Author's note: There's some sweet James and Camille friendship in here. Also some epic angst. I love it. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Chapter 6

Setback

"This is the last night you'll spend alone. Look me in the eyes so I know you I'm everywhere, you want me to be."

Kendall and Logan finally made it back to the Palm Woods. They made it outside the apartment then Kendall stopped. He wasn't looking forward to confronting James and Carlos after their fight. He was scared. Scared that his friends were mad at him. That they never wanted to talk to him again. That they hated him. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked over.

"They don't hate you Kendall." Logan assured. He gave Kendall a reassuring smile.

Kendall nodded then took a deep breath, and watched anxiously as Logan pushed the front door open. He followed Logan tentatively into the apartment, being wary of any objects that might come flying at him in hatred. What he saw was Carlos on the couch, boucing his leg nervously, and James standing beside him, biting his thumb nail anxiously.

At the sound of the door opening, both of them wiped their heads around. "Kendall!" James yelled and both he and Carlos came storming over.

Just as Kendall thought. They were mad at him. He was about to get it now. James and Carlos were going to yell and scream at him about how they never wanted to see him again. Kendall braced himself for the oncoming verbal abuse. He lowered his head and closed his eyes. "Look, James I-" He started.

But he was cut off when James caught him in a death-grip hug, Carlos following seconds later. Kendall was stunned in place. James and Carlos had him firmly in their grip, and they weren't yelling at him. Kendall looked over to Logan helplessly, but all Logan gave him was a big, cheeky grin that clearly said Told ya so.

"Don't you ever run off like that again!" Kendall heard James say. He was still mad, Kendall could tell. But not for the reason he'd thought.

"We were so worried!" Carlos said. "It was really scary not knowing where you were Kendall!"

"But. . ." Kendall fumbled. James and Carlos pulled away to look at him. "I. . .I'm confused. I thought that. . .After what I said. . .I. . ."

"We were mad at first." James clarified.

"But mostly we were just worried about you." Carlos finished.

"Guys. . ." Kendall started. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean those terrible things I said. I didn't mean to get mad at you. You didn't deserve it."

James put his arm around Kendall's shoulders. "We know buddy." He said. "We forgive you."

Kendall stared at his friends, then smiled. "You guys are the best."

"We know that too." Carlos said brightly.

"Logan?" A sleepy Jo called from the couch. Her voice held the slightest bit of panic.

Logan quickly ran over to her as she rose from her laying position and knelt down in front of the couch. "I'm here Jo." He said as he lay a hand on her knee.

Jo finally woke up fully and smiled at Logan, placing her hand on his. The close contact made Logan nervous and he chanced a worried glance at Kendall. Kendall caught it and gave him an encouraging smile and a thumbs up, relieving Logan of the awkward feeling. Logan got up and sat beside Jo, holding her hand.

Then Kendall came and sat on the other side of Jo and slung an arm around her shoulders. "How ya feeling?" He asked.

"Better." Jo replied, and lightly leaned into Kendall.

"Glad to hear it." Kendall said and rubbed Jo's arm soothingly.

Then they all sat down and just watched some TV.

"Are you ready?" Logan asked.

Jo gripped Logan's arms tightly, shaking. "It's okay Jo." Kendall said. He stood behind her and held her close by the arms. "Take your time."

Jo looked up at Kendall and sent him a small smile, then turned back to Logan in determination. "Okay." She said. "I. . .I think I'm ready."

Logan nodded, then slowly lifted one hand from Jo's arm. She started to shake harder so he froze. "It's okay, shhh." He soothed, and Kendall rubbed her arms. She calmed down slightly and he continued. Slowly, he brought one arm away from Jo and held it out, then, the next one. He took it off Jo's arm, backing away slowly. But she let out a whimper, causing Logan to freeze again.

"I've got you." Kendall whispered. "It's okay."

Logan nodded. "I'm not going anywhere." He said, his hand still hovering over Jo's arm. "I'm still right here."

Jo nodded and watched closely as Logan's hand slowly left her. Then he backed away, further and further. He got to the front door, and open it, still watching Jo closely. Jo shook hard, keeping her eyes locked on Logan. He started to close the door and she whimpered. "It's okay." Kendall whispered as he rubbed her arms.

"I'm not going anywhere." Logan repeated. Jo nodded and he slowly closed the door. "One. Two. Three." He started counting from the other side of the door.

