Dena POV

I watch as Veronica Mars walks past and sigh. Pulling an object from my locker, straightening my back, and shutting my locker before I turn and follow her. Lucky for me, she ducked into the girls bathroom. Pocketing the artifact for which I need to see her, I follow her in. "Veronica," I stand behind her watching her fuss at her hair.

"Dena," she says coolly, I sigh.

"I need your help."

"oh really?" she looks at me in the mirror, "So when you need my help you remember me huh?"

"Look, I'm not here to play the what should Dena have done game," I say irritated. Closing my eyes I take a deep breath, "I could say sorry, but I won't. Not till I mean it."

Veronica turns around startled, "Thanks, so this favor?"

"I need to know who this belongs to," I hold out a gold lighter. "Quickly if possible."

Veronica frowns down at the lighter, "Why?"

"Because about three months ago, I walked into a party a virgin, and out half way to pregnant land. Problem I don't remember the party. The only clue left was this." She eyes me suspiciously, then sighs.

"Okay so just the owner?"

"Just the owner," I nod and turn to leave then stop, "I was a mess ya know, after Lily. It screwed with me. I do miss her." I open the door without looking back and walk to class.

Veronica POV

I watch after her startled by her confession. My mind reels, not only because my ex-best friend that hasn't spoken to me in a year (literally), spoke to me, but because the lighter she held out belongs to Logan Echolls.

I should start at the beginning. Dena is Lily and Duncan's 'estranged' sister. Quotes on the estranged because Lily was her best friend and Duncan talked to her everyday. But their parents didn't know that.

After Lily's murder Dena went AWAL. There were runners that she tried to kill herself. I don't know, she stopped speaking to me. And Duncan for a while. But she's back speaking to him.

I'm not sure if she not sorry for not speaking or for not comforting me. Honestly I don't care. If I had to admit it, then I'm pretty good that for five minutes she remember I was here. While I'm being honest I might as well admit that I miss Dena almost as much as Lily.

Okay enough being honest, I need to go back to the land of denial. Focus on the lighter, I know it's Logan's, he had it often enough when Lily was alive. So why doesn't Dena remember?

I push open the door and head for class, just so happens Dena is in my next class. I get there and pick a seat next to her, she looks over giving me a startled look.

"You really don't know who's lighter it is," I asked.

"No, Veronica if I new why would I ask?" she rolls her eyes.

"Have you talked to Logan lately?"

She raises her eyes brow, "Did you miss the announcement? I screamed at him three days ago for bugging me. People think I've flipped my lid."

I laugh I can't help it, "So Logan and you are close?"

"Not exactly," She sighs, "After Lily I blocked everybody out. I hated a world that would take the one thing that was so constant away from me." she pauses looking around, "That included Logan. Up until about six months ago, I wouldn't talk to anybody. But Logan convinced me, I was better off with people. Then about four months ago he got possessive, I was his."

Wow, slow down. Know that she's talking her words are running together, "Okay so, know you're trying to get him to back off?"

"He keeps asking if I'm okay, and it bugs me." she shrugs. Dena looks at me a question in her eyes, "Veronica you did know that when I said I blocked everybody out, I, well, I meant it literally. The little details are lost to me. Things that you would remember clearly, I might not. It's why I stopped talking to you guys. Talking to you guys or about Lily brought so much pain it was physical. Know the stuff is so buried, I might never remember a lot of it.

For about the three hundredth time in less then an hour and a half Dena Miller has shocked me speechless. But it does explain a lot, and suddenly I can't bring myself to hate her.

The teacher walks in at that moment so I'm forced to leave the subject alone, but it's still a lot to think about. As I set there and block out class my mind wonders back to a time before Lily died. Before I know it, the bell is ringing and it's time to head for lunch. Sighing I get up and follow the thrall of students leaving the classroom. Dena had dashed out, which means she's probably not talking to me again at the moment.

