Chapter 7: Cry Me A River: Tears of Joy or Sorrow?

A/N: Well this chapter I have ideas of my own, but I recently got an idea on how this chapter will turn out for everyone including myself. So today I get on my computer and try to figure out how I started my previous chapters of this story…yes it's been that long, and I am fully grateful for your amazing patients. This semester of college I had an English class, my teacher totally killed my creative juice flows, so this story will be blah but I'll try my best to get back in the zone. I may also warn new readers that this chapter will change due to some awesome requests I received about certain topics…I don't know if I made things more confusing, but oh well . The Song in this chapter describes the Underdogs in this story so you all can here is as well, of course it's only a chunk of the song, so hear it out…my songs I place are related to the topic of the story.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Big Time Rush, nor do I own the O/C characters that appear on this story, the O/C characters respectfully belong to the soul creators. I still need a search and rescue party on where I lost Carlos guys; it's been a couple of months…*walks away in a slyly attempt to escape*

Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive
We're in the fight of our lives
(And we're not ready to die)

Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I've got a hero (I've got a hero)
Livin' in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
(I will be ready to die)

A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

Hero-Skillet

Megan's POV:

Stephanie walked off with tears streaming through her eyes and walked off the boardwalk, the last thing anyone saw was the small figure of her body as it walked farther and farther away.

I couldn't help but clench my fists so angrily, how Stephanie could just void her own check like that.

The worst part was that it was during Carlos' Paymaster moment. I feared the poor kid would be dramatized on ever becoming Paymaster ever again.

My thoughts were interrupted by the solemn sobs of Carlos. He looked ever so cute with his hands on his knees and his tears hanging from his eye lids getting ready to fall at any moment.

I felt bad, honestly I did, but maybe the attraction of him just threw me off. I honestly didn't know what to say or do.

For some reason my feet started to move and I started moving from where I was standing on the Safe Panel.

"Carlos, please stop, buddy she probably had a reason to leave." I heard James try to cheer him up much clearer now.

"I…don't…under…stand…I…" Carlos was still looking at the ground and he was fighting back the tears as he just saw Stephanie leave.

Don't get me wrong I know the story about Stephanie and Carlos; he mentioned it to me the other day when we were all at the pool.

"She's so pretty, I honestly couldn't believe that she is going to do this show as well, it was a major shocker…." The random thought came to me like whiplash.

"You…ok…Megan?" I heard a gasp, I figured people around me were aware of my presence, but it was I who made the noise.

I felt the warm embrace of Carlos' strong arms on me, this feeling made all my worries go away, I just wanted to stay hugging him.

"Huh? What?" I felt fingers trace my eye sockets and when I looked up, Carlos was smiling again.

I was confused more than ever, "Am I ok?" I saw that it was just Carlos, Logan, and I.

"Please don't cry, what's wrong?" Carlos eyes were bloodshot red as he had fought off the tears instead of letting them out.

"Yes Carlos I'm fine" I honestly was still in moral shock as I had just seen Carlos on the floor fighting tears, and now he was asking me if I was ok.

"Good, I was worried you were starting to feel home sick or something" Carlos' super sexy grin showed on his face and I couldn't help but just smile back as that was the power of his smile.

"I sort of am, but that's not or ever will be the case" Carlos' grin shorten and he looked puzzled.

"Sorry Carlos, I guess I'm a little tired is all" I smiled back so that way he would brighten his smile again.

He did so and his head went to the floor just like that brief moment after Stephanie's elimination.

"You really liked her didn't you Carlos?" I was in shock as those words all formed a sentence out of my mouth.

Carlos was in shock as well due to the fact that his eyes widened, but shortened afterwards.

"Sort of, yeah…" for some reason those words felt like daggers going through my heart, honestly I was all about winning this competition for the money so that way I could find some miracle and move in with Big Time Rush somehow.

But never did I imagine that I would consider stopping this whole process for a boy.

I decided that it was best to let Carlos wonder around with his thoughts rather trying to comfort him and make things worse with my bad company.

But as I walked off, Carlos moved a bit closer, "Hay where are you going Megan?" I froze on that question, why would he wonder, I figured he would head off with Logan or one of the boys for comfort.

I yawned out of panic and stretched out my arms, "Oh just head off to sleep, why Carlos?" he looked at me in confusion again.

"It's a little early to head off to sleep don't you think Megan?" I had forgotten about the time, I guess the whole repetition of eliminations was taking a toll on me.

"10:45 a.m." The clock read, I honestly could have sworn that it was at least 12 a.m.

I just smiled, "No way, I totally forgot about looking at the clock, it's too early…your right Garcia." Carlos just smiled back once more and we walked off to the balcony, which surprisingly was empty already.

"Hay Megan?" I figured that Carlos was just going to comfort me in the balcony, but he breaking the silence caught me off guard.

