Chapter 5

The sun rose slowly into the dull morning sky. The clock's small hand settled on the large, black eight. Veronica stirred, opening her eyes only slightly. She reached out her arm and felt the emptiness of the pillow next to her. Logan already left for the day. Veronica begrudgingly rolled out of bed and with her covers still wrapped around her body; she slowly and sluggishly wobbled over to her light-switch on the wall to flip it up. Her eyes were blinded for a second until they readjusted to the brightness. A folded note had been placed on top of her nightstand.

You know how the Armed Forces love punctuality. You looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you. Dreams of me, I hope.

I'll be back at seven sharp.

Love,

L

She let the note fall by the wastebasket. Mounds of wrinkled, balled-up clothes were covering the floor. She decided to bend down and pick something up from the pile of clean shirts that had accumulated by the dresser. The only real disheveled room in the house; Veronica rarely had time putting clothes away in their designated drawers or rack. She jokingly blamed Logan. What could have been spent cleaning was willingly sacrificed for more one-on-one time with him.

In her hands was a black v-neck t-shirt. She grabbed the rest of her clothes for the day, got dressed, and made her way over to the floor length mirror in the L-shape walk-in closet. On top of her bureau, she grabbed Lilly's necklace from the jewelry tree and placed it around her neck. A picture of the four of them from sophomore year was attached to the edge of the mirror. Lilly, forever sixteen.

Veronica ambled down the stairs to make some coffee. These were the mornings she hated, waking up alone with only Pony to keep her company. Veronica had the relief in knowing Logan would be back at night, but that wouldn't always be true. There was a hanging calendar in the kitchen to remind Veronica the exact countdown. The front cover was humorously titled Gnome Sweet Gnome. Each month had an image of a gnome, who Veronica aptly named Gnome Chomsky, in compromising positions. May's month depicted Chomsky next to a tiny mailbox with its pants down, mooning the viewer. A silly way to take her mind off of what she was actually doing. The little white boxes marking each date were mostly X-ed out. Veronica grabbed a Sharpie from the counter and crossed the 19th off. The third week in May was almost over.

Her iPhone then buzzed unexpectedly with a text sent by Dick Casablancas. If Dick was up at that hour, he had gone out to surf early.

*Saturday's Armed Forces Day. We should plan something.*

Veronica had to re-read the text three times to make sure Dick did in fact propose they willingly work together.

He sent another message in quick succession. *I recommend multi Tequila Sunrises at the 09er.* Of course, any idea he had involved getting wasted. His coping mechanism besides attending his once a week therapy sessions with Dr. Jenkins and consuming pot brownies.

Veronica suggested something a little more sophisticated and Dick surprisingly agreed.

A little over an hour later, Veronica got into her car and drove in the direction of the Warehouse District. Even with Marcie's case, Veronica still had other assignments. At the office, she had a meeting with a client about alimony reduction while Keith worked on finding a fifteen year old runaway. Veronica's task was a simple way to make a few extra bills. Her student loan debt still mocked her. The steady monthly payments seemed to make no real dent. Veronica tried to imagine herself as the high-powered lawyer living comfortably with no debts and a luxurious apartment on the Upper East Side. The vision seemed more and more ludicrous as the time wore on. She was perfectly happy, wasn't she? Yet, sometimes it felt like eating coffee ice-cream, sweet but with a bitter aftertaste.

*x**x**x**x*

Veronica walked down the familiar hallway and entered into the Sheriff's Department. Four officers previously hired by Lamb sat at their desks working on computers. A tall, muscular officer manned the wooden reception desk. He looked bored, half paying attention to his surroundings. Slumped forward over the table, he rested his head on his hand while the other tapped out a rhythm.

Marcia Langdon was out on her twelve o'clock lunch break, giving Veronica ample time to speak to Norris Clayton and get what she came for.

"Hi, stranger." She smiled crookedly. The man looked up, apprehensively, at the tiny blonde. "They got you on receptionist duties, huh? What's next? Forcing you to wear Clete, the crime-fighting canine costume, while visiting all the schools on Friday?"

"Shit, I hope not. That's among my worst nightmares." Norris smirked. "What can I do for you, Veronica? Paying off a parking ticket?"