After I get my tray I walk past Wallace, who's at our usual table, "I'll be back," I say and head for the middle of the popular crew. Logan is setting with Duncan and the rest of his crew, I sets down right in the middle of them. "'Scuse me boys," she says looking over at Logan, "So Logan, missing anything important?"

Logan glares over, "No, my parts are perfectly in tact thank you."

"That's a shame, really is," I say, taking a bite of my lunch, "So," I say looking around, my gaze finally landing on Logan again, "Are you missing anything else? Like, I donno a lighter?"

Logan frowns, "Yeah, as a matter of fact I am." He glares, "You wouldn't happen to know who has it would you? I lost it at a party couple months ago, and nobody bothered to return it."

"I would not have a clue who has it," I lie, my mind reeling. Either, Logan doesn't remember having sex with Dena, or he does and he's lying, or he didn't and he's telling the truth. Time to go think. "Okay well, nice to see you," I say getting up and leaving the table. I heads for my table, to set with Wallace.

Logan POV

Okay color me confused. Veronica Mars sets down at my table, asking me about a lighter I lost about three months ago, which by the way nobody bothered to return. Then somebody is saying something about a pregnant girl, so I don't know what's going on.

My attention is drawn by Dena Miller, who walks past me. Dick and Caz are talking about a trip to TJ, and Duncan is off in land of his own. So I'm free to watch her. Color me surprised again when she sets down with Veronica. Dena hasn't spoken to Veronica in a year. She hadn't spoken to me untill about six months ago. Then I decided that it was time I just took the bull by the hone. Things are fine and she's attempting open up to me until all of a sudden, she's not speaking to me. She's pale too, I doubt anybody else will notice that, but she's pale. And know she's talking to Veronica? Well you just have to color me confused all over again.

"Earth to Logan," Duncan's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, "Dude, who are you watching?" He turns his head and sees Dena, "When did she start talking to Veronica again?"

"I don't know, don't care," I answer tearing my gaze from her, and turning around.

"Well, I think it's a good thing," Duncan says, "I think Dena needs to start speaking to a lot more people, I'm worried about her."

I look sideways at him, "Really?"

Duncan shrugs, "You know you two would make a good couple, if she would speak to you."

I laugh and shake my head, "Not at all weird that I used to date Lily, which happens to be her half sister."

"That's not proven, besides, it's not weird because Lily wasn't exact faithful," Duncan shrugs again, "Besides Lily would want the two of you to be happy."

I don't know what to say so I just shrug. I guess so.

Dena POV

I walk to Veronica's table, set down my tray, and squeeze between her the dude. "do you know who's lighter it is yet?" I ask picking at my lunch before pushing it from me.

"Oh, hi! Nice to see you again. Great that you're going the mundo favor for me," Veronica says sarcastically, I glare, "This is Wallace, by the way. Wallace, this is Dena."

I turn my head toward Wallace, smile slightly, "Hi," then I turn back to Veronica, "Okay Mars, look I already know you know who's lighter it is, so just out with it."

Veronica rolls her eyes, "You always thought you new it all."

"I do know it all, however that is not the topic of this conversation at this moment." I glare, she sighs and glances at Wallace.

"Should I head out?" he asks looking between her and I.

"No," Veronica says, "Look I need a lot more information before I can tell you anything."

"I just want to know who the damn thing belongs to."

"Okay yes, I know. But it wasn't in his possession at the time," Veronica says.

I frown at her, feeling eyes on my back I turn around to see Duncan and Logan watching me. Sending them a glare I turn back around. "Okay, so let me get this straight, you know who the lighter belongs to, but you wont tell me, however you also know it was not in his possession at the time I was having…" I pause thinking 'sex', but I really don't want to say it, "during the time that I can't remember who I was with. That person left it for me to find knowing I would blame the owner.

Veronica thinks it over, "That's one possibility, or they found it and left it on accident."

"Or," Wallace says, "The owner was the one who left it and forgot it, or isn't owning up to leaving it."

"Or he honestly doesn't remember that night either." Veronica adds, "SO how much exactly DO you remember?"

