Author's Notes:

We all know that I don't own the rights or characters or anything BTR-related, that I do this for fun and make no money and yeah. It keeps me sane. Or drives me insane, whichever works.

So this is the first time I've ever written a sequel, and it was never supposed to happen. Then again, the Kames was never supposed to happen in the first one either, so obviously I have no control over my characters. Some of you who have read "Everything in its Time" may not like the direction I've gone in with this, which is why I'm listing it as a separate story rather than a continuation. If you like the way that one ended and would like it to stay that way, then you have that story as a complete thing and can pretend this sequel never existed.

The reason it does is because Jamie wasn't satisfied, and I couldn't ignore his pleading any longer. Your characters talk to you, you know. Usually it's Kendall who won't shut up (for me, at least), and this time he was silent. Jamie was not. So finally I had to break down and write this, having no intention to ever post it but just for my own (and PromiseMeTheStars') satisfaction because we both needed this to happen. Instead the ideas kept growing and between Ally, kathrynew30, and myself, the plot thickened and here we are. An entire sequel in the works. I may never stop writing this one, God help me.

So yeah, dedicating this one again to PromiseMeTheStars because we hashed over this thing and realized we both wanted exactly the same thing to happen. Kathrynew30 helped me figure out what Kendall and James want out of this whole thing, and they will get it. One way or another.

I also look forward to hearing more ideas from gleechild, because she is indeed The Idea Machine. ALSO. Hellfirehalo188 unintentionally gave me the idea of where this is going, so thanking her as well.

Wow, I talk a lot. On with the show!

2 Years Later

When Logan doesn't know what to do about something, he stares at the time machine. It sits there mocking him, asking him why it's still hidden away instead of being put to use or at least on display somewhere so it can get the praise it deserves. He's never regretted his decision to keep it a secret, but there are moments when he wonders what his life would be like if he went public with it. The only reason he doesn't is a fear of it tearing James and him apart, especially now when James is so fragile.

He sighs and leans his head back against the wall as he sits on the floor in the basement of the Palm Woods. James. What is he going to do about James? He doesn't think he can stand the sadness in those eyes, the lack of fire now that Big Time Rush is over and done and James feels so lost. It was all he ever wanted, to be famous, and he was; he still is, but the fame from being pop stars has run its course, as it inevitably does in their line of work, and there are new fresh faces who make the girls scream. Logan knows they have fans who will follow them for years still, diehard fans who will continue to scuttlebutt them and ask for a reunion even though they only stopped making music six months ago, and he loves those fans but agrees that they've taken Big Time Rush as far as they can and it's better to stop now before they become a farce.

Kendall has adjusted to it best, already in negotiations with three separate hockey teams after showing them he's a powerful force on the ice; he simply has to decide which one to go with. Carlos was taken in by the Jennifers and loves his new role as manager/bodyguard/assistant/provider-of-anything-they-may-need; the girls have finally made it to superstardom and Carlos is there for them every step of the way, getting paid more than enough money to do it. Logan is starting med school next week, and he thinks that's what pushed James into the deep depression he's settled into the past few days. That and the fact that they're all moving out of the hotel and into real homes, away from each other (except for James and Logan, who found a beautiful house to share near UCLA).

It isn't that James couldn't snag a record deal on his own; with his level of fame, it would be easy now, and Gustavo has agreed to work with him. The problem is that he thinks he can't do it on his own. There was a time he would have jumped at the chance to make a record by himself, had no doubt he could do it, but then Big Time Rush happened and now he doesn't know how to do it on his own. Or so he says. They've all argued with him and encouraged him to get out there and show the world what he has to offer in his own right, but all James does is say "It's not the same without you guys." Not even Katie has been able to snap him out of his misery.

And neither has Logan. If anyone can, it should be Logan who helps him through this, right? But Logan's at a loss, having never seen James lose confidence this badly, and nothing he says seems to help. James wants to wallow and once he gets started, there's no hope of getting through to him.

For the first time in three years, Logan wants to run. He feels so useless around James, like nothing he says or does is helping, and it's killing him to see the man he loves as a shell of his former self. Usually sitting here staring at the machine is inspiring, though he couldn't say why. He's never stepped foot in it since the day he and James returned from 1959. He and James are (or were) happier than they've ever been, having that closure after leaving Kendall and Jamie, though the dreams still haunt Logan and he wakes from them with an ache he can't identify. They talk about Kendall and Jamie sometimes and wonder how they're doing (Logan even did a search once to see if there was any record of either of them in newspapers or online, wondering if maybe James had gotten at least semi-famous after his audition with Gustavo, but came up empty), but neither has broached the subject of returning to find out.

