Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars.

Chapter 23: The Outsiders

Veronica worked hard to remain patient the whole school day. Dragging herself through class, attempting to listen to her friends argue over which superhero was superior, and even take part in all of the above—it all took a lot of patience and energy she just didn't have.

"Veronica?" Wallace jogged to catch up with her after she bolted from lunch.

"What's up?" Veronica asked, slowing her pace just a bit so Wallace wouldn't have to keep chasing after her.

"You good?" he queried.

Veronica slowed a bit more at his concern. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You just seem a little... I dunno. A little anxious?"

Veronica smiled a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's been a long day."

Wallace nodded. "I get it, you're a girl of action."

They paused at Veronica's locker so she could grab her books for her next class. "How do you know that?" she asked, shooting Wallace a confused look.

"You did cut me down off a flagpole while everyone else stood around, taking pictures of me on their cell phones," Wallace reasoned. "Not to mention you're saving me from the bikers."

"Ah," Veronica sighed as she dug around for the books she needed for her afternoon classes. "Right. The beginnings of a beautiful friendship."

"I could hang out with the punks who laughed at me, or I could chill with the chick who cut me down," Wallace shrugged.

Veronica took a moment to run a securing hand over the pictures she'd painstakingly taped to the inside of her locker door before taking a theatrical deep breath. "The smell of common sense in a high school hallway. How... refreshing."

Wallace smirked.

"I just wish it was the end of the day already." She slammed her locker shut to emphasize her impatience.

"Yeah, sure," Wallace replied, "why wouldn't you want to confront some bikers on a beach."

Veronica smiled in spite of herself. First her father, and now Wallace. She wondered where she would be if there was no one around to keep her in check. "Sounds like fun to me," she shot back. She led Wallace down the hall, to their next class.

"I'd rather my life be a non-stop Nelly video than a reenactment of Tupac's death," Wallace mused as they took their seats.

Veronica laughed. "Those seem like realistic life choices."

"A guy's gotta dream."

Veronica sat on the hood of Logan's car, lips pursed, and legs drawn up to her chest. Her chin dug into her knees and her cold fingers found refuge between her legs. She wondered how long she could sit like that, staring out at the ocean, before her whole body cramped up.

"You're a pretzel," Logan observed from where he lay on the window shield, his limbs splayed out carelessly, laziness etched into every feature.

Veronica turned and pried free a hand to lift the sunglasses she'd stolen from the glove compartment of Logan's car just high enough so he could see her eyes. "Sloth."

"Wasn't an insult," Logan teased with a wink.

Veronica groaned to mask the excitement she felt at the idea of him being attracted to her. "You're gross."

Logan's ringing phone drowned out his laughter. "You have reached the office of Veronica Mars, how may I direct your call?" he asked, a smile still on his face.

Veronica smirked. Neither could deny she'd been dragging him along behind her since the beginning of the summer. At first it was because he had something to repent for: forgiveness to earn. But as the summer continued it became something else entirely. To everyone else, Logan was the leader. To Veronica he was a partner she could easy encourage to do what she wanted. He joked, made it seem like he was still in charge, but the easy way he agreed to her plans without too much of a sarcastic fuss was proof that it suited him just fine.

"Who is it?" Veronica asked as Logan's teasing tone faded and a confused expression twisted its way onto his face.

"Uh, hey, mom. What's up?" Logan blurted out.

"Mom?" Veronica asked in disbelief. Lynn almost never called Logan.

Logan ignored Veronica, choosing instead to hop off the car and walk halfway to the ocean before coming to a halt. She watched him pace, a small smile on his face as he conversed with his mother.

She was happy for him, she really was. And yet she couldn't help but draw her limbs in closer and huddle tighter around her legs. Where was her mother? What was she doing? Why did she leave? She knew her mother hadn't been happy. She slept all day, drank all night and alternated between ignoring and yelling at her father. Truth be told, if not for the occasional moment of tenderness, Veronica would have guessed that Lianne Mars hated her daughter just as much as she resented her husband.

Veronica turned her gaze away from Logan, away from the shame she felt of being jealous of him. His father beat him and now his mom was being a mom and she was jealous of it. He deserved all the happiness in the world. She just wished she could have that also.

