A/N—Reminder that I don't own these characters and that all credit goes to the creators of "Big Time Rush."

Hey guys! Here's the Kogan date, for those of you rooting for them to work out haha. James will be back next chapter. Hope you enjoy! :D

Logan battled down the urge to call James for another pep talk on the drive to Kendall's apartment. He had to learn how to do this alone, and James deserved time to talk to his own love interest. He'd been on dates before and hadn't been so needy. Why was this one different?

Because you got used to James. You didn't have him before and you never dated after meeting him because he was enough. He won't be around much longer, though, so make sure this works.

It was good advice. Logan wasn't going to screw this up.

Kendall answered his knock with a grin. "Hey, I could've waited downstairs in the lobby for you. You didn't have to come all the way up here."

"It's no problem. You ready?"

"Yeah, let me just grab my phone and...now I'm ready."

Logan allowed Kendall to lead the way to the elevator, already nervous again. What in the world would they talk about over dinner? What about the drive? Oh god, even the elevator ride would be torture if they couldn't—

"You look amazing."

Stopping in front of the metal doors, Logan spun around in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah. I have no idea how you do it, but you totally pull off that sweater."

"Thanks," Logan replied, a blush staining his cheeks as his lips formed a tiny smile. Once they were inside the box he studied Kendall, who had chosen a deep blue button-up and black jeans. His bangs were swept back off his forehead, giving him an older, sexier look. "You uh...you look incredible as well."

"You don't have to say that because I did," Kendall chuckled. He moved to Logan's right side and slid an arm over his shoulders to guide him through the lobby.

"I'm not, you really do. I'm just not very good with coming right out and saying what I'm thinking."

"We'll work on that."

Logan leaned into him slightly as they walked, enjoying the feel of a strong body against him until they reached the car. He moved away to click the doors unlocked before opening the passenger one for Kendall.

"Thanks again for picking me up."

"No problem." He watched as Kendall carefully lowered himself to the seat, then slowly lifted the prosthetic inside. "You good?"

"Great. Thanks."

Logan caught a whiff of the cologne Kendall had put on and inhaled. Just like James, the man knew how to smell good when he needed to. He closed the door and went around to climb in behind the wheel.

"I meant what I said, you know," Kendall uttered once Logan was strapped in.

"About what?"

"About you saying what's on your mind. If I make you uncomfortable at any point tonight, please let me know. Dating is new to me and I might make a complete ass of myself before the night is through."

"I seriously doubt that will happen," Logan laughed. "If it helps, you're acing it so far."

Kendall glanced over with a smirk as Logan pulled into traffic. "Yeah?"

"Mm-hm."

"Cool. Feel free to tell me what I'm doing right, too."

"So far, everything."

"Nice."

Logan could feel Kendall's grin without even looking over. "The same goes for you. If I bore you senseless, which I have a tendency to do, I won't hold it against you if you want to leave or don't want a second date. It can get complicated dating a co-worker but I don't want this to ruin that, so...I'd rather we remain friends if this doesn't go well. Unless of course I do something to make you hate me completely."

"Logan, that's not gonna happen." Kendall's hand reached over to squeeze his thigh. "I like you or I wouldn't have been so desperate to get you alone."

Feeling warmth spread through his chest, Logan smiled. "Let's just hope I don't do anything to ruin that."

They were stopped at a red light when Kendall leaned closer to whisper, "I'm not worried about it."

A thrill ran through Logan, who felt his nerves start to drain away. Maybe this would be okay, after all.

They stared at each other across a table at Logan's favorite Chinese restaurant, Logan thinking how different it felt with Kendall rather than James, who could never make up his mind what he wanted because he wanted everything. Kendall, on the other hand, looked the menu over once before setting it down and reaching for the pot of hot tea between them.

Maybe he'd get an order to go and take it to James for lunch tomorrow. That would certainly help any sulky moods that might result from this.

"You know what's weird?" Kendall asked. "I hate tea, never drink it, but whenever I go to an actual Chinese restaurant, I drink it. It just tastes better here."

"It's probably because of the way it complements the food. The tastes just work together in your mouth."

"Maybe. My mom drinks tea every night and I just don't get it. That stuff tastes like crap."

"I do, too," Logan admitted sheepishly. "It helps relax me before bed. James teases me about it and calls me 'old man' when I do."

Though Kendall chuckled, he said, "It's cool, to each his own. Do you actually like the flavor, though? Because hot chocolate could do the same thing, and it's so much better."

"That's exactly what James tells me. I do like the flavor, though. I mean, you have to buy the right flavors. Peppermint's good. Orange, too."