"Yeah?" For some reason I knew that talking to Carlos after the elimination of the girl he liked wasn't going to be easy.

"Please don't quit the competition on me ok? You're one of the only girls in this house that completely gets me in a sense, and I don't want to be ganged up with what Kimberly has in stored. She really scares me." Carlos was looking at the fountain, the cool air from the water hit our face, this night was perfect, and what topped it all off was that Carlos was begging me not to do the same mistake Stephanie just did today by quitting the competition.

I kind thought for a sec on what Carlos was referring to with Kimberly; she was one to keep an eye on, but nothing that threatening.

"I won't quit Carlos, even if Kimberly sends an army of monkeys to chase me away from this competition" I heard Carlos' cute giggle.

"You better not" Somehow I felt as if that threat was sort of comforting, was I drawn into Carlos more than I thought I could be?

At the moment I could not get sidetracked on why I am truly was here for, Carlos did ask me on the way to Mexico.

I just couldn't tell him due to all the other girls on the plane.

The night was getting colder and Carlos started developing chill spots on his arms, since he was wearing the team shirt and he had cut the sleeves like James did to make it into a muscle shirt, which was rather flattering since…yeah.

"Hay Carlos, I hate to say this but I'm thinking on calling it a night, I feel we need to be ready for tomorrows challenge." Carlos gave me that same cute puzzled look and just nodded and we both walked in as the night got colder.

Roy's POV:

Today's the day that I become Paymaster and finally show the team that I can actually be a threat to the other team.

For some odd reason everyone was paired up in the house, from Logan, James, Carlos, Kendall, Megan, Kate, Hayden, Karina, Sophia, Jett, Camille, Kimberly, Memory, Amanda, The Blonde Jennifer, and even Wayne-Wayne was dating someone.

I figured that since everyone had a secret admirer, I could focus on the game, but then the whole house came up to me.

"So Roy, who's going to the bottom 3?" Kendall asked me randomly, I shook my head in disbelief, why was he asking me?

I wasn't Paymaster…was I?

I tried to form words, but nothing but air came out. No matter how hard I tried to, nothing.

"Roy come on, Kate and I have to be safe, you wouldn't want to separate us now would you?" James kept on getting closer to me.

"Unless you want to suffer the same fate as the other eliminated you better save me, don't want a repeat of Stephanie's, both Jennifer's, Shauna, Scarlett R., Mallory, or Scarlett C., now would you?" Kimberly told me in such a heartless manor.

Wayne-Wayne and Jett threw me up against the wall, I felt the air taken right out of me, "If we are in the bottom 3 we'll rearrange your face"

For some reason Logan was in the corner not asking me to keep him safe, nor Carlos or Megan, Karina, Sophia, and Hayden.

I honestly tried to form words, but nothing.

I felt a punch to the stomach and I gasped for air.

I got up gasping for air, trying anything in the room to conceive it I was in a desperate attempt to find air.

My eye vision got blurry as I kept on hitting my chest, trying to force my lungs to move.

I saw a blurred vision of someone and the next thing I knew it I was hit in the back; I coughed up so many times I had lost count.

I was finally breathing heavily and desperately, I saw who my savior, Logan was, I laughed while trying to breathe properly.

"Thanks, I owe you one" Logan looked at me suspiciously; I swept my hand through my forehead and felt the sweat from my panic attack.

"You ok?" I just nodded; he just gave me a straight look and didn't know whether to leave or stick around.

"I'm fine, Logan, sorry I woke you up." Logan smiled, "Umm, Roy, it's already twelve in the afternoon, which is why I was asking you if you were ok because you slept way more than you did the past weeks."

I stared at the clock, it was past twelve. I must have turned red out of embarrassment; I looked away and did a flip to get out of bed.

"Yeah I am ok Logan, thanks for your concern" Logan got up, "Well if you are ok, I'm going to go talk to my best friends." I just nodded to not keep him any further.

As he got up and walked out of the room, I walked into the restroom and splashed water into my face.

The dream, or rather Nightmare I got in my sleep was rather rare and odd, as I don't usually freak out this badly over a Nightmare.

The thoughts replayed in my head, the whole scare of ever becoming Paymaster, if I had ever become Paymaster again.

This Nightmare was trying to tell me something, but I knew I was here for one sole purpose.

I put on some workout clothes as today sooner or later; Richard was going to announce today's challenge.

Intercom: "Competitors please report to the kitchen for a briefing of today's challenge"

I knew it, as I tossed the towel into the hamper; I walked out to follow the rest of the people in the house to the kitchen for today's challenge.

As I got there everyone in the house was gathered in a circle by the refrigerator, maybe looking for something Richard left with a message about today's challenge.

It wasn't until Carlos pulled his head out of the refrigerator with frozen corndogs in his mouth, all the girls laughed on how he looked clueless on why everyone was staring at him.

