Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars. The show and all its characters belong to its appropriate owners.The lyrics used are the property of the fabulous group Lifehouse and I claim nothing. I was merely inspired by a particular track and honored it.

Rating: R 'cause of well, da smut.

Spoilers: Series thus far.

Pairings: WeeVer, some LoVe but believe me, WeeVer all the way.

Summary: Taking that final step will change everything.

Chapter Seven: Somewhere in Between

would you catch me if I fall

out of what I fell in

don't be surprised if I collapse

down at your feet again

I don't want to run away from this lifehouse, somewhere in between, track eleven

He's avoiding her the next day and Veronica can't really blame him. She knows that she isn't the easiest person to get to know, knows it's her own fault for keeping him at arms length this whole year but she's angry and hurt that he won't take that chance. He won't bother fighting for them to have a chance.

She's standing at her locker, digging around for her AP English book during the break between fourth and fifth period, when Duncan says behind her, "It's customary to keep your locker disorganized. I'm amazed you didn't know that."

She turns to look at him and smiling, says, "Yeah, well, who am I to stop high school tradition?"

He laughs and she laughs too but then she sees Weevil walking into the school, and her breath catches in her throat, her knees turn to jelly, and her insides turn to liquid. Duncan arches his brows and turns his head halfway to watch the bald-headed biker pause long enough to stare right back at Veronica. To his amazement, the leer he expects isn't there but longing flickers over Weevil's face and then it's gone so quickly Duncan wonders if he imagined it.

He glances over at Veronica and almost laughs out loud at the look on her face that tells him she's in love with the biker, and probably doesn't want to admit it. In his mind, he can hear Lilly whisper, "So fucking fabulous!" and he agrees with his sister's voice because he knows she'd get a total kick out of the idea of Veronica and Weevil.

He decides to help the two of them out and says, "Listen, I can't make the stakeout tonight."

Veronica blinks and looks up at him with surprise. "Oh," she says disappointedly. "That's okay. I guess I can ask Logan or Wallace..."

"Logan can't make it either," Duncan lies easily as he shifts his weight. "We've both got exams in class tomorrow. He wanted me to let you know."

Veronica frowns deeply but nods her head as she turns back around and rummages in her locker. "Aha!" she crows triumphantly as she produces the book she'd been looking for. "I knew it was in here. Okay, that's fine Duncan, I'll just ask Wallace."

"Sure," Duncan says but knows that he'll be talking to Fennel before she will. He says goodbye and passes the biker, who leans against the wall. Duncan pauses long enough to look at Weevil, who meets his gaze without fear. Understanding flickers over the Chicano youth's features and he nods his head slightly at Duncan's unvoiced threat.

Weevil watches the Kane heir round the corner and sighs inwardly. Pushing himself off the wall, he turns and studies Veronica as she shuts her locker. She turns and they lock eyes, his heart quickening at the look on her face. He swallows and looks away, glancing back at her once more before disappearing into the crowd of students.

Veronica swallows against the sudden tears blurring her vision.

--

Logan looks up as Duncan sits down beside him, arching his brows as Wallace sits down as well. The black youth shrugs at the unvoiced question but says nothing as Duncan looks around the quad. Grinning to himself, he turns to the other two teens and says, "If Veronica asks, do not agree to go out on stakeout tonight. Or any night this week."

"What's this?" Logan asks curiously as he props his chin up on his fist. "Duncan Kane, are you plotting?"

"Helping," Duncan corrects as he glances around again before looking at them. "Look, we all want Veronica to be happy, right?"

Wallace nods and Logan says, "Yeah, so?"

"So," Duncan says with grin. "I happen to know she has feelings for a certain leather-clad biker. Don't ask me how, I just know."

"Veronica and Weevil?" Wallace blinks and then laughs out loud as he says, "Oh, man, that's great."

Logan is silent, his expression blank and Duncan studies his friend for a moment. Finally, his face cracks into a grin as he chuckles and says, "God, it figures, doesn't it? What is it about that guy?"

"I think it's the bad boy appeal," Wallace cracks as he gets up. "Don't worry, I'll be sure to inconvenience Veronica." He walks off and Duncan watches him weave his way to his regular table where Veronica appears a few moments later, saying something that has Wallace shaking his head and looking apologetic.

He looks at Logan and says, "You think Veronica knows her best friend is just as good an actor as she is?"

"I really, really doubt it."

Duncan grins and leans back as he watches his ex-girlfriend sigh and look around. She finally makes a face and turns, walking towards the area where the PCH Biker Club sits during lunch hours. As Weevil and Veronica walk off, he and Logan exchange glances and smirk.

--

Weevil glances at Veronica out of the corner of his eye and looks up as they stop a few feet away from his boys. Veronica shifts uncomfortably as he sighs and finally says, "Well?"

"I need you to come on stakeout with me," she finally says and he frowns before asking, "What about the others?"

"They're busy," she says. "Wallace has to work and Logan and Duncan are both studying."

"Echolls knows how to study?" Weevil arches his brows in amusement. "I didn't even think he knew what that meant."

She rolls her eyes at him briefly and he grins as she says, "Stop it. Can you come out with me or not?"

"Yeah, sure," he shrugs lazily and Veronica hesitates before asking, "Are we going to talk about yesterday or what?"

"Depends," Weevil replies as he shoves his hands in his pockets. "You gonna ask me to be a secret?"

"Why do you keep saying that?" she asks angrily as she looks up at him. "I'm not Lilly. I will never be Lilly and I would never ask you to lie about how you feel about me. Weevil, I-" She stops and shakes her head, saying, "You won't believe anything I say, will you? Fine."

Before Weevil knows what's happening, Veronica has reached up with her tiny hands and pulled his mouth to hers. The kiss is angry and passionate and aching and his head is spinning as she attacks his mouth, his brain kicking in as he pulls her closer, molding her body to his, even as catcalls and whistling surrounds them.

Veronica pulls away with a gasp, her face flushing as she looks around the quad. Some students are gaping and whispering while the majority hoot and holler as she buries her face into Weevil's chest, laughter bubbling up inside her chest. Weevil snickers and buries his own face into her neck as he rumbles, "I didn't know you were that kind of girl..." as she lets out a whoop of laughter before breaking away from him, eyes bright with euphoria.

They study one another and he sighs before cupping her cheek in his hand. She smiles, nuzzling his palm and murmuring, "I'll see you later?" as the bell rings and students begin to disperse towards their next class. He nods and kisses her one last time before vanishing into the crowd.

She grins and turns, seeing Wallace watching her with a wide grin on his features. Marching over to her best friend, she points at him and threatens, "Not one word."

Wallace lifts his hands up and says, "Wasn't planning on saying a thing..." as she begins to walk off. He laughs as he catches up with her and says, "So, it's the bad boy appeal right? Am I right?" He blinks and stares, before asking, "Veronica Mars, are you blushing?" to a silent yet smiling Veronica.

Next Chapter Eight: Cling and Clatter...