"Orange tea? Really?"

"Yep. Don't knock it till you try it."

"I'll pass," Kendall laughed.

The server approached to take their orders, and once he'd moved away Logan poured himself a cup.

"So...can I ask you something?" When Logan met his gaze with curiosity, Kendall added, "It's just...I just need to ask."

"Of course, you can ask me anything."

"Well, you mentioned James teasing you when you drink tea."

"Okay?"

"And also said you drink tea right before bed."

It took Logan a few seconds, but he finally understood. "Oh. He stays over once in awhile. Like if we go out and are out late, he usually just crashes at my place. It's not...there's nothing...he's totally straight."

"I know, I just...I'm sorry. It's our first date and I'm already sounding like a possessive boyfriend."

"No, it's a valid question. I'd wonder the same thing if you had a friend who stayed over." After a pause, Logan asked, "Do you?"

"Nope. The only people who will be visiting me are my mom and sister. And you, if I'm lucky," he winked.

That got a laugh out of Logan. "All signs point to yes."

"Whoa, dude, I haven't thought of that in ages! I used to have one of those Magic 8 Ball things."

"Did you consult it before every big moment?"

"Uh...wow, this is embarrassing. Before every game."

"You're adorable," Logan grinned.

"Why does everybody keep saying that?!"

"That you're adorable? Probably because you are. Who else says it?"

"Just a couple of friends I've made since moving here. Did you consult it before every big test?"

"I did not," Logan answered proudly. "I got it as a gift for my twelfth birthday, I think from my aunt? And I knew it was crap. So I put it to the test and sure enough, the first time I asked it a question, it was wrong. I never touched it again."

Kendall tilted his head. "What did you ask?"

"It's...I don't even..."

"Logan, what did you ask?"

"This is so embarrassing."

"Please, I've already embarrassed myself. Talk to me."

Logan looked away, taking in a deep breath and trying to act like it wasn't anything. "I asked if Scotty Tollman had a crush on me."

"Scotty Tollman?" Kendall was tickled. "Neighborhood crush?"

"Next door neighbor," Logan nodded. "He didn't."

"And the Magic 8 Ball said he did?"

"All signs point to yes," Logan repeated.

"So how did you know it was wrong?"

"Because I asked him. The 8 Ball said yes, I went over there and asked him if it was true, and he said no. Case closed."

"Oh my god, are you kidding me?" Kendall cracked up and pounded the table with his palm. "Of course he's gonna say no! Dude was probably traumatized that you figured it out!"

"There was nothing to figure out. He wasn't into me. I foolishly hoped he was, and he wasn't. 8 Ball was wrong."

"Come on, dude! What do you think he would've said if the answer was yes?"

"Yes, I would assume."

"No! Logan! At twelve years old? He's not gonna admit it even if it's true. Especially about another dude."

"If he did, he should've said yes."

"Did he end up gay?"

"I...how would I even know? He moved away a few years later."

"Logan." Kendall was firm when he asked again, "Did he end up gay?"

Logan made a frustrated noise. "You're as bad as James when you won't back down. Yes, okay? He ended up gay. I looked him up on Facebook last year."

"I knew it!"

"Oh, so your 8 Ball was always right?"

"Every single time."

"You're so lying."

"Nope. We won every game, just like it said we would. Except that one time, when—"

"See? Except that one time. So it was wrong."

"No! It said 'Reply hazy, try again.' So I did, and then it said 'Ask again later.' I was like 'What the hell, it's never given me anything but 'It is certain' or 'All signs point to yes' before, so why am I getting this now? Turns out the game was postponed because the center had a roof cave-in. So see, it couldn't give me an answer about that game because it never happened."

Logan shook his head, a smirk keeping the words he wanted to speak inside while his eyes twinkled at Kendall.

"You think I'm ridiculous."

"I think you're adorable."

"Stop saying that!"

"Is it a bad thing, to be adorable?"

"I don't know. It's...not what I was going for. But I guess it could be worse."

"It's a good thing. I promise." When Kendall seemed unsure about that, Logan reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "I promise."

Their food arrived and they settled in, each serving themselves from shared plates of entrees and rice. Kendall ladled soup into a bowl as well and then nodded in satisfaction. "This is heaven."

"Wait until you taste it. There's a reason this is my favorite place. And they deliver, which is awesome when I'm being lazy on a day off and don't want to leave my dining room."

"You sit in your dining room to be lazy?"

"Yeah, like if I'm grading tests or figuring out future assignments."

