If you are wondering how in the world I have time to start another story when I am currently in the middle of three, I will assure you that this story is not really mine. BeWitchingRedhead36 thought it'd be fun to write a story together. Since the great news about the reunion movie came out, she came up with this premise. We weren't exactly sure how to go about posting a co-authored story. She wanted to write the MaDi prospective and have me write the LoVe prospective. She gave me the first chapter and I wrote this chapter, which is Veronica's point of view. She is writing the MaDi chapters, and I am writing the LoVe chapters. However, we both will be posting the story. We are proofing each other's chapters and adding a line here and there to them. I did borrow some of her dialogue for this chapter so that the two will compliment each other well. She is wickedly funny (as you will see when you read the next chapter or go to her already posted chapter).

We came up with the character Joshua Specter together and modeled him a bit after Harvey from USA's Suits. This is basically our vision of how the reunion movie should go.

I hope you enjoy it and are not too confused by my rambling explanation. If you see her story posted with the same name, just know it is the same story basically. The chapters are just in different order. It doesn't matter if you start reading mine or hers. It's the exact same story. The only difference is the order. I hope you like it! If you story alert to one of them-mine or hers-you will get any updates we have.

Chapter 1: Veronica's P.O.V.

*******Two Weeks Before Neptune's Class Reunion: Los Angeles*******

Veronica read Mac's email again. Mac was wanting her to attend their ten year class reunion. Veronica knew that she couldn't keep putting off going home. She'd been home twice to see her dad since Mac and Logan had their launch party for the company they co-founded called EM Squared Enterprises four years ago. Seeing Logan then and being reminded of what they'd never have had been harder than she thought it would be. She and Logan had gotten back together their sophomore year at Hearst, but Veronica just couldn't seem to let him off the hook. Her lack of trust in him had been destroying him. She could see it when she looked at him or when they fought. Finally, she knew that she had to let him go. She loved him enough to do that. Instead of continuing their cycle of break up and make up, she'd transferred to UCLA. Putting physical distance between them was the only way she could think of to make the break permanent.

That's when she'd made friends with someone on the school's Mock Trial team. Somehow she'd gotten roped into being a witness when her friend's team had been short a participant. She soon found herself hooked. She had been a natural. Playing a witness had led to her eventually playing a lawyer. The game had become real to her. Eventually, she decided that she'd found her calling. Becoming a lawyer had made perfect sense. She had focused on criminal law since she had no desire to be rich and knew putting bad guys away was in her blood. Corporate law bored her to tears. Landing a job with Los Angeles District Attorney's office had been perfect for her. She had just gotten the job when Mac and Logan had decided to launch their new business. She'd never forget her last conversation with Logan that night.

Flashback:

She had went out on the balcony away from the many guests in attendance. The party had been a combination of class (Mac) and fun (Logan). Logan had once again surprised Veronica. He needed to stop doing that. It made her decision to make a life away from him so much harder. Logan, of course, had been compelled to follow her out.

"Having a good time?" he asked.

"Of course. You and Mac throw a good party. Who would've thought!" she said smiling at him.

He stepped closer. He'd worn a tux. She hated that he'd look so good.

"Things change. Mac was always one to see me for who I was not who I used to be. I wish her best friend could be more like her sometimes," he said sadly.

Veronica didn't get angry at his remark. Instead, it made her sad. "Me, too," she said regretfully. "I'm sorry, Logan. Sorry for so many things."

Logan had stepped even closer. He reached out and ran the back of his hand down her cheek. Then he cupped it. "No one is more sorry than I. I didn't deserve you. I want to though. I want to be a man you can be proud of," he confessed, piercing her with his heated, earnest gaze.

Veronica put her hand on top of his. "You already are," she told him. "I am so proud of you, Logan. Never think for one moment that I'm not."

They had stood staring at one another both wanting to say so much. Both afraid to. They had hurt each other too many times with their words. The door behind them opened up. A voice called out, "Yo, Logan! You and Ronnie can make out later! I need you to come settle a bet!"

Veronica stepped back. Logan turned and glared at Dick. "Go away. I'll be in when I'm in," Logan said. He turned back to Veronica. "Do you think it'll ever be our time?" he asked her, regret and longing in his voice.

