A/N: We're definitely at the winding down of this story! This is the last "official" chapter of the story.

Thank you SO much for your reception of the last chapter! All of your comments have made me ridiculously happy because your feelings of victory show me how insanely invested you readers are. Thank you!

Without further adieu...

Disclaimer: BTR still isn't mine

Katie spent the next few days cleaning up her apartment to make it liveable for Carlos as well as tidying up everything at the office.

She had made a few calls to her clients and informed them of her indefinite vacation that she was taking. Russell was more than thrilled that Katie was doing this for herself. She thanked him for standing behind her this entire time, and mentioned the possible projects that he might want to take on, now that he was finished with his vacation. Katie's conversation with Marka was much more clipped. Marka would be busy with the upcoming film and Katie would have either Jack or Laura find more work for her. Katie felt fortunate that the phone calls only consisted of that message and not one that included news about Knight Management being taken over by FMA.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation had taken Chris White's hard drive and were currently investigating everything that FMA was hiding. Paul Fulton's assets were currently frozen with no opportunity of bail. With all the embezzlement that Fulton had done, rightfully, no one was willing to help him out. Knight Management would survive.

"So have you talked to James, yet?" Camille asked from the couch while Katie was sorting out her paperwork at her office.

"No, I told you, I have to concentrate on cleaning everything up at the office before I can do anything else."

Cam sighed, standing up. "Yeah, and isn't James one of your clients? Shouldn't you inform him of what's going on? The guy did lose his agent and he probably has no clue."

Katie slumped into her seat and gave Cam a sheepish look, "I should probably go talk to him, right?"

Camille nodded.

Katie relented, "Okay, I'll go talk to him...tomorrow, maybe. I have to see if I have everything under control here. Are you sure you'll be okay without me?"

"Yes! Jack and I hit it off great, we're going to be fine. So, have you decided where you're going to go yet?"

Katie smiled, nodding. "Yeah, I'm going to be touring Europe for a little while, then I'm hoping to hit New York for a bit before going to Minnesota to visit my mom. There might be some other stops, I'm just not sure yet. Maybe Australia? Asia?"

Cam gave an excited squeal. "Take lots of pictures!"

"Of course. Oh, that reminds me, I have to get Carlos to show me how to do that quick upload thing, assuming he knows...maybe I should call Logan..."

"Call Logan, in fact, you should call him right now."

Katie smirked, "You just want to talk to your boyfriend."

"I can't help it. I miss him already."

Katie missed her brother and Logan, she had definitely felt the misery that came with their departure this visit, only because they all hadn't been in the same city for a number of years and it felt like reminiscent of the time the band broke up. Though Katie was upset that Logan left, she knew that he would be returning soon, and that lifted her spirits, as well as the fact that she did not need to bring up the fact that she had him hack into FMA's accounts to the FBI; she would have felt guilty for the rest of her life if Logan got into trouble for helping her out.

Katie shook her head, amused by her friend's lovestruck behaviour. "You can call him later, but now, I really need to get back to work! So sit there and keep mum!"

"Alright, but hurry up, I want to try out that new Thai place everyone is talking about. And, don't say that I can leave now without you, Logan has me on Katie-food-patrol, so we're going together," Cam said as she returned to the couch.

"Fine. I'll be quick," Katie rolled her eyes at her friend's impatience. "And you can tell Logan that you don't have to baby-sit me. I've been using his charting system and eating right. Besides, who's going to watch me while I'm on vacation?"

Cam quirked her eyebrow, "Don't even say that. Knowing all of them," she referred to the former members of Big Time Rush, "they'd follow you in a heartbeat."

Katie stopped what she was doing to consider Camille's answer. "You're so right."

Katie woke up on Friday morning to a nonstop buzzing from her phone. She blindly reached for it on her nightstand, struggling to open her eyes.

"Ugh, hello?"

"Katie! Have you seen it!" Camille's voice squawked over the phone, definitely rousing Katie from her slumber.

"Seen what, Cam?" Katie yawned, getting up to start her coffeemaker.

"Pop Tiger's latest issue!"

"Cam, I haven't read that magazine in years. What's so important about this issue?"

Camille squealed. "Just go get it! Now!"

"Cam, I'm in my pyjamas."

"Now, Katie!" Katie's friend yelled, before hanging up, leaving Katie to stare bewilderedly at her phone.

Katie quickly freshened up, grabbed her travel mug of coffee and headed downstairs. She made a pitstop to the nearest variety stand to pick up the magazine, before heading to the garage for the car.