"And that's lazy?"

"Well...I mean, it's either that or I'm up cleaning and rearranging and cooking and...I admit, it's hard for me to relax. I think that's why I like having James around so much, he forces me to. He'll make me sit there and watch a movie or play a video game or something."

Kendall digested that. "I'm glad you have him, then," he said lightly.

"Yeah, he's uh...so, tell me about your mom and sister."

"Really? Okay, uh...Mom's great. I think she's pretty much my hero at this point. I always idolized hockey players before but after my accident I really understood just how amazing she is. She supported me from day one with the hockey, even changing her work schedule so she never missed a game. Katie was only one when I started playing, and after Dad left she just brought Katie along to the games. Probably not the best environment for a baby, but Mom said she slept through all the noise anyway, so...now that I think about it, that's no surprise. Katie could sleep through a bomb going off in the next room," he chuckled.

Logan grinned. "So Mom was supportive?"

"Yeah, she was with me every step of the way through school. She said she just wanted me to be happy and if hockey did that for me, she'd do whatever she could to help. The truth is that after the accident, I was worried she would be disappointed in me."

"How could she be? You did the right thing."

"I know, but...you'd be surprised how many people were disappointed in me. Coach Teague came to see me in the hospital, and he was so great. My other head coach, for Iowa? He came too, and he was sorry about the whole thing, but I sensed this...like...it's hard to explain."

"Anger, maybe?" Thinking of James, Logan added, "Like you'd let everyone down?"

"Exactly! I mean, what was I supposed to do? I couldn't just stand by and let that girl get hit."

"No, of course not. But I think there are a lot of people who wouldn't do what you did. And maybe those people have a hard time understanding why you did it when you were giving up so much."

"But that's the thing! I didn't even think about it. It just...it was instinct. I saw it coming, knew what was about to happen, and didn't have time to think. I just acted. Everyone acts like I sacrificed so much, like I thought it through and decided the risk was worth it. But that's not how it was. There was no thought. If I'd stopped to think about how many people I was letting down..."

Logan set down his chopsticks to give Kendall his full attention. "You would have done it anyway."

"How can you say that? You don't even know me."

"I do," Logan nodded. "Maybe not as well as I know some people, but I feel it. I watched you play plenty of times, Kendall. Your heart was in it. I feel like you don't do anything without putting your heart into it."

Kendall shrugged. "My heart was my downfall."

"Your heart is your greatest feature." Logan watched Kendall biting his lip and wanting to argue the point. "And I've now made you uncomfortable. Let's talk about something else."

"Sure. Um...tell me about your family. How did you end up teaching at such a young age?"

The chopsticks he'd just picked up almost fell from his grip as dread pooled in his stomach. This was the part where he always turned his dates off, where they understood what he was really like and wanted out.

Dammit, I really like this one.

"It's just me and Mom," Logan shared, evading the second question. "Though my aunt stayed with us off and on; she's like a second mom to me. My mom is great, also very supportive like yours, but I don't feel like she ever really understands me."

"Why not?" Kendall asked, scooping more almond chicken onto his plate.

"Her greatest wish is to get me married off. And it's not that it's a status thing, she just doesn't like to see me lonely. She watched me go through school and not fit in, so she always worries I'm never going to find anyone and be alone. She thinks I have a complex about hot guys, that I purposely avoid them because I'm afraid of failure."

Kendall swallowed a bite before replying with, "Do you?"

"I think if I did I wouldn't be here with you right now."

"Well, that's good to know," Kendall smiled.

"And I wouldn't have a best friend that looks like James."

"True. But you've dated, right? It's not like you were pushing guys away."

"It didn't matter, they left anyway," Logan chuckled bitterly. "I did date, because I was lonely. It just never...worked out."

"Which is crazy to me, because you're like...why in the world would anyone not want to date you?"

"Mom says it's because I'm intimidating."

"Really?" Kendall shrugged. "I don't see that."

"That's because you haven't heard everything yet." Appetite gone, Logan laid down the two wooden sticks and leaned back in the booth. "You wanted to know how I ended up teaching so young."

"Are you older and just look a lot younger than your age?"

"No."

"If you don't want to talk about it, we don't have to."

"I just..."

"Logan, it's okay."

"No, it isn't, because the last time I kept quiet about it I was miserable. Sure, I got a second date, but then I blew it because I couldn't be myself."

Kendall slid an arm across the table and reached for Logan's hand. "No matter what, we're still gonna be friends, right? Or at least buddies at work?"

Logan closed the distance to twine his finger's with Kendall's. "I'd really like that."

