A/N: Not exactly a cheery chapter, I apologize! I promise it will get more fun as it goes along. I never intended Dick to be so moody but that's just what I felt was necessary as I began to plan out the rest of the story.

Please review and feel free to give suggestions for what you'd like to see in later chapters! =)

In the morning, Veronica woke up in the arms of Logan. She felt at peace with her decision, even though she told Mac that she wasn't going to jump into things with Logan. But that's just how it had always been between her and Logan. It was difficult, scary, painful...but worth it.

Holy shit, Veronica thought all of a sudden. I forgot about Mac….and I left her with Dick. Sure, she believed what Dick told her last night but she shouldn't have left them alone together.

Veronica left a still sleeping Logan and ran into the living room. There was no sight of either of them...but Dick's door was closed. Oh no. No.

She ran to the door and slowly pushed it open. Dick was shirtless. Oh god.

"DICK CASABLANCAS!" Veronica roared at him. She knew Dick was afraid of her and she wanted him to be terrified.

Dick almost fell off the bed and Mac looked amused as she woke up peacefully.

"WHAT?" Dick yelled back at Veronica while standing back up.

"What exactly is going on here?" Logan had appeared behind Veronica at the door way.

"Nothing-"

"Veronica," said Mac calmly, "it's fine. We just slept in the same bed. No big deal." She pulled the covers down and revealed herself to be fully clothed.

Veronica was relieved but still not pleased about the situation. Logan was happy about it, secretly. He knew Dick better than anybody and had witnessed more emotional breakdowns this year than Dick would ever admit. It wasn't easy for Logan to see his best friend so damaged, but it was also hard for Logan to help him. Logan had trouble even thinking about Cassidy, let alone talking about him. It was a shame that tragedy had to be the catalyst for Dick's transformation, but Logan was proud of him nonetheless. It tooks a lot for somebody to accept their emotions- a skill that Logan was still trying to perfect for the sake of his relationship with Veronica. If Mac could be Dick's Veronica...damn, Logan thought.

Later that afternoon, Dick found himself in the financial aid office of Hearst. I shouldn't be doing this, he thought. But he was a millionaire and there were about a million things worse he could be doing with his money.

"Hi, how can I help you?" asked the receptionist

"Hey, I have kind of a weird question. If I wanted to pay off somebody's tuition, could I? I mean, I don't want to snoop into their accounts, I really have the money."

"Well, yes. I can't imagine anyone having a problem with their debt being paid off, but usually when this happens we need to file it under an anonymous scholarship or you could start your own fund."

Dick thought about it. He found it really sad that some people had to go to college and be in debt for years afterwards. He never knew how that it felt. Hell, I didn't even know that it worked like that till yesterday.

"Could you tell me the balance of Cindy Mackenzie?"

"I'm not really supposed to tell you...but you're genuinely going to pay their tuition off right?"

"Yes. I'm a Casablancas."

The lady told him the amount. It wasn't that much, at least for Dick.

"Can you keep like a running total here for me?"

"Sure."

"How much does Veronica Mars owe?"

She told him.

That's do-able..But why the hell didn't Logan pay it off forever ago? Oh well, was there anybody else? "What about Wallace…..Fennel?"

Wallace's amount was even lower because of basketball scholarships.

"Okay, so can you make a total of those three and then add another ten thousand for Cindy Mackenzie's tuition next year?"

"Sure. This is really generous of you, Mr. Casablancas."

"Can we make this whole thing anonymous?"

"Of course," said the secretary with a smile.

He wrote a check and was on his way. He never spent his money on something charitable before and it felt nice. He hadn't planned it, but when he woke up this morning, it just came to him. And besides Mac, Veronica was the only decent person that he knew. He didn't know Wallace that well, except that he was one of Mac and Veronica' best friends. Why the fuck not? If drinking wasn't going to make him feel better, then he would try being an actual good person for once in his life.

Dick wondered again why Logan hadn't went in there himself and paid off Veronica's account, but he figured that Veronica would castrate Logan in his sleep if he were to do it.