Katie took a gulp of coffee and brought the magazine up to look at the cover. Katie spat out her drink and starting choking, unable to believe the headline of the magazine: James Diamond Confesses All About Love. She quickly flipped to the article inside the magazine, uncaring about the fact that she was standing in the middle of the sidewalk or the fact that she handed her coffee to a passing pedestrian.

She began reading:

Dear Readers,

I know it's strange to see me write for Pop Tiger, something I haven't done in the past, just because some of my material is geared for an older audience now. But, I felt it is necessary to bring it back to where it all began. I've been asked many times how does it feel to fall in love, and the truth is, I've never been in love. At least, I didn't think that I was in love.

As I'm sure you are all aware, I've been in many relationships. Now, I'm not trying to say that I never loved the women I have been with, because I did, truly. My relationships with these people will always be memorable to me because they have taught me valuable lessons from which I hope I will retain for the rest of my life. And yes, I do mean valuable, for the guys who are reading this, take note: it is always important to remember everything your girlfriend tells you. Everything.

I digress. The point of this letter is to tell you, the readers, how and when I figured out I was, scratch that, am in love. I'm sure all of us are aware of the typical rom-com story that Hollywood sells, but it sells for a reason-it's all true. I remember watching movies like She's the Dude, Bring It Up, Asking for Marriage, and thinking, who buys these story-lines? Nobody ever falls in love with people over bonding, nobody falls in love ever!

Boy, was I wrong. I remember hating the movies that told the stories of how friends became lovers in the timespan of an hour and half, because I am a big believer in the friend-zone and the boyfriend-zone; once you're in one, you can't get out. It's been my motto for almost two decades, and I would probably still be walking around chanting it, if it weren't for the fact that I have disproved my hypothesis (yes, I know what this means) by falling in love with one of my best friends.

Now here's the thing, she doesn't know I'm in love with her. I didn't know I was in love with her until I sat down and started writing this thing. But now that I know, let me tell you, it's the greatest feeling in the world. You're probably all wondering, how does serial-dater James Diamond know he's in love if he's never been in love? Well, I can honestly tell you, it wasn't easy.

You just have to think back on the little things. It's not always about how that person makes you want to errr...make-out with them constantly, granted, that's always a good time. But, it's definitely more than that. It's how that person is always on your mind, even when you specifically tell your brain to stop thinking about them. It's how you're happy whenever she's happy. It's how you would to go to the ends of the earth for her if she asked without any questions. It's how you always want to hear her laugh, make her smile and chase all the bad things away. It's how you wish that she was the last person you go to sleep to, and the first person you wake up to.

Being in love isn't only about her though, it's also about you. How she makes you want to be a better person, how she makes your day seem ten times better when you know you're going to see her. It's how she gets on your last nerve, but you forgive her anyway because it's her. It's how she knows exactly what to say when you're feeling down, or listens to you speak when no one else will. It's how she always does things for you, even if she hates it.

I know, I probably sound like a total mushball right now, but I have to use the opportunity to tell you what being in love really is about because it's worth it, if you just give yourself the chance. There's going to be good times and there's definitely going to be bad times, but in the end, if you stick together, you know she's the one.

I've definitely found my One. I found her the day she was born (which I know sounds totally creepy, but hear me out before you start judging). At first, she was just my best friend's baby sister, the one that always annoyed me by tagging along to everything we did. Actually, really, I didn't even notice that she was a girl until I found out that she read Pop Tiger because her celeb crush was featured in it (this is why I decided to publish in PT).Then she was my best friend's kid sister that I would protect as my own when I sensed something was wrong. Then she became that person that I respected because she proved she could pull her own weight. Then she became my friend when she would support me to reach all of my goals (even if she did have her own personal agenda). Then she was my family because I couldn't ever imagine my life without her. She became the person I loved when I realized that our history together is the reason that I'm in love with her. She's the one that I compare all other girls to.

So, if you are reading this, I love you. I don't know when and how it started, but I do. Give me a chance, give us a chance. You don't have to be afraid. We may not be perfect for each other, but I promise, I will do anything to keep you by my side.

Well, that's all I have to say for now.

Peace,

James Diamond

When Katie finished reading, she pulled the magazine to her chest. She couldn't believe what she had just read, James Diamond, idiot extraordinaire, multitalented, beautiful man, was in love with her. With her heart pounding wildly, she ran for her car to look for the man that she could now say freely, she was in love with.

