A/N—Hey all! Another chapter that's shorter than most. That seems to happen a lot with this story. I know the next chapter is short again, but I think the one after that is longer than usual, so I guess it all evens out. Anyway, we're finally back with more. I'm going to try to post more often, so if you're reading "Danger Is a Beautiful Smile" expect the next chapter of that this weekend. Hopefully. Fingers crossed. As for this one, the last chapter had them leaving Rocque Records after popping over to see what Carlos and Logan are up to. And Kendall insulted James' voice on the shuttle ride home. Thanks for reading!

Once in the lobby, Kendall was on guard again. This time there were a lot of "threats" in the area. "Stay close to me," he commanded. "I'll get you to the elevator quickly. It's empty at the moment, so let us hurry."

Rather than follow orders, James smiled at everyone who waved at him. A few tried to approach, but Kendall's warning glare halted them in their tracks. "Relax," James whispered. "They just want to wish me happy birthday."

"They can do that from a distance."

James rolled his eyes. He called out thank you's to the wishes, and then yelled, "You're all invited to my birthday party tonight! Rocque Records, 7:00!"

"You are not attending this party, James," Kendall muttered.

"Oh, bullshit I'm not. 7:00!" he repeated, more loudly this time, before he spied Lucy coming in from the pool area. "Luce!"

"Hey, birthday boy!" She started to head over, then noticed Kendall at his side. "Oh. You're still here."

"I am," Kendall confirmed. "I will be for the next year."

James sighed, reaching out for Lucy to take his hand. "Come on, we need to talk."

Wary of the threatening expression on Kendall's face, she approached slowly to slide her hand into James'. "What's going on?"

"I'll explain it upstairs. Come on." He pressed the button to open the elevator doors, and together the three stepped inside. Kendall stood behind James, a hand gripping his shoulder to keep him near. "Dude, relax. Lucy's fine. I told you."

"And I told you, no one is to be trusted."

"Okay James, who the hell is this guy?"

James let out a breath. "This is Kendall. He's my cousin, and he came out here for my birthday."

"Really." The news surprised Lucy. "I didn't think you were close to anyone back home. Besides your mom, I mean."

There was a moment of shame for the fact that James hadn't mentioned Carlos or Logan at all, then he said, "Well, Kendall is uh...oh, hang on. Let's get inside the apartment."

The trio traipsed down the hall to 2J. Kendall still wasn't easing up on James' shoulder, his eyes darting around to be sure no threats came from elsewhere. Only when they were safely inside the apartment, where he'd apparently scanned no bodies, did Kendall relax. He still didn't let go of James' shoulder, though.

Lucy pointedly stared at his hand, then looked at James questioningly.

"So Kendall is also a type of uh...bodyguard, I guess you'd say."

"Bodyguard," Lucy echoed.

"Right."

She nodded while absorbing that, hands in the pockets of her leather jacket. "You think you need a bodyguard?"

"No, Mom thinks I need a bodyguard. That's why she sent him out. I tried to tell her I'm not at that level yet, but she said it's never too early to be careful."

"This is true," Kendall agreed, though James had learned him well enough to know that the lies bothered him. "You must be careful, James."

"I see," Lucy commented. "So what exactly are you keeping him safe from, Kendall?"

"Everything," Kendall replied, staring her down from over James' shoulder.

"And you clearly see me as a threat."

"The most dangerous one I've met so far."

"Okay, that's enough." James twisted out of Kendall's grip and spun around. "Lucy is not a threat. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"As many times as I have to tell you that everyone is."

"Kendall, can I get a moment alone with Lucy?"

"Absolutely not."

"Kendall."

"No."

"I told you, she's not interested in me. You have to trust me."

"When will you trust me? I'm here to save your life!"

"Not from her! Remember our discussion earlier today about boundaries? Privacy?"

"You said that pertained to bathrooms only."

"That's not exactly what I said, but you missed the point. Sometimes I just need a moment away from you." James paused. When he spoke again, the anger was gone. "Please. Trust me. I don't want to die either. If I thought there was even a remote chance of..." He couldn't say "falling in love" with Lucy paying such close attention to their argument; she'd question that. "Look, I'll follow your instructions around strangers. But Lucy's my friend."

"And I've explained to you why that's even more dangerous. Your guard is down around her."

James was losing patience again. "Look, I'm just—"

"Okay, hold on," Lucy interrupted, one hand out. "So I'm sensing that you," she said to Kendall, "are afraid that I'm going to hurt James in some way?"

"Perhaps not intentionally, but—"

"What you don't get, Blondie, is that before you showed up, I was the one looking out for him. I care about him. I wouldn't let anyone hurt him, and I sure as hell wouldn't do it myself. So whatever you're afraid of here isn't gonna happen. I'm probably the one person in James' life that you can trust."

Kendall wasn't convinced. "That is exactly what a threat would want me to believe."

"Oh my god," Lucy replied, throwing her hands up. "You're impossible."

