A/N: wow. Look at me! An actual update!

So I don't even know how to apologize for my complete lack of updates…

Imagine me like Chandler in the box. The reason for my absence is three fold…

1. I've had a hard time figuring out where to go with this, so it's been slow going. I will never start a multi-chapter fic again without knowing exactly how it ends and how to get there. But don't worry; I will absolutely not abandon this story because I hate it when stories never get finished. Have no fear, I will finish this, I promise!

2. I've gotten caught up in reading too many other fics (sheepishly ducks her head). I've gotten sucked in to the universe of SVM (started with TrueBlood on tv, which then led to me reading the books, and now besides LoVe- I'm in love with Eric/Sookie). Also…. Since HP's been on my brain lately with the new movie, I just had to reread book7, I had an urge to get back into HP stories (and HP is what got me into the whole fanfic world in the first place!) And that led to…

3. I started working on a HP one-shot (tid bits from the missing 19 years) that's been in my head for AGES. Look for that coming soon.

That being said, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your reviews and sticking with me! I never really listened to authors talk about how they crave and feed off reviews, but I totally get it now. They really are their own brand of crack I love writing this and I'm glad you're enjoying reading it! And I've hit 100 reviews! When I started writing this I never thought I'd get such a response! It's amazing! Thank you so much for all your comments and by all means, keep 'em coming….

Thank you also to emmettsgirl25 for her betta work on this one! Any mistakes are completely my own!

Now onto the chapter, cause that's why you came here, really. (And I'm sure only about two of you read this HUGE A/N)

Disclaimer: I own nothing, unfortunately.

Chapter 10
The Name of the Game

Sunday turned out to be an extremely lazy day. Neither Veronica nor Logan drank enough to suffer a hangover, but they were still exhausted. They slept until noon, and laid awake in bed for longer, content to wile the day away in each other's company. Veronica was extremely happy that this time waking up in Logan's bed; he was actually there and she wasn't nursing any injuries.

There was only a little nagging in the back of her mind that kept her from that blissfully happy state. Goyra was still quiet. So quiet, in fact, that she thought he must have an immensely boring life. He was always with his two not-so-inconspicuous body guards the few times she'd seen him on campus, and according to the tracker, he still wasn't going anywhere exciting. Unless he got around by jet pack. As this was pretty unlikely, her deduction was that he didn't have much of a social life these days. She wondered if that was by his choice…

She'd been sending the GPS info she'd been collecting to Riley-the-tech-guy, and he'd confirmed there hadn't been any other suspicious activity. God they were boring! Levi had apparently been right when he'd said they'd be lying as low as possible. Thinking of Levi, she hoped he was having more luck than they were. Veronica had of course been "under cover" before and knew how delicate he had to play the situation, but she'd never been in such a high risk situation as this. She knew she'd probably be good at it—hell, it was her element—but she'd never be able to do any good in Neptune. Too many people knew who she was.

Veronica wasn't quite sure that was what she wanted to do though, element or not. Not do good- of course she wanted to do that- but did she want to do in Neptune? Or even with the FBI as a career? She didn't really have the answers to these questions. Being in that deep obviously didn't leave much room for a personal life, and it tended to screw up the one you already had.

Logan could tell Veronica wasn't asleep, and that she was thinking about something serious. Her breathing was uneven, and he could feel her eyelashes flutter against his chest every time she blinked. Rather than call her on it and ask what was on her mind, he let it go. He could probably guess she was stewing over their current situation—worrying about Levi and thinking about Goyra and his delightful relations. He was trying not to comment, content instead to savor the feel of Veronica pressed into his side, her arm hugging his stomach. But he was so in tune to her sounds and subtle movements, it was hard to ignore her seemingly somber mood.

He could tell when she mentally shook her head to refocus, as she sighed and propped herself up on her elbow to look down and smile at him. He stretched up to put a kiss to her forehead.

"So… What are we doing today?" she asked.

"Nothing? This? I'm good with this." He reached up to kiss her again, this time on the lips.

"It's Sunday. We have to be productive."

Logan sunk down into the plush bedding. "Says who?"

"Says the large amount of crap you've got in here that we have to box up and bring over to your house."

