AN: Unfortunately, this will be my last chapter for a week. Family vaca and all that jazz. Also, you're probably going to kill me because I'm leaving you with a cliffhanger. Enjoy! And I'll have a new chapter for you next week, honest Abe.

Chapter 25

A month had passed, August had reared its ugly head, and summer was ending. Wallace, Mac, and Dick would be starting Hearst on the 28th. Stanford didn't start until September 19th, so Veronica was excited to spend more time at Hearst with her friends, before she left for a school 6 hours away.

Whenever they started talking about college, Logan became unusually quiet. Veronica had tried to encourage him to apply to college, but he said it wasn't for him. Their relationship was still going strong, and Veronica hoped that the distance wouldn't tear them apart.

Don Lamb and Keith had put the Fitzpatrick crime family in jail, and were awaiting the results of their secret case. Don finally found time to start Lamb Investigations, and he enjoyed his PI duties.

Lexi had decided to start her own travel company. Neptunians, both rich and poor, flocked to her to make travel plans. Don had asked Lexi to move in with him and she was figuring out a way to mention the topic to her uncle.

Sheriff Keith Mars was happier than he had been in a long time. He and Alicia Fennel rekindled their romance and with the income from his new job, he and Veronica bought back their old house.

And yet, life in Neptune could never be this easy for too long…

Dick and Mac were sitting on his sofa, watching television. Mac was fooling around on her computer while Dick was trying to fool around period.

He was rubbing her shoulders and kissing the nape of her neck, "Do you have to do that right now?"

She started, "What? I'm sorry, did you say something?"

Dick sighed and let go of her, slumping into the couch, "I'm like trying to be romantic, and you're more interested in your computer".

Mac looked at him, "I'm sorry, Dick. But the computer science program at Hearst is really intense. I need to make sure I'm prepared".

Dick smiled, "Baby, you're the biggest computer geek I know. You'll be fine".

Mac punched him in the shoulder, squealing as he grabbed her computer and placed it gently on the table, before jumping on top of her.

Veronica and Wallace were hanging out for the day. They were walking along the boardwalk, chatting.

Suddenly, Veronica pulled Wallace into a hug, "I'm gonna miss you, BFF".

"Veronica, Hearst doesn't start for another three weeks. And you don't leave for Stanford for weeks after that," smiled Wallace as she continued to squeeze him.

"Yeah but it's not gonna be the same," mumbled Veronica into his shirt.

"Veronica Mars are you crying?"

"Maybe," sniffled Veronica.

"You really are a marshmallow," Wallace shook his head and hugged her tight.

Veronica let go and swiped at her eyes, "Total marshmallow. Who's gonna steal all the records from the school office for me?"

"Just say those four magic words, and Wallace will be there".

"Smokin' Hot Sorority Girls?"

"Do me a favor," laughed Wallace.

Veronica clasped her hands in front of her, "You're just the best friend a girl could ever hope for".

"You remember that, V".

Veronica laughed and slung her arm through his, as they continued to stroll along the boardwalk.

"We've made contact," commented Lamb as he strolled into Keith's office.

"And?"

"He'll be back in Neptune tonight".

Keith nodded, "I guess I better tell…"

"He asked that no one be told. He doesn't want to face the press quite yet," interjected Lamb.

"Fair enough," sighed Keith.

Lamb walked into his house,"Home at last".

He wandered into the kitchen to see Lexi opening cartons of Chinese food and placing them in dishes. He smiled and kissed her on the lips, "How did I survive without you?"

"The real question is how did you survive on Hot Pockets and beer. Go upstairs and change. Dinner's almost ready," smiled Lexi.

"Yes ma'am," grinned Lamb, whistling as he left the room.

Lexi rolled her eyes and set the table, pouring herself a glass of water.

Lamb strolled back in, wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, and grabbed a beer before joining Lexi at the table.

"I really like this whole eating at the table thing," remarked Lamb as he served himself some Lo Mein.

