"It's as if you're in love with someone who doesn't exist! No, wait - what I mean is - you don't really know how to love, Veronica. You just use people. But heaven forbid if any of us unfortunate lovers decide to make you feel even for a little bit that we need you. Cuz the moment we do, you run. No one is perfect, Veronica, and it's about time you accept that."

She sighed heavily against the car window, her breath forming a tentative blur against the autumn-cooled pane. The taxi jostled without warning, and her hands jumped to grip the seat tighter.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, ma'am." The driver's grunt didn't even sound the least bit apologetic.

She rolled her eyes and nestled back against the tattered leather. When the road turned smooth again over the bend, she let the tip of her tongue roam over her teeth in a state of subtle agitation.

"Cuz the moment we do, you run."

She closed her eyes for a handful of seconds. Was that really just last week?

"But I want this to work" - she had protested. But, of course, He didn't believe her. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, Veronica?"

His answer had struck her as unusually cruel, especially coming from Mr. Nicest-boyfriend-she's-ever-had. In fact, 'niceness' was probably the only reason she'd even tried dating him again - for all of two months. She shook her head slightly as his accusatory question rattled her mind like a stubborn pinball gone wild. She had been trying to patch things up! And he had essentially called her a liar.

But am I a liar?

She bit her lip to hold back another sigh. Had she really wanted it to work?

Veronica grunted as the next unwarranted bump on the road almost sent her scalp to the dirty car ceiling. She held on tighter.

But nothing really matters now, does it?

She scowled at the approaching frontage of the bed and breakfast inn she was to call home for the next three days. Because, of course, it had to be perfectly manicured, pristinely white, and obscenely innocent.

"You gettin' out, ma'am?"

Resigning herself to the inevitable, she handed over the cash and slid out with her backpack. That's right - two years into preening dorm roommates, and she was still not a girly-girl. She smirked. The hitchhiker look always did go better with her boots anyway.

"You don't really know how to love, Veronica."

She swallowed a scoff as her feet forced themselves forward on the gravel driveway.

It really doesn't matter now, does it?

Because marching on with her signature swagger, Veronica Mars wasn't exactly heartbroken. Leo was right - she hadn't loved him.

But Veronica Mars was definitely annoyed - very annoyed.

She stopped short of the front door, forcefully refusing the urge to bang her forehead against the picture-perfect stained glass. She huffed against her bangs.

Because if only Mister Nice Cop had delayed his personal epiphany for a mere two weeks...

Veronica grunted.

Then I wouldn't have to come to this stupid wedding alone.


"Two keys, ma'am?"

Is everyone in on this pity party?

"One," she spat, barely kind. The gangly teenager in the all-too-loose reception uniform tossed her the clunky metal key. She lifted it with open distaste.

Who even uses these anymore?

For a quick moment, her mind wandered to the sleek hotel room card keys in her past - particularly one with a bright, red bow.

"Ve-ve-veronica!"

She whipped around with a smile. This was someone she's happy to see.

"And how is my astronomically hot software engineer doing?" They hugged out their welcome.

"Stellar." Mac smiled, uncharacteristically demure. "Dick's unpacking. So I get to be on the welcome wagon."

Veronica laughed at the wink sent her way. After the initial discomfort at Mac's choice of partner wore off, she's actually come to appreciate her newer, more confident best girl friend.

"Gonna waste away the afternoon on oddball wedding guests?"

"Oh, I wish. Gotta head up soon to make sure I don't end up fishing my panties out of his drawers by Sunday."

Veronica winced. "So long, single life, huh?"

Mac smiled. "It's not that bad."

"Yeah, sure, do make me feel better about it."

"Come on, Veronica, you were always the one with a line of suitors throwing their gauntlets down at each other."

"Oh spare me the history."

Eye rolls never get old.

"What? No history, no wedding. You know that."

Veronica sighed. "It's not like I intentionally introduced them."

"Right, because if Parker hadn't tagged along to our group date, she wouldn't have really gotten to know Piz the very night you decided to dump him."

Her small hands instantly flew over Mac's lips. She scanned the small living-room-turned-lobby, her whisper hoarse. "I don't think that's polite, Mac."

