"Come on Veronica, it's only fair. I had to accept your friends. Remember what Dr. Klein said, everything has to go both ways." Logan stated logically.

"You like Wallace and Mac," Veronica protested.

"Yeah, they're great. But that doesn't change what I'm saying."

She hated it when Logan had logic, not to mention their shrink, on his side.

"I know, I know I said I'd go along with all this, but is it really necessary?"

She slid her arms around his neck.

"Please," she begged.

"It is," he replied, kissing her lightly.

Veronica let out an exasperated sigh. She decided he was enjoying this too much.

"I can't bond," she said with disgust, "with Dick Casablancas. I can barely deal with him when you're around. To force us to spend time together is just asking for him to get tasered."

"Come on Veronica. We both know you're going to agree to this eventually. I'll even do something you want in exchange." he offered.

"Fine. I'm sure you'll enjoy coming with me to that lecture on feminist themes in pre-twentieth century literature on Friday night."

A few days later and Veronica was at the door to Logan and Dick's hotel room, attempting to mentally steel herself for two hours and twenty four minutes (the exact amount of time it would take for Logan to return from class) alone with Dick. She concluded she would need something strong. Any hard liquor would do. She knocked.

"Hey Ronnie," Dick offered enthusiastically while letting her inside.

"Dick," she replied curtly, attempting to contain her contempt.

As she entered, she was pleased to see her alcohol-related needs would be met, with Dick already taking a swig from one of his flasks. She seized on the bottle of vodka on the counter. She wasn't normally much of a drinker, but she didn't see herself getting through this any other way.

Given that her and Dick's only common interest was Logan, Veronica wondered exactly how they'd be spending their time together. She was about to ask when Dick sat down on the couch and turned on the Dodgers game. Veronica just stood by awkwardly for a few moments before Dick looked at her, perplexed.

"So you just gonna stand there?"

Veronica reluctantly sat down. She had no idea how Dick was so at ease. It wasn't like he was fond of her either. She was just tolerated because of Logan. For the first hour, they sat in silence, drinking and watching the game. Then, as it became more and more clear that the Yankees were going to beat the Dodgers, Dick surprised her by speaking.

"Ya know what your problem is Ronnie?"

"That my boyfriend expects us to spend time together?" she asked sarcastically.

"Well other than that stick up your ass," Veronica glared, "it's that you make everything so complicated."

He looked completely content and relaxed, which only served to piss Veronica off.

"I missed the part where you became qualified to give anyone, but especially me, life advice," she replied incredulously, raising an eyebrow.

"Or maybe it is just the stick up your ass."

With most people, that remark would have been delivered sardonically, but Dick was as tranquil as always.

"Seriously Mars, you can choose to be happy or you can choose to be miserable. All you do is choose to be miserable and it kinda makes you a bitch," he offered matter-of-factly.

"Oh, so you choose to be a jackass? I thought you were just born that way. Thanks Dick, now I have license to hate you even more."

She really hated Logan right now. She was just waiting for one more word before she whipped out the taser.

"You know you aren't the only one who has reasons to be angry at everything. Shit didn't just happen to you. And you choose to let it control you."

He almost sounded sincere. Dick Casablancas with legitimate observations. This was new.

"You have to let it go Ronnie. Because it makes you rip my best friends heart out and beat the shit out of it all the time. And as much as it isn't fun when he's with you, it's even worse when you destroy him," he responded angrily before returning to his usual lighthearted tone, "Like seriously, he won't hunt for hot chicks with me and he won't go to parties. Not fun at all."

For once in her life, Veronica Mars was shocked into silence by Dick Casablancas. Of course with Dick, nothing could stay serious for too long.

"Well I'm glad that's done. Talking to you is such a buzzkill."

"I feel the brain cells being decimated with every word," she retorted with a slightly softened edge.

They returned to the game and their silence.