Author's Note: THIS chapter wasn't supposed to happen, but one thing led to another and here we are. I blame and thank my beta, Clarry, for this. She made this happen and this chapter got me to step outside my comfort zone a bit so I hope it works.

"Dude, your mom is awesome! I haven't had a home-cooked meal in ages!" James exclaims, mouthful of food.

"Hey! I resent that…" Logan quips, equally inhaling the food in front of him.

As they were waiting at baggage claim, Kendall received a text from his mom letting them know that she made them lunch and left it at Kendall's place.

"Huh? What?" James asks confused. "Oh yeah… but this is different! Nothing compares to mom's cooking."

Logan huffs.

"Yeah, well nothing compares to my Logie's cooking. He always adds a special ingredient just for me." Carlos defends scooting closer to Logan.

"Uh-huh… and what's that?" Kendall asks teasingly.

"Love," Carlos and Logan respond in unison.

James and Kendall lean away from the table and pretend to throw up. They slowly return to a seated position and wipe their mouths with the back of their hands.

"Could you guys cool it?" Kendall asks a little too emphatically.

"You guys weren't opposed to this six months ago," Logan teases, placing a kiss on Carlos' cheek.

"Ugh!" James groans and rolls his eyes.

Kendall changes the subject. "Anywaaaayyyy… What are the plans? You all staying with your families while you're here? Because you are more than welcome to crash here."

"I think I'll take you up on that offer, but not until Wednesday. Promised the parents I'd be home for a bit. I also got a cryptic phone call from mom last week that I need to figure out." Logan responds.

Carlos, Kendall, and James exchange nervous looks. Luckily for them, Logan is lost in his thoughts to notice.

"I've got to go home too. You know help mom plan the shindig on Friday. I'll see if I can stay over Thursday night." Carlos explains.

"Wait! Party, what party?"

Kendall gives Carlos the death glare and elbows James.

"Oof! Yeah, what party?" James asks as convincingly as he can.

"Uhhh… umm… well…" Carlos stutters and looks to Kendall for help.

Kendall rolls his eyes. "What Carlos is trying to say is that his mom is throwing a "Welcome Back/Safe Trip" party."

"I don't even know how to respond to that," Logan says searching the faces of his friends. "There's something going on and you three are all in on it." James, Carlos, and Kendall put innocent smiles on their faces. "Fine! I get it, but I'll find out somehow. You know I will."

"I know, hun! Just like you found out about their presents, right?"

Kendall's face lights up. "Presents? You got me a present?"

Now it's Logan's turn to give Carlos the death glare and kick James.

"Wha- OW! When did today turn into pick-on-James-day?"

Logan glares a hole through him and the light-bulb turns on.

"Oh, yeah… what presents?"

Logan and Carlos shake their heads covering their faces with their hands.

"What? James knows?"

"He saw it when I was packing…" Logan explains leaving out the part where James actually picked out his present.

"When do I get to know?" Kendall whines.

Carlos starts to get up to take them out of Logan's luggage, but Logan pulls him back into his seat.

"Apparently there's a party this Friday. Isn't that the best time to give presents?" Logan asks mischievously.

Kendall pouts, James leans over to rub his shin, and Carlos begins to protest.

"I can overlook that and give you your present, IF one of you tell me what's really going on Friday!" Logan smirks.

Logan can see the look of indecision on both Kendall and James' faces. They look to Carlos, forcing him to make the decision. Carlos opens his mouth, but closes it immediately. He looks back and forth between Kendall and James to Logan. His eyes widen and, unable to make a decision, bolts out of his chair and out of the room.

Logan's eyes follow his boyfriend and then he shrugs. "Waiting until Friday it is!"

James and Kendall hang their heads in disappointment.

"So, anyway, James… what are you up to? Staying here with Kendall?" Logan asks in a sing-songy voice.

James glares at him, and then clears his throat. "Well… um… I've made plans with mom's office for Wednesday, but it's all supposed to be a surprise. If I head over before then, it'll ruin everything. So… um… if you're ok with just me here, I'd like to take you up on your offer."

"Of course! The guest room is free since Carlos is heading home," Kendall acquiesces.

"Oh… great… thanks!" James smiles, a hint of disappointment in his voice.

Logan watches the exchange in amusement.

"Is the bad stuff over?" Carlos asks, peeking his head around the doorway.

All three can't help but smile.

"Sure is, babe. Let's help Kendall clean up and then we better get going. I promised mom I'd be home an hour ago."

James and Kendall say goodbye to Carlos and Logan and are sitting in the living room catching up. After covering all the basics, like how James is adapting to the Hollywood lifestyle and how Kendall is getting along with his teammates and star athlete status, silence and awkwardness fill the air as they arrive at the point of the conversation they've been avoiding.

"So, how's Jo?" James asks, trying to sound interested.

Kendall focuses his gaze on the floor. "Uhh… we broke up two months ago."

James is actually surprised. Kendall and Jo seemed very happy and were inevitably going to get married. That was one of the reasons James decided to leave. "I… I… I'm sorry to hear that."

"No big deal. That last month I just wasn't happy anymore. Anyway, how about you? Got a girlfriend?"

"No," James answers rather quickly.

"Boyfriend?"

"No… not yet."

"Oh…" Kendall responds dejectedly. "What do you mean 'not yet.'"

"Well, it's kind of complicated. I just haven't decided if I want to risk everything I've shared with this guy. Plus, I'm not sure..."

"Oh, come on, James. Remember, a life without risk-"

"-is a life un-lived," James finishes. "I know, I know. But Logan took that advice and we saw what happened there."

Kendall's heart breaks, but understands what he's feeling. "Not every situation works out that way, but you'll never know until you take a chance."

"I just don't think I'll be able to be as strong as Logan should history repeat itself."

Kendall sighs and puts his arm around James' shoulders. James tenses at the touch. "James, you are one of the strongest, most confident people I've had the honor of knowing. No matter what happens, I know you'll make it through, and I promise that you will always have me in your corner."

James looks into Kendall's eyes. "Thanks, that means a lot."

Tension fills the room as they sit there seeing into each other's souls. The longing and yearning is evident, but neither is willing to say anything. James' eyes wander from Kendall's and trace the outline of his nose to his lips, the lips that James has wished to taste for years. Unconsciously James licks his lips, takes a deep breath, and leans in.

The moment their mouths touch, James knows this is exactly what being whole feels like. This is what he needs; who he needs to be there by his side forever and always... but just like that it's over because there is nothing from Kendall. Disappointed, James pulls back and finds Kendall sitting there, wide-eyed and stunned.

James apologizes profusely. "I'm sorry, Kendall! I don't know what happened. I-"

Kendall snaps out of his stupor, places a hand behind James' head, and pulls him in, crashing their lips together. Quickly overcoming the shock, James scoots closer, pressing their bodies together, and deepening the kiss.

Their mouths fit like puzzle pieces and move together like a beautifully choreographed ballet. Kendall moves to make himself a little more comfortable, but James reaches around his waist pulling him onto his lap.

Finally coming apart for air, they rest their foreheads together. All hidden feelings released in that one kiss, saying everything. Their eyes lock again.

"Hi…"

"Hi…"

"Um… James, I think this is a good time to tell you something…" James prepares for the worst. "I'm gay." Kendall says with a smile.

James chuckles, "After that kiss… never would have guessed."

Another small peck on the cheek and then a comfortable silence settles over them as they fall asleep wrapped in each other's arms.