Carlos was a good kid, but sometimes he would be in the spotlight in the wrong time.

"What? Don't tell me you all wanted a corndog as well, because these are the last ones and I claimed them all!" The girls all giggled again and I grabbed the tape recorder from Carlos' mouth.

"Oh, I see now why you all laughed…" I smiled and hit play.

Good afternoon money lover's, today you all will be in a world of pain. I say this because today you all will keep your emotions in check. I figured that it was enough of a lot of physical challenges for this week. So I will keep your emotions in check, everyone get ready with your teammates and head to the van in five minutes.

We all looked at each other, others more scared of the thought of pain in the message Richard gave us.

"Not my face Richard!" the room became less serious after James made his silly remark.

"What? This draws people" James looked at Kate and she just smiled and kissed his cheek out of pity I presume.

"Yes it does babe" I couldn't help but blush for James, Kate was pretty, well then again James was the total package.

"Good, wait…you being sarcastic right Kate?" Kate rolled her eyes and walked away to get ready for the challenge.

"IS THAT A YES?" then again maybe not a complete package, I think he lacks some brain…maybe.

We arrived to the end of the mansion, it's weird I never saw this part of the mansion before.

This room was a little dusty with some cob webs in the corners of the room.

I figured this was the Vault Room, it looked like it in a sense, but it lacked all the checks inside the cage in the back.

I had remembered talking to Kendall before we arrived to the challenge.

"Ok guys, whatever happens remember if you are Paymaster our goal is to save Memory, Amanda, Camille, and Jo. If it comes down to the ones remaining Kimberly, Mercedes, Jennifer 1, Jett, or Wayne-Wayne…I say we try to save Mercedes." Logan and Carlos both shook their heads in disagreement.

"No way Kendall she cannot stay any more in the house, she tried to kiss me last time." Carlos said in horror.

I couldn't help but see the disgusted face of Megan as she heard that, "Yeah I agree Kendall, Why?"

"Because she could be a great asset to us guys, you all are forgetting we need to grab as many of the alliance as we can, remember the bigger the alliance the better chances of getting those that bother us out of the mansion." Everyone stayed quiet and finally we all agreed on what was best.

Kendall said that we all had to take this challenge seriously due to the fact that we had a shot on controlling the game due to numbers, I hope he's right.

Today was also when Carlos isn't the Captain of our team anymore, and we had a new one today.

We were all into each other's conversation. I overheard Kimberly laugh on how she described "the pity of Stephanie's elimination" I felt as if she was taking credit for things she didn't do.

"What's so funny Roy?" I almost tripped like those characters in anime's when they get caught off guard.

"Umm, oh Memory you caught me off guard…nothing just about elimination." Memory just smiled, and then looked at the floor.

Her feet were kicking the air, "Yeah so have I since Stephanie got eliminated, ever since that night Kimberly keeps laughing about it, I saw poor Carlos not take it in so well, and now she is just playing around with his fresh womb."

"You out of all the girls in the house are afraid of getting eliminated?" Memory was now solemn; she looked up really slowly as if she just saw a really huge bug.

"Umm….just I have my reason's Roy, but I can't just tell you…not to be mean or anything, but I rather keep my personal issues to myself." I knew she wasn't trying to hurt my feelings, but something drew me to her more as she didn't want to tell me anything.

"It's ok Memory, I understand, I have reasons of my own as well, I understand also the fact that you don't want to trust the wrong people." She gave me a look like if she was scanning me, I didn't pay much attention of it as Richard entered the room.

"Welcome everyone, as you can tell, there are nineteen of you all here in fight for the million dollars at the end of this line" Richard was serious, but what bothered us the most was that in back of him was a huge blanket covering up whatever was inside those covers.

That made us all more nervous, yes it was possible.

Some guys came out from the back and grabbed the blanket covers and pulled them, we were all amazed and a little confused on what the items were that were on the glass table.

"Welcome to the challenge I like to call "Cry Me A River" now don't judge the tittle too much, today you all will work as a team to help each other in simple terms cry." Richard looked around and saw all our dumbfounded faces.

"What I have behind me are beakers, you all will collect each other's tears and fill up the beaker's of each teammate, the problem with this challenge is that there are ten on the Red Team and only nine on the Orange Team due to Stephanie's elimination. So that means Red Team you guys have to vote to sit one person out of this competition." We looked at each other, Carlos, Megan, Hayden, James, Kate, Logan, Karina, Sophia, and I all looked at each other.

"I say we should put the person who cries the least out of this competition due to we need to shed tears fast." Sophia said stepping up to the plate, who knew I had good teammates.

"I should sit this one out, I'm manly and I doubt I could cry" James said out of the blue.

