. Do it right. Finish school, get your diploma, decide then about this arts school you want to attend. Going out there now with no plan is going to be a nightmare."

"Can't be worse than staying here and watching my mom die," he said quietly.

And now, finally, he thought James might be ready to talk about this. "I know how hard this is for you."

"You really don't. Your parents went suddenly. You didn't go through this."

He had, but James couldn't know that. Or...could he? Maybe a twisting of the truth was in order. "Can I tell you something I've never told anyone else?"

James tensed under him. "Really?"

"Yeah. I never talked about it because...well, I was like you. I didn't want to face it."

"What, are you gonna tell me you knew the fire was gonna happen? That you could've saved them?"

"No. Nothing like that. But...my mom was sick before the fire. The fire got to her before the other thing did, and maybe that was a blessing."

James seemed to have stopped breathing. "You're serious?"

"Yeah. She didn't want anyone to know, like your mom. But we knew, and I never wanted to talk about it or think about it." Logan was going off instinct here. "I regretted that after the fire. So many things I wish I'd said before it was too late. I just don't want you to end up the same way."

"Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"It's hard to talk about. Hard to think about. I'm sure you understand that."

James nodded, his jaw rubbing against Logan's scalp. "So what you said in the car that day, with Mom. About saying things before it's too late. That's experience talking."

"Yeah," Logan replied softly.

Logan felt James' body start to tremble under him. He rubbed James' arm with a warm hand. "I don't think I can do it," James mumbled. "I can't...what you said, you're right, it's gonna get worse and I can't..."

"You can. I won't let you go through it alone."

"But how do I...like..." He was breathing harder now, Logan feeling his chest move as he pulled in air.

"It's okay," Logan soothed. "It's just me here. Let it out."

"I just...it's hard to look at her. Because I know. Every time I talk to her all I can think is 'One day this is gonna end. She's dying. One day she won't...'" James fought to sit up, Logan letting him but not moving away as James struggled to breathe.

"One day she won't be here," Logan finished. All James could do was nod with tears brimming over. "I know how scary that is, but you have to look at it from her perspective."

"Hers?"

"Yeah. I want you to stop for a second and think about what she's feeling. Because when she looks at you, she knows, too. It's running through her head, too. She knows she'll be gone and you'll be alone and I think that scares her more than anything else, more than even dying. She needs to know you're gonna be okay, James. She needs to see it."

"But I'm not." Now the wall crashed down, sobs and fear coming out while James held on to Logan and buried his face in Logan's chest. "I'm not okay, this is never gonna be okay, how in the hell is this ever supposed to be okay?"

Logan's heart ripped in two as he held James and felt the powerful body breaking down. He didn't say anything for awhile because words wouldn't help James right now. James just needed to know he wasn't alone.

"Tell me, Logan," James finally gasped. "Tell me how I'm supposed to get through each day watching her die!"

"You watch her live instead. Every breath she takes right now is a victory. Every day she makes it through is cause for celebration. You don't focus on what she's losing, but what she's gaining—time with her son, time to see the beauty in life that most of us don't even notice because we're too busy worrying about the future. Share that with her. Laugh with her. Give her good memories to look back on in her final moments. Keep smiling, keep giving her your strength to lean on. And at the end of each day, after she's gone to sleep, you find me. Call me, come over, whatever you have to do, and then you break down. Then you take off the armor and let it overwhelm you. But for your mother, you stay strong and make sure she doesn't go through any of it alone."

"I don't know if I'm that strong."

"You are. If you let me help you, you are. You're not going to go through any of this alone either, James. I keep telling you, we are all here for you."

"But none of you are me." James used the blanket to wipe at his eyes. "Out of everyone, you're the only person who understands me and knows what I'm feeling."

"Which is why I'm not leaving your side." Logan kissed James gently. "I'm here."

"But...what if...what about when things get really bad? At the end? I don't know what I'm doing, I don't know anything about cancer."

"I do. I've studied it. I think if you studied it, too, you'd at least feel more in control because you can help your mother make decisions. You'll know what to expect. And when those things happen, you'll be prepared. If nothing else, it will help you cope better."