James had had enough. He grabbed Lucy by the hand and pulled her toward the bedroom. "Kendall? Two minutes. I'm taking her away for two minutes and you are not following us."

"James—"

"No!" James roared. He shoved Lucy down the hall and turned back. "If you don't trust me, this is never gonna work." In a lower voice, he said, "Your mission will fail. Because the more you try to restrain me, the more I want to run off by myself. So give me this." He turned away. Just before slamming the bedroom door, he yelled, "And don't eavesdrop!" He leaned against the door once it was shut, eyes closed as he tried to remain calm.

"Dude. What the hell is his problem?"

"Lucy, he's driving me insane. I get that he's just trying to help, but he's ridiculous. He thinks every female is out to seduce me."

Lucy shrugged one shoulder. "Some of them are, I suppose. But you like that."

"I know! He's seriously putting a cramp in my sex life!"

"Then fire him."

James sighed. "I wish I could."

"Just tell your mom that you don't need a bodyguard."

"It's not that simple." He moved toward the bed and sank down on the edge. "And he doesn't want me to go to the party. Says there will be too many 'threats' around. He would prefer that I never leave my apartment."

"Okay, no. That's taking it too far."

"I know. I don't know what to do about him, Luce. My dream tonight is to be with an older woman. I actually considered hiring someone."

"Ugh, James, that's so sleazy."

"But at this point I'd take Tracy. Can you sneak her up here tonight? During the party?"

"What?"

"Look, the only way I'm going to get any is to have a girl already in the apartment when we arrive. He won't let me bring someone in."

"You can't let this guy control you."

"Right now, I don't have much of a choice. I'm working on a way to get rid of him, but for the moment I'm stuck. And I'm not letting him ruin my birthday. I will be at that party."

"Damn right, you will. I put in a lot of effort to get Gustavo to allow it."

"How did you even do that?"

Lucy cracked her knuckles and settled down on the bed next to James. "Can't tell you that. I swore I'd keep it a secret, which is basically how I did it anyway."

"You blackmailed him?"

"In a manner of speaking, I guess. So this guy won't even let you hug people?"

"Not girls, apparently."

"Yeah, he's gotta go."

"Exactly. But for tonight, can I count on you? I know you already did a lot for me, and I love you for it, but I need that one favor. Just get Tracy in the bathroom here before I leave the party. Or at least before I arrive. I'll slip you my key."

Lucy waved a hand. "Don't bother, I can get in without it."

James studied her. "You scare me sometimes, Stone."

With a bright grin, she said, "Then I'm doing something right. We'll figure out how to get rid of this guy."

"Thank you. I knew I could count on you. Do I need to bring anything to the party?"

"Nope, it's all being taken care of. Gustavo's even paying to have it catered."

James' jaw dropped. "No way."

"With Kelly's help, of course. I think she's actually the one handling it all, but...you know. He's paying for it."

"You're a miracle worker."

"I am pretty awesome," she winked. "You got plans right now?"

"No, but Kendall and I do need to talk. There are some things we have to clear up. More boundaries I need to set. Plus, I'm starving."

"Okay, then I'll just see you at the party. Give me a call if you have any problems getting out of here. I'll rescue you."

"Thanks. You're the best."

"You keep saying that. Why don't any of the girls around here feel that way?"

"Because you scare them. Try to not be so intimidating, Lucy. Maybe bring a girl flowers once in a while."

Lucy's lips twisted. "It's an idea."

She leaned forward to kiss James' cheek. He cringed, waiting for Kendall to break down the door. Nothing happened.

"Wow. I guess he really is giving me space."

"Good! Let's not push our luck, though. Come on."

When they emerged from the hallway, Kendall was standing at the window and staring down at the pool through the blinds James had never completely closed. He kept his back to James and Lucy, hands clasped together behind him.

"Thanks, Luce," James said again while opening the door for her. "See you later."

"It's a date," she grinned, purposely goading Kendall. James could've strangled her.

And yet, once she'd disappeared and they were alone, Kendall still didn't acknowledge James' presence. It weirded James out. "Kendall?"

"Yes, James."

"You uh...you okay?"

"Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I told you, Lucy's not a problem."

"I believe I just heard her refer to a date with you."

"That was nothing, she was just trying to get a rise out of you. She does that sort of thing. Likes to push people's buttons."

"I have no buttons. Unless you're referring to the ones on this clothing."

"No, it's a..." James sighed. "Never mind. What are you looking at? All the threats down by the pool?"

Kendall shrugged. "They are not threats from so far away."

"Right, as long as I don't look into their eyes. You said that's the danger, right?"

"I did not think you cared what I say."

James frowned. Kendall sounded almost...hurt? But no, he was an angel. He didn't have feelings. "Look, I know you're trying to keep me safe, but—"

Kendall spun around, eyes blazing with contained fury. "Then why must you make it so difficult? Why do you fight me so hard? I am here to do a job, and without your cooperation I cannot do it properly. Not unless you wish me to use force, and I would rather not resort to that."

