A/N: I own nothing...well, I do own a new iPod Nano that's pretty tight, but I really don't want to lose it, so please don't sue me as I intend no copyright infringement with this story. Rob Thomas owns all the VM stuff and the rest of the pop culture references are just to enhance the story and help keep it in the feel of Veronica Mars, which had better pop culture references than any other show ever.
A/N2: It's been a long time. And the best reason I can give is that writer's block is a b!+(#. Alas, here's the next chap...finally. Thanks a bunch to all the PMs and emails I've gotten. I really enjoy getting a good kick in the writer's pants every now and then...does that make me a masochist?
A/N3: This is something a few of you have been waiting a long time for...And I think it might surprise a couple of you...
Mini refresher: Last time we left off with Veronica and Logan kissing in his office when her phone went off.
"Oh shit!" Veronica realized. "Logan, what time is it?"
"Six-fifteen." He replied. "You going to answer that?" He pointed at her cell phone. She cringed and pressed the talk button.
"I'm on my way!" She jumped out of Logan's lap to speak on the phone.
"No hurry." Wallace chuckled on the other end. "The flight was delayed. It should get there around 8:05 now."
"Oh! That's really good." She relaxed.
"You forgot, didn't you?" He challenged.
"No!" She defended a little too adamantly.
"Uh huh. You at least wrote down the flight info, right?"
"Yes! Gosh, Wallace. Where's your faith?"
"Do you think I should go with a suit or a nice shirt and jeans?"
"EEEEEP!" Veronica squealed into the phone and Logan looked at her in amusement as she danced around his office. "Did you seriously just ask me that?"
"Don't get all girly on me! Just answer the question." Wallace grumbled.
"What are you doing?" She lulled into the phone.
"Drinks at a hot new bar in the Gaslamp District."
"Suit, no tie. Make sure it's a nice shirt so you can take off the jacket if you go to a club afterwards."
"I knew I kept you around for a reason."
"Whatever. Call me with details!" She smiled.
"I'm not a girl, Veronica."
"Uh huh. Bye, Wallace!"
"Bye, V." Veronica hung up the phone and turned to Logan who had been watching her.
"Somewhere to be?" He asked.
"LAX at 8:05." She grinned at him.
-XOXOXOX-
"Logan Echolls?!"
The sinkingly familiar voice, so full of disdain and surprise, forced Logan to turn on his heel. "Piznarski. Of course, it's Piznarski." He realized.
"Of course what's me?"
"The guy we're here to pick up. She said 'friend'. I should have known when she didn't give a name that it would be an important detail. I mean, why couldn't she say, 'Logan, I'm going to pick up an ex-boyfriend who hates you. Maybe you should stay home'."
"You hate me more. And please call me Piz." The man with sandy blond hair acknowledged. "And what are you talking about? I thought Wallace was picking me up."
"He had a date and cashed in a favor."
"Of course he ditches me for a chick." Piz appraised. "Great. So, where is this 'she' you speak of. I assume you mean Veronica."
"Right over there with the flirty frog." Logan pointed to a brunette Veronica, talking to a tall twenty-something male. Logan and Piz moved close enough for Piz to hear that they were conversing in French.
"She dyed her hair?" Piz questioned.
"Wig." Logan replied, subconsciously adjusting his baseball hat lower on his head.
"Why?"
"Paparazzi." Logan answered, seemingly distracted.
"Together again, huh?" Piz switched his duffle bag from his left to his right shoulder.
"Yep."
"It's about time." Piz stated under his breath. "So."
"So." Logan replied awkwardly. They stood in silence for a while before Logan took pity on him. "Do you like being a DJ?"
"Yeah. How'd you know about that?" He asked in surprise before looking over at Veronica. "Oh, Duh. Never mind, dumb question. Of course Veronica told you."
"Actually you're kind of famous. Piznarski's Army on Rock 107, right?"
"It's only big in New York." Piz dug his hands in his pockets sheepishly.
"I lived in New York." Logan informed him.
"Are you saying you listened to my show?"
"Yep."
"Damn…But, you weren't like a regular listener, right?" Piz asked, his eyes widening in fear.
"Are you asking if I know about the Thursday Morning Beat Down?"" Logan questioned. Piz looked at him agape. "I'm actually a bit flattered. Most people don't have radio show segments in homage to their ass-kickings."
"Right."
"It's entertaining to hear people call up old grudges so a panel of people can bitch them out."
"Wait. You get that it's about guys like me getting revenge on guys like you, right?"
"Yep."
"You're not pissed?"
"As far as coping mechanisms go, yours is creative. And…it's funny as hell. My favorite was the guy who called up his old gym teacher."
"And the jury started yelling at him to drop and do forty?" Piz laughed.
"Yeah!" Logan nodded. "That was hysterical."
"Wow." Piz decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth, so he refrained from asking any more questions. He realized Logan was still only partially involved in the conversation and scanned the area to see what Logan was staring at. He was surprised when the only thing he saw in that direction was a cement pillar. He noted the frown on Logan's face and took a deep breath to stave off the awkward silence before looking over at Veronica. "Are they speaking French?"