"Okay. So then what's the big secret?"

"It's not a secret. I graduated high school at a really young age and then busted ass through college to get my degrees. I did by the age of eighteen what most don't do until they're about twenty-five."

"Is that supposed to scare me away?"

"I'm really smart, Kendall. Like...genius level."

"Are you sure about that? Because I feel like a smart guy would know that something like that wouldn't chase me away."

Logan's finger's squeezed tighter. "It doesn't intimidate you?"

"Well, I mean...sure, if we're going head to head on 'Jeopardy!' or something. But it doesn't change who I asked out on a date and who I'm sitting here with having a great time."

"Are you really?"

"I really am," Kendall smiled. He shocked Logan by lifting his hand to kiss the back of it. "Did you always want to be a teacher? Was that your goal?"

"I never wanted to be a teacher," Logan laughed, trying not to let out a scream over the way his stomach flipped from the hand kiss.

"So what was it you wanted to do?"

"Honestly, I don't know that I ever had a specific career in mind. I knew I loved math and science and...learning. I think it's about that more than anything else. I loved to learn. I still do, I watch documentaries and go to lectures and just...pick up information wherever I can. I love information."

"So then, you definitely kick ass at 'Jeopardy!'."

"Totally. I think that's why James leaves before seven every night. He hates that show."

"Sitting next to you, I might, too," Kendall teased. When Logan started to draw his hand away, Kendall kept it in place. "Or I might find it the sexiest thing I've ever seen."

Logan licked his lips. "You're just saying that."

"Am I? It does sound kind of hot."

"There's no way you find a huge brain sexy."

Kendall leaned across the table, barely avoiding the empty plate in front of him. "Try me."

"Are you two all finished here?"

Logan flushed, pulling back in an attempt to compose himself. "Yes, um...can I get an order of orange chicken to go?" He felt Kendall's curious gaze on him and realized he'd need enough to feed three tomorrow. "Actually, make that two orders please."

"Of course, sir. That should be out in a few minutes."

"Perfect. Thanks."

"Are you planning to go home and pig out after dropping me off?" Kendall asked when the plates were cleared away.

"No," Logan chuckled. "I wanted—"

"For James," Kendall suddenly realized. "Are you going to see him tonight?"

"No! No, it's for lunch tomorrow. I added the second one for you. Unless you've decided you'd rather sit somewhere else?"

"Logan..." Kendall bit his lip. "We'll talk about it on the drive home."

"Did I already screw up?"

"No, but that's exactly what we're going to talk about."

"Okay?"

"I'm gonna use the restroom." Kendall slipped out his wallet and tossed a card on the table. "For my half."

"I'll cover the extra food for tomorrow."

After standing, Kendall leaned down to press a kiss to Logan's forehead. "I'm paying half the total. No arguments."

Logan let out a breath after Kendall walked away, wondering if he'd completely ruined the entire date. It had been going so well, too.

Why is James the only person I haven't chased away?

Kendall couldn't help but sneak a peek at his phone in hopes that King had sent a reply to the email.

Nothing.

Hoping he hadn't made his new friend angry, Kendall took care of business and rejoined Logan. He signed the credit slip, glad their takeaway food came out soon after because he had to make sure Logan understood something vital.

He felt on the walk to the car that Logan was tense and nervous. Wanting to ease that, Kendall reached out and took Logan's hand in his, giving it a firm squeeze. Logan leaned his head on Kendall's shoulder for a moment, squeezing back, and then they were at the car.

Logan lasted only until they'd pulled out of the parking lot. "Say what you're gonna say."

"I like you a lot."

"But?"

"I like you a lot, but it bothers me that you're so positive I'm going to give up on you. I like you, Logan. I want to do this again."

Logan's fingers tightened on the wheel. "Really?"

"Really. When can we get together again?"

"Uh...Saturdays are good for me. As long as I have time in the morning to get caught up on schoolwork. So...any time after noon?"

"Make it after two for me, we have a hockey game. Want to see a movie?"

"Sure, we can do that. Actually...are you serious about liking me? You want to give this a try?"

"Yes, why is that so hard for you to accept?"

"Because no one ever has before."

"Well, this guy does."

"Okay, then...are you free Friday night instead?"

"I am. What did you have in mind?"

"A movie. If you'd be okay with it, I'd love for you to join me and James."

"Oh. You really want me there with him?"

"What I want is for you two to get along. He's my best friend and you're my..."

"Let's not label it yet. I feel like that's just going to make you freak out."

"It might," Logan admitted with a sigh. "So we're just...dating."

