Clues

by heathergirl84

It had been a year since Dena had walked out of Veronica's life, shortly after their best friend Lily's murder. It's a shock when she suddenly walks back in. Does she alone hold the secret that Veronica has been looking for? Does Dena know who it was?

2. Chapter 2

Duncan POV (three weeks later)

"God, you're so damn nasty!" Dena proclaims, "Logan! Stop!" she moves to hide behind me, I laugh as a tater tot hits her shoulder.

"Logan," I roll my eyes, "Keep on and she'll stop speaking to us again."

Logan stops throwing tater tots and looks at Dena, "I don't want that to happen," he pauses, "But I'll risk it," he launches another tater tot.

Dena laughs and stick her tongue out, then sets back up, "I'm hoping Eli is here tomorrow."

"So what's the deal with you and Weevs?" Logan asks.

"Yeah," Dick says setting down, "I don't know if I like the idea of him being that close to my child."

"Firstly," Dena says looking at Dick, "YOUR child is inside MY body, and I'll do whatever the hell I want with it. Secondly," She looks at Logan, "He's helping me, like I said," she shrugs and glances at me.

"Hey, I'm not saying one word. I'm just happy to have you talking again," I say as Logan nods.

"Hey man to that."

Dick sets his fork down, "So about this doctors appointment,"

"Which you are not invited to," Dena cuts his off.

"But it's my baby, that's what the test thingy said," Dick huffs.

"That doesn't mean that while it is in my body you are going anywhere near me or my doctors appointments," she glares at him, "Besides, Veronica's going."

"As in Veronica Mars?" we all gape at her.

"Eli suggested that I take a girl with me since my family is…well they're not going to be helpful, and my sisters are to young, so I decided he was right and asked Veronica." She glances up as we all look away, "Oh come on guys, I will NOT put up with that attitude from you, Veronica is a friend of mine, one that I should not have lost contact with." She turns to me, "Duncan," I peak up at her, "Look, I know what Keith Mars done, but…you can't rightly blame Veronica for sticking up for her father."

"It was the same thing I was doing," I answer honestly.

"Can't we let bygones be bygones? And gnomes be gnomes, and all that shit?" she tilts her head and bends down causing me to look at her, "Please Bubby?"

I roll my eyes at the nickname, "Whatever you want Sissy," I say pushing her away, "As long as you're not asking me to make out with her, or Logan."

"Oh know that's something I would pay money for!" Dena answers with laugh, "But I'd pay more if it were Dick."

"What I'm not good enough to make out with your brother? Dena, I'm hurt," Logan clutches his chest in fake hurt.

"Oh it's not that," Dena assures him, "I just really really really want to see Dick squirm," she laughs as Dick shakes his head.

I shudder at the thought, "I'm afraid I won't be making out with anybody, well somebody, but neither of you two jackasses."

"Ah HA! You admit to wanting a hot and heavy make out session! Which by the way, I totally do not want to see, farther more, keep ya pants on Bud," I watch as one of her hands subconsciously moves to rub her stomach. She's going it a lot more lately, there's a tiny bump, not very big at all.

Dena is fifteen weeks, they had a Paternity test done at thirteen weeks, I didn't ask how they done it, but Dena said I didn't want to know either. Then a week later, we new that Dick was doing to be a Daddy. It scared the fuck out of all us. I mean Dick of all people? But he's agreed that it might be best he have limited interactions with a baby. Any baby, including his own. Although I think he's just pacifying Dena for know. Her morning sickness is over, which means she gets to actually eat lunch with us.

Over all, I'd say we're all pretty happy. Which means that something's bound to happen….

Dena POV….

I get up shaking my head and move toward the trash can, Veronica appears beside me, "So how is my favorite pregnant detective?" she asks.

"I'm the only pregnant detective you know, and since when am I a detective?" I glance sideways.

"Since I really needed you to be," she says as we reach the cans, "Please?"

"What going on?" I ask.

"You've heard about these purity test scores or whatever?" I nod my head as we turn for class, "Well, a girl asked me to find out who posted them."

"Oh," I nod and look at Veronica, frowning when I see her, "Why are you wearing a cheerleading outfit?"

"Somebody didn't like my clothing choice," Veronica shrugs, "Meg let me borrow this."

"I think I have clothes clothes in my locker," I shake my head, "If you wanted to change into them."

Veronica sighs and nods, "I'd love that, and then I can get these back to Meg."