"Yep."
"Wish I knew what they were saying." Piz sighed.
"Really...how are you?" Logan replied.
"What?" Piz asked.
"I'm good…Mars, how can you be good?...I don't know, but I am."
"Is that what they're saying?" Piz clarified.
"Uh huh."
"You speak French?!"
"Oui, monsieur."
"Does that mean 'yes'?"
"Yes." Logan chuckled. His chuckle alerted the man with Veronica to their presence.
"Qu'est-ce qu'il a?" He asked Veronica. "Il écoute notre conversation." Veronica looked up to see he had nodded toward Logan and noticed Piz was already standing with him.
"Oh! Sorry. Carter, this is Logan. And this is Piz. Logan, Piz, my partner, Agent Carter."
"Wow. A real live FBI Guy. What brings you to the airport?" Piz queried, holding out his hand for Carter to shake.
"He just flew in from Paris." Logan answered at the same time as Carter answered the same thing as he returned the gesture from Piz. Veronica gave Logan a severe glance, warning him not to give away his intel.
"You speak French?" Carter asked.
"Je parle aussi bien que toi." Logan answered.
Veronica's jaw dropped. "How did I not know you speak French?" Veronica quizzed.
"Tu n'avais qu'à me demander." Logan answered with a grin.
"Note to self: Learn French." Piz remarked.
"Sorry, Piz. I guess it is a little rude to speak in another language so other people won't understand you." Logan glared at Carter. "So, Veronica. Where does Carter live, since I'm taking him home?"
"Two blocks down the street from my place." She answered brightly, attempting to prevent Logan's mood from darkening.
"So, Piz. Where am I taking you?" Logan turned to focus his happier attention on Veronica's ex.
"Right. About that…" Piz stalled. "I was planning on crashing with Wallace." He laughed uncomfortably. Logan let out an amused breath.
"And I'm guessing your wife wouldn't be too happy if you stayed with your ex-girlfriend?"
"How'd you-" He started.
"You talk about her on the radio." Logan stated.
"Right. She's cool. But, um, not that cool." Piz shook his head no.
"Right." Logan nodded. "So, Piz. Do you have any checked bags?"
"Just this." He raised his large duffle bag.
"Okay, cool." Logan pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and began a call. "Hey, Trin. Okay, I know how you feel about me picking up strays, but this one's got these blue puppy dog eyes and shaggy hair. I just know you'll love him…Of course you are…Great…See you next week." He put the phone back into his jeans pocket. "You're in luck. Hotel Echolls is open for business." He put his arm around Piz and steered him towards the glass sliding doors that led to the parking structure. Logan spoke to Piz in hushed tones. "Let's chat about how much my girlfriend is going to owe me. By the way, Carter isn't supposed to know about us, so if you wouldn't mention it, that'd be great."
"Sure…I'm sorry, did you say I'm going to stay with you?" Piz asked curiously.
"Well, you're certainly not staying with my girlfriend." Logan smirked. "The first time that happened you ended up dating."
"Okay, but just so you know? Married. Happily!" Piz waved his wedding ring at Logan.
"Congrats." Logan released him as they reached the outer doors.
"Veronica? Are you okay?" Carter asked her as she watched the guys huddle together and walk away.
"What could possibly go wrong when my two ex-boyfriends decide to stay together?" She frowned.
"They seem friendly enough." Carter observed.
"Logan put Piz in the hospital once."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean he beat Piz to a bloody pulp. There were cracked ribs, stitches, and he was black and blue for weeks."
"Now they're bunk mates." Carter teased. She bit her lip in frustration. "There is another solution you know." He added. She looked at him with relief.
"Oh, yeah? What do you have in mind?"
"Stop hanging out with your exes."
"Very funny." She replied dryly. "Okay, Logan isn't really one to forgive bad first impressions and so far, he doesn't seem to like you. Might I suggest buttering him up a bit?" She attempted.
"Why should I care about his opinion?" Carter scoffed.
"Because he's a profiler from Quantico, and Hendricks is all buddy-buddy with him, and he has connections to Dr. Narayan, who could easily pull either one of us from active duty."
"Are you seriously telling me to kiss some pretty boy's ass?"
"No. I'm asking you to do me a favor and stop ruffling feathers." She pleaded.
"Are you sure you don't need to be pulled from active duty? You didn't even take a week off after-"
"I'm completely fine." Veronica challenged. "We should go."
"How's your shoulder? What's with the wig? Why are you here with Logan Echolls, anyway?" Carter rattled off and she looked up at him in surprise. "Yeah, I can put two and two together, Mars. How long have you and Echolls been dating?"
"We dated in high school." She replied, moving them to follow Logan and Piz.
"And college." Carter added. "I meant how long this time? I'm not stupid and I'm certainly not blind. I didn't miss the hand holding you two had going on before your eyes bugged out when you saw me."
"Look, that is NOT public information. And absolutely not to be talked about at work, you hear me?"
