AN: I apologize for any typos. I wrote the bulk of this today. Updates should be coming much more quickly from here on out. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 9: A Terrible Idea

Logan

When he awakes, Veronica is there.

She lies perfectly still, in the muted lighting just before dawn. The back of her head rests against her pillow, the profile of her face just a shade lighter than the darkened room behind her. The blanket they share covers the rest of her body, its top edge tucked chastely beneath her chin.

Logan blinks several times, certain that he's dreaming her. But then she shifts in her sleep, twisting onto her side and edging closer to him. Her hair spills from pillow to mattress, the tips falling lightly onto his bare arm, and his eyes widen in confusion.

It takes him a moment, to piece together why she's there. His memories of the previous night are hazy. His last clear recollection is of being in his father's office, acrid cigar smoke filling the room… Which explains the pain. It's been increasing rapidly since he awoke, the dull ache transitioning into a blistering burn.

Logan's learned to tolerate pain well. He's had to, over the years. But this is going to require some help. He sits up very slowly, grimacing as the bandaged wounds on his legs brush against the mattress beneath him, and turns towards his nightstand.

Thankfully, the Percoset is still there. He fishes two pills out of the bottle, washing them down with a sip of whiskey. And then he quietly settles himself back down onto the bed, facing Veronica.

Despite the care he takes in trying not to wake her, his movement seems to rouse her slightly. She mumbles something incoherent and slides towards him, wrapping her arm around his waist and nestling her head into his neck.

Logan tenses at the unexpected contact, momentarily forgetting to breathe. Veronica is pressed up against the entire length of his body, unapologetically intimate in unconsciousness. The soft cotton of her pajama top meets the skin of his abdomen every time she inhales; when she exhales, he can feel her warm breath against his shoulder.

He closes his eyes, relaxing into her; breathing her in. It feels good to be held like this, with no hidden expectations or undisclosed designs. Lilly had never been one for cuddling. She was too restless to lay still for long, and she complained that Logan was too hot.

More recently, she'd been all business, with him. On those occasions when he'd managed to sneak her into his room at night, she'd never once slept over. She always said she had to get back before they noticed she was gone, Logan muses. Even though getting caught was half the point in the first place.

Thoughts of Lilly lead to thoughts of last night, the image of her and his father springing into his mind. As Logan recalls her eager smile and his father's delight at her interest, his anger is immediate and consuming. His jaw clenches tightly and his heart begins to race, all of his muscles constricting as he yearns for physical retribution against Aaron.

And then Veronica sighs in her sleep, distracting him from his dark daydreams. Logan opens his eyes and lifts his head, squinting down at her in the dim, pre-dawn light. Her eyelids are still closed, black lashes casting grey shadows onto her cheek, her lips slightly parted. He smiles at the sight of her, anger dissipating rapidly.

Logan drops his head back down to his pillow and places a tentative arm around her waist, exhaling silently. He shuts his eyes. Her presence is a shield against the negative thoughts, offering comfort and tranquility- and this time he allows himself to succumb.

Veronica is here because she cares about me, he acknowledges. Not because she wants something from me. Not because she thinks being with the son of a movie star will improve her social status. She came here last night, all the way across town, because she was worried about me. And she stayed, simply because I asked her to.

Logan's arm tightens around her in his gratitude, drawing her nearer. The painkillers are starting to take effect, and his thoughts are becoming less coherent. I like this. Having her here. She knows what he did and… she took care of me… again… but how did she even get here? Tricks up her sleeves… like a magician… magic hour… darkroom…mmm… need her…

It flitters through his mind that perhaps he needs her too much. But before he can follow that thought to its conclusion, sleep claims him.

xxXxx

When Logan opens his eyes, Veronica is gone. The space beside him is cool, prompting him to wonder if it really had all been a dream. But when he turns his head to the left he sees her, standing on his balcony in her pajamas. He smiles, watching the breeze tousle her hair as she looks up at the sky.