Today, though, Logan is curious. Today he yearns for that simpler time, before the Internet and laptops and GPS, for a James who was satisfied to spend a few minutes cuddling in the backseat of a car. He misses being the light of James' life, the only thing James needs to make him whole. It's not that he wants to be everything to James, he just wants James to remember that whatever life throws at them, they'll be fine as long as they have each other. Logan can't even remember the last time James surprised him in the shower for a makeout session, and forget about sex; he'd stopped trying after a failed attempt a few weeks previous when James couldn't seem to...enjoy it.

He just wants his James back, and no matter what he says or does, he can't find him. He's starting to wonder if his James is gone for good. The temptation to travel back, even long enough to see James' face light up at the sight of him for a few minutes in the form of Jamie, is so great that he stands up and walks toward the machine, placing a hand on the door and leaning his forehead against it. "I miss you," he whispers, not talking to either of them in particular but to both.

Something catches his eye and he turns to the right with a frown. There's something sticking out of a hole in the wall, which Logan could swear wasn't there five minutes ago. He reaches out to grab the rectangular piece of paper, which was probably blue at one time but is now faded to almost white and covered in bits of cobweb. He feels his stomach drop out when he reads the writing on it and realizes it's a menu from the drugstore Jamie's uncle owned. There's no way this was there before, he would've seen it when he'd come down here the other times. With trembling fingers he turns it over to see faded writing and his heart stops.

I don't know if you'll get this or if this will even work, but I need your help if you do. I'm worried about J and I don't know what to do, nothing seems to be working and I can't get through to him. I think you're the only one who can help. Please come talk to him. I miss my little jerk. 81761

It's signed simply with a "KK" and Logan's knees go weak. He stops himself from sliding to the ground and pulls out his phone, sending a text to James immediately.

Get down to the basement now! We have to go back!

Logan steps inside and powers everything up, marveling as always that no one has ever found the machine (as far as he knows) or looked close enough to see everything inside and wonder. Then again, it's hidden pretty deep in the corner and no one else ever comes this far in. I swear, James, if you don't get your ass down here I'm going without you.

But within two minutes James is there, running toward him and closing himself in with Logan. "What's wrong? Are they okay? Did you go without me?"

"No, I wouldn't do that, not without telling you first. I just found a note from Kendall, he left it here for me to find in the future. The present. Whatever. Maybe somehow our times are running parallel, like alternate worlds or something. I don't know, I just know there was nothing there and then suddenly there was."

"What is it?"

Logan passes James the paper while setting everything up.

"Oh man. Wonder what's wrong with him?"

"I don't know, but he's apparently upset or depressed or-" Logan pauses and stares at James. "Interesting."

"What?"

He shakes his head at James. "You ready?"

"Yeah, but we're gonna stick out in these clothes."

"I don't care right now. Jamie needs us. Besides, you're in jeans and a t-shirt, I'm in jeans and a button-down; we're fine. It's the shoes that'll stick out, but hopefully no one will notice."

The switch is thrown and they're on their way back.

"So what, I'm supposed to just wait out here again? Dude, we don't even know that James is here, I don't see his car."

"It's still weird to hear you talk about yourself like that," Logan comments as he steps up to the drugstore. "And I know he's not here, I can see Kendall and Katie inside. Unless Jamie's in the bathroom."

"And how come you call him Jamie? That was Kendall's nickname for him."

"It's how I differentiate between the two of you in my head. Don't freak out, it's no big deal." But Logan has to admit, it's nice to hear James sounding jealous for a change. "Give me a minute to go get him, okay? Then we'll find someplace to talk."

"Whatever."

Logan sighs. "James. Look at me." There are plenty of people walking around, it is Hollywood, after all, but no one pays them any attention. When James does look, Logan says, "We've been through this. I never came back here, did I?"

"I know."

"Then why are you acting jealous?"

"Because he's around. Maybe not right here, but the moment you see him again...I mean, why would you want me? A washed-up pop star?"

"Are you insane? There is nothing washed-up about you, I keep telling you, James, you could be a star in your own right, and—you know what? This isn't the time. We've had this discussion, too, and nothing I say gets through to you. Maybe spending a day here would help you open your eyes to how good you have it back home."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Logan shakes his head. "Just remember all the good things in your life, okay? Don't push them away because of one thing you don't have anymore; you do have other things that won't disappear on you, that will be in your life forever. So treat them a little better and maybe they'll stick around."