"You don't mention my girlfriend, I won't mention your boyfriend." He assured her. "Of course, same thing goes for your boy. We both know he was eavesdropping on our entire conversation."
"Logan won't say anything." She stated. Carter looked less than convinced. "You have my word." Once they arrived at the Range Rover, Piz and Carter both looked to Veronica for instructions. She opened her mouth to say something, but no sound came out.
"Piz is coming to my place, which means he's getting out last, so he gets shotgun." Logan announced for her.
"Carter knows, Logan." She sighed.
"Out of curiosity," Logan stated to the group. "How does a girl who can't keep a secret get into the FBI?" Piz and Carter each laughed once before she glared at them. "Piz still gets shotgun."
After they were all settled in the vehicle and headed in the direction of Carter's apartment, they sat on the 405 North staring at a sea of brake lights in front of them.
"Gotta love LA." Piz snarked. "Nine at night and we're stuck in traffic."
Twenty minutes later, they were finally driving down the street of Veronica's apartment. "So, Piz. You want to see my favorite part of being in the FBI?" Logan questioned.
"Sure." He answered automatically. "Wait, did you say FBI?"
"Make sure you're buckled in and hold on." Logan responded.
"What? Why?" Piz looked up curiously. The Range Rover darted across a lane of traffic and suddenly they sped up to around sixty miles per hour. Logan then made a highly illegal U-turn with very little slowing, causing the tires to screech and smoke. Everyone held tightly to their seats.
"What the hell are you doing?" Carter called from behind Piz.
"Who is it, Logan?" Veronica asked, scanning the area around the vehicle. Four cars attempted to make the same turn Logan just had.
"The paparazzi are now staking out your place too, Veronica." Logan growled. He swerved through an intersection and down a small side street. "I'm going to lose them." Logan drove for ten minutes, frequently turning back on his tracks.
"Can someone please explain how it's possible that Logan Echolls is in the FBI?" Piz requested, clutching to the door handle.
"Yes. Please explain." Carter agreed.
"What, like it's hard to get in?" Logan smirked as he swerved them into a different lane.
"Actually, yes. Insanely hard." Carter challenged.
"Hey, they came to me. And it doesn't hurt that I'm fluent in three languages, have a double masters and have some friends in really high places."
"Three languages?" Veronica challenged.
"Paso mucho tiempo, viajar, Veronica."
"Spanish? You've got to be kidding me. Calling Weevil a vato doesn't make you fluent, Logan."
"If you'll recall, none of the servants spoke English. I could speak Spanish by the time I was ten. Just because I chose not to, doesn't mean I didn't know how to." He grimaced. "I've ditched them. What's your address?" Logan looked at Carter in the rear view mirror.
"4322. It's in a complex called Rio del Diablo." Carter replied. Logan snorted a laugh. "What's so funny?"
"The Devil's River." Logan observed. "Developers in California are idiots when it comes to naming their properties." He pulled the Range Rover into the posh apartment complex and followed Carter's instructions before pulling up to a curb. Carter jumped out of the vehicle and bid a quick farewell. As soon as Carter began up the stairs to his apartment, Logan peeled out of the parking lot.
"Are we in a hurry?" Veronica asked from the back seat, glaring at Logan in the rear view mirror.
"I'm hungry." Logan justified.
"Sweet. I haven't eaten since noon Eastern time." Piz sighed with relief.
"Since when do you two get along so well?" Veronica mumbled.
"What's that, Sweetie?" Logan asked in a sugary voice.
"Nothing. Can we get something to go and just take it to your place?"
"Absolutely. Any requests?"
"Mexican!" Piz stated emphatically. "You can't get good Mexican food in New York."
"Alejandrito's or Roberto's?" Logan offered.
"The more authentic, the better." Piz declared.
"Alejandrito's it is."
-XOXOXOX-
Logan, Veronica, and Piz sat around the kitchen table with crumpled taco and burrito wrappers spread out between them. They'd spent the last three hours chatting about their lives and catching up. It was completely unnerving Veronica to see her exes getting along so well. "So, Veronica. How's your-" Piz began as his cell phone rang.
"Wallace." Piz growled as he answered.
"Piz! I just wanted to let you know that the sacrifice was SO worth it, man. Jasmine is unbelievably hot. And she's smart. And she's a Sharks Cheerleader!"
"You're an ass." Piz announced.
"You're the one who's always telling me to get out there. So, I'm out. And, oh man, she is awesome. And we're going out again on Wednesday."
"That's nice. You want to hear a funny story?" Piz queried, but didn't wait for an answer. "I flew all the way across the country to see my best friend. And instead of him picking me up at the airport, my ex-girlfriend's ex-boyfriend, who is now a current boyfriend again did. And since I didn't have a place to stay, yeah, you heard me, I'm staying at Logan's house. All that because my friend wanted to get laid."
"He got laid?!" Veronica shrieked.
"Tell him I said good job." Logan smirked.