Hopefully Mac doesn't find out or I'll be the one castrated.

Veronica and Mac were at their apartment. Veronica was buckling down on her homework. She had always been a good student but sometimes school was just so damn boring in comparison to her day job.

ring, ring.

"Hello?"

"Yes, is this Ms. Veronica Mars?"

"Yes?"

"Hi, this is the Financial Aid office calling. We'd just like to congratulate you on receiving an anonymous scholarship for the amount of this year's tuition."

"What? Anonymous?" Veronica was speechless. Logan, she thought. Or Mac?

"Yes, the donor would like to remain anonymous. For full details, you can check your account online."

"Thanks, ma'm."

Veronica hung up. I swear to God if Logan or Mac took me as a charity case.. She marched into Mac's room.

"Mac? I just got an anonymous scholarship."

"What? That's amazing, Veronica!"

Veronica had her arms crossed.

"What? Aren't you happy?"

"No. You didn't pay it did you, Mac?"

"No! I only got $20,000...I haven't bought anything yet. I was waiting till the next payday before I made any decisions."

"Did Logan do it?"

"I don't know Veronica-"

ring ring.

Veronica left the room but within a minute Mac was in Veronica's room. "You aren't going to believe this. I got an "anonymous" scholarship too..plus $10,000 dollars to pay off next year's tuition." Mac sat on the bed, stunned.

ring ring.

"It's Wallace...hold on," Veronica said as she picked up the phone. "Not you too….What? No, of course I'm happy for you...it's just that I got the same message today...and so did Mac...yes..except that Mac got $10,000 dollars for next year's tuition too...I know...I'll use my skills..yes..okay..bye.."

"Wallace got it too?"

"Yes," said Veronica

knock knock

"Damn, I think it's my bed. Finally. I'm so sick of sleeping on this air mattress. I would have brought my bed from home but I wanted to keep my room, you know?" said Mac as she opened up the front door. "Um, are you sure you got the right one?" Mac said to the delivery man. This bed was about twice as big as the one she ordered and she saw a glimpse of a beautiful wooden headboard leaning on the wall.

"Yes, Cindy Mackenzie, right? You changed your order after you left the store."

"No, I-"

"Well, let me see here...it seems as though a Mr. Casablancas called in the request?" What the hell, Dick? Oh my god...the scholarships?

Once the delivery guy left, she explained the situation to Veronica.

"Dick? You seriously think Dick did this?"

"Who else? I don't know why he would do it.."

"Sounds like he did it for you and threw me and Wallace in as a bonus. The "anonymous" donor did add 10,000 extra for you after all, Mac. I don't know what you two have going on but-"

"Nothing. There's nothing going on. He doesn't like me that way or anyway, except for..as Cassidy's old girlfriend."

"I don't think that's true...He was really nice to you, the other night, Mac. When you were all over him-"

"What?"

"At Logan's you know...you were drunk? You asked him to take you to his bedroom and everything. Of course, he did sleep next to you..but I mean, in his own Dick way I thought that meant something. Like he cared enough for you to not have sex with you"

"Oh my god. I thought I dreamt that. I mean, I know I slept next to him of course, but I didn't know I got all flirty. Oh god."

"You even said that you couldn't tell him you liked him when you are sober for fear of rejection."

"Wow...Real smooth, Mac. Now, how do I ask him if he's the one who paid off our tuition?"

"He's Dick. Just ask. He's not the best liar."

Where are you right now? Mac sent in a text message to Dick.

The Grand. Want to pick up where we left off last night? Dick typed back instantly.

No. I don't even remember last night except for bits and pieces. I'm coming over now.

"Hey? How are you?" Mac hugged Dick as she entered the Grand. Even though she wasn't too fond of charity, she thought that it was a kind, but misguided gesture.

"As perfect as ever, Ghost World."

"Remember how we're like being honest with each other now?"

"Of course."

"So why don't you tell me why you paid of my tuition? And Wallace's? and Veronica's?"