Logan just groaned. Veronica had talked him into just boxing the stuff up himself- with her promise of helping and her strategy of getting the essentials over there first, and the rest to be brought over later. It wasn't like he couldn't afford to pay for the few more nights at the hotel, even if he wasn't sleeping there. In all seriousness, he was tempted to still sleep here. At least then he'd be in an actual bed. He was sleeping on an air mattress Veronica lent him until he bought his real bed. He could still sleep at the hotel, but then most of his clothes and toiletries would be at the house… Yeah, it just wasn't worth it, going back and forth so much. And let's face it; he was all for making things easier on himself.

The week passed in a bit of a blur for Veronica. Her professors apparently decided it was time to stop playing around and get down to business, which meant the homework started piling on. Even with all that, she still managed to help Logan a bit with his packing. She grumbled about it, since apparently no one else was around to help.

Dick was in and out of the house the entire week, never really saying a word to either of them, and apparently not too worried about moving any of his stuff. If Veronica hadn't seen his lone box of stuff in the entryway of the new house he'd yet to put away, she wouldn't have known he even lived there. It was weird, but Logan just shrugged it off when she asked, saying they weren't about to sit down and paint each other's nails talking about their problems.

Wallace had helped a bit the first day, but quickly bailed to hang out with his "new girl," and Mac wasn't returning her calls. Veronica had called her Sunday after the party, but Mac had only responded with a text reassuring her she'd gotten home okay. She'd hardly seen her at all since the party.

By the end of the next week, they had living room furniture for the main level and a giant sofa unit for the downstairs "gaming area," but still no bed. This had Veronica extremely confused. He was stalling buying a bed, and she had no idea why. She'd even gone with him to the mattress store, and he'd been as inappropriate and embarrassing with his comments and innuendos as she thought he'd be, but he didn't buy anything. He claimed it had to be perfect, and he'd shop around 'til he found the "right one." He had a bed frame, sure. A nice, normal, not to exciting, slightly modern and masculine frame with a headboard all fit for a California king, but no mattress.

She couldn't for the life of her figure out why he wouldn't just buy one, at least to get off that air mattress. That was also one of the reasons why Veronica hadn't spent the night yet. She had thought knowing that would have hurried him up. It didn't, and she couldn't really bring herself to ask him why. She didn't think it was a bad reason, but apparently there was something extremely personal there, and he'd open up if he wanted to. For now, she saw no harm in humoring him.

They'd also gone grocery shopping for a few essentials. Knowing dick, they'd last maybe a day or two. Her dad had stopped by to check the place out, and Veronica gave him the low down on what upgrades the security company had made when they came on Wednesday. Luckily, being in the business they were, Veronica and her dad "knew" people, so they were getting the best from people they trusted.

Though it'd been pretty uneventful, she'd actually felt it all week. She'd just shaken it off—chalked it up to her perpetually paranoid state of mind. Heh. Say that five times fast…

Someone was following her. She was pretty sure of it. And when she walked across the parking lot Friday afternoon and saw a white piece of paper tucked under her windshield wiper, she was pretty damn sure of it. It didn't look like a flyer for another lame-ass off-campus party or a battle of the bands, which was her first clue. Sending up a silent prayer that her car wouldn't suddenly explode as she walked up to it, she grabbed the note.

Yup. She hadn't been paranoid. There were some things she should really trust her instincts about.

It barely said anything, though. Not even a signature. Just 'Jason's Deli. 4:30.'

She looked at her watch. It was 4:20. Jason's Deli was two blocks off campus. Which meant this person knew her schedule well enough to know she could easily make it over there in time.

The question was, was did she want to make it there in time? Oh boy….. di-lemma. She looked around the parking lot, but of course found nothing suspicious. Did she call Logan or her Dad for backup? Jason's Deli was a public place… What could anyone do to her in there? Poison her Big Joe sandwich? Mmm…her mouth watered. Damn that was a good sandwich. And she was hungry. And Logan lived for their Sergeant Pepper Po'Boy. So really, it couldn't hurt to go scope out the place, right? And hey, maybe the note wasn't meant for her car and somebody made a mistake. In that case, she'd just grab their sandwiches and take them over to his place. She was supposed to go over after her class was out anyway.

Okay. She'd be careful. She double-checked that her trusty Mr. Sparky was in the front pocket of her bag and easily accessible. She'd just be extremely cautious.

Even though it was a quick five-minute walk, she drove. Not only would it make for a quicker escape if necessary, but if something even worse happened, they'd at least know the last place she'd been if her car was abandoned in the parking lot.

Wonderful. What a happy thought. She prayed she wouldn't get a repeat of her fun excursion last time she went out for food. Her shoulder still ached a bit.