"I hope so. I really do," she admitted softly. She had given him a bittersweet smile before he had turned and went back inside.

End of Flashback

Veronica had made a point of avoiding Logan the rest of that night. Nor did she return his calls the following week. He had gotten the message. He hadn't tried to contact her again. A part of her was relieved, another part was disappointed. Some part of her was always waiting for Logan to sweep back in her life again. When she had met Joshua a year after that last encounter with Logan, she'd been so relieved. Joshua had such a commanding presence. He was such an alpha male. The attraction between them had been powerful.

Veronica's aloofness had been a challenge for the highly competitive attorney. They had often tried cases on opposite sides. The fact that she managed to beat him at least half of the time infuriated and aroused him in equal measure. It wasn't long before their attraction turned into so much more. He had consumed Veronica's time and attention from the beginning. It became easier to forget Logan and her life in Neptune. Joshua and the life they had built took up most of her time.

Now, however, the two worlds were about to collide. Veronica knew Weevil and Wallace would never forgive her if she didn't show up for the reunion. She had missed Weevil's wedding to Logan's cousin Allison. Wallace was flying in for the reunion and would not let her miss if she wanted to. She missed her friends. Her life in L.A. was nearly perfect. She had a great job and a great boyfriend. The high rise condo they lived together in had an amazing view. They had friends and were admired and envied by many. In fact, her time in Neptune seemed almost like it had happened to another person.

However, late at night when she was in bed with Joshua she couldn't help but wish she had someone in L.A. who knew her-really knew her. How could Joshua know her if he didn't know Neptune? He hadn't been there during the worse times in her life. Although she had shared many things with him, it wasn't the same thing. He saw her as being so strong, so capable. Veronica didn't think he would ever believe that she had once been a victim-more than once. And even though she liked herself the way he saw her, a part of her resented his absorption in the person he saw. Would he love her if he really knew her?

Coming to a decision, she sent Mac a reply. Yes, she would attend the reunion. It was time that Joshua met Neptune. If she was going to take the final step with Joshua, then she needed to know that he understood her. He had to be introduced to Neptune and her friends there. Did he love her or the woman he thought she was? It was time to find out.

*******Two Weeks Later********

Veronica had wanted to stay with her dad and Alicia since they were going to be in town for the entire weekend. However, she knew Joshua wouldn't be comfortable. Her dad hadn't been very impressed with Joshua the hand full of times they'd met. Joshua didn't get her dad's sense of humor sometimes, which, of course, meant that he didn't always get Veronica's either. However, he found her quirks endearing and didn't seem to want her to change. She liked that about him. She couldn't help but wish, however, that her dad and he were closer. Veronica was determined that for this weekend her worlds would finally mesh.

They had arrived at the Neptune Grand in the afternoon. The reunion meet and greet didn't start until seven, so there was time for Veronica and Joshua to have an early dinner with Keith and Alicia in the hotel's restaurant. Even Joshua hadn't been able to find fault with the hotel or the restaurant's five star cuisine.

Things had been going great until her father brought up Logan. Veronica hadn't been expecting it and it caught her off guard.

"So I ran into Logan the other day," Keith said casually.

"Arrest him again? What he'd do this time?" Veronica said with a sigh. Her dad had lost the election her sophomore year, but Vinnie Van Lowe had been so bad as sheriff that her dad had recently won his second round against Vinnie last year. He was back as sheriff and Neptune had breathed a sigh of relief. All was finally right with their corner of the world.

Her father gave her a disapproving look. "Honey, you shouldn't jump to conclusions. Logan has turned out to be quite the upstanding citizen. Who knew? Anyway, he and Mac may have moved their business to San Diego, but Logan hasn't forgotten his home. He opened up a youth center in one of the more neglected neighborhoods this year. I have arrested a lot less wayward teens now that they have a place to hang out at after school," Keith shared.

"Really?" Veronica asked in surprise.

"Doesn't Mac tell you anything? I thought you kept in touch," Keith said in surprise.