"Piz! I'm sorry. But it's really not like that. Yeah, I accidentally booked a date on the same night you were scheduled to come in. But, I asked Veronica to pick you up, not Logan. And it's not like Logan isn't a good guy. Ask him to show you the room with the 360." Wallace was justifying. "Wait, was that them? They're listening to this?"
"Veronica is shocked you got laid. Logan is proud." Piz relayed.
"I'm not shocked!" Veronica defended.
"I didn't get laid!" Wallace challenged. "I went on a date. This girl isn't just some opportunity to get sex. She's amazing."
"Oh, so you're saying you love her?" Piz asked with a smile. "There's a shocker, Wallace is falling hook, line, and sinker for another girl."
"I didn't say anything about love!" Wallace groaned. "Don't get Veroni-"
"WALLACE, YOU'RE IN LOVE?!" Veronica squealed into the phone that she'd ripped from Piz's hand.
"Damn it. No. I never said any of that. Piz is just twisting my words."
"I can hear you smiling over the phone. You're so in love." Veronica grinned.
"I hate you." Wallace frowned.
"You love me." Veronica corrected. "So when can I meet her?"
"Veronica! You are impossible." Wallace moaned.
"Look. I'm calling to tell you I'll be up tomorrow to get Piz. I won't wake up until about eight, so I'll probably get there around 10:30 or so."
"Ooh. You can stay up here and hang out. It'll be fun. I think Mac and Dick will be up here again this weekend. And you can stay up late with me and give me all the details about your lady." She smiled.
"She's not my lady. We've been on one date. You need to get a grip."
"Can I help it if I want my little Wally-bug to be happy?"
"Never. Call. Me. That. Again." Wallace charged. "But maybe I will come up to stay. There's definitely more to do in LA."
"Yay! See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow." Wallace hung up the phone before she asked any more questions.
"Oh, did you want to keep talking to him?" Veronica asked, handing the phone to Piz guiltily.
"No. It's cool. Is he planning on seeing me?"
"He's coming up tomorrow morning." Veronica replied as Piz yawned widely.
"Okay, I'm beat."
"I'm not surprised. It's 3 am your time." Logan laughed.
"Man, it's almost time to get up." Piz snickered.
"You know where your room is, but if you need any towels or anything, they're in the closet in the bathroom." Logan provided as Piz stood up and walked out of the room.
"Thanks." He called down the stairs.
"Okay, Mars." Logan stated with a frown.
"We could have gotten him a hotel room." She supplied, hoping to steer away from an angry Logan.
"Why? You afraid he'll hear us?"
"Hear us what?" Veronica looked up in surprise as she cleared the table of the trash from their dinner. "Aren't you going to tell me how mad you are that Piz is here?"
"Why would I be mad?" He challenged, helping her with the mess.
"Because my ex-boyfriend is staying at your house?"
"Upon my invitation." Logan clarified. "I wouldn't have invited him if I didn't want him here."
"So then, why are you mad?"
"Who said I was mad?" Logan questioned.
"You sounded mad."
"I'm not mad."
"Who are you?!" Veronica asked, her jaw dropping. She stared at him, curiously.
"Logan?" He pointed at himself.
"No, seriously, Logan. You are like a completely different person. I mean…you're so nice. It's weird."
"So, what are you saying, I used to be mean?"
"Yeah!" She exclaimed.
"Gee, thanks." Logan grimaced. He took the trash out of her hands and walked into the kitchen.
"That's not what I meant." Veronica defended, following him.
"What did you mean?"
"You weren't mean to me. Well, most of the time you weren't. But to people like Piz? You weren't exactly sugar and spice."
"I've apologized to him for that." Logan responded, wincing at the thought of the beating.
"I'm not just talking about you beating him up. I mean, that sucked and I'm glad you apologized, but even before that, you weren't friends with Piz. In fact you showed intense dislike towards him. And now, you're acting like best buds."
"I thought that would make you happy. When I was mean to Piz, it pissed you off. Now that I'm nice to Piz, it's pissing you off. Is there anything I can do to not piss you off when it comes to Piz?"
"I'm not pissed off. I just don't understand. Why are you being so nice to him? We just sat here and talked for hours. Not once were you sarcastic or grumpy. You didn't pick any fights or try to back him into a corner or anything. I just don't get it."
"I'm glad to know you have such a high opinion of me that you don't think I can get through one conversation."
"See? That right there. Sarcasm. That is what I'm talking about. Where was that when we were talking with Piz? Or am I the only person who has to deal with your sarcastic wit?"
"Deal with?" Logan argued. "Veronica, you are the most sarcastic person I've ever met. I'm sarcastic with you because you can take it. No, it's more than that. You like it. You like witty repartee. It's why you never would have worked out with someone like Piz. He can't banter with you."
"I never said that I wanted to argue with you! Why is it that everyone thinks all I ever do is argue with people?"
"I never said anything about arguing. I'm saying you think you don't want to be in a relationship that's volatile, but deep down, that's exactly what you want. You can't handle being in a relationship that doesn't push you."
"Oh, but you can handle it? Because you were so happy with your last girlfriend?" She responded without thinking.
