A/N—Back to this story for the week. I'm trying to alternate, but who knows if I'll keep to that. Depends on my mood. Thanks for reading this, it means the world to me. :)

Upon arrival at their stop, James had to reach out and pry Kendall's hands off the seat in front of them; he'd gripped it hard in fear.

"Come on, we have to get off now."

"Oh, thank you. I don't like riding in vehicles."

"I noticed." He nudged Kendall toward the aisle. "Go."

James led the way toward the front of the shuttle and waited until Kendall had joined him on solid ground. Together they stepped away from the small bus, James holding Kendall by the elbow. "You okay?"

"Of course. We arrived safely."

"Is that really something you have to worry about? Aren't angels like...indestructible or something?"

"No, we are not indestructible. Though we can survive almost anything."

"So then why were you scared?"

Kendall slid him a glance before looking away. "I was nervous about our surroundings. Danger everywhere. Any one of those women on the vehicle could be a threat."

Thinking back, James recalled two potential "threats" on the bus. Neither had given him a second look. Both were old enough to be his mother. "Bullshit," he argued. "You were terrified of the bus."

"I was afraid for you. The driver was going too fast. He put you in danger."

"The driver never did more than forty, dude! Stop lying, you're scared of cars! Just admit it!"

Kendall stiffened as a young woman in a short skirt walked by. "On your guard. Don't look into her eyes."

James glanced back over his shoulder to watch her. "Mmm, that skirt does wonders for her."

"James! Focus! Do not look at the female!"

James smirked and turned back to Kendall. "But her back's to me, so I can't see her eyes. Not a threat if I can't see their eyes, right?"

"Always a threat, James. Always. Now why are we in this loud, busy place? Is there a building we can escape to that's quieter?"

"You mean far away from all the scary cars?" James teased. "Yes, come on." He dragged Kendall toward the skyscraper that housed Rocque Records while sneaking a peek at his phone. "Shit, it's almost nine-thirty. Gustavo's probably about to explode."

"I should hope not. I've never heard of a human exploding from anger."

"It's an expression, Kendall," James replied with a roll of his eyes. They stepped through the doors. The carpet inside the building helped to mute the sounds a bit. Kendall visibly relaxed.

James stopped their motion halfway across the lobby. "Okay, so remember. You're my cousin from Minnesota. You're out here to celebrate my birthday with me."

"I can't lie, James. We've discussed this."

"Look, do you want to protect me or not?"

"Of course. It's my entire reason for being here."

"Then you're gonna have to bend the rules a little. Humans are like that, we need things to make sense, all right? I can't tell people the truth, can I?"

"Lies are the work of the Devil."

"Perhaps," James said while thinking fast, "but don't they teach you that discretion is important on your missions? In your training?"

"Oh. Yes."

"Right. Okay, good. So sometimes you have to bend that truth a little to blend in. People are going to wonder who you are and why you're here. If I can't tell them the truth, I have to tell them something else."

"It is no one's business but yours."

"Life doesn't work that way, buddy. Especially when I'm trying to be famous. I want the attention."

"And I'm here to protect you from attention. It could lead to your death."

"But it won't, not with you here at my side. Right?"

Kendall said nothing, clearly wondering if James was manipulating him in some way.

"Dude, you have to trust me here. I'm trusting you, aren't I?"

Kendall thought that over. "You do seem more accepting of me than you were before. You believe that I'm an angel now, yes?"

"Um...I'm still working on that," James admitted. "But I don't have time right now to figure it out, so I'm just going along with everything until I do. I'll introduce you to everyone as my cousin. You can even keep your name. Okay?"

Kendall didn't like it. He shook his head, eyes darting around as if searching out danger. "Is there really no way we can tell the truth?"

"That you're an angel? No. There's not. Nobody would believe it anyway, and I'd be locked up as a crazy person if I said you are. Is that what you want?"

"Well, if you were locked up, you'd probably be safer from—"

"Kendall, no! The correct answer is no! Are you here to help me or ruin my life?"

"Help you."

"Then trust me! I know humans. You don't."