It probably wasn't a good sign she kept throwing out silent prayers. She didn't even go to church, so God only knew if anyone up there was even listening...

It was too late to back out now though, cause she was pulling into the parking lot.

Veronica scanned the cars, but nothing seemed to jump out at her as out of place. She wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing.

Taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside, stopping right at the entrance to scan the occupants of the deli. She could easily back right out if she needed to.

She was scanning so quickly she almost missed him. Her eyes snapped back to his so fast she almost made herself dizzy.

Crap.

She watched him with her eyebrows raised as he got up from the little table in the back and walked up to her.

"Ms. Mars. So lovely you could make it."

"What do you want?" She cut right to the chase.

He stared her down for a few seconds, before the overconfident smirk left his face. It almost threw her off.

"I have some information you and your friends will find interesting."

Her friends? Just what friends was he talking about? And what did he know?

"I'll bet you do." She walked up to the counter, and turned back to him, eyebrows raised, when he didn't follow her. "You're buyin', Weidman." There was no way she was going to see what he wanted without compensation.

***
She had sent Logan a text saying she'd be a little late. She hadn't said why, 'cause she knew he'd be pissed at her if she told him exactly what was keeping her, but she didn't want to lie to him either.

Clarence had been extremely cryptic, only telling her he knew something about some pesky little Russians and their "recreational activities." (His words—not hers.) God he was annoying.

She pressed for details, but of course he wouldn't say anything. He just watched her eat her sandwich.

"Why would you think I could do anything about whatever important information you claim to have?"

"Because I know you Mars. Your nose is always stuck where it doesn't belong."

She just glared at him. And you've been following me all week, jerk wad, she added silently.

"And what are you expecting to get in return for whatever you give up?" He didn't say anything, and a thought occurred to her. "Or is it Jake with the info? And you're just his little messenger?" By the scowl that appeared on his face, that was exactly the case. She wanted to laugh at him, but the fact was, she was intrigued.

"I'm not going to talk to you, Mars, when I know you can't give me anything."

"Wait, you were the one who wanted this little meeting." She smiled again, when she caught on. "Oh I see! Is this when you throw up your little white flag and say 'take me to your leader'? 'Cause I gotta say Clarence, I'm a little disappointed. Not really your style."

"We're hardly on opposing teams, Mars. In fact, considering what we expect in return, I'd say we're on the same side."

Now that caught her attention. Clarence and Veronica working together to save mankind? Not likely. What could he—or Jake—possibly want that she would too?

Her eyes snapped back to his as soon as it clicked.

Of course. How could she not have seen it as soon as she saw who was waiting for her?

All this for Duncan. Jake would do anything for his kids; she knew that, at least.

She looked at Weidman with a question in her eyes, and when he smiled, knowing he'd caught her attention, she knew she was right.

But it couldn't be that easy, could it? She'd be lying if she said she didn't want Duncan to come home, though. Her heart sped up at the possibility. It didn't matter she wasn't still in love with him. She loved him once, and he'd always be her friend, no matter where in the world he was. And Lily. She'd be what? Two or three now? Veronica didn't have to guess she'd already be a heartbreaker.

She would never feel sympathy for Jake Kane, but she could imagine the pain he felt at losing both his children. Suddenly she wasn't quite so hungry anymore.

She wrapped up what was left of her sandwich, grabbed the bag with Logan's in it, and stood up.
"Let's go," she said.

There was a voice in the back of her head screaming at her that this was a really bad idea, taking Weidman to their safe house, but when she called Booth, that's where he told her to bring him. She had told him she had a lead—a witness even, who wanted to talk to him. He had questioned her, and wasn't happy when she didn't have all the answers. But she made sure to tell him what she did know. That Clarence Weidman was a slippery, arrogant ass, and would do just about anything for the Kane family, without taking the law under consideration. And that he unfortunately (or fortunately, she had yet to decide) knew what he was talking about when it came to the shady circles of Neptune. Still, she felt like they were taking a chance.

What she really wanted to do was throw a bag over his head and lock him in the trunk, but she didn't think she could lift or maneuver him. Unless of course she tazered him and pushed him in all in one swift motion. Wishful thinking. She sighed and looked in the rearview mirror. He was definitely still following.

Pulling into a parking space at the "safe" condo, she saw her both her dad's and Logan's car. Booth had called apparently called them in for this little meeting. She didn't say anything to Weidman when she got out of the car, just waited for him to come to her, before leading him up the stairs to the door.