"Hell no, I can't handle it! Why do you think I broke up with her?" He dropped the trash into the can by the back door. "And why would I want to? I'm done trying to be in a relationship with someone who can't push my buttons. I know exactly what I want. And it's not some perfect little happy go lucky Susie Home-maker. I'm too jaded and way too screwed up to ever be happy with Mary Poppins. I want fire and passion and someone who won't just give in because of who my parents were or what kind of car I drive. And I know you want the same things, if you would just admit it to yourself. Because as much as you don't want to admit it, you don't want the safe guy. You want someone to fight with just as much as I do. But admitting that would be admitting that you've been wrong. And God forbid Veronica Mars is wrong about something."
"See? I told you you were mad." She defended her original position.
"You're the one who is picking a fight with me!" Logan countered. "And I would say I have no idea why this time because all I did was be nice to my girlfriend's friend. But I know better. You're picking a fight with me because you don't like to feel out of control. You expected me to get pissed off when you sprang your ex-boyfriend on me at the airport and when I didn't you felt like you weren't in control anymore."
"So, now I'm not just a bitch to be around, I'm also a control freak?" She growled.
"I never said anything about you being a bitch. But yeah, you are a total control freak. And I pulled the rug out from under you by not catering to your expectations."
"So you think I actually want my boyfriend to be a jerk?"
"If I play the jerk, then you get to apologize for my actions and come out looking like a saint." He continued.
"You asshole! It's not like that! I can't believe you'd even-" She argued as tears began to sting her eyes until she looked up and saw the glimmer in Logan's eyes. She gasped as she realized he was straining to hide a laugh behind his hand. "You are such an asshole!" She turned and stomped out of the kitchen. He caught her quickly and wrapped his arms around her as she struggled to get away from him.
"Veronica." He cooed into her ear.
"Leave me alone." She elbowed him in the ribs. "You were doing that on purpose."
"Of course I was. You said I'm mean. You know, you're cute when you're mad." He chuckled. She attempted to stomp her heel into his foot, but he moved it out of her reach too quickly and she just hit the floor. "Besides. I had two guys other than myself in my car tonight that have kissed you. And I didn't hit either of them. Aren't you proud of me?"
"Proud of you? You just picked a fight with me, blamed me for starting it, and now you won't let me go."
"You tricked me into letting your ex-boyfriend stay in my guest bedroom and spent twenty minutes flirting in French at the airport."
"Flirting?! We weren't flirting! We were catching up on his trip to France. I was helping with your investigation."
"I know what flirting sounds like. And you two were flirting. And if you wanted me to know what you were saying, you'd have conducted your 'investigation' in English. So I picked one little fight with you. You've been walking around me on eggshells all night like you were afraid I was going to explode. I messed with you a little. Sue me."
"We were not flirting. He is my partner. And have you noticed that you've completely skipped over everything that involves my married ex-boyfriend who you suddenly find harmless, and focused on the little, tiny, miniscule fact that my partner is single and hot?"
"Please, Veronica. You're not going to goad me into a jealous rage by calling your partner 'hot'. Do you really think so little of me?" He scoffed.
"I know you're secure enough to hear that you're not the prettiest boy in the room, Logan. Don't worry." Veronica smirked.
"Oh, you are so going to get it." Logan challenged, pulling Veronica's legs out from under her and tossing her over his shoulder. He ran through the door, down the hall and into the library where he tossed her down onto the couch.
"Okay, Caveman. Must you constantly throw me around like a sack of potatoes?"
"Take it back." He demanded, pinning her to the couch.
"Take what back?" She questioned, feigning innocence.
"You know damn well what."
"Oh, come on. You can't seriously still try to hold me to that. That was years ago, Logan."
"Take it back." He said plainly.
"Fine. You're the prettiest boy in the room." She replied as dryly as possible.
"Like you mean it, Veronica. That was the rule."
"I can't believe you even expect me to keep that up. It was a dare when we were 16! And we were all drunk!"
"And you agreed to it. So out with it."
"Fine. Logan? You are the prettiest boy in the room. You have always been the prettiest boy in the room. And Logan? No one on earth will ever be as pretty as you are." She looked up at him and felt the electricity run down her spine.
"And?" He asked, not taking his eyes off of hers.
"I'm not saying the last part." She challenged.
"Then you'll have to suffer the consequences." He narrowed his eyes at her.
"I'm not saying it because it's not true."
"How is it not true?" He pouted.
"No girl would be lucky to have you."
"Ouch. Thanks, Veronica." Logan frowned and Veronica reached up and ran her fingers over his creased brow.
"No girl would be lucky to have you because she'd have to fight me first. And I fight dirty." Logan attempted to end the conversation by devouring her mouth, but she pushed him away.
"Uhn-uh. Your turn."
"What was it I was supposed to say?"
"Don't even pretend you don't know." She contradicted.
"Okay. Veronica Mars is smarter than me." Logan rolled his eyes. "Even if that sentence isn't grammatically correct."
"Say it like you mean it, punk." She sent a light jab to his gut.