It's unusual, how usual this all seems. Today marks one week since they kissed for the first time. Who would have guessed, when I followed her down that cobblestone path last Saturday, that it would lead us here?

He throws his covers off and stands up, crossing the room quickly and opening the door to the balcony. Veronica turns towards him at the sound. Logan runs his hand through his messy hair, greeting her with a sleepy smile.

"Nice view," she remarks.

"Why thank you," he returns, patting his abdomen. "My trainer will be pleased you think so."

"I'm talking about the view from the balcony, nitwit," she laughs. "It faces west, right? The sunsets must be beautiful."

"They're delightful," he affirms dryly. "But I'd rather talk about this strange memory I have from last night. Remind me… what happened just before I fell asleep?"

Veronica leans against the stucco column behind her, crossing her arms as she regards him with a mildly exasperated expression. "I kissed you."

"Why, Veronica Mars," he reprimands playfully. "Taking advantage of me in my helpless state. I'm shocked and appalled."

"Hey, you asked me to," she reminds him.

Logan lifts one eyebrow. "Is that all it takes?"

She rolls her eyes and stands up straight, her expression growing serious. "So, uh, how are you feeling?"

He shrugs. "I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Because I was thinking, maybe you should have someone take a look-"

"I'm fine," he repeats firmly.

"Okay," she replies, dropping the issue. "Well I've got to try and beat my dad home, so… I'd better call a cab."

"Our driver will take you."

"No, I don't want to bother-"

"Stop it. He'll take you," Logan insists.

Veronica glances at him uncertainly, looking uncomfortable. "What about your mom?" she asks. "Won't she find out?"

"She won't care," he assures her. "She's not that kind of mom."

"My mom would freak," she replies. "And my dad…"

"Would shoot me," Logan finishes. "And throw me in jail. Not necessarily in that order."

"Exactly." Veronica pauses, looking down for a few seconds before facing him again. "Um, before I go… can we talk, for a minute?"

Logan swallows, instantly apprehensive, but nods. He sits down gingerly in one of the wrought iron chairs in the corner. Veronica follows suit, taking the seat opposite him. A small, glass-topped table divides them, now, bringing a sense of formality to their conversation.

Veronica fiddles with the bottom button on her shirt before beginning. "Logan, I-" She clears her throat. "This is all getting pretty confusing. Like, staying here overnight and… I mean, don't get me wrong. I don't regret coming over here or anything. I just…"

"Don't usually spend your evenings in the company of men?" he supplies, trying his best to keep things light.

Veronica smiles. "Something like that." Her smile fades, and she meets his eyes. "It's sort of like each day has been crazier than the last, you know?"

"Yeah," he says softly. "I know."

"Like yesterday, over at their house?"

"Yeah, that was fun," Logan says sarcastically. Once again his thoughts go to Lilly and his dad, but he opts not to mention it aloud. For whatever reason, Veronica still thinks Lilly can do no wrong. And I don't want to take that away from her.

"I have to admit," Veronica begins, her tone careful. "I'm surprised you didn't stay there."

"Why?"

She shrugs. "Because Lilly wanted you to."

"You think I always do what she wants me to do?" he asks defensively.

"No," she says slowly. "But… I've always assumed that you'd get back together with her, eventually."

Her words fall like lead, and Logan is silent. The truth is, a large part of him had assumed he would, too, deep down. But after what she pulled with my dad last night… I'm not so sure about that, anymore.

"And Duncan?" he counters, avoiding the question.

"What about Duncan?"

"Can we say it out loud yet?" Logan asks mockingly. "He likes you. You know it, and I know it, and it's a pretty good bet most of the school knows it too, at this point."

It's Veronica's turn to be silent. He watches her, waiting for her to speak, impatient to hear her reply. "Okay," she finally admits. "Maybe he sort of does."

"He does," Logan says flatly. He looks down, drumming his fingers against the metal arm of his chair while he works up the nerve to ask her the question on his mind. "So do you like him?"