"Oh please, you cried if I cut your whole hair off" Kendall said bluntly, James just grasped his hair and gasped loudly.

"How about Roy? I feel as if he has nothing to cry about…is that ok with you Roy?" I stared blankly at everyone; I knew that I had to sacrifice one for the team, so I just nodded.

"Good it's settled Roy will sit this one out" Richard said.

"Also I have news about your new Team Captains, now on the Red Team the one with the most votes was…James, congratulations." James face glowed like a thousand suns when he heard the news of getting captain.

"Nice work James." Carlos patted his best friend in the back and then crossed his arms.

"Now on the Orange Team we have Amanda" Amanda was thrown off guard as she was busy still eying the objects on the table.

"Oh wow, really?" Richard nodded in response and finally continued his speech.

"Now as Roy sits this one out, both teams get nine beakers each, which means everyone MUST cry and give out a line of their tears…you guys will collect these tears and take them through an obstacle course to the finish line where the bigger beaker is at. The beaker's line is the goal in this challenge, the first team to collect the amount of tears will win today's challenge and the Team Captain becomes Paymaster. Now don't forget that the Captain of the losing team MUST go to the bottom two, so Captains motivate and do what you have to do to save yourselves and your teammates." I was glad I wasn't Captain that was a big load off my back, but there was still the bottom two to keep in consideration.

"One question Richard." Kendall asked.

"What is it Kendall?" Richard paused for a moment to hear out Kendall's question.

"Can Roy help out his teammates to win?" Kendall was sure of himself that we would win, he must be really confident.

"Sure, but he may not help you run to the finish line, only to help with creating tears." Kendall smiled and gave me a thumb up.

"You all are allowed to use the utensils on the table, from nose clippers, to onions, pepper, and your teammates can also help you try to create your tears." I was glad I could help my teammates out.

"Ok now everyone get to your colored tables and get ready as I start the challenge" Richard waited patiently till we all got to our designated colored tables and then the horn honked.

The first thing was that everyone reached for their beakers and then the hard part kicked in, how were we going to make each other cry? Or at least create tears.

I looked over to Karina and saw that she was thinking really hard as her eyes were closed and she was repeating the word "dead puppy, dead puppy" I was shocked.

Next thing I saw a stream of tears flow through her face, I quickly grabbed her beaker and placed it on her cheeks.

The line was filled up, and there was more of it, I tugged Karina to signify that she could stop and start running to the finish line.

I saw her running, practically sprinting to the finish line, through the set of tires, and cones and finally poured her tears in the bigger beaker at the end of the finish line.

That was one down, still eight more to go.

I saw that Kimberly was working her ways in the other team as she had made Camille cry, I have no clue how, but she did.

The worst part was Camille rushed through the obstacle course still in tears, I knew she was actually crying…but why?

I saw James looking at Logan, "Step on my toes" Logan gave him a questionable look and then James changed his serious face, "What you chicken?" James started doing chicken impersonations and that got Logan going.

He stepped on his foot so hard we heard some bones crack, it wasn't pretty.

"OWE OWE OWE, LOGAN WHY SO HARD!" tears streamed down James' eyes and I grabbed his beaker and filled it up, once it was filled I did the same tap I did with Karina to James' and he ran faster than Karina and made it to the finish line where the beaker was without spilling an ounce.

That left seven of my teammates.

Not good enough, I saw Amanda's team already with four beakers done. How did she do that?

I saw that Jennifer 1,Mercedes, and Jo had already filled their beakers…and here we were with only two done.

Sophia started shedding tears, after she smelled the onions stench; I had to admit that took guts, not even I would have chosen the onions.

I dashed to her aid and collected her tears and tapped her to run through the obstacle. Unfortunately we all got a suspenseful moment when Sophia ran through the obstacle and almost tripped, luckily she got up before the beaker hit the floor and dashed to the finish line.

I figured that was three on our team and four on the other team, not good enough.

Kendall was dashing faster than a rabbit through the obstacles; I saw that he was plucking his nose hairs, so that must have been how he got to cry out tears.

We just needed Carlos, Megan, Hayden, Kate and Logan. And on the other team it was only Kimberly, Wayne-Wayne, and Memory.

It still was odd we had five, they only had three.

I turned and only saw Megan and Kate working together to make each other shed out tears, for some reason Megan whispered into Kate's ear and she smiled and then out of nowhere she was tickled by James.

I knew these tears would work so I rushed hoping that she would give in, but she would just laugh, and then kick James in the face, which he got upset and sped up his tickling.

"JAMES, STOP…HA-HA- I'M TICKLISH…STOP!" I finally saw a stream of tears flow and I grabbed the beaker and filled it up to the line and tapped first James to stop and Kate to start running to the finish line.

She hit James on the shoulder, "OWE! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?" then he put a puppy dog face, she kissed his cheek to apologize and then ran.