"Force? Just what sort of force would you use on me, Kendall?"

"There are ways I can restrain you. Keep you locked inside this apartment. Chained to your bed."

James licked his lips, mouth suddenly dry.

"Is that what you wish, James? Because if I must, I will."

"Um...let's not...I mean..." Why couldn't he think straight?

"James?" Finally concern showed on Kendall's face, a contrast to the unfeeling expression he wore most of the time. "Are you well?"

"Yeah. Yeah, I'm..." James shook himself, head clearing. "What were we talking about?"

Kendall stepped closer. "Are you suffering memory loss?"

"What? No. No, I just...zoned out for a second. You were saying you need my cooperation."

"No, only that it would make this mission easier. For both of us. I would rather you not be a prisoner."

"Then you have to let me live my life," James pointed out softly. He closed the distance between them, leaving less than a foot of space. "I do listen to you, you know."

"You argue with me constantly."

"Yeah, well...I'm not used to having a guardian angel. This is new for me."

"You are my first mission. It is new for me as well."

"Then don't be so hard on me. One thing you'll learn about humans is that we do stupid things sometimes."

"That is what I'm trying to protect you from. I know what's best for you, James."

"Locking me away from everyone is not best for me. It'll make me want to kill myself before the week is out. In case you hadn't noticed, I thrive on attention."

Kendall gripped his upper arms, expression fierce. "You must not do that. Never do that. It is a sure way to Hell."

"I wouldn't, Kendall, I said that to make a point. Being alone will make me miserable."

"But you're not alone. I'm here."

"And I'm telling you that's not enough. I need people. Lots of people."

"People are a danger to you. Why can you not understand that?"

"Because I know myself. You're so scared I'll fall in love, but it's the last thing I want."

"Love does not care if you want it."

"Really? Have you been in love, Kendall?"

The idea seemed to shock him. His hands fell away. "Me? Of course not. Angels don't love."

"Then you don't really know how it works, either."

"I know what I have been told. What I read. I know the way it happens, usually by accident. As far as humans believe, anyway. And even though you don't expect it, it will affect you. You must be careful, James."

"Okay, but...I deserve a birthday party. I deserve for people to celebrate me, my life. That's what I want most for my birthday, Kendall. To be celebrated. Please, let me have this."

"It's not a good idea."

"I know, but...you'll be right next to me, right? You'll keep me safe."

"Not if you insist on separating yourself from me. If you...need a moment away from me," he added, purposely using James' phrase from earlier.

"Well, that's what the bathroom's for, I guess. How about I promise to not leave your side at the party, unless I'm in the bathroom."

"I will be with you there as I was today."

"Right, I just meant in the stall. I'll be alone in the stall."

"And you will stay with me otherwise? Allow me to keep close?"

"Yes. I'll follow your rules."

"You cannot hug girls."

"Ugh, Kendall, come on!"

"That is not negotiable. No touching of females. In any manner."

"Oh my god," James sighed. "I can't help it if they—"

"No, James. That is my condition."

"Okay, fine. No hugging."

Kendall nodded. "And you will remain close to me."

"Yes."

"You can attend for a short time. If I feel comfortable, you may remain longer."

"Thank you. Now if you will excuse me, I need a shower."

"Humans shower more than once per day?"

"When I'm getting ready for a party, hell yeah. I have to look good. Better than good."

"Hot," Kendall murmured.

"Yeah! Hey, you're getting it!"

"But if you look hot...won't that make more females want you?"

"That's kind of the whole point, dude." Before Kendall could object, James said, "But it won't matter because I'm off limits to them. They'll just look. And wish they could touch me."

Kendall looked into James' eyes. "This pleases you."

"So much."

"I do not understand human emotions."

"Don't even try. So I'm gonna order food. If it shows up while I'm in the shower, can you answer the door? Just take the food and close the door, you don't even have to tip them. I'll take care of that when I order."

"I prefer that. I should be the one greeting strangers at all times."

"Works for me."

James practically danced into the bedroom, excited for the upcoming party and proud of himself for getting around Kendall's objections. When he pulled out a fresh pair of boxers, he remembered the way Kendall's gaze had unabashedly roamed over his naked body. At the time he'd assumed Kendall was a fan, but now that he knew the truth (and when had he accepted the angel story as truth?), he understood that it had been simple curiosity. What would it be like to not even remember your life? Your body? Sex?

In Kendall's position, James would surely be curious. Probably so much that he'd sneak a peek whenever he could. On the way into the bathroom, James called back, "Remember, no scanning! This is my private time!" He gasped when he saw Kendall in front of him rather than behind. "Jesus, will you stop doing that?"

"The bathroom is clear. You may enter."

"Well, thanks. Now get out."

Kendall did. And when the door was closed, he posted himself with his back to it, making sure no enemy would attempt to get in. He didn't know for sure, but he sensed that nudity, as well as the bathroom itself because their guard was down, was a point of vulnerability for humans.