Chapter 21

Veronica and Logan were sitting silently in the kitchen still holding hands when Keith called out from the front door. "Veronica, dear can you come here?"

Veronica met her Dad on the porch. "Did you think of something else?"

"Honey do you know what you are doing?"

"Trying to catch a bad guy or two."

"I mean with Logan, you have been saying we and us a lot. I know things can be intense between the two of you, but I remind you that you are already part of an "us and we" that is arriving on a flight this afternoon. So again, do you know what you are doing?" Keith placed his hands on his daughter's shoulders and looked her in the eye.

Veronica locked eyes with her father then looked down.

Keith sighed and kissed Veronica on the forehead. "I love you kiddo. I'll call you if I find out anything."

Veronica closed the front door dropped her head and sighed. Did she know what she was doing? Logan had a way of consuming her entire mind the way no one else could. She hadn't even thought of Piz for almost twenty-four hours and it didn't even bother her, she was an awful girlfriend.

Logan was leaning against the doorway to the kitchen watching Veronica, even though she was still in yesterday's rumpled clothing she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. She had stayed away for so long but she never left him, Veronica Mars was imprinted on to his very soul, that is why he knew what he was about to do was going to suck.

"What happened at the law firm Veronica?"

Veronica looked up at Logan framed in the doorway with the sun shining in behind him, she actually felt herself go weak in the knees; she had missed him so much. "We had a difference of opinions."

"About what?"

"It doesn't matter."

"It does to me. Veronica what happened?"

Veronica sighed; she could already feel herself losing the battle so she gave in, "They wanted me to imply that you were upset during the meeting and that you could have killed Carol. I basically told them to shove it and left."

Logan moved to the couch and sat down and put his head in his hands. "Why would you do that? Why would you throw away a chance for a job at one of the best law firms in the country?"

Veronica went and kneeled beside Logan and put her hands on his leg, "Hey, look at me." Once those brown eyes were locked with hers she continued "I will not compromise the truth or my standards and throw someone under the bus just because it is convenient. And will not let anyone hurt you. Not anymore."

Logan cupped Veronica's face in his palm and ran his thumb over her check as she leaned into his touch, "Veronica."

The moment was shattered by the ringing of Veronica's phone. Logan pulled his hand away, and stood "You should probably get that."

Veronica's head was so fuzzy that it took her moment to register where her phone actually was. Once she found it, she couldn't keep the annoyance out of her voice. "Is there a burning orphanage somewhere and only I can stop it?"

"Well good morning to you too babe." Piz was taken aback by Veronica's curt tone.

"Piz" The guilt washed over Veronica as she saw Logan tense and walk back towards the kitchen area. "What's going on?"

"My flight's been canceled and I can't get on another one till tomorrow morning. I'm so sorry Veronica; I really want to be there with you."

"Oh, no. That's too bad." Veronica was lying through her teeth and she felt another wave of guilt engulf her. She couldn't end things over the phone could she? No, it needed to be done in person, she would have to wait till after the reunion, it might not be the right thing, but it was the compassionate thing to do for Piz.

"Are you sure you aren't upset?"

"No it's ok, I have case stuff here I can throw myself into to pass the time, and besides the big reunion stuff is Saturday night and you'll be here for that."

"Oh speaking of big reunion stuff, have you heard?"

"Heard what?"

"The lead singer of Bishop was murdered and apparently Logan Echolls is a person of interest, I mean that is insane right? That dude just can't seem to catch a break." Piz knew Logan was a touchy subject with Veronica but the gossip was just too good not to share.

Veronica's eyes grew big, "How did you, when did you hear that?"

"It just broke about an hour ago, it's all over the place, and everyone at the radio station is freaking out. Seriously have you not turned on the TV or the radio?"

"Nope, I've been preoccupied with other stuff. Hey I have to go, I'm sorry about the flight but I'll see you tomorrow ok." Veronica hung up before Piz had a chance to reply.

"Logan, it's out. Carol's murder, the press knows now, they will be coming for you as soon as they can find you." Veronica could not hide the concern in her voice.

Logan shrugged and took a deep breath, "Well I guess it's time then."

"Time for what?" Veronica walked towards him.

"For you to walk away."

"What the hell Logan?" Veronica stopped in her tracks.

"Look your Dad and Cliff are up to speed with what is going on, the security records will show I'm innocent but the media will still claim I am my father's son and you don't have to go through that, not again Veronica. I can't ruin your life and mine." Logan was staring at the floor, he couldn't look her eyes, he couldn't let her know he was terrified of facing this without her. He was trying to protect her by pushing her away, wasn't that Veronica's signature move?

It felt like someone was squeezing Veronica's heart in her chest. She knew exactly what Logan was trying to do and she hated it. "No."

Logan looked at Veronica surprised and relieved by her answer. "No?"

"We are fixing this, and then we are fixing us. I don't know what that means or how it's going to happen, but I am not walking away."

Logan couldn't help but smile.

Veronica started to pace "We need to find Don Shepherd and Carrie Bishop. But now that the press knows about Carol we can't really go snooping while being followed by photographers. I think we need to split up; I'll look for Carrie and Don while you go be impervious to the press. We can meet up and compare notes later."

"Do I have a choice?"

"Nope."

"Well then I will see you later." Logan followed Veronica to the door; he started to step out then turned, "Thank you Veronica." He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek then walked away towards his car.

Veronica watched as Logan drove away and tried to ignore how much she already missed him.