Story so far: Logan and Duncan overhear Veronica at Lilly's graveside. They learn she has cancer and is dying. They also learn she can prove Abel Kunz didn't kill Lilly. In the hospital, Logan ends up rushing into Veronica's room begging her not to go to Lilly and to stay because he needs her. Logan once Veronica's heart rate rises professes he knows she is going to get better. She does and while she is recuperating at home, Logan does some soul searching and decides he needs to make changes. Logan worried about how Veronica is taking that Duncan and Meg are dating talks to her in the hallway at school. The rumors have them dating. Logan frustrated meets with Veronica at a burger bar to discuss how to handle all the rumors about them. To Logan's chagrin a tabloid publishes a picture of him and Veronica at the restaurant. Now the rumors at school are even worse. Lynn Echolls invites Veronica to be a part of the fundraiser fashion show and dance. At school on Monday, Veronica walks up and kisses Logan in first period. Logan goes along with it but is waiting after school to find out what is going on. They talk at the beach and Logan breaks down sharing with Veronica why he decided to change his life. Now back to the story.......

When they got to her apartment, she looked over at Logan. He was sitting in the driver's seat looking forward. He said, "This open and honest thing is tiring Veronica."

Veronica had smiled wryly. Without answering, she opened the door of the car and went around to the driver's side. She opened his door and grabbed Logan's hand. He looks over at her as she says, "Come on in. We both need to shower and then I think we should order something."

Tiredly Logan said, "Maybe I should just go home."

Her face gently with understand, Veronica squeezes Logan's hand, "Logan. I am scared too but the door is open now and it is too late to try and close it."

Meeting her gaze Logan sees the honesty and the emotions. He sighed a little and then got out of his car. He smiles weakly at her and sees her equally tired smile. Grabbing his bag with spare clothes from the back seat, Logan followed her up to her apartment.

Veronica unlocks the door to her apartment and bends down to greet Back Up. Her big pit bull had immediately liked Logan and the feeling had been mutual. Veronica had laughingly pushed Logan to the bathroom and had instructed him not to use up all the hot water.

She had taken Back Up out to the beach quickly and when Logan had emerged from the bathroom all dressed and fresh, she had gone in instructing Logan to order them something to eat.

Logan had looked at the note on the kitchen counter from Keith stating he was going to be back in a couple of days. He gazed around the small apartment and he had shaken his head. He could not believe that anyone could live in a small place like this. His bedroom suite was larger. He dialed his phone and ordered Chinese. He looked on a bill on the table and gave the address.

Veronica came out of the bathroom dressed in jeans and a shirt. She came into the kitchen and Logan told her he ordered Chinese. She smiled and said, "Perfect." She set two plates on the table and got them both a glass of ice water.

Veronica went over to Logan and looks down at the floor. She says her voice tinged with a little fear, "Does knowing what happened to me," she pauses imperceptibly, and about the STD change how you feel about me?"

Logan feels a pain in his gut at how she feels less about herself because of what happened to her. He takes her face in his hands and says earnestly, "No Veronica, No."

He looks into her eyes ensuring she sees the truth in his eyes. He says firmly, "I think you are sexy and I am very attracted to you." He pauses so she has a chance to absorb his statement.

Logan continues, "I just don't want to make you uncomfortable and I want to make sure that anything that happens between us makes you feel good."

Veronica remains silent looking at Logan. Logan gently puts his forehead to her keeping eye contact. He says genuinely, "Promise me Ronnie that you will be open and honest with me about how you are feeling and what you need physically and emotionally. I want to help you."

Veronica gets teary and she bites her bottom lip. She says, "Thank you Logan."

He pulls her into his arms and holds her close to him. He gently rubs her back. Veronica held in his arms absorbs his warmth and lets herself relax into his soothing touch.

After a few minutes, Veronica pulls away and says, "We still have a lot to talk about but…" She trails off. She pulls away slightly and looks up at Logan her eyes and face soft with emotion.

