Jo and Kendall were currently resting in one of their favorite hangout spots, Jo's dressing room on New Town High's set. Kendall of course had his own dressing room, but they both knew that Jo's was much better, mostly because it happened to have a couch that they were able to cuddle or nap together on in between scenes. Which they were doing right now.
"This is nice," Kendall said as he was holding Jo close to his side.
"What is?" Jo asked him and glanced up with her beautiful brown eyes.
"Well, being with you of course, as always. But also the fact that we're done with the season."
"Come on, it wasn't that bad was it?"
"Ok, it wasn't really that bad, even though Jett's still pretty annoying, at least I got to one-up him in a bunch of episodes, and of course, at least once an episode I'm literally paid to make out with you." Kendall grinned teasingly.
"Oh I see, that's the only reason you agreed to do this, isn't it?" Jo teased him right back.
"Of course not, that's just a bonus, and it makes all the extra craziness I have to deal with from both Gustavo and Amy worth it. I'm going to be happy for a break, or maybe not a break, but at least my load will be a bit lighter for a few months, or who knows, maybe forever."
"Come on, you know they aren't going to kick you off the show. Everyone loves Rachel and Flynn, almost as much as they love Jendall."
"I know, do you really think people will vote Rachel and Flynn over Rachel and Drake?" Kendall asked her.
To make the season finale even more exciting, the director decided that the final ending to the love triangle plotline would be decided by the fans in real time. When the finale episode premieres, after the first half of the episode, fans will have five minutes to vote online for what they want to happen between Drake, Rachel, Flynn, and Lola. So Jo and Kendall had just finished shooting their characters' devotion of love to each other, as well as their break-up scene, just in case the fans wanted Drake and Rachel to get back together. Yesterday both of them had also shot scenes with Jett and Megan about getting together with their characters. So right now no one knew for sure how the season was going to end.
"Of course they will. Why do you think Amy advertises us so much? I know she also went a bit crazy when Jett came up with the insane plan for me to fake date him, but I swear she's done even more for us. And you know Gustavo would have told you to quit a long time ago if he didn't think it was worth your time. Plus I know which ending I want to happen."
"Oh yeah, what's that? Let me guess You want Rachel and Lola to dump both our sorry butts and then your characters will live happily ever after?" Kendall asked teasingly.
"Not quite, that make-up/make-out scene with Jett reminded me completely how much better working with you is, especially in kissing scenes. All he did was try to shove his tongue down my throat the entire time."
Kendall's grip on Jo's shoulder tightened for a minute, but then he calmed down after taking a deep breath. "I know it's just a job and you hated it, so it's totally fine with me as long as it's totally fine with you."
"It isn't totally fine, but I'm just going to forget it and hope that's the last time I ever have to do that with him," Jo reassured him.
"Of course." Kendall hugged her tighter comfortingly for a moment.
"But speaking of, how was your kissing scene with Megan?"
"Woah, I am not falling for that trap." Kendall laughed.
"What trap?"
"Look, I feel like no matter what my answer is I'm going to be in the doghouse."
"Kendall, I know it's for your job, and I promise I won't get mad. I'm just curious."
"You promise?"
"Yes, I promise I won't get mad at you." Jo kissed his cheek. "No matter what you say."
"OK…" Kendall paused for a moment. "Now please let me say everything first, and then you can ask questions, or get mad, or whatever you feel, it will be valid."
"Kendall…" Jo wheedled him teasingly.
"OK, now obviously kissing Megan wasn't horrible. It was good. BUT… it was nowhere near as good as your kisses. Compared to you, I may as well have been kissing a mannikin. No one's kisses will ever feel like yours." Kendall leaned closer to kiss her temple.
"Alright, don't worry I'm not going to bite your head off." Jo smiled at him and kissed his lips. "How did that feel?"
"Amazing, as always," Kendall promised her.
"Honestly I think we made a good decision agreeing not to watch the other's make-out scene. And hopefully, no one will ever have to see them because Rachel and Flynn are going to be endgame after next week."
"Let's hope." Kendall agreed.
"So Kendall, how many takes did it take you with Megan?"
"Only two thankfully, we both rehearsed that scene the entire time you were doing yours with Jett so that we could hopefully get everything perfect as fast as possible and only kiss each other the absolute minimum."
