***Reviews are always helpful. I have the rest of the story written-just needs a few finishing touches. I should have it posted within the week. The more reviews I get the more motivated I will be to get it finished up :) ***
Chapter 9
"Veronica. Wake up baby," Logan was sitting by her bedside, a sight that the nurses now regarded as second nature. He knew them all by name at this point and had charmed several of them to forget that visiting hours ended at 8:00pm, allowing him to stay through the night with her. They brought him dinner and books, all of which for the most part went uneaten and unread. She had slept most of the last week away, waking for only a few hours each day. It tormented Logan. He showed her photographs and letters, emails he had saved that documented their on again off again love affair. Even text messages he had saved in his phone since high school did nothing to pull back the curtain of her mind. Through it all he never gave up the hope that she would remember and was disappointed every time she did not. Wallace had been persuaded to stay in Africa and Keith had been forced to head back to Neptune to resume his post as Sherriff, assuring Logan he would be back the next weekend thanks to 'Air Cassablancas.'
Dick and Mac were quickly becoming part of the family as far as Keith was concerned and he felt secure that should a problem arise they would be there to act as Veronica and Logan's rock. As it was, they were spending several hours each day by Veronica's bedside. She and Mac had rekindled a great deal of their friendship. Veronica remembered flashes of information- Lilly's murder had come back first, followed by the bus crash which lead up to her recall of Duncan and Meg's daughter and his heroic escape. She remembered the night Beaver had held a gun to her and Logan had saved her, though for all her trying she couldn't figure out why he had been there, or why she had asked him for help. She did however remember feeling safe in his arms and the tormenting agony of thinking her father had perished in the plane explosion. Trina and Leo checked in with Logan every morning before Leo's shift, neither really knowing how to help or what to say. Leo would leave mid-morning to head to work on his way dropping Trina off at the train station. Trina spent her evenings in Washington, DC. Mac had a suspicion that she was trying to land herself a senators' son but was too preoccupied with Veronica and her own fledgling marriage to really care.
"Logan?" She was waking up, "is everything ok?" She had gotten used to his constant presence, come to expect it. For some reason beyond her understanding she took solace in the fact that when she opened her eyes he would be there…never fail. She was starting to see how she could love him but the memories of why were still buried, though not for a lack of trying. She stared at every piece of their history he brought to her, pleading with her own memory to come back to her. She wanted to remember but it was just- gone.
"Good morning," He raised her had to kiss the back of it, "Everything is fine, Love," she still was not used to him looking at her like that or using pet names in reference to her. She blushed, "I just wanted to see your eyes."
"And I wanted to take some blood for a couple of tests and your husband here, who loves you very much baby girl, wouldn't let me stick you with the needle until you were awake," a large Jamaican nurse spoke from side of her bed opposite Logan, "and now I am all done and you can go back to sleep."
"Thank you," Veronica looked to Logan, "that would not have been a pleasant wake up call."
"I live to serve you," he half-heartedly smiled, "but seriously folks we have a new security guard outside your room. Private this time- the Feds pulled their watch. They are stumped as to who would want to hurt you and pulled their man this morning. They think it was just a random attack- someone who knew who I was and was looking for the mother load. We have one of Weidman's protégés out there now." Veronica had been told who Clarence Weidman was and that Duncan had sent him to help, but as of yet she had not laid eyes on him. From what she understood he preferred to work in anonymity anyway.
"I guess that's good, right?" Still not fully understanding the gravity of the situation.
"Yeah, it's good." he stroked her face with his thumb, "do you remember anything? Anything new? Anything at all?"
She wasn't sure why but her heart ached at the pleading look in his eyes, "I'm so sorry Logan, I…" she closed her eyes and squeaked out a tear, "I had a dream about a dance."
Logan smiled, "Yeah? Which one?"
"I'm not sure, it wasn't at the school, but I had on a black dress and I remember telling Wallace he needed to get a room," she had vaguely recalled cutting Wallace off the flag pole a few days earlier. Mac had called him and they had chatted for what felt like ages to Logan. One by one she seemed to be remembering all of her friends in this post-Lilly lifetime, "there was this song playing," she started humming the bass line to I Hear The Bells and Logan smiled. This wasn't the first time she had recalled a memory that he had been conveniently cut out of.