The brunette stepped back with an easy shrug. "What? Parker's made no secret of the fact that she likes to date your ex's. In her own words, 'At least this one actually liked me better.'"

They both hushed for a second at the implication in those words.

Veronica sighed - again. "You sure she's okay?"

"Would she have invited you to her wedding if she weren't?"

She shuffled, uncomfortable. "I'm not gonna pretend this is even remotely normal."

"Good - because you suck at normal."

"Mac!"

"It's true!"

"So I'm abnormal now?" She crossed her arms.

"Well, you don't seem to be conforming to society's general expectations."

"Because I show up to my college boyfriend's wedding by myself when the bride is someone else?"

"As if that ever really bothered you."

"Exactly! Why is it my fault for showing up alone? Can a woman not show up by her lonesome in this day and age?"

"I never said - "

"So why blame me for doing the most generous thing I could?"

"It's not - "

"It's not my fault that society thinks people should show up in pairs at a wedding."

"Uhm, Veronica - " Mac's eyebrows began to rise.

"If this scenario causes any awkwardness at all, the fault lies solely on the person in charge of that preposterous guest list."

"Vee - "

"I mean - seriously." Her arms flew up in grandiose indignation. Mac's eyebrows jumped even higher. "Who even invites their college ex-significant other to the wedding where one marries said significant other's former love rival?"

And if she had only heeded the wisdom of Mac's eyebrows, she wouldn't have been caught as much by surprise.

"Piz and Parker, apparently." Logan's voice stated matter-of-factly behind her.

And this, Veronica Mars, is why people don't attend a wedding alone.


"Well, aren't your observational skills divine?" She attempted, voice barely stable, as she whipped around on her heels.

Thank God for high-heeled boots.

She smiled as calm a smile as she could muster. "Classy, aren't we?"

No, I am not talking about the smooth black fabric adorning your very muscled form right now.

"Classy, no. Perfect eye candy, yes." His voice jolted her back to reality. She looked up.

"Huh?"

He smirked, his eyes - his perfect brown eyes - glistening with the cocky assurance that she had been openly drooling over his gody. "Surprised at the view?"

Veronica grunted. With a shake of her head, she wrapped her arms across her chest, her wits around the present. "I'm more surprised at the lack of arm candy, mister."

He stepped closer - too close. "Ah, Veronica Mars, still think that of me?"

No, my heart rate is not speeding up at your inappropriate proximity and verbal caressing of my name.

She smirked. "Would I be wrong?"

"Ah, because you never are." He grinned, lop-sided.

"Finally converted, huh?"

"Oh yes, long-standing member of Ares International here."

"I'm a company now?"

"More like a religion."

"Religion."

"Or" - he leaned down, hovering two mere inches away - "an addiction."

She breathed in, very slowly. "Mars Anonymous a regular thing now?"

"Tried it." He didn't move away. "Never worked."

"You're supposed to actually show up for these things, you know?"

"Perfect attendance." He finally pulled back. She exhaled. "But their exercises don't tend to work."

"Yeah?" She scrambled. "Didn't like that ten-minute handstand?"

"Well, there was this thing about using placebos to replace the original. But judging from past events, that doesn't go over so well."

Placebos? Of me?

She fought to keep her breathing still. "As if you'd ever listen to someone."

"You'd be surprised." He plugged a hand in a pocket. "I can be an excellent listener when no one is screaming in my room."

A wave of defensiveness quenched the spark of compassion. "I wasn't a screamer, Logan."

"Ah, she confesses." He leaned to the side, smirk intact. "Did I ever say it was you?"

The sheer irritation she felt made her wonder why she had ever thought she loved him.

Loved him, Veronica?

"Fine." She shook her head and straightened up. She extended a hand cordially. "Maybe that wasn't exactly the best way to start off this conversation. Could we start over?"

He remained still, his eyes fixed on her open hand. She refused to flinch. "Logan?"

He looked up at her face, hands still firmly in his pockets. His gaze felt heavier, somehow.

"Well, I'll start. Hi, I'm Veronica. It's been a while. Hope you're doing well." She quirked an eyebrow.

