A/N: Thanks to lex, my muse. She inspired the first part of this chapter and earned her musedom. As always italics are VMVO and feedback is muchly appreciated.
As they pulled to a stop on the shoulder of the Coronado Bridge, Veronica saw a lone figure standing near the ledge up the road from them. Her heart leapt into her throat. She was out of the car and in a dead run before Leo had even turned off the engine.
"Logan!" She shouted, causing the figure to turn in her direction. It was him. She finally reached him, throwing her arms around his neck.
"I know that you're probably not very happy to see me right now." She said, letting him go when he didn't hug her back. She searched his face, feeling guilty about the pain she saw there. "Where have you been? The police have been looking all over for you."
"Around." Logan finally said, looking off to the water.
"Around?" She repeated, angry now. "You scared the hell out of me. God, Logan, I thought you jumped."
"I didn't." He replied, still not looking at her. She wrapped her arms around her waist, and scuffed the ground with her shoe.
"I'm sorry I accused you. I know now that you didn't do it." Veronica apologized, tears in her eyes.
"You didn't trust me, Veronica." Logan said, turning away from her, putting his hands on the cement wall of the bridge and leaning against it.
"It's hard to trust someone who lied about their alibi, Logan. What was I supposed to think?" Veronica was crying now. "I didn't want to think it was you."
"I would never have hurt her." He was tearing up as he glanced at her. "Or you."
"I know that now." She said, her voice breaking. "God, I'm sorry." That seemed to be enough for Logan, because suddenly she was back in his arms, and he placing tiny kisses on her face. She whispered apologies in his ear before their lips found each other.
"Veronica." He breathed as they broke apart. "Veronica." She sighed.
"Veronica!" Leo nearly shouted, shaking her arm. "Wake up."
"What?" She mumbled, forcing her eyes open.
"I knew I should have taken you home." Leo commented. "You're exhausted."
"I'm fine." She insisted.
"You fell asleep." Leo pointed out. She shrugged and rubbed her eyes. "and we're here." Veronica glanced around outside the car, seeing no signs of Logan. Sighing, she opened the door and got out. Leo joined her after a second.
"Has the station called? Has anyone heard anything?" She asked as they walked. Leo shook his head.
"What exactly are you looking for?" He wanted to know.
"Something that you guys wouldn't think of as a clue." Veronica answered. "No offense."
"None taken, I guess." He replied.
I'm going to have guilt coupons till Judgment day.
"Where was his car parked?" She asked. Leo gestured as they walked, and Veronica searched the ground. "Hey." She said, stopping. "Do you know if they saw these?" She said, pointing to some tire tracks on the pavement. "It looks like someone peeled out."
"I'll call it in." He said, grabbing his two-way.
"What kind of vehicle do you think it was?" She asked.
"You mean a car lover like you doesn't know?" Leo replied.
Ok, I deserved that.
"I could be wrong, but it looks like a motorcycle." He went on. She stared down at the tracks as he stepped away to call it in.
Weevil, you dirty dog.
She stood up, the wind ruffling her hair. A piece of paper blew by her foot, catching her attention. Veronica bent down to pick it up absentmindedly, and gasped when she realized what she was holding. It was a piece of paper with Logan's handwriting on it, and three words scrawled on the page. Tears formed behind her eyes, threatening to spill over as she stared at the slip of paper in her hands.
Leo approached her and she wordlessly handed him the piece of paper, and then headed back towards the car. He read the paper silently, and then glanced open mouthed at her retreating form. He slowly followed her back to the car, and by the time he reached it, she was already sitting inside, staring at her hands. Leo got in, and reached for a plastic evidence bag he kept in the glove box. He slid the paper inside and set it between them on the seat.
"I need you to take me somewhere else." She said, her voice monotone.
"The only place I'm taking you is home, Veronica. You've done enough for today." Leo refused.
"Please, Leo. I need to do this." Veronica pleaded.
"I've done enough favors for you today. Your father would kill me if he knew I've been carting you around since four thirty in the morning." He replied, starting the car.
"Fine." She stared down at her hands, desperately trying to ignore the slip of paper nestled inside the evidence bag on the seat next to her, and the three little words it contained. No such luck, as the words were imprinted on her brain.
Veronica – I'm sorry.