"Look what the cat dragged in!" Veronica said as she walked in, and Clarence stepped in behind her.

No one looked too happy to see either of them. Clarence she could understand (because come on, it was Clarence).

But her dad had that "Veronica you've been keeping things from me again and I'm disappointed" look on his face, and Logan's looked frighteningly identical. That wasn't good. Riley sat in the background at the computer, thankfully unaccusing. At least someonedidn't want to yell at her. He gave her a small smile in greeting.

"This is what you meant by a little late?" Logan asked, clearly not sounding happy.

"Okay...stop looking at me like that. All of you. He came to me—left a stupid note on my car. I had nothing to do with it. And I called Booth. I was responsible," she defended.

"Was that before or after you talked to him?" Veronica stared at Logan, not really knowing what to say. She knewClarence would only cause trouble for her.

"Veronica what on Earth possessed you—" Keith started, sounding like he was joining Logan in reprimanding her, but she cut him off.

"He knows stuff. I'm fine, everything's fine. He's seedy and slimy, I know, but he knows things, okay?" Clarence's eyes narrowed at her back.

"All right—not the time for this," Booth silenced them. "Clarence Weidman?" Booth asked, to which Clarence nodded once, "I'm Agent Booth. I hear you have some information to share."

Veronica went over to the couch to sit by Logan. She handed him the bag with his food in it, smiling hopefully. It was as good a peace offering as any. "Po' Boy?"

He took it from her, but his glare stayed. Veronica sighed and rolled her eyes. Great. She so didn't want to have it out with him again.

"Mr. Weidman?" Booth gestured to the love seat, indicating he should sit. Eyeing the space next to Keith like he would catch something unforgivable if he touched it, he sneered and remained standing.

"Let's skip the pleasantries. My client isn't willing to share any information until you can guarantee him what he wants."

Veronica began nervously bouncing her leg.

"And your client being…?"

Logan snorted. They all knew what was coming. Even Booth didn't look surprised when he answered, "Jake Kane."

"And just what, exactly, is it that Mr. Kane wants that he thinks we can provide?"

Logan clamped a hand down on the top of her thigh to stop it from bouncing against his. Veronica didn't take her eyes off Weidman, though, willing him to say what he hadn't acknowledged out loud to her at the Deli.

"All charges dropped on his son Duncan Kane, and allowing Duncan custody to his daughter, a Miss Lily Manning-Kane." Veronica's leg started bouncing again, and Logan squeezed it a second time, more so in trying to get a reaction out of her. He looked at her, but she didn't return his gaze. Veronica had obviously known about this beforehand, judging by her antsy energy.

Logan wasn't quite sure what to make of it. The information he'd just learned, and Veronica's reaction to it as well.

Duncan. Duncan could be coming home. His best-friend. Veronica's... everything. He didn't know whether to feel elated or apprehensive and nervous and uneasy.
He was trying to keep his chest from restricting to keep him from a panic, so apparently he was leaning more towards the latter. He removed his hand from her thigh, but he didn't think she noticed, transfixed as she was on the words coming out of Weidman's mouth. That didn't make him feel better either. He remained silent.

"The kidnapping case?" Booth asked incredulously. "You expect me to get charges dropped on a federal kidnapping case?"

Weidman looked at him unimpressed. "Those are the terms. Ask Ms. Mars here, if you're unfamiliar with the details. She knows more about the case than anyone, I'm sure." Veronica glared at him, and Booth gave her a rather tight and annoyed look.

"Clarence, you of all people know how this works. Jake knows how this works. We can't promise you anything until we know what you have to tell us is worth while," Keith said.

"We?" Clarence asked, looking at Keith with a feigned questioning look. "I was under the impression you weren't the Sheriff anymore, Mars, let alone a federal agent. What could you possibly promise me that I could believe?"

"He's right, though, and you know it," Veronica snapped at him.

"You've got to give me something, Weidman. I can't go on nothing," Booth told him.

They had a bit of a staring contest, before Weidman reluctantly said, "We have recovered audio from a recently destroyed video file," he narrowed his eyes in Keith's direction, "linking the Sorokin family and the Fitzpatricks to a number of, let's say... unlawful...activities."

Veronica tensed. She knew it was the hard drive. And if the Fitzpatrick's were mentioned on there too, then there was something else on there she hadn't seen or heard. Yet.