"Oh, no. Actually, I was hoping for a small favor." Veronica held out her hand in demonstration with the thumb and index finger almost touching. "Like this tiny."

"Ah," Norris scratched his head; his welcoming smile faded. "What do you need?"

"Could I get a word in with Gonzo? The biker Lyles arrested a few days ago. He's still here, right?"

"Yeah." Norris loosened up. "You picked a good time to drop by. I may be able to get you a few minutes with him. What's it about?"

"His clientele. It's for a case."

Norris jerked his head over to the left. "Follow me." Veronica went though the cramped, narrow pathway that led to the back where the holding cells were located. They were six by eight feet, dingy, unkempt, and devoid of any commodities except a bunk-bed, metal sink and toilet. Each one was occupied. "I warn you," Norris continued, "he's not exactly Chatty Kathy, won't speak unless his lawyer is present." Norris pointed Veronica to the second one on the left where a short, burly man with a crew-cut and goatee laid flat on the bottom cot. He wore baggy jeans and a stained wife-beater. His left arm was completely tatted up with words and symbols.

"You must be Gonzo." She made sure to stand behind the red line. Norris walked away, giving her privacy.

Theo Gonzalez stood up and grimaced. His beady eyes scanned her figure approvingly. "Veronica Mars. Did Weevil send you?"

"Not exactly. I was hoping you could help me with something."

"I think you must be confused. I'm the one here behind bars. How can you help me?"

"Do I look like Rich Uncle Pennybags?" Veronica pulled out her empty pockets. "Sorry, I have no get-out-of-jail-free cards to give out today." Veronica stuck her hand inside her bag and took out two photographs. "Do you recognize these faces?"

"Now, why would I tell you anything?" He narrowed his eyes and scowled.

"You have a mother and younger brother. I can bet they knew what was going on with your little side business. I can make sure Langdon doesn't put your bro behind bars too, unless you wanna be bunk-mates. I can help arrange that."

Gonzo still remained quiet. He wasn't going to budge.

"Did you sell drugs to these two?" Veronica put the pictures away and crossed her arms. She added matter-of-factly, "You know, I could do a lot worst." Patience wasn't one of her virtues.

Gonzo must have noticed the look in her eye because he finally opened his mouth after two, long minutes of silence. "Look here, I never saw them. They didn't buy anything from me personally...but my coked-up Ex might know."

Veronica was intrigued. "Why do you say that?"

"Ask her yourself." He then sat back down on his cot and ignored Veronica.

*x**x**x**x*

When Logan finally arrived at the house, he was exhausted but cheery. "Hi honey, I'm home! Where's my meat-loaf!"

Veronica greeted him by rolling her eyes. "I forgot to put on my poodle skirt and bake it, but there's pizza on the kitchen table."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, I'm gonna take a shower and change first. You're welcomed to join me."

"As tempting as that sounds..." Veronica peered back at the coffee table in the living room where files were spread out while her laptop synced up with data from a flash drive. "...I have work to do."

"All work and no play..."

"Shut up." Veronica cut him off while pushing him towards the staircase.

An hour or so later, he joined her on the couch with a plate of pizza and a glass of water. He wore expensive gray sweats and a navy blue t-shirt. After taking a bite of pepperoni, he grabbed the remote and put the Padres vs Diamondbacks game on as background noise.

"Anything exciting happen today?" He asked, sincerely, after taking a few more bites of pizza.

"Um-m, I was at the station for a little while."

"You get caught for something?" Logan looked genuinely shocked for a half a second.

"Like I'd let that happen again. I was trying to see if that biker sold drugs to Connor or Leah to no avail. I feel like Alice meeting all these strange characters and getting no where. It's entirely frustrating." She hadn't had the chance to question Gonzo's ex-wife yet. Her side assignments had taken focus for the majority of the day.

Logan took a sip of water. "So, if you're Alice, what does that make me?"

Veronica chuckled. "The Knave of Hearts, obviously."

"Damn it." Logan heavily sighed and pushed his empty plate away. "Want some good news for once?"

Veronica gasped and clapped her hands together. "Gilmore Girls is being made into a movie!?"

"What? No."

"You got tickets to the special Rococo exhibition at the Getty?"