Kendall finally nodded, realizing that was true.

"Thank you. Now come on, the elevator is over this way."

They made it halfway before James' steps faltered. They were passing the coffee shop built into a corner of the bottom floor, and the aroma of fresh bread hit him. His stomach growled again. "Oh my god, I'm so hungry. But I can't stop, I'm already late." He twisted around to grab Kendall's wrist. "Please go buy me breakfast."

Kendall blinked back in confusion.

"There. The coffee shop. You see it?"

"I do. There are many pleasant scents coming from it."

"Exactly! I have to get upstairs, but—"

"James, I am not leaving your side."

"Dude, please, there's no danger here!"

"I have already scanned the building. There are many dangers here."

"Look, I'm not gonna fall in love, okay? It'll be like five minutes! Nobody can fall in love in five minutes!"

"That's long enough for a connection to be made."

"I swear, the only thing I'm in love with right now is the idea of a cappuccino and a croissant. Please, Kendall. I'm starving!"

Kendall hesitated. James took advantage of that and dug out his wallet. He pressed a twenty-dollar bill into Kendall's hand. "Okay, so you're going to walk up to that counter. If there's a line, wait in it. When you get to the girl at the register, say this: mocha cappuccino, two creams, one sugar. Breakfast sandwich. Now repeat that back to me."

"Okay, so you're going to walk up to—"

"No, Kendall, the food part. The order. Mocha cappuccino, two—"

"Creams, one sugar. Breakfast sandwich."

"Perfect! Do you need to write that down?"

Kendall looked offended. "My memory is infallible."

James had no idea what that meant. "Fine. Great. After you say that, she'll tell you a total. Give her that bill. She'll give you some money back. And she'll ask your name. Actually, give her mine. The less people who know you, the better."

"The less people who know you, the better."

James scoffed, "That goes against everything in me. But okay, so then you just step aside and wait for my name to be called. They'll give you a cup and a bag. Bring that all to me upstairs, to the sixth floor. Can you work the elevator on your own?"

"I have no need of an elevator, James."

"You can't do your disappearing act in public. Use the elevator." James paused. "Okay, so...how do I explain the way to Rocque Records from here? Once you're off the elevator, you take a—"

"I need no directions to find you."

"Oh, right. You can just like...scan the building or whatever, right?"

"I'm bonded to your soul."

James' head whipped back for a second. "I'm sorry, you're...what?"

"Before I left Heaven, I was bonded to your soul. It's what every Guardian Angel does for the mission."

"What exactly does that mean?"

"It means that when we are apart, I can find you because I'm drawn to your soul. Like a beacon of sorts."

"A beacon," James murmured.

"Yes. No matter where I am, your soul is able to connect to me."

"I see." There went James' half-formed plan to ditch Kendall later. "So you're saying that I can't hide from you. Or run from you."

"You can, but I'll find you. I would suggest you not try to do either of those things. You're in danger when I'm not near."

"Right." Deflating, James turned toward the elevator. "Just get me breakfast. Please." Kendall nodded and started to walk away. "And use the elevator!" James called out. He groaned once alone, or at least in the midst of strangers that weren't magically glued to his soul.

So he couldn't ditch Kendall, even if he wanted to. That was going to make things much more difficult tonight, when he needed to be alone with a woman—or two. Maybe tonight he'd even break Jo down for a kiss.

Having an angel on his ass didn't have to mean his party was ruined. James suddenly wondered if it was possible for an angel to get drunk.

Kelly had texted to meet in the boardroom of the studio. James made his way there, dreading the yelling he'd soon have to endure. Damn Kendall for making him late.

Gustavo wasn't in the boardroom, though. When James walked in, he spied Kelly at one end of the long table. She was surrounded by people he'd never seen before.

Oh wait, that was a lie. He recognized one woman as being in charge of wardrobe. Another he thought might be hair and makeup, if he remembered correctly. So it was true; he had no say in how he would look for the video.

"James!" Kelly jumped up from her chair, relief pouring down her face.

"I'm so sorry I'm late, my morning's been kind of crazy."