"Yeah," I head toward my locker, "So how are things?"

"Things with?" Veronica prompts, I shrug.

"Things with everything, things with you, your dad, Backup," I shrug again.

"Well," Veronica pauses, faking being pensive, "Things are good with me, Dad is busy detecting, and Backup is probably sleeping on the couch at the moment."

I nod, and look around. "So…um, I told Duncan and them to leave you alone," I glance sideways and she looks startled. "Look," I stop and turn toward her, "I really appreciate you helping me out, and doing these favors for me, and I really really want to get back to being friends. The guys, well don't understand." I pause and run a hand through my hair, "They don't get that, this is not easy for me." I motion between the two of us, "They also don't get that Eli is helping me."

Veronica turns her head to the side, "Look, I don't have many friends anymore, Wallace is actually it. But I don't mind getting back in with another friend. I know you're trying to remember Lily, right?" I nod and look away, "If there's anything I can do to help with that, just let me know okay?" Again I nod and look out over the quad.

Beside us I can hear whistle calls, and look over to see that it's Dick. I glare, "I'll be right back," I say and head for their table, Veronica hot on my heals.

"Dena don't…."

"Dick, if you don't shut the fuck up, I'm going to cut off your name sake, do you understand me?" I glare at him and he back away slightly.

"Wow what are you hormonal?" He laughs looking around the table.

"Keep talking and I'll do it with a dull, rusty knife," I spit at him.

Duncan leans close, "Dick, if I were you, I'd shut up about know. Ya know if you want to keep your manhood in tact."

Dick nods and pretends to zip his lips. I turn on my heels, grabbing Veronica's elbow and leading her to the doors and to my locker.

"You are just as scary as you used to be," Veronica says and I glance over and raise an eye brow.

I pause at my locker and throw the clothes at Veronica, "Okay, move ya butox," I motion her toward the bathroom, and glance a little ways down the deserted hall seeing Eli. "Thought you were out of school today?"

"Somebody left about four messages on my cell, telling me I had to get my ass back to school. Then, that somebody also called my grandmother and told her I wasn't at school. And my grandmother came and found me, threatened me, much like the person who left the messages on my cell," he glares at me as I smile brightly.

"I'm beginning to like this person," I say.

"Damn it girl!" He throws his hands into the air, "What the hell did you think you were doing?"

"Getting you to school?" I turn my head to the side, "And it worked."

"Don't you know that messes with my bad boy image? To have my grandmother come out and rip me a new one in front of the gang?"

"AAAwwww, you poor thing," I gush and move closer to him, "See funny thing, you think you scare me Eli, but you don't." He glares, "Come on, you know you have to come to class, we had an agreement, I'd help you pass your classes, if you'd help me get my life back in order. You can't pass classes that you don't ATTEND."

Eli rolls his eyes, "You really are something."

I glance behind him and smile at the other PCH bikers, "Hi guys! So you all know what classes you're in right?" They look around uncomfortable, "I would suggest you get to those classes, I expect you all to pass."

"And just who," one of them begins.

"You heard the lady!" Eli says then turns back to me, "So how are today?"

"Oh you know, hanging out with the people you hate," I glance sideways.

"The feeling is mutual," Eli mumbles putting his hand on my lower back, leading me toward his locker, "What was up with V?"

"Oh someone flushed her clothes," I say, "I let her borrow some, since Meg only had a cheerleading uniform."

"A cheerleading uniform?" He raises an eye brow and me, "Seriously?"

"Yup," I nod.

"And you gave her your clothes?" I nod again, "Why exactly do you keep clothes in your locker?" he asks as he opens his locker and I lean against the one next to it. "And what is my next class?"

"Well, I keep clothes in my locker because if I ever…well that's really not important with me pregnant and all, and you're next class is, history, you're with me."

Eli nods, grabbing his book and we head toward class as the bell rings, and Veronica joins us.

"Thanks for the clothes," she says, as Wallace joins her other side, "Yo Mr. Basketball."

Wallace rolls his eyes, "Shut up."

Weevil POV

It take a real woman to stand up to the PCH bikers, but it looks like I found one that will. I look up from my book as Dena sighs exasperated and tells one of the guys to stop looking at her chest and pay attention to what she's saying. Since she isn't overly upset, I laugh and go back to my book. Finally giving up this math problem, I set back to watch Dena bounce around the room. She's glowing, or at least it looks like it.