"Earth to Mars?" Logan asked. He hopped back onto the hood of the car, his weight shaking the oversized piece of yellow metal. "Anybody home?"

"That's original," Veronica mumbled. "What's up with your mom?"

Logan smiled. "She was sorry she missed me this morning. Suggested a late night snack for some mommy-son bonding time."

Veronica nodded, assuming as much. "That's nice."

Logan's smile quickly turned into a frown. "Hey, what's up Doc?"

"Oh hey, Wallace!" Veronica cheered, glad for the distraction. She grabbed the manila envelope that sat beside her and hopped off the hood of the car. "Got a present for you," she said, pressing the security video into his hands.

Wallace's eyes widened as he felt the tape shaped package inside the envelope. "I owe you big time."

"Don't sweat it, my dad did most of the heavy lifting," Veronica shrugged.

"Oh no you don't. You really think I'm going to let you get away with that? That might play with the masses, but underneath that innocent, marshmallow-y façade is an evil genius," Wallace replied reverently.

Veronica smiled. "Hear that, Logan? Evil genius."

"Please, Fennel, this girl is all marshmallow. Wait till she bakes her snickerdoodles. No evil genius could ever bake snickerdoodles that taste so good."

Wallace nodded. "I'll need to try one of those before a judgment can be made."

"I'll see what I can do," Veronica offered.

"See?" Logan cheered, victorious. "Marshmallow."

"The only marshmallow I see around here is you, Echolls," a voice said from behind them.

Logan, Veronica and Wallace turned to see Cole, Luke, John and Sean walking towards them.

"I'm sorry, can we help you?" Logan asked. "Perhaps write a few good insults for you on an index card for you to memorize for our next encounter?"

"Logan," Veronica mumbled from behind Logan. This was the second time she'd found herself partially hidden behind him. She knew he meant well but it was kind of getting annoying.

"Yes, Logan, listen to her, would you? She's been licking your boots all summer to earn her M-R-S degree, you should let her do the legwork now," Sean said.

"Big words from such a small guy," Logan commented. "Do you think that if you were all alone, you'd feel the same way?"

"I don't get it, Logan," Luke began. "Six months ago you were leading the charge against Mars and now you're defending her? Madison told us what Dick said to her."

"Stop being such a girl, Luke," Logan scolded.

"Madison's a bitch, but she's one of us. Veronica's not," Cole pressed.

"One of us?" Logan echoed.

"Yes, one of us," Sean said imperiously.

"Is Veronica your new girl?" Luke suggested.

"Maybe this is a new reality show called 'My Skank'," Cole said snidely.

Logan ran a hand through his hair, his patience waning. "Goodbye, boys," he said flatly.

"Logan," Veronica tried again, setting a hand on his back.

"Seriously?" John pressed.

Logan took a step forward, away from Veronica's touch. "If you have a problem with Veronica, you leave. Actually, if you have a problem with Veronica, you're pretty much dead to me, so just like, evaporate or something, I dunno."

The four boys share a confused look.

"Dude, she's Veronica Mars," Luke said, suddenly unsure.

"We slashed her tires," Sean continues.

"That sounded illegal to me," another voice asked, once again from behind the trio. "Felix, do you think the sheriff knows what these upstanding members of society are getting involved with?"

"No boss, I don't think so," Felix replied.

"I suddenly feel like I'm in a scene from The Outsiders," Wallace muttered to Veronica and Logan as Weevil, Felix, and Chardo joined the party.

"Be cool, Sodapop," Veronica replied softly.

"What do you want, Weevil?" John spat out.

"For you to go away," Weevil said. He said it pleasantly enough, but his face told an entirely different story.

"Yeah right," Sean snorted.

Weevil frowned. Chardo and Felix inched forward menacingly, brass knuckles fitted on their fists. "Head for the hills," Weevil ground out. "Don't make me say it again."

Cole, Luke, John and Sean took a moment to share a thoughtful look before finally deciding it wasn't worth it. They collectively shot the bikers a dirty look before heading over to their cars and driving off toward the 09-er zipcode.

"The things you have to do to get a little privacy around here," Weevil sighed. "Now. About that tape."

"Apologize," Veronica insisted.

"To…?" Weevil asked. "Is this about what I said in school? Was that too dirty for you, V? 'Cause…"

"Not to me, dork," Veronica said, cutting Weevil off before he could piss Logan off again. "To Wallace."