"Why's that?" Jo asked.
"Because we both care about you too much to ever want to hurt you, and honestly after we were finished we both agreed it just felt weird. That's why I ran back to your dressing room as fast as possible to get the taste of your kisses on my lips instead."
"Well thank you both for thinking about me, but I have no problems with it. I just wish Jett had the brain cells to think about stuff like that, or at least understand the obvious that I don't care about him any more than any other cast member, well besides you and Megan obviously." Jo grinned and kissed Kendall's cheek again. I care about you much more than anyone else.
Kendall grinned back at her. "Your secret's safe with me. So do you know what color tie I'm going to need for the red carpet premiere/cast watch party we have next week?"
"Yep, I'm wearing a purple dress, you know for New Town High, and apparently the plan is that I'll be walking the carpet with you, and Megan will be with Jett, but all of us need to have purple so that whatever couples end up at the end they'll match."
"So that means I'm going to have to be a carbon copy of Jett? Great." Kendall rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"But hey, at least we'll still be in public together, and you can rub it in Jett's face when it's all over. Plus, Camille and all the guys have been invited too."
"You're right, as usual. I'm sure that night will be great, for everyone. And it will be even better if I get to be your fake boyfriend for as many seasons as you, and everyone else wants me. The only thing better than that is being your real boyfriend, I wouldn't ever give that up for anything."
"Good answer." Jo giggled, they both leaned in close once more and this time they didn't break contact until Kendall's phone started ringing.
"Seriously, even with how much time we get to spend together here, we're always interrupted." Kendall dramatically whined to make Jo giggle.
"Well, you better answer it."
Kendall grabbed his phone and checked the caller ID, "It's Gustavo, that means the limo is probably outside and now it's time for me to go rehearse at Rocque Records. And either I could answer, and keep my hearing, or should I answer and go deaf before I have to sing a new song?"
"Go on, he's toned down a bit since you've had your plate full here, but you better get going, I don't want him to vote against Flynn and Rachel."
"Fat chance of that happening. He thinks that the vote idea is stupid since teenagers can't be trusted or something, Kelly cut him off by reminding him who exactly he was talking to and that he should probably shut up before I had a reason to prove how smart teenagers are."
"Keep in mind he does work with Carlos and James on a regular basis," Jo said with a giggle.
"OK, but Logan's going to be a future doctor, and I'm Sir High Lord King of Pranks for a reason."
"You don't have to tell me twice. But seriously go before you get in trouble."
"Not without a goodbye kiss." Kendall reminded her teasingly.
"Of course not." Jo leaned closer to capture his lips beneath hers for a moment. "Now get out of here Sir High Lord King of Pranks, show him just what teenagers can do."
Kendall didn't need to be told twice or make that three times, and he was soon out the door and on his way to the limo waiting for him outside, although he did let the call go to voicemail and sent a text instead that he was on his way to the studio.
A few days later Jo and Kendall were walking the red carpet before the finale's premier. Jo of course looked stunning in a lavender dress that in Kendall's eyes, hugged her in all the right places, and meanwhile, in Jo's opinion, Kendall looked beyond handsome in his suit, with a matching tie.
The paparazzi were clamoring for them, and all the other stars' attention, and photo opportunities.
"Jo! Kendall!" One of the reporters that they recognized got as close as she could and held her mike out of them. "Could I ask you a few questions?"
"Of course, you can Lydia." Jo smiled, "especially after you did such a good job in our Tiger Beat interview last month." Jo gave her a beautiful smile.
"Alright, now the question everyone wants to know…who do you think Rachel should end up with?"
"I'm so sorry Lydia." Jo smiled apologetically at her. "That's the one question I'm not allowed to answer tonight. It's all up to the fans… but between you and me… I do have a personal preference, I just can't say it out loud." Jo said cryptically but then turned to Kendall to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Right, sounds like quite the mystery." Lydia laughed. "And Kendall will you still be on the show next season?"
Kendall shrugged his shoulders. "Right now I honestly have no idea, it all depends on what the fans vote for and what our amazing writers come up with next season. I will admit that breaking into the acting world with Jo has been so much fun, I can see myself doing another season, but if not, trust me Big Time Rush will always be my number one priority."