"We don't usually discuss Logan," Veronica admitted. She gave Joshua an uneasy look. He knew that her ex was Logan, but he never really understood the depth of the bond between them. And Veronica had never been very good at articulating her feelings about the subject of Logan.

"He's going to make a fine father some day," Alicia added. "I've been by the center to pick up Darrel, and Logan didn't just throw the money at a project. He and Dick spend time there at least once a month. Eli is more active since he lives in the town full time. It's great to see the boys growing up into such caring and responsible role models."

"Dick Casablancas is giving back to the community?" Veronica asked in bemusement. Dick a role model? Her world suddenly seemed a bit off kilter at the thought.

"People change, honey," Keith said. "Sometimes they can surprise us if we give them a chance." His words were filled with meaning only she could get. She looked away. Her father knew her too well.

She decided to change the subject. "So, Dad, I was telling Joshua about the amazing golf course attached to the hotel. Why don't you bring Cliff and meet up with Joshua in the morning for a round of golf? Then Alicia and I can enjoy a spa day here at the hotel. Mac said it's one of the few improvements Dick brought to the hotel that is worth the price," Veronica suggested.

"That sounds lovely," Alicia said eagerly. She loved having a stepdaughter. She wished Veronica spent more time visiting Neptune, but she and Keith understood why it was hard for her to be home.

Keith smiled. "Sure. I'll call Cliff. He is always up for a game of anything," Keith said.

Veronica was happy. She knew that having Cliff there would keep things from being too awkward between him and Joshua. Cliff never shut up for long, and even though she knew that would irritate Joshua, it'd be better than the silence that would inevitably arise if it was just her dad and him. She wanted them to spend time together. It would be even better if the time they spent was enjoyable for them both.

"Why didn't Wallace join us?" Veronica asked Alicia.

"His flight doesn't land until right about now. I offered to pick him up, but Darrel insisted that since he was now a legal driver he could. He misses his big brother and wanted to show off his new skills," she shared.

"I can't wait to see him! I miss him so much!" Veronica said with a sigh. "Josh and I had business a few months ago in Chicago and got to meet him for a dinner, but it wasn't enough time. There's never enough time."

" I wish he'd move back here," Alicia shared. "Every winter, he swears he will because the winters are so long and torturous in Chicago, but by spring he forgets his vow."

Veronica laughed. "Chicago is a fun city to visit, though." She turned to Joshua. "We need to make more time to go visit him."

"Sure, babe. Whatever you want," Joshua said amiably. Like most people, he liked Wallace. The guy was easy to be with and promised Joshua that he'd call him when he landed some Bulls tickets. "Wallace said he'd get us tickets to the Bulls next season."

Alicia laughed. "Sometimes I think that's the only reason he hangs onto that city!" she said fondly.

Veronica looked at her watch. "We need to get going. I want to change before we make it to the reunion," she said.

"What are you wearing?" Alicia asked.

"Mac promised she'd wear a dress if I would," Veronica shared. "She hates dressing up even more than I, so I agreed. I have to wear dress suits for work, so I've gotten over most of my abhorrence. She, on the other hand, still hates it!"

A half hour later, she and Joshua finished getting ready for the reunion. She couldn't help but notice Joshua's less than enthusiastic expression. "My friends mean a lot to mean, Josh. I hope you'll give them a chance," she said as she put on her heels. She and Mac had agreed to wear simple cocktail dresses-classy but not overly dressy. Mac would be in traditional black while Veronica had on the midnight blue that always looked so good on her. They'd save their really fancy duds for the Sunday evening dance.

"I like your friends. Wallace is cool. Mac seems great, too," Joshua said with a shrug. "It's just you have the history with them. I don't, so I can't see the night being a huge blast for me. But it's okay. You can make it up to me later!" He pulled her to him and gave her a thorough kiss.

She sighed. He did know how to kiss. "I'm going to have to reapply my lipstick!" she complained.

Joshua grinned. "So worth it!" he said unapologetic. After she'd reapplied the lipstick, Joshua took her hand and escorted her to the elevator.

They walked down to the ballroom that the reunion was taking place in. She saw the plaque with Dick's name on it and rolled her eyes. Some things never changed.

