Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, they belong to the creators of Veronica Mars. They are borrowed for entertainment purposes only

Characters: Lamb, Veronica, Logan.

A/N: Don't hate me, guys and girls! Please leave reviews. Truly sorry for all mistakes, I got back and edit stuff all the time, but seems like I miss some anyway. Please don't be afraid to point them out (especially grammar stuff). Anyway - have fun, hope you enjoy!

Veronica stood in front of her closet, feverishly thinking about what to wear. She was meeting Logan for brunch, but kept asking herself why she agreed to this in the first place. She knew him well enough to know what he wanted. He was going to ask to see her again, and she would have to break his heart. Not that he thought twice about breaking hers, having a fun romp around the cabin with Madison Sinclair. Water under the bridge, girl. You really need to learn to let things go. But she couldn't. Part of her knew, that Logan hated Don far more than she hated Madison, if that was at all possible.

She chose a simple grey T-shirt, a pair of jeans, and blue sneakers. No makeup, no perfume. Logan was already waiting at the table near the window. Here comes nothing, or more likely - a whole lot of uncomfortable talking, Veronica thought. She smiled and took a seat across.

They spent a few minutes of chatting about various neutral topics. He told her about Brazil - Dick, apparently almost got married to a lovely local girl, who turned out to be already married. They nearly got shot. Logan ended up spending most of their money to pay the woman's husband off, and ended up having a few beers with him afterwards. Veronica nervously looked outside, hoping that he would just spill it out so they could go their separate ways. Is that even possible at this point? It seemed like their history, the shared pain of their past - forever bound them together.

"Veronica, you look preoccupied. Everything OK?"

"Yeah, just being fidgety. Sorry. So are you planning to go back to school?"

"Dunno. I think right now I just want to do what I want to do, for a change. School never agreed with me."

"More like you never agreed with the school's policy."

"Something like that. You know I didn't ask you out for a reason, can we talk?" - he lowered his head, but his gaze was fixed on her face. Logan's "lets get down to business" face. Veronica unwittingly held her breath and nodded. - "You know, I can never make up for I did, how I acted. But I was hoping that there is a way we can try again"

"Try again?" - she knew she was stalling.

"Us. We were good together. At least I thought we were, until I fucked it up."

Veronica said nothing, searching for words Carefully picking them in her mind, before opening her mind.

"I wanted to ask, would you like to go out with me?" - he paused, studying her face. Veronica looked at her hands and sighed. Logan nodded. - "You are seeing someone?"

"Yes."

"Piz?" - Veronica shook her head.

"Is it someone I know? Someone from school? It's not Weevil, is it?" - she could see the tiny vein in his temple starting to throb.

"Yes, it's someone you know, and it's most definitely not Weevil. Quite the opposite."

Logan sat, stunned. After a few moments, he finally threw his hands up in their air.

"You know, I understand that I'm not your favorite person, but I was hoping that part of you would at least be kind to me. I realize that you don't owe me anything, but as a friend (can I at least call you that?), would you make guess until the end of my days on who it is?"

"Its Don Lamb." - Veronica met his gaze. Surprisingly, there was no reaction on his face. Maybe he didn't hear me? He blinked, moving his cup out of the way, and a small smile started to spread on his face.

"Funny, Veronica. Did you just say Don Lamb?"

When Veronica did not return the smile, his face started to gradually turn red. The vein became more pronounced, and she felt an irresistible urge to duck. Was he going to shout, flip the table? Throw his cup at her? But he sat quietly, staring at her in disbelief. Finally, his quiet voice reached her:

"Tell me you did not just say that you are seeing Lamb. Are you insane?"

"I don't think you have a right to tell me that."

"Lamb? Really?! I thought you were joking. HIM?" - his voice was getting louder, and a couple of people in the cafe turned to stare. Veronica grabbed her bag. She was beginning to feel anger rising up in her throat, but would hate to make a scene.

"Grow up Logan. I was hoping that we could talk about this like friends. I can see now that there is no point. And frankly, after your stint with Madison, I'm sorry, but you have no right to judge me on my choice of partners."

"For crying out loud, Veronica, Madison was a mistake. I never claimed to be with her. But you...Lamb?"

"I should go. This was a mistake." - she left a ten dollar bill on the table, and started walking towards the door. Logan didn't follow. Veronica just wanted to get in her car and drive, before he exploded. In all these years, Logan taught her two things - he was just as explosive in bed, as he was when he was pissed. Anything could happen. She made her way to her car, hoping that he didn't follow. No such luck.

Logan, grabbing her arm, spun her around towards him. Her arm burned.