Without giving James a chance to respond, Logan walks into the store, shaking and feeling sick after what he just said to James. He has no intention of leaving James, but it had to be said and maybe James needs the slap in the face to wake up.

He slides into the booth next to Katie, rubbing his hands over his face and surprised by a smallish body tackling him with a hug. "Logan! Kendall, look, it's Logan!"

"Hey, squirt," Logan smiles, hugging her back. "Glad I got to see you this time." He looks over at Kendall, the relief on Kendall's face a welcome sight.

"I really didn't think that would work. We just left the hotel about a half hour ago, can't believe you got the note."

"I just happened to be down there in the basement when it showed up."

"Damn, it's good to see your face," Kendall grins, and then they're up and hugging and the rest of the world can kiss their asses if they don't like it. "So you guys still live at the hotel? What time is it there?"

"2014. Two years since we were here last."

"Yeah, same here. But you knew that."

Katie pulls Logan down again. "So I heard there's another James. Where is he?"

"He's outside. Wasn't sure if your James was here, didn't want to take any chances."

"He's out making a delivery for Lou. We were waiting for him to get back so we could go home," Kendall says.

"I see him!" Katie is turned around in the booth with a huge grin on her face. "Unless that's our James. But no, he looks different. I'm gonna go say hi!" She climbs over Logan, who sits back in surprise, then watches her rush out of the store.

"She's grown up so much. But so has our Katie, so it's not too weird. How are you, Kendall?"

Kendall shakes his head. "I don't know what to do. I'm starting college next week and James is really depressed."

"So the singing thing didn't work out?"

"No. The hockey thing did, though!" Kendall grins. "Got a full ride to UCLA on a hockey scholarship. I didn't even know they had those, but since it's just catching on over here, there's not a lot of competition among seniors."

"Nice. Proud of you, dude."

"Thanks. Jamie is too, he just...feels like he's going nowhere. He's been working here in the store since we graduated and it's been fine, but now that I'm starting school he feels like a failure."

"What happened at the audition?"

"The guy said he had no talent. The guy's an idiot. Jamie sings like an angel."

"Don't take it as an insult to Jamie, though I guess it was. He was just looking for something else, something that Jamie maybe didn't have back then."

"It doesn't matter, he never sings anymore because he says there's no point. I've tried to get him to talk to people, like club owners and record producers, something to get his voice out there, you know? I can't get through to him. He feels worthless. We hardly talk anymore, he just sits there sad. I can't stand it, Logan, can't stand the thought of going away to school and leaving him alone like that."

"You're not going far, right? UCLA is just down the street, pretty much."

"But I'll be gone a lot, and with the practices...I'm so worried about him, Logan. He's not the guy I grew up with, the guy I fell in love with," Kendall adds in a low voice.

"Dude, hearing you say all that...it's crazy. I'm going through the same thing with my James. Exactly."

Kendall looks toward the front window, where James and Katie are talking outside. "What do you mean?"

"Our band is basically over. Kendall's joining a professional hockey team, I'm starting med school next week, Carlos has his own thing going on, and James is lost. We keep telling him he could have a solo career, make music on his own, but he doesn't believe us. Keeps saying he's not good enough to do it by himself. And he's depressed and hardly talks to me and we never have sex anymore and I miss him so much, fuck!"

Logan's voice gets a little loud toward the end and Kendall shushes him and looks around, but the place is pretty quiet at the moment. "Keep it down, man."

"Sorry. It's just that everything you're saying is exactly what I'm feeling. I miss James, he's like a shadow of himself right now. I can't stand it. And I don't know what you expect me to say to Jamie that will help, nothing I say to James does any good."

"It doesn't matter what you say, Logan. It's you. He'll listen."

There's a slight edge to Kendall's voice and Logan sighs. "He loves you."

"I know he does. But you'll always be the 'what if' in his life. There's always that magic when it comes to you."

"I'm sorry. Sometimes I wonder if I should go back and tell myself not to do this, not to build the machine because of the heartache it's caused."

"Are you kidding? If you hadn't come back here I wouldn't have him at all. Please don't do that to me. I need him."

"I was thinking maybe a day here would help James appreciate what he's got back home, open his eyes again to how lucky he is. It's almost impossible to make it as a singer in this time. In ours, he's already famous enough to do it. Maybe you could knock some sense into him in a way I can't. You're a lot more blunt with him."