"Just dating. Hanging out. Enjoying each other's company."

Logan nodded. "I can live with that. I should warn you that my end goal is serious, though."

"So is mine. But we just met and I don't want to make this too heavy, so..."

"Dating."

"Dating," Kendall agreed.

"I still want you and James to get along."

"I'm not the one with the problem."

"I know. He's...difficult sometimes."

"Always around me."

"He was really trying this morning. I know seeing you in my classroom threw him off, but he wasn't rude and I was proud of him."

"Why does he hate me so much? Is it just like...jealousy? Like he's afraid I'm going to steal you away?"

"No, he's got his own girl he's into."

"Are you sure? Because it would make sense. You guys are obviously super close and then I come along and insert myself in your life and...it changes things."

"It does, but that's life. We're both going to fall in love at some point and then things will really change. This is probably the start of that."

"He's dating someone?"

"Pretty much."

"Okay. Why don't we make it a double date Friday?"

"I think it's too soon for that on his end."

"And he's cool with me joining you guys?"

"He will be. It'll be fine."

"Okay then. Can we still do Saturday just you and me?"

"Of course," Logan grinned. "Maybe Saturday I can cook you dinner."

"Oh, I like the sound of that. And I can bring dessert," Kendall winked.

"I love the sound of that."

They were both laughing when Logan pulled up in front of Kendall's apartment building. "See you tomorrow?"

"Don't forget the orange chicken," Kendall reminded him.

"James would kill me."

"James doesn't know."

"I'd know," Logan pointed out. "And the guilt would kill me. Should I walk you up?"

Kendall bristled. "I'm not an invalid."

The atmosphere turned to ice. "Oh my god, no, I didn't mean it like that. I just...never mind."

"You just what?"

"Nothing. Goodnight. See you tomorrow."

"No, Logan, finish that."

Wanting to crawl under the seat, he mumbled, "I was hoping maybe I could kiss you goodnight and that by the time we got upstairs I'd have the courage to do it. That's all I meant, I swear."

"Oh."

"Sorry, I didn't—"

"No, I'm sorry. I'm really oversensitive about that sort of thing. I can take care of myself and I hate when people assume I can't."

"I wasn't assuming that."

"I know. I'm an idiot. And I ruined what was probably going to be an incredible first kiss."

"First kiss?" Logan met Kendall's gaze. "You've never been kissed?"

"This is my first date, remember?"

"Right, I just...wow. I had no idea."

"Doesn't matter now. I'll see you tomorrow."

Kendall shoved the car door open. Logan saw him reach down to lift his leg and made a snap decision, dragging Kendall close by the shirt and kissing him before he could get away. Kendall gasped at the feel of lips pressed against his, then closed his mouth again and this time his eyes, as well, to savor his first kiss.

It was nice. Definitely nice. Kissing Logan made him feel warm inside, their lips moving together in a dance until Logan pulled back.

"Wow," Kendall whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I expect more of that Friday night."

"Saturday. I'd prefer not to do it with an audience."

"Right. So then not at school, either."

"Definitely not at school. That could get us both fired."

"Right," Kendall said again. "Saturday."

"Saturday."

Kendall leaned in for one more kiss, Logan allowing that with a smile.

"Saturday's a long way away."

"We'll manage," Logan grinned. "Thanks for dinner."

"Thanks for the same. See you at lunch?"

"I'll bring the food. You just bring your hot self."

"Are you sure we can't kiss at school? There's this place in the locker room where—"

"Out!" Logan laughed.

"Fine. But you owe me big time. I'm going to be insane by the time I get to kiss you again."

"I look forward to it."

"Night."

"Night, Kendall."

Kendall felt like he was floating on the trek to his apartment. He didn't have a boyfriend, but that was okay. That might come in time. The important thing was that he was experiencing life, exploring love the way Coach had urged him to. And of course his mother. She would probably be surprised to hear it was a man Kendall had gone out with, but she'd be ecstatic that he went out at all. Maybe he should call her.

It wasn't his mother Kendall was thinking about, though, when he closed the door and switched on a lamp. His laptop stared at him invitingly, and he knew that it was King he was dying to gush to about the date. Taking one more peek at his phone, Kendall sighed; still no answer from King.

Almost twenty-four hours before they could talk again, and that was only if he hadn't made King angry by bailing on him tonight. King would be proud of him, though, happy for him. He'd want to hear all about the date. Kendall wondered how it had gone for King at work. Had he talked to the hot guy who made him so nervous? Kendall thought he probably had.

He couldn't wait to hear about it.