"Um," I think about it, "I remember getting there, it was at Caz's. I saw Caz, Dick, Duncan, and Logan. Logan kept talking to me, because he new I wanted to leave. Dick was being a, well, a dick. Caz was pretty much wasted, and Duncan was distant. Somebody, don't remember who, but somebody gave me a drink. I can't remember anything after that.

Veronica frowns and sends a glance over my shoulder, "I'll figure this out."

Veronica POV

This keeps getting stranger. I found out Logan lost his lighter, or so he says. Dena was speaking with him, and his crew, when somebody, presumably from his crew handed her a drink and she magically can't remember past that. More likely she was drugged and can't remember anything past that.

I look up when Dad clears his throat, "You okay Honey?"

"Yeah," I say setting up straighter as he raises his eye brow, "It's just a side case."

"Veronica I don't want you worrying about these cases, I've done told you," he answers.

"No, it's just, I'm doing a favor for a friend, and it's a little complicated," I say and watch as he gets a worried look on his face, "But not dangerous," I add quickly.

Dad sighs, and runs a hand over his balding hair, "Can I ask you something Sweetie?"

"Yeah Dad," I say worried.

"Do you ever talk to Dena Miller? I know she was your and Lily's best friend, but I don't know if you still talk to her or not?"

Well just nock me the hell over would ya. After a year of having nothing do with, or even speaking of Dena Miller, she's all of sudden in the middle of everything I'm thinking about. I blink at him, "Um, well…"

"It's just that, well her parents hired me…"

"Why?" I ask blinking again, he's got avoidance face on, so here comes the…

"You know I can't tell you Honey, I wish I could…"

That's bullshit and he knows it. He can tell me damn well what the hell he wants, I glare at him. "You can tell me."

"I can't Sweetie," he sighs, "Forget I said anything."

"No, tell me, Dad please," I get up and move in front of the desk, "Is she in trouble?" Yes.

Dad debates, "It's just that….she's been sneaking out, and they want to know where she's going. Normally, I would just say she was going partying, but we need the money. And I thought it'd be easy. But when I went to tail her last night, she dumped me. Don't ask me how."

I stare at him, so she's ditching the PI. I laugh I can't help it, "Dena Miller ditched you? She's what seventeen?"

"Don't Veronica," he glares at me, "I just need to know if you've talked to her."

I debate, "Not much," I answer, and I'm being honest. "She's pretty withdrawn. Where do think she went?"

"Well, I don't think it was a party, she wasn't exactly dressed in party clothes, but she definitely did not want to be followed," Dad sighs as I set down on the desk. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing it's just weird…" I sigh and shake my head, "I guess I'm just surprised."

"Why?"

"Because, Dena doesn't have parents, she has a mother. Her father…." Is Jake Kane, but I can't say that.

"There were two people who came in here today," Dad says, then frowns, "You think they could not be her parents?"

"I think I have a lot to think about," I mutter.

Dena POV

I climb into my car, hitting the stirring wheel, cursing my tears. This pregnancy thing is crappy. Sighing I wipe my eyes and look sideways as a knock at the window comes. Weevil is standing there waiting for me to roll my window down. "What?" I demand.

"Why are you here? Again," he adds as an after thought. I roll my eyes.

"I'm setting my car, you got a problem with that?" I ask.

Weevil sighs, "She's not here," he says.

I look up at him startled, "I'm not looking for her," I answer.

Weevil groans, "Dena, go home."

"You don't tell me what to do," I turn back to watch the door.

"Dena, please. You shouldn't be waiting outside a bar this time of night, she isn't here. And you can't keep this up. You're a mess." Weevil flinches at my glare, "That's not what I meant. I meant I've came out here every night for the last six months to get you to go home.

"Why?" I demand.

"Because, I promised Lily, that nothing, I repeat, nothing would happen to you." He sighs and moves around the car getting in. Why hadn't I locked the doors? "De," Weevil turns in my passenger seat and faces me, "I promised Lily three days before she died, that I wouldn't let anything happen to you. She was worried about you for some reason. And I won't break that promise."