James sniffed in a breath, thinking about that. "Will you help me? Will you teach me?"

It was like the clouds opening up to let sunshine in on a rainy day. James was finally ready to walk down the path toward his destiny. "I'll teach you everything you need to know. We'll learn together and use the knowledge to make this as easy as we can on your mom. We can't cure her or make it go away, but we can make sure she suffers as little as possible."

James nodded. "This is the worst thing in the world, I swear. Do you think there will ever be a cure, Logan? A time when cancer just...disappears?"

Logan stared into James' eyes with a smile. "Yes, James. I do."

James needed another break. Logan led the way, keeping an eye out for parents before shoving James into the restroom and making his way to the kitchen, where Sylvia was loading the dishwasher.

"Honey, hi!" she whispered. "Is he here? Is he okay?"

"He's...he will be. We're going to stay downstairs for awhile still, if that's okay."

"It's fine! Brooke knows he's here, I promised we'd keep an eye on him. She said to just make sure you do that. Does he need anything?"

"He was asking for ice cream earlier."

Her face fell. "We don't have any right now. I try to keep it out of the house because Carlos goes crazy with it. And we didn't bring any cake home from the party, either. Oh! But we brought cookies! Carlos made us bring a bag home to keep around. Want those?"

"Better than nothing. Thanks, Sylvia." Logan hugged her, grateful yet again for her kindness. "I'll grab us some milk, too. By the way, he loved your macaroni and cheese. I didn't tell him it's all healthy ingredients."

"Shh, Carlos and Papi don't know that either. That stays between us." She winked while reaching up for two fresh glasses. "Let me know if you need anything else."

"Thank you. I'm hoping I can convince him to stay for the study session, so there might be one more for breakfast."

"He's always welcome, sweetie. Make sure he knows that. Though he might not want to study on his birthday, and even I can't blame him for that."

"Good point," Logan chuckled. He picked up the now full glasses and deftly pinched the baggie of cookies between two fingers. "See you in the morning."

"Goodnight, honey. Sleep well."

The bathroom door was open when Logan passed by. Don't panic. He's not going anywhere.

Still, it was a huge relief to hear Brooke's voice squawking from a speaker as Logan carefully padded down the basement stairs.

"Are you okay? Are you still at Sylvia's? Where's Logan?"

"He's here, Mom. We're here. I'm okay." James rolled his eyes at Logan before his face brightened upon spying the cookies. His eyelids were swollen from crying but otherwise he seemed to be back to normal. "I just..." He trailed off, unsure how to continue.

"What? You what, baby? James? Talk to me."

James closed his eyes and let out a shaky breath. "I love you. I just wanted you to know that. Since I never say it."

"Oh, honey. I do know it. I love you, too. Please come home."

"I can't. Not right now. I need...I need time. Just...a little more time."

"Okay. I'm glad you called. When will you be home?"

Logan had just taken his spot next to James and halted in the process of passing over a glass, gaze fastened to James' face. He needed to hear the answer to this.

James didn't answer for long enough that Brooke repeated his name and asked again.

With an intense look at Logan, James said slowly, "Tomorrow. I'll be home tomorrow. Logan's coming with me."

Logan smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Just tell me what time. I saved you some birthday cake, and there's enough food left to make a smorgasbord! We'll throw you our own little party here. You never even opened your gifts, James."

"You know, Mom, for once I don't care about gifts. I just want to be home with you guys. That's what I want for my birthday."

Logan could practically hear the relief coming through the phone. "Then that's what you'll get. Do you want to invite Kendall and Carlos, too?"

"I'm not sure yet. Right now I just know I want Logan there. Um...I'll call you in the morning, okay? Get some rest."

"You're starting to sound like Logan."

James grinned while reaching out for the milk. "Eh, he's not all bad. Just an annoying little fuck who never shuts up."

"James!" Brooke scolded as Logan smacked his arm hard. "That boy is the best thing that ever happened to you, take that back!"

"It's fine, Brooke," Logan replied. "He only said it because I'm sitting right here. Don't worry, I'll get him back with lots of study time. He's authorized me to be his teacher in all things."

"That's not what I said!" James argued. "Just that one thing!"