Shit. "I didn't-"

"I know it was you. You're the only rich person I know except for Logan. And this person who paid donated the money obviously liked me the best. And you bought me a gigantic bed, which I never asked for."

"I plan on having many sleepovers at your place. What can I say, I like to be comfortable?"

Mac just glared at him. "I don't need your charity. And neither does Veronica or Wallace. Why the heck did you pay off Wallace's account too? If you and Wallace are having an affair...," Mac said half-joking but with a tinge of sincerity to her voice.

"I don't know, Mac. It was a random decision. I don't think before I do things, I just do. Dude, just take it. Please. You see what I spend my money on-"

"But now I feel like I owe you something. And Veronica will never be in debt to Dick Casablancas."

"You don't owe me anything. And it wasn't about owing. It was about me being a decent person. Can't you just convince her that it wasn't me?"

"Me? Convince Veronica Mars?"

"Yeah, you're right."

"If we could get Logan to take the fall for Veronica's payment..No. I guess we can't do that. I'm just going to have to tell her that you paid off mine but that you deny paying off hers. She'll suspect Logan, but I'll tell her it will be a huge mistake for her to risk her relationship with Logan again over money. Damn it, Veronica Mars will just have to accept something for once in her life."

"Damn straight."

"But I'm still mad at you. You didn't need to do this. I'm making money off of the site now-"

"I know, Mac. But I'm sorry that I'm not sorry, dude. Take it as an investment."

"An investment?"

"Mackie, I'm investing in you" Dick had a glimmer in his eye, like he really believed in Mac.

"I better get to class then," Mac said quite awkwardly. She felt guilty, but how could she tell Dick that what he did was a reflection of the old Dick? He couldn't buy himself friends and he had to have known that she or Veronica would find out. If only Dick knew how she felt about him, about his potential, and about the way she felt around him.

Later that afternoon, Mac had just gotten home for the evening when her phone began ringing. It was Logan.

"Hey Mac. I hate to bother you but..do you want to come over? Dick is acting like he just got dumped by his boyfriend."

"What?"

"You know. Like in chick flicks, where they are all holed up in their room with ice cream. Except he doesn't have any ice cream."

"Is he alright?"

"I don't know, Mac. I know you two are like building this connection and I got my first date with Veronica tonight. He has nobody else that cares about him and Dick's been acting..not like Dick. One moment he's fine and the next he's just a sad sack."

"I'll be there in a minute. And Logan? Order up some ice cream. The coconut vegan kind, please."

Mac walked across the street to the Grand and met a rushed Logan at the door. He gave her a quick hug and ran off to meet Veronica.

She knocked on Dick's door. No answer.

"Dick..it's Mac."

No answer. Mac quietly opened up the door. Dick was sleeping, but he looked like hell. His hair was a wet mess and he looked like he had been crying. Logan's chick flick comparison wasn't far off. She grabbed a tub of the ice cream that Logan had so generously ordered from room service and quietly sat down next to the sleeping Dick. He looked so peaceful but she knew that sleep must be the only escape for him. She couldn't resist brushing his soaked hair off of his forehead.

"Mac?" Dick said groggily as he began to open his eyes

"Hey," Mac casually put a spoonful of coconut ice cream in her mouth.

"Is that ice cream?" Dick woke up in a hurry at the sight of Mac licking the spoon.

"Yes. The vegan kind, Dick. You looked like you needed it."

"I'm not a girl, Mac. Ice cream can't fix everything."

"No, but it sure as hell can help"

Dick remained laying down but was able to pluck the spoon out of the container and eat a bite of the ice cream. "Why are you here?"

"Logan said you looked like you'd just been dumped by your boyfriend," Mac paused as she saw Dick glare, "and he didn't want you to be alone while he was on his date with Veronica."

"And you came?"

Mac shrugged like her comforting Dick Casablancas in his bed was the most natural thing in the world.

"You're pretty amazing, Cindy."

"Cindy?"

"That's your name, isn't it?"