"No. That wasn't part of your dare. I was smart enough to put quantifiers on mine. You settled for the statement itself." He prevented her rebuttal by kissing her again. As he repositioned himself on top of her, he giggled.
"What's so funny?" She questioned into his neck.
"Lilly called us losers because our dares were so basic." He laughed. "I don't think she took our stubborn-ness into account."
"How so?"
"If she knew that ten years later we'd still be doing this…"
"Somewhere out there, Lilly Kane is calling us losers." Veronica laughed.
"I can live with that." He smirked and refocused his attention on her mouth.
-XOXOXOX-
Piz walked into the kitchen the next morning surprised to find Veronica hovering over her laptop. She was wearing a large sweatshirt and trying to type with her hands stuffed into the sleeves. "Work or pleasure?" He questioned. She immediately shut the program she was working on and flipped to see him. "Work, then?" Piz laughed.
"Yeah. Sorry, it's nothing personal."
"Nice wallpaper." Piz remarked with a blush, pointing at her screen.
"Yeah. Logan thought it would be funny for me to open my computer at work with that. It's his passive aggressive way of telling my co-workers I'm off limits."
"Did it work?" He still hadn't taken his eyes off of the picture of Veronica and who he assumed was Logan, kissing with very little clothing.
"Only one guy saw it before I shut the laptop."
"That didn't answer my question." Piz observed.
"The guy didn't talk to me for the rest of the day. So I guess it's possible."
"The guy who saw it has a huge crush on Veronica and yes, it worked." Logan called from the living room. "And it wasn't a passive aggressive attempt at anything! It was a romantic gesture!"
Veronica rolled her eyes with a smile. "So, Piz. I'm glad you're up so early. My roommate, Jamie, is meeting us for breakfast at Amandine Patisserie. You hungry?"
"Don't let her bully you into going if you would rather not go!" Logan snorted from the other room.
"What's this Amanda-whozit place like?" Piz clarified.
"Amandine Patisserie. It's an awesome little bakery with pastries that are to-die-for. Don't let Logan scare you. He's just anti-social."
"Have you not noticed the paparazzi stalkers, Veronica? I'm not anti-social, I'm intelligent. That place is on Wilshire. I avoid any streets Harvey Levin practically owns." Logan yelled.
"Harvey who?" Piz wondered aloud.
"He's the guy who runs TMZ." Veronica sighed.
"The 'I'm a Lawyer' guy?" Piz asked, referring to the TMZ television show credits.
"More like 'I'm a scumbag'!" Logan called.
"Yeah. That guy. Logan's not a fan, if you couldn't tell. But none of that matters, because Logan is going to breakfast and he's going to love it. Jamie and I go every Saturday that we're both home. It's tradition."
"Well, if it's as good as you say." Piz acquiesced.
"Better." Veronica proclaimed. Piz walked into the living room to see what Logan was up to, since Veronica kept eyeing her computer anxiously. He was shocked to find Logan sitting on the couch with four files opened on the coffee table, typing rapidly on the laptop in his lap. He was chewing on a pen and had a pencil behind his ear next to his glasses.
"Wow."
"Uh, do me a favor, Piz?"
"Sure."
"Don't read anything in this room."
"Okay." Piz looked up at the ceiling. "Wallace said something about a 360 room."
"Yeah. It's down that hallway on the right. I have PS3, Xbox 360, and the Wii. Play anything you want, just don't use my character on Wii Sports. I'm kicking Dick's ass in a tournament." Logan pointed, but never looked up. Piz wandered out of the room.
"We're leaving in twenty minutes!" Veronica called to him from the kitchen.
"'Ronica, can you come here for a minute?" Logan requested.
"What's up?" She asked as she walked in with her laptop.
"Have you gotten any more information on why Seth was in San Diego?"
"No. With everything else, I kind of left that on the back burner. I've got a nasty case to work on for my actual job. And I'm trying to find irrefutable proof that it's not Carter. Why?"
"He used his credit card at a bar in Neptune." Logan said seriously.
"Neptune?" Veronica asked warily. "Please, PLEASE, don't tell me it was The River Styx."
"No. Have you ever been to the Tidewater Tavern?"
"Maybe once in college? The name sounds familiar." She frowned.
"It's on the PCH and Seth frequents the place. He's been there fourteen times in the last six months. All six times he was in San Diego, there are charges at the bar. Sometimes 3 and 4 times a trip. So, he's either a raging alkie, or he's meeting someone."
"When it was just San Diego that was okay. But Neptune…that's too close to home, right? And only one of those times he was down there while I was too. So, it's not me he's there for…is it?"
"He's been in Neptune. He's stalking you. He's a trained FBI agent. That bar is like six blocks from your dad's place. I don't like this at all, Veronica. I think we should tell your dad."
"No. I'm not going to worry him any more than he already is unless we have something solid to go off of. Right now we just have him going to a bar. Is there any way to get the receipts from other patrons on those nights?"
"Do you think I can get a warrant based on this?" Logan asked sarcastically. "And after going through his credit card statements I'm positive he's not the leak. It took him six months to pay off a 42 inch flat screen tv." Logan scoffed.