"You still have to graduate, you know."

James glared back. "Okay, so maybe I do need help in other things."

"Brooke? We'll be there after tomorrow's study session. No later than one."

"I look forward to it. James? I expect you to enlighten me with everything you've learned from Logan. And there'd better be more to it than 'Logan's a master at kissing.'"

They both gasped, Logan almost spilling his milk.

"Mom, please! This is why I don't talk to you!"

Logan laughed nervously, wondering just what they'd discussed. "Brooke, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we're just friends. We talked it out."

"What? That's ridiculous, it's obvious you're both smitten."

"Smitten?" James echoed. "Who talks like that?"

"We're friends," Logan repeated. "It's for the best."

"We'll see how long that lasts," she said. "I'll expect you both at one."

"We'll be there. Goodnight, Brooke. Get some rest and call us if you need anything."

"Good lord, now there are two of you to deal with. I was better off when nobody cared."

"I always cared, Mom," James stated. "I'm sorry I didn't show it. I love you. Goodnight."

"Night, baby. Logan? Take care of my boy."

"That's my job," he grinned. "See you tomorrow."

Once she hung up, they stared at each other with no idea what to say. Five seconds later, they were both laughing so hard they had to set down the milk somewhere safe. Ten seconds into that, Logan was wrapped up in James' arms with his head on James' shoulder.

They'd made it through the storm.

"Are we sleeping here?" James wondered out loud when the silence got to be too much for him.

"We can, I guess. I'm sure Carlos' bed would be more comfortable for you."

"True, but Carlos' bed doesn't have you in it."

"It could," Logan smirked. "Or you could just sleep in my bed. Still not much room, though."

"We'll manage. If we share a bed, do I have to keep my hands to myself?"

"I'll allow cuddling. Like this."

James kissed Logan's temple. "I never thought this would be enough. Not that I don't want more," he added hurriedly. "If you ever change your mind on that."

"I won't. Think about how hard it would be to hide it, James. If we were officially dating, and making out all the time, and doing...other things. We'd never be able to hide how we feel about each other in public."

"I would. I've been hiding it for over a week."

"Okay, I can't argue that." Logan had to admit that James had fooled everyone. "We'll attribute that to your acting skills. But I don't have those, and the second a girl tries to get close to you, it will become very clear that you belong to me."

"Oh?" James grinned. "I kind of like the sound of that. What would you do?"

"Nothing, because it's not going to happen. You don't belong to me, therefore you are free to date who you want. Problem solved."

James let that settle. "I do, though," he finally said in a whisper. "You know that, right? I do belong to you."

They were words Logan had longed to hear from James since the time he would lie in the dark as a teenager and dream about moments like this. The fact that it was happening, it was actually happening, and he couldn't do anything about it... "I do," Logan answered, eyes closed and heart full of regret for the position he found himself in. "But..."

"Yeah, I know. You already said it can't happen."

"You know, James, maybe it would just be best for both of us to focus on school and graduating and...things you need to learn. Right now girls would be too distracting anyway."

"Who says it's a girl I'm after?"

"You don't want a boyfriend. You said that."

"Okay, fine. I don't. I just want you."

"Well, you can't have me. I want you but can't have you, either. We're in this together. We can do it, we can get through graduation and then decide on our next step. A lot of that will depend on where your mom is at that point."

"Yeah," James sighed. "I won't want to leave her if she's...you know."

"Right." Logan pressed his lips to James' collarbone.

"Are you gonna keep doing that? Because if we're going to make it through the next few months without acting on our feelings, there can't be any kissing."

"There won't be. Not after tonight."

James said nothing.

"I'm sorry."

"Will you kiss me once before we go to sleep? I mean a real kiss. Like the one we had behind the shed."

"That was a real kiss," Logan agreed. He'd experienced nothing like it before. And since he probably would experience nothing like it again... "Yes. One more. But it doesn't go further."

"Fine. Are we done talking here?"

"No, we are not done talking," Logan chuckled. "Why? Are you tired?"

"A little. What else is there to say?"

"We need a plan."

"A plan? For what?"