"I know, it's your birthday and all, but Gustavo doesn't care about that. He's—"

"Furious, I'm sure. But that's not even why I'm late. Um, I had an unexpected—"

"No offense, but now's not the time. I'll go tell him you're here." Kelly trotted out of the room, squeezing his shoulder in passing while whispering, "Happy birthday!"

Then James was alone with the two women he vaguely recognized, and three men that he didn't. He cleared his throat and sat at the end of the table that wasn't occupied. "Hello."

Everyone nodded at him. A man who seemed like he was used to being in charge introduced himself as the video's director. Another turned out to be in charge of photography, or perhaps videography was the more correct term. James didn't concern himself with that stuff, leaving it to the professionals. He'd been correct about the hair and wardrobe ladies (who surely would be considered threats by Kendall, even though James felt no attraction to them), and the last man shook his hand before saying, "I'm in charge of the crew. You know, lighting, equipment, that sort of thing."

"Ah. Cool. I'm sorry I'm late, guys. I actually woke up early today, I planned to be on time. Things just...don't always work out the way you want them to."

Everyone had a laugh over that, recalling their own personal moments of unexpected problems.

The second Gustavo arrived, all laughter stopped. It was clear that no one was willing to cross him.

He took the chair that Kelly had used earlier. Kelly sank down to his right, her tablet at the ready so she could take notes and pull up whatever information Gustavo might need.

James braced himself.

Gustavo surprised him with a smile. He spoke in a pleasant voice. "James. Thank you for joining us. And might I say, happy birthday."

James froze, waiting for the other shoe to drop; it wasn't like Gustavo to be nice, even on a special day.

"And might I also say, while we're on the subject, that your birthday is no excuse to be late!"

Here came the yelling. James actually relaxed, because this was better than being put on edge by Gustavo's false kindness. "I'm sorry, I—"

"I don't care, James! Your excuses mean nothing to me! These are very busy and important people! You kept them all waiting, and for what? So you could have five more minutes to fix your hair?"

"No! I had to meet with my teacher, and on top of that, my cousin—"

"You had plenty of time to meet with your teacher before this meeting! I told you yesterday to not be late! How many times did I say that? Kelly?"

"Uh..." Kelly stammered. "I think...three? Four?"

"Three or four," Gustavo nodded. "I think that's enough to get it through your thick skull, don't you? I thought you wanted to be famous, James."

"I do! I swear, Gustavo, I tried to be here on time! It wasn't my fault, my—"

"Oh, it's never your fault, is it? You listen to me right now, Diamond. Your future is in my hands. I can make or break you. I took you on because I believed in you, I thought you wanted this."

"I do!"

"If you did, you wouldn't let anything stand in your way. You have to be smarter. You have to work harder. Stop being such a selfish, inconsiderate, bratty—"

"Do not speak to James in such a way."

Gustavo's tirade cut off. A round of gasps was followed by seven heads twisting to stare at the person now standing behind James' chair. Gustavo blinked three times before bellowing, "Who the hell are you?"

Kendall set down a steaming cup and a small brown bag in front of James.

"Um, that's what I was trying to tell you, Gustavo. This is my cousin. He came out for my birthday and I wasn't expecting him, he just showed up this morning so that's why I was late. We um...uh..." James trailed off awkwardly, his stomach in knots. When he looked back at Kendall, he was shocked by the murderous expression on Kendall's normally-passive face.

"I demand you apologize to James," Kendall said in a low but deadly voice.

A stunned laugh broke free from Gustavo. "Excuse me?"

"I believe you heard me. But I will repeat the command, if need be."

"Oh. Oh wow." Gustavo laughed again. "So you come into my studio and boss me around? Uh, I don't know what passes for rules in Minnesota, but around here we do things my way. I'm the big shark. You don't get to order me to do anything."

"I will only ask politely one more time," Kendall said, face unmoving.

"Kendall!" James hissed. "It's fine!"

"No, James, it is not fine. No one should speak to you that way."