In three weeks she's managed to make connections with Mars, get back in with the 09ers, and get her life back in order. While putting up with me and my gang. The guys really don't know what to think of her, but she takes it all in stride.

I heard rumor that her Mom even let her have more visitation with her little sisters, but I can't get her to talk about it. The more I hang out with her, the more I think it wouldn't be bad to have her around a lot more often. That's not something I'm ready to tell her either.

At night she tutors me and the guys, can you believe it? But she insists that we need to learn this shit, so I'll learn it. And if I'm learning it you better get it damn straight that they guys will to.

We've been working more on the remembering thing too. That hasn't been easy, there's plenty of times that she's balled, and all I can do is hold her. But she insists that she'll be even better when she remembers. And I know she's putting on a brave show, but that's just Dena. I've come to know a lot about Dena in the last year.

She comes up and plops down beside me, "Had all you can take?" she asks and I nod. "Then why don't you and the guys go? I mean it's nice of Veronica to let us use this office, but we should call it a night. I thought about maybe finding another place, but I don't know where." I shrug to let her know I don't know either. "You're quiet tonight Eli."

"Sorry, cause I'm such a smooth talker," I joke.

"You're usually more talkative, at the least." I glance around and everybody else is busy, I lean closer and run my thumb along her cheek.

"I'm worried about you De, for as much of a show as you put on, I know you're not really suddenly okay." Dena drops her gaze, "You can fool them but you'll never fool me."

"I'm worried about the situation with Dick," she confesses, "It's tenuis at best," I frown at her word, "Don't play the I don't know that word game with me Eli, I know you know what it means."

"You know you are the only person who talks to me like I have half a brain in my empty head?" I ask, watching her roll her eyes.

"Guys?" Veronica's voice breaks through our conversation and we break apart quickly. "I'm sorry to interupt but we really should be calling it a night, I've got to get home."

"Right, we were just about to…" Dena looks up at Veronica, and smile slightly, "Will you have time to give me a ride?"

"Of course, just let me call my Dad," Veronica says, as the guys get up and gather their books.

"You could ride on the back of the bike," I suggest, both girls roll their eyes, "What?"

"Not good for preggers," Veronica motions toward Dena, and I nod.

"When will the shop be done with your car?"

"Next week I hope," Dena sighs, "Goodnight boys!" she calls, and the guys all mumble goodbyes back.

"I wish you'd have let me fix it," I sigh.

"I would but you're so busy with everything else, and Eli, you can't fix me and everything else," she laughs and I shake my head.

"Whatever goodnight."

Veronica POV

I am so out of my element it is not even funny. I can't believe I agreed to this! How could?! Honestly, what WAS I thinking? Oh, yeah, I was thinking that there's a friend who needed my help. I was being a good friend, or trying to. Sometimes I really, really, wish I could be a bad friend, just once in my life.

You're probably wondering what I'm doing at this moment that has be regretting being a good friend. Well take a look around, seriously, look around. I'm setting in a room full of women that either look like their about to bust, or have babies attached at one place or the other. Yup, my dear loyal readers inside my head, I'm at Dena's doctors appointment.

She said she really didn't feel comfortable with Dick here, and who can blame her? Duncan was just to weird to invite, and Logan…well honestly people, can you see Logan setting here? I asked why she didn't invite Weevil, and she simply shrugged and said 'he said invite you, and I really need somebody with me.'

So, here I am. And just so everybody knows, Lily owes me for this. Don't look at me that way, she's Lily's half sister, had it not been for Lily I would not have known her, and therefore would not be obligated to sit through this torture. Okay, so maybe blaming the dead it not my best moment, but come on people cut me some slack!

Sighing I look sideways when I see Dena move, "I think they're going to schedule my first ultrasound today."

"Really? So early?" I ask, "I thought they waited until you were five months or something?"

"Well the doctor said something last time about not being able to get a clear reading on the baby, so he wants to make sure everything is okay, or something like that. I'm fifteen weeks, so I mean it's about time for one, I think." She shrugs and sighs, "Don't ask me, because honestly I'm just going along with what the doctor says."

I nod my head, "Well I'm sure everything is fine, or else he would have told you."

"Yeah, I mean I'm sure things are great," she nods looking highly uncertain, "It's not like I wouldn't feel if something was wrong right?"

I smile slightly at her, "Dena, you're fine, and the baby is fine. Nothing's wrong."

