The guilt pooled in his stomach like liquid led. What he had done was stupid; he knew it was, but he had done it none the less. Madison Sinclair had been readily available, a warm body with tempting curves and a hint of lilac aroma to engulf the senses of anyone in her vicinity. He had stared numbly at Veronica as she rattled of his crimes against her, and in all honesty, there wasn't much more to be said that pure silence hadn't covered.
That was months ago; yet the incident managed to still weigh heavily on his mind. Maybe if he could have explained himself, said something rather than nothing to justify his actions to her… but no, there was no viable justification, even in his own head he had wronged her terribly. It was amazing that she still talked to him after what he'd done; that had taken time. He hadn't told Parker that he'd kept a picture of the two of them from the past summer's vacation spent surfing and boating. The picture still sat shyly behind his alarm clock to peak its head up as a daily reminder of what he no longer had.
Not that it mattered now; Parker had left weeks ago on a journey to pursue her own goals. He had liked Parker a lot, but not enough to follow her to start a new life. And then there was Piz. In Logan's eyes not a bad guy really, he just wasn't the one for Veronica. She knew it, even if she didn't let him in on it. Piz knew better, and Logan also knew better.
Veronica had told Logan off-handedly of how Piz had been awarded a scholarship at a prime radio station in New York. Logan had gauged from her reaction that she wanted to go with him, but there was a layer of hesitation blanketing her decision. Then there was Veronica's future with the FBI… Virginia was a long way from Neptune, California. 'So, if she's such a lost cause, why are you still pining over her?' Logan inwardly mused.
Of course he knew why he obsessed about her; if not consciously then deep down buried beneath layers of intricately built walls and self-defense mechanisms. She was the one who completed him. It was those unspoken moments shared where time just seemed to stand still. The universe could have imploded in upon itself to erase all of existence for all time, and it would have been ok as long as his last minutes of life had been spent in her warm embrace, content with the world, longing for nothing more than what he already at that moment.
He shook his head to clear the probing thoughts of her from the surface of his mind as the bell rang, and everyone started gathering up their books and exiting the statistics class he'd just day dreamed thru.
It was now 12:50PM, and Logan looked down at his watch hungrily deciding he had time to take a lunch break since his next class didn't start until 2PM. He had gathered up his lunch tray, and as he spun around to face the cafeteria crowd, he saw Veronica stepping into the lunch line. He peered up and gave her a short warm smile as their eyes made brief contact. She had smiled back, so that was always something. Logan thought it best to leave it at that continuing to walk in a forward motion to an empty table in the back of the food court. All of a sudden, he wasn't so hungry anymore.
He sighed discontentedly leaning back in his chair to watch the procession of students lurch thru the lunch line until his appetite started to return. He glanced at her sitting alone, and it wasn't long before Piz came up to join her.
He watched through his peripheral as they chatted noticing that the conversation seemed to turn awkward, and both seemed to avoid eye contact and withdraw further back in their chairs as their little chat continued. She shook her head no, and Piz ran his hand thru his hair in frustration before making some last statement and rising from the table, grabbing his drink, and departing.
Veronica had not moved out of the position she had held throughout the conversation, arms folded and held loosely against her body in a withdrawn miserable heap. He hated seeing her like that, and against his better judgment had already picked up his tray and was making his way across the lunch room to where Veronica still sat.
"Is this seat taken?" he queried softly.
Veronica looked up blinking away the tears that threatened to spill off her eyelids and shook a quick no before returning her gaze back to her half eaten burger.
"That bad eh?" Logan asked as he slid into the seat.
Veronica covered her eyes momentarily before wiping a stray tear from her cheek responding with, "Piz and I are no longer dating."
Logan smiled inwardly at the realization of Veronica's availability, but felt instantly guilty upon seeing how upset Veronica was over the break-up.
"If you don't mind talking about it; I'm here for you," Logan ventured.
Veronica smiled, "Thanks, but I don't think I need a pity party."
Logan returned the smile joking, "I don't have any black balloons or streamers, so I'd be ill equipped to throw any kind of party, even a pity party."
Veronica pushed her tray aside and put both arms on the table clasping hand in hand mentally preparing herself to talk to Logan about the break-up, "Do you remember me telling you about Piz getting that radio station scholarship?"