She went to the table to get her name tag and check in. She recognized Shelley Pomeroy at the table handing out the name tags. Veronica braced herself for the scene that would probably take place as she greeted Shelley, her hand still in Joshua's. "Hey, Shelley," she said.

The girl blinked and recognized Veronica. She smiled brightly. "Well, Veronica Mars! I heard you were coming! So nice to see you again! You look fabulous!" Shelley gushed. "Is this your man? You always did have good taste in men. Any chance Duncan Kane will be showing up tonight? I'm newly divorced. Husband number two turned out to be worse than husband number one!"

Veronica kept a smile on her face and the surprise off of it. Shelley was playing the selective amnesia thing the 09ers were always so good at. She may as well play along. "I don't know about Duncan. He and I never kept in touch after he left. But good luck with husband number three!" she said with a sunny smile, grabbing her name tag and dragging Joshua away before she was forced to engage further.

"Duncan Kane?" Joshua asked. "He's the brother of your best friend in high school? The one that was murdered, right?"

Veronica nodded. She'd given Joshua the cliff note version of her sordid high school tragedy. He knew that her first boyfriend was Duncan Kane, her best friend's sister and that Lilly had been murdered. She never mentioned helping him fool the F.B.I. and flee the country with his daughter. At what point in a relationship did it become right to confess that particular tidbit? This was probably as good of a time as any. She took a deep breath and explained "Duncan fled the country senior year with his baby after the baby's mother, Meg, died. She was a victim of the bus crash, but she survived the crash only to die a few months later of a blood clot after giving birth to her baby. Her parents were a nightmare, and she begged Duncan and I not to let them get their hands on her daughter. Duncan kept his promise."

Joshua just nodded. He tried not to dwell too much on his girlfriend's dark history. It was disturbing and hard to believe. She seemed mostly unaffected by her experiences, so he figured it just made her tougher. And there was no one tougher than Veronica Mars. It's what made her so unstoppable as an attorney. She was tireless in her pursuit of justice. It kept him on his toes and made her an asset for his own aspirations. They were on path to be one of the premier power couples in Los Angeles County.

When they entered the main ballroom, Veronica's eyes spotted Logan Echolls right away. It was inevitable. A part of her had been waiting to see him again. He stood near the entrance door but off to the right talking to Gia Goodman, who looked pretty much exactly the same. Veronica felt a pang of disappointment that he didn't glance her way. Then again she'd probably handle their reunion better after a stiff drink, make that several stiff drinks.

Unlike many of the attendees, Logan did not have on a suit. Instead, she saw he had on a pair of slacks and Polo shirt. Her insides clenched in response to hearing him laugh at something Gia said. Cursing herself, she led Joshua to the bar to get drinks. It was far away from Logan. They sipped their drinks as she scanned the room. Finally, she spotted Mac talking to a guy at a table. When the guy laughed at something Mac said, she recognized Dick.

"Come on. I spotted Mac. She's apparently being forced to talk to Dick, who was aptly named, so we need to rescue her," Veronica said as she moved away from the bar.

It wasn't long before Logan finally found them. Veronica braced herself as their eyes finally connected as he appeared in response to Dick's boorish bellow. His eyes seemed to devour her as he looked her up and down. She felt his glance as if it was a touch. Her body felt hot, and she quickly took a drink of her wine. He smirked knowingly at her as if he knew exactly what she was feeling. He looked up at the man standing next to her in surprise. Veronica could tell that Mac hadn't warned him she'd be bringing a date. However, he obviously saw Joshua as an obstacle he could easily overcome because he seemed to have no trouble pulling up a chair and insinuating himself purposely between the two of them.

"Behave!" she whispered to him as she glanced over at Joshua, who seemed decidedly unhappy at Logan's maneuvering.

"Always," Logan said with mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Veronica couldn't seem to stop the answering smile that automatically came to her lips in response. As the rest of her friends arrived, she tried to ignore his presence and chatted amicably with everyone. When his arm brushed hers, Veronica tensed. She hated that she still wasn't immune to his charisma. When Joshua got up to get her a drink, she moved the chair over some trying to create some space. Logan snickered. He knew exactly what he was doing. She sighed in frustration as she saw the look Joshua threw her. He knew something was up. His displeasure at the way the evening was going was clear.