She tilts her head and looks up at him, their eyes making contact. She continues, "I think we should remind ourselves of a few of the good things about being together before we go back to talking out our problems."

Logan smiles down at her. Sliding his hands down to her hips, Logan lifts her up to sit on to the counter. Veronica immediately opens her legs and pulls him closer. She gently puts her hands on his chest and slides them up his chest back around his neck. Keeping eye contact, she pulls his head closer. Veronica lifts her face for his kiss.

Taking her unspoken invitation, Logan's lips cover hers. Sighing happily, Veronica relaxes into the kiss. She parts her lips and Logan slips his tongue in to touch hers. Veronica's eyes close. She participates fully in the kiss.

Heart racing, Logan breaks the kiss and presses soft kisses down her jaw to her neck. Both teens take slow breaths to control their breathing. Veronica tilts her head giving him easier access to the soft skin on her neck. Her hands have slid down to his chest and they are slowly caressing his chest and abdomen.

Logan slides his hands from her back to her abdomen and caresses the soft skin under her shirt. He slides his hand up her abdomen to just below her bra and she puts her arms back around his neck pulling his head to her. They kiss deeply, tongues exploring and touching. Logan slides one hand over her breast and teases her nipple through her bra. He feels Veronica's legs pull him closer.

The door bell rings and Back Up rushes to the door to protect.

Logan pulls away from Veronica and looks down at her. Her hair is mussed, her lips are red and her eyes have darkened with passion. She looks beautiful. He sighs and says, "Supper is here."

Veronica slides off the counter and orders Back Up to sit. She grabs his collar. Logan opens the door to get the Chinese food and pay.

Logan hands Veronica the bag containing the food. She opens the cartons and puts them out on the counter. He sits by his place setting and watches her. He is surprised by how passionate she is with him. He feels so much more with her than he does with other girls.

The two teenagers eat in silence both thinking about what happened today. It has been an emotionally demanding conversation and they have talked about so many of their issues. Logan is blown away by the honesty between them. He has never had this open a conversation with a girl before.

Veronica finishes eating. She stands up and walks around the counter to stand beside Logan. She purposefully takes Logan's hand and leads him over to the couch. She says, "I think before we go on we should go back over what we have talked about so far. Is there anything you have questions about or want to further talk about?"

Both teenagers sit down and turn partially to face each other. Logan looks at Veronica and takes her hands in his larger ones. He says quietly, "I have to talk to you about the night of Shelley's party." He looks down at their hands and then looks up at her.

He confesses, "I was one of the guys who brought drugs to Shelley's party. I had brought it from TJ when Luke, Dick and I went. I don't know how you got your drugs. I took one of mine and gave the other one to Duncan. After the salt lick, I left with some freshman. I had no idea what happened to you."

Veronica sees the strong emotions in Logan. She easily reads the guilt on his face and in his body posture. She thinks about how much it means to her that he feels badly about his part in that night. None of the other 09ers involved has shown any remorse for what they did or what they didn't do. To Veronica standing back and letting it happen to her is almost as bad as doing it. She looks up at Logan who is watching her reaction to his confession.

"I know all this Logan," she says quietly.

Logan looks shocked and says, "You know?"

Veronica looks down at their joined hands and rubs her fingers over the veins on the back of his hand. Looking up to meet his gaze she explains, "Yes Logan. I may not remember what happened but I made it my business to find out exactly who was involved."

Logan looks over to the window and then back to Veronica. Logan's voice is choked. He says, "I don't think I will ever be able to think of that time without this pain in my chest. I caused it to happen to you. How can you even look at me?"

Veronica squeezes his hand and says, "Logan, you may be their leader but each of those guys that raped me, made that decision on their own. They have to answer for what they did."