Logan nodded he had remembered.
Veronica sighed, "Well, they sent him a letter yesterday saying that he would be scheduled to start with them at the beginning of Spring semester… they asked if they needed to look at any other scholarship student between now and then. They weren't giving him much wiggle room, so he said yes… I, on the other hand, said no." She trailed off looking distantly off into her plate.
Logan reached out his hand covering hers in his own and gave her hand a gentle squeeze, "I understand what you're going thru. Parker left me last Wednesday to stay with her parents until the end of this semester."
Veronica's eyes shot up in sympathy; she had been so busy dealing with her own drama to realize Parker was no longer even around, "I'm so sorry Logan; you two seemed to be getting along so well."
Logan shrugged indifferently, "It was good while it lasted I guess."
An awkward silence passed between them before Logan added, "I was planning to catch some waves this Saturday with Dick, but he's already got plans, so if you're not busy maybe I can convince you to drown your sorrows with me on my boat. A leisurely dinner for two, no strings attached?"
Veronica looked at Logan hesitantly arguing with herself as to whether or not going on a 'date' with Logan so soon would be a good idea. "I don't know Logan… I promised my dad I'd help him with the upcoming election this Saturday… If I'm not too tired, I'll give you a call."
Logan gave her a knowing smirk, 'She's not coming,' he thought bitterly to himself, but responded with, "Yea… Just give me a call if you're good to go." He finished his half eaten slice of pizza in silence before nodding a goodbye and rising from the table.
Veronica watched him as he dumped his lunch tray and turned towards the cafeteria's double doors to leave. Before Veronica knew it, she had risen out of her chair and was calling out, "Logan!"
He turned to face her, his brow raised in question.
She licked her lips absently before nodding yes, "I'll join you… for dinner this Saturday."
Logan smiled his first genuine smile he'd smiled all week, "8:00pm sharp; don't be late, or I'll have ta feed ya ta the fishes."
She smiled back, "I won't be late."
The rest of the week seemed to drag on, but Saturday eventually came. Logan had taken great care to prepare a fine dining experience with broiled salmon sautéed with a lemon pepper seasoning to lay over a bed of linguine covered in asparagus gravy with a hint of basil. For desert, he had made Veronica's favorite, a chocolate mousse cake. He had just finished lighting the candles when he saw her approaching up the walk way.
Her hair was drawn up in a loose bun, small wisps of hair broke free to cascade down her neck in an elegant yet sexy fashion. The style complemented her peach evening gown nicely. She had pulled out all the stops for him, and he had done the same choosing a casual navy blue silk shirt with black dress pants and loafers.
He held out his hand to help her climb up the steps, "My lady," he motioned towards the set table. Veronica's eyes followed the gestured hand to the neatly coordinated table. A bottle of fine wine rested on a mountain of ice, and the plate ware was antique china and sterling silverware.
Logan pulled out her chair for her, and she sat jokingly remarking, "Nice set up; are we expecting someone important to be joining us for dinner?"
Logan grinned retorting, "The president planned to attend, but I told him I hadn't prepared enough salmon for three."
Veronica smirked, "He likely would have just bored us with politics; lord knows I've had my share of that today."
Logan filled both of their glasses with wine, "Speaking of, how are things going with your dad's campaigning?"
Veronica's brow crinkled as she exasperated, "Vinny is a weasel as always, but dad still has a fighting chance of pulling out of this current debacle."
Logan knew that Keith Mars being sheriff again made him happy, and her dad's happiness mattered greatly to Veronica, so he offered to help with some of his campaigning tasks.
Veronica was appreciative, and accepted his offer with a smile and a, "Thanks, that would be great."
The night went on, and dinner went well. Neither Veronica or Logan had brought up Piz or Parker and just enjoyed the time they were able to spend together.
Over the next two weeks, Logan and Veronica converged regularly meeting for lunch at the college and had even gotten together the past weekend to pass out 'Vote for Keith Mars' buttons throughout the town. This weekend, they planned to help Keith organize points and questions for the upcoming public debate to showcase Keith and Vinny's attributes, or lack there of, for the position of Neptune's sheriff.
