The Cryptic Wish

The beach was Kendall's home away from home as his open floral shirt and brightly colored board shorts could attest to. He felt so comfortable there especially when he was with the person he cared about most in the world. The sun seemed to renew and recharge him; the surf made him feel alive and unstoppable. He stretched his long arms letting out a quietly contented groan, his smile's brilliant dimples giving the sun a run for its money.

He looked up and saw the person he'd been waiting on. He took off his shades and waved, making sure he'd been seen.

"Hey! Over here!"

He stood and pulled out the chair for the pretty blonde that had once stolen his heart. "Hey, Jo! I got us a table on the beach just like you asked. It's a great view of the beach. You were right! New Zealand is awesome!" He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she sat down opposite him.

"You look so good, Kendall. Quite yummy!" She giggled at him. She was genuinely happy that they could be together, sharing her weekend break from filming Chauncey Jackson & the Magic Gallows. She wasn't sure if he'd accept her invitation to travel half way around the world, but when her production company agreed to pay for most of the trip for the star of the movie, she couldn't see a reason why she couldn't ask him. She cared for him, afterall, and always would.

Jo's sunny disposition changed as she recalled the events that had sent her here for three years. Yes, it was the role of a lifetime that would catapult her to the next level of fame. Yes, it had been a challenge for her acting talents that allowed her to stretch more that ever before. But those reasons paled in comparison to her personal decision to let the tall blonde boy sitting in front of her find himself and decide his destiny. Many days and, especially, nights, she'd hoped that what she'd said to him in the airport was wrong. She cared for him so much. She smiled at the boy sitting in front of her, his radiant smile echoing hers.

"What, Jo? What are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice playful.

She giggled, snapping out of her reverie. "Nothing! I mean, I'm just glad you're here with me. I have to pinch myself to make sure I'm awake. I am so happy you made it!"

"How could I not be with my best girl? A girl who knows me better than I know myself! You're the best, you know that?" Kendall reached over and took Jo's delicate hand in his holding it gently. He really did love her. She would always be dear to him.

"Aw, you sweet talker!" She disengaged her hand and sat back on her beach chair. "But how are things going with you and Big Time Rush? I see you get great press all the time! Is it still fun for you guys?"

"BTR is going great! We have another album dropping in a couple of months and a tour's scheduled, um, Worldwide!" He raised his eyebrow knowing Jo would get the play on words. He knew he was right when she rolled her eyes playfully at him. "So, yeah. We're all still having a blast!"

"How are the guys? Still as crazy as ever I bet!"

"You know it! James made a couple of cameos in a couple of shows but spends most of his time surfing and meeting girls. And Carlos. The dumbass got a concussion last month because he couldn't find his damn helmet. He tried to cannonball in the pool from our apartment! I swear, that boy!" Kendall's laugh was infectious as Jo joined in.

Just then, the golden pair heard a couple of kids' giggles coming from the beach. They both turned their attention to the nearby shoreline. The sand fort that the kids built had been destroyed by a larger than usual wave as it washed onto the shore. The kids would have probably been crying if not for the overdramatic face that the bigger kid was mugging for them, his dramatic "death" making the kids laugh.

Kendall shaded his eyes with his hand to see the figures on the beach more clearly. He wasn't sure who the children were but spotted the parents sitting on a beach towel a safe distance away watching their kids but smiling at the destruction that had just occurred. The blonde couldn't help but get caught up in the silliness. He excused himself for a moment and ran to the figures playing in the sand.

"Hey guys!" he said addressing the children. He pointed to the "bigger kid" who was wearing shades and said, "Do you mind if I borrow him for a while? I promise that he'll be back in a little while."

The children both nodded their heads as they waved good bye to the new friend they'd made on the beach. Kendall extended his hand and the Speedo clad brunette boy gladly took it. They walked back to the shaded table where Kendall and Jo had been sitting.

Jo saw who the boy was. His body was not as small as she remembered. The physique had grown a bit, more muscular, but still retained a youthful smoothness that was the envy of the eyes that stared at him as he walked past. The smile, though, is what gave him away. That radiantly white, perfect smile that mirrored Kendall's in every way. Kendall pointed to Jo and his partner ran ahead to give her a big hug.

"Wow! Someone's been working out, I see!" As if to make her point, she squeezed the boy's biceps and nodded approvingly. "Me like a lot!" She chuckled as she saw the slight blush creep into the brunette's face.

"Oh, Jo! Stop it! You're making me blush. And in this thing," he said pointing to his very brief, black swimsuit, "I can't afford to blush. It leaves almost nothing to the imagination!" He laughed at his own words and sat down next to Kendall.

Kendall sat in a chair next to him. "I told you that you shouldn't wear that! Why didn't you wear your board shorts like you usually do in California? You didn't even pack a pair! I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, Logan."

"I always wear those darn shorts. I decided that I was going to wear something different on this side of the planet. Do you mind?" Turning to Jo, he said, "Hey, Jo! You look good. The land of the Kiwi seems to agree with you!"

"Good for you, Sweetie! I think you look sexy in those Speedos. And, thanks. I am having so much fun. I mean, it's a lot of work, but I made the right decision when I took this role – in more ways than one it looks like!" She winked at the boys.

Kendall and Logan exchanged glances, and without a word spoken between them, reached out and took hold of the other's hand. As far as they were concerned, Jo had, indeed, made the decision that had changed not only her life, but theirs as well. They would always be grateful to her for that. Without the pain, there would have been no discovery. With no discovery, there would have been no realization of the deep love and affection that they felt for each other – beyond friendship, beyond brotherhood.

The friends seated together at the beach that day were writing new chapters in their lives. Sure, there would be heart ache, but at least they'd have each other to lean on and confide in. And there would be triumph that would be shared, too. But most of all, there would be love. And, as far as Kendall and Logan were concerned, that was the most important thing of all – pure and enduring love.

End

Author's Note: Hello everybody! Well, there it is. I know that I probably could have gone on and did many different things with the plot of this piece, but it was never my intention to make this a long story. I just wanted to tell a story of the moment when Kogan came into being. I hope you all liked it!

As always, thanks to everyone that added me to their Alerts and Faves, posted a comment, or sent me PM's. I always appreciate that. It is music to my ears!

As for myself, I got great news from my doctors. It seems that everything is looking good and I should be bothering everyone in the Kogan Universe for a long time to come! Yay! :D

Until next time…

Manny 101

P.S. I do not own Big Time Rush or any of its individual characters. I just borrow them sometimes to tell you all, hopefully, a good story!