"You are hurting me!"

"Him? Why, Veronica? Do you not know the kind of asshole that he is? Did he not spend years cuffing and arresting you for no reason whatsoever. God, Veronica, I would understand Weevil - at least that kid got brains and some semblance of decency, but Lamb?" - Logan was shouting now, and Veronica could feel the eye of curious onlookers.

"Please, Logan. Let me go. Lets not do this." - she whispered, feeling hot tears forming in her eyes.

"Do what? Break everything that we had in just a matter of seconds? You know, I really did think that you were something, Veronica. Something truly amazing, someone that I could look up to."

"I never asked you to!"

"You didn't have to. I would have done ANYTHING for you. Do you understand this? What can he give you?"

"Have you ever thought that people want to be with people not because they can get things? Do you realize that I was never with you because you could offer me things?" - Veronica spat back. Dammit, she was crying now - this was humiliating. She saw some guy starting to walk towards them.

"Are you OK, is this dude bothering you?" - the guy asked, obviously ready for a fight. Oh, God no, not this. Veronica smiled weakly through her tears.

"No, we've fine, just a little argument. Really. He is a friend."

"Some friend.." - the guy glared at Logan, who held the glare well. Veronica knew that Logan was itching to hit something. It will never be her, so any innocent concerned stranger will do. But thankfully, chivalrous stranger walked away. Logan looked at Veronica, his face still flushed.

"We're done, Veronica. Wish you the best with your sheriff and whatever wild adolescent fantasy you are acting out. Don't worry, I won't be bothering you anymore. Have a good life." - and with that, he let go of her arm and started to walk away.

Veronica climbed in her car, sobbing. On one hand, this actually didn't go half as bad as she imagined. On the other hand, it went terrible. She wanted to go home and cry on her dad's shoulder, but the last thing he needed right now is another remix of Logan-drama. And they weren't even dating now. She dialed Don's number, hoping he was not at the hospital yet, but then remembered that he didn't have his PT that day. The phone rang, but Don didn't answer. She didn't leave a voice message - the last thing he needs is to hear her sobbing over the phone.

Don looked at his phone - this must have been 5th or 6th call from Veronica today. His finger traced the screen, until the buzzing subsided. This would be the 5th or 6th call from her that he didn't pick up. Leaning back on the couch, he took another swig from the bottle - the beer was frosty and it slid down his throat pleasantly. This was his third bottle.

Just this morning, he woke up feeling like owned the world. Even though his leg was killing him, he felt that what him and Veronica did last night was far worth any pain or torture that his body can inflict on him. Still, the leg hurt like it never had before. He ended up taking two of his pills.

All morning, he was trying to think what kind of a romantic gesture he could offer to his favorite PI - flowers? Pretty cliche, plus he didn't think she was a flowers kind of girl. Pastries? That's an idea - that little thing really did love to eat. There are millions of women who would kill to have her metabolism. Jewelry - now that's definitely something he could get behind. Traditional. Something sweet and simple, but tasteful. He was thinking a necklace. By the time he got Downtown, he was ready to turn around and go back - even with the double dose of Vicodin, the throbbing in his thigh was torturous. But he wanted to check out the little jewelry shop that had some really nice things - he stopped there once for someone a few years back. Never ended up having to give it to her either - she dumped him for a football player. That's how he knew that the store's owners are exceptionally customer-oriented, and their return policy is quite generous.

He saw Veronica's car, parked outside of the Mugshot Cafe. He didn't want her to see him and ruin the surprise. Although, knowing Veronica, she probably already knew what he did, was doing, and what he was going to do for the rest of the day. He couldn't help but scan the windows of the cafe from across the street - Veronica was sitting by one of them. Don recalls thinking how beautiful she was, right then and there - wispy strands of hair framing her face, soft smile on her lips. How his heart made a joyful little jump, seeing her. How he wanted to forget the gifts and run to her (or more exactly - hobble pitifully across the street). She said something to the person across the table.

Don took another swig, feeling the nausea at his throat. Pain pills and beer really don't mix, but he didn't care at this point. His mind replayed the scene over and over: Logan, she was sitting with Logan. Smiling, talking. Like best of friends. Like long-separated lovers.

Don groaned, feeling stupid. What did I expect? You are an idiot, Don. At the same time, he felt like he was at fault for spying on her. After all, they were just talking. It's not like they were making out. Just talking, right? Still, he couldn't help but feel like he was under water, and the waves just kept washing over his head. He never thought himself to be a jealous type, but when it came to Veronica - well that was a whole different roller-coaster to ride. The worst of all, deep down, he knew that he is not good enough for Veronica. He will never be good enough for her. All he can offer her is a drunk failed ex-cop who can barely walk. Sure, the sex was fantastic, but she will get her fill eventually and will be off looking for something of substance. And he wouldn't blame her. Of course, that didn't mean that he was going to be happy about it.