"Four. Five. Six." Kendall and Jo counted with him. Jo started shaking harder as the panic grew stronger. She tried her hardest to calm herself, to push the panic back. Kendall held onto her firmly, trying to comfort her.

"Seven. Eight. Nine." Logan continued.

Jo tried to focus on his voice, and Kendall's strong arms around her. She closed her eyes as she counted with Logan. "Ten. Eleven. Twelve." Still the panic grew. She couldn't take it anymore.

"Thirt-" But Logan was cut off when the door flew open and Jo fell into his arms, shaking.

"I'm sorry." She whispered into his shoulder as she trembled.

Logan hugged her back, while sending Kendall an apologetic look. "It's okay." Kendall said, speaking to both Jo and Logan.

Logan caught Kendall's meaning and sent him a grateful nod in response. "You did really good today." Logan told Jo. Kendall merely rubbed Jo's back comfortingly as she clung to Logan. While they didn't make it to thirty seconds, they still made it pretty far. Jo was slowly getting better.

"Kendall get it!" James yelled.

"I got it I got it!" Kendall exclaimed.

"Not for long!" Katie yelled.

"Really? I'm so glad to hear that!" Mrs. Knight said. Everyone sat in the living room on the big orange couch. Kendall, James, Carlos and Katie were all playing Mario Kart while Mrs. Knight, Mr. Taylor Jo and Logan spoke of the progress she was making.

"Yes," Mr. Taylor said. "I'm so proud of you honey. I'm looking forward to when you will be able to come home again."

"I'm sorry it's taking so long dad." Jo said.

"Don't be sweetie." Mr. Taylor said. "I'm just glad you're getting better." He said with a smile.

Logan let a cough escape. "Sorry." He said.

Mrs. Knight came over and felt his forehead. "No more fever. That means you're getting better too." She said happily. "But you really should stay inside." She said sternly.

"Sorry." Logan apologized again as he ducked his head.

"Please don't blame him Mrs. Knight." Jo said. "The first time was my fault."

"And the second was mine." Kendall piped in, not even watching the screen as his character drove off a cliff. "Logan was trying to talk to me because I was being stupid and ran off. If I had just stayed here he wouldn't have been out there." He turned to Logan. "Sorry Logie."

Logan just shook his head. "Don't be. Both of you." He said to Kendall and Jo.

"But-" Jo started.

"Look. I'm not a helpless little sheep that just follows everyone around you know." He said as gently as possible. "I made those decisions to come with you two. I am just as much at fault as the both of you, maybe even more." He turned to Mrs. Knight. "I'm sorry. But I'd still do it again in a heartbeat if they needed me to." He said confidently.

Mrs. Knight smiled. "You boys." She said fondly as she shook her head. "How about some hot chocolate?"

"Yeah!" Carlos and Katie both bounced off the couch.

"You sure he's okay?" Jo asked.

"Yeah of course. He's been down for longer before. . .Hasn't he?" Kendall asked.

"Um. . .I, think so?" James said hesitantly.

Suddenly Carlos burst out of the pool, gasping. "How long was that?"

James looked at the stop watch and his face lit up. "One minute and thirty seconds!" He exclaimed.

"It's a new record!" Logan exclaimed.

"Yes!" Carlos yelled as he thrusted a fist in the air, splashing everyone else with the water dripping from his arm.

"Ugh, Carlos!" James said as he jerked the water off his arms.

"It's the pool," Carlos pointed out. "What'd you expect would happen?" He said with a grin.

"Well I wasn't actually planning on getting wet!" James said. "I'm just here to tan!"

"Oh pshhh. Like you need more tan." Kendall said.

"Yeah, with the amount of time you spend tanning, you're killing hundreds of skin cells!" Logan said.

"Well I don't know what that means and, I'm ignoring you all now." James said and turned to face the other direction.

The rest of the boys just rolled their eyes. "What about you guys?" Carlos asked. "Up for some swimming?"

"Nah." Kendall said. "Not really in the mood."

"Yeah I don't think it's a good idea." Logan said, looking at Jo, who dropped her gaze shamefully. Logan just rubbed her arms comfortingly.

Camille was about to walk up then, but she stopped once she saw how Logan comforted Jo. Jealousy rose, and anger, and then guilt, along with tears.

"Hey Camille!" James called, startling her from her thoughts. "Over here!" He yelled. But Camille couldn't. She just couldn't deal with seeing Logan with Jo like that today. She ran in the other direction.