Veronica chews on her lower lip as she regards him, looking uneasy. "Maybe we should just agree that this is complicated for both of us," she suggests diplomatically. "And leave it at that."

Logan's stomach tightens at her response, acknowledging the unspoken truth of her statement. He'd suspected, about Duncan, but he hadn't really known for sure until now. And as for Lilly… she's right. It is complicated.

He can't seem to look her in the eyes as he asks his next question. "So where does that leave us?"

Her response is swift. "There isn't supposed to be an us."

Logan stares at the table between them, running the tip of his index finger along the beveled edge of the glass top absently. He can see Veronica's reflection in the glass, her translucent lips solemn and her gaze fixed on him as she awaits a response.

He shuts his eyes, recalling the grey landscape of early morning instead; the hushed stillness, the profound sense of contentment he'd felt. The light pressure of her arm atop my waist. The warm, honeysuckle scent of her. How the curves and hollows of her body had interlocked with his own so precisely.

Logan opens his eyes, lifting them to meet hers. "But there is."

Veronica stares back at him, her focus unwavering and her expression resolute. "Yes," she finally replies. "There is."

Her words fill him with relief. Hearing her acknowledge it aloud validates everything he's been thinking, everything he's been feeling. This is no longer a simple attraction. And maybe it never was.

She continues with a sigh. "But I still don't know what to do about it."

"Neither do I," Logan admits. "But I don't want to pretend it's not there, anymore. Because that's obviously not working."

"No," she agrees. "It's not."

They're both quiet for several moments, but the tension he felt earlier has evaporated. Draining as their talk has been, there's also been something sort of liberating about it. Logan can't remember ever having a conversation quite like this, before. Honest communication has never been a priority in his life, neither among his family members nor with Lilly. This has been a novel experience.

But it feels right, being truthful with her, he decides. Veronica has always been straight with me. I owe her the same in return.

When he glances back over at her, she's watching him curiously. She's looking particularly adorable, at the moment, sitting on his balcony in her unicorn pajamas. Veronica has one foot propped up on the seat of her own chair, her arms wrapped around her bended leg. A narrow ray of sunshine alights the side of her face, turning her hair gold and her eyes a very pale blue.

Logan feels a compelling urge to protect her; to keep that sweetness intact. But how can I do that, when every time we're together she's forced to lie? To her friends, to her family… Even at this moment she's risking so much, just sitting here with me. What kind of toll is this taking on her?

He knows what he should do. I should tell her to get as far away from me as she can, before it's too late. I should tell her that this has all been a mistake, and we need to avoid each other until whatever we're feeling goes away.

And yet, he can't make the words come.

Instead, he opts for a less permanent solution. "You asked me for some space, yesterday," Logan begins, "but you never ended up getting it. I think, maybe, you should take the rest of the weekend. Like we planned. You know, try and figure some stuff out."

Veronica's brow furrows slightly, but she nods. "Okay," she agrees. "Yeah. That's probably a good idea." She drops her foot to the floor and stands up. "And now I really do need to get out of here, before I'm grounded for eternity."

Logan gets up slowly, gesturing for her to go first. Veronica skirts around the table and heads into his room, and he follows. She picks up her duffel bag and begins walking towards the bathroom.

"Uh, full disclosure," he speaks up. "The bathroom door sort of had a run in with my foot, the other day, and it doesn't shut all the way now. But I'll go back outside while you change."

"Don't worry about it," she instructs him, waving her hand negligently. "I trust you not to look."

"You sure that's a good idea?" he teases. "I don't know if you're aware, but I've got a somewhat unfounded reputation as a bad boy."

"Unfounded?" she returns playfully. "Well that's news. Does this mean I should start questioning the voracity of girl's locker room gossip?"

"As a rule? Always."

"How disappointing." Veronica continues walking to the bathroom, pausing at the entrance. "Try to restrain yourself, choir boy."

"I said somewhat unfounded," Logan reminds her. He smirks at her retreating figure, relieved that they've reverted back to joking around. This has been a very strange morning, and he's still not sure where they stand. But we're okay. For now, at least, we're okay.