She laughs, "So how are things with you and…who are you dating these days?"

"Nobody," I answer instantly, "How are things with Weevil?"

"Eli and I are not dating, he's just helping me," she answers.

Sure, keep telling yourself that girl. "Oh, I meant how is the remembering going?"

She shrugs and looks away from me, "It's harder then I thought. I mean I never forgot Lily, but the little things…the things like…how she was always telling me things I didn't want to know….how her handwriting was always so messy, to messy for girl…"

I nod remembering Lily's hand writing, "Didn't she almost fail that class in middle school?"

Dena laughs, "If I remember the only reason she didn't was she batted her eyes lashes at the teacher and said she just couldn't help it that was her writing."

"Yeah," I nod, "That's what I remember too."

"I was looking through pictures the other day with Eli, and I found one you might like to see," Dena leans down and retrieves her purse, "I'll let you have a copy if you want."

Dena hands me and envelope which I open to find a picture of the three of us, the day of the car wash, "This was the day she died wasn't it?"

Dena nods, "Yeah, I thought maybe….well I know you haven't given up, and I know you don't think the man behind mars murdered her, and well neither do I." She pauses and looks at me as if judging my reaction, "She told me something Veronica, I just can't remember what. Just like I can't remember why I keep going back to that damn bar, or who I'm looking for there."

"Bar? What bar?" I ask.

"The Milder Bar," She frowns and I gape at her, "What?"

"You don't remember?" She shakes her head, "I think you have to find your own memories, I can't give them to you." I say as the nurse calls her name and we head back.

Logan POV

I ride in on the next wave and look around, glancing around the beach. Honestly I really really don't want to go home. HE'S there and I'm avoiding HIM. Sighing I stand my board up, and collapse onto the beach. Dick collapses next to me.

"Wicked that I'm going to be a dad huh?" he says out of nowhere.

"Uh huh," I nod looking out at the ocean.

"Can I ask you something, dude?"

"Other then what you just asked me?" I smirk at him, and he shoves me.

"No, seriously dude. You think I'm cut out for this? Should I like ask her marry me or something?" he plays with the sand in front of him.

"I'm sure that would go over brilliantly," I roll my eyes, "Look man," I glance sideways at him, "I think Dena is into Weevil," he shutters, "And I think that Weevil is into her. I mean, I don't like the idea, but I think she's safe with him. And as far as marriage, you're too young. There's no way she's going to marry you." I pause and look back out over the waves, "I think you have ask yourself how much you want to be a part of your babies life. And if it's a major part, then well, you have to clean up. If you don't want to be a big part of it's life, then I'd say walk away know."

"Wow you mean just walk away as in…never see my child?" he looks at me surprised and I shrug. "That's not what I want."

"Then you and Dena gotta work it out man."

Dick nods and lays back on his towel, "Yeah, I guess so…"

Veronica POV

So two days ago, I saw this purity test thing online, then yesterday Meg's score, or supposed score, was painted on her locker. And today I get to school, and somebody has painted a number on MY locker. Damn it to hell! Blowing out a breath, I look at the number 14 painted on my locker. I promised Meg I'd find out who done this, and by God I'm going to, especially know!

Dena comes up behind me, "Why Veronica," she fakes an 'holier then thou' voice, "Why didn't you tell me about your adventures?!" I laugh and roll my eyes, "So, uh, how many kids you got?"

I laugh, "With that number about fifteen unless I was extra super duper careful."

"Yeah well, maybe you can explain the ins and outs to me."

"Maybe," I look over at Meg as she approaches, "At least you're not the biggest slut in school anymore."

"I'm also not dating my boyfriend anymore."

Dena makes a shocked noise, and Meg rolls her eyes, "You don't need that as a whole. No woman needs a man, believe me."

I laugh, "She's man hating today."

Meg nods, "Well, I guess I am too cause I agree."

"See, I new I loved having her around for a reason," Dena locks arms with Meg, as Meg locks arms with me, "Just ignore the idiots of this school," Dena says loudly as we walk through the halls. Dick starts to whistle with the rest but Dena breaks free quickly and says something. He blushes deep crimson, how did she do that? I shake my head as she rejoins Meg and I.

I need to think about who got everybody's password. There should be somebody here who keeps them…hmmm…isn't there a technical guy here? Maybe he did? But what would be the point?

"EARTH TO MARS?!" Dena voice pulls me out of my thoughts, "This is our stop."

