A/N: I own the air in my lungs, the blood in my veins, and the polish on my toenails. Veronica Mars, not so much

Chapter 14

Adam was already at his desk when Veronica came into work the next day. Throwing a quick hello over her shoulder, she set about firing up her computer and putting away her personal items so she could start her workday. She should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

Once seated, she heard Adam roll up behind her and begrudgingly complied when he swiveled her chair around so she could face him. "Nice try, Mars. You know you're going to tell me what that was all about last night," he demanded.

She shrugged. "It was nothing Adam, just Logan irritating me." When she tried to turn her chair back around he reached out and grabbed a hold of the arms, keeping her facing him.

"Uh huh. And exactly what did he do to irritate you? Because it looked like you were getting along great up to that point." His look told her he wasn't going to let her out of this until she explained.

Veronica sighed exasperatedly. "He just pushed, you know? I told him before we got there that our only task was to ID the man he met at the party. That you, Jerry and Marjorie would take it from there. But, he suggested we ask the guy to share his table so we could chat him up and find out who he is."

His eyebrow cocked, Adam asked, "And that was a bad idea, why?"

"Because that wasn't the job. He was there for one reason and one reason only," she explained.

"I guess, but that doesn't explain the hissy fit you threw. Stomping on his foot, really Mars?" Adam looked a little amused at the memory, but the fact that he was still using her real name told her he was still not satisfied with her explanation.

Veronica laughed a little, remembering her pique last night. "Okay, maybe I went a little overboard." Her laughter was short lived, however, as she thought about the end of the evening. "I really was mad at first, but I may have laid it on a little thick in the cab ride home," she admitted ruefully. "I told him he was putting my life in danger by being so reckless. He was always been a little overprotective of me, and I feel bad using that against him. But I didn't know how else to make sure he backs off from this party thing."

Adam nodded, then was quiet for a moment before he mused aloud, ticking off his points on his fingers. "I'm trying to connect the dots here. When Logan brought that invitation to us I was all for taking advantage of it. But, without question, I supported you when you didn't want him involved. Jerry had no way of getting an undercover agent into the party and also wanted to jump at the chance to use Logan. You begged him not to, and he gave in because he adores you, as you well know."

At her embarrassed nod he continued. "When Logan went anyway, you asked Jerry to try and scare him." Veronica looked at him in surprise and Adam rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Jerry filled me in on that right after Logan left. Then, when we needed an agent to go with Logan to the club, you volunteered so you could keep an eye on him. When he saw an opportunity to dig deeper, you squelched it. Why are you so against him helping us out?"

She tried to mentally sort through her reasons before she explained herself. Adam knew the basics of her history with Logan but there was a lot she hadn't told him. "One, and this isn't to be discounted, Logan is…unpredictable. He rarely does what you expect him to. Two, he has no problem putting his safety in jeopardy. He'll cross the line from brave to foolish without a moment's thought. And lastly," she paused, "I need to keep his role in my life very clear. FRIEND. I can't have him bleeding over into my work life. And I can't work with him and keep lying to Charlie about it."

Adam studied her as he considered her words, then asked, "Even if he could be a big help in solving this case?"

Veronica rolled her eyes. "Oh please, there won't be another party for three months and I really hope it doesn't take that long. In the meantime, nobody is dying. A bunch of rich guys have to pay to cover up their bad behavior. Cry me a river, but leave my friend out of it, okay?"

Adam nodded, but his look told her she wasn't off the hook yet. "Okay. But what else? Is there something going on between the two of you?"

She felt like she had been walking a tightrope since that moment in Logan's apartment Friday night. In the midst of their fighting she had been, as much as it chagrined her to admit it, incredibly turned on. Then it had happened again when he had used his pet nickname for her during Jerry's interrogation. Since they had run into each other again, so many memories had come to the surface, more than a few of them sexual. She hadn't talked to anybody about it but, when Adam asked, she realized he was the perfect person to confide in. Despite all his jokes and teasing, he was one of her best friends and the keeper of many of her secrets. Why not this one?

Veronica sighed and leaned back in her chair. "No. Yes. It's all just so complicated. There are all these different layers to our relationship. He's one of my favorite people in the world, and one the few that really get me. We have so much history together, but it's all ancient history. Us trying to be friends again is still so new, you know?"