In one moment, she felt his palm come in very quick contact with her own. In the next, she found herself inexplicably pulled forward and then immediately tipped backwards, bent at the waist, with a very, very warm and familiar sensation of moving lips on her own. A taste - fascinatingly comforting - assaulted her taste buds. She gasped, and his tongue instantly obliged.

What am I -

Her mind gave way to her body, and she just as fervently kissed him back. Eyes shut, she slid her arms up behind his neck, pulling their faces closer. His hands scooted under her leather jacket and pressed her torso firmly against his. They moved in perfect synchronization - with the kind of muscle memory impossible to forget - until there was next to no space between them. She whimpered helplessly.

Then, just as suddenly as he had touched her, he deposited her flat on the floor and stepped back. Her eyes popped open to a very confident smirk, not unlike the one he often sported in high school eons ago.

Wait, what?

"I had to." He spoke first.

"Had to?"

Take it easy, there, cardiac muscle.

"Had to get it out of the way." He winked, picked up his keys, and walked away.

It took her three seconds to recover; she spun around. "What?"

He stopped at the foot of the white bannister stairs, turning his face without adjusting his body back around. "Couldn't have you thinking about doing that all weekend, could we?"

Another wink later, he's gone.


"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

It's annoying how perceptive she can be sometimes.

"I'm fine," Veronica grunted with a dismissive wave. She gestured to the open space in the mostly empty ballroom. "Go practice with your Casablancas charmer."

"Ah, you admit it."

"I admit nothing."

"You don't really mind us together anymore, do you?" The way Mac's perfect smile matched her perfect hair was almost annoyingly - well, perfect.

"I admit nothing," Veronica repeated with a smile before the maid of honor got dragged away by her burly blond boyfriend. To give her credit, Mac had tried her best not to address the awkward lobby encounter only she had witnessed. Veronica had never been more thankful for feigned ignorance.

She leaned back on her undressed ballroom chair, surveying the room of straggling wedding party members preparing for the grand cotillion. Why Parker ever thought having her groom's ex-girlfriend as part of her bridal entourage was utterly beyond her.

"Veronica!"

Ah, here's comes the bride.

She stood up with a very polite smile. Parker, her golden curls cascading around her, glided - yes, glided - over to her and gave her big kisses on the cheek.

It took all her effort to maintain that polite smile. "Hey you, ready for the big day?"

"It's going to be splendid, Veronica! I'm so glad you could make it!"

Bridal ebullience, ugh.

"Of course." She smiled stiffly. "Wouldn't miss it."

"Veronica!"

Double ugh.

"Hey Piz." Veronica grinned forcibly wider and extended a hand. "Congratulations. You two will be so happy together."

The limp handshake he proffered had her think back for a quick moment at the few times she'd actually witnessed his limp - something else.

Not everyone can be Logan, Mars.

She shook her head. "Anyway, ready for that dance practice?"

"Absolutely!" It's amazing how Parker's soprano never shattered any glass. "Let's go get ready."

Thank you.

One hand on her chest in an 'oh-so-excited' pose, Parker used her other to drag her groom away. Veronica waved them goodbye, quite happily.

"Oh, by the way!" Parker turned. "Your partner's held up and won't be here till tomorrow. But no worries, we'll get you a sub for practice!"

And something in her gut just knew who it was going be.


"If your goal is to keep staring down my shirt all afternoon, the height advantage sure comes in handy."

"Certainly - but since it's a rather difficult to stare down other ladies' shirts from this vantage point, your humble assets would have to suffice."

Repulsed, she instantly pulled away, but he - being annoyingly stronger - kept her firmly in hold. The music picked up to the twirly part of the choreography. She groaned.

"Why do you torture me?"

Their arms opened until they formed a straight line before he seamlessly reeled her back in.

"You flatter me, Veronica."

She pointedly ignored the warmth of his lips behind her ear, his hand on her waist. "Flatter? Must be an off-day."

"Menopause? - Ouch!"

The grin that twisted into her cheeks mirrored the heel on his foot. "Oh. Sorry-not-sorry."

He recovered remarkably well as he whirled her out for another spin. "Thank God I don't keep a ledger then."