Kendall laughs. "It's a curse. You're too nice."

"It works for me and James. At least it used to," he adds with a sigh.

Kendall tilts his head. "I have an idea. Why don't you leave James with me for a day, and take Jamie back with you? Just one day to show them the other side of the coin. Show my Jamie what fame is like, what he could have if he just tried. Show your James what life is like without it."

Logan's heart races, and not for the reason it should. "You want me to spend an entire day with Jamie? Without you around?"

Kendall shrugs. "Things can't get any worse."

"Aren't you afraid he won't want to come back?"

"If he's happy, I don't care. I'd miss him. I'd never be the same. But if he's happy...I can't stand to see him like this anymore. Whatever it takes to make him smile again. Maybe he'll actually miss me for a change. As long as he doesn't fall in love with your Kendall."

"Kendall's out of town, they wouldn't see each other. And Kendall's straight in my time, has a girlfriend anyway."

"That's kind of weird."

Logan laughs. "Not really, we're the weird ones. It all depends on how you're raised and what you're exposed to."

"So your James hasn't developed a crush on Kendall after meeting me?"

"Not at all. They still bicker like children, but there's no chemistry behind it. Not like when you and Jamie argue."

"Yeah, we usually end up in bed when we argue. We used to argue a lot," Kendall grins, but then it fades. "I'd be happy with that, him fighting me on something for once."

"You're serious about this? Trading Jameses for a day?"

"Why the hell not? Nothing else seems to be working. Unless you're afraid your James won't want to go back," Kendall teases.

"I think it might actually work," Logan muses. "Showing them what they could have. In James' case, showing him what he's about to lose if he doesn't snap out of it. That window of opportunity won't be open forever."

Kendall studies Logan. "I already know you're gonna kiss him."

"Kendall, I hadn't even thought of that."

"I'm just saying. You miss him, and Jamie's gonna be so happy to see you that you won't be able to fight him off. I get it."

"Will you give me some credit? He's your boyfriend, not mine. I do know how to control myself."

Kendall's eyes stray to the front of the store. "I'm not so sure I do."

Logan blinks. "Pardon me?"

"He keeps looking in at me and smiling. I know James, can read him like a book. He's dying to come in here and attack me. And if he does, I don't think I could resist him."

Logan spins around to see that James is indeed staring in the window with a huge grin aimed at Kendall. "Well. Okay. At least one of us can make him smile."

"My thoughts exactly. Take Jamie for a day. As long as you bring him back good as new and happy again, do whatever you want with him. Just don't tell me about it."

"Kendall, I'm not going to-"

"Logan?"

It's said with awe and disbelief from the back of the store. Logan looks up to see Jamie standing frozen near the backroom. He's up and moving in two seconds, wrapped up in those long arms and held tight against that hard body, not fighting it when Jamie drags him into the backroom. Just before the door closes he sees Kendall heading toward the front of the store with a spring in his step.

"Can't believe you're here, Logan, missed you so much." Jamie's lips find his and then Logan knows that Kendall was right—he doesn't stand a chance of fighting it, he's been without this for too long, been without affection from James and he's missed it even more than he realized. He kisses Jamie back with the passion that's been building in him for weeks, and it feels so good to be wanted again, to have that passion returned.

"I missed you," he breathes in between kisses, his fingers tangling in Jamie's hair while Jamie's hands slide up under his shirt. Jamie has him pressed up against the wall and Logan is reminded of how this usually ends between him and James, with Logan's legs wrapped around his waist as James rocks into him until they both explode. "Fuck," he whispers as Jamie's lips travel down his neck. Common sense tries to reassert itself but it's hazy. "Jamie, stop, not here, we need to-" James. James is out there and he's in here making out with Jamie. It's not right. "Stop, please," he begs, because he knows he can't stop it on his own.

Jamie steps back slowly, breath coming hard. "I'm sorry. I didn't even think, I just...damn. Was so shocked to see you and you're even more beautiful than I remembered and...wow. Kendall's gonna kill me."

"Maybe," Logan answers, thinking of how badly Kendall seemed to want to greet his own James. "Or maybe he's out front doing the same thing to my James."

"James is here? Are you guys okay? Still together, right?"

"Yeah, but we're having some problems. Kind of like you and Kendall are."

"We're not having any problems. Is that what he said?"

