Veronica giggled exuberantly as he pulled her out the door and into the hallway. Her hips bumped hard against the wall as he pinned her in place with his luscious lips, slowly feasting on her as he worked his way from one corner of her mouth to the other. The tip of his tongue traced the crease of her lips and gained entrance when her mouth parted invitingly. He changed the angle of attack and deepened the kiss, thrusting his tongue in and out in an unmistakable rhythm that was echoed by the rotation of his hips. Her head fell back when he turned his attention to the cords of her neck, slurping on her most sensitive spots and increasing the pressure when she groaned. "I think I'm lost, dog-boy."

His laugh rumbled against her throat and vibrated to her very core. "Mmm, I'll draw you a map." Logan followed the edge of her neckline and stopped in the vee between her breasts. "Still lost, little girl?"

Veronica closed her hand over his and tried to catch her breath. "'Fraid so. Can you help me find my way?"

He dropped his hands and started backing down the hall. "Right this way, ma'am."

Veronica was so focused on his goofy expression that she didn't see his outstretched foot. She tripped and fell straight into his arms. The momentum propelled them onto the bed and sent its quiescent liquid into random chaos, its watery arms rolling their bodies to and fro. She started to feel dizzy at the bed's crazy canting and jumped up with her hands clutching her stomach. "Gotta find some…" The roiling increased and she barely made it to her wastebasket. Dry heaves pulsated through her entire body and drained her completely. When they finally subsided, she started to collapse and was caught by the safety net of his arms.

"I'm sorry," Logan murmured as he stroked her hair. "I wasn't thinking."

"S'OK." Veronica liked this kinder and gentler version of Logan. "You don't have to stay. I'll be OK."

"Sure you will, Ronnie." He kissed her chin. "I'm not going anywhere."

She sighed as he helped her to the bed and took off her shoes. "Keep it up, Joe, and I might find some use for you yet."

The last thing she remembered was his laugh and the comforting warmth of his body as he slid behind her.

Logan sat in her chair and watched her sleep. His sketchpad was missing and his fingers itched for something to keep him busy. The dog padded in and settled by his feet with a mournful sigh. "I know how you feel, boy," he whispered, dropping his fingers to scratch the dog's ears.

His phone vibrated and he glanced down and saw his aunt's name. With a slightly raised eyebrow, he moved out to the kitchen and answered. "If it isn't Aunt Money. Calling to check up on me?"

"Very cute. You think you're the first person who's used that nickname?"

"Hey, a guy's gotta try. What can I do for you, Auntie M?"

Her sigh was a mix of exasperation and laughter. "I am worried about your friend."

"What's the matter, DK couldn't get it up? It's not the first time."

Monique muttered something in French. "He seems…emotionally disconnected."

"Yeah, well, he's been through a lot in the past year."

"Maybe." She sounded unconvinced. "There is one more thing. Stella will pick you up at 9 sharp."

"All right. Thanks. You plan on making an appearance?"

"Probably. See you soon."

"Later." Logan turned off his phone and returned to Veronica's room with a heavy sigh. This might be their last night together and he wasn't about to squander it with needless worry.

Veronica stretched like a feline and was thrilled to see Lilly floating next to her. "I miss you," she said.

Lilly smiled. "How can I stay away when you keep calling me back?"

"I don't mean to, but nothing makes sense without you."

Her friend smacked her fist into her other hand. "What's the matter with you, Veronica Mars? The world didn't end when I died."

Tears filled her eyes. "It felt like it did."

"Why aren't you partying? You caught the bad guy. Big bad Aaron is in jail, and they'll likely fry his ass."

Veronica laughed through her pain. "Want any sides with that?"

"You are so bad, Veronica Mars." Lilly tapped her wrist and looked off into the golden light. "No wonder Logan is drawn to you."

"I love him, Lilly. How sick is that?"

Lilly laughed like she had on that night in the limo. "No more twisted than the fact that he's always loved you."

"What?" Veronica squealed. "No way."

"Yes, way. Open your eyes, Ronnie. Why do you think he was so flustered when we played Truth or Dare?"

"Logan loved you, Lilly. He never gave me a second thought."

"In your dreams, VeronicaYou think I didn't notice him watching you?"

"It doesn't matter. He never made a move."

"What can I say? I kept him on a short leash." Lilly's laugh floated across the water and dissolved with her body, her features fading away with the sunlight as the fog rolled in.

"Is this the way it's supposed to be?" Veronica whispered sadly as tendrils of mist swirled around her feet. She tried paddling but her float was stuck in place. "Help me out here, Lilly."

A voice pierced through the veil. "I'm here, Veronica."