Veronica pulls one of her hands out of Logan's and puts it up to his forehead. She slowly brushes the hair away from his forehead where it has fallen without the normal gel to hold it up. She says, "I can see you have changed Logan. I liked the young Logan and I really like the Logan you are now."

She meets his gaze saying honestly, "I haven't totally forgiven you for what happened but I am trying."

Logan released Veronica's hand and pulls her to his chest wrapping his arms around her. He says, "That is more than I deserve Veronica and more than I ever hoped for."

Veronica wraps her arms around Logan's waist and hugs him. They revel in the comfort between them for a few moments.

Logan pulls away and says, "I have to ask you this Ronnie. Are you behind what is happening to the 09ers lately?"

Veronica looks at Logan her face bland, says, "If I am?"

"I was just wondering if these were the guys that raped you," Logan answers.

Veronica her sharp eyes noting the look of retribution on his face counsels, "Logan, I truly don't want you involved."

Logan says seriously, "They hurt you."

Veronica says, "In different ways."

Logan narrows his gaze at her. He says, "What do you mean?"

Veronica says, "There are different degrees of guilt."

Logan looks at her carefully.

Veronica smiles a small predatory smile. She smirks, "I will get justice in my own way."

Logan's eyes widen at her look and he realizes that the 09ers involved should be very worried. As he thinks about it he realizes that Veronica has taken away the most important things in their lives. Dick is very concerned about his image and he is the laughing stock of the school. Luke will never play baseball again. Sean will not go to college and the truth about his background has come out. John will not be Valedictorian and he has disgraced his family name. Logan frowns as he wonders how many more were involved.

Seeing the direction of his thoughts, Veronica wraps her arms around his neck and says, "You have to let me do this my way. Why don't you focus on replacing those memories with more pleasant ones?"

"That would be my pleasure," he tells her as he leans down and kisses her.

When Logan pulls back to look at Veronica, she is straddling him and they are face to face. He says heavily, "God Ronnie, what you do to me."

She leans in and gently kisses his chin. She pulls back and looks at him thoughtfully. "It seems so weird to be kissing you and yet so right."

Logan leans his forehead against hers and says, "I know what you mean."

They stay leaning on each other forehead to forehead each thinking about what has happened between them.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Logan regretfully breaks the moment of peace between them. "Ronnie, we need to talk about Duncan."

As Logan expected, Veronica withdraws slightly at his words. Logan holds her hips firmly in place and points out, "He is my best friend and your relationship with him ended badly through no fault of either of yours."

Veronica looks at the window and then after a pause looks back at Logan making eye contact so he understands what she has to tell him, "I don't love him anymore."

Logan persists, "He still loves you. His mother told him you were his sister and not to tell you or it would break up his family. Then after Lilly died, he didn't want to cause his parents any more pain. Can't you understand that?"

Surprising Logan, Veronica shakes her head slightly saying bluntly, "Actually I don't."

Logan is surprised. He thought Veronica would always try to understand and excuse Duncan's behavior. Veronica's voice brings Logan back to their conversation, "He thought I was his sister and he let people hurt me. I can't look at him the same way I used to." She pauses and then says harshly, "Now I see a guy who raped me."

Logan flinches and starts to protest. Veronica interrupts saying firmly, "He is no different to me than the other guys who raped me".

When Logan goes to protest, Veronica interrupts again, "He thought I was his sister and he had sex with me. I was totally unconscious."

Veronica looks directly into Logan's eyes. She says, "Had you been with me that day Logan, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Logan continues to plead his best friend's case. He says, "Ronnie, I gave him a shot of GHB. He wasn't himself."

Veronica takes a deep breath in and slowly and audibly lets it out. She sits unmoving for a few seconds and then says, "I know Logan. I know."

When Logan goes to talk again, she puts her fingers on his lips. He quiets and sits watching her. She is obviously thinking about what to say next.

Logan's brown eyes watch her carefully. Veronica moves her fingers from his lips and she caresses his eye brows, nose, cheeks, chin and finally his lips with just the tips of her index finger. Logan waits.