Sensing that Gustavo was about to blow his top, Kelly stood up. "Okay, so why don't we get this meeting started?" She gestured to Kendall. "You can just wait out in the next room, there's a couch and chairs and a little fridge if you get thirsty, and James will be done in about—"

"I don't leave James' side." Kendall pulled out the empty chair to James' right and settled in it. "You may carry on, but not until this man—who I assume is Gustavo Rocque—apologizes to James."

James sighed. "Kendall, let it go. It's fine."

Kendall shook his head.

One of the men started to stand. "Listen, Gustavo, I'm sorry to do this, but I have another meeting in—"

"Sit!" Gustavo yelled. The man did. Gustavo stared down Kendall. "Your cousin was late."

"That is my fault."

"I don't care why. He was late. He knows the rules. He's late, he gets yelled at."

"Has he not apologized numerous times for it?"

"So that makes it okay?"

"There is nothing he can do to change the facts. Yes, he is late. He is very sorry for that. I can assure you that in the future, he will be on time. What more is he capable of doing to appease you?"

Gustavo hesitated.

"There is nothing," Kendall confirmed. "I believe these people have other appointments they would like to get to. Once you apologize to James, we can move forward."

Gustavo wasn't ready to back down. "Listen, buddy, you can't—"

"Just say you're sorry!" Kelly suddenly screamed. When all eyes turned to her, she smiled as if embarrassed.

Gustavo sighed. He finally mumbled, "I'm sorry."

James stared across the length of the table, stunned. In three months, he'd never heard Gustavo utter those words. "It's uh...it's cool."

Kendall nodded once. "Thank you. James, I've brought you breakfast." He leaned back into his chair, settling in until he was comfortable.

"Thanks."

The smile Kendall showered on him was brilliant. For a second, it took James' breath away. Definitely some angel trick.

Kelly cleared her throat. "Okay, so let's get started. The director had a great vision for the video. It's a concept thing, where James will play a..."

James listened while taking a sip of his cappuccino. Kendall had done well with that. The breakfast croissant was even better. For the rest of the meeting, Gustavo didn't yell once.

Maybe having Kendall around didn't have to be all bad.

An hour later, Gustavo called a ten-minute break before he, Kelly, and James were to reconvene in the studio. Everyone else left after agreeing to meet at the video shoot the following morning. Kelly squeezed James' shoulder on her way out of the room. It was meant to be both a comforting gesture and a warning: Don't set Gustavo off again.

James inhaled a deep breath once he was alone with Kendall. "Wow. That was...interesting."

"Are you well?"

"Yeah, I'm great. The food was just what I needed. But I feel bad, I didn't ask if you wanted anything."

"This vessel does not require sustenance, James."

James rolled his eyes. "There you go with that stuffy talk again. Can't you just speak like a normal person?"

Kendall reconsidered his words and said, "I don't need to eat."

"Better. And that makes sense, I guess. So...about your...vessel."

"What of it?"

"Where did it come from? Do angels possess humans the way demons do?"

"Not at all. It is against our code."

"So then...this body you're inhabiting..."

"It is my original one. Or, more accurately, a facsimile of that."

James frowned, hoping he was getting the correct meaning of "facsimile" via context. "So it's a copy?"

"Yes. It was created for this mission. And for all others I partake, I assume."

"Where's the original?"

"I do not know."

"No?"

"I don't recall my former life. I believe we discussed that earlier."

"Oh, right. And you don't know when you died, either?"

"No."

"I bet we can find out. Do you know your last name?"

"James, it is against policy to research our human lives. The past is not to be resurrected."

"Why not? You have to be curious, Kendall."

"Curiosity distracts us from the mission. It is forbidden."

James shrugged. "Okay." He filed the idea away for later, thinking that a name like Kendall couldn't be that hard to research. Unless the death occurred hundreds of years before.

"Why do you allow him to speak to you in that manner?" Kendall suddenly asked.

"Who, Gustavo?"

"Yes."

"It's just how he is."

"Your file did not disclose that information."

"But he was part of it?"

"Yes, he helped shape your life in a big way. As did your mother, and your friends Logan and Carlos."