"Oh, but I do," she sneered, resuming their hold. "And that Logan Echolls section is pretty red right now."

"Didn't realize I could score for being charming."

"Or murderous."

"Ah, thought I paid for that one."

"With what?"

It was just her luck that the choreography had him dip her right then, letting him lean down until their faces almost touched. He whispered, voice deep and slow, "Maybe with a couple of hot, hot summer nights in NYC?"

Damn you, Logan.

She knew her face was hopelessly flushed by the time he pulled her back up. But two more steps, and the song finally ended.

"Oh, that was wonderful!" Parker's squeals reverberated throughout the ballroom. "Five minutes break, and we'll do it again!"

With plenty of eye-rolling, Veronica flopped down at a nearby chair.

"Water?"

"Like I would trust a beverage from you right now?"

"Well, thanks for the for the vote of confidence." And off he went with a sigh.

She grumbled for another minute, hands tugging at her aching ankles, as she contemplated the rest of the wedding party. Why people enjoyed at all the premeditated torture that is out-of-town weddings utterly baffled her. But, here they were - a bunch of idiots.

Up in front, Wallace and his date were chatting happily with the bride and groom. Near the wall, both sets of wedding parents huddled in a blithesome conversation. Behind them, Mac and Dick were laughing over some unknown inside joke, with Logan fast approaching them. She looked away.

"It's your fault we messed up!"

"It was totally you!"

"You!"

"You!"

Huh?

Veronica turned towards the yelling on her right. Just a yard away from her, a medium-built, male brunette was gesturing wildly at a blonde who looked remarkably like the bride.

Right...the prerequisite crazy sister.

"You probably intentionally sabotaged the entire routine so you could look good!"

"Why would that make me look good?"

"Cuz you always do!"

And in a whir, the couple was suddenly kissing. Veronica raised an eyebrow.

"Just because you kiss me doesn't mean I forgive you," the woman whimpered.

"Right, because I didn't have to forgive you too."

"But it was your fault!" She literally pushed him.

Say what?

"It was yours!"

"Oh, because I am the stupid one who doesn't deserve you!"

"We always knew I was the settler in this marriage!"

WHAT?

"Fine! Go find someone else!" She screamed.

"Fine! I will!"

Still entranced by the most dysfunctional marriage she'd witnessed in recent years - and that was saying something - Veronica was surprised to suddenly look up to a stocky man roughly ten years her senior who had just marched away from his wife in the world's most juvenile argument.

"My wife is a horrible person. Would you want to swap partners?"

Veronica gaped in disbelief.

As if I actually have a partner to swap right now.

"I, uhm - "

"She's very much taken, thank you." Logan's voice cut through. She relaxed - but only until Logan's arm slid around her waist. That had her sitting up taller for entirely different reasons. "And sorry, dude, I don't like to share - even with the bride's brother-in-law."

With a huff and a glare, the man trudged back to his fuming wife.

What just happened?

She turned slowly towards Logan, a thank you on her lips.

But then there it was again - that incorrigible smirk. "Did I cross out more from that ledger?"

How could someone be so simultaneously infuriating and endearing at the same time?

"What?" He continued with a wink. "You're gonna deny that was hot? You cover it up, Veronica Mars, but you are totally into a protective man."

How did he -

"Daddy issues?" He grinned.

And at that, she stormed out of the room.


"No one is perfect, Veronica."

Her feet couldn't race fast enough as she flew down the patio steps.

"And it's about time you accept that."

Unfortunately, shutting her eyes wasn't enough to shut off the words in her mind while they're at it. She rushed forward on the grass.

"Veronica!"

She shook her head.

You talk; I run. What's new, Logan?

"Veronica! Wait!"

Rays of afternoon orange amplified the colors of the nearby woods. She stepped faster towards them.

"Veronica, wait! I'm sorry!"

She shook her head, her legs slowing down of their own accord.

"The moment we do, you run."

She stopped abruptly, knees bent and torso keeled over. She braced her hands on her thighs. Her pants sounded far too loud in the Midwestern dusk.

"Veronica," he called from a foot behind her. "I'm sorry, okay? That joke was a little - too much."

She pulled herself upright and shrugged, refusing to turn.