Finally she leans back a little and puts her palms on Logan's chest. She looks up at him and says quietly, "Meg is pregnant."

Logan's eyes widen. He had not been expecting her to drop that bomb. He thinks and then says, "Duncan is the father?"

Veronica nods, "Yes."

Logan asks, "Does he know?"

Veronica nods again and continues to hold his gaze. She says, "He does."

Logan is quiet for a minute thinking. Then he clarifies, "He is ignoring Meg and going after you even though she is having his baby?

Veronica nods again. Logan leans his head back on the couch and is silent. Veronica leans forward and puts her head on his chest. After a few moments she tells him, "Meg doesn't know what to do. She thinks her parents will kick her out when they find out and Duncan won't talk to her."

Logan puts his arms around her and says, "What can we do to help her?"

Veronica sits up and looks at Logan. She sees he is sincere. Her heart melts at his obvious concern for Meg and her baby. She leans forward and kisses him lightly saying, "Now that is why I love you Logan."

He looks at her and he says earnestly, "'God I love you too Ronnie." He puts his hands on both sides of her face and kisses her showing her how much she means to him.

***

Curled up at his side relaxing with her head on his chest and his arms around her, Veronica hears his voice rumble under her cheek, "Ronnie."

She groans and pulls away to look at him. "What is it Logan?"

He looks at her seriously and questions, "Did you pretend to date me so Duncan would give up and maybe go back to Meg?"

Puzzled, Veronica frowns at Logan and says, "No I was clear with Duncan that I don't want him back. He knows we are done."

Now Logan looks puzzled. He asks, "Then why did you kiss me in front of everyone at school today? Why did you give them the idea we were a couple?"

Veronica hears his tone and smiles a small smile. It astounds her sometimes that Logan who has girls flirting with him all the time and throwing themselves at him would be surprised that she would kiss him.

Logan seeing her smile is confused.

Pausing Veronica thinks about how to word what she needs to tell him. She looks at his handsome face. Those wonderful brown eyes are searching her face for the answer to his questions. She briefly wonders if he has any idea how much his eyes affect her.

Logan unable to interpret the expressions crossing her face says, "Ronnie?"

"Do you remember when we were dancing together at the ball and your mother danced by and told us not to monopolize each other?" Veronica questions.

Thinking back Logan does remember. He nods.

Encouraged, Veronica continues, "Your mom teased you that I might be looking for someone."

Still in the dark, Logan nods in remembrance.

Veronica continues, "You looked at me and teasingly asked me if I was still looking for someone."

Logan nods again puzzled.

"It hit me like a lightning bolt. I wasn't looking at other guys because I was happy with you. I wished you were my boyfriend," she clarifies.

Thinking aloud Logan says slowly, "So you just came up and kissed me at school because you want to be a couple?"

She bites her lip at the almost comical look of surprise that crosses his face. When it becomes obvious that Logan is speechless, Veronica explains, "I had decided not to date anyone until I am cancer free. I thought I would focus on school and when I was cleared, I would get a job and try to save for college. I thought it would not be fair to date anyone and saddle them with my cancer."

Logan is watching her closely and listening intently. She looks him in the eye and says, "I realized that what I feel for you is special and I would be stupid to let it pass without seeing what could come of it."

His eyes darken as he takes in what she is telling him. She finishes, "I wish the timing was better and I was cured of cancer before I met someone I wanted to be with but I can't change how I feel."

She leans in and kisses his cheek towards his ear and says her breath warm on the sensitive area by his ear, "I want to be your girlfriend. I want to touch you and kiss you." Veronica leans away slightly and puts her hand up to his cheek. She runs her hand over his cheek to behind his neck. She leans in and says against his lips, "I don't want any other girls to touch you."