This is getting old! Is it too much to ask that she remember her life WITH me? He silently cursed the heavens but never let his smile falter, "I love that song. It's such and EPIC tune." Over enunciating the word epic praying it would jostle something in her brain.
"And…did you smash my headlights?"
Terror crossed his face, "of all the things you could remember about me that's what you choose? Urg!"
"I didn't exactly choose it. I'm sorry, Wallace was there too, and maybe Dick- there were a bunch of 09ers and Weevil punched you I think?" her eyes giggled.
"I'm glad you find my low points so amusing," he kissed the back of her hand, "Yeah that happened. But in my defense you had that Corny guy make a bong and hide it in my locker. I got arrested!"
"Oh, yeah. I didn't remember that part," she shrugged, "sorry."
She remembered, he thought to himself.
Their chat's were always pleasant and Logan was careful not to push too hard. Dr. Sheppard had returned to his practice in Seattle, apparently his research endeavors in London had received a generous donation and could be run remotely now. He did call to check in everyday and reminded Logan not to push too hard, assuring him that it would all come back when her mind was ready to handle it. Logan had not been comforted.
"Here," Leo was handing him a cup of coffee, "It's black, I wasn't sure how you took it."
"With a shot of whiskey… but black is fine, thanks," Logan mumbled. He was grateful for the help Leo had provided him the day Veronica was shot but his tormented soul wanted her ex-boyfriend away from her in her current state.
"So, I know I'm not your favorite person in the world," Leo started.
"That's not it man…"
"No, it's ok I get it. The old boyfriend...yadda yadda yadda…Its gotta be tough on you but I want you to know I do care about Veronica and Keith, and I am willing to help you out however I can," Leo smiled at Logan.
"Thanks. You keeping Trina from sitting here all day, everyday driving me crazy is helping a lot."
"Yeah speaking of Trina. I know you don't really think you are close to your sister but I get the impression from her that you are all she has- like you are her brother and her best friend. Go easy on her ok?"
Logan wanted to burst out in hysterical laughter, "what are you her boyfriend? Trina has only ever cared about Trina."
"No, not her boyfriend-I'm not exactly rich and connected enough for her to like me. And I think you are wrong. How fast did she get here when I called her and told her Veronica was hurt? And that was what? Two days after she flew halfway across the country for your impromptu wedding? She was telling me the other day that she wants to move back to Neptune when Veronica is better. She wants to help you, Logan. She wants her family back- what's left of it anyway. She loves you," Leo half smiled.
"Any change?" Trina popped her head in the room before Logan could respond.
"Nope, Still can't remember this one," Veronica pointed at Logan with sarcastic tone he loved so much. Veronica tried to deflect Trina's attention off of the conversation she was sure must have overheard between Leo and Logan, "Wait Trina- I've seen your skirt before!"
"I've had this forever," she smiled, it was a blue skirt that shimmered in the neon lights of the hospital room.
"Oh my god," Veronica covered her mouth, "did… did someone beat you up?"
Logan nodded, "Yes! That rat of a boyfriend Dylan Goran."
"Yeah and then dad beat the crap out of him for his troubles," Trina laughed and sat on the edge of the hospital bed next to her brother.
"Logan wanted to," Veronica smiled and squeezed his hand, "I remember being in my dad's office and Logan came in and asked for my help and then we were at your house and your father was asking about school."
"Do you remember what happened after that? After that rat left?" Logan's hopes were high only to be dashed with her next sentence.
"No, next thing I remember I was home. I'm sorry, did something important happen that night?"
"That was the night we started dating the first time," he sighed and stood up heading for the door, "I'm going to go clear my head."
Veronica covered her face with her hands, "Grrr.. Why can't I remember?"