Wallace and Weevil arrived distracting her from both men for a short time. It was so good to see Wallace. She had friends in L.A. A few she even felt she could confide in. However, no one could replace Wallace. They had to get a bigger table to accommodate their growing party. Weevil had brought his wife Allison, a cousin of Logan's. Logan kept them entertained by teasing Weevil about the connection. Veronica watched the old time rivals and sometimes enemies bicker and poke at one another like an old married couple. The picture both amused and bemused her. Things were both different and oddly familiar; it gave her comfort and hope.

"So, bro," Veronica said to her now stepbrother, "how's work going? Making anymore toy planes?"

"Toy planes? Is that what you think I do? Sit in a big room and make model airplanes?" Wallace feigned outrage.

"Yes. That's what you did when we all went to Dog Beach for The Sea Monkey's maiden voyage," Veronica reminded him.

"This is the real world, Vee. We use computers now. I actually do a lot of flight simulations, finite element analysis, and structural analysis. Really cool stuff, I don't get to sue people, but I like it." He grinned really big.

"So, it's like rocket science or something, right, dude?" Dick asked.

"Or something," Wallace replied at the same time Mac said, "Yes, exactly like rocket science."

"What's rocket science? Owning an ass website?" Joshua said as he returned to their table. He handed Veronica her glass of wine.

Veronica winced. Joshua's comment was meant to put down Logan; however, she knew Mac would take it personally, too. The website was her baby, and she never took criticism of her projects well. When Logan and Mac got up to get drinks with Dick, Veronica moved into Logan's seat, establishing her spot next to Joshua. She smiled at him. "Way too much space between us," she said.

"You didn't seem to mind," Joshua said pointedly, taking another swing of his drink.

She frowned but a comment from Wallace dragged her back into the conversation.

When Logan arrived back at the table, he took the new seat without comment. It didn't seem to change much. He still kept crowding her. His seemingly innocent touches were not so innocent. When she glared at him for the fifth time, and he grinned unrepentantly, she knew it was on purpose. If she tasered him, she'd have to explain to Joshua why and that wouldn't be good.

She finally stood up with an excuse to go to the bathroom. Sitting so close to him was torturous. Dragging Mac with her to the bathroom was a way to get some breathing room. Joshua's lack of ease with her friends was obvious to everyone. Veronica felt disappointed that the evening wasn't going how she planned. She felt a desire to unburden her concern with Mac but simply said, "Do you think Joshua's mad?"

"I think he's overwhelmed. And probably feeling outnumbered," Mac replied thoughtfully.

"He has just been in a really pissy mood all night," Veronica admitted with a frown.

"In other words, exactly your type," Mac said, flashing her dimple at Veronica.

"Pissy?" Veronica asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Tall, magnetic, broody," Mac stated matter-of-factly.

"Just because that describes Duncan and Logan...Well, maybe," Veronica finally admitted. She felt startled to realize Mac had a point. She was drawn to men with seething emotions.

As she and Mac walked back from the bathroom after an unpleasant run in with Madison Sinclair, they stopped at the table honoring the bus crash victims. Her eyes fell on the picture of her and Meg. It seemed like a life time ago. They were so young and carefree. Innocent. Lilly had dragged her onto that pep squad her freshman year, but she'd enjoyed it more than she liked to admit mainly because of Meg. Lilly loved to shock Meg and Veronica with her outlandish conquests and daring stunts. Sometimes Meg's unfailing goodness irritated Lilly, but she was hard to hate. When Lilly had been killed and the entire school turned against her, it had only been Meg who had remained unchanged in the way she acted toward Veronica. How did Veronica repay her kindness? By stealing the boyfriend who'd managed to take Meg's virtue and knock her up. Thinking about her senior year, Veronica wasn't sure what possessed her to get back with Duncan after she and Logan had broken up. She supposed it was a last ditch attempt to recapture some of the happiness she had known when Lilly was alive.

Madison Sinclair interrupted her reverie with a typical catty comment. As usual, she picked one that hit hard.

"Meg was just nice to you because she felt sorry for you," Madison said, sneering at Veronica.