Shaking her head, Katie thought to herself that she wasn't normally one to wait around, always moving forward until she got what she wanted. In the case of feelings and emotions, however, she was unconsciously waiting for something to tell her that she was alright, and that something turned out to be James' letter to her. Thinking back to what everyone had been telling her as of late, Katie finally accepted that she was running away from her feelings. However, she wasn't anymore, James was right, she didn't have to be afraid, no matter what happens, she had to give them a chance. He wasn't exactly what she was looking for, but Katie knew that James was the one that she probably needed.

Katie made her way into Rocque Records, her heart still threatening to beat out of her chest. She walked into the recording room and smiled with wide eyes when the man she loved caught sight of her.

She could see Kelly nudge Gustavo out of the corner of her eyes, all the while keeping her gaze on James.

Kelly placed a hand on Katie's arm, "We'll leave you two alone." She winked before dragging her reluctant husband with her.

"Five minutes, we have work to finish," Gustavo grumbled, pointing to Katie before scampering off behind Kelly.

Katie grinned and walked into the recording booth.

"Katie? What are you doing here?" James asked, pulling off his headphones.

"I love your arms!" She blurts out.

James gave her a confused look.

She continued. "I love the way you smile and laugh. I love your eyes. I love the way you always try to touch me in some way. I love how you give a high pitched scream whenever you're scared."

James gave an indignant scoff. "I don't scream."

"Yes, you do. I love the way you grab your head whenever you're frustrated. I love the way you call me 'Katherine.' I love how you have a peculiar obsession with bandanas and man-spray, and that you think you're a superhero. I love how you're not afraid to dream big. I love the way you write." She held up the magazine for emphasis.

Katie watched as James became amused with her ranting.

"I even love the way you talk to yourself in the mirror!"

James gave her a skeptical look, "Really?"

"No. You're just crazy," Katie answered, deadpanned.

"Oh."

Katie sighed, stepping close to him to look into his hazel eyes. "What I'm trying to say is, I think I'm in love with you, too."

James beamed down at her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Think?"

Katie grinned, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling his head down. "Okay," she whispered, "I know I'm in love with you, too. Happy?"

"Very."

"Kiss me, you idiot."

James leaned down and closed the gap between their identical smiles. This kiss was more passionate, more real and freeing than any other they had previously shared because this time, they knew that a beginning was starting for them.

Katie pulled away, but stayed in his arms, gasping for breath.

He leaned his forehead down so that it touched hers. "Does this mean you're giving us a chance?"

Katie giggled, "I know you're not the smartest cookie out there, but even I think you can figure this one out."

"I didn't want to be presumptuous."

Katie gave him an amused look, but didn't say anything.

James shrugged, "Kendall scutters his word-a-day calendar thing on ScutterBug." He looked meaningfully into Katie's eyes. "So?"

"Yes, you narcissistic fool, we're absolutely giving this a chance, but we're going to take this slow, okay?" She paused for a second before adding, "And, I'm sorry for the constant mixed-signals. But I'm ready, now, for us."

James beamed again nodding, before pecking Katie sweetly on the lips. "Katie, you don't know how happy this makes me. With you and me together, Fulton out of the picture...I don't think life can get any better."

"Wait," Katie looked up at him with confusion written on her face, "how'd you know about Fulton?"

"Kendall texted me that night that you guys were plotting."

Katie then remembered seeing Kendall secretly tucking away Camille's phone. "Why did he tell you? We decided that we weren't going to tell you in case you decided to go after Chris yourself."

James pulled away one arm from Katie to sweep his hair back. "That actually wasn't the complete article," he pointed to the magazine still in Katie's hands. "I initially wanted to expose my story with Larry's wife to the public, so that Fulton wouldn't have anything to hold against you, but Kendall told me to hold off that story, until he knew for sure what you guys were going to do."

Katie nodded in understanding, but frowned again, "Wait, how did Kendall know about your article?" Her eyes opened wide, when she made the connection, "Oh, this is when Kendall went into your study, right?"

James nodded. "Yeah, he came in, ready to beat the living daylight out of me, but he stopped when he took a good look at me. Now, you have to realize that I was working really hard on that article, and I was feeling really bummed about you not loving me, and I hadn't showered in a couple of days." James interrupted his own story, causing Katie to roll her eyes and gesture for him to get on with the story. "Anyway, I was looking like a hot mess. So Kendall sits down across from me and starts grilling me about what my intentions with you were."

Katie smirked, remembering a few similar predicaments, but one came quickly to mind. "You mean, like what you did to Kyle?"

"Yeah, but Kendall is much better at the whole big-brother-scaring-the-boyfriend thing." James shuddered dramatically. "Well, I started telling him about everything that happened between us and how I had no idea how to act around you, 'cause every time I looked at you, I wanted to kiss you."