Adam nodded thoughtfully. She ran through every moment she had spent with Logan since Judith's party, then asked, "Do you realize that, since we reconnected, we've seen each other exactly seven times, and four of those were connected to this case? When we're just hanging out and being friends, it's great. Weird, and we're still setting into it, but it's great. When he brought us that invitation it just...it scared me."

"Because you were afraid for him?" Adam prompted.

"No. I mean, yes, there was that element to it. But I was more afraid for us," Veronica admitted.

"So...you and Logan are an us?" Adam queried.

She shook her head to negate the conclusion he was drawing. "Not like that. See, Charlie is a kind of buffer and he keeps the lines between us very clear. But I wasn't sure we could handle being alone, and I was right to be. There have been a couple of moments that have been…intense. They wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for this damn case."

Adam nodded his understanding then said, "I get it, it's a sexual hangover. Well, you have a three choices. One, you dump Charlie for Mr. Intense." She glared at him and shook her head so he continued. "Good choice. Two, you cut Logan out of your life to remove the complication."

Veronica thought about what that would mean. She loved being around him again. They had so much fun together and were doing well before this damn case came up. Logan and Charlie got on great and she had to acknowledge how much they were both enjoying their friendship. Severing her ties with Logan would likely serve to harm his and Charlie's friendship, as well as their working relationship.

"I'll take option three for five hundred, Alec," she requested.

He smiled and clasped his hands behind his head, enjoying his moment as sage. "Hang out together more. Always with other people around so those intense moments can't come up. After a while it just becomes normal. You just have to give it time to make the transition."

Quietly, she considered this for a moment. Maybe Adam was right. They just needed time to adjust to their new roles in each others lives; roles that didn't involve them ending every argument in a lip lock.

Adam snapped his fingers and leaned forward, then offered, "Remember we were talking about Trent and I doing dinner at our place Friday? What do you say I invite Logan to join us?"

She sighed with relief, eased both by being able to talk, and by knowing Adam was there to help her through it. She nodded at him, and forcibly tamped down the little flare of thrill she felt knowing she would be seeing him soon.

The night at the swing club weighed heavily on Logan. He had manipulated a situation that had Veronica sneaking around with him, behind Charlie's back. Official capacity or not, that night hadn't been all about business. He couldn't get the image of how beautiful she had looked in her swing gear and retro hairstyle to leave his mind. The way she had danced, every movement in tandem to his, reminded him of other times their bodies had moved together. If that weren't enough, sharing the memory of dancing with his mother had turned their time on the floor into a personal experience.

The thing that Dick, and everyone else for that matter, had never understood about Veronica and him was that they were friends. She was never just a girlfriend, or just an ex. It was why he was so hurt when she ex-communicated him and why, after all this time, he could be content that she had found someone who made her happy. They had both grown up and moved on, and it seemed serendipitous that, in making his first new friend in years, he had reconnected with Veronica.

The problem was, though history had proven they didn't work as a couple, time hadn't turned him into a unic. He recognized his reaction to her for what it was; being her friend didn't mean he stopped noticing that she was drop dead gorgeous. He was bolstered by the realization that, without a doubt, Wallace and Weevil had experienced the same thing over the years. If they could ignore it, so could he. Though he had to admit that it didn't help that he hadn't slept with anyone since breaking up with that whore, Melissa.

Logan knew he had crossed a line on Tuesday night—he smirked to think of her stomping on his foot and storming away—and was worried that it had put their budding friendship in jeopardy. They needed to hang out with Charlie, free of this case, and see if they could do some damage control. It would probably help if he started dating again—actual dates with quality women who insisted on a courting period before falling into bed with him. At the moment Veronica was the only woman in his life, in any capacity, and that probably made him blow his physical response to her out of proportion.

After he resolved that he would call Charlie later and make plans for the three of them to get together, as well as find someone to take on a date this weekend, he got down to work. Of course, that was the moment his phone rang. After a moment his assistant buzzed through.

"Logan, there's an Adam Rogan on the line. He said he's a Special Agent with the FBI and he needs to ask you a few questions." The curiosity and suspicion in her voice had him smirking before he picked up the line.

"Echolls here. What can I do for you Agent Rogan? Besides letting my assistant start the office gossip that I'm being investigated by the FBI. Thanks for that." Logan's voice dripped with sarcasm.

Adam's feigned innocence didn't fool him for a second. "What?! Oh, I'm so sorry. I really did have a few questions for you and thought if it was a personal call you might not be able to take it at work."

"Yeah, because I work at McDonalds," Logan answered drily. "What do you need, the drive thru line is getting really backed up."