"I've got to go see somebody about a password, real quick, "I say and head toward the computer lab.

"If I were you, I'd talk to Mac!" Dena calls after me.

I head toward the computer class, and ask about passwords, but as it would turn out, the gym coach is filling in. Which of course means he doesn't have any knowledge what so ever about passwords and such. He does direct me toward a student named Mac telling me to 'look for the one with blue hair'.

Shaking my head I walk out toward the parking lot, seeing Dena with Weevil, standing next to her car. Looks like they're having a fight, hmm. Shrugging my shoulders, I see a girl with a blue streak in her hair, standing my a rinky dink old car, hmm, wonder if that would be Mac.

I approach, "Are you Mac?"

"Depends on who's asking," she says turning toward me, "Mars right?"

"Yeah," I nod, "I hear you're good with a computer?"

"Good?! Is that all Dena told you?!" She sighs dramatically and shakes her head, "You wipe one thing extra off a girls hard drive and you go from excellent to good."

I laugh, I can't help it, she's just so….not normal. "I need to know if there's a way that somebody could get everybody's password in the school."

"Oh, sure yeah, there's a way," she nods her head.

"And uh, you know how? Could you uh," I pause, "Could you help me find out who got them?"

Mac looks thoughtful for a second, as Dena comes over, "Help her or she'll bug the hell out of you Mac Attack," Dena says tossing me a grin, "How's it going Veronica?"

"Good," I say, "And she's right, I tend to get what I want."

"Fine, I'll help," Mac sighs dramatically again.

"God you're so over dramatic," Dena says, "Here."

"What's this?" Mac takes what she's handed by Dena.

"I thought maybe you could give it to…..Kat and Nat?" Dena throws me a look, but have no clue what's happening, though I suddenly really want to.

"Meet me before school tomorrow, and I'll help you," Mac says to me, and I seriously think I'm being dismissed. I say okay, and bye and leave.

Mac POV

I'm setting in the computer lab waiting for Mars to show up, looking over something's Dena asked me to. Frowning, I scan a picture in my hand again, hmmm, I can tell it's been digitally altered which is weird. Why would anybody alter a photo, and put Lily Kane in it?

I can hear Mars coming, so I scramble to put it away, the last thing we need is her finding something like that. She steps in the door just as the last paper is shoved in my backpack, "About time," I say, "You brought coffee right?"

Mars raises an eye brow before setting a cup down beside me, "Dena told me you'd say that."

"Dena does know me well," I laugh pulling the cup to me and sniffing it, "HHHMMM just the way I like it."

"If you don't mind," Mars starts, "I would like to get started and then I will leave you alone with your coffee."

I shot her a glare, "Never mess with me before coffee." I turn to the computer in front of me and type a few keys, "This is a website that sells the students Ids. I found it last night while surfing, with the ID it's easy to go in and change things. Such as answers to tests. So far, just about everybody's password has been sold. I recommend choice a new one." I show her the site and stuff.

"And you can track this website?"

"Oh sure, if I uh, wanted to," I say looking sideways.

"Well, you want to," She answers simply. Would this be a good time to tell her that I set up the website? I'm thinking no.

"When you've tracked them, let me know," Mars says.

"Uh, well it might be a little problem," I say, "See funny thing is that I can't actually track the person, I can only track the ISP, and it may be a fake name or whatever."

"Just get me a name," Mars says and heads out. I make sure she's well out of the way and pull out the photo again. The job on it is really well, it's even time and date stamped. But I just don't see why anybody would put Lily Kane IN a picture. Take her out yes….Unless…..No….it couldn't be….Does somebody out there know that Dena can't remember? Is somebody trying to set Dena up as well?

Weevil POV

It's Saturday, so I'm setting on the beach with Dena. She's laying back, sunglasses on her face, smiling up at me. It's a little cool, I was worried, but she's covered up well.

"Stop worrying Eli," she says with a chuckle

"What?" I fake confused, "Me?"

Dena sets up, "Yes you. You are always worrying I wish you wouldn't."

I sigh, "That is much easier said then done."

"You know what I think?" Dena asks as I raise an eye brow, "I think you need a little fun. And I don't meant with the bikers. Honestly, I think you need a little time away from them."

"They're not around know," I say looking around, "It's just you and me."

"That is true," Dena says moving the sand around with her finger, "Look Eli, I know that….well I know it's not easy for you to remember Lily. I know this must be hard…"

"Stop," I hold up a hand, "I was never in love with Lily Kane." I want her to get this clear, "It was never her."