"You're a softie," I accuse and he scowls at me.

"I am not a softie, I'm just worried…I saw you talking to Mars today, you're not getting her in on this search are you?"

"No," I shake my head, "Another one."

"You're not okay are you?" Weevil asks, and I start to deny that anything is wrong but he reaches out and touches my cheek, "You're crying, you're pale, you look like you haven't slept in weeks, don't tell me you're fine De, you haven't been fine in nearly a year."

I sigh, "Okay so maybe not fine, but I'm not bad."

"I'll never forget the day I found you…." he shutters at the very thought, and I look away.

"It's not that, at least not totally," I whisper.

"Then what is it?"

"I'm…" pregnant, but I can't force the word out, "I'm just ya know….not sleeping well."

"You really should try harder to convince yourself of that, so it'll sound like the truth when you lie to me." Weevil opens the door, "Go home Dena, and please, get some sleep."

Sighing I watch him get back on his bike and take off, before starting my car and heading the way home is.

Logan POV

I'm laying in bed awake, thinking about Dena and Veronica. Back when Lily was alive they were thick as thieves. The night Lily was killed they were together, Veronica's dad was taking them home when he got the call. Dena called me and could barely speak, she was so upset.

When I saw her the next day, her eyes were blank, and she would speak to anybody. I begged her, pleaded with her to talk to me but she wouldn't. I asked Veronica and she said she hadn't spoken to her either. Then one day shortly after that I found her in the quad setting on a bench rocking back and forth, I asked if she was okay, and she said 'who are you?' I will never as long as I live forget that look in her eyes.

And for a while I left her alone, mostly because, well what do you say to that? Then six months ago, I decided I hated not speaking to her. A lot of people think I'm an arrogant bastard, and maybe I am. But I missed my friends. Duncan has been distant, although he's gotten better, and Veronica, well she's just not there anymore.

Besides, I saw Dena getting better. I don't care to explain how I know, but I do. Dena has been our friend since we were young, so I guess I just know her pretty well.

I roll over onto my stomach and attempt to sleep, but I can't even close my eyes without seeing Dena asking me who I am. Well shit. Just as I move to turn back over, my phone vibrates. Who would be calling me at this time of the…morning, yup 1:07 am in morning. Looking at the caller id I smile, "Why is it my lucky morning?"

"Are you still awake?" the voice asks.

"Yes," I nod my head, "I though you weren't speaking to me?" I question.

"I'm…" She pauses, "Well…" then sighs, "Logan, I need your help."

"What can I do for ya?" I ask worried.

"I need to know about the party, you know a couple months back…"

Veronica POV

Okay time to do a little talking of my own, and see if I can't get a few answers. It's lunch and Dena has managed to dodge most of my questions, rushing off in the other direction once. Logan keeps watching her, and it's starting to creep even me out. So I'm standing here waiting for her to come through with a tray, I will get my way. When I finally see her coming, she's only carrying a pack of peanut butter crackers, and a bottle of water. I frown at her lunch choice, "Are you going to order?"

"No," she shakes her head, "I'm not feeling well."

'Oh," I nod. "Look I need to talk to you, and you can't be miss avoidance girl anymore okay?"

Dena sighs, but motions for me to start. "I'll do my best Veronica."

"Okay, so…" I pause wondering where to begin, "My dad said you're parents hired him to see where you're sneaking out to." Might as well start there.

Dena sighs, "And let me guess you're wonder who I'm living with?" I nod my head, and wait for the answer as we set down at a table, "Their my cousins, he's a doctor." She pauses, "My Mom was barely holding everything together, as it was. When I snapped she…well…" She sighs and leans her head back, "My Mom signed over custody a little after Lily died."

I gawk at her, "You mean…"

"Yes, I mean I'm nuts and my own mother can't handle it," she snaps. I shake my head. "Sorry, I know you didn't mean it."

"I just can't believe….." I close my eyes, "Okay so the sneaking out."

"I'm not telling you about that, and tell your father to back off, he's getting harder to ditch," she puts a cracker into her mouth.