"A plan to get you in shape for graduation. Your mother said you could use study sessions, like the one I do with Carlos and Kendall."

James groaned. "Carlos told me about that. He said it was actually fun, but I don't see how that's possible."

Logan smiled. "You'll find out tomorrow morning. That's not enough, though. Not for you. How about we get together every day after school to do extra work with you? I'll help you with your homework, and we can spend some time learning about cancer, too." James tensed up underneath him. "We need to, James. For your mom's sake."

"I know. It's not gonna be easy learning about what her body will be going through. Or her mind."

"It'll help to be prepared, though. Can we do this?"

"Yeah. Can we do it at my place, though? Maybe have dinner with mom after?"

"Or before, considering you won't get home from hockey until almost six."

"Dude, hockey's done. We had the banquet, remember?"

"Oh. Right. I didn't even...of course." How had Logan not realized that? "Where's the trophy?"

"In my room."

"Good. Keep it safe. That's something you'll want to treasure for the rest of your life."

"I know. It means a lot to me. So...dinner, studying...maybe watching a little TV before you have to leave?"

"That would be nice." Logan snuggled in deeper. "Can you admit that you were watching 'Star Trek' because you missed me?"

"Hey, I was watching 'Star Trek' because it's a great show. It had nothing to do with you."

Logan lifted his head to look at James' face. "Liar."

James couldn't hold back a snicker. "Okay, maybe it had a little to do with you. But it is a good show."

"I know. We can probably manage one episode each night before I come home."

"You should just move in. Mom could be your foster parent."

"No, not if she's terminal. And I couldn't do that to Sylvia, she really takes joy in having me here."

James shrugged. "Can't blame her for that. So...what are we saying here? We go to school, then you come to my place after and we do homework and study, then we have dinner with Mom and watch TV? Like...every day?"

"Every day. Weekends will be different, unless I don't see any progress. Then we'll study on weekends, too. But if you really try, we won't need to."

James seemed to get lost in his head.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"Just...how different school's gonna be. No hockey, you sitting with us at lunch, not seeing you at all except for that..."

Logan licked his lips. "You know, we do have a class together."

James frowned. "No, we don't."

"We do. I watch you every day and you don't even know it. You've never bothered to look around."

"You're lying."

"I'm not. I sit at the back of the class. Biology."

James sat up, pushing Logan off him. "Shut the fuck up. If you were in that class, I would've noticed you."

"Nope. You just stare at your desk and don't let anybody in. My first day there, Mrs. Simmons asked you to stay after so she could talk to you about how you're in danger of failing."

"Son of a bitch," James muttered. "The new kid. You're the new kid. I never even looked at you."

"I know. Let's change that, okay? We'll be biology buddies."

"Oh my god, that sounds so lame!" James laughed after rolling his eyes, though. "I'm so far behind, dude. I don't know how you think I'm gonna get my grade up to passing before graduation."

"We've got time. Not a lot, so we shouldn't waste it, but...there's time, James. You just have to want it and work for it." He hesitated, unsure whether it would be a good idea or a bad one to push this, but in the end he went for it. "Make your mother proud. Let her see you graduate before she dies."

James' eyes fell shut. Logan could only imagine the way his heart was breaking at the thought of it. "Okay. I'll do whatever it takes. Just...don't leave me. Help me, because I can't do it on my own."

A slow smile spread across Logan's face. "I'm right here, with you every step of the way. You'll make her proud, James."

James opened his eyes and swallowed. "That's all I want."

It was starting to overwhelm him again. James had come so far over the course of the evening, but everyone had limits. "Let's go to bed, okay? We can talk more in the morning."

Logan stood from the couch. He didn't get far; James reached out to grab his hand. "Can I ask one thing for my birthday?"

"Of course." Logan used both hands to cradle James'. "Tell me what you need."

"One day. Just one day without thinking about it. Or...not more than I have to. We can talk all you want Monday and every day after that, but tomorrow it's my birthday and I don't want to talk about my mom dying. Tomorrow let's just..."

Logan thought he knew what James needed. "Tomorrow is all about you. There's nothing I want to celebrate more than you."

James blushed, a rare shy side coming to the surface. "The things you say..."