"Of course it is, and you guys just released Red Light last week, and it's already topping the charts, but I'm pretty sure Worldwide is still higher. Care to comment on the rumors that you wrote the song for Jo when she left for her Chauncy Jackson project?"
"No, I didn't write it. That honor goes to our wonderful producer Gustavo Roque. It was just an unfortunate coincidence that we recorded that song about the same time Jo left for New Zealand, and I think for both of us, that song will always be about us, and I can see why the fans have that impression too. But that's in the past, the important thing is that we will always be together, and nothing can keep us apart."
"You have that right," Jo added.
"And Jo, I don't suppose you have any other plans outside of New Town High in the near future?" Lydia asked.
"No, nothing to share right now. Again it depends on how exactly tonight turns out but I plan on playing Rachel for the foreseeable future."
"Alright, hopefully, we'll be able to talk more after the show and we can get all the behind-the-scenes details. Thank you so much."
"It's our pleasure." Kendall and Jo both said and turned back to the cameras, giving their best red carpet smiles until they finally made it into the theater. Once they were inside, they were quickly ushered into plush chairs in the very front row. Jett and Megan who had been walking the carpet in front of them were already seated, so in the end it ended up being Megan, Jett, Jo, and Kendall all in a row together.
"Well Jett, may the best man win," Kendall said, with sincerity in his voice.
"Oh, I intend to." Jett grinned cockily at Kendall.
"Not what I meant," Kendall grumbled under his breath.
"Hey if it's the best man wins, then Flynn will beat out Drake no problem," Jo whispered in his ear.
"I don't know I still think Rachel and Drake have the nostalgia vote giving them an advantage since you were the leading couple in the beginning of the show."
"Well, we'll just have to see." Jo told him confidently, "In fact I think-" but Jo was interrupted by a loud commotion behind them.
"Wooh! Go, Kendall!" Carlos cheered.
"And Go Jo!" James added, just as loudly.
"Woo Woo! Jendall! Jendall! Jendall! Woo Woo!" They both cheered together and ended up sitting right behind them, with Logan and Camille following arm and arm in a more sedate manner.
"Wait what are you guys doing right behind us?"
"Well, since the three of us sing that song at the dance scene thanks to Gustavo, he wants to make sure we're here to bring in more PR too," James reported.
"And of course hype you up when Flynn and Rachel end up together," Carlos added. "I mean who wouldn't vote for you guys?"
"Plus you know we want to support you guys, no matter what happens." Logan finished.
"Thanks, guys, but seriously no matter what happens Jo and I will both be happy," Kendall added.
"Well, that may be true but we all know what will make you happier," Camille said.
"OK people we have about an hour before we begin, so now we need some reaction shots. Especially of our two leading couples." Amy announced from the front, and then they all proceeded to act excited or shocked for the cameras for some scenes that will be playing during the commercial breaks.
But before long, it was finally time for the hour-long finale to begin. The basic plot of the episode was that it was the homecoming dance, and while Drake and Flynn had been subtly and not so subtly competing for Rachel's affections the entire season, Rachel would finally have to make a choice halfway through the dance about who she wanted to be with, and as promised the decision would be completely up to the fans.
Everyone in the theater, and likely around the country were all glued to the screen in rapt attention. There were plenty of cute moments between all three potential couples, plus of course, a bit of drama between Drake and Flynn since they both knew exactly what the other was after.
But finally, it was time, right after the other three Big Time Rush members sang a newly released song, Love Me Again, it was time for Rachel to choose. Drake the football captain who just won the big game was voted homecoming king, and Rachel, the ever-popular cheerleader had been voted homecoming queen, but then in front of the entire school, Drake declared his love for Rachel and begged her to take him back. Leaving both Flynn and Lola to storm off in hurt and anger when Rachel didn't immediately shoot Drake down, leaving Rachel looking completely lost. And then they cut to a commercial break, which told all the viewers to head to a website to make their votes heard for the next five minutes and decide what the final outcome will be.
Everyone in the theater rushed to pull out their phones and make their votes. And of course, once the other three guys of Big Time Rush finished they started chanting Flychel! Flychel! Flychel!"
Jo and Kendall just shook their heads at each other, even though Jett was looking more than a little annoyed. The four stars weren't allowed to vote so they just sat back and waited for the time to run out until the show came back on. Which it quickly did.