"Yeah that conversation would go fabulous," I say sarcastically, rolling my eyes.

"Look, I don't want to put anybody else in danger, it's bad enough that I'm doing this." She pauses, "And I'm not telling you what it is."

"You can't put yourself in danger, baby on board remember. Me no baby on board, ready for danger danger," I say tilting my head, "Please?"

Dena sighs, "I'm not telling you Veronica, because I can't remember."

"What?" I raise an eye brow.

"Okay, it's not that I can't remember it more a process of remembering," she frowns at her own discription, "It's like, I'm looking for something to jog a memory, something that I haven't found yet. And I don't want you to in on that okay?"

"Oh," I shake my head, "So…"

"So I'm not telling you anything," Dena nods her head confirming her point, and I sigh. She's got the 'I'm not talking to you about this subject anymore' face, and if I push to hard she'll never talk to me again.

Weevil POV

I glance around me as I stride toward my destination. It's Saturday, and I'm at the grave yard. Yeah, I know, I don't seem like the kind of guy, but I go here every week.

I visit Lily, not for me. Nope, I do not come here for me, or at least not totally. I come here for Dena. It may sound strange and okay it is, but see, I figure, she wouldn't want Lily to be alone. So, I come here.

Shaking my head I look down at the bright white lily's in my hand, and smile. They're the only flowers I bring, they cost a little more, but I don't care. Stopping at the correct grave I look down at the stone, and sigh.

"So Lily," I say softly looking around again, "Dena says hi. She's talking to Veronica again, and I think she's stopped talking to Logan. Honestly I wish she would just snap out of this." I stand there looking out over the grave yard for a second, "I think maybe," I say to the head stone again, "That if she hadn't went AWAL, then things would be drastically different. It's not her fault, but I'm just saying. Veronica wouldn't have been kicked out of the crew, I wouldn't have found Dena almost dead in the boys bathroom, after she tried to kill herself. She wouldn't be waiting outside that bar that the two of you used to go all the time." I sigh remember the first night Dena and Lily had shown up there. They'd gotten wasted and me being such a stand up guy, well I drove them both home.

Do not give me that look, I may be rough around the edges and all that shit, but nobody fucks with Dena with me around. And they didn't fuck with Lily either, they were my girls. Lily more of a sister, but Dena…well recently she's been more then a friend.

Shaking those thoughts from my head, because they're dangerous, I set the flowers down. "I miss you Lily," I whisper crouching before the headstone, "But I'm taking care of her."

"What are you doing here?" Asks a voice behind me, I stand and twist all at once, seeing Duncan behind me.

"Just leaving flowers," I say shoving my hands in my pockets.

"You're the one that's been leaving those?" He asks, I nod. "Why?"

"Because," I shrug, "tell anybody this and I'll beat your face, ok?" Duncan rolls his eyes, but nods a little when I step forward, "I figure that when Dena comes out of, whatever the hell she's in, then she'll like to know that somebody brought flowers for Lily." I shrug as Duncan gawks at me.

"You mean, you've been doing this for Dena?" He whispers and I nod my head a little.

"Well, later rich boy," I say and turn toward my bike.

"Hey Weevil," Duncan calls, I turn have way and make a 'continue I'm in a hurry' motion, "Dena, is she…I mean, she's okay right?"

Sighing I frown at him, "Dena hasn't been okay since Lily died," I answer and head toward my bike.

I'm about to start it when my cell phone rings, seeing Dena number I answer, "I'm not the person you usually call."

"Weevils Wabble but they don't fall down," she says in a whispers, I suck in a breath. It'd been a long time since I heard that phrase. It's a clue for when she's in trouble. I hear her whisper it again, and shake myself.

"Are you at work?"