"Don't start. He's worried about you, just like I'm worried about James. We've decided to trade for a day. I'm taking you home with me. He's keeping James here. Tonight we'll switch you back."

"You're what?" Jamie swallows. "You want me to go to the future with you?"

"Just for a day. If you don't want to-"

"Of course I want to! And he stays here?"

"With Kendall. Yes." Logan watches Jamie's face, noting that he isn't too sure about that last part, and it makes him feel better; if Jamie is worried about losing Kendall, there's still hope. "You'll get Kendall back. Promise."

"Unless Kendall decides he likes your James better."

"That's not gonna happen. You know that. Besides, I wouldn't let it. I'm taking my guy back whether Kendall likes it or not."

Jamie nods slowly. "Of course. Why are we doing this?"

"Because you and James both need a change of pace for a day. Get your minds in a better place. Kendall says you've been down, and so has my James. Consider it a break from your normal routine."

Jamie thinks about it, watching Logan, then leans in to whisper, "Would I get to kiss you again?"

Logan shivers slightly, licking his lips. "You have to realize that means Kendall's going to kiss my James as well."

"Are you okay with that?"

"Are you?"

They stare at each other for a long time before Jamie answers. "I feel like I shouldn't be. As long as I get to have you to myself for the day, then yes. I'm okay with it."

Logan nods. "Let's go talk to them."

When they walk out of the store, Katie is arguing with Kendall and James, obviously begging to go along with Logan and Jamie. "It's not fair! How come I never get to do anything? I'm not a kid anymore!"

"Katie, be quiet," Kendall pleads. "Maybe you can convince them to take you another day. Not today, though, they have things to do."

"Katie," Logan says, getting her attention. "Let us make sure this works first, okay? I'm taking Jamie with me, and if things work out and we get him back safely, I'll come back for you before I start school next week. You can spend a few hours with us there, okay?"

"Promise?"

"I promise. We have to know it's safe, though."

James and Jamie are sizing each other up. "Hey," James says.

"Hey," Jamie answers.

"You okay with this whole idea? Them trading us for a day? Wait, that was a stupid question, of course you are. You get Logan for the day."

At least he wants me, Logan thinks, then feels guilty for thinking it.

"And you get Kendall. Just make sure he still wants me when we're done here."

"You do the same with Logan. Remember that he's my boyfriend and you can't replace me."

"Guys, don't be ridiculous," Kendall interrupts. "Nobody's replacing anybody. It's for one day."

"So you're not planning to kiss this guy?" Jamie asks him, pointing at James.

"Oh, like you didn't just kiss Logan in the backroom? I know you."

"Enough!" Logan yells. "Can we not talk about kissing each other right here on the street? Why don't we just agree that nobody kisses anybody?"

The other three are silent, not happy with that idea, either.

"That's what I thought," Logan says. "So do whatever you need to do, but promise that when it's over, things go back to the way they should be."

"Deal."

"Fine."

"I'm good with that."

"Kendall, I'll try to have him back by ten."

"Please do." Kendall starts to lead Katie and James away and Logan's heart breaks a little bit.

"You're not even gonna say goodbye?" he asks softly.

James turns around, eyes slightly moist. "I didn't figure you'd want me to."

"Jesus Christ, James, get over here." Logan pulls him aside. "If you're not okay with this, just tell me. We don't have to do this."

"No, it's fine, I'm kind of looking forward to the change for a day, it's just...I don't want to lose you. What you said earlier...I'm sorry if I've been pushing you away. I feel so lost."

"I know you do. That's why I want you to spend the day with Kendall, in a place that's different from your own, so you can appreciate what you have again."

"I do appreciate you. I'm sorry if I haven't shown it."

"You can make it up to me by rocking my world tonight, you know," Logan says with a small smile, relieved to see James' eyes twinkle at the idea.

"It's a date. I love you."

"I love you. I'll be back tonight. Promise. And you're coming home with me and we're gonna be okay."

James nods. "Don't let him use up all my 'Cuda stuff. It's expensive."

"Get out of here," Logan grins, wishing they could kiss but knowing better than to do it in public. "Before somebody notices there's two of you."

"Right."

With a deep sigh, Logan watches his boyfriend walk toward Kendall and Katie. The Jameses pass and nod at each other, but otherwise they remain wary. Logan shakes his head. They're ridiculous. "You ready to go?" he asks Jamie.

Jamie looks back at Kendall once, communicating his love silently. Kendall smiles.

"Yeah. Let's go."