"Huh." Kendall said. "What'd you do?"

"Nothing." James said defensively. "At least, I don't think so."

"Well you must've done something." Kendall said. "Because she's clearly mad about it."

"What make you think it was me?" James asked. "Maybe it was Carlos, or you!"

"Guys guys." Logan said. "Maybe instead of fighting about who she's mad at, we should try and find out why." He suggested.

"But how?" Carlos asked.

"Maybe I should go talk to her." He said as he started to get up.

But James rose first, raising a hand to halt him. "I'll get this Logie." He said as he sent a small nod to Jo. Logan nodded a thanks, and James went off to find Camille.

He walked in the direction she went, and searched. He scanned the area, then moved forward, then scanned, then moved, until he was in the park. Finally, he saw her sitting on a bench, and he approached cautiously.

Slowly, he made his way over behind the bench. He couldn't see her face. But her shoulders were slumped and her head was lowered. Sometimes he saw her shoulders shake, and thought he heard a sniffle or two. Being extra cautious, he silently sat down beside her and just waited for her to talk.

"It's just hard." Camille sniffled. "Seeing him. . .With her. . .It just, I don't know. I know he's just trying to help her. And I want her to get better, I really do. She's my best friend and I care about her. I don't like to see her so scared and sad when she's alone. But. . .I still, like him. Seeing him be so close and intimate with someone else, it just. . .Hurts."

James moved closer and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Have you ever thought of talking to him about it?" He asked gently.

"No. Yes. . .I don't know. It's just. . .It's complicated. You wouldn't understand, you've never really loved anyone before." James retreated back a little bit. "I'm sorry James," Camille said. "I didn't mean it like that! Gosh I'm so stupid!"

"No," James said. "You're not stupid. You're right, I never really have loved before. I don't know what it's like." James' face fell melancholy.

"Oh James. I'm sure it'll happen for you someday." Camille tried to comfort.

"Yeah, maybe." James said thoughtfully. "Anyways that's not the point. You should really talk to Logan."

Camille sighed. "I wish it were that simple." She said.

James pulled her closer and looked her in the eyes. "Well, you still have us Camille." He said, "Remember that. You're not alone." He smiled and she smiled back, then rested her head on his chest.

"Thanks James."

"Um. . .That sign?" Logan asked.

"Nope." Jo replied.

"The lights." Logan said.

"Nope." Jo said.

"Hmm," Logan hummed in thought as he searched the area. After their time at the pool, Logan and Jo decided to take a walk for some fresh air. Currently, they were playing 'I Spy'. "Oh the street lines." Logan said.

"Yeah you got it." Jo said with a smile.

"Alrighty then." Logan said with a smile. "I spy with my little eye, something. . .Brown."

"Hmm." Jo hummed. They walked all the way around the Palm Woods and through the park. Now the were headed back inside. "Is it-"

"Hey you!" A rather large man yelled across the empty back room of the hotel. He was followed by two other men. "You're Logan right? From that little boy band."

"Do I know you?" Logan asked. He tightened his grip around Jo.

"You think you're pretty slick don't ya?" The man asked. "Everyone's talking about you. How you're a hero or some nonsense like that." The men advanced and Logan and Jo backed away. "You don't look so tough to me." The man said.

"We're not looking for any trouble here." Logan said and started to lead Jo passed them and to the elevator doors.

The man grabbed Logan's right arm, stopping him. "Well that's too bad." He said. "'Cause it looks like you found it." He twisted Logan's arm upright and behind his back, causing him to cry out in pain. Then the man pushed Logan to his knees.

"Stop it!" Jo screamed as she knelt down, clinging to Logan's other arm. "Leave us alone!"

Then one of the other men grabbed Jo's arm and pulled her away from Logan, causing her to scream. "Ooo you're a pretty one." He said. "I'nt she pretty Johnny?" He asked the man holding Logan.

"No!" Logan strained out as he tried to reach for her. But the man holding him twisted his arm further, causing him to let out another small cry.

"Come on kid." Johnny said. "Save the day. Be the hero." He laughed and threw Logan up against a large desk.

"No, please!" Jo pleaded as she trembled.

The other man held her wrist and he pulled her close. "Aaaaw, is the little girl worried for her little boyfriend?" He taunted.