Booth and Weidman stared at each other.

Logan stared at his hands. He wasn't really concerned with this new information. He was still stuck on Duncan coming home. His brain kept throwing out scenario after scenario, all ending with Veronica throwing herself into his arms.

"This can't happen over night, you're aware of this?" Booth finally said.

"Well I suggest you get on that rather quickly, before your window of opportunity closes," Clarence said rather cryptically.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Veronica asked.

A look passed between Booth and her dad, and they both clearly knew what Weidman was talking about. And Veronica didn't. She stood up, annoyed at being left out of the loop. Her dad knew something—something that he hadn't told her. "What's going on?" she asked again.

Booth didn't look at all happy that Weidman had whatever knowledge he seemed to possess.

"Jesus Christ," he muttered, rubbing a hand down his face, clearly trying to think quickly. "Alright. Fine. Riley? Have Thomas pick up Kane. He should be nearby. We're gonna have a little chat with him." Riley immediately pulled out his cell phone.

"Um, hello? What the hell is happening?" Veronica asked again. They were watching the Kane house? Since when? And why didn't she know about that?

"What's happening is you're all going home, before Mr. Kane gets here," Booth told all three of them.

"Are you kidding me? I wanna hear what he has to say!" Veronica wasn't having it.

"I know you do. But you're leaving. We can't take the chance that he's followed here and you're all seen together. "

"But what about Duncan? What can you do?" Veronica wasn't all that sure what exactly he had the authority to do. Someonehad the authority to bring him back, and she wanted to know how that was going to happen. But Booth just stared at her, a no-nonsense look on his face, telling her he wasn't going to change his mind.

"But I brought him in! He came to me!" she said, pointing at Weidman. Veronica didn't care how childish she sounded. She was two seconds away from stamping her foot. This was important. And it wasn't fair. Wasn't she the one who started this whole thing? And now what? They start keeping her in the dark, instead working with her dad? She knew her dad was more than capable, but it was certainly the principle of the thing!

And the fact that Weidman was smirking angered her even more.

"Yes, and thank you for following protocol. Now I'll handle it from here. You'll know soon enough."

"Veronica, let's go." Keith knew Booth was right. They couldn't take any risks if this information really was going to be key to helping them.

Veronica stared at her father, then looked down at Logan, who was still sitting on the couch, not looking at anyone. This confused her. Why wasn't he as pissed as she was? He should want Duncan back just as much as she did, right? There was a nagging thought in the back of her head that he wasn't going to take this whole situation well. Crap.

Keith ushered them both outside. Veronica's mind was back on the hard drive.

"I knew Jake knew things!" she exclaimed. "But just an audio track? Who does he think he's kidding? There's no way they don't have video. If they've got audio, I'll bet you a gazillion dollars they've just extracted it so they don't have to show you one of their precious Castle members stripped down and tied to a chair wearing a dog collar." Keith and Logan followed Veronica down the stairs into the parking lot. Keith just let her rant. "If you were Jake, what's the first thing you'd do if you had sensitive and damning information like that? Make a back-up, that's what!"

"I'm aware of that, Veronica. But we'll see what Booth can get out of Jake. The audio might be enough. And if it isn't, he won't get what he wants."

"But Clarence should know that too, so they've got to have access to the back-up. Able to recover audio my ass," she muttered. "He's got a back-up. But where...?"

"Bank?" Logan finally spoke up. Veronica looked at him curiously.

"Like a... safety deposit box? That's...possible."

"But good luck finding it. He'd be stupid to have it here in Neptune. Jake's always been tight about his money, you know that. He's probably got his fortune stashed all around the world. The Caymans, Switzerland, Singapore..."

Her eyes were big. Veronica never grasped just how much the Kane's were actually worth. She knew it was some astronomical amount she couldn't really comprehend, but she never really cared.

"Singapore? Really?"

"Yeah. It's where most of our money was. Is, I guess. A lot of it's still there..." he trailed off.

"So what you're telling me, is that our only way of taking these guys down, is hiding somewhere around the world under the best security money can buy. Wonderful."

"Maybe. Or maybe he's got it stashed at Kane Software. He's got security as tight as a Vegas casino, he could have a vault 200 feet underground for all we know."

"Urgh!" Veronica exclaimed. "This is so frustrating!"

"We're taking down two criminal rings. You might have to let crucifying Jake go, Veronica," Keith told her begrudgingly.