She ran fast, but not fast enough, "Come on Kate!" I had to motivate her to pick up the pace as I didn't want to go to the bottom three.

Sure enough she picked up the pace and dodged the obstacle course like a pro.

Luckily Megan had tears of laughter on seeing James get hit by Kate, so I ran to collect the last girls tears and tapped her, "RUN MEGAN!" she stopped laughing and saw the beaker, examined it, then she smiled and ran to the finish line behind Kate.

I turned and Kimberly was turning worried at our team, I smiled and gave her an intimidating look to scare her even more…I was glad I had the courage to show her who REALLY runs the game, she looked at me and I was pretty sure she caught on to what was truly going on.

"You evil maniacal…." Everyone turned to look at Kimberly as if she had completely had gone insane.

She threw me to the floor and started shaking my shirt, "What is wrong with you?" I was pushing her away, rather than fighting her, I knew that I wasn't allowed to hit girls. But in this case I would make an exemption.

"Get her off me!" Kimberly was trying to reach for my neck, luckily she was pulled away and Richard gave her a confused look.

"HAY HAY HAY! RELAX!" Richard picked up his voice, which to everyone's surprise, even Kimberly was a shocker of a yell.

"Now if you do not control yourself young lady you will be disqualified and have your check void, you got me?" Kimberly just gritted her teeth at me.

"Tell them Roy, tell them about the elimination" I looked at her so strangely, "Are you sick in the head? What elimination are you talking about?" she started kicking, but was no match for Logan's strength.

"Stephanie's I saw you, you were the last one with her before elimination, and she was acting weird after you both talked, then she ended up eliminating herself. Yeah I busted you, and now the whole house knows of your schemes." I froze in fear as the others all started looking at me in confusion.

"Come on guys, you all are taking her word rather than mine?" Carlos made a fist and his hand turned red out of the massive amount of pressure he was putting on them.

"We honestly do not know what happened to Stephanie, but let's all forget about it for now, we have to finish this challenge." Luckily Kendall was on my side, I couldn't believe that I started getting looks from them all of a sudden.

Did they honestly believe that I had something to do with it?

"Ok, so in the Red Team we still need Carlos and Logan. And on the Orange Team we need Kimberly, Wayne-Wayne, and Memory. Let the Challenge presume." Richard said to keep everyone's mind back on track on the challenge itself.

For some reason, Carlos started presuming tears of sorrow; I knew they were of sorrow due to how he sniffled uncontrollably. Megan hugged him after Kendall grabbed his tears into the beaker.

For some reason Kendall was going to run for Carlos, but instead Carlos spoke, "I can still run" he turned to Megan and smiled…for some reason his tears stopped and he ran like a gazelle to the finish line pouring his tears.

In a sense I was happy that we only needed Logan, but I was still worried on what my teammates think of me now.

I turned to an argument on the other side of the team, "Come on Wayne-Wayne cry already!" Amanda said out of a hurry manner.

"Hay, Wayne-Wayne doesn't cry, Wayne-Wayne is ALL MAN!" then a loud pounce was heard from the room.

"Was that manly enough for you?" Kimberly had punched Wayne-Wayne out of fury where the sun don't shine.

All we heard were the girlish whimpers of Wayne-Wayne and then they picked him up from where he fell to the floor and forced him to run the obstacle to the finish line.

All the guys in my side laughed at Wayne-Wayne's demise and we continued our challenge.

We needed only Logan, and when I turned Kimberly had already filled up her beaker all the way and was already running to the goal.

"Come on Logan you're the last one, Cry!" Carlos was shaking Logan just like Kimberly was shaking me earlier.

"Memory come on we need tears fast!" Amanda was encouraging her only friend to shed out a tear, while the rest of the team was just forcing her to cry.

Logan was scared due to the massive amount of peer pressure around him, "I can't while all of you are yelling at me!" Karina smiled and so did Sophia.

James got into a fighting position in back of Logan, he didn't warn Logan he just did it.

He used his palms to hit Logan in the back practically releasing all the air in Logan's body.

He managed to let out tears due to the lack of air and scare of trying to find it.

Some horrifying flashbacks hit me just like me when it happened to me this morning, it felt bad I should know.

Karina and Sophia were fighting over who would get the beaker, but then Hayden, who was already done running unbeknownst to us poured the tears running through Logan's cheeks.

I turned to hear a girl scream , "OWE OWE OWE! MY HAIR KIMBERLY!" I saw that Memory was being attacked by Kimberly, I wanted to prance my way to their side and tackle Kimberly, but I was only going to make a show and get myself kicked out of the show for good if I let my anger get the better of me.

"GO MEMORY I GOT YOUR TEARS, RUN!" Kimberly pushed Memory to give her a head start.