"Right," Weevil said. "No."

"Fine," Veronica shrugged. "He has the only copy of the Sac'N'Pac video. Wallace, let's go decide what to do with it." She nodded at Logan and Wallace, gesturing for the two boys to follow her.

"Okay!" Weevil exclaimed. "Wait, wait, look, look. I'm sorry man, for, you know, taping you to the flagpole. I'm sorry."

"All right," Wallace shrugged.

"Can I have the tape back now?" Weevil requested.

"Nope."

Veronica laughed and Logan smirked. Wallace shrugged for good measure and turned to walk down the beach. Veronica and Logan fell in behind him.

"That was pretty good, Wally," Veronica commented.

"You're not the only one who's got some swag, Mars," Wallace noted.

Veronica smiled.

"So tomorrow's Friday night. Any big plans?" Wallace asked.

"I don't know. I might take Backup for a run or rent a movie maybe," Veronica shrugged. "Logan?"

"Maybe some surfing," he answered. "Dick's pissed I don't spend enough time with him."

"Who knew Dick was such a jealous wife?" Veronica noted.

"You guys," Wallace cut in, "are the most boring people at Neptune High."

"Did I mention the movie might be PG-13?" Veronica asked.

Logan rolled his eyes.

"Ow! Jump back wild child," Wallace exclaimed.

"What about you, Wallace? Is your life turning out to be the non-stop Nelly video you were hoping it would be?" Veronica replied.

"Hey, at least I want my life to be a non-stop Nelly video," Wallace defended.

"I tried that," Logan noted. "It didn't end so well."

Veronica nodded in agreement.

Wallace shot them both a disgruntled look.

"Ok," Veronica relented. "What do you propose?"

"How about something like this?" Wallace asked, pulling a small, pink flyer from his pocket. "I found it on the floor of the gym after school let out."

Veronica grimaced. "You want to crash an 09-er party?"

"Maybe," Wallace shrugged. "I don't know what an 09-er is."

Logan grabbed the flyer and scanned it. "Me," he answered. "I'm an 09-er."

Veronica rolled her eyes. "It's someone who lives in the prestigious 90909 zip code."

Wallace shook his head. "You can't even tell when it starts, where it is, nothin'."

"That's because it's all in code," Veronica replied. She glanced over at the flyer to check the info. "The moon tells you it starts when it gets dark, the hourglass indicates sand which means it's the beach, and the Ks and the 9s tell you it's more specifically the Dog Beach."

"And the little eggs?" Wallace asked.

"Friday," Veronica answered shortly.

"Veronica Mars," Logan whistled approvingly. "You can take the girl out of the zip code but you can't take the zip code out of the girl."

"Huh?" Wallace queried.

Veronica shot Logan a dirty look. "Once upon a time my dad was sheriff. Such a cushy job came with a lovely house on the fringe of the 90909 zip code."

"What she means to say is that once upon a time she was just as bad as the rest of us. Secret beach parties and all," Logan explained drily.

"I cannot tell a lie," Veronica said solemnly.

"So, since we know all this, why don't we, y'know, go?" Wallace asked.

Logan shook his head. "It's in code to keep the undesirables out."

"That's us," Veronica added, "in case you missed that little display right before the bikers pulled up."

Wallace raised his hands up in defeat. "Okay, okay, I get it."

"Don't worry, Wallace," Logan said, "we make our own fun."

Veronica nodded to emphasize the point.

"Can the movie be rated R?" Wallace requested.

Veronica laughed.

"That's up to Mr. Mars," Logan said, teasing Veronica.

"You sure it's not up to Ms. Lester?" Veronica shot right back.

Logan tried to pout, but the small, pleased smile shone through. Who wouldn't be happy that their absentee parent suddenly decided they actually gave a shit?

"So, the two of you figure out if we're doing anything fun tomorrow night and let me know, okay?" Wallace requested. "But I better head home before my mom decides I don't get to go out. Ever again."

"See ya Wallace!" Veronica exclaimed.

"Later Fennel," Logan said with a curt nod.

Wallace waved at the pair and jogged back up the beach, toward the parking lot where a bus stopped infrequently.

"Movie night at my place?" Logan asked.