The screen soon returned to the previous scene. Drake wearing his crown on stage and holding his hand out to Rachel, while she just looked completely lost.
"What do you say Rachel? Will you take me back? We've been through so much together, we've survived everything this spooky town could throw at us. I never stopped loving you."
"Drake…" Rachel said, pausing for a moment. "No."
"No? What do you mean, no?"
"Look, you know I didn't want to leave, but when I did… I learned a lot about myself. Like I don't need you to protect me from the ghosts anymore. I'm not afraid of them. And most importantly Flynn makes me happy. He loves me for me."
"Come on, forget about him. So he's good at hockey. We used to be the hottest couple in school and look at these crowns, people still think we are, obviously everyone else thinks we should be together."
"No." Rachel's voice hardened. "This is exactly what I'm talking about. While I am honored to be chosen as homecoming queen, I don't need it to prove I'm better than everyone else, not like you. And even more importantly what I do with my life is up to me, not everyone else. Who I want in my life is my choice, and I choose Flynn!"
"Rachel baby, come on. I know you love me."
"No, I don't. Maybe I did in the past…and maybe I didn't even then. Flynn makes me happy every day, from waking me up in the morning with good morning texts and jokes to calling me every night to tuck me in on the phone. Unless we were ghost hunting or walking around in public so you could show me off like a trophy, you never made me feel special the way he does."
"Rachel…" Drake stepped closer to her, and Rachel quickly backed up.
"No… Drake, my answer isn't changing but not just for me. What about Lola?"
Drake rolled his eyes, "Lola? Who cares, I only started dating her because you weren't around. But now that you're back why should I settle for second best?"
Rachel's face morphed into a glare and she started yelling, "Who cares? I do! Lola is my best friend in the entire world, and the last thing I ever want to do is hurt either Lola or Flynn. In fact, I need to go find them!" Rachel ran down from the stage, ignoring Drake's begging calls to come back to him, and after she left, the rest of the gymnasium was looking at him coldly.
Rachel raced out the door that Flynn had stormed out of a few minutes prior. She ran down the dark, locker-filled hallways until she made it outside to the parking lot, she easily found Flynn about to rev his motorcycle and speed away.
"Wait! Flynn! Don't leave!"
"What do you want?" Flynn asked her, pain shining in his eyes. "Aren't you going to dance with your king?"
"No, I'm not because Drake is not my king, and I couldn't care less about some stupid plastic crown." She slowly walked up to Flynn and placed her hand on his chest. "I don't care what Drake thinks he feels about me, because I don't feel the same way about him. I love you more than him, more than I ever loved him. You make me feel whole whenever I'm in your arms. And I'm so sorry if I did anything that made him think I still have feelings for him because I don't at all. All my love is for you and only you."
"Hey." Flynn reached out to gently brush Rachel's cheek. "You don't need to apologize for that sleazeball. I knew from the moment I met him. He's been jealous of me and hated me since the very beginning because I'm your boyfriend. That's why we've been fighting so much, especially when we tried to kill each other in dodgeball a few weeks ago. Of course, I really wanted to kill him when smoked you in your beautiful lips trying to take me out."
"Hey, remember how your kisses made it feel all better?" Rachel grinned softly, "Well that and the frozen peas you brought me. I think I loved those even more than your Valentine's flowers." Rachel laughed for a moment before her face turned serious again. "And I didn't freeze because I was torn between you two… I was mostly shocked that Drake would hurt Lola like that, and then I saw her storm out, and you storm out, and everyone was staring at me. I'm sorry."
"There's no need to apologize…I just knew that if I stayed, I'd either you know… pound Drake into a pulp, or end up bawling like a baby in the middle of the dance. I'm the one that should be apologizing to you. I've told you before I will happily follow you anywhere no matter how far. No distance will ever keep us apart, because I will love you, always. Flynn leaned close to kiss Rachel again.
"Thank you, so much, for everything Flynn. I don't know what I would do without you."
"You will never have to answer that question, because I am never going anywhere without you by my side."
"I know." Rachel kissed Flynn once more, and this time they held on as long as possible, like nothing else mattered in the world except the person in front of them. They kept on kissing each other, breaking apart to breathe, and then returning for more.