She ran out of no option and it was a tie between Logan and Memory, but then Memory fell and spilled her tears on the floor due to the force Kimberly's push in the beginning of the run.

I ran to pick up Memory as Logan ran to the finish line and won the challenge for our team.

"I'm so sorry Memory, I know it isn't your fault." Memory looked at me, she half smiled, "It's ok Roy, but my teammates will kill me…I don't want to be in the bottom."

I felt upset, I couldn't help her, but I sort off thought of something.

I ran to my celebrating teammates and then Richard interrupted out victory celebration.

"Ok we have a winner, Red Team wins, that means that Orange Team, Amanda you will automatically go to the bottom three and will be heading to a Power Outing along with two more of your teammates after the Vault. Congratulation's Red Team once again, James you are Captain, so you will attend this Power Outing and have the say so on who stays and who will be Burned Out with their check voided." James smiled and Kate kissed him in the cheek.

The ride home was rather loud as we all were complaining on today's challenge, which has to be the worst one we have ever done since we got to the house.

"I am glad I will not go through with that again…I hope" Logan was still rubbing his chest after James had forced the life out of him to win.

"I know, sorry about what happened with Kimberly, Roy." Logan, out of everyone apologized on what happened earlier at the challenge.

"Yeah, we didn't expect for Krazy Kimberly to attack you Roy." Hayden said out of laughter.

"It's ok guys, it's the game, it gets to us sometimes is all." I had to agree, but also not fully blame Kimberly for pouncing on me earlier.

"No it's not ok for her to do that, I've had it up to here with that girl" Kate said out of anger.

I saw that Kate and Karina were both staring at James and he nodded in agreement to something…I have no clue on what…where they on to something?

"Relax, elimination is up tonight, and you all are forgetting who is Captain, yes this charming young fellow." James said while doing a pose with his face.

We all just smiled and continued talking about the challenge.

Memory's POV:

"Orange Team please report to the Vault for briefing." Richard stopped the intercom and that was when all the bad stuff started happening.

"Don't trip clumsy, you could fall again like you did earlier in the challenge." Kimberly kept on picking on me due to the incident of today's challenge, I honestly didn't care, but today I did.

It was time for the group to pick the two people who will go with Amanda to the Power Outing today, and I had a feeling I would be on today's elimination topic.

"Welcome Orange Team, I am sad to say that this is your team's second time in the Vault, you all have to work like a team to stay out of this place. Now you all know the routine on how the vault goes. You all have five minutes to come up with two decisions on who will be in the Power Outing with Amanda." Richard took out all our checks and placed them in front of him.

James' Confession: "So today I found out something about Roy, I think he likes Memory…he didn't tell me this, I kind of put the pieces together…but I'm not sure yet. Logan is good at this thinking stuff; I'll see what he thinks. I still can't believe I got Paymaster, TAKE THAT KATY!" End of James' Confession.

"And your time starts…..now" Richard turned the huge hour glass upside down and the sand started falling.

"No votes, I say we automatically place Memory in the box as SHE is the one to blame on why we are here!" Kimberly stated so obviously.

Camille and Jo stared in disagreement, but it was Jennifer 1, Jett, and Wayne-Wayne who voted yes.

That was still a tie due to Mercedes didn't vote yes. "Ok, I say yes, only due to the fact that you put us all in here only, nothing personal Memory." I didn't argue, I knew that was the way Kimberly worked.

Unfortunately, everyone in my team was afraid of her…yes even Wayne-Wayne and Jett.

"Ok, now the last one I say should be you" Kimberly pointed to Jo, but Jo gave her an evil stare.

"You ARE nuts, I won't be in the bottom just to save your butt Kimberly!" "You have no choice, you're outnumbered."

"No I am not; as you can see it's Me, Camille, Memory, Amanda, and Mercedes." Kimberly laughed and got closer to Jo.

"Really? Ok all in favor raise your hand?" and sure enough the same people raised their hands, including Mercedes.

"Mercedes, how could you?" Camille and Jo were both in shock.

"I had to, the numbers are not in our direction Jo, have you seen out team?" Jo and Camille both got upset, something was up, was there an alliance between them, if so, and then I just believe it's over for the three of them.

"Ok, it's settled, Bring in the Red Team." I was still upset due to me being in the bottom three.

"Ok so the bottom three people that will join James in the Power Outing will be…" Richard reached into the box and pulled out the three checks, which had mine in it.

"The first check in the box is….Amanda" I hated this why were we on the bottom three, it should be Kimberly, Wayne-Wayne, and Jennifer 1.

"The Second checkup for elimination is…Memory" I turned to see that the Red Team all had sad faces on how the only two girls that were on their alliance was in the bottom.

"Third and final check that is up for elimination is…Jo" I heard big gasps in the Red Team, for sure they didn't like the outcome of this elimination at all.