"Veronica - "

She scoffed at his pleading tone before whipping around. Her words sputtered forward like an angry machine gun. "Really, Logan? You arrive here this morning swaggering like a narcissistic pirate, kiss me like a drunken sailor, treat it as a joke, volunteer to be my practice dance partner in the world's most awkward wedding ever, snark at me all afternoon, insult the one healthy relationship I ever had, and then expect 'I'm sorry' to fix everything?"

The contriteness in his face had her almost appeased. He plugged a hand in a pocket, with much less suave than he did that same morning. "Veronica, I - like you said, it's been a while." He swallowed visibly. "And I - I'm sorry if we got off on the wrong foot."

She crossed her arms, head held high.

"So, uhm." He extended a hand. "Start over?"

She lowered her gaze to the open, extended hand between them.

No, Veronica, you are vehemently not going to drag him down for another kiss.

"Ronnie?"

She looked up at the nickname, eyes searching his.

"And I apologize for kissing you like that today," he added, hand still suspended. "It was - I shouldn't have done that."

But I'm glad you did.

She heaved a deep breath of personal loathing.

"Glad we agree," she lied.

Logan attempted a small smile before nodding. "So - uhm. Hi, I'm Logan. It's been a while. Hope you're doing well?"

She bit her lower lip for a second. She looked down until she finally sneaked a peek at his puppy-dog face.

Oh what the heck.

She grabbed his hand in a firm handshake. He broke out an amiable-enough smile. She returned a hesitant one before letting go.

They both stared at the ground for a moment.

"So, uhm - guess we should head back?" He cocked his head towards the small ballroom.

Veronica shrugged. "Yeah, I guess."

"Wouldn't want the bride going crazy."

"Yeah, you would know."

"Oh yes." He nodded thoughtfully. "She was quite the tigress the day she broke up with me."

"Interesting." She tilted her head. "I seem to remember her being more of a kitten the day I broke up with Piz."

The exchanges pointed looks for a moment. They both broke into smiles.

"And here I thought she was flaunting all of this wedding huzza for me alone," he mused.

She almost chuckled. "Mind your ego, Echolls. I'm pretty sure the groom's ex-girlfriend is pretty high on the flaunt-it-in-their-face list."

"Higher than the ex-boyfriend?"

"In most cases."

"Unless, of course."

"Unless what?"

He grinned. "Unless it's your ex-boyfriend doing the flaunting."

She considered for a moment. "Piz?"

Logan shrugged 'maybe.'

She quirked a brow in thought.

"Wait! Who's missing?!" Echoes of Parker's high-pitched calls interrupted the crepuscular calm.

Veronica smiled with another head tilt. "Your ex-girlfriend summons."

"Ah, dangerous grounds I tread." He offered his arm to her in a ridiculously old-fashioned pose. "Will you help me navigate?"

"Yeah, sure." She shoved his arm away with a short laugh. "Who better to impress an ex-girlfriend than another ex-girlfriend? It's almost psychologically unfair. You're the only gaining from that hypothetical scenario."

"You see through me, Mars - every single time."

Oh Logan, if only I do. If only I actually do.


"Oh, yes! Yes! Ugh! Almost, baby! Yes, yes!"

"I'm coming right after. Come on!"

"Yes! Ugh, yes! Don't stop!"

"I'm trying - not to - "

"Oooh, yes! Ah!"

Veronica slapped the second pillow on her face, her whole body shivering with disgust.

You'd think Parker would give me a break at night.

Veronica groaned.

And thanks to all-too-thin walls, the very moment oxygen constraints forced her to remove the pillow from her face, the unsettling coital vocal exchange immediately resumed assaulting her ears.

"Yeah, baby! Yeah! Come on, you could do better!"

Veronica shuddered. If Parker's crazy, her sister was certifiable. Entirely frustrated, she hurled herself off the bed and landed on the wooden floor with a loud thud.

Who cares? I'm waking up nobody.

Disgruntled, she wandered out into the small balcony. Because, for whatever reason, the builders of old thought it unessential for each room to have its own bathroom and yet considered balconies a minimum requirement.