"It's just his stupid little elitist group! Buying their way into and out of everything! Putting people in power, taking the good ones out of power! It's corrupt! And it really pisses me off."

"Okay, well one thing at a time, yeah? For now? If word gets out he's giving up any of his information, he'll be in enough trouble. No matter how high up on the wrung he is, I doubt the rest of his little club will be too happy to know how willing he is to give up their club secrets."

"Even if he is doing all this to bring Duncan back, it's still shady," Veronica complained. "And you know he'll give us as little as possible to get what he wants."

Logan almost opened his mouth, but thought better of it. He wasn't going to point out that she probably would have done the exact same thing—that Jake was just big into self-preservation. Veronica had a bit of that streak in her as well.

"And don't think I didn't see that look you gave Booth- you know something I don't know," she accused him.

Keith sighed. "Not here, Veronica. Are you coming home?"

"After dinner. Unfortunately my criminology professor doesn't cater to my extra curricular activities. I've got two papers to write this weekend."

"And you'll actually be getting your homework done at Logan's?" Keith asked, unbelievingly.

Logan tried not to let his surprise show. He thought after this new development she'd think of nothing else, but apparently she was still coming over like they had planned. And originally, he hadn't planned to do much studying.

"Yes, Daddy," Veronica said, and rolled her eyes. "I'll call if I'm late."

"You do that."

"So I'll fol...low...you..." Veronica turned around to talk to Logan, but trailed off as he'd already walked away to his car a few rows over. He was acting weird. Veronica didn't know what to make of it, but she knew whatever was bothering him would come out soon enough. She hoped it was sooner rather than later, though. A passive aggressive Logan was no fun for anyone.

He at least waited for her to follow him through the gates of the drive and then the house, so that was a good sign. He wasn't running away from her, anyway.

When they parked in the drive, Logan grabbed her hand as they walked inside. The gesture would have been natural under any other circumstances, but he still wasn't really looking at her. Her mind was partly still ticking away on the Kane situation, and she had to struggle to push those thoughts back. Apparently there was something wrong here she had to attend to first.

Veronica walked into the kitchen, looking for some food, and to give herself something to do before they started fighting. Yes, fighting. Hopefully just arguing- which she considered different and less harsh than fighting. Whichever it was, she knew it was coming. When Logan was this quiet, it meant there was a storm brewing.

"I want me some nachos." Her adrenaline from the afternoon's events was still pumping through her veins, and she was actually hungry again. Not surprising.
Logan leaned against the counter, watching her. Veronica opened the fridge, and found it pretty much empty.

"What the crap, Logan! I thought you said you were going to the grocery store today! What are we supposed to-" she turned around, only to be cut off and pushed up against the fridge as Logan attacked her mouth.

He kissed her like he was drowning, and she was his air supply.

"Logan," she tried to speak in between kisses, "what-?" but he wouldn't let her.

He was desperate. He needed to feel her, to kiss her, to make sure she was here, in his house, under his hands, and still his.

All right, so maybe this was a reaction to the whole Duncan thing, but right now, Logan didn't care. He just knew that he loved Veronica with everything he had in him—he would do anything for her, to keep her—and he needed to make sure she knew that. And this was the best way he knew how to show her.

Veronica would have preferred not to rekindle their sex life in the kitchen, but it was really hard to think when Logan lifted her up onto the counter and his hands were everywhere all at once. Caressing her legs, wrapping around to squeeze her backside, then up and under her shirt. She wrapped her arms around his neck, keeping him close, returning his fervor.

"Couch," she managed to say between the onslaught of his mouth. She could at least remember he didn't have a bed in his room, so she'd really prefer a couch to the floor. He picked her up and her legs immediately wrapped around his waist. He stumbled with her into the living room, never once breaking his mouth away from hers, sucking and nipping in the way she hadn't ever been able to forget, even in the months they were apart.

She didn't really want to think about why he felt so desperate.

He all but fell on top of her when they got to the couch. His mouth traveled around her chin, up her neck, and back down where her collarbone met the hollow of her neck. She arched against him, pressing herself as closely as she possibly could, wrapping her legs back around his waist, rubbing against the growing bulge in his pants. The friction drew a growl deep from Logan's throat, and he pressed himself into her, aching for more. She responded with a moan of her own, and took his earlobe between her teeth, pulling and biting gently.

