A/N: Every time I tell myself that I am going to stop writing for a while, Veronica Mars makes my fingers burn until I type the next story. So here we go, here is another short multi-chapter story. Rob Thomas owns all the characters. The first chapter is very short, mainly just setting things up. The POV will alternate between Veronica and Logan.

"Seriously, Veronica Mars, wasn't he just the most handsome officer ever?"

"Huh?" Veronica snapped out of her thoughts at her best friend's slurred voice. "Oh yeah, sure."

Lilly didn't need any further encouragement, apparently, as she tattled on about her Fleet Week conquests, all the while punctuating her declarations with body movements. No one could combine driving and seduction like Lilly Kane.

Veronica sighed as she leaned back in the passenger seat, her long locks covering the sides of her face. The squealing from Lilly and the girls faded away into the background.

How could Lilly act so nonchalantly? Sure, Logan was wrong to kiss Yolanda, but didn't he at least deserve the chance to explain?

Veronica licked her lips as a guilty feeling punched her in the gut. She was one to talk about chances to explain. She wondered how Yolanda was doing.

"Hello? Veronica? Earth to Mars?"

Veronica turned to her left. "Seriously, Lilly, you know I hate that line."

"And that's why I use it!" Lilly laughed. "I live to serve. But seriously, what were you thinking? Are you really so deprived of seeing men in hot outfits that one Fleet Week visit makes you speechless? I gotta talk to Duncan about his wardrobe."

Veronica let out a small laugh before becoming serious again. "Actually, Lills, I was thinking about Yolanda."

Lilly's frivolity melted into an expression of annoyance and anger. "Seriously? Pick someone actually worth your thoughts, Veronica."

"Well, no, Lilly, I - " Veronica tried to find the right words. "I just felt like - that I - uhm, that we owe her a chance to explain, you know?"

"Explain what? I know how kissing Logan feels like. I don't need her to describe it to me."

Veronica sighed. "But what if what I thought I saw wasn't the truth, Lilly?"

"Look, Logan was upset at me for skipping the party, Yolanda always had the hots for him, and they made out without me. It doesn't get plainer than that. If anything, I have to thank her for getting him off my hands."

Lilly gave a rueful shrug; Veronica leaned back, frustration in her eyes.

Oh Lilly, why do you always have to act like you don't care? I know you care. Or do you?

"Anyway, girls, who was your favorite greeter?" Lilly switched back to her flirtatious mode almost instantly. This time, however, she didn't ask Veronica any more questions, focusing instead on her audience in the backseat.

Veronica rode the rest of the trip in silence.

Veronica could not believe what Lilly Kane had just told her.

"Yesterday you said we were meant for each other," Veronica pressed as the older girl shrugged her off.

"I don't - I really don't want to be in the middle of this."

Veronica looked at her friend, heartbroken and frustrated. How did Lilly go from fully supportive into completely cold within 24 hours? Veronica tried desperately to pursue the topic.

"Would you stop walking? What is so horrible that you can't tell me?" Veronica trailed her friend down the hallway.

Lilly stopped for a moment. "Can you trust me? It's for the best, Veronica. I know that it doesn't seem like it right now, but it is! You deserve better."

Veronica watched helplessly as Lilly hurried away.

Lilly once warned me that Celeste Kane would break me up with Duncan the first chance she had. Could she be the one behind this? I can think of very few reasons that Duncan and Lilly would agree upon. It had to be something big - and I had to figure it out.

"Veronica?" Logan's eyebrows mirrored his verbal greeting as he leaned most of his weight against his open bedroom door.

Veronica lowered her eyes, uncertain how Logan's reaction meant. How could she explain how much she needed him right now when she had just tattled on him weeks before?

A silent moment passed.

"Ronnie?"

She felt Logan move closer, his hand reaching out to her shoulder. Veronica breathed sharply.

"Logan, I need your help."