She inhaled in the evening air, trying hard to ignore the less distinct 'chatter' from the next room.

Why, Parker, why?

Veronica shook her head in the dark. If the bartender's asking for her ID at the bar tonight had been any indication, she wasn't even supposed to be hearing these sounds!

And then Logan came over with another quip about my height - of course.

Veronica fought a smile. After their runaway moment that afternoon, Logan had turned down his antics a remarkable notch. And she'd be lying if she denied finding his surfing stories funny. She'd known he'd gone pro, but personal stories were an entirely different story.

"Oh, Brandon. Yes! Yes!"

Veronica rolled her eyes at the escalating voice before she sported another small smile. Surfing stories hadn't been the only thing Logan mentioned tonight.

"So about your stalker"
"My stalker?"
"Yes - medium height, medium age, and completely brother-in-law to the buzzing bride?"
"Okay?"
"His name is Brandon."
"So?"
"And I know from experiences I'd rather not relive that Parker's sister is Angela."
She raised an eyebrow.
"Any guesses how they like to refer to themselves?"
Her eyes turned round at the thought. "No way."
He nodded, eyes dancing.

And indeed, she had 'Brangela' to thank for finally ending their bedroom acrobatics and leave her some peace of mind. Satisfied that her neighbors' orgasmic heights had been fully ridden for the night, Veronica climbed back into her squeaky metal bed and its vaguely flowery covers.

She snuggled her face into the soft pillow and slung her leg around another. The bed allotted her may be on the small side, but no bed buddy meant getting to hog all the pillows unapologetically.

Still tipsy from the drinks she'd downed all night to avoid scowling at the bride and groom, she drifted off to a dreamless state.

"Ready for round two, baby?"

Veronica lifted her eyelids.

Say what?

"Oh, ah! Yes! Yes!"

Incredulous, she used both hands to prop the edges of her pillow against her ears.

Seriously, people?

Unfortunately for Veronica, solid matter conducted noise far better than gas.

Bemoaning her room assignment, she closed her eyes and cursed herself for not bringing anyone, maybe even Leo. For all she knew, maybe 'I'm willing to break up but I just need four more days of your time' could've turned out okay.

"You don't really know how to love, Veronica. You just use people."

His voice suddenly cut through her consciousness. She gulped down her guilt. Hey, she would've treated him nicely.

Seriously, if she had a boyfriend with her on this weekend, she would gladly go for far more rounds than the couple in the next -

Who are you kidding, Veronica? It's only ever been that way with one particular boyfriend.

And that boyfriend was currently all by himself in a room just across the hall.

Veronica gulped again, this time from that pooling warmth between her thighs. She crossed her legs and pulled her comforter higher up her chest.

Logan was a charmer - always had been, always would be. But he was never a liar. In between the lines of their quick conversations tonight, he had clearly implied a deep interest in her still, an interest she had to admit she shared. And if there was any residue of chemistry left from wherever that hot kiss in the lobby had come from, maybe 'Brangela' wouldn't be the only ones humping the night away.

"Come on, baby. Come on."

Veronica shuddered. As if Angela's squeals weren't disturbing enough.

Spurred by a surge of annoyance and curiosity, she slid back on to the floor, grabbed her robe, and tiptoed out the hallway.

'Hi Logan, may I sleep in here tonight? My room is really noisy. So let's make yours noisy too.'

She slowly lifted a hand to knock.

This should work, right? People hook up at weddings all the time.

She heaved a deep breath.

"Baby, I'm not fooling around, okay?" The loud couple's voices spilled over into the hallway.

Then Veronica lowered her hand.

Fooling around.

Wasn't that exactly what she was trying to do?

If she were to knock, to enter, and to climb on to that bed, there would be sparks galore. She looked hesitantly at the door of 'Brangela's' room.

But where would that leave them in the morning?


A/N: I promise I am not randomly starting stories. The next update should be for "Teachers Lounge." I just needed to write something more raw to keep my mental pH Balance from going into fluff overload. Lots and lots of thanks to the lovely irma66 for catching my mistakes while helping me clarify my mess of a brain :) I hope this story could at least be mildly interesting to part of the fandom. Let me know your thoughts!