"Now, now. We can't all be Mr. Moneybags." She teased.
"I'm not being cocky. I'm looking for someone who has a couple million lying around."
"Well, it's not Carter." Veronica announced, turning her laptop around to show him. "All of his bills at the hotel in Paris were paid for with his girlfriend's credit card. She's the reason I've been trolling the French gossip rags, by the way. Her name is Tulipe Raffa. She's the daughter of the former prime minister. [Author's note: I made this girl and her father up…mostly] Her family would not approve of her dating an American, seeing as how she is technically engaged to another man, one of her father's best friend's sons."
"You knew who he was dating before he got back? Why didn't you tell me?" Logan questioned, reading the information on Veronica's screen.
"I wasn't sure it was the proof I needed yet. And this thing with Tulipe is highly confidential. His family wouldn't be happy about it either. It would be like a Kennedy marrying some kind of foreigner."
"Like Maria Shriver marrying Arnold Schwarzeneggar?" Logan raised his eyebrows at her.
"What's that got to do with anything?"
"Maria Shriver is a Kennedy. Ahh-nold is a foreigner…and a Republican."
"Whatever. The families would not be happy. Her family might even go as far as disowning her. So they keep it quiet. Which means you can't divulge any of this to anyone."
"So you think it's okay for a federal agent to carry on a sexual relationship with a foreign diplomat and not inform his superiors?"
"Oh, come off it, Logan. He's not selling secrets to spies. He's dating the daughter of a former prime minister, whose biggest goal in life is to obtain the latest Christian Louboutins before they hit the shelves."
"You think so highly of his girlfriend." Logan mused. "If she's so shallow, why's your perfect partner dating her?"
"She's hot? I don't know. From what I've read in the magazines, she spends the majority of her time shopping."
"And gossip magazines are more reliable in France than they are here?" Logan asked pointedly.
"Okay, fine. They're not. But she's got a Paris Hilton-like status over there. So I'm just assuming some of it must be true. Besides, what really matters here is that Carter doesn't have the money. His girlfriend does in the form of a trust fund."
"Send me a copy of your findings. I'll put them in my report." Logan requested.
"Logan, I promised I wouldn't tell anyone about his girlfriend."
"Oh, so he'd rather get accused of treason than tell his superiors about his affair?"
"His dad is one of his superiors. And if this information gets in the wrong hands, then it's my fault. I promised him he could trust you."
"You shouldn't make promises for me." Logan stated coldly.
"I'll get you the information. But first I'm going to tell Carter."
"No." Logan snapped at her. She looked up at him in surprise. "You're not telling him anything. Don't you dare break my cover because you made some promise to your buddy about his girlfriend. I'm sticking my neck out for you, Veronica. I vouched for you to my bosses and if you blow my cover, it's my ass on the line."
"Okay, okay. I get it." She soothed. "I won't tell him. Honestly, it didn't even occur to me that I'd have to blow your cover to explain it to him. He's been my partner for two years, Logan. I tell him pretty much everything."
"Not this." Logan emphasized. "It's not just me who could be in danger if it gets out."
"He saved my life, Logan. Do you think there's any way to get around including this intel?" Veronica inquired softly.
"Look, it's not going to his dad. It's going to the director of the OPR. We don't share our files with anyone unless they can get clearance. And even then we're not very forthcoming. His dad won't come anywhere near this. Even Hendricks will only get to see the files with noted illegal activities. And lucky for Carter, French kissing isn't illegal."
-XOXOXOX-
"You need to change your name, Sugar." Jamie announced as they sat at the table sipping coffees and eating pastries. Logan smirked in amusement at Jamie overplaying his sexuality for Piz. Veronica attempted to chastise Jamie with her frown.
"Why?" Piz asked.
"Are you a candy dispenser?" Jamie asked with a flourish of his hand. Logan's egregious laugh caused fellow patrons to stare.
"Right, like I've never heard that one before." Piz rolled his eyes. "Would you prefer I go by my first name?"
"Yes, absolutely. What is it?"
"Stosh."
"Your parents hated you, didn't they?" Jamie condescended. "Don't worry, Sweetheart. We'll come up with something more appropriate. How do you feel about Mabius?"
"Mabius?" Piz frowned. "Seriously, you want me to give up Stosh Piznarski for Mabius?"
"I like the name Mabius." Jamie crossed his arms.
"You like that actor from Ugly Betty." Veronica corrected.
"Oh yeah! That's Daniel Meade's real last name, isn't it? He is dreamy." Jamie sighed and started humming.
"Jamie, are you humming Bizarre Love Triangle?" Logan raised an eyebrow in obvious disgust.
"Yeppers. I just love New Order. They're so relevant, don't you think? I mean, lately it seems like every guy I meet is some kind of romantic interest for the pixie. Ooh, speaking of all things dreamy, isn't that your ex, Miss V?"
"Guilty." Piz stated.
"Not you, Silly. Him." Jamie pointed across the room at a man being followed by photographers.