Kind brown eyes that crinkled as he smiled. "L-Logan."

"Welcome back."

"Where's Lilly?" She looked down and saw the afghan. "She was right here."

His strong fingers smoothed back her hair. "It was a dream. You laughed a few times and then you woke up."

Veronica kneaded the comforter with her hand. "But it felt so real."

"I know." His thigh touched hers as he moved closer. "I still see her sometimes."

"What does she say?" Veronica rested her head on his shoulder and almost cooed when he wrapped his arm around her.

"All kinds of crazy shit."

Veronica smiled. "Which doesn't say much for us, does it?"

"Nope. So, did she give you any sage advice?"

She colored slightly and looked away. "She told me to open my eyes."

"Seems like I've heard that a few dozen times. What else did she say?"

Veronica forced herself to meet his gaze. "Umm…there might have been something about you loving me."

He stiffened slightly and took a deep breath. "Yeah, well, that part is true."

She added, "She said you've always loved me."

Logan's laugh gushed out of him. "That's…also true."

"Oh. Wow. OK, so what do we do now?"

He rubbed his face against hers. "I have a few ideas. Want to hear them?"

Duncan was sprawled out in the chair with an open bottle of JD. "Hee," he laughed, hoisting the bottle to an imaginary poker game. "Not iced tea."

"I'm so proud, Donut," said a mocking voice.

He looked over and saw Lilly sitting there, looking as pristine and white as the day they laid her out in silk-lined mahogany. "You're not here," he whined, pointing at his temple and making the crazy sign with his fingers.

Cool fingers touched his arm and forced his attention back to her dead face. "You sure about that, little brother?"

"Not here. Dead. Saw them put her in the ground," Duncan mumbled as he took another swig.

"Geez, will you guys quit this third person crap? It is so annoying. I'm here, OK? Deal with it." Lilly's eyes flashed at him as she flounced back on the bed.

He rubbed his eyes and refused to look at her. "What do you want?"

She jumped to her feet and stared at him with his mother's eyes. "Go home, Donut. You don't belong here."

Duncan looked through his fingers and sighed. "Too late. The damage is done."

"This isn't you, 'bro." Lilly's gaze encompassed the mess before razoring through him with Celeste-like precision.

"It is now," he giggled. "Don't you see? He's ruined my life, so I'm going to return the favor."

She folded her arms and tapped her foot. "Eye for an eye is so last week, Donut."

Leave it to dead Lilly to question his motives. "Whatever."

Lilly flitted to his left side and laid her head on his knee. "It's going to blow up in your face."

Duncan started to shake from the sudden cold. "You're only saying that to protect him."

She leaned back and stared up at him with freaky upside down eyes. "Logan can take care of himself."

"Meaning what?"

Lilly repositioned herself until she was hanging upside down off his lap. "Meaning, I could offer you Hail Mary's and a boatload of alleluias, but you still wouldn't have a fucking prayer."

"Thanks a fucking lot," he snarled.

"Ooh, surly much?"

Lilly yanked on his hair until he brushed her hand away. "Get the hell away from me."

She sat up and laughed in his face. "For someone who just got royally fucked, you're sure in a pissy mood."

"Am I supposed to be grateful that she treated me like a piece of meat?" Duncan pursed his lips and stared at the ceiling with a petulant glare.

Lilly snickered. "What did you expect, hearts and flowers and undying declarations of love?"

He rolled his eyes. "No, but…"

"Then stop being a fucking hypocrite. It felt great, and that's all that matters."

Duncan cringed at the thought of her watching them. "Don't.even.go.there."

Lilly tapped her forehead. "I don't have to see you to know what's going on. D."

"Dead and psychic?" he countered coldly.

"It comes with the territory."

"That's great," he muttered, more than slightly creeped out by this revelation. "And I thought you were the transparent one."

She giggled. "Was that a joke I just heard? There's hope for you yet, Donut."

"You think?" Duncan was tired of this conversation and wanted her to leave.

Her icy fingers tousled his hair. "Your plan won't work, Duncan. I know you're angry, but this isn't going to make it better."

He exhaled heavily. "I disagree."

"Fine, but know this. If Veronica finds out, and you know she will, she'll never forgive you."

Duncan's eyes flew open and stared into empty space. Had it all been a dream? He looked around and saw the same jumble of clothes and plastic fragments, but when his eyes stopped on the bed, there was a faint impression of someone's body. Closer inspection revealed a series of Duncan-shaped wrinkles and not much else. With a sigh, he sank back into the chair and closed his fingers protectively over the videotape that rested in his right front pocket.