James licked his lips. "They didn't really, they're just my buddies I grew up with."

"They are among those who mean the most to you. Gustavo Rocque was mentioned as the man who gave you a chance to follow your dreams."

"That he did," James nodded. "Which is why I let him talk to me however he wants. He's going to make me famous."

"That remains to be seen. Your file is obviously incomplete, as you still have many years ahead of you." After a moment, Kendall added, "If I succeed in my mission."

James stood and stretched, then picked up the trash from his breakfast. "Come on, I need to take a leak before we continue." Before Kendall could ask, he said, "Use the restroom."

"Ah. Yes." Kendall joined him near a trash can, where he dumped everything and moved on.

"You don't pee either, do you?"

"Pee. I believe that is slang for 'urinate'?"

"It is," James chuckled.

"I don't partake of food or drink, so I have no need to excrete waste in any form."

"Oh dude, that's nasty. Why you gotta be so detailed about it?"

"I didn't realize that I was."

He turned behind James into a small room that held two stalls and a urinal. All James needed at the moment was the urinal, but he realized that a stall would give him a few seconds of peace to be alone. "I'll be back."

"Where are you going?"

"Just right in here. Gotta drain the—urinate. Only room enough for one of us."

Kendall nodded. "I shall remain out here and keep watch."

"You do that."

James stood over the toilet to relieve himself, then zipped up his jeans and spun to sit on the seat after lowering the lid. He dropped his head to his hands, needing time to just breathe and clear his head.

"James? Is all well?"

"Everything's fine, Kendall," James said, attempting to keep annoyance out of his tone. What was he going to do about Kendall? There was no way in Hell the angel—if that's what he was—would let a girl within three feet of him.

"Curiosity distracts us from the mission."

That was something to think about. All James had to do was make Kendall curious enough about something to lose his focus for...oh, say an hour?

Yeah, that'll never happen, James. You'll get five minutes at most. This fucking sucks!

"James? Why are you bent over that way? Is something wrong?"

James sat up fast. He was still alone in the stall, so how did Kendall know...

"I have already scanned the building."

He'd done that without even moving from James' side. Clearly he could see through walls—even thin ones designed for privacy in a bathroom. James stood up, reaching back to flush the toilet, then unlocked the door and stepped out to face Kendall. "Okay look, we need to have a talk about boundaries."

"Boundaries?"

"And privacy. When a human uses a toilet, that's private time. There's a reason a stall is only big enough for one person."

Kendall looked past him toward the handicapped stall in the corner. "That one looks as if three could fit. At least."

"That one doesn't count! Listen to me. When I'm using a toilet, no one's allowed to watch. It's a basic human right. That is the one place we demand our privacy. Do you understand?"

Kendall was trying to. "Are you saying I offended you by watching you inside that cubicle?"

"Yes. That's exactly what I'm saying."

"I meant no offense, James. I'm only trying to—"

"Keep me safe, I know. I get it. But the toilet...that's off limits." Another thought occurred to him. "So is the shower. In fact, the entire bathroom is. Anything done in a bathroom that requires a closed door, no scanning or spying allowed. Got it?"

Kendall didn't reply right away, but finally said, "What if you're in danger there?"

"I won't be. I'll be alone, remember? Bathrooms are for solitary activities." He waited for Kendall to accept that. "Okay?"

"I suppose I understand. As long as you're in there alone."

"And trust me, I will be." James stepped around Kendall to approach the sink, where he wet his hands and rubbed soap over them. A plan was forming in his brain.

He'd test this new rule out over the course of the day, and if Kendall was willing to follow it...

Well, he just had to set up something where a girl hid in a shower. Maybe Lucy could help him with that. The party would be here, but that didn't mean it had to stop when they left. If Lucy could arrange for a girl to be let into his apartment before they arrived home, Kendall wouldn't be suspicious of James "taking a long shower" because he'd assume James was alone in there.

This could totally work. James smiled while drying his hands. "Let's get back there before Gustavo yells at me for being late again."

"He will not yell at you again. I'll make sure of it."

The smile widened. This day was actually starting to look better.