Disclaimer: I do not own Veronica Mars.

Logan ran through the hospital corridors. He nearly slipped as he took a right to get to a certain block of the building. He found himself scanning every number of the doors, 255, 256, 257, ... 258, 259. Where is she?

" Logan! " Keith Mars's voice yelled out.

Logan quickly turned to his left. Keith was standing outside of a room.

" She's in here, Logan. "

Logan ran towards the door his hands ready to open it but Keith stopped him. Logan looked at Keith. Tears filled his eyes.

" Brace yourself. "

Logan nodded. Taking a deep breath he opened the door. He nearly passed out. Veronica was there, her head shaved, and air was being pumped into her lungs through some machine.

" Oh god ... " Was all he managed to say as he stumbled to the side of the bed.

He took her hand, squeezing it tightly as he wept.

" I'm so sorry. "

" I'm so sorry. " He repeated.

Logan's head fell onto the bed as he continued to cry. This time yelps could be heard from outside.

*****

Logan shot to an upright position. Covered in sweat. Breathing heavily. He kept having that fucking nightmare. Sometimes he couldn't tell if it was real or not. He couldn't even begin to imagine if it really happened. He wiped his face, trying to get rid of some moisture.

" Jesus Christ. "

The girl he had just fornicated with turned towards him.

" What's the matter with you? "

" Just had a bad dream. "

The girl let her head fall against her pillow.

" That happens. "

Logan stepped out of bed and walked toward the light, then turned it on.

" What are you doing? "

" Going out. I need some air. "

" Alright. "

Logan got dressed in some ratty clothes he found on the floor. Taking his keys off the counter as he moved to the door.

" Logan. "

" Yeah. " He says as he turns towards her.

" Shut the light off. "

" Right. "

Logan shut the light off and headed out the door.

*****

Logan stood at the shore of the beach. It was early in the morning and it was only just getting brighter. This was a bad place to go. It's bringing back memories. Agonizing memories. He clenches his fist. Thinking it will relieve some of his newly emerged pain, but it's no good. All he can think about is kissing her, kissing her while they roll around in the sand. Why the fuck did he come here? He wasn't thinking about her on the way or anything, but maybe he was. Maybe he was and he didn't even realize it. That seems believable. Not normal, but nothing about Logan Echolls was normal anymore. He screams. Not caring about anybody living close by. Not caring about how he'd look. He just screams because he wants to. It's all he's allowed to do. Well, all he'll allow himself to do.

*****

Veronica sat in Hearst College's cafeteria with Wallace. Wallace knows something is up with her. He can't pin point it.

" V. You okay? "

" Yeah. Just got some stuff on my mind. "

" Like what? "

" You don't even want to go there, Wallace. "

" Alright. Be like that. " Wallace announced jokingly.

Veronica smiled.

" I think I'd just bore you. "

" I said it's cool V. "

Veronica went back to her food. Silence filled the moment quite rapidly.

" How are you? " Veronica said, feeling it was only natural to ask.

" Everything is all cool with me, Mars. "

Veronica simply nodded. She knew she'd had better conversations with Wallace, but at this point she couldn't really keep him in the equation. With all of her cases piling up, and trust me she became way more popular after the whole sex tape incident, plus with Logan on her brain for the rest of the time. She simply lost touch with most of her outside life. Wallace wasn't overly disappointed. He knew she got like this sometimes. He was used to that. He quickly checked his watch.

" I got class V. So I'm gonna' have to split. "

Veronica nodded.

" I'll see you later. "

Wallace got up from the table.

" Yeah. See you later. "

Wallace walked off a couple moments later. Veronica continued to try and figure out when she'd be his friend again, but right now, she honestly didn't know.

*****

Logan drove down a busy street. He hadn't had anything to do today. Well, he never had anything to do any day. Still, he was starting to grow tired of this life style. Just lounging around day by day only getting your kicks out of shoving lethal chemicals into your bloodstream. The one thing that happened to be worrying him was that's what his life was slowly becoming. Logan took an exit off the street, not knowing were he was going; he kept driving down the exit. Thinking it would take him somewhere he hadn't been before. He knew that wouldn't happen though. He must of known every inch of Neptune by now. Or at least the parts that were worth seeing. Logan's thoughts were cut short once his phone began to ring. He quickly answered it without looking at the caller ID.

