A/N: Spoilers Thru 1x5, my AU of 1x6. I love feedback, good or bad, so please
Disclaimer: The characters belong to Rob Thomas and so do I.
Understanding
Leave it to Veronica to pick his weakest moment as the right time to interrogate him about Wanda's posters. He had just watched the video of the bum fight he orchestrated on TheSmokingGun website, and the realization of what was going to happen to him when he got home was infiltrating his mind.Oh fuck. I'm dead. Literally. He'll beat me to death.
"Who are you talking too?" Veronica's voice broke his thoughts. Her tone was different, softer than usual. She saw the video of the fight as she heard Logan's commentary, and the truth hit her like a ton of bricks. Aaron beats him. How is it possible I didn't realize this sooner? How many times did Logan have a broken nose growing up? How many times did I see him wince when Duncan would slap him on the back or punch him in the arm? Wait…why am I caring about this?
His face burned as he realized he had said those words out loud and she had heard them. He could see the look of horror spreading across her face and he knew that she knew his dirty little secret.
"Definitely not you, but when has that ever stopped you from butting in. What in the hell do you want?"
Veronica tried to hide her discovery, "I just wanted to complement you on your fantastic smear campaign, you know-"
Logan cut her off, "Listen, Ronnie, I know that Wanda Varner makes you feel all tingly in your girly parts, but I have my own shit to deal with. I really don't need your false accusations, so why don't you just go find some other poor soul to antagonize." He stared at her for a moment, and as he realized that she wasn't going to be the one to walk away, he headed for the door himself.
"Logan, I can help you." The words were out of her mouth before she even had time to think. Logan turned around slowly to face her.
If she hadn't known Logan, she would have believed the sweet smile on his face to be genuine, "Really? You'd do that? For me, Ronnie?" His tone changed and the fake smile fell from his face, "And what, exactly, do I need help with? My math homework? My dirty laundry? Better yet, why, pray tell, would I want your help?"
Veronica stammered a bit, this was the closest thing to a real conversation she had had with Logan in over a year. Not the most pleasant topic, or tone, but Veronica had a new insight into Logan's attitude, and the problem that created the monster he had become to her. "I, I just-"
Logan cut her off again, "You just what? You just realized that maybe my silver spoon is a little tarnished? You just realized that for someone as 'clumsy' as me, you know, all those bruises and broken noses I got from 'falling down the stairs', that I'm a damn good surfer, and those things just don't match? Are you feeling sorry for me now? Now that you know that poor little rich boy's daddy beats him? Spare me your pity, Veronica." He slammed the door as he left Veronica standing in the middle of the Journalism room, shocked sadness on her face.
Logan had been driving around Neptune for hours, and he would have continued driving if his leg hadn't started to cramp. He noticed the LeBaron as he pulled into the parking lot. He walked towards the water, and saw her leaning back on her elbows, looking out into the horizon. Logan debated turning around and heading back to his car before she noticed him, but something was different. She honestly cared this afternoon. It was like the last year didn't matter, the hell he put her through, it was forgotten. She had looked sad, and worried, and…guilty that she hadn't realized what was happening when they were close. She didn't feel sorry for him, she just felt for him. It wasn't pity; it was genuine concern that had shown up on her face. That touched him more that anything had in a long time.
He sat down next to her on the blanket she had arranged to protect her clothes from the sand. She looked into his eyes as she sat up quickly, he could see that she was steeling herself for a fight.
"Why do you care, Veronica?" There was no cutting tone in his voice, and her defenses immediately went down.
After a slight pause she responded, "Because we used to be friends, Logan, and no matter what happened, I still want you to be okay. No one deserves to be beaten by their father, regardless of their actions. I may not like you very much recently, but I care about your well being. As sad as this sounds, your one of the only links to Lilly I have left, and I care about you." She could see his unshed tears gleam in the moonlight. She reached out to touch his shoulder and felt him jump a bit at the contact.
He shrugged her hand off "I don't deserve this; I tried to ruin your life. If the situation was reversed, we wouldn't be here. I'm sure I would have found a way to make something like this even more painful for you." He studied his feet in the sand.
"It doesn't have to be like that anymore Logan. I think you know that things have changed a little bit in the past twelve hours. I know you will never admit this because I can't believe I'm about to, but I think we… kinda need each other."
He looked up from the sand and looked out onto the ocean and a huge sigh escaped his lungs. He reached over and took her hand into his.
"You wanna talk about sad? I tried to destroy the only person in my life who cares enough about me to see the truth. I am so sorry for what I've done to you, Veronica. I'm not gonna sit here and make excuses for my behavior, because there are none. I was horrible to you; I left you when you needed me the most. And now, I know I am officially the world's biggest jackass." Veronica broke the intensity of the moment with a little giggle.
"Well, I can't disagree with that." Logan started laughing along with her.
He stopped and grabbed her hand as they approached her car, "Thank you, Veronica." She didn't realize what was happening until his lips were pressed gently on his. It felt so right she had no choice but to kiss him back. Their lips parted and he looked down into her eyes, "I was terrible, but I'll make it up to you. I promise."
He rested his forehead on hers and she smiled, "I missed you, Logan." He kissed her again and then pulled her as close to him as possible. They broke apart and he took her hand and started to lead her towards the cars, but she stopped this time, a serious look on her face.
"What about your Dad? You can't go home. My Dad is in Mesa chasing a bail jumper, you can stay with me tonight."
Logan smirked, "Why Ms. Mars are the rumors true? Is this just a ploy to get me alone at your apartment?"
She pushed him playfully, "I'm afraid you'll be sharing the couch with Backup." He smiled and shook his head, "As tempting as that sounds, I can't avoid the inevitable. I can't just never go home. That's just not a viable solution." He saw the worry in her eyes, "I'll make it through tonight, and we can go over my options tomorrow, okay?" She smiled and leaned in and kissed him.
He opened her door for her, "So, I'll pick you up for school?" he asked, a little timidly.
She nodded in agreement, "Be careful tonight, okay? My nursing skills are not so great first thing in the morning."
He smiled and kissed her once more as she got into her car, "I'll see you in the morning."
"It's a date" she said as she pulled the door shut and started to drive away.
He watched her car pull away and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what awaited him at home. But it was different this time, now he had someone who understood. And that makes it a whole hell of a lot easier to take.