He takes a seat on the edge of his bed, flipping on the television to distract himself from thoughts of a semi-naked Veronica in the next room. It doesn't work. Yet Logan keeps his eyes dutifully trained on the screen. It means a lot to him, that she trusts him. So few people do.

She's just exited the bathroom, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, when there's a light knock on his door.

"Logan? Honey, it's Mom. Can I come in?"

Veronica shoots him a rather alarmed look, but Logan answers calmly. "Yeah, come in."

The door opens a crack and his mother appears, concern clear on her face. Her eyes are glassy and edged pink, but she's fully dressed in a light grey pantsuit and red heels, makeup in place. His mother had once told him that when she looks good, it's easier to pretend that she feels good. He's tempted to ask how that's working out for her.

"I just wanted to check up on you, baby," she tells him now.

"I'm fine," he says blandly. He shoots a pointed look at Veronica, who seems to be trying to blend into the wall behind her. "We're fine."

Lynn pushes the door open wider, glancing to the left. "Veronica," she greets warmly. "I didn't hear you arrive."

"It was really early," Veronica lies smoothly. "I tried to be quiet, so I didn't wake anyone."

His mother nods, accepting her story at face value. Logan doesn't care if she believes it or not. But it seems to matter to Veronica, so he doesn't contest her version.

"Well why don't you two come down and join me for breakfast?" Lynn offers. "Leticia's put out a nice spread." She turns back to Logan. "Your father will be out of town for the next week or so. His agent called last night. He had to fly to Vancouver."

Logan exhales silently, immensely thankful for the reprieve. Veronica glances from him to his mother, a thin smile on her lips. "Um, thanks for the invite, but I really have to get going."

"Oh, what a shame," Lynn remarks. "Another time, then."

"Yeah," Veronica replies. "That would be nice.

"She'll even let us have mimosas," Logan remarks contemptuously. "Because she's such a cool mom."

Lynn's lower lip twitches at his words, but she plays it off with a wide smile. "Now, Logan, don't give Veronica the wrong impression of me," she replies brightly. Lynn turns towards her, cupping her hand to her mouth with an air of exaggerated confidentiality. "Just one or two," she whispers.

"Can Al give her a ride home?" Logan interjects quickly. From the looks of it, Mom's had more than one or two herself, already. And it's not even nine o'clock.

"Of course," Lynn replies. She smiles at Veronica. "Whenever you're ready to go, sweetheart, come find me in the kitchen."

"Okay," Veronica agrees. "Thanks."

With one last look at Logan, Lynn shuts the door behind her.

To her credit, Veronica says nothing about Lynn's intoxication or his father's sudden trip out of town. She takes a few steps closer to him. "So I guess I'll see you Monday?" she asks.

"Monday," he replies. Logan walks forward, wrapping his arms around her and kissing the top of her head.

She tightens her own arms around his waist, then drops them to her side and looks up at him. "Listen, if you need-"

"I know," he smiles. "Thank you." He strokes the side of her face once before letting go, already dreading the thought of not seeing her for two days. He wants to kiss her, but he won't. Because I don't trust myself to stop.

Veronica picks up her bag and walks through the door. Logan stares at the closed door for a full minute, before turning around and heading to his nightstand. The pain is back, and it's grown intolerable once again. He swallows two painkillers, pauses, and takes two more. It's going to be a very long weekend.

xxXxx

Two hours later Logan sits astride his surfboard, his legs dangling into the Pacific. Duncan is seated next to him, while Dick and Bodie have just begun paddling back out from shore.

Logan's told his friends that he's biding his time for the perfect wave. But the truth is that he's feeling a little hazy and off-balance from the pills, and surfing may not have been the best plan. But it's Dick's birthday. After putting him off for almost three weeks, he couldn't say no.

"…sort of thinking I'd ask her about it tonight. She's coming, right?"

Logan stares blankly at his friend, clueless as to what Duncan's been talking about. "Uh, yeah," he guesses blindly. "I think so."