Katie snorted.

"What?" James questioned.

"Um, I clearly remember you dating Britney and Bev." Katie pointed out.

The tall man sighed in frustration. "I only went out on that date with Britney because I didn't know I was in love with you, yet. Do you know how awful it feels when all of a sudden you want to make-out with your best friend's younger sister but you can't do anything because she's your best friend's younger sister? It feels terrible!" James voice raised in the familiar way whenever he got too emotional.

Katie bit her lip, "Okay, but what about Bev?"

James looked sheepishly at her, "This is going to sound so bad, but, I only asked Bev out because she reminded me so much of you. She was smart, and pretty, but she didn't have your eyes. And, just that morning, we established that we could only be friends. Worst decision we ever made, by the way," he added. "I figured dating her was going to be as close as I could get to dating you."

Katie bit back a grin, "Okay, I accept." She sighed, "So, what did you and Kendall talk about after the fact that you wanted to kiss me all the time?" She jokingly stressed.

"Well, he wasn't happy hearing that, let me tell you. But, I told him how it was more than that, Katie, I couldn't stand being away from you. Everything just made me think of you, I even wrote you a song−"

"You wrote me a song?" Katie asked, trying to quell her obvious enthusiasm.

"Yes, stop interrupting."

"Sorry."

"Then, I told him how I wanted to write the article about that incident, hoping that way, you would forgive me, even if you did break my heart."

Katie squirmed feeling uncomfortably guilt-ridden, causing James to smirk and pull her to him again. "Honestly? I also really wanted to write that article to save Knight Management. I know how important your company is to you. I mean, you started the company when you were ten! It was the least I could do for you, after all that you've done for me."

Katie, as much as she wanted to deny being the overly emotional type, felt her heart swell when she heard why James wanted to write the article. He didn't even care about ruining his chances at obtaining awards for his film. All for her.

It was one of those moments that she was glad that she had taken to wearing heels. She swiftly pulled him down for another kiss. She pulled back slowly, her eyes heavily-lidded. "You do much more for me than you realize."

James grinned, leaning in for another kiss, but, Katie pushed his mouth away with a finger. She stepped out of his arms, causing him to pout.

"Sorry, but I just really want you to finish the story, and you're never going to if we continue this."

James threw his arms up in frustration, but understood. He continued the story, "So, I told him my plan, and he just stares at me for like a good ten minutes, and have you ever been at the end of one of Kendall's stares? Not cool. I had no idea what he was thinking. Then, after the outrageously long stare, he asked me if I loved you."

"What did you say?" Katie asked, unaware of how obtuse she sounded. "Ow!" She grabbed her forehead after James flicked her. "Okay, got it. Go on."

"Well, that's when it really hit me, how much I do love you," James reached for her hands, pulling them into a gentle grasp. "You're probably the only person I know that can drive me up-the-wall crazy with your emotional mood-swings, but you're also the only person I would never be able to live without. That photo-album that I have of you? I couldn't bear to give it to you, 'cause it was the only way that I got to see you anymore. I thought it was only because I was proud of how hard you worked to get what you wanted, and I wanted you to have some sort of record of your modelling career." James let out a shaky breath, "I should have known I was in trouble when I couldn't take my eyes off you on your twenty-first birthday. It's why I got so drunk, to stop myself from throwing myself at you, consciously."

Katie was touched, but still had so many questions to ask him about his behaviour. "Why didn't you ever call me? We lived in the same freaking city for so many years, and you never called." She couldn't mask the hurt that came with that question; the question that she had asked herself over a dozen times.

"You never called me, either!" James proclaimed. "Look, Katie, I wanted to, but, every time I wanted to call you, I had no reason. And after a while, it just seemed weird. It's stupid, because we lived together for so long and we are definitely past the point of me just being one of Kendall's friends to you, but, I didn't want to come across as the creepy guy that thinks that the 'band's sister' is really hot. The media is definitely going to have a field-day when they think of how incestuous this is."

Katie slapped his chest playfully. "Don't put it that way. Besides," she ran a finger down his chest, "I'm not your little sister, am I?"

James gulped audibly, and gently pushed her away, squeaking out, "Story!"

Katie giggled, and waited for him to continue.

James frowned at her, "You're evil, you know that? I just told you how hard it was for me to handle my growing attraction to you, and then you do this!" He sighed in frustration, but continued, "Where was I? Oh, I realized how much I love you, maybe," he added, trying to show Katie his aggravation.

Katie playfully stuck her tongue out.