Veronica shook her head. "Go surfing with Dick. Take Cass and Wallace along—male bonding or whatever. Mac and I could use a girls night anyways."

Logan nodded.

"Are you okay?" Veronica asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Logan replied.

"Logan," she sighed.

He dropped his head, staring at the sand as they walked. "They can't say things like that about you."

Veronica smiled softly. "No, but you can understand why they'd be confused."

Logan shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Me saying it before, them saying it now—none of it's okay."

She shrugged. "No, it's not. But they're your friends and you have to give them the benefit of the doubt."

"They're not really my friends," Logan confessed tiredly. "They just hang out with me because of my dad. You hang out with my in spite of my dad."

"He's really terrible," Veronica agreed.

Logan tucked his hands into his pockets. "If they won't be nice to you, then I won't be nice to them."

"Are you sure?" Veronica asked.

"Veronica, the only friend I really need is you. I'd rather have one friend who makes me happy than a million who bore me," Logan insisted.

Veronica couldn't help but smile.

Unfortunately that smile didn't last very long.

"Hey, Logan!"

Veronica turned her attention to the two approaching figures: Duncan and someone she didn't recognize. Why was it that everyone was always on the beach?

"Troy?" Logan said.

Veronica looked between Logan, Troy and Duncan, her heart beating faster with each passing second. She really didn't want to be anywhere near Duncan or anyone Duncan had anything to do with. Especially not after what she'd learned the day before.

"Hey man, what's up?" Troy asked, moving forward to embrace Logan in one of those one-armed man-hugs.

Veronica could feel Duncan's eyes on her. She looked everywhere but at him.

"Uh," Logan began unsteadily, "not much. I didn't know you were visiting."

Troy shook his head. "Nah, man, my family moved back to Neptune. You're looking at the newest Neptune High Pirate."

Logan's eyes widened. "Yeah? That's great."

"You still surf?"

"As much as I can," Logan nodded. "Listen, Troy, I've gotta go, but we'll catch up soon."

Troy shrugged. "Sounds good to me. See ya later."

"See ya," Logan replied. He nodded at Veronica. She smiled weakly at him and followed him up the beach. After a few minutes, they looped back up to the parking lot.

"Ice cream?" Logan suggested.

Veronica closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Yes," she blurted out. "Please."

Logan chuckled. "Your wish is my command."

"Who's that girl?"

Duncan lifted his head. "Huh?"

"Her," Troy replied, jerking his head behind him, back towards Logan.

"Uh," Duncan replied dumbly, "that's Veronica."

"And?" Troy pressed.

"She's my ex," Duncan shrugged, trying his best to end this line of questioning as soon as possible.

"Ex," Troy repeated. "She cheated?"

Duncan's eyes widened. "Why would you think that?"

Troy shrugged. "You didn't even look at each other. She must have done something pretty bad to deserve that."

Duncan deflated a little at this. "It's complicated."

"Well, she's hot."

"Complicated ex," Duncan reiterated, his tone steely and unappreciative.

Troy held up his hands, declaring innocence. "So how about them Dodgers?" he asked, if only to change the topic.

Duncan smiled weakly at his friend. He missed her. He missed her, he missed Lilly, and he missed Logan. He wished he could undo everything that happened in the last year. He wished his father hadn't slept with his girlfriend's mother 17 some-odd years ago.

But as much as all of that sucked, what really got him was how helpless he felt. Even if there was something he could do, it was like there was this invisible force holding him back. He knew he hadn't really been himself since before Lilly died. He didn't know if it was because of the drugs his doctor prescribed or if it was his own screwed up genes messing with him, but it scared him. It scared him and there was nothing he could do.

"They suck," Duncan replied.

A/N: Blah blah blah college, blah blah blah last semester, blah blah blah homework, blah blah blah social life, blah blah blah Jewish Holidays. I think that about covers all the relevant excuses for the lack of an update.

AS USUAL: thanks to all the readers and reviewers. I especially enjoy receiving feedback beyond "great chapter!" seeing as though full-fledged thoughts and criticisms actually help make me a better writer/make this a better story. Which is nice, I suppose.

OH. AND. This story is officially over 300 reviews. Which is bananas. I can't even believe it. Really. So thanks EVEN MORE to all you wonderful reviewers.

Love and Luck,

Gaby