" Hello. "

" Hey man. It's me, Dick. "

" Dick? What is it? "

" Nothing much man. I just haven't heard from you in a little while … How's it going? "

" I can't really give you a fifty page story, Dick. "

" Yeah. Yeah. I know what you mean. Listen … I was wondering if you wouldn't mind showing your face at a party tonight. "

" I don't know about that. "

" Come one man. You've been in hiding for the last month. Let people know you're still alive. "

Logan thought about it for a second. Dick probably just told some girls that Logan Echolls was going to be at his party so he could attempt to get in their pants. Logan thought it might be a decent idea though. Due to the fact he's probably just going to get high tonight, anyway. Why not do it in an appropriate atmosphere?

" Yeah. All right. What time? "

" About nine? "

" Yeah. Sure thing, Dick. See you then. "

" Great man. See you. "

Dick hung up. Logan sat in his car wondering if it was such a good idea. Either way, Dick was right. It would be good to show people that Logan Echolls was still alive.

*****

Veronica exited Hearst College, heading for her car. It had been a long day and Veronica just wanted to go home, curl up into a little ball and stay like that forever. Of course this whole idea was blown away once Mac appeared in front of Veronica.

" Hey. " Mac said, looking odd.

" What's up? " Veronica asked, slightly wierded out.

" I need a favor. "

Veronica sighed; this might be the worst thing that happened all day.

" What? "

" Come to Dick's party with me? " Mac asked with her two hands glued together as if she was praying.

Veronica almost walked off. She just couldn't even begin to think about doing something like that.

" Mac- "

" Please? He invited me and really don't want to go alone. "

" Then don't go. "

" I could, but I don't want to seem mean. "

" I don't think Dick will be too upset. "

" Come on Veronica. "

" No. "

Mac looked slightly angry. Then decided to take a different angle.

" Okay. Next time you need a favor I might just think twice about it. "

Veronica looked at Mac. She was pulling that card? Veronica thought about it for a second. Mac didn't usually ask her fro anything. She figured she'd be a friend to her this one time.

" I'll arrive with you, but I'm not promising to stay the whole thing. "

Mac smiled.

" Thanks Veronica. "

" Yeah. Yeah. "

Veronica walked to her car. She looked around the area before getting in. She was still wondering why Logan had been here. She knew the last thing he was doing was going to classes. It really stumbled her. She didn't have time to look up on it now though. She has to go to another one of Dick's party's. As if the one she went to a few months ago wasn't bed enough. Veronica stepped into her car and drove off dreading the time when Mac would call and remind her what time she had to be there.

*****

Logan finished up in the bathroom. The areas of his beard which had been short and scraggly were now gone. He applied some expensive aftershave, which must have been left in there from a while ago. He was wearing some decent clothes that he found in one of the boxes he hadn't bothered to unpack. Logan walked into his living room. His rebellious fuck buddy was sitting on his couch. She was filing her nails. Logan sighed not really wanting her to be there right now.

" You still here? " He asked.

" No. I'm half way out of California. "

" When will you be gone? "

" Charming. "

" No seriously. I'm getting sick of you. "

" Ouch. That's hurts Echolls. "

Logan walked over to his window, which filled the entire wall; the sun was just beginning to set. He quickly ran a comb through his, almost perfectly, combed back hair.

" You're planning to bring some other sleazy lady back here tonight aren't you? " The rebel asked, walking towards Logan.

" No. You're just starting to become a pain. Don't you ever go home? "

" Alright Logan. I'll be out of here by the time you get back tonight. "

" Good. "

" If Terrance knew how you treated me he'd probably kick your ass. "

Logan laughed.

" If Terrance knew what you were doing with me he'd probably shoot your ass. "

The woman walked away form Logan heading towards his bedroom.

" Oh Logan. You have so much to learn about the world of crime. "

Logan set the comb down on his coffee table. Watching as she began to pick up some of her clothes, that had been left on his bedroom floor. Logan walked out of his front door. As he came towards his car he noticed another one drive through the road in front of him. The car looked familiar. He shrugged it off and got inside his own vehicle. He was ready for tonight. Ready to be Logan Echolls again.

*****

Veronica and Mac pulled up to the Neptune Grand. It was just after nine, and the party was only starting up. Veronica turned to Mac.