"Give it time," Leo kept his distance. Veronica remember him well, he had helped her out a thousand times hadn't he, but it cut Logan to the core that her memories with him were so strong, "Trina- I have to go in early today. Do you want a ride?"
"Yes, please. Can you drop me back at the hotel? I was out late last night."
"Sure thing. Bye Veronica, tell Logan to call if he needs anything," Leo was out the door.
Trina bent down next to Veronica's ear, "so do you mind if I, maybe…"
"Trina do you have a crush on a lowly deputy?" Veronica laughed, Trina nodded, "Go for it!"
"God help me he is so hot!- wish me luck!" She skipped out of the room.
"What's she so happy about," Mac smirked as Trina fluttered past her out the door.
"She's a love sick puppy- that one. Who knew?" Veronica held her arm out motioning for her friend to come sit with her, "Speaking of puppies, how's that dog of man of yours? I still can't believe I am all buddy buddy with Dick."
"Yeah, we've all changed a lot since high school. He is downstairs with Logan getting something to eat. I take it you still aren't quite remembering things?"
"I feel so horrible. I remember something and I tell him and then he looks at me with this sad look and says… 'and Veronica do you remember what happened next?' and I look in his eyes and my mind goes blank and…"
"You'll remember when you are ready," Mac laid an encouraging hand on her friend, "it will all come swishing back sooner or later."
"Swishing?"
"Yeah swishing, like the waves? "
"Like surfing?" Veronica smiled, "Smooth Mac."
"I thought so."
"It's not that I don't remember Logan because I do. I just don't remember him as my Logan. I can remember everything before Lilly died and bits and pieces after but nothing that ties me to him. I was beginning to think this was all an elaborate practical joke until he showed me the wedding pictures. I remember my Dad throwing Logan against a wall, but not why they were fighting. I remember helping him look for his mom, I still can't believe Lynn Echolls killed herself. I remember him punching the ATF agent but I can't remember what happened afterward, apparently we kissed for the first time."
"Must be frustrating," Logan and Dick were standing in the doorway, "I mean you must have all that pent up sexual frustration."
Logan slapped him, "There is nothing romantic about any of those memories Dick!"
"Look, you saved her, or thought you did from that little turd brain Ben and in reality she rewarded you with sweet sweet kisses. She remembers you saving her from," Dick choked a little, "The Beav but not you guys getting back together after that? What the Fuck? Sexual tension. And Logan, you have a serious superman complex- I never realized that until just now."
"Thank you Dick," Mac was ushering him out of the room, "We'll check back in on you guys after lunch."
"Did Dick Cassblancas really just swear at me? Is he still not afraid of me? Because that's a problem," she giggled, hoping that the irritation she saw on Logan's face would not prevent him from taking his seat next to her.
"Forget it, it's ok, you will remember when you remember." He walked the five steps toward her bed, "I had an email from Duncan. He says that Lilly keeps asking about you and that he really wants to come but Clarence has told him to stay put until he figures out who was coming for you. I told him you were better and that we would come to him when…well when we can."
"I'm trying to remember Logan, I want to remember. You have been so good to me through all this and I don't deserve it. I wouldn't blame you if you walked out that door and never came back."
"Veronica, I love you. I will never leave you- not as long as you allow me to stay. Even if you asked me to go which I am hoping you wont," he looked at her beseechingly, "you would probably have to have me arrested for stalking you. I hate that this happened on my watch when all I want to do is protect you." A flash of recognition flooded across her face. He paused, "you remember something? You remember me?"
"I remember being in a bed with you and we were kissing."
He leaped in the air, "you remember kissing me? Me? Not Duncan or Leo? ME"
"I remember kissing you!" she yelled.
"Can I? I mean…" but he didn't ask his face flew to hers and his lips engulfed her lips. She allowed his tongue entrance and they were lost in each others taste. He pulled away, "anything?"
She shrugged, "I liked it," she blushed a little, "but no nothing else. Just the bed and you were making fun of me for being short and there was a party… and I…" she frowned, "I then I found your father's video equipment and I remember calling Weevil…. oh"
"Oh," his hopes crushed once again.