But when they did finally pause, both leaning their foreheads against each other, while holding each other close. Rachel suddenly looked up in Flynn's eyes. "Wait, I need to go find Lola and make sure she's okay after everything Drake did to her."
"Of course you do, no one deserves what Drake did to her tonight. Do you want me to come with you?"
"Of course I do. I know you've become really good friends with her too. Let's go, I think I know where she is." Rachel grabbed Flynn's hand and they ran back into the school together.
The scene changed, showing Rachel and Flynn slowly creeping through a darkened hallway, but they could hear shouting coming from up ahead.
"I knew it, she's in the cheer locker room," Rachel whispered to Flynn as they crept closer, Rachel opened the door by only a sliver so they could peak inside.
"Absolutely not Drake! Leave me alone!" Lola screamed.
"Come on baby, that whole thing on stage was just a joke, since you know Rachel and I were the king and queen. It's no big deal."
"Yeah right. I know you're lying! And if that was your idea of a joke then you're sick! I knew you still had some feelings for Rachel, that's natural since you guys dated before she left, but if you still love her go be with her. It's obvious that you don't care about me!"
"Baby, come on, of course I care about you. I swear I ran after you right after you ran out, but you hid so fast it took me a few minutes to find you."
"Really?" Lola said sarcastically, again, but then she caught Rachel and Flynn peeking around the door. "Let's ask Rachel what happened then."
"Wait, what?"
"Of course you can." Rachel and Flynn burst into the room, Rachel wearing a fake smile plastered to her face, while Flynn glared daggers at Drake. "Although I don't think that's quite how I remember the last twenty minutes going. So Drake, do you want to tell her what happened, or should I?"
"I…I…" Drake stuttered out as he nervously eyed all three sets of glares focused on him.
"After you left he said he's never stopped loving me, and that you couldn't care less about Lola. But that is two things we disagree on." Rachel walked over to stand by Lola. "Lola is my best friend and one of the most important people in my life. She told me about you guys the day you started dating and I was happy that both of you were still happy while I was away. And I would never do anything to hurt her. And like I told you before, I love Flynn more than anything, certainly more than you, and my opinion of you has only fallen that much more after tonight."
"I…I can explain. It-"
"Be quiet Drake, we all know the real you. Just leave." Rachel ordered coldly.
"No, I'm not going anywhere. I mean ladies, there's enough Drake for both of you." He tried flashing his charming smile at him one more time but was met with only unhappy glares.
"Drake get out of here!" Lola shouted. "We are through. And I know that you have equal chances with either of us ever even being your friend again, which is zero. So leave!"
"What if I don't want to leave?"
Flynn stepped forward and between Drake and the girls while cracking his knuckles. "I believe that both of these lovely ladies have told you multiple times to leave. If you can't hear them you might want to make sure you didn't get a concussion from the game. And if you don't leave now… you're going to be dealing with a lot worse than a concussion."
"Oh please from you?" Drake stepped closer to Kendall, "You are nowhere near as good-looking as me, we're not on the ice hockey head."
"Is that your only line?" Flynn laughed. "The only person whose opinion matters to me obviously disagrees with you. And I don't think your pretty face is going to help you out of this one, in fact, it may not be pretty for very much longer if you don't leave now."
Both boys stared each other down, neither willing to back down for a long moment.
Until finally, Drake blinked first and then turned tail to run out of the room as fast as he could.
Both Lola and Rachel let out matching sighs of relief and then pulled each other close for a hug.
"I'm so sorry Lola."
"What? No, I'm sorry."
"You don't have to apologize for anything." Both girls said simultaneously, and when they realized what they did they both cracked up in laughter.
"Are you going to be ok?"
"Yeah, I think I am. Drake's been different ever since you came back, I just tried to ignore it, but if he wants to be an idiot to both of us, then I don't care. I'd rather have my best friend by my side than an idiot like him any day."
"I couldn't agree more…So, what do you want to do now?" Rachel asked.
"Let's go back to the dance. We aren't going to let Drake ruin this night for us are we?" Lola smiled with a gleam in her eye.
Rachel smiled back at her. "No, we definitely are not."
So then Rachel led the way back out to the hallway, with her hand entwined with Flynn's, and Megan walking happily on her other side with a smile on her face once more.