He pulled her up and began to push her shirt up so he could pull it off, when—

"Ah, man! Why didn't you tell me you were going to want to christen every room of the house? I'd never say no to a free show!" Dick stood smirking at the top of the stairs that led down to the basement. He'd apparently been home, and neither of them knew it.

Veronica hastily pushed her shirt down and sat back down on the couch, smoothing out her hair. She cleared her throat, and wouldn't meet Dick's gleeful eyes.

Logan stayed on his knees, wishing will all his might he could set Dick on fire with his mind.

Looking for anything to do, as Dick was still standing there, Veronica reached for the glass of water on the table in front of her and took a drink.

"You know, maybe we need to sweeten the pot a bit. Double or nothing on when he knocks you up and daddy gets out his shotgun for a wedding? 'Cause it's bound to happen soon," Dick said with a smirk, and then laughed out loud when Veronica sprayed her water out of her mouth, choking.

"Huh. I guess those rumors really were false, Ronnie. They all said you swallowed like a pro." Veronica looked up and glared at him. Something had obviously happened to get Dick's panties extremely and uncomfortably wound in a tight bunch. Up until now, he'd had been less of an asshole to her than usual. He hadn't mentioned the conversation they'd had the previous weekend, which was one hundred percent fine by her. She was sure he actually remembered having it, because things had been a bit better between them. But maybe that was because he'd hardly said two words to either of them whenever he was coming or going. He barely acknowledged even Logan. Veronica had been planning on asking Logan again if he knew what was up with him, but now, she really couldn't care less.

"Get out of here Dick," Veronica spat at him, her embarrassment gone.

"Hey, this is my house too- you don't even pay to spend your time here. But lucky for you, I'm leaving anyway. Wipe up wherever you leave a mess, okay? I don't want to catch anything." Veronica rolled her eyes at him when he walked out, and looked up at Logan, ready with a sarcastic remark to thank him for sticking up for her. But it fell short on her tongue, because he was staring at her like he'd barely heard anything Dick said. It threw her off guard, because she couldn't read his expression.

"What?" she asked.

"Does it really bother you that much?" he asked quietly.

"What? Dick being an asshole? Of course not—I'm used to it by now."

"No. The...future. You know. Kids and stuff."

"What?" she laughed uneasily, "You buy a house and suddenly you want to fill it full of munchkins?"

His expression didn't change, and looking closely, she could read the sadness in his eyes. She was taken aback. He was serious.

He didn't say anything else, so she added, "I, uh... just think it's a little premature to be thinking about all that, don't you?"

The slight widening of his eyes and the brief flash of anger was almost gone before she saw it.

Premature? Was she kidding? Did she mean any of that crap she said to him then? The long haul?

"Logan…." she said cautiously.

"Did you mean any of it then?" He sounded bitter, and was working himself up.

"Any of what?" she asked warily.

"That you're in it for the long haul? That there's nobody else for you? That I'm it? What? Were you just telling me what I wanted to hear?"

Okay, now that kind of pissed her off. He knewhow hard it was for her to say all that. She narrowed her eyes. "Don't even go there. You know I did."

"Then how is talking about the future premature?" he yelled, desperately. "Why is saying I'm a part of it freaking you out so much?"

"It's not that! My happily ever after was when I came home and we got back on track. That was as far as my future got. And it's good now! We were doing good! For the love of God, why on Earth would we complicate it now by talking about marriage? Are you kidding me?"

"That's pretty much what happily ever after, 'the end', usually means, Veronica!"

"Why?" she asked, just as loud, and almost as desperately. "Why does being happy have to end with marriage? It's not an absolute to happiness. Just look at our families! I never want that to happen to me again!"

"So it's still self-preservation with you? Always gotta have an exit lane just in case I screw things up, is that right?"

"No that's not what I'm saying! Would you calm down! I'm just saying we're not even 21 yet and I wanna be young for a while and not think about pre-nups and popping out 27 kids!"

"You know a few years ago I'm sure that's exactly what you thought about for your future," he said bitterly.

"Yeah, sure, when I was 16 years old! And then my entire world got ripped apart and turned upside down! I think you know I've changed a bit since then!"

He tried to hold it in, but he couldn't stop himself. It was right there, hanging on the edge of his tongue, waiting to burst out. "Or maybe it just didn't freak you out as much 'cause you were with Duncan," he muttered. He said it quietly, not really sure if he meant for her to hear it or not, but she did.

"Excuse me?" Her voice was low and deadly. She'd been waiting for Duncan to come up, as he hadn't said a word about him.