"Yes but-"

"Sorry. I just want to make sure I call you what you want to be called."

Beaver, Mac thought. "Mac's fine, Dick. But Cindy is too. It's whatever you're feeling at the moment, really." Mac smiled at Dick and fed him a spoonful of ice cream.

"You want to do something, Mac? I don't want to bore you."

"Sitting here is fine. I'm sick of technology. Writing papers..working on the website. It gives me a headache. You just want to talk?

"Sure," he said, surprising himself. The old Dick wasn't much of one to talk about his feelings.

"20 questions, it is. I'll go first….hm. What's this I hear about you getting married in Vegas?"

"Dammit, Logan can't keep a secret at all. It was a mistake. Damn, she was so annoying, Mac. You wouldn't believe it. That was the most dick-ish thing I ever did'

Mac laughed. "Poor Dick."

"My turn," Dick said and paused a few moments.

"What's your deepest darkest secret, Mac? Secret lesbian affair with Veronica? Crush on Wallace?"

Mac grimaced. "Do you want the honest answer?"

"Duh, Mac".

"IwaswitchedatbirthwithMadison" Mac mumbled.

"What?!"

"Madison Sinclair and I were switched at birth. She has the life I was supposed to live."

"Holy shit! How long have you known? Have you met your real parents? Does Madison know?"

Mac hated hearing Madison's name come from Dick's mouth. "No. She doesn't know. I thought I was just adopted or something. Veronica found it out for me in high school. I think...I think my real mom knows that I know but we haven't talked."

"Are you going to?"

"Maybe, one day. It's a weird situation. It wrinkles my brain to even think about it. Do we have to talk about it now?"

"No, just...damn."

They ate ice cream for a few minutes in silence as Mac decided what her next move would be. "How many people have you had sex with Dick?"

He shoved a huge spoonful of ice cream into his mouth. "Uh...I don't know. Why?"

"Dick, answer the question."

"Damn, I don't know…Thirty? Forty? I don't even remember most of the tim.e" Dick tried to be as casual about his answer as possible.

Mac was stunned. She couldn't even imagine. "That's crazy, Dick. Crazy."

"Never said I was proud of it….You want to know what's really pathetic? I've never had sex with anyone I genuinely liked."

"Madison?"

Dick glared. "No. That relationship was so screwed up, you wouldn't believe it"

"I believe it."

"What about you?"

"What about what?"

"How many people have..you know?"

Mac blushed. "Oh...well..three."

"Bronson, Max...and?" Dick was under the impression that Mac and Cassidy had never done anything. He shouldn't have asked this question, he realized. He didn't want to talk about Cassidy right now.

Mac could see what Dick was thinking. "It's not what you're thinking. It's just that, damn. I could tell you but you'd have to swear not to tell anybody. Anybody. Veronica hasn't even found out and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Logan?!" Dick was shocked and angry.

"No!" Mac hit Dick with a pillow.

"Who then, Mac? Shit, now I really have to know. I won't tell anybody."

"Weevil."

"What?" He threw the pillow back at Mac. He was jealous. "How the...why? when? where?"

"He's nice, Dick. I don't know. Things happened. We both agreed that it was a mistake and moved on." Mac shrugged. She wasn't even lying. Weevil was as sweet as an ex-biker gang member could be and while she had never liked Weevil romantically, they had some sexual tension built up that needed to be released. It was over and done with now, though.

"Was it freaky?" Dick jabbed her in the ribs

"No!" Mac shouted and hit Dick. "It was normal sex. Well, as normal as random friendship sex can be."

"Friendship sex, eh? Want to try that out again?"

"Ha. I'll pass for right now. Didn't you just say you've never had sex with anyone you've liked? Maybe you should try that out sometime."

"Exactly," said Dick simply and looked her straight in the eye.

"Yeah, right. Dick. Yeah right." Mac had denial in her voice.

"What?"

"Don't play games with me, Dick. We're friends..or something similar. You don't have to fake flirt with me all the time."

"It's not fake, dude."

"Then what is it, Dick?"