"Not exactly, but I'll go with you."

Veronica shrugged. "I give up."

"I'll have the whole Saturday off... so if you want, we can stare at paintings all day."

"This Saturday?" She faced him with a mischievous look. "I have something else planned."

"You have a meeting with a mad man who owns wacky hats?"

Veronica inched closer. "Actually, it's a surprise for you."

"My interest is piqued. Do I get a hint?"

She put her arms around his neck. Veronica's lips were then on his. They both instantly got swept up in the moment.

When the game ended, the late night news started on the TV channel. A reporter began detailing a new update referring to Connor Larkin. The news had broke on Marcie's pregnancy. Veronica had just visited Marcie Jacobs on Tuesday who was still cooped up in the presidential suite at the Neptune Grand, avoiding the paparazzi like the plague. The young actress hadn't even started to show, which only meant someone close to her had leaked the information to the press.

*Update: What has been seen by many as a devastating tragedy in Hollywood, an independent source has now confirmed the late actor's long time girlfriend, Marcie Jacobs, is pregnant with his child. Miss. Jacobs has yet to comment...*

Logan broke apart their embrace, turning his attention to the screen. He kept his facial expression inscrutable. "Did you know?"

"Yeah." Veronica mumbled. "She didn't want anyone to find out. Now, she's going to be bombarded by all the outlets during this difficult time. It's ridiculous."

Logan picked up the remote and switched the TV off. "I've been thinking..." He kept in hands cupped in his lap.

"Should I alert the media?"

"Listen, what happened to Connor and Marcie with her life turned up-side down...I don't want something like that to happen to us."

Veronica gulped. Logan was entering dangerous territory with this topic. "I won't allow it."

"Have you thought about the future?" He asked, point-blank.

Veronica's brows furrowed in confusion. "Like will I know what I'm having for breakfast tomorrow? Cause, that's still a mystery."

Logan exhaled, mildly annoyed. "Be serious, Veronica." He said through clenched teeth. "You don't think about five years down the road. One year?" He knew her inner thoughts more so than anyone else, but this was something even he was unsure of. They were far past the act they both played in college. When Logan asked her to move in to an actual house, he finally won an argument. It was the biggest step Veronica had ever made in a relationship. Piz never stood a chance to come close.

Veronica had an idea where this talk was leading. She thought about it herself on more than one occasion. However, the notion that everyone got to live happily ever after was a reality only made for Disney princesses. After long nights at the Camelot, Sandpiper, and other dingy establishments, Veronica had witnessed too much. The resentment, mistrust, abuse, and infidelity between couples. Great relationships crumbled at the flip of a coin and never recovered. Veronica couldn't bear the thought of losing Logan. She wanted to remain blissfully ignorant even if that was being childish.

She had an irrational fear of the future. When something really good happened in her life, it was usually stripped away or balanced out with a terrible consequence. Lilly. Duncan. Keith's chance at becoming sheriff again. Ancient history, but it still affected her today.

Veronica's voice shook. "I-I can't think that far away. Thinking about four months away terrifies me." Her eyes rested upon the scuff marks on her shoes.

"Veronica." Logan lifted her chin up. "Honest answer like your standing next to a cherry tree with an axe. Would you ever consider..."

Her head and heart were at war with each other. Without a moment of hesitation, she kissed him again fervently. "I'm madly and irrevocably in love with you. Can that be enough for now?" She was out of breath and at a loss for more words. It had taken almost a year since she moved back to Neptune to finally say the words out loud. Always stopping herself mid-sentence before; one night when he returned from his second tour, Veronica eventually let the the three little words slip out in an argument.

The corners of his mouth turned upwards a little. "For now."

*x**x**x**x*

The next morning, Veronica drove toward the beach. One of the hottest days so far this month, she had on shorts and a tank top with her hair in a high pony-tail. Veronica sat on one of the rocks and waited. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead. A man with wet, blonde hair thick with salt wearing only blue-green striped board shorts walked up to her. He held a surfboard between his arm. "Ronnie." Dick announced as he dropped his surfboard in the sand and hopped up on a rock. "How are things at casa de Echolls?"

"Good. Are we still on for tomorrow at your place?"