"Anyway, after I answer Kendall, he goes back to staring at me. Then he gets up, and walks around the desk to pull me by my collar, and threatens me."

"What did he say?"

"He said that if I ever hurt you, I should be prepared for a mysterious disappearance in the desert."

"Oh," Katie considered the story shortly, before asking in wonderment, "did Kendall give you his blessing?"

"I guess so, because he let me live," James pointed out. "So, after that, he tells me that he's about to leave, and I wanted to see him off, really, but I had to finish the article so that it would be published on time, so we said our good-byes then. You could imagine my surprise when I get a text from Kendall, telling me not to write my article just yet, because you guys had a plan to stop Fulton. He also told me about Chris, and you're right, I wanted to go and wring his neck, but Kendall told me to hold off on that, too. I guess whatever it was you guys did, worked, because he called me from Minnesota and told me that I should publish the article, but eliminate the part about my scandal. He said that even if he did hate me for loving you, I shouldn't let my work go waste quite yet."

Katie grinned, thinking of how much of a softy Kendall was. He really did put others before himself.

"So, that's that. Now," he pulled Katie back into his arms, smirking suggestively, "how exactly are you going to make it up to me for getting rid of my agent?"

Katie giggled, reaching up to cup his face, "I guess you're going to have to speak to one of my managers at the office."

James pulled back, "Wait, what? Logan and Carlos told me about you wanting to go on vacation, but now that this," he gestured between them, "is happening, are you still going?"

Katie smiled sheepishly at him. "Yes? James, you have to understand, I really, really need to get away from Hollywood and work, for a while. I need to do this for me. You understand, right?"

"Yes," he pouted slightly before grinning hopefully, "what if I come with you?"

Katie giggled, but shook her head, "No. You have to stay here and work on this album, and they're also about to make nomination decisions. You need to be making a presence in the media. I've actually set up some stuff with your PR person, so you'll have to get to work on that," Katie couldn't help but get into work-mode. "Besides, this will be a good way to see if we are able to stay committed to each other, even when apart."

James groaned, picking up the magazine that Katie had dropped during one of their moments. "Didn't this prove that I'm more than committed to you?"

"Okay, that was stupid for me to say. How about I promise you that I'll only go for a month?" She reached her arms around his neck again.

James sighed morosely, "No, you do need this vacation. So go as long as you'd like. I'll wait."

Katie giggled, seeing his pouting face. "One month," she leaned in and seductively whispered across his lips, "then I'm all yours."

James growled and picked her off her feet so that she could wrap them around his waist. "I really love you, you know that?"

Katie giggled, "Absolutely." She leaned down to kiss him again.

Gustavo's booming voice interrupted them. They turned to look through the glass into the control room to see an irate producer.

"Okay, that was way more than five minutes, and I really don't want to see this happening in my studio," Gustavo stressed, looking clearly disgusted. "Monkey-dog's sister, out!"

Katie hopped off James and pecked him on the lips. "I leave tomorrow, but I'll see you tonight for dinner, okay? Just dinner," she added, seeing James' hopeful look. "I'm not that easy."

James grumbled, but relented, "Fine, but the second you come back...well, you're making up for a month of no-sex."

Gustavo pressed down the button again so that the booth's occupants could hear him, "Ew!"

Katie laughed before leaving the booth, "Remember, we're taking this slow."

Katie stopped to slap a hand on Gustavo's arm, "Aw, you know you like seeing us happy and together. Max told me all about how you wrote that song for us."

Gustavo sputtered, indignant, "I wrote that because you guys were too stupid to see what was in front of you. Now how am I supposed to write a song about your love for ea−wait, I'm amazing!"

Katie laughed again, before waving good-bye to her grinning boyfriend. She left the studio, happy that she seemingly had the perfect life. She had a supportive family, her friends were in a good place, her business was standing, stronger than ever. She was about to embark on a well-deserved vacation, and she had a loving boyfriend. Katie could absolutely say that she was happy.

A/N: And voila. James and Katie are together! I hope that was a satisfying way for them to get together. I'm terribly sorry for the amount of cheesiness. Honestly, when I get in the overly-romantic mood, it just comes out!

Thank you again for all the reviews and favourites and alerts, so far! It's absolutely unbelievable the amount of reception of this story.

I definitely would love to hear what you guys think of this chapter, was it worth the wait?

Much Love,

D

P.S. Thank you to all of you readers who have also read Of Skirts, Pencils, Books, and Ties! Thank you to HarleyDiamond19 for requesting the story and supplying the idea, it was definitely fun to write!