Logan feels his heart jump in his chest at her touch and words. His mind is racing trying to process that Veronica, a girl too good for him, inexplicably wants to be with him. He sits frozen not sure he could move right now even if his life depended on it. He has never been so deeply and utterly shocked.

When Logan doesn't move or respond, Veronica pulls back and looks at him. She sees his profound surprise. She says a little sarcastically, "Logan at this point, you are supposed to tell me you feel the same way and then you are supposed to kiss me."

Logan is startled out of his surprise at her tone. He shakes his head a little as if to clear it. Smiling at how she is chastising him for being too slow, he puts his hand behind her head and pulls her head to his. He kisses her. Never let it be said that Logan Echolls can't hold his own in the kissing a girl senseless department.

****

Veronica when she can think again says, "You were supposed to tell me you felt the same way and then kiss me."

Logan smirks at her and leans in to nuzzle her neck. He says obediently, "I feel lucky to just be your friend. I didn't dream that I could be your boyfriend. I want to be able to touch you and be with you. I don't want the other guys to go near you."

Eyes sparkling, Veronica happily points out, "Then your mom's evil plan worked."

Logan looks at Veronica and pronounces, "I will never again badmouth my mother. She is a genius."

Veronica smiles and says, "We have to find a way to thank her.

Logan says looking at her mouth, "Later, we'll think about it later." He lowers his head to kiss her.

****

Veronica lies beside her new boyfriend. Her hand is gently caressing his chest. His t shirt is so soft and fits tightly across his chest. She is so content to just be with him, in his arms. Knowing they have one more issue to talk about she says, "Logan there are some things you need to know about my cancer."

Logan immediately says, "It doesn't matter."

Veronica's hand stills on his chest. She lifts her head and looks at him. She says, "Please listen Logan. It is only fair you know what you are getting into."

Logan meets her gaze and sees her concern.

Veronica tries to pull away from him but he tightens his arms and holds her to him. He says, "Don't pull away Ronnie. Tell me what you have to but stay with me."

Relaxing a little Veronica says matter of fact, "The cancer I have is a bad one. The odds are not in my favor Logan."

He says definitively, "You'll make it."

Veronica frowns and says, "Logan, you don't know that."

Logan puts his hand behind her head and looks into her eyes. He says seriously, "Yes I do Ronnie. I know you are going to be one of the ones who survives it."

Veronica half smiles at Logan and says, "The chemotherapy has some serious side effects. It may have damaged my heart and I may never be able to have children."

Logan shakes his head and says, "I don't care Ronnie."

Veronica sighs frustrated. She says, "Logan, don't just minimize the problems."

Logan takes her face in his hands. He looks at her closely and says, "Ronnie if I were the one with the cancer would you still want to date me knowing the potential problems?"

Veronica sighs again and admits, "Yes Logan I would."

Logan says, "So why aren't I allowed to feel the same?"

Veronica looks at Logan and finally says, "I just don't want your feelings of guilt to influence you."

"It isn't that Ronnie." Logan says quietly. "What I feel for you is not motivated by guilt. It is much deeper than that."

Veronica puts her hands on Logan's face and then runs them through his hair. She says, "You can't pretend it's not there Logan. It's a real possibility the cancer could come back. The reality is I need blood work and scans and… it's not easy."

Logan says seriously, "Ronnie I want to be there for you. Whether we are dating or not, I will be there and if you are sick, it will hurt me."

Veronica says, "There is a difference between being friends and dating Logan. It hurt me to lose Lilly but I can't imagine the loss for you."

Logan looks at her thinking about how to word what he knows, "Ronnie loving someone has no guarantees. We both know that from Lilly. No one knows how much time they have."

Determined for him to hear everything she has to say, Veronica continues, "Logan you have to think about it. Dating almost any other girl will be easier. You have already been through a lot losing Lilly and …"

Logan puts his finger over her lips. He says, "Enough for now Ronnie. I promise I will give it more thought."

Veronica nods and says, "Thank you."