Duncan smiles. "Good. We're leaving for Tahoe tomorrow, for like a whole week. I didn't want to let it go that long, you know?" When he doesn't receive a response, he squints his eyes at Logan. "Hey, man, you okay? You look a little pale."

"Blame my Anglo-Saxon ancestors," Logan quips, splashing water at him. "So how was the rest of your night?"

It's an inane question; a simple ploy to get the focus off of himself. But Duncan's reaction is unexpected. His friend grows instantly uncomfortable, looking down at his board and shrugging his shoulders. "It was okay."

Logan eyes him curiously. "What'd you end up doing?"

"Uh, a couple of people came over," Duncan says. "We just hung out by the pool."

"Like who?"

Duncan scratches beneath the collar of his wetsuit. "You know, like Trey and Lewis, that crowd."

"Lewis," Logan repeats fastidiously. He smirks and shakes his head. Guess she had a plan B.

"I'm really sorry, man," Duncan says sincerely. "I thought she was ready to work it out with you."

"No worries," Logan grins smugly. "I made other arrangements."

"Oh yeah?" Duncan lifts both eyebrows and elbows Logan in the side. "Spill, dude. Who?"

Logan can only regard Duncan's expectant, oblivious expression for a few seconds before his smile falters and he has to look away. But it's not like anything happened. She just slept over. "No need to tarnish any reputations," he evades.

"C'mon, man, it's me," Duncan appeals. "You know I won't say anything."

Logan shrugs, wishing he hadn't been so concerned about saving face. Just think of a name. Make someone up. He trails his hand through the water, watching the small wake he creates. And then he stops. Or do I just tell him the truth?

He's never considered this option; not seriously. Would it really be so bad? He'll be pissed at first, sure. But if I explain it to him… tell him we didn't plan for it to happen… Duncan's been his best friend since they were five. He's like a brother. I can make him understand.

Logan places his hands on either side of his board, making a snap decision. "Listen, man," he begins. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Oh no," Duncan groans, throwing his head backwards and staring up at the sky. "It's a friend of Lilly's, isn't it."

"Well, that's what I'm trying to-"

"No, no, no," Duncan interrupts, waving his hands rapidly. "Don't tell me. I don't want to know. I'm done being the monkey in the middle."

Logan halts his confession, glancing at Duncan uncertainly. He would be in the middle, he acknowledges. Like seriously in the middle. And I don't even know if this is what Veronica wants, yet.

Losing his nerve, he forces a smile. "Relax, Bobo. It was just some chick I met at the diner last week. No one special."

Duncan appears interested; but before he gets the chance to ask any more questions, Dick and Bodie appear.

"Hey!" Dick calls. "Why don't you two stop jerking each other off and grab a wave already?"

"But I had this zipper installed special on my wetsuit, just for this occasion," Logan retorts.

"Custom made and everything," Duncan plays along.

Bodie laughs, turning to Dick with a grin. "Looks like we've got a little Brokeback Ocean situation, over here."

"Sweet," Dick declares. "More chicks for me."

Bodie taps Logan on the shoulder, nodding at the incoming set. "I think that's the one you're looking for, dude."

Logan glances behind him. There's a promising swell developing, the kind of wave that only comes along about once an hour. But the backs of his thighs are aching, and his focus is shot. He turns to Duncan. "All yours, brother."

Duncan lies down on his stomach and begins to paddle vigorously, and Logan sighs at the missed opportunity. Dick heads out a minute later, his eye on the third wave in the set, and Bodie props himself up on his board. His eyes stray to the sky. "Uh, Logan?" he asks. "The sky seem a little dark to you?"

xxXxx

The storm comes swiftly, forcing them out of the water. The crosswind has turned the waves choppy, leaving nothing left to surf. They sit on the beach beneath the pier for a while, prepared to wait it out. But the rain slows to a lingering drizzle that never lets up.

"Dude, this sucks," Dick announces, snapping a seashell at Logan. "I'm bored."