"Whoa, I get it, you want me, but I can't do that to Logan. Bro-code and all."

"Dick."

"Just kidding, Ron. Yeah, we're good to go. He thinks he's coming over to play Call of Duty with me for an hour."

Veronica shook her head. "You do realize you're thirty, right. Aren't you getting, like, a little too old to be having a serious relationship with your PlayStation?"

"Oh, gee, thanks for reminding me."

Veronica stood up, irked. "Just leave your house open around five tomorrow and make sure you clean up the place a little. I don't want to walk in with it smelling like bong water."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Dick, I'm not asking you to donate a kidney. Just let me in, help out, and I'll do the rest."

*x**x**x**x*

After her short chat with Dick, Veronica headed to the office. Mac had just arrived minutes prior and was turning on her computer. "Mr. Gaines will be here shortly."

"Right. The alimony case. By the way, Mac-Attack, you excited for the date with Zachary tonight?"

Mac pursed her lips. "About that, it's cancelled."

"Huh? I thought you liked him."

"I found out he's dating someone else at the same time."

"And?" Veronica unfortunately knew that was the status quo for most guys before they settled down.

"He told me he had to cut the date short to meet up with someone else so I said don't bother, I can't make it anyhow." Mac rolled her eyes.

"Ouch, in the same night? What a douche-bag. Sorry, girl."

"Whatever. I'm not into two-timers." Mac paused, "Maybe, I'll just get a cat and forgo this dating ritual for a while."

"What if it chews through all your expensive wires and computer chips?" Veronica had a flash back to the time Logan brought home Pony to her tiny apartment. She had lost at least three pairs of shoes in that first week alone.

"Good point."

"You're still coming over tomorrow for the dinner party, right?"

"At Peter-Pan's house? Sure, though if I see Tinkle Bell I'm going to assume he laced our food."

"Just don't eat any brownies or cookies lying around and you'll be good." Veronica's figurative light bulb just flashed above her head. "Wait-a-minute..." She smacked her head with her hand. She began pacing around the room. "I'm so stupid. My first theory makes complete sense."

Mac looked baffled at her friend. "Do you need a mirror to continue your one-sided conversation?"

Veronica glanced back at Mac. "It's obvious his food and drink were laced..."

*x**x**x**x*

Dick's place smelled of weed and dirty laundry. Veronica darted straight to the closet that contained cleaning products and pulled out a lavender-scented bottle of Febreze. After tidying up a few things, she spent the rest of the time either out on the patio or in the kitchen. Dressed in a white tank and pink maxi skirt, Veronica made sure to not get anything on her outfit. It was Saturday around 5:30 pm. Veronica expected Wallace and Mac in half an hour. After the first awkward attempts at bringing everyone together, it was getting relatively normal. Almost.

Veronica was an excellent cook having made the majority of meals when she lived with Keith and continued to do so for Logan. Dick's kitchen already had the food she would need to cook. He had gone out in the morning and supplied everything before she got there. Veronica reached in the white cabinets and got out plates, bowls, and glasses and began setting them on the patio table overlooking the ocean.

On the kitchen counter, Veronica began chopping up lettuce, carrots, grape tomatoes, cheese, and emptied the ingredients into a large bowl. She finished up with croutons and low-fat Caesar dressing on top. Once the cheddar mash potatoes and the sauteed asparagus were both fully cooked, Veronica turned everything off. She finished setting the table with forks and knives and went back inside to bring out five wine glasses. She made sure porch lights were on and the table was lit up enough.

Dick agreed to her idea of having a dinner party to celebrate and honor those who have defended the nation and made sacrifices for the military, which for the past six years included Logan.

Veronica grabbed the plate of steaks and went outside to get the grill ready. After wrapping each fillet Mignon in bacon and adding the seasoning, she placed the pieces on top of the rack. She then heard the faint sound of a knock on the front door.

"Ooh! Wow, something smells good!" Wallace exclaimed, as Veronica gestured her two friends inside. "How come I always gotta beg you to cook me something?"

"An exchange of goods or services always does the trick, too." She teased. "Thanks. You two can find a seat outside."

"I'll help get the bottles of wine!" Mac suggested following Veronica's lead.