He pulls her back down into his arms and wraps his arms around her. She snuggles contentedly into his embrace and they both just relax with each other.

****

Eventually Logan says, "I have one more thing we need to talk about."

Veronica sighs and says, "OK"

Logan says, "At Lilly's grave you apologized to her for not finding her killer and then you mentioned a traffic ticket."

Veronica looks at Logan and says, "Yes."

Logan says definitively, "I need to see that ticket Ronnie."

Veronica stares at Logan for a minute. He meets her gaze but says nothing.

Veronica pulls away from Logan and gets off the couch. She pulls her lap top out of her messenger bag. Logan watches as she turns it on and types in her password. She moves the mouse and clicks opening the file Lilly's murder. She walks over to Logan who is now sitting up and hands him her computer. She says quietly, "This is everything I have on Lilly's murder."

He looks at her and takes her computer from her. He sees her trust in him and he is overwhelmed. Veronica goes to the kitchen and gets Back Up's leash. She looks briefly at Logan and then leaves the apartment with Back Up excitedly jumping around her.

Logan watches Veronica leave. turning his attention to the computer screen in front of him, he looks at all the file folders. There is one on each Kane, Abel Kuntz, Weevil and even him. He opens the one marked Lilly.

****

Veronica is sitting on the beach watching the ocean. Back Up is lying beside her with his head in her lap. He lifts his head and his tail wags gently. He puts his head back in Veronica's lap.

Logan sits down beside Veronica. They sit quietly for a few minutes and then Logan says, "I owe you and your dad a huge apology. I believed Jake when he said he had nothing to do with Lilly's murder."

Veronica without turning her gaze away from the water says, "He probably didn't."

Logan nods and says, "He and Celeste are covering up something though."

They are both quiet for a minute and then Logan questions, "You're sure about Duncan's epilepsy?"

Veronica turns slightly and faces him. "I'm sure. I snuck in his doctor's office and copied his file."

His brown eyes show his hurt at her confirmation. He has been Duncan's best friend since kindergarten and Duncan never said anything. Veronica reaches over and takes his hand squeezing it in support. Logan looks at her and they talk about Duncan's epilepsy. Logan asks questions about what the epilepsy would be like and he shares a story about finding Duncan choking Jake. He says Duncan didn't remember doing it the next day. He tells Veronica it was right after he broke up with her.

Veronica tells him about trying to talk to Duncan the night Lilly was killed and how he wouldn't talk to her. He seemed spaced out.

Frowning in thought, Logan looks at the water. He finally says as he looks over at Veronica, "Do you think he could have killed Lilly?"

Veronica slowly shakes her head no. She says, "The problem is the only reason I can think that the Kanes would change Lilly's time of death is to give someone an alibi."

Logan says slowly, "It would have to be someone important to them."

Veronica nods. "When my dad interviewed Jake and Celeste he knew they were not telling the whole truth and he couldn't understand why they wouldn't want to help him find who killed Lilly."

Logan shakes his head in consternation. He says "And then Jake made sure your Dad was out of office and someone he could control was in office."

Veronica leans closer to Logan and she says, "For the Kanes to change Lilly's time of death, they must have cooled her off so when the police checked her temperature, it appeared she had been dead a while."

Taking a moment to let it circulate in his brain, Logan thanks about what Jake and Celeste did to Lilly's body.

Veronica can see the acceptance in Logan's eyes. His gaze narrows as he thinks. He asks, "Why didn't you show the ticket to the police?"

A little defensively, Veronica says, "I didn't think it would do any good. I think the ticket has probably disappeared from the system by now."

Logan says, "Veronica, you may have the only proof of Lilly's time of death."

Following his line of thought, Veronica tells him, "I scanned the ticket and I backed up my files and put them someone really secure."

They are quiet while they both think.

Crossing her arms across her chest, Veronica asks, "Are you going to tell Duncan about my files?"