"It's all true." He reached out to pull James up by both hands. "I'm gonna take the glasses and the cookies we never touched upstairs."

"Aww man, the cookies! We never ate the cookies!"

"There's time for that," Logan chuckled. "I'll meet you in the bedroom, okay?"

"Okay. I demand that we cuddle."

"I won't fight you on that."

"Good." After a brief press of lips, James headed upstairs. "Don't take forever. I might fall asleep."

Logan knew that wouldn't be the case—not with the promised kiss looming over them. "I'll be there."

He let out a breath once he was alone. He'd done it.

He'd done it.

Not only kept James from running, but set him on the course that would lead to his destiny. James would learn enough before graduation to write that assignment and all would be well.

I did it, Roger. We're not out of the woods yet, but we found the path. We did it!

The house was quiet when Logan carried everything to the kitchen. He saw the bathroom light on and knew it was James, so continued on and felt safe making a call since James was occupied. After setting the glasses in the sink, he stood in the dark kitchen and waited for an answer.

Kendall didn't sound sleepy at all. "Did you do it? Is he staying?"

"He's staying. He's gonna sleep over here tonight and take part in our study session, and then we're going over to his house to celebrate his birthday. Brooke invited you guys, too, but I'd wait and see what James wants. He might just want a quiet evening at home with his mom."

"Yes," Logan heard Kendall whisper, probably to Carlos. "He's staying." Then the voice was directed at Logan. "You are a miracle worker. I don't know what it is about you that he can't resist, but I'm so glad you came here when you did. How did you convince him?"

"Mostly guilt," Logan admitted. "Reminded him that his mother would die alone if he left. I also promised to help him through it all, so...I'm sorry, but he'll be spending most of his time with me. We're gonna do homework and studying after school every day. He has a lot of work to do or he won't graduate."

"No, I get it. We'll still get time with him, I'm not worried about it. And if he has to hang out with someone, I'd rather it be you than Mandy. So that's really over?"

"Completely."

"And he's not mad at you for wanting him anymore?"

Logan bit his lip, wondering how much to tell them. He heard the bathroom door open, then a few seconds later his bedroom door closed. Would James want them to know? Probably not, but then again he didn't know they were both accepting of same sex relationships. Yet. "He kissed me," Logan whispered, and excitement filled him as if it had been his very first kiss. "He admitted it, he feels the same way. But don't tell him I told you! You guys have to pretend you don't know anything unless it comes from him. Swear to me!"

"Holy shit," Kendall gasped. "I knew it. I knew it! The way he talked about you...the way his eyes lit up...dude, I freaking knew it!"

"Kendall, seriously. You guys know nothing."

"Yeah, fine. It's okay, I'll get it out of him. Probably tomorrow. God, I'm so relieved. He's staying, and he's got a good guy to be with who actually cares about him, and...Carlos, hang on, I'll tell you in a minute!"

"I need to go anyway. James is waiting for me in the room. He's tired, so..."

"That's cool, go take care of him. We'll see you in the morning. And Logan...thank you. I always thought I could handle James but lately I felt like I didn't even know him and maybe with your help he can come back to us. We really miss him."

"I know. I won't promise he'll ever be the same, because something like this changes people. But together we can help him through it and show him he's not alone."

"Yeah. Okay, goodnight buddy. Oh, Carlos says goodnight, too. And...what was that?" Kendall suddenly cracked up, then shushed Carlos as if he'd been the one to lose it. "Carlos said if you guys do it, don't do it in his bed."

"Oh my god, we're not gonna do it! We're not even together like that."

"Suuuuuure, buddy. Just keep it clean in Carlos' bed."

"I'm hanging up now."

"See you tomorrow!"

Logan shook his head as he ended the call. It was easy to forget sometimes that he was dealing with teenagers.

"Logan?"

It was called out quietly. Logan was drawn to the voice and the need he heard behind it—mostly for companionship.

"I'm here," he answered, smiling when he saw James' head peeking out the bedroom door. "I'm coming."

James pulled the door open to allow him entrance, now down to a t-shirt and boxers. "Where are we sleeping?"

"Anywhere but Carlos' bed," he smirked.