Adam gave a low laugh before extending his invite. "Well, Trent and I were talking and decided to have a dinner at our place Friday night. Jerry and Marjorie are working, but Rover said she and Charlie boy can come. Trent was hoping I could ask you since he's still nursing that crush. So what do you say, are you free?"

Without hesitation, Logan answered, "Yeah, sounds good. I might be bringing someone though, if that's okay."

Adam agreed, "Fine by me. Just do me a favor and flirt with Trent a little. I have a feeling it will make the rest of my night after you all go home much better."

Logan took a moment to process Adam's request. "Dude, did you just ask me to fluff your boyfriend?" he asked, starting to rethink the dinner invitation.

Adam's chuckle resonated through the ear pierce, "Well, they do say there's no such thing as a free lunch. Speaking of which, can you bring a bottle of that same wine you brought to Rover's? I think we can pair it with something a little better than chili. Say about 7:30? The fluffing I will leave entirely to your discretion."

Logan couldn't help but laugh as well. "Wine I can do. Have Veronica text me the address and I'll see you then."

As he knocked on Adam's door Friday night, Logan started to seriously question his judgment. He couldn't believe he was at a dinner where he had been asked to get the boyfriend of his host hot, or that he had brought-

"Logan! I'm so glad you could make it. Everyone else is here, already. And you brought a friend, great. Hi I'm Trent, welcome. Yeah, you brought the wine. We've wanted to have another go at this." Trent waived them in, his breathless prattle not letting Logan get a word in edgewise.

The apartment was a loft located in what was once a warehouse. It had high ceilings, brick walls and a homey, gorgeous decor that Logan's discerning eye could tell was done on a budget, but thought it was all the better for it. A lot of refurbished pieces blended in with items that were re-purposed for new uses, such as the old wooden windows that were backed with fabric and hung on the wall. Though it was dark he could only image the views the multitude of long windows on the east wall would let in.

He could see Veronica and Charlie in the living room, and turned when he heard someone coming out a door to the left. After a double take, he realized it was Weevil, with hair no less. He smirked and decided to great his old nemesis first.

"Hi, I'm Logan Echolls. You must be a friend of Adam and Trent's. Nice to meet you." He extended his hand for a friendly shake, which was ignored.

Charlie spoke up before Weevil could. "Logan, this is Veronica's friend from high school, Weevil. I thought you guys knew each other?"

Logan gave Weevil an evil grin before saying. "My mistake. Your kind all look alike and I guess the hair through me off. Finally got a job that allows you to afford shampoo? Wow you are moving up in the world."

Weevil sniggered and said, "Apparently not if I'm at a social event that includes you." He turned and looked at Veronica and said drily, "You know I thought you were kidding."

"That's what makes this so funny," Veronica deadpanned. "Hey Logan and…Dick Casablancas?"

"In the flesh, Ronnicans. How the hell are you?" Dick stepped around Logan and crossed the room in three strides, scooping her up for a big hug. "Damn girl. You look hotter than ever. Yeow!" Putting her down he looked at Charlie and asked her, "Who is this dude?"

Veronica looked like she'd rather crawl under the rug than introduce the two men. Logan knew he should feel a little bad for bringing Dick, but was also amused at how uncomfortable she looked.

"Ummm, Dick this is my boyfriend, Charlie McGeary. Charlie, Dick Casablancas. We, umm, we went to school together."

The men shook hands, Dick repeating the process with Adam and Trent after introductions were made. Logan could swear Trent blushed a bit when shaking Dick's hand. He couldn't help but grin, realizing Dick had done the fluffing for him. But, what the hell, Dick would probably be flattered if he knew.

Adam, who missed nothing, gave Logan a silently mouthed "Thank You" after watching the exchange, then made an announcement. "So, bad news all. Trent and I had a little miscommunication about dinner. Apparently we both bought the salad fixings but neither bought the ingredients for the main course. So pizza will be here in about 30 minutes. Can I get anybody a drink to start?"

Logan was pointedly ignoring the death glare Veronica had fixed him with. When Dick called Wednesday night and said he was in town what could he do? She'd find a way to deal; he was harmless.

Drink orders were taken all around, most choosing to pair their pizza with a beer. Once Trent and Adam were underway fulfilling everyone's requests, Dick turned back to Veronica. "Actually, Ronnie do you mind if we talk for a moment? You know, like, privately?