The screen faded to black and the whole theater erupted in the sounds of cheering and clapping. The guys of Big Time Rush of course pretty much tackled Kendall in a massive group hug and wouldn't let him go until Gustavo sent Freight Train in to pull him out.
Kendall could tell that Jett was definitely more than a little miffed that the fans had decided that his character would end up alone. But Kendall could finally admit to himself just how fun filming that scene had been for him. Especially since Kendall was pretty sure Gustavo had played a part in making his character similar to Kendall as much as possible, Drake had been acting a bit like Jett did with Kendall and Jo in real life. So he was more than happy to see him get his comeuppance.
Everyone in the theater, including all the cast and crew and all the guests spent plenty of time congratulating each other on a job well done on another successful season. Eventually, Amy found Kendall and Jo and pulled them out of the theater so they could do an exclusive interview with Lydia from Tiger Beat. They quickly sat down across from the reporter and smiled at the camera she had with her.
"So Jo and Kendall, let's get right to it so you can get back to the cast party. What did you think of the finale?"
Jo smiled brightly, "Well to be honest, that was the ending we were both hoping for, mostly based on where we felt the story should go moving forward and I am so happy our wonderful fans seem to agree with us."
Kendall added, "I'm just happy that Rachel and Flynn are still together, and honestly the Drake and Lola plotline seemed a bit doomed from the start when Rachel came back and brought me along of course."
"So Kendall does this mean you'll be returning for season four?"
"I can't say anything at this time. I have really enjoyed playing Flynn, a lot more than I ever thought I would. Of course, a large part of that is having the best costar ever." Kendall gave Jo a quick side hug.
"Of course, but based on tonight, and with how social media's blowing up, I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of Flynn and Rachel in the near future." Lydia smiled brightly at them. "And speaking of, what is it like for both of you working with your boyfriend and girlfriend on stage and offstage?"
"Well this is far from the first time since Jo always does an amazing job whenever she's in our music videos, and we always have a blast making those together, especially the love songs of course." Kendall smiled.
"Yeah, and having Kendall here on set with me is the best thing ever. It's no secret among our friends and family how crazy it is dating with our crazy busy schedules, and even though Kendall is even busier now that he's on set with me, the important thing is that he's on set with me."
"And any extra time we get to spend together is more than ok with both of us."
"So no problems on set between you two?"
"Nope, I honestly can't think of anyone better to work with. We both know each other and our characters so well, plus we have plenty of experience working together in the past both on and off camera. In our scenes where it's just us, it's rare we need to do more than two or three takes to get it right."
"I see, and speaking of your scenes together. How much acting are you two doing during your kissing scenes?"
Kendall shrugged, "Well other than saying our lines, I don't think we can really call that acting. I mean, I don't have to act like I want to kiss Jo and show her how much I love her any less than Flynn does with Rachel on the show."
"Yeah, definitely one of the highlights of the job, we don't have to do very much acting in those scenes, it all comes naturally to us." Jo laughed.
"Now we all know how much Drake and Flynn seem to hate each other in their fight over Rachel, but is any of that translated from real life, especially like we've covered before since Jett and Jo dated for a time?"
Kendall and Jo both couldn't help themselves from rolling their eyes. "No, first off Jett and I never dated. That was just a false rumor Jett tried to spread around. I was already dating Kendall long before I even auditioned for New Town High, and I've never been interested in him in real life."
"Ok, and Kendall, what about you?"
"Well, while Jett is far from my favorite costar since she's sitting right next to me. Things are cool on set between us. We may have had some drama in the past but that's water under the bridge, especially since just like Drake, Jett knows that Jo holds my heart, and I hold hers."
"I couldn't agree more."
"Alright. Now don't worry I just have a few more questions." Lydia promised. The interview continued for a few more minutes and thankfully Jo and Kendall soon joined all their friends and costars to continue the party that was quickly kicking into high gear.
"So are you ready to celebrate Jo? I think this proves beyond a doubt that we are the hottest young couple in Hollywood. Even bigger than Jett and the llama." Kendall joked with her.
"I don't care, I'm just glad everyone can see that you are just as amazing as I know you are."
"Right back at you, and that we are even more amazing together. Whether it's really us or not, its clear everyone can tell that even though we're both great actors, we aren't always acting on camera."
"Well, there aren't any cameras on us now."
"You're right, let's make the most of tonight, together."