"Ok I will give you four five minutes to get ready for the Power Outing, good luck" Richard left and I was upset on the outcome so much I just didn't talk on the way out of the Vault.

I saw Roy and ran up to him, "I heard, you are in the bottom three, I'm sorry Memory." I couldn't give him eye contact, not at the moment.

"Yeah, I'm actually upset that Kimberly got her way again…I'm getting tired of the same cycle over and over." It was odd, I never talked to anyone about my issues, but Roy just waited till I finished.

"I'll see what I can do, unfortunately its going to be really hard, due to James being Paymaster…he looks after Jo due to Kendall" he was going to try to help me out in my time of need?

I couldn't help but smile, a little ounce of hope was there. I just hope is stays there.

James' POV:

"You are the sexiest Paymaster EVER!" nothing like looking at a mirror, especially with an attractive man as myself.

"HAY?" Carlos yelled in the background, "Sorry buddy, but I am only stating the facts.

"A little conceded here huh James?" Logan said adding to Carlos' response.

"Conce….what?" Logan laughed on how I wasn't able to understand his Robot talk. Yes I called it robot talk because it wasn't a human's talk, but in the end he is the one who helps us out, just like the mansion situation. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't be here in the first place.

I heard a knock on the door, "COME IN!" I yelled from the mirror.

I saw from the reflection that it was Roy, "What's up Roy?" he looked troubled… I think I know why.

"Hay umm, this is going to sound rude and all, but James, you think I can talk to you alone for a bit?" He had his face to the ground not staring up at me directly.

"Sure, umm guys, may I ?" Logan and Carlos walked out and closed the door on the way out.

"So, before you say anything, do I look sexy or what?" Roy laughed, I knew this was a question he couldn't answer, I just wanted to see what he would say, since I am Paymaster and all, hay I deserve to have a little bit of fun, right?

"You look dashing James, but I was wondering, this is a hard decision James, two of our alliance members are up for elimination and Jo, who Kendall likes, is there as well. Have you decided upon who you will pick?" Roy had a point, I needed to think things over with the group and fast.

"What if we all had a group huddle?" Roy looked up, "I was wondering if you can save Memory and Amanda, I feel as if Jo will only play Kendall's emotions only to stay longer in the competition." I froze on that statement. It sort of made sense, but I don't know.

Kendall is my buddy, I didn't want to hurt him in the elimination. In fact, why was Jo here anyway?

"I don't know Roy, but you have to answer a question first ok?" Roy looked at me in confusion.

"Umm, do I have to?" He looked doubtful, but I must ask him or if not it will only be an assum…assumption…yeah that is the word Logie would use.

"Yes, I must know, why Memory? I mean she is cute, don't tell Kate. She'll kill me…literally. Wait a minute…." I paused dramatically, I wanted to make sure Roy didn't suspect that I knew already, or at least tried to figure it out before.

"Well, I mean, I just think she deserves to continue with the competition is all…" I gave him the same look SpongeBob did to Squidward when he found out he loved Krabby Patties.

"You like her don't you Roy, just admit it and I'll think twice before anything else." Roy froze.

"I don't know…James I'm not sure." He looked doubtful as I thought.

"Look Roy, you will never know unless you spend time with her, I was the same with Kate, but I sucked it up and asked her out. In fact Logan is doing the same but his situation is a little more complicated as he has three girls he has individual feelings for." Roy looked up in shock.

"Three?" I nodded, I was doing this to help Roy.

"Who?" oh I forgot… "Karina, Sophia, and Camille…it's complicated, but yeah he is going through a hard time at the moment." I can't believe it just slipped out of my mind there, that's not like me.

"Look James, I honestly have to say that Memory has something in her background for her to be here" I gave him a look, "So does Amanda and Jo, Roy I cannot just take your word for it to save Memory, and Amanda is a great asset….regardless that she is in the other team, and you said it earlier Jo has a thing with Kendall"

"Jo, why is she even here James, have you asked her that? Have you asked her why Camille is here as well? James don't you find it a bid odd that these girls you see every day where you are from are here competing in the same reality show as you guys….in fact why are you guys here?" Roy was getting a little louder, but he took a seat on the bed.

"Look, we accidentally burned our manager's mansion…wasn't the best thing to do, but we are here to try to pay him back, if not we are fired and will be back on Minnesota…and James Diamond does not want to go back" Roy smiled a little.

"Ok, so that is the reason why the four of you are here, now why the others? James I think you should ask these girls why they are here….by the way James why are you trying so hard to figure out if I like Memory…if I do or if I don't in the end I need to come here for what I was here for…not love" Roy paused at the last part…I think I have what I need.

"Ok Roy, I need some thinking…" Roy looked at me in doubt and walked out.

This Power Outing will be hard…thinking had to be done….