"I'll hit up my cousin Chris," Bodie offers. "See if he'll get us some beers."

"Hells yeah," Dick replies, instantly appeased.

"We can go to my house," Duncan speaks up. "My parents are out all day at some Alumni thing for Stanford."

Logan remains silent. He's in a lot of pain, now. A constant, dull throb that becomes excruciating any time he puts pressure on his wounds. And I forgot my pills at home.

Still, he would have been willing to suck it up if they'd been going anywhere except the Kane house. But I don't have the energy to deal with her. Not today.

As they gather up their boards and head back to the parking lot, Logan lags behind with Bodie. "Hey, man, you think you can drop me off at my house? I've got to take care of something."

"Sure," Bodie agrees easily. "I'll swing by later to pick you back up."

"Thanks."

Dick gives him a hard time when he hears Logan's abandoning the group, but bringing up their upcoming trip to Mexico puts an end to that. As soon as they drop him off, Logan deposits his surfboard in the garage and heads quickly to his room.

Before he grabs his pills, he glances down at his phone. There's no word from Veronica. He hadn't thought there would be, yet he's still disappointed. He takes two pills and glances around his room.

Logan's got a few hours to kill before Dick's party, and no idea what to do with himself. His mind is restless, but his body is drained. He strips out of his wetsuit and lowers himself onto his bed slowly, directly atop the spot Veronica had occupied only hours earlier. He presses his face into the pillow and draws in a deep breath, closing his eyes.

xxXxx

His phone vibrates loudly against his stomach, waking him with a start. Logan rubs his eyes sleepily, before bringing the phone up to his ear. "Hello?"

"No go on the fiesta," Dick announces.

"Huh?"

"Bro, it's still raining."

Logan sits up, glancing out the window. The sky has grown darker; he can hear the rare sound of rain pattering against the tiled roof. "So what?" he asks.

"So… everything fun is outside?" Dick returns. "The hot mamas won't go skinny dipping with the Dickster in the pouring rain."

"Is that seriously the reason you're calling off the party?" Logan asks incredulously. "That's ridiculous."

"I'm allowed to be ridiculous," Dick says matter-of-factly. "It's my birthday." He begins singing, loud and off-key. "It's my party, I can cancel if I want to, cancel if I want to-"

"Please stop."

Dick snorts into the phone. "Bodie's coming to get you. Be ready."

Logan pauses. "You guys still at Duncan's?"

"Yup. Call of Duty!"

"Listen, man, I think I'm just gonna stay in."

"Dude," Dick laments. "Why are you being such a little bitch today?"

"Just trying to be more like you, buddy," Logan returns.

"You wish," Dick returns. "Later."

Logan hangs up the phone and tosses it on the bed, placing both hands on his hips. Now what?

xxXxx

He's sitting on the couch in the den watching TV, later that evening, when his mom appears in the doorway. She's changed into silk pajamas, customary martini in hand. Lynn sips her drink before approaching him, taking a seat on the other end of the couch.

"I can't remember the last time you were home on a Saturday night," she muses aloud.

"I could say the same about you," he returns sardonically.

"Rebecca cancelled our plans," she explains, unfazed by his tone.

Lynn sets her drink down on the coffee table and turns towards him, propping her perfectly pedicured feet up on the couch cushion between them. "How are you doing, honey?" she asks. "And please don't say 'fine'. I want to know how you're really doing."

Logan glances at her in surprise. It's been a long time since he's had a genuine conversation with his mom. Most days, lately, they only exchange a sentence or two in passing. But once upon a time, she'd been the closest person to him in the world. Until I realized that she can't help me. Or, that she won't.

"I'm fine," he says pointedly.

"Come on, Logan," she entreats. "I can tell when something's bothering you. What's wrong?"

"What, aside from the obvious?" Logan snaps.