He spent the rest of the day sitting in the empty apartment, drinking beer and dodging her calls. When he heard a knock on the door, he didn't want to answer it, but whoever it was - kept knocking. Then the knocking turned to banging and he heard Veronica's voice:

"Don, I know you are home. If you won't open, I'll assume you are hurt. and you know I will break down the door."

He sighed, and put his beer down. His legs carried him to the door - he felt nauseated again. A few seconds later he found himself face to face with an angry blond:

"Really Don? I tried calling you like ten times. I don't want to be that kind of a girl, but I really thought something happened to you." - she walked inside, without asking for permission to come in. Don just stood back - the room was swaying just enough to know that he was well-past the stage where he could hide that he was drinking. Plus, the bottles on the floor of the living room were a dead giveaway. Veronica stopped short, seeing the remnants of the one-man party on the floor.

"Are you serious?" - she slowly turned around, her face twisted in disbelief. He shrugged and watched her slowly weave between the bottles and snack wrappers on the floor, as if they were field mines, and sit on the couch. Her face looked stricken. - "How long?"

"How long what?"

"How long have you been back to drinking?"

"Just today. Didn't have a good day."

"You could have called me."

"You were busy." - he felt the wave of jealousy rise up again. He wanted to say something nasty and hurtful, but the sadness in her eyes stopped him.

"Busy? What are you talking about? I called you several times. I could have used you being there, you know." - she looked around helplessly - "And this..I don't even know what to say. What can I say to make you seek help?"

"Help? With what? With being pissed?" - he narrowed his eyes and shut the door.

"Look, I know this sucks. You get shot and everything is upside down. I can't claim to know what you are going through, but trust me I know how it feels when your life is turned on it's head. Please? Lets talk about this."

"I think you misunderstood me. I'm not pissed about being shot - I couldn't care less about my job or this town. The one thing that I had going for me was you - ONE thing. Yeah, I am pissed. I am pissed at you hanging out with the Echolls kid without telling me. I hope you had a good time." - He leaned against the wall for support. Her lips pressed together, she studied him.

"Were you spying on me?"

"No, just happened to be in the neighborhood."

"We just met for coffee. That's all. We used to be friends, you know. Is this going to be a problem?"

"You tell me. IS there a problem?"

"Yes, there is. You - drinking, that's a problem. I can't, no I won't deal with this again."

"Is this an ultimatum?"

"No. I need you to understand that I cannot be around this - you know my mother, you know what happened and how she was. Not again, not me, not my father."

"It's just one drink, Veronica, for fuck's sake! I was upset, and I made a mistake."

Veronica lowered her head. The words rang hollow - she heard them before. She heard the excuses from her own mother, when her dad confronted her. She heard the promises that were never followed up with anything. Not again. She felt helpless and rejected.

"Don, I don't know what I can say or do, but I want you to find an AA group. This, us, is never going to be unless you can do this, do you understand?" - she looked him straight in the eye, unwavering. He started back at her, defiant. The booze was telling him that Veronica was overreacting. His heart was filled with anger - she never did explain the Logan thing. And his logic told him - let her go, Don. Before you break her, let her go.

Don held her stare, but said nothing. He felt like a fog surrounded him. His mind was flooded with images from his past: how he verbally abused this girl for years, how he failed on so many counts in his life, how he failed to just man up and tell her to scram from the beginning. Even if he did clean up, even if he did not have another drink in his life - he will eventually screw up. He will rob of her of every potential she has, just like his father did to his mom. He will smother that bright light with his life's baggage. So he said nothing, and simply looked at her face. The tears running down her cheeks broke his heart, but he said nothing.

"Well, then, I see your answer is clear. I thought this meant something to you. I guess I was wrong." - she said, standing up. Don, numbly, watched her walk towards the front door. It hurt more than he could ever imagine something like this hurting. But this was the right thing to do - let her walk her be free of you and your bullshit, Don. Don't break her like you got broken.

He was still standing by the wall near the front door long after Veronica left. Her light scent was disappearing from the air. Don stared at the floor - starting to sober up. He dragged his body to the couch and looked at the remaining bottles.

"Well, then, looks like we are done, after all." - the cap twisted off with ease, and a slight "whoosh" escaped it. Don saluted into the air and took another swig.