Veronica looked at the woman she used to hate more than anyone and realized something. Madison no longer mattered. She looked world weary and worn. Life obviously hadn't been treating her kindly and it showed. Veronica was going to reply to her dig, however. She did have a reputation to uphold after all, but Mac jumped in, surprising Veronica. As Veronica listened to the exchanges between the two, it was clear that Veronica wasn't the only girl Madison had tormented in high school. Mac wasn't the shy non-confrontational girl she'd been in high school. She had confidence that only true success brought, and she wasn't about to take Madison's attack on Veronica lying down. Veronica looked at Mac with affection and admiration. It'd been a long time since anyone had taken up a battle on her behalf. Her gaze fell on Logan's several feet away. Logan had done so with Gory at the end of their freshmen year at Hearst.

Mac surprised both Veronica and Madison by revealing to Madison that they were switched at birth. Her comment about the baby switch pulled Veronica back from her memories as she confirmed the truth of it for Madison. She couldn't help but enjoy the look of disbelief and horror on Madison's face as she faced the truth about her life. However, she wasn't able to enjoy it for long when Madison suddenly lunged for Mac and hit her with a loud slap. Before Veronica could react, the two women were going at it. Mac got in a few good hits. The sight of blood gushing from Madison's nose did warm her insides. But the fight that sprung up between Mac and Madison was quickly getting out of hand. Madison shoved Mac into a table, spilling a pitcher of beer everywhere. Then she knocked Mac back causing her to fall back hard with Madison on top of her.

When their fighting drew a crowd, Veronica looked at Dick and Logan expectantly. "Stop this!" she ordered, growing concerned for Mac.

"Are you kidding?" Dick asked in disbelief. "This is a whole new side to Ghostworld! Who knew she had it in her?" He was obviously relishing the fight that had sprung up and believed it was over him. She rolled her eyes, suppressing the urge to slap him.

Veronica looked to Logan for help. "This was inevitable once the truth came out," Logan said quietly.

Veronica's eyes widened as she realized Mac had confessed her long guarded secret to Logan. They were even closer than Veronica realized. She knew how private Mac was. "Madison may have had this coming, but this is going on too long! It needs to stop!" Madison reared back and slapped Mac again. Veronica winced. She didn't want to see Mac hurt, so she decided to put an end to the fight the best way she knew how. She reached into her purse and pulled out her taser; she still carried it with her everywhere. Finally, she had an excuse to give Madison some of her own long awaited and well-deserved payback.

"Be still, Mac!" she ordered. Her taser wasn't powerful enough to travel to Mac, but she didn't want to accidentally touch Mac with it. She jammed it to Madison's shoulder.

Although she was motivated by her desire to help Mac, she did sort of get a sordid pleasure into tasering her old nemesis. However, her pleasure was short lived when Jeff Ratner showed up as Dick's head of security. "Jeff?" Veronica said. "Jeff Ratner?"

"Veronica Mars. Why am I not surprised to see you in the middle of this fracas? You haven't changed since our freshman year at Hearst." Jeff Ratner did not look happy at the impromptu reunion.

"You obviously haven't either. Still working at the Grand, I see," Veronica observed.

"Head of Security now, actually. The new owner promoted me. As much as I'm enjoying catching up with you, I need to earn my pay now. The boss is watching, you know." Jeff smirked.

"I know. I'll leave you to earn your minimum wage," Veronica said. Why did the guy bug her so much?

Joshua came up to her. "What are you doing?" he asked in disapproval. "I can't believe you tasered somebody! What were you thinking? You told me that was for protection only!"

"Mac needed my help and no one else was making a move to stop the fight!" she said hotly. She followed after Dick, who had led Mac to the bar to sit down. As she explained to everyone what went down, she made sure Joshua heard the story. It wasn't like she just pulled out the taser and started dishing out punishment for no reason. If Joshua only knew how many times she'd almost pulled out the taser during interviews with criminals, he'd appreciate her restraint.

She was struck silent when Mac suddenly decided to leave the ballroom with none other than Dick Casablancas. Veronica watched Mac let Dick wrap his arms around her in bemusement. She glared at Logan. "If he hurts her, it'll be your fault!"she said.