"Son of a bitch." Logan swore and stood so quickly his chair fell to the floor with a crash. He was across the crowded room by the time Veronica had the chance to see that he'd left. She righted the chair and apologized to the other diners, her eyes trailing after Logan. Piz and Jamie looked at each other then dashed off after Logan. Veronica followed cautiously, pulling Logan's baseball cap down low enough on her head to shield most of her face if she kept her head down.
"You need to leave. Now." Logan commanded quietly to Casey Gant, whose throng of paparazzi now attracted a crowd.
"Come on, Logan. We're just here to get breakfast."
"Look. I could care less if you want to take millions of pictures of me. Good luck selling magazines, because no one cares what some actor's kid is doing."
"Actually people are very interested to know who you're dating. I hear there's a reward for the first photographer to get the shot.
"I've looked into it. The only magazines publishing pictures of me are owned by Gant Publications. You need to take whatever vendetta you've got against me and shove it." Logan declared getting into Casey's face.
"Hit 'em, Logan! Hit 'em! We can get it all on camera so you can watch it on the news!" One of the photographers yelled.
"Why would I waste my time on a vendetta against you?" Casey ignored his 'friend' the photographer. "You're just some kid I went to high school with."
"You need to back off of her." Logan demanded.
"Her? So now it's not a vendetta against you, it's about a girl? Make up your mind, Logan. Besides, why would I care that you're dating some skank who sleeps with anything that moves?"
Logan stepped away from Casey and clenched his jaw and his fists. He took a long deep breath and then rounded back on Casey. "First. Don't you dare talk about her like that. Second. Stay the fuck away from her. Third. Call off your leeches. They are putting her in danger. And fourth. Get the fuck out of my sight."
"Why can't I talk about her like that? She's a tramp. All those rumors from back in high school were obviously true. She's a lying, cheating skank."
The moment Casey hit the floor pandemonium broke out. The photographers were shouting, the store manager was yelling for them all to leave, and people started pushing and shoving to see what had happened. Logan stared in awe as Jamie rubbed his hand. Veronica finally pushed through the crowd and made it to the front.
"That was assault! We have it on tape! Unprovoked assault!" One of the photographers yelled.
"What did you do?!" She groaned to Logan when she saw the blood gushing from Casey's nose as he pulled himself up off the ground.
"Nothing!" Logan defended, stepping as far away from Veronica as possible. "That would be the work of Rocky Marciano, here." He gestured to Jamie.
"You?" Veronica asked, wide-eyed. "You hit Casey?"
"He was talking shit about you!" Jamie justified.
"Hey! Aren't you James Covington?!" One of the photographers questioned.
"Somebody get him a towel!" Veronica barked at the crowd, pointing to Casey. The photographers just kept taking photos and running their cameras. The crowd watched in wonder. Piz asked the guy behind the counter for a towel and when he received it, he handed it to Veronica. She tenderly offered it to Casey, and he snatched it out of her hands and held it against his nose to stop the bleeding. "Casey, what's going on? Why are you walking around with the paparazzi?"
"They're my employees." Casey announced as if it were obvious. "We're just here to get some breakfast."
"All of you out of my store!" The manager yelled again, pushing people towards the exit.
"Employees? What are you talking about?" Veronica asked when they made it outside. "Can we all go somewhere else and talk about this? Preferably somewhere without cameras?"
"Why, so you can have someone assault me without proof?"
"What is wrong with you?" Veronica exclaimed in frustration. "I didn't have anyone do anything. I didn't even see what happened."
"That's enough. Get out of here." Logan stepped between Casey and Veronica. Her jaw dropped when she realized his low voice was ordering her away. "There are WAY too many cameras here. It's not safe for you."
"How is it not safe for me, but it's okay for you?" She hissed at him.
"Because I'm not a key witness against the mob." He whispered to her. "Take Piz and get the hell out of here. I'll make sure Jamie gets home safely." He slipped his car keys into her hand.
"I need to talk to Casey." She protested quietly.
"Not here." Logan stated firmly.
"I'm not happy about this." She sneered.
"I could care less if it means you're not getting taped anymore. Go. That's an order, Mars." He directed.
"Yes, sir." Veronica stated through gritted teeth. She turned on her heel, grabbed Piz by his elbow and dragged him away from the fracas. "Run." She commanded and led Piz to Logan's SUV.
"What did Logan say? Why are we leaving?"
"I'll tell you in the car." They made it to the Range Rover with only one photographer in tow. Once they were both inside, she threw the car in gear and they fled the area. "It's really bad for photos of me to get around because I do a lot of undercover work. He ordered me to leave." She explained.
"Ordered you? Somehow I don't really see anyone being able to order you to do anything."
"Logan is a superior officer." She explained without emotion.
"Seriously? Logan Echolls?" Piz mused.
-XXX-
This is the part where I BEG you to review. Seriously...what'd you think?
oh, and this was all done sans beta, so if my French or Spanish were off, I apologize. At least I took a couple years of French...Spanish I get from just living in Southern California.