" Alright last chance. Are you sure you want to spend a perfectly fine night with a bunch of rich kids doing body shots off each other? "

Mac laughed a little.

" Look I just want to be cool with Dick. He's just trying to be nice after well … you know. "

" Yeah. You're probably right. "

" It won't be that bad. "

" Don't be so sure. "

Mac got out of the car. Veronica followed her. This was going to be a long night.

Mac knocked on the door of Dick's place. He opened it a of couple moments later.

" Hey. " He said glad to see Mac showed up.

" Glad you could make it. " He stated, but quickly saw Veronica as she began to step inside along with Mac.

" Ronnie? "

" What are you doing here? " He asked with surprise.

" God Dick. You really know how to greet a girl. " Veronica said with that natural sarcastic flare.

" I brought her with me. Is that okay? " Mac asked.

" Yeah. Course it is. " He stated.

Dick quickly shut the door. Logan would probably be there any minute now. This could be weird. He knew Veronica wanted to hear from Logan, what he didn't know was if that feeling was mutual.

*****

Logan stood in the Neptune Grand's elevator. He hadn't used it since he moved out. It seemed odd using it again. Logan glanced at his watch. It was nearly nine thirty. He had stopped to go buy a case of beer and got delayed due to the time it took for the clerk to see if the picture in his fake ID was actually his. The clerk eventually accepted it, so Logan wasn't showing up to Dick's house empty handed. He watched the numbers at the elevator's meter. He was almost on Dick's floor. Logan hadn't socialized with many of the people he was going to see tonight in a while. He hoped he wouldn't end up making a fool of himself, but he couldn't make any promises.

*****

The party was starting to fill up now. Mac spent an unusually long amount of time chatting with Dick. Veronica had been just lounging around the area, not getting more than a nod from most of the people around. She was starting to get sick of this. This is definitely not how she imagined her night playing out. Veronica felt her phone vibrate. She took it out of her pocket. It was her father. She quickly walked out onto the balcony, and then answered it.

" Hello. "

" Hey you. Just checking up on you. What you doing? "

" Just at another one of Dick's party's. Nothing but endless amounts of alcohol and don't even get me started on the girl on girl action. "

" I really wonder why you tell me such things. "

" I believe you were the one who raised me to always tell the truth. "

" Well I regret that now. You should always lie. "

Veronica laughed.

" Have a good time Veronica. "

" Thanks, but something tells me I'll be seeing you shortly. "

" Yeah well. Just have fun. "

" Alright. Bye dad. "

" Bye sweetie. "

Veronica hung up her phone.

" Nice to see you're still being yourself. " Someone said.

A startled Veronica shot over to see where the voice came from. She was surprised to see Logan standing there. Smiling at her as if she'd made his day.

" Hi. " Was all she managed to say, as she tucked her phone into her pocket.

Logan stepped closer to her.

" How are you? "

" You know me, tough as bricks. "

Veronica froze after she said that.

" I mean- "

" Don't. I had that one coming. "

" How about you? Are you all right? "

" Yeah. It is what it is. "

" No truer words spoken. "

Logan smiled. The one thing she said confidently was snappy. He missed that.

" I was surprised to see you here. "

" Gonna' have to agree with you there. "

Both of them laughed slightly. The moment was bound to be awkward. Despite Logan's chilled attitude he was actually more than happy to see her. She had been on his mind for so long that even just talking to her like this thrilled him. Veronica couldn't stop thinking about those few months ago. She remembered him kissing that photograph so vividly. All she wanted was to tell him she knew and that if he would rather kiss the real thing every night. That wouldn't be fair though. Not so soon.

" Should we go inside? " Veronica asked. Hoping it would ease the awkwardness.

" Yeah. Sure. " Logan replied walking back into the party.

They both ended up just speaking to each other for a good three hours. Talking about what either one was doing. Veronica didn't end up going to Virginia that summer, something to do with an oversubscription. This made Logan feel slightly upset. He knew how much going to Virginia meant to her. She didn't even let out how disappointed she had been about the whole thing, and she was extremely. Quite a bit of sulking and ice cream had to be used to get over that one. Logan himself had been earning a few extra dollars by investing in some motor racing company. What he left out is that it wasn't even a company, nor was it an investment per say, just a bunch of street racers he had been making some bets on. Lets just say the racers weren't letting him down.