She looks up confused at me, "But…I thought you….you were passing…"

I laugh, "I was passing notes about you."

"Me?!" she blinks at me.

"You, beautiful." I lean in and rub my nose to hers, "Lily was worried about you."

Dena smiles slightly then looks out over the ocean, "Lily was always worried that I was barely holding on. I think she new she'd not always be around. I don't know how, but I swear it was like she new. I remember a few days before she died, she came to me and said she had a secret. She said that she was going to write it to me in a letter, and mail it. I remember telling her it was a ridiculous idea, we went to school together. But three days after she died, I got a package in the mail. I've never opened it, I let Lily take her secrets to her grave."

"She mailed you a package?" I ask, watching Dena. I don't know why, but something is very unsettling about this new fact.

Together we set for a while in silence. I think Dena is the only person that I've ever had this type of quiet time where we don't have to talk at all. Lily always filled the space, jappering about something or someone. After a while Dena sighs, and I look over.

"You know why I keep going back to the bar don't you?" she asks.

I nod my head, "Yeah."

"It's her isn't it. The person I keep going back to see is Lily isn't it?" She turns her head and looks sideways at me, "Tell me honestly Eli."

I look away from her, sigh, and look back, "Yes."

Dena nods and looks away, I know she's got tears in her eyes. I put a hand on her shoulder, and pull her close. "Why didn't you just tell me?"

"It was something you had to remember yourself," I answer as she lays her head on my shoulder, "I couldn't force it."

"I found a receipt and it all came flooding back and I new, I just new it was her I was going to see. But she never came, she'll never come Eli. Never as long as I wait, and I think that's the hardest part," she's crying and getting my shirt wet. I hate when she's like this, and it's happening a lot more often know that she's pregnant. Sighing I hold tight to her, seeing Mars approaching, I shake my head. She looks confused but doesn't approach. If it's one thing I know, it's that Dena will not want anybody to see her like this. Nobody but the person who's heart it breaks most, nobody but me.

Veronica POV (Tuesday of the following week)

I finally figured out who actually sold the passwords, and ironically I did not bust them. Nope. It turned out to be Mac, but since she helped me out so much in finding who posted the scores, I let her go. She's got a new car. Which, as long as nobody knows, I can't say as I blame her. Turns out the person posting the tests was, well, a wee bit upset. They ended up in the office, and stuff. Anyways, that's not really important.

I'm going to visit the guy who killed, or so they say, Lily Kane today. And as I set out in front of the jail, I don't think I've ever in my life been so scared and excited all at once.

Dena POV (same day)

Dick comes into the store that I work at, nods to me and heads for the cooler in the back. I watch him, then glance down again at the paper on the table. An old woman comes up, so I lay the paper aside to check her out.

"Can't understand what a young girl like you is doing here, should be off getting an education," she says.

"I go to Neptune High," I smile at her as I ring up her drink.

"Really?" She hands me money, "I thought you were older then that." She looks me over, "Don't get into any trouble." I smile and try not to roll my eyes.

"I won't," I say as she turns and leaves I do roll my eyes. She's out the door before Dick comes to the counter.

"Hi," he looks nervous.

"Hi Dick," I say ringing up his soda, "This all?"

"Yeah," Dick nods.

"One dollar and seventy five cents," I say holding my hand out.

"I was uh, I was wonder…." he pauses and it looks like an internal debate is taking place.

"I'm not allowed to give free soda's," I smirk at him, but he frowns and scowls.

"I wasn't asking, I just…." he pauses again, "Don't you think we should talk. I mean…Logan….there's…"

"Logan is about as dim witted as you are half the time, and we have talked Dick. I thought you were in on that conversation," I say rolling my eyes as he hands me the money.

"No, I mean, yeah we talked, but I want to talk more. I want to be a part of my kids life. And Logan pointed out that if I walked away, well I don't remember what he said but I know that I don't want to walk away." Dick looks at me with this look that is so determined.

"I…" I blink at him, "Dick," I say slowly, "It was never my intent to cut you out. However, I think that….well I think that for know it's best if you and I….we tried to work on being…friends."

Dick nods, "Can we talk though?"

Searching Dick's eyes used to be a lot harder, they were clear orbs with nothing behind them. Today however, they are blue orbs with clouds of thoughts and emotions behind them. And Dick being thoughtful, well I'm pretty sure that's straight out dangerous. "Fine," I say finally, "I get off in an hour."