"You don't have to define everything, Mac." He took the last heaping spoonful of ice cream from the pint Mac had already set aside. He slurped it down. "Any boy would be crazy to not be attracted to you, Mac. Once you realize that, you'll be even more amazing."

"How's that?"

"Confidence is sexy. You're already sexy."

She gave Dick a look of disbelief but didn't say anything. They sat in awkward silence. It was awkward because Dick always had something to say.

"What's the matter, Dick? Why was Logan so worried about you today?"

"Mac- I've done things I'm not proud of. I made Beaver's life hell and I'll never forgive myself. And that's not all. I have a lot of other things...that I've done. For one, you know, I tried to..know..drug Madison. But then Veronica got it and I-"

"I know you regret it."

"That's not good enough."

"What else can you do? Veronica doesn't hold it against you anymore. Maybe she should, but she doesn't."

"Mac- do you hear yourself? Whatever this..friendship is. You're letting it fog your judgement. I've done so many terrible things. To Cassidy, to Veronica, to almost every one I ever met."

"Remember when you said I was your investment today, Dick? Well, I'm investing in you."

"I've given you no reason to.".

"I've seen you change. But if you could be who you are now and not forget who you used to be. Be the fun Dick but be this Dick too... who I think I can rely on. And it will all be okay."

"I never expected you to be the one to be the one to let me off the hook. And you can't be. Only I can do it, if ever."

Mac said nothing but reached over and grabbed Dick's hand. He willingly clasped it around Mac's hand. Dick and Mac looked down at the strange sight. Mac had butterflies, but all Dick felt was confusion about the way that she came here tonight, just because Logan asked her to. Of course, they had made the pact to hang out. But he never truly expected her to take him up on it. He'd never been like this before. Somehow sitting in bed with Mac, eating ice cream, and spilling secrets to each other felt a lot less lame than it appeared. It felt intimate and it redefined the word in Dick's mind.

Mac, on the other hand, felt over the moon about the way tonight was going. She wanted nothing more than to slink down from her sitting position and join Dick in his bed and to possibly make the next move.

So that's what she did. While still holding Dick's hand she maneuvered herself and laid down next to him.

"Mac…" Dick felt like the moment was too intimate for him. He was still sorting out his feelings for Mac. He knew what he was starting to feel, but what he felt about those feelings was a totally different territory for him.

"Shhh," said Mac. It was cheesy, but it's what she felt at that moment. She put his hand to his face and started to lean in.

Dick pulled away and sat up. "This isn't what I want," Dick said.

"I..I-"

"You don't have to be sympathetic, Mac. You don't have to be! I don't get it. I just don't get it. Why you're even here with me. I initiated it, but I will never understand why you'd be so nice. I'm Dick Casablancas, for fuck's sake."

"This isn't what I wanted either...I have this crush on you, not because you were Dick Casablancas..but in spite of it. But now that I know, for sure, that there's more to you..I'm done with the girlish crush nonsense. I want you to want me." Mac spilled over these words as fast as she could. She couldn't believe what she was saying. She was ready for Dick. She wanted to make him feel better and to be wanted by him.

"I don't want you to want me when I'm like this."

"But you said...you said that any boy would be…"

"I meant it. But I don't think you know what you're doing."

"I know."

"You're rushing it, Mac. Let's ease into this. Whatever this is."

Mac was instantly reminded of Cassidy. She wanted him so badly..but it was always nothing. Always. Dick was tracing the same pattern and she couldn't take it. Why couldn't Dick and her go crazy and rush into things? Mac was sick of going slow. "I thought we could...well, I mean...I just thought it would be different. I thought that...you wouldn't reject me. And that I could have fun for once."

"Mac.."

"Forget it, Dick. No Casablancas could possibly want me. It's clear." She saw the hurt on Dick's face as she got up to leave. "I'm not mad. I just can't do this right now. I hope you feel better now, Dick."

Mac strode out of the bedroom, grabbed her purse, and left the Grand before Dick could say another word.