Lynn's mouth closes abruptly, her lips turning down at the corners. She reaches for her drink. After a half a moment of silence, she continues shakily. "I know you're angry with me, Logan. And you have every right to be. But you don't understand, I can't just-"

"I don't want to talk about it." He continues to stare vacantly at the television, waiting for her to give up and walk away, like usual. But she doesn't.

"So let's talk about something else," she suggests determinedly.

Logan glances over at her. "Like what?"

"Oh, I don't know. Girls." She gives him a comically pointed look, and he can't help smiling.

"I'm home with my mom on a Saturday night," he points out. "There's obviously not much to talk about on that front, at the moment."

"Oh, no?" she teases. "Because I seem to recall a very pretty blonde paying you a visit, this morning…"

"That, uh, wasn't what it looked like," he mutters, scratching at the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"Mmm-hmm. Sure it wasn't." Lynn takes a small sip of her martini, her expression growing thoughtful. "You know, I've always liked Veronica. She's a really sweet girl."

"Yeah, well. We're just friends."

"And what about you and Lilly?" she questions.

"Still broken up, last time I checked."

Lynn sets her glass down, again, sitting up a bit straighter. "Logan, I know you care about Lilly," she begins. "I know she's been an important part of your life. But… I'm not so sure that she's the right person for you."

Logan just stares at her. He's not sure how he got roped into a conversation about the two girls he's been trying very hard not to think about all night, but he's no longer in the mood to play along. "That's pretty rich, you giving me relationship advice," he says harshly.

He regrets it immediately, when he sees the wounded look on her face, but it's too late to take it back. He stands up, holding the remote out to her. "Here, watch what you want. I'm going upstairs."

Instead of taking the remote, Lynn grasps his hand. "Please don't go," she pleads, her eyes filling with tears. "Will you… just stay here, with me?"

Logan hesitates. Seeing his mother upset is something he's never been able to stomach.

"We can watch a movie, like we used to," she continues, with a hopeful smile.

He sits back down on the couch, placing the remote beside his mother. "Okay," he agrees. "You pick."

Lynn sniffles, reaching out to pat his arm gently, and picks up the remote.

xxXxx

Sunday passes by in a mundane, foggy blur. Logan spends most of the day in his room, playing video games and listening to music, trying not to check his phone every two seconds. He gets messages from a variety of people, throughout the day, but he ignores them all. Veronica's the only person he's interested in speaking to, and she's the only one he doesn't hear from.

That night, he's too restless to sleep. He can't find a comfortable position, and he can't stop thinking about what will happen tomorrow. Now that she's had time away from me, time to think things through, will she decide that we need to stay away from each other?

So far, they've just been reacting. Neither of us has a plan; neither of us is looking at this rationally. Logan smirks to himself, in the dark. He'd always thought of Veronica as a planner, but he's had it wrong. She's just as impulsive as I am. A potentially dangerous combination.

He runs both hands through his hair roughly, and flips over onto his other side. So let's say she wants to end this. Can I just accept that? Go back to seeing her as "Lilly's friend"?

He groans, shutting his eyes tightly. He doesn't have an answer to his own question, and it doesn't matter anyway. He's put the ball in her court, and he's going to have to deal with whatever she decides. Even if I don't like it.

xxXxx

By the time morning finally rolls around, Logan is exhausted and tense. So when he receives a text message from Veronica, to meet him in the darkroom before classes start, he sighs in relief.

He gets there before she does, but he doesn't have to wait for long. She steps through the weighted curtain just moments later, vivid blue eyes meeting his instantly. She's dressed conservatively, in a pale green t-shirt and jeans, pink striped scarf around her neck. Her hair is up, in a rather messy ponytail. Yet, somehow, she looks even more beautiful than he'd remembered.

"Hey," she greets him casually. She stops a couple of feet in front of him, tilting her head to the right. "So, I'm not sure about the proper salutation protocol for friends who are maybe more than friends, but not sure what their relationship is or where it's going. Maybe you can help me out?"

Logan grins, relaxing instantly. "Well we high five, obviously. And then maybe a one armed bro hug?"

"Right on. I can handle that." Veronica holds her palm up high.