"Let her go!" Logan strained. He started to push himself up but a foot connected with his stomach and he laid on his side, holding his new pain.

The men laughed. "Some hero you are!" The last man said. "Hey guys, I heard he hurt his shoulder before. I wonder if it's still bad."

"Only one way to find out." Johnny said and kicked Logan's left shoulder hard, making Logan scream.

"Stop it!" Jo screamed. Tears ran down her face and she was trembling furiously. "Leave him alone!"

"Or what?" Johnny asked. "What is a small, weak little girl like you gonna do about it?" He smiled wickedly and kicked Logan in the ribs.

The second man started punching Logan everywhere; face, ribs, stomach, everywhere, Logan would have bruises forming. "Haha, this feels so good!"

"You're telling me." Johnny said.

"Why are you doing this?" Jo sobbed.

"Why?" Johnny asked. "I'll tell you why. See, me and my brothers here were s'pose to get a part in a movie a couple days ago. We worked our butts off, rehearsing, and training, everything we could think of, we did. But the second we get to their set, they send us away, saying that the set was unsafe due to some broken railing on the roof. They closed the set, and canceled all auditions just so they can fix it!" He shouted.

He turned around and leaned in close to Logan. "And it's all thanks to you!" He said and kicked Logan's ribs again. Logan tried to sit up, to get up and fight back, but the two men kicked and kicked, preventing any movement from him.

"But it wasn't our fault!" Jo yelled. "That roof was unsafe. I fell off of it because it was so unsafe! It's not our fault!"

"Maybe," Johnny said. "But we needed that gig. And now thanks to this loser." He gestured a hand to Logan. "We lost it. Someone has to pay, might as well be him." He said with a smile and started punching Logan across the face.

"No! Stop it!" Jo screamed. She started thrashing in the other man's arms, trying to break free. "Let me go!"

The two men continued to beat Logan while the other held Jo firmly, all of them laughing the whole way through. While Jo screamed and cried and thrashed the whole time.

Logan tried to get up and fight, but the men outnumbered him. So he settled for trying his hardest to stiffle his cries of pain, trying not to upset Jo any further. He wasn't succeeding very well.

Finally, the men stopped. "I think we've made our point." Johnny said. "Let's go guys."

The second man stopped the beatings and started to walk out. The third man threw Jo to the ground and joined his brother at the doors. But Johnny stayed back for a bit and stared down at Logan. Then he scoffed. "You're no hero. Just a pathetic wimp." And with one final kick, he left with his brothers.

Once they were out of view, Jo crawled over to Logan. "L-Logan? Logan are you okay?"

"Jo," Logan breathed weakly. His face was all bruised and bloody from cuts. He tried to sit up but cried out in pain and fell leaning up against the desk.

"Logan." Jo said in concern and sat in front of him, holding his face gently.

"Jo, I'm sorry." Logan whispered weakly.

"No no no no no." Jo said, panicking as she cried. "It's okay now. You have to be okay!" She was getting hysterical as her panic grew.

Logan chuckled weakly. "This probably wasn't good for your progress." He joked lightly.

A small smile broke across Jo's face and she chuckled lightly. "Ya think?" She joked in a soft voice. That made Logan chuckle lightly again but it turned into a coughing fit, ruining the light moment and making her panic again. "Logan how can I help? What do I do?"

"First," Logan spoke once his coughing settled. His voice was now raspy and hoarse. "Call for help."

Jo nodded and quickly pulled out her cellphone. She dialed 9-1-1 and told them everything. They told her to keep calm and gave her their Time Of Arrival, then she hung up. "They say fifteen minutes."

Logan nodded. Now, we wait."

"But you're hurt really badly! What if they don't get here in time?"

"Jo, I'm not dying. I'll be okay." Jo gave him an incredulous look and he looked her in the eyes as determinedly as he could. "I promise." He said and Jo nodded, then it was quiet for a bit.

The only sound was Logan's heavy breathing and Jo gripped his arm tightly. "Jo," Logan said. "I'm really sorry about this. You were making such good progress and something like this had to happen."

"I. . .I think I'll be okay." Jo said. "Just. . .Once you're okay."

Logan nodded and Jo moved to sit right beside him, lightly leaning up against his right side. He carefully brought an arm to rest around her shoulders. Then they waited.

"The last night you'll spend alone. I'll wrap you in my arms and I won't let go I'm everything, you need me to be." - 'The Last Night' by Skillet.