Veronica and Logan had just finished discussing their weekend plans over lunch when Piz entered the cafeteria. Piz's eyes panned across the crowd pin pointing the two. Rage flared thru Piz as he walked briskly over to their table. He glared from Veronica to Logan before shaking his head angrily as he spat at Logan, "You just couldn't wait could you man? I'm not even out of the picture two weeks, and you've already snaked your way back to her. You think I didn't see you watching us? See you come over to the table when I left?"
Logan took in a deep breath before responding, "Listen Piz, I get that you're upset about you and Veronica's spit, but don't let your jealousy blind you. Veronica and I are just having lunch."
Veronica was about to add her two cents when Piz's fist launched a quick jab to Logan's chin sending him reeling backwards out of his chair.
Logan shook off the fog of the initial blow before rebounding with a sharp kick placed under Piz's knee sending him crashing to the floor beside Logan. With-in moments Logan had mounted Piz's waist snagging Piz up by his shirt to draw him into his pummeling fist. He stopped after three squarely connected hits and the familiar grasp of Veronica's finger tips wrapping around his other arm's bicep as she pleaded for him to stop.
Logan's grip loosened letting Piz drop to the floor as the boy wriggled to get out from under him into a more defensive position. Logan's adrenaline was still pumping, nature's fight or flight response had made him hit back when he knew deep down that he couldn't blame Piz for feeling the way he did. Logan would have likely done the same thing, if he were in Piz's shoes. The fight was over, and flight was out of the realm of options now that the campus police were running on to the scene.
Both culprits were cuffed, questioned, and led off to the dean's office where Mr. Kempleton had taken up temporary residence due to the late dean O'Dell's murder.
Veronica was disallowed entrance to their little pow-wow, and for once, she was kind of glad to be kept on the side lines. Her curiosity was getting the better of her, and it took nearly an hour before she saw the door open and both boys, the dean, and one of the campus officers emerged from the office.
Logan and Piz were no longer cuffed, and Veronica let out a sigh of relief since that meant no one would be going to jail. Veronica was relieved knowing that any connection to her and cause for police involvement would reflect poorly on Keith, and her dad needed as little hassle as possible with investigative scum like Vinny Vanlow running to try and take his job.
Logan and Piz split striding away in opposite directions from Mr. Kempleton and the campus officer who seemingly were still engaged in conversation. Logan disappeared around the west side of the office exiting to the parking lot, and Piz had opted to walk back towards the dorm area which happened to be the direction Veronica was in. As Piz approached, Veronica stepped out of the shadows of the filing cabinet she'd been leaning against. She was unsure as to how to respond to his behavior, but believed he had a right for an explanation before she scolded him for acting like he was still in high school.
Piz hadn't looked up until he'd come around the corner, and when he did see Veronica, his eyes were filled with a mix of remorse and confusion. He lifted his head in a half nod to acknowledge he'd seen her, but he didn't stop walking in the direction of the dorms.
Veronica called out to him, "Piz… Wait!"
Piz stopped, but he didn't turn back to face her.
She walked up to him cautiously, "I know what you must think, but it's not like that… I never meant to hurt you. And…"
Piz cut her off whirling around to face her, "But you did Veronica; you did hurt me. Nothing you say can change that… You know, if all I was to you was a buffer in between the time you and Logan would make up again, you should have just left me alone."
Veronica was taken off guard and gawked momentarily before rebounding with, "How dare you! Do you really think I'm that shallow? I'm sorry that you're leaving, and I'm not following, but I'm not sorry for who I decide to take up my time with now that we're no longer dating. And for you to run around beating people up in a jealous rage to prove some kind…"
Piz held up his hands in surrender, "You know what Veronica, you're right; It was crazy of me to ever think you could be unconditionally mine." He didn't wait for her reply as he turned his back to her and strode off in the direction of his dorm.
This time she didn't stop him, but merely watched him retreat into the darkness of the hallway. Veronica was at a loss for words. She wanted to tell Piz that she did still care about him, and if things had been different, maybe they could have had something wonderful… but things weren't different. She resigned inwardly that it was best for both of them to just let him go. And as he disappeared around the bend, a single tear cascaded down her cheek as she thought about the finality his absence meant to their relationship. It was now officially over.