"How do you figure?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He's your friend!" Veronica accused.

"That he is. And so is she," Logan said flatly, not really amused any longer by her attitude. "In fact, the two of them are my best friends. I've spent more time with both of them than you have the past ten years, so I think I know who they are and what they're capable of. Dick is not the man he used to be in high school. You should have more faith in Mac." After saying that, Logan turned and walked away. He didn't get far before he was stopped by Shelly Pomeroy.

Veronica turned away from the sight of Logan smiling down at Shelly and saw Joshua looking at her with displeasure. He had noticed her exchange with Logan and felt the undercurrents between them. Before Veronica could say anything to placate him, Weevil and Allison came up to her.

"Looks like you've finally rubbed off on Mac," Weevil said with a grin. "Wallace and I got some great shots with our camera phones!"

Wallace snickered. "It was like that scene from Carrie!" Wallace enthused.

"How do you figure?" Veronica asked in confusion.

"A school event and the blood running down Madison's face!" Wallace said.

"Yeah, that's so like Carrie," Veronica said dryly.

"So what do you have planned for tomorrow?" Weevil asked.

"Joshua is going golfing with dad and Cliff while Alicia and I have a spa day at the hotel. I'm sure the owner will give us a discount," Veronica said. She gave Logan a pointed look.

"I may have an in with the owner," he said with a smirk.

"Oh, that'll be fun," Allison said wistfully.

"Are you free tomorrow? I'd love for you to join us. Mac may also. Of course, that was before she got Dick snatched and left the party," Veronica said with a frown. What was Mac thinking?

"Are you sure? I don't want to horn in on your time with your stepmother," Allison said.

"It's past time you and I got to know each other," Veronica said. Weevil gave her a smile of approval.

"Thanks! I'd love to come if you're sure it's okay," Allison said.

"Absolutely! Why don't we have brunch here at ten? Is that too early?" Veronica asked.

"No, it's fine. Thanks!" Allison said.

"It's too early to call it a night. Let's go somewhere," Wallace said.

"Cho's is open until eleven on Fridays," Weevil said. "They're serving some really good buffalo wings these days."

"Wings? Count me in!" Wallace said, smacking his lips in anticipation.

Everyone looked toward Veronica. She glanced up at Joshua, he was just standing there with that same stoney expression etched on his face. "Give us a minute," she said. She took his hand and dragged him outside the entrance. "What's going on with you? You're not even trying to connect with my friends!"

"They're not really my kind of people, Veronica," he said. "And it's obvious you and Logan have more history than you've shared with me."

"I told you we were together. It was a long time ago," she said. "Besides, what do you mean they're not your kind of people? What are your kind of people? Pretentious? Rich? That's Dick and Logan and a few others that are here!"

"Let's not fight about this, babe. We'll be back home Sunday. This trip was more about you spending time with your friends than me. Why don't you go hang out and have fun? I'll see you in the room when you get back," he said. He bent down and placed a kiss on her lips.

Veronica watched him walk away with mixed feelings. Everyone would probably enjoy themselves more without his continual presence, but she was both pissed and disappointed. He wasn't even trying. Dick had even offered to upgrade their suite, a generous gesture on his part even if it had been motivated in an attempt to show off. If her friends weren't his kind of people, where did that leave them?

******An Hour Later******

They had quickly reconvened at Cho's. Beer, pizza, and cheesy bread were soon passed around. They had put two tables together. Predictably, Logan planted himself next to Veronica, who resigned herself to his presence. Wallace sat on her other side with Allison and Weevil sitting across from them.

"So life's been treating you good?" Logan asked.

"Things are great. I really love my life in L.A. It's almost perfect really," she said with a bright smile.

Logan regarded her thoughtfully. When he didn't comment like she expected, she asked, "What?"

"I just never thought you'd end up with a possessive Neanderthal like him," he said.

"Mac informed me earlier that I have a type. You had some Neanderthal tendencies yourself if you recall," she said smiling.

"Maybe," he said with a shrug, not returning her smile.

"Joshua treats me really well and loves me," she said.

"I'd expect no less," he said quietly.