Shit. Logan almost wished he could take it back, but it was too late now. He apparently needed to put it out there to see how she would react. He didn't say anything else. He couldn't thinkof anything to say, so he just returned her glare.

The minute she and Logan got together the very first time, she knew Duncan would be somewhat of an issue in their relationship, and she really thought they could deal with it—that they could talk it through rationally and stem any fears and insecurities (especially now, since they were being all "adult" like). But hearing him accuse her like that... now she was just pissed.

"I knew that's what this was about. Duncan coming home." He didn't say anything, which confirmed it.

"Well first off, we don't even know if that's happening yet—"

"Oh like you won't do everything in your power to make it happen," he exploded. "You were practically bouncing on the couch when Weidman was talking about bringing him home."

"I was not bouncing," she snapped.

"I said practically," he snapped right back.

"God Logan, what the hell is wrong with you! It's Duncan! Duncan. He was your best friend!"

"Exactly! Was! Past tense! He all but hangs me out to dry when I need him the most, steals my girl and leaves without even saying goodbye? What kind of friend does that? And I'm supposed to be happy for him to come home? Is that what I'm supposed to be thinking? That my supposed best friend and my girlfriend's 'first love'," he air quoted, "will come home and my life will magically get better?"

She didn't appreciate the air quotes and his mocking tone. He was apparently more hurt than she thought last year by Duncan's abrupt departure, so she tried really hard not to blow up at him. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I don't know what the hell you're thinking right now, but if you're mad at Duncan then fine. Be mad at Duncan, and work it out if he comes home. Don't take it out on me. And steals your girl? Really? If that's the logic you're going by then you kinda did it to him first."

"Well I didn't really have to compete with him then since he was out of the country." He feigned thoughtfulness, putting a finger to his chin. "Oh look. Same thing."

Veronica froze. Oh no he didn't.

"You think I'm not gonna run off with him as soon as he steps foot in Neptune? Is that was you think?"

"Happened before." Logan was stone faced.

Veronica stopped and closed her eyes. "Oh my God—I thought I was the one with the trust issues here. Did we suddenly switch personalities? Should I go find someone to beat up now?"

"Oh don't even TRY to put yourself in my shoes! You are the only person in my life I have ever cared about that much. No one has EVER meant as much to me as you do. No one."

Not even Lilly.

The words hung in the air as if he'd said them, and Veronica was momentarily stunned. The angry tone and the finger he was basically shoving in her face prevented her from being as effected by them as she would have otherwise been. "And I know how much you and Duncan meant to each other," he finished.

Oh my God she wanted to scream at him.

"Meant! I don't know how else to say it! I really don't! He's always gonna be my friend, and if he's in the country, then yes! I'm gonna want him in my life. Argh! I thought we were good! I thought we were done with the doubt and stupid insecurities!"

"So did I! But then you start hyperventilating and spit water all over the place at just the thought of actually spending your life with me! And then we throw Duncan back in the mix, so yeah! Things are obviously not as resolved as we thought!"

"Well I'm sorry if my happiness over a friend coming home bothers you! But Duncan will always be a part of my life! And when you get your head out of your ass you'll realize nothing about that is threatening to you! I can't do anything more about your stupid insecurities! Duncan's not here! He's not the knight in shining armor. I don't think I'll ever have one of those cause you're sure as hell not acting like one!" She was trying so hard not to start flinging insults and sarcastic comments. It'd just start a verbal war. She wouldn't do it.

"Oh yeah, that really sooths my insecurities."

"Argh! I forgot how much of a jealous ass you can be!" Except that one.

She grabbed her bag from behind the couch and started towards the door.

"Where are you going? Veronica! What happened to no running?" He followed her and slammed it shut when she tried to pull it open.

"This isn't running," she spun around and spat at him. "This is me storming out, because I'm so mad I can't even see straight." She opened the door again and turned around. "I'm going home before one of us says something we can't take back."

He winced when she slammed the door.

Guess what? I've got about 80% of the next chapter written! Which means you won't have to wait months on end for it! But I do have a question…. Send me a review and let me know:

What should I do with Vinnie? Is he ultimately just a (sleazy) good guy, or actually evil at heart?

Send me a review and let me know…

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it! Tell me either way and ReviewReviewReview!

PS- Keep a look out for my soon to be posted HP fic! It'll be called Announcements.

Oh. Is that what they call a shameless plug? Huh.