The guys were pretty happy when Gustavo actually let them go early. Apparently he didn't want Royce in his studio any longer, shouting at James next time to leave the kid with a babysitter.

The brunet had walked out of Rocque Records with his head held high though, an eye-to-eye smile on his face.

To him, this was a won battle. He stood up for his son, his best friends had his back and even though at first Royce's time with them at work had been tough he had pulled through. His little angel was a trooper, a soldier. Nothing got him down for long, and that's what made James beam the most.

At two, his son knew how to stand his ground. Sure he was still little but that alone made the pretty boy realize he wasn't a bad parent.

If he's managed to raise Royce for the last two years and see him mature and grow, smile no matter what and love life then he must be doing something right.

His son, his Royce was the best thing that's ever happened to him, and James wasn't going to let anything or anyone, not even his loudmouth boss, ruin his childhood.

Royce was going to have a childhood very different from his. A more happier, less lonely childhood.

He had no idea, however, that the father of his son would do the one thing that'd break his heart: find reasons to take full custody of Royce.

-Page Break-

"So you're not into girls?"

Mau smiled sadly at Jo's dejected look, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jo. I mean I'm bi but I tend to lean more towards guys than girls. Plus I'm not really interested in dating right now, I'm in love." He explained, frowning when big (crocodile) tears began to fill her friendly, dark eyes.

"I get it, you're head over heels for this guy and I have no chance."

"Lo siento, really I do. You're a really nice girl, Jo, and maybe if things were different..." Mau began but the attractive blonde wiped at her eyes and smiled softly at him.

"Hey it's okay, at least you're being honest with me. It's just...it's just my luck you know? Falling for guys who aren't into girls." She said, shrugging her shoulders.

She hid a smile behind her hand when she felt Mau wrap his arm around her in a tight hug. "Well, I might not be boyfriend material but I'd like to have a friend here." He said, his bright green-blue shining hopefully.

'He is so gullible!'

"Sure, oh I'd love that! Friends from here on out, Mau! Hey, can I know a little about this guy? I mean maybe I can help you two get together if he's playing hard to get, I hate seeing you so sad!" Jo exclaimed, returning the hug.

Mau chuckled light-heartedly, though a fiery blush crossed his face.

'Bingo, I got him.'

"It's kind of a long story, Princesa. I might bore you with the details." Mau pointed out, but the devious girl only punched his shoulder.

"Don't be silly, Mau. I'm your friend and want to help, and I don't mind long stories. You don't have to tell me everything just yet; just his name."

"Okay...well, do you know James Diamond?" Mau asked, Jo's eyes twinkling in recognition.

"Yeah I do, wait it's HIM? You like him?"

"Si, bueno estoy enamorado de el. I'm in love with him, he's an ex of mine."

"Wait so you two dated for while, well what happened?" Jo asked, feigning concern as she offered him her bottle of water. He smiled at her in thanks and took a sip, sighing afterwards.

"Well, you see...James isn't just an ex of mine. He's the mother of my son, Royce." Mau said slowly, easing his new girl friend into the truth.

Jo let out a gasp, eyebrows flying into her hairline as she cupped her mouth in surprise.

"So you and James...? Oh my God, Mau!" Was all she could say. The Brooklyn boy smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Yeah, I know a lot to take in."

"But if you guys have a son together", Jo said, trying to make sense of this mess in her head, "then why are you two not married or something? You son, Joyce-"

"Royce." Mau corrected politely. Jo withheld her scowl with a sweet smile.

'Royce, right sorry about that! Your son Royce being born out of a marriage, I mean doesn't that make him illegitimate or something? Won't he lose certain rights because of that?" She asked, crinkling her nose upwards. Mau nodded.

"Yes, that can happen. That's why I'm here, Princesa. I moved here not only for my dream, but for my family. I want James to marry me, because yo lo amo and want the best for nuestro niño. The thing is though...I think he's in love with someone else."

"Who?" Jo probed, though she had a pretty good idea who...

Mau's expression hardened, jealously turning his eyes a dark green.

"That blond friend of his, Kendall Knight." He said, bit his lower lip. Mau was shocked though when Jo let out a bitter chuckle.

"Ha, I'm not surprised."

"Huh, what do you mean, Jo?" Said girl smiled sadly at her "friend".

"Mau, sweetie James is a player. He goes after anything with legs, he's a charmer and knows how to make anyone fall for him. He ruined my relationship with Kendall." Cue the crocodile tears again, though this time bigger with sobs included.

Mau's big eyes grew past the size of dinner plates, he soon holding Jo close again. "H-he did that to you, Princesa?"

"Yeah, he did. Me and Kendall were happy together, so in love and then James started his game. He played and played until Kendall broke up with me; he made him do it, by filling his head with lies that I was too clingy, that I was always in a bad mood and stuff like that. They haven't dated as far as I know, but James is a liar and player. He doesn't love anyone, Mau, and...Royce could get hurt."

"Wait, que?" Jo nodded.

"Think about it, Royce having to grow up seeing that, his mom going from relationship to relationship. That's a horrible thing to see, Mau, and teaches Royce a bad lesson: it's okay to fool around and toy with others, that's the message James will send him."

Mau pulled away slightly, looking torn between anger towards Jo and suspicion of James. "Jo, please don't take this the wrong way but maybe how it ended between you and Kendall-"

"Forget about my old relationship with Kendall, Mau! I'm more worried about your son than me! I'm telling you this because I care; James isn't just a pretty face, he knows his way around. He breaks every relationship he comes across, breaks heart without a care in the world. You don't want that to happen to your son, do you Mau? Players like that are everywhere, and as Royce gets older...he might get his heart broken by someone like James."

Jo soon fell apart and sobbed into Mau's shoulder, the Brooklyn boy stiff.

She waited a few minutes, her words sinking in, before she felt Mau hug her back.

She kept the broken hearted girl act on the outside, winning Mau's sympathy and trust, but on the inside a cruel smirk tickled her pink.

'Hook, line and sucker.'

Oh no, looks like Jo is a bitter girl! And has won Mau's trust! This can spell trouble for James! Will Mau confront him about these accusations, or keep them to himself and find proof they're true? Stay tuned everyone, thanks for the support, everything from reviews to favorites really help! I'll see you all in the next one! :) Disclaimer: I don't own Big Time Rush! All I own is the plot and the OCs that are Mau and Royce!