"I'll meet you outside," Dick says and smiles at me. I sigh back at him, I was so looking forward to going home after this shift.

Sure enough in an hours time I am walking out the door with my book bag and my purse to find none other then Dick setting on the tailgate of his truck watching for me. And Eli Weevil leaning against the wall waiting. Great, just great. Eli takes my book bag, "What's he waiting on?"

"Me, he wants to talk," I answer looking over at him.

"And you want to talk to him?" Eli asks looking over to.

"Not really," I answer with a sigh, "But you know I have to. If I deny him this he'll try everything in his power to get the baby, and well, lets face it, better to be with a rich father then a poor mother."

"Don't say that. Maybe I should be there," Eli says taking my hand.

I look down at our hands then back up at Eli, "I don't know. I don't know how this works. I mean….I don't want him thinking that he has to go all hostal on me."

"You think I would cause more tension then anything?" Eli asks quietly, raising my chin to look into my eyes, I nod, "Then I'll only be a phone call away. Look, I know that there's nothing between the two of you, there might not even be anything between the two of us, but there's no way anybody is going to hurt you. I won't let that happen. And nobody, is going to take this baby, I don't care how rich they are," he reaches out ever so gently and touches my stomach, "I don't want to share you, but I will if it means I get to keep you."

I lean my head against his, "Thank you Eli. And for the record, I do think there's something between us, I'm just not so sure what it is."

"Be careful Dena."

With that I walk away from Eli, who heads for my car, and toward Dick. Dick jumps off the tailgate, and throws me a huge grin. "Thought he was going to sneak in on our conversation?"

"Dick please," I say tiredly, "He's worried. I'm worried, we're all…." I shake my head.

"Hey, what's the matter?" Dick asks, "You look run down."

"I AM run down," I answer, "Look could we at least set in the truck while we talk?"

"You get in, I'll be right back," Dick says and heads straight for my car. I start to follow, but he motions me to stay. Dick and Eli talk for a good five minutes before Dick heads into the store, Eli comes over where I am.

"He's going to take you to dinner, and I'll meet you at the house. Try not to worry, I think he really just wants to talk," Eli says hugging me to him, "And I think that this conversation has to happen."

I nod against him as Dick comes striding back to us, two waters in his hand.

Dick, it turned out, was taking me to a little place that I love. As we wait to be seated he looks nervous, "Are you okay?" He asks me for the thousandth time.

"I'm find Dick," I answer rolling my eyes, seeing my favorite waitress coming toward us, "Hi Sarah!"

"Dena!" She greets me with a big smile, "How's it going?"

"Oh just got off work," I answer as she leads Dick and I to a table.

"The usual?" she asks, "Water?"

"Of course," I answer with a smile. She nods and turns to Dick who orders the same.

"I was thinking," Dick says, "About this baby thing. And I mean, I don't want my kid growing up not knowing who I am." He pauses, "And I don't just want to be the one who pays the child support. I want to be involved."

"Dick, I don't want to discourage you. But if you think that the reason I'm having this baby is money, well you're wrong. I'll do it without you somehow if I have to." I answer leaning back arms crossed.

"I know this isn't about money, or you'd have already asked. Logan and I were talking and he said that, well he said I had a decision to make." Dick fingers his napkin, "And that's not easy."

I set up and put my elbows on the table, "We both have decisions to make, I've already made one of the hardest."

"I know," he looks up at me, "Dena I'm sorry. I didn't want…this wasn't…." I hold my hand up to stop him,

"WHat ever this was or wasn't doesn't matter. What matters is that there's a baby with our DNA growing inside my body."

"I want to go to college, and I know you do. I know you're like with Weevil or whatever, but you can't just cut me out. Man I don't know jack shit about being a dad, but I know that I don't want some kid walking around out there thinking I'm a dead beat." Dick shakes his head, "Is there a way we can work this out and us not be together?"

"Yes," I nod my head, "Yes Dick. I mean I don't know exactly how but I'm sure we can. But I think first we have to learn to trust each other."

"Me too," he answers, "Look I told Weevil I'd have you home soon. He was going to call something in for us, I'll see if it's ready." With that Dick gets up and heads for the counter. I set back in my chair, exhausted and think about what he's just said. Dick wants to be in the baby's life, thus in my life. Shit.