" I'm sorry about Virginia. " Logan said, not having to yell anymore now that the music was dying out.

" Don't be. It just didn't work out. " Veronica replied, finishing what must have been a fourth or fifth beer. It was unlike Veronica to drink so much, she was just trying to loosen herself up while she caught up with Logan.

Logan looked over at he clock that hung up on the wall. It was twelve thirty. Not everybody had left yet, but he was getting tired of the whole scene.

" You want to go somewhere? " Logan asked, almost begging for a yes.

Veronica wanted to, but she couldn't ditch Mac.

" Yeah. I just have to find Mac. "

Veronica searched through crowd of people. She finally found Mac sitting alone on the couch. She stood in front of her.

" Hey. "

" Hi. "

" How you doing. "

" You know. "

Veronica nodded.

" Look Logan wants to take me somewhere. Will you be all right getting home? "

" Yeah. Yeah. Don't worry. "

" You sure? "

" Positive. I'm glad to here you two are talking. "

" Don't go to far. It could all end in disaster. "

" Go Veronica. I've just been waiting for the right time to shoot out of here anyway. "

" Okay. I'll see you. "

Mac smiled at Veronica as she walked to the door. Logan was waiting for her.

" Is Veronica allowed to come out and play? " Logan asked jokingly.

Veronica gave him a quick punch to the shoulder. Logan laughed as they left.

*****

Veronica sat in the Xterra as Logan drove them somewhere. She had no idea where he was taking her. She wondered if he should be driving, but she didn't recall him having any more than one drink. That was shocking in all honesty.

" Where are you taking me? " Veronica asked.

" I don't actually know. " Logan replied smiling, and that was the solid truth. He was just simply driving and that seemed to work for both of them. Even Veronica would tell you she was enjoying the moment.

She couldn't handle it at this point. She couldn't even begin to describe how much she had been missing Logan, and even if it was stupid, all she wanted to do was tell him that. The words came out of her mouth as if her brain could no longer store them. They just seemed to fall out of her head.

" I've really missed you. You know that? "

He looked over at her. Not quite sure what to say to that. Well he did, but he never thought it would even come to that.

" Me too. "

Veronica faintly smiled.

" So what are we going to do about it? "

*****

Smashing through the door of Logan's apartment the two of them clung onto each other as if separating would cause a nuclear holocaust. Veronica managed to climb onto his body for support. The apartment was pitch black but neither of them thought turning the light on was worth it. Logan broke what was probably his longest kiss ever, for air. Veronica smiled. Giving him a second to catch his breath. She soon went in to kiss him again. She was beginning to like Logan's new goatee, it was like a cushion against her lips. Logan lifted her higher as he brought her into his bedroom. Moments later Veronica found herself dropped onto his bed. She could tell the bed was messy.

" You could have tidied the sheets. " She teased.

" I wasn't expecting company. " Logan stated as he climbed on top of her.

The two of them continued by tearing each other's clothes off and having some of the most passionate sex in a long while. It was as if each of them had been on some sort of business trip for a while and this was the first time they'd seen each other since. Exhausted both of them rolled away. Logan took a few deep breaths. Veronica just started to fall asleep. Logan came and held her from behind kissing her shoulder.

" Good night. " He whispered, hoping she didn't want to leave.

Veronica pulled him closer to her and then sunk into the space he provided.

" Good night. " She said back.

*****

Morning came all too quickly as Veronica opened her still tired eyes. Logan was still holding onto her. She liked that, the fact he didn't even want to let her go. It was almost a shame to nudge him, but she did, because she found it almost impossible to wiggle her way out of his arms.

" Logan. "

He woke up slowly.

" Yeah. "

" I have to pee. "

He released her after that. She slid off his bed, only now noticing the headache she had. She walked into his bathroom, quickly doing as she said she had to and then heading towards the sink. Her headache was only getting worse. She needed an aspirin or something. She opened his cabinet, assuming he left that sort of stuff in there. She swallowed hard once she saw it. She couldn't actually believe it at first. She thought she was seeing things. After her initial shock she reached for it. Taking a small bag in her hand. It was heroin. Tears fell down her eyes. Heroin? This can't be right. This is crazy. She rifled through all of it. There were at least five bags in there. Veronica nearly collapsed. This was too much to take on a Sunday morning.