Indignant, Logan exclaims, "How can you even ask me that?"

Veronica points out, "Duncan is like a brother to you."

Logan thinking about how much Duncan has not told him says, "Perhaps not as close as I thought." He pauses for a minute pulling his thoughts together.

He says, "Ronnie, I think you should let me be involved with your investigation. I want to help you. I want to find out the truth about what happened to Lilly."

He tells her about coming back from Mexico early and seeing them at the car wash. Veronica frowns and listens as he tells her about knowing they were really over this time and leaving her a note and a shot class.

Veronica nods. She doesn't say anything. She shifts in the sand.

Logan notices her quiet manner and he says, "What is it Veronica?"

"You say you knew that you and Lilly were finally over? When you came back to Neptune and saw her at the car wash…" Veronica clarifies.

Logan nods and says, "Yes." He waits expecting her to discuss his lack of an alibi.

Veronica keeps looking at Back Up's head as she pets it. "Did you want it to be over or were you still hoping you would get back together?"

Logan looks at Veronica. He reaches over and pulls her onto his lap. He tilts her face up to look in her eyes. He says, "I knew that Lilly and I weren't meant to be Ronnie."

He pauses and says, "I don't know how to say this so you will understand. You could handle her wild ways and her 'Lilliness' because you were her best friend."

Continuing he states, "If she were your boyfriend and was wild, cheated on you and ridiculed you, it would have been different for you Ronnie. Can you see that?"

Veronica nods. Logan continues, "When you give someone your heart and they are not careful with it, it kills you inside. You doubt yourself and you become untrusting and unhappy. I knew for a while that we weren't good for each other and I just kept going back. I think part of that was the draw of Lilly and part was because I didn't think I deserved any better."

Logan looks away at the ocean and then back to Veronica. He says quietly, "I think I mostly kept coming back to be a group with you and Duncan. I felt like you guys truly cared about me and were like my family. I liked that. I needed that. I think I partially put up with Lilly's treatment of me because I wanted DK and you."

Veronica is watching him with her big blue eyes. He leans in and puts his forehead against hers and says, "When DK broke up with you, I felt our little group falling apart and I was scared. When Lilly and I broke up that last time, I felt like it was for good and things were going to be changed forever."

Logan brushes the hair from her forehead and kisses it. He confides, "I want to date you Veronica. I think I can trust you with my heart and you will keep care of it. I will keep care of your heart Ronnie. I think we could be good with each other. I didn't think I would want to risk myself again but I would with you."

Veronica throws her arms around Logan's neck and says, "Me too Logan. I'm scared but I want to try with you."

Logan kisses her.

The photographer takes their picture. He looks at the picture on his LCD. They look like they are totally in love. It's perfect.

Veronica pulls away from Logan and turns in his arms. She looks out over the ocean with Logan holding her from behind. Logan had his chin on her shoulder. He likes how she fits so snugly in his arms and she likes how protected she feels.

After a few minutes, Veronica says, "I really like your mom Logan and she has been really good to me."

Logan says, "But?"

Veronica smiles and Logan squeezes her gently. She says, "She cannot be allowed to interfere. I think she must be taught a lesson."

"I'm listening," he encourages.

Veronica turns her head and looks up at Logan. She smirks and says, "On Friday, I am taking Meg to her OB appointment. I was thinking you should come along."

Nodding he says, "I could."

Veronica smirks a little, "Maybe we could arrange for your Mom's favorite photographer to get a picture of us coming out of the office together without Meg…"

Logan smiles and says, "It's genius."

They watch the waves for a while. Logan says, "Let's go back to your place and then I think I will go home. I have homework and this talk was exhausting."

Veronica nods and says, "Five more minutes?"

Logan hugs her close and looks over her shoulder at the ocean. He kisses her temple.

****************

The painful but necessary discussion is finally over......The mood will lighten next chapter. Thanks for reading.