"This was a nice thing you did for Logan." Wallace added, gulping down a glass of red wine. The three of them sat outside staring out at the setting sun over the horizon.

Less than twenty minutes later, Veronica heard other voices. She started to place steaks on everyone's plate and left the salad bowl in the middle of the table next to the three large bottles of wine.

"Aw dude, did you cook me dinner?"

"Nah, it was Betty Crocker." Veronica overheard Dick say. It was her cue to enter into the foyer. She took her hair out of the pony-tail and let it fall by her shoulder.

"Hi!" She beamed, welcoming Logan with a hug.

"What's this?" He laughed as he walked further inside the house. He noticed Wallace and Mac drinking outside.

"It's to celebrate Armed Forces Day. I made your favorite meal."

"I know what today is, I didn't think you did. Blaze had talked about heading to Torrance for the afternoon the other day, but he went with his girlfriend. So, this was what you had planned?"

Veronica smiled and whispered, "there might be something else for you later." She grabbed his hand and he followed her outside.

For the next few hours, the group of five caught up. Logan told naval stories he wasn't bound to keep confidential. Wallace brought up hilarious stories about the students at Neptune High. They all drank every last drop of red wine while enjoying the beautiful view of the beach and the nighttime sky.

*x**x**x**x*

A little while later, after Mac and Wallace had left, Veronica wandered into Logan's old room. This was where she would stay on many occasions during those first few initial months following his return. It felt like a lifetime ago. The shelves were bare and the closet mostly empty except for a few articles of clothing. All his personal effects were now at their shared home.

Logan suddenly appeared behind her. "Ready to go? Dick wants to call a taxi and go to the 09er if you're up for it."

Veronica shook her head and planted a wet kiss on his mouth.

Logan brushed her cheek with the back of his palm. He crookedly smiled, bemused. "You're drunk?" He then placed his hands on her hips.

"No, though I did have four—er—maybe five glasses of wine during dinner." In truth, Veronica was tipsy and feeling perfectly content. She wrapped her arms around Logan's neck, savoring every moment of his presence, breathing him in. Her face just inches away from his. "It drives me crazy thinking about you leaving again." The words tumbled out of her mouth.

His brown eyes lightened up. "Veronica..." He knew the feeling all to well. He wanted to say more but her lips were against his once again.

"No more talking." It might have been the wine; no, it was definitely the amount of wine she drank, but Veronica didn't care. She wanted Logan right then. She moved around him and locked the door to his old room.

His eyebrow raised. "Here?" Logan knew Dick was wasted. He had a brownie after dinner which didn't help. There was a fifty-fifty chance, Dick would not make it out of his room after attempting to change into something more appropriate for the club.

She hopped on top of the bed and held out her hand.

It was all he needed to be convinced. Moments later, she slowly began unbuttoning his shirt. Each button, another kiss until he revealed his six-pack and toned biceps. Their tongues danced until Veronica had to take a deep breath for air.

Clothes were scattered all over the floor.

Her underwear now laid on top of the pile after Logan slid it down her legs. Lost in the moment, he left trails of kisses down her neck and decolletage. His lips continued further until they were replaced by his fingers.

Veronica moaned softly in response. She moved on top, letting him inside her. Their bodies intertwined with each other, becoming one entity existing only because the other half did.

She pushed up against his body harder. Logan let her take the reigns. While it was something he had always been considered a pro at, Veronica had a way of surprising him like no one else ever could.

Logan gently stroked her hair away from her eyes and cupped her face in his hands. "God, you're beautiful."

"I love you." She whispered hazily. She rolled over on her back, satisfied.

He kissed the top of her nose before lying down on his side. "I love you, too. Always."

It was small moments like these where Veronica could rest her head on Logan's chest, listen to his heartbeat, and pretend the world was only as big as the room.

Author's Note: This was a very L/V chapter. In my mind, Logan is at a point where he wants everything with Veronica and the satisfaction that should something ever happen to him when deployed, she's safe, financially secured, etc. Hopefully you are all finding the mystery of Connor Larkin's death intriguing with the bones I throw in each update. If anyone is concerned, Keith will be making more appearances. Please review, your thoughts and kindness are always appreciated!