"I know. We're so fancy," smirked Lexi as she started eating.

"So, I was talking to Keith today, and apparently you moving in here is news to him," commented Don, staring her down.

Lexi choked and took a large gulp of water, "Yeah, I was getting around to telling him. I just didn't know how…"

"See, I view it as you're too scared to commit to me. So maybe if you never tell your Uncle, you never have to move in".

"That's not…I do want…I don't know what's wrong with me," moaned Lexi, as she put her hand to her forehead.

Lamb's voice softened, "Lexi, if you don't want to move in with me, you don't have to. I just thought it was the easiest thing. You spend most nights here anyways".

"I know. And I really do want to live with you…It's just…what if you get sick of me?"

Don pulled her into his arms, "Lexi. You pulled me back from a very dark place. I could never get sick of you".

Lexi's eyes filled with tears as he kissed her tenderly.

Later that night, Logan and Veronica exited the movie theater and walked to his car.

"Logan. You do realize we just did dinner and a movie," teased Veronica.

"Oh yeah. So it was uh...what is the word? A date?" smirked Logan.

"I think that's the word…" laughed Veronica, "God, it's like we're a real live couple doing real live coupley things".

"Insanity," mumbled Logan as he pulled her close for a kiss, "I have a surprise for you".

"You fit a pony in your car?" grinned Veronica peering in the windows.

Logan rolled his eyes and opened his door, pulling an envelope out of the glove compartment.

"I have to say, this is already better than the gun that used to live there," murmured Veronica as he wordlessly handed it to her.

Veronica pulled out the letter and read it. When she finished, she looked up at Logan, astonished.

"The American Conservatory Theater. It's one of the best acting schools in the country. Bonus, it's in San Francisco which is approximately 37 miles from Stanford," commented Logan as she continued to stare at him.

She opened her mouth, and then closed it, and then jumped into Logan's arms, "I'm so proud of you! When did you audition?"

Logan hugged her tight, "They had open auditions in LA, a few weekends ago. They were put off by my father, but they said I had real talent. I figure, I don't have anything else in mind, so what the hell".

"This is a great school Logan. Denzel. Annette Bening…"

"And 37 miles from you," said Logan seriously as he kissed her.

Mac and Dick were playing video games after their intense make-out session.

Dick looked at her out of the corner of his eyes, sighed, and put down his controller.

Mac raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"I know that you're still getting over my brother. But do you think you'll be ready to have sex anytime soon?" replied Dick.

"I…I don't know. It's a big step, Dick," mumbled Mac.

He grabbed her hand and held it, "I know it is. I'm not trying to like pressure you or anything. It's just…I'm like a very active man. And all this making out, well it's putting a strain on my…restraint".

Mac smiled at his honesty, "Maybe we… work up to it, slowly".

Dick let out a whoop and pulled her into his arms, "I like the way you think".

Lexi was snug in Don's arms as he snored softly. Suddenly, this feeling came over her and she dashed into the bathroom, barely making it to the toilet before vomiting.

When she was finished, she brushed her teeth and stared at herself in the mirror.

"I must have a stomach bug or something".

She reached into the cabinet below the sink for some Pepto Bismol and her hand brushed a Tampax box. She frowned for a moment and then her eyes widened and she slid to the floor.

"Oh my God".

Logan and Veronica made their way up to his hotel room, "What's the curfew tonight?"

"Well Dad's out with Alicia, so he won't be home until way later," winked Veronica as they got in the elevator.

"Mmm. Remind me to thank Alicia later," murmured Logan as he kissed his way down her throat.

The elevator reached Logan's floor and Veronica pushed him forward, kissing him hard. Logan picked her up and wrapped her legs around his waist as he fumbled for his hotel key. They continued to kiss as he finally got the door open. He kicked it shut and started to lift up Veronica's shirt when they heard the toilet flush.

They jumped apart as the bathroom door opened and out strolled someone they thought they'd never see again…