"Weevils will Wabble," that means yes. I slam the phone shut and start my bike heading for the convince store she works at. I throw gravel, and I'm sure Duncan thought I was showing off, but I have to get to Dena. Driving 90 down the highway I make it in about ten minutes (should have been at least a twenty and probably a thirty) When I get there, I see all kinds of cops and stop short. Then I notice Dena talking with Lamb, and guild my bike over there. Climbing off, I survey Dena. She's pale, again, shaking, she's scared, she's ringing her hands, she's nervous, and as I look down I see that she's wearing a baggier shirt then usual. Sighing I make my way over and wrap my arms around her sideways.

"What happened?"

"I'm questioning a witness to a robbery," Lamb says, "So scram."

"I'm not going anywhere," mostly because Dena is wrapped around my neck. "What happened?" I repeat, this time looking at Dena.

"They came in and they had a gun, and I couldn't tell if it was real or not, so I gave them the cash, then the doors have that automatic lock thingy, and I didn't know that when I tripped the alarm, it would lock me in with the robbers, who would have known that? Who would make a lock like that?" Dena rushes on and I frown then smile.

"Okay babbles, are you alright?" I touch her nose with mine.

Dena laughs a little and relaxes, "I think so, just scared mostly."

Lamb clears his throat, "Love birds do you care to take this else where? Like the police station?"

"NO!" we both say at once. "I told you everything that happened," Dena says, "So you can't take us down there."

"Besides," I say rubbing Dena's back, "I think she's had enough trama for one day. I'm taking her home." Dena leans into me thankfully. I lead her to her car, "Keys De."

She hands me the keys, "Be careful," she gets into the car, "You're driving fragile materials."

I raise my eye brow, seeing her physically relax. Dena looks over raising her eyebrow to mimic me. "Baby," she points to her stomach," Don't tell me you didn't know, I've heard the rumors."

I raise my eye brow higher, "Are you serious, because I don't do rumors."

She sighs, the smiles, "Yes, I know you don't, and yes I'm serious. I just figured you should know, before I ask you for this next favor."

"I w ill not pretend to have knocked you up," I joke, she rolls her eyes.

"Did I ask you to?" she shakes her head, "you're the only one who knows the details of how much I forgot," I nod and start her car, "I need you to help me remember, Eli."

I glance sideways, startled by my real name, "What ever you need Babe," I say wondering why she wants me to help he remember what she worked so hard to forget.

Duncan POV

I watch as Weevil spins gravel in his hurry. I wonder where he's going or better yet why he's raving there. Must be a gang thing. Shrugging I look down at the white lilies on my sister's grave. Dad had asked about them, but I'd never known who left them. One dozen every week. These are plain white, they've been white with colors too.

Sighing I bend down and finger one of the lilies then reach out and touch the head stone. "Hey," I say, "I just ya know…" I pause and sigh, "So Weevil is the one who has been putting these flowers here, huh?" You could have told me," I pause again as if she will really answers, then sigh and contenue "I've been doing really well taking my meds and stuff. Dena's been getting distand, but I think it's all just to much, to quick." Setting back on my heels I keep talking to my sister pausing occasionally as if she'll answer.

Eventually I get up and head for my car. Starting it up I let my thoughts drift. Life was simple when Lily was alive or maybe I should say simplier. Lily was such a happy person that the made everybody around her happy. It was Lily and Logan, Veronica and me, Dena and, well Dena. We were awesome. Then Lily was killed, and Veronica's dad started accusing my dad, and Logan told her to choice and she choose her dad. Or maybe it went bad before that I don't know. I just remember one minute my sister was alive and well and next she wasn't. Veronica choice her dad, which I get, but Logan and me, I don't forget my own part, shunned her. Keith Mars was kicked out of office, and well here we are a year later.

If I had a choice, I don't know what I would do different. Maybe get home sooner. Then Lilly would be here and we'd be happy. I really want to be happy.

Shaking myself, I start the car and pull out of the grave yard. I sigh when my phone rings, "Hello?"

"HI," Veronica's voice says. This must be a day for surprises. "It's Veronica mars."

"Yeah," I nod like an idiot, "What's up?"

"I need your help with a case. If you have time later maybe I could ask you a few questions."

"Sure whenever." How bad could it be, it's just a few questions from Veronica Mars.