Her surprise was obvious on her face. Logan couldn't imagine what in the world Dick Casablancas would have to say to her after seven years, but he knew curiosity would get the better of her. Therefore he wasn't surprised when she nodded and led him to what was probably Adam and Trent's bedroom, Dick closing the door behind them.

Once in the bedroom Veronica turned to face Dick, making no effort to hide her skepticism. "What's up Dick? I don't do any pixie spy magic anymore, at least not on spec."

When Dick faced her he was serious, an unusual contrast to his usual goofy demeanor. He walked to her and stood a little too close, but she didn't want to be the one to back up. He seemed reluctant to start, but for once she forced herself to be patient with him.

"Ronnie, I know we haven't seen each other in a long time and I was never your favorite person. But when Logan told me you two are doing this whole 'friends'," his fingers did that annoying air quotes motion, "thing I knew I had to get out here and see what was up for myself. And to beg you not to break his heart again."

Veronica couldn't help it. She'd never seen Dick Casasblancas being anything resembling serious. She snorted. "Did you become a life coach or a therapist Dick?"

He frowned at her. "I'm not joking, Ronnie. Every single time you trample him, I'm the one that has to put him back together. The last time was the worst. He's been in a good place the past few years and I don't want your kryptonite affecting him again."

She watched him, recognizing the earnestness behind his request. He looked a little older, but it only added to his Golden God looks. Gone was the surfer hairdo and slogan t-shirts and in its place was short, sandy blond hair and a Henley that outlined the musculature in his arms and chest surfing had honed over the years. In addition to the furrowed brow, his eyes were open and pleading with her. Surprising herself, she took pity on him.

"No one's heart is getting broken, Dick. Remember, Logan and I were friends first. And neither of us would do anything to hurt Charlie. You don't have anything to worry about."

Dick studied her for a moment, then backed up a step and crossed his arms before continuing. "Okay. I'm going to trust that you mean that because, honestly Ronnie, I don't think he can take another hit so please remember that." At her nod he went on, this time with more hesitation. "And there is something else I need to say, something I wanted to say to you a long time ago."

She attempted to shrug him off. "Dick, I don't see any reason to dredge up the past. Let's just not go there."

"Please, I've been carrying this around for a long time and I really need to get it out."

When she didn't say anything he continued. "About six years ago, Logan was in a piss-poor mood and drunk out of his mind. He was going on and on about how fucked up—his words not mine—the two of you were. And he kinda let it slip that, um, Cassidy raped you."

Veronica felt like her blood was actually boiling. Her deepest, darkest secret revealed by the one person she most trusted with it, to the one she trusted the least. "Oh, he's the deadest dead man in Deadolia," she growled, spinning to leave the room. Dick's hand reached out and grabbed her by the arm.

He started talking fast trying to get it out before she got out of his grasp. "No, wait Ronnie! Like I said it was a long time ago and he was really drunk and broken up over you. He didn't even remember it the next day. He still doesn't know."

She stopped struggling and stood still to listen. "But I'm glad he told me. He also told me that it was our fault, with the GHB. I'm the one that fed you shots and put you in that room with Cassidy and challenged him to—" he choked up, tears forming in his eyes.

"I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean anything but I wanted to tell you anyway. I was an asshole but please believe me, I never would have done that if I thought Beav—Cassidy would actually go through with it. And I'm glad Logan told me because it was the first time I really got it, that whole 'actions have consequences' thing. I fucked up and I am totally sorry."

Veronica found she couldn't be mad at the remorseful man before her for actions he'd taken when he was just a sixteen-year-old kid. She had long forgiven Logan and Duncan their actions that night, why not Dick too? Why not let go of that particular piece of anger she had been holding onto all these years? She looked up at Dick and placed her hands on his crossed arms.

"Forgiven. And I'm sorry too, about Cassidy. I never told you that." She stood still when he opened his arms and pulled her into a hug, and when she reluctantly hugged him back she could feel the shuddering his silent sobs caused up and down his spine. Once he had stilled she let him go and he pulled up the bottom of his shirt to wipe his cheeks dry.

The old Dick was back when he cheered, "Okay, let's get this party started! And a gay dude's bedroom is like Vegas right? No one wants to talk about the shit that goes down in here."

She laughed, realizing Dick was in for a world of surprise this evening. "I can tell you for a fact that Adam would disagree, but yeah, this conversation never happened once we leave this room. Besides, based on past history I'm sure you are going to piss me off again and I really don't want this hanging over my head when I have to taze you."