The ride to the Power Outing wasn't so bad the girls were all in their little conversation…I wish Kendall , Carlos, or Logan were here to talk with me…I'M THE ONLY GUY!

"Oh wow, were here!" Amanda said in excitement…strange Amanda was excited to be at the Power Outing…I wonder why?

"Welcome enjoy the food provided and we will be back with a note from Richard" one of the weird islander's said.

"Ummm….ladies I need to ask you all something…why are you all here?" The three girls looked at me in suspicion and I felt like sinking into my chair on the stupid question I just asked them.

"I'm here just because I need to win" Amanda said, but something about how she said it told me she was hiding something…but I guess everyone's modem is to win.

I looked at Memory, "I can't say…" I stared at her, "We'll get back to you Memory…Jo?" Jo looked at me in suspense.

"I'm just here because Camille dragged me along…" I gave her a look, "Because here is the thing, I need to keep people here for all the right reason's I cannot just have people who have it all and are still in the house, and not letting other people who desperately need it just wonder around…you all get me?" all three girls nodded and I lifted myself up from the chair as I gained my confidence back.

"Mr. Diamond here is your note" the islander walked away as I read the note out loud, "Ok it is time to get ready for the elimination tonight, Paymaster it is time to choose to pick out one person to talk to one on one and see what they have to say" I stared at the three girls…I felt weird.

"Memory you stay…Jo and Amanda give us some privacy…please" the girls nodded and walked off playing in the sand on the beach.

"Memory.." "James its ok I know why you pulled me out, if you must know, the reason why I am in this competition is that I had some issue with my dad's job…he got some money issues…I don't like talking about it ok…and I feel like I owe it to him to win this competition and help my father out…and…sorry…" Memory was starting to sob up, I patted her in the back and also let her take her time.

"I'm fine…but James you have to understand that I swore that I would help my dad pay up the money he owes…" I stood there befouled that I just heard a confession from Memory…I figured that she was just here to just be here…maybe I have to think this really hard…great…

I knew I had to talk to the guys as soon as I get to the mansion upon this situation.

Elimination was up, I saw as the camera's rolled and how everyone stared as Richard and I walked out to the elimination panels.

"Welcome money lover's to our elimination ceremony. James here are the checks…who do you want to come up here and get her first check?" I felt a lot of anxiety just thinking upon what the guys told me, but I figured that it was for the best and that these girls all came a long way.

"Ok Richard I would like Amanda to come up and get her check." Amanda skipped in glee and received her check.

"Then there were two…" I felt a lot of nerves, everything was playing through my head, Memories confession, Roy's plea to save her, Kimberly's episode on what happened with Roy…Jo and Kendall…I was so lost and confused.

"Jo please come up" the night was silent as the grasshoppers made that annoying noise they do when it is quiet.

"Listen Jo, Kendall is my best friend…I owe it to him to keep you in the competition." I saw from the corner of my eye that Memory was sparkling tears…

"But, I can't also do that to him, Jo, you do not have a legit reason on staying here to compete…and if I keep you here, you'll only bring down the reason why Kendall is here…sorry your Check is Void Jo" I felt horrible as Richard stamped to check and burned her picture.

"James, no worries, you did what you had to do…I'm sorry that I had to go like this…please take good care of Camille…she's the last from us…" Jo wiped the tear away and walked off the balcony…I turned to see Kendall, who breathed in a heavy sigh.

I saw Memory, "Well, come get your check…" Memory smiled and walked up and received her check shakily.

"Listen Memory, thinks will get better I promise, but please don't build walls in your mind…open up…hearing you out like that during the Power Outing really got me thinking…I hope thinks with your father turn out Amazing and you get to be happy once more" I smiled and she hugged me, I turned to Kate and then she cleared her throat really loud.

"Ok that does it only eighteen contestants remain for the fight for the prize, get some rest as tomorrow is another challenge."

Memory and Amanda both placed their checks in the vault and we all walked back inside the house.

A/N: OK, I feel accomplished, I'm praying that posting chapters like this won't happen again, it sucks and I lose interest, but I found a rebound and now I'm back…So you all think you know everything about this competition…there were reasons for every elimination…pay attention to em all…and as you all see I have a little something something for everyone so review me your thoughts and please encourage me to keep writing…but also comment on the story. The parts of the girls checking out the guys…yeah…people I'm a guy…that was hard work…tell me how I did. Please spread this story so it gets more reviews…I feel like I need more to improve the way I post chapters and stories…OH YES, I have good news for you all, I am working on another story coming up…and its gonna be a continuation of "Big Time Competition" and another one based upon Logan and Carlos. Idk the official names of these upcoming stories, but they will be placed up so keep reading for more information. Remember to vote for separate Captain's for Red Team and Orange Team…Orange Team is getting downgraded for many reasons…as will Red Team…stay tune it WILL be worth the wait guys trust me.