Veronica was late for her English literature course and since it was her last class of the afternoon, she opted instead to try and contact Logan to see if he was OK. He had just pulled out of the parking lot when she had called. He told her he'd swing back around to pick her up, so they could chat in person.
As Veronica climbed into Logan's car, she could immediately see that the left side of his face where Piz had sucker punched him was starting to swell. Logan noticed her staring and peered in his rearview mirror to see what he'd already examined six times prior to her getting in the car.
He gingerly patted the swelling a grimace forming on his features, "Punk." He muttered to himself.
Veronica's eyes shot down to her lap, "I'm sorry about that."
Logan shook his head, "Unless you've got a telekinetic hold on Piz's mind, I don't think you have anything to be sorry for."
Veronica gave Logan a small smile, "For what it's worth, I want to thank you for not pummeling Piz into oblivion. I know you could have, but the fact you didn't really means a lot to me."
Logan wasn't sure how to respond to Veronica's comment unable to decipher what her response meant for them. Not that there was a 'them,' but it didn't stop Logan from hoping there could be again.
Logan decided to play it safe opting to shift his car into drive and pull off out of the school's parking lot as he retorted, "I don't know about you, but I was thinking since we've got the rest of the afternoon off, maybe you'd like to join me for a matinee?"
Veronica nodded her head, "I'd love to."
When they arrived at the movie theater, Logan let Veronica do the choosing. She picked a horror flick, and by halfway thru the movie she had scooted in close next to Logan. During a particularly scary part, Veronica had unwittingly intertwined their hands together.
The gesture had Logan smiling inwardly, happy to feel her so close to him. He wanted to kiss her, but knew his advance would likely be rejected. He watched her thru his peripheral, her smell engaging memories long since past but not forgotten. All these emotions swirled around him until he couldn't help himself any longer. He leaned in close to her and whispered her name.
Veronica turned towards him; her dark eyes staring into his as he abandoned all reason taking her cheek in hand and pulling her into meet his lips. She only resisted slightly before fading into his passionate kiss.
Sparks flew between the two as the pent up emotions each had chosen to cut off were set free. After several minutes of letting themselves be engulfed in the moment, Logan pulled away; his gaze penetrated the confused expression on Veronica's face, "I want you to know I love you Veronica… I never stopped loving you."
Veronica was awe struck torn between what her heart wanted and what her head was warning her. Her heart won out against what she felt was her better judgment as she responded with a quiet, "I still love you to Logan."
Logan smiled pulling her back onto his lips, their faces melding together once more. Lost in their kiss, neither had realized the movie had ended until the patrons were filling the aisles to leave.
Their lips unlocked and they sat for a long moment gazing in wonder at each other as if it were the first time they'd shared a kiss verse the hundredth.
As the ushers came in to start the after movie clean-up, Veronica and Logan rose exiting out the theater's back door. They walked out in silence that persisted until both were reseated in Logan's car.
Veronica was the first to speak as she gave Logan a weary look, "You know I can't stay…"
Logan nodded in understanding, "I know."
She crinkled her brow in dismay, "So what does that mean for you and me?"
Logan took in a deep breath exhaling slowly before responding, "It means, I'd rather spend the next three months being with you over the alternative."
She felt her heart melt at his words and knew she felt the same. They would part ways when she left to continue her education with the FBI, but for now they could enjoy each other's company, and Veronica decided she could be fine with that much for now.
The next few weeks flew by as Veronica and Logan reacquainted intimately. The semester being over was a plus, and it left the two a lot more free time to spend with one another.
Keith's election was fast approaching, the polls had come in, and Vinny had managed to win the popular vote mostly due to the warehouse bust's publicity from the previous month. Keith resigned to the fact his chances for remaining sheriff in Neptune were dwindling almost daily.
Veronica hated to see her father under so much stress feeling impotent to stop that scumbag, Vinny, from usurping her dad's position. She discussed the fact with Logan, and he suggested that she use that super sleuth brain of hers to come up with a way to nail Vinny to the wall. And so it happened after much strategic planning, Logan and Veronica were infiltrating Vinny Vanlow's private residence in hopes of digging up some dirt that would save her dad's reputation and bury Vinny's for good.