But instead of slapping it, Logan takes hold of her hand and kisses it, bringing it down to his side. "Hi."

Veronica shakes her head in mock disappointment, but she doesn't pull her hand away. "How was your weekend?"

"It sucked. How was yours?"

"It sucked," she echoes.

"Well?" Logan asks. "What's the verdict?"

Veronica sighs. She lets go of his hand and hops up onto the work bench. "I think the judge has declared a mistrial."

"Okay… So what does that mean?"

"What that means," Veronica replies slowly, "Is that I spent the entire weekend, thinking about our situation. And… I don't have an answer."

"Seriously?" he asks.

"Seriously." She throws her hands up. "Look, I tried. I really did. I thought about it from, like, every angle. And I still don't know what to do."

This isn't quite what Logan expected to hear. But it could be a lot worse. He walks over to where Veronica is seated, stopping directly in front of her. "You want to know what I figured out?"

"Please," she replies.

Logan holds his hands out, palms facing up. After a brief hesitation, Veronica places her hands on top of his. He closes his fingers over hers, and looks into her eyes. "Yesterday was the first day I didn't hang out with you in a week," he says quietly. "And I didn't like it."

One corner of Veronica's mouth turns up in a smile. "I didn't like it either," she admits.

"I like being around you," he continues. "I mean yeah, it's a hell of a lot easier to remember all of the reasons why this is crazy when you're not around. But then I see you, and all of that disappears." Logan shrugs. "And then it feels crazy not to keep hanging out together."

"I feel the same way," Veronica says. She looks down at their intertwined hands. "But… I still feel so guilty."

"What do we really have to feel guilty about?" Logan asks. "So we've kissed, a few times. So what?"

Veronica gives him a withering look, and he knows he's not fooling her. The kind of kissing we've been doing is pretty damn far from platonic. He goes on anyway.

"Look, whatever this is between us, I'm tired of feeling like it's a bad thing. Getting to know you better, has been…" Logan trails off, struggling to find the right words. Instead, he lets go of her hands and kisses her.

Veronica responds instantly- something he finds incredibly sexy about her. Within seconds her hands are in his hair and her ankles are hooked around his legs, and their kisses are growing deeper.

But then she breaks it off, placing both hands flat against his chest. "This isn't talking," she reprimands him.

"No," Logan concurs, attempting to catch his breath. He tugs lightly on the end of her ponytail. "But aren't you having fun?"

Veronica gives him an exasperated look. "What, underneath the guilt, and the confusion, and all of the lies?"

"Yes," he replies seriously. "Under all of that."

She shakes her head slowly, but he can see the playful glint in her eye. He's seeing that mischievous side of her, again. The side she tries to keep hidden, because she's ashamed of it. Or maybe because it scares her?

"Maybe," she finally acknowledges. "A little."

He grins at her response, and she rolls her eyes. "Alright, look," Logan begins. "This is a terrible idea, but…"

"What?" she asks, instantly suspicious.

"They're away this week," he states.

"Yeah, I know. In Tahoe."

"Right. So what if we… give ourselves this week. You know? No more feeling shitty, no more talking about it to death. No guilt. No stress."

Veronica stares at him. "That really is a terrible idea."

"I told you."

"And it's not a long term solution," she adds.

"I know it's not. But wouldn't it be nice to just hang out together, without worrying about all of this crap? And just… have fun?"

Veronica doesn't respond, frowning slightly and looking away. Logan takes one of her hands in his, very gently, until she turns to face him again. "One week," he says softly, stroking the tops of her fingers with his thumb. "And then we'll figure this out for good."

She exhales in a rush, squeezing his hand. "Okay," she agrees. "Let's do it."

Logan leans forward, kissing her lightly on the lips. "You're mine for a week, Mars," he teases. "Think you can handle me?"

"Five days," she corrects, answering his kiss with a far more passionate kiss of her own. "And I know I can."

Thanks for reading, please review! Up next: Chapter 10, "Five Days".