Veronica found herself nonplussed with his reticence. "How about you? I noticed you didn't bring a date," she observed.

"I've had some regular bed buddies, but they never last long. I don't see a point really," he said with a shrug.

"The point is to have some happiness with someone who loves you," she said.

"It's always so fleeting and the disappointment when it doesn't work out and they don't love you enough lasts way too long," he said, giving her a meaningful look.

She couldn't let that one slide. "I loved you enough to walk away instead of continuing to tear you apart," she said sadly.

"You think it didn't tear me apart when you left without a backward glance? Or when you didn't call me or pick up my calls after the launch party?" he asked bitterly. "You don't seem to have any trouble making choices that don't include me."

Veronica was taken aback by his bitterness. She knew he had a good life, and she hadn't realized he was still holding on to so much. "I never wanted to hurt you," she said softly. "I'm sorry."

"So am I," he said, holding her gaze. They were silent a moment as they listened to their friends. Wallace was asking about the community center his brother told him about. Weevil was filling him in.

"Rich boys are good for something," Weevil said, smirking at Logan.

"So I've been told," Logan said, not in the mood to engage Weevil.

Weevil glanced at Veronica and saw her unhappy expression and figured things weren't going well between the exes. Veronica saw his inquiry and gave him a half smile. She was okay.

Veronica turned to Logan and whispered, "What do you want from me, Logan?"

"Nothing you're prepared to give obviously," he said draining his beer. "Same old Veronica. You have more polish and a stick in the mud new boyfriend, but you still don't see what's right in front of you. I don't think I have the energy to play the game again. Nothing changes. You don't know how to bend. At least not with me. But I bet you do a lot of compromising for your current man, though." With one last glance at her, he stood up. "Well, this has been great, but I'm going to head out. Got some stuff to do in the morning."

"Pretty boy has no stamina anymore," Weevil said with a leer.

"I'm sleepy, too, honey," Allison said with a yawn. "I don't want to be too tired to enjoy my spa day tomorrow."

Veronica shook off Logan's words and smiled at her. "It's going to be great." The three of them left.

Wallace looked over at his best friend. "So tell Papa Bear all about it," he said.

Veronica found her eyes filling with unexpected tears. Wallace knew her so well.

"Why does he always have to make things so hard?" she asked, wiping her eyes.

"He's Logan. He doesn't do easy well," Wallace remarked. "Your first real love is never easy to get over. If Jackie was here this weekend, I'm sure I'd be having all kinds of confusing emotions."

"Logan wasn't my first love. Duncan was," she clarified.

"Was he really? Seemed like puppy love to me," Wallace said. "Logan is the one you couldn't seem to let go of. He has the power to make you both extremely happy and utterly miserable. You didn't seem too broken up when Duncan left."

"True," she admitted.

"Joshua not having a good time?" Wallace asked.

"He's not even trying, Wallace! It's like he just agreed to come here to placate me. I wanted him to fit in my life here, too," she shared. "How can he really love me if he doesn't know me here or understand where I came from?"

"Is that as important as where you're going? I'm sure he's focused on your future with him. He's an ambitious guy," Wallace said.

"Yeah. I am ambitious, too. However, lately I've been feeling that there's more to life. I've been feeling like something's missing," she confessed.

"Children? They're the best! I can't wait to see you preggo and teaching your little girl how to use her first taser!" Wallace said with a grin.

"I don't know if it's children. Joshua hasn't really said anything about starting a family," she said a bit surprised at the thought. "I don't know if I can see myself as a mom."

"Well, I can! You'd be terrific," he said. He put his arm around her shoulder. "You just have to ask yourself, is Joshua the man you picture as the father of your children? Or is it Logan? Once you can answer that, you'll know."

Veronica thought about it. She and Joshua would make really beautiful children.

A short time later, she made it back to the hotel. Joshua was already asleep. Emotional exhaustion allowed her to drift into a deep sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She dreamed of children. One boy and one girl. Neither had blue eyes like her or Joshua. Instead, they both had brown. The little boy had a familiar smirk.

*******Chapter End*******

Your reviews are greatly appreciated! If you can't wait for the next chapter, it's posted by BeWitchingRedhead36 as her first chapter.