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 Eight: Cling and Clatter

till I found you

till you found me

and somehow I

always knew that you would lifehouse, cling and clatter, track eight

That evening, Veronica finds herself taking extra care in her appearance, making sure to dust on some eyeliner and shadow, her blue eyes looking smoky and seductive as she checks over her jeans and white blouse. She leaves her apartment and stops short in surprise as Weevil looks up from where he leans against a black SUV. He grins at her expression and says, "Esther let me borrow her car. Come on, let's go."

She obliges, pausing long enough to kiss him hello, and grinning at the dreamy look in his dark eyes. Weevil opens the door for her and darts over to the driver's side as soon as he closes the door. The car starts up easily and Weevil saying casually, "Grandma thought you'd be hungry so she packed us some food."

Veronica blinks in surprise as she turns and sees the basket in the seat behind them. Laughing, she says, "So, what? We going on a picnic?"

"Yeah," Weevil says seriously as he glances at her. "We are."

She smiles brilliantly at him and watches the scenery as they drive. When Weevil stops the car, she watches him round the front of it and grins as he opens her door, saying, "My lady..."

"Thank you kind sir," she jokes as he helps her out of the SUV. She waits for him, enjoying the warm night and the smell of the ocean. They walk down to the beach hand-in-hand, Weevil carrying the basket easily. Spreading out a blanket, he motions for her to sit and lights the camping lantern that he had taken from home on his way out the door.

They talk, about school, about college, Weevil admitting to her that he has sent applications to colleges in California and in other states. Veronica kisses him soundly on the mouth as she declares, "I love a man with brains..."

They are comfortable with each other and she hasn't ever felt this way before, with anyone; with Duncan it was all about first love and first fights and first kisses, first everything. Logan had been confusion and desperation, a way of holding onto a part of herself that had disappeared the night Lilly was murdered.

Weevil is warm and intelligent and she sees in his eyes a kindness that she has never taken the time to notice before. She knows that this revealing of his character must be a huge step for him, a huge action of trust and she hopes she doesn't disappoint him.

They finish eating and then go to the stakeout, Weevil pointing out how much more easy it is to blend in when they're inside of an SUV. "We're just a couple having a good time in the back of my car," he cracks as they watch the suspect and she laughs as she says, "Oh, baby, baby. Make me scream..."

When the dawn comes, he walks her to her front door and kisses her sweetly.

She falls asleep with a smile on her face.

--

Weeks pass; time moves on and changes are inevitable. Keith's reaction isn't unexpected, especially since he isn't able to forget how long he's known Weevil as another juvenile delinquent and nothing else. But the obvious love and respect that flickers in Weevil's eyes when he looks at his daughter has him pausing in his protests and deciding that perhaps Veronica doesn't need his protection from this boy like she did Logan.

Weevil's family is mostly accepting; Angel refuses to have anything to do with Veronica and demands Weevil make a choice between her and his job. Weevil chooses Veronica and that is the end of his job at the garage. Esther tries to reason with her brother but he won't listen to reason and she finally gives up.

The rest of the family is joyful; Grandma Letty is pleased at the happiness in her grandson's eyes and how Veronica sees him in the ways everyone else refuses. She sits in her home and thanks God her Eli has finally found peace in the arms of the soft-hearted blonde.

Duncan and Logan are two of the biggest supporters to the surprise of Weevil and Veronica. Logan assures the couple that he isn't going to stop them from seeing each other and when Veronica asks, Duncan simply says, "You're whole when you're with him..." as if that explains it all.

And it does, on some level. Since she had lost everything, her mother, her best friend, her boyfriend, her innocence, she hasn't been whole. Oh, she had pretended she wasn't affected, pretended everything was fine, that she was comfortable with her outcast status but deep down she had wanted to be who she was again.

Veronica has managed to find the balance between who she was and who she is. She's genuinely happy for the first time in a while and as she looks over at Weevil, who throws a ball for Backup to chase after, his eyes laughing, she knows the reason why.

--

The next week is chaotic with midterm exams and college applications. Veronica goes to her weekly dinner with Weevil's family after school and Weevil's joyful shout has Veronica dropping her can of soda in surprise. She curses, bending over and picking it up as the four sisters looks up to watch their younger cousin comes tearing into the house.

He is beaming, his dark eyes bright as he shouts, "I did it! I did it!" a thick manila envelope in his hands. Veronica blinks and squeals as Weevil picks her up by the waist, swinging her in the air, laughter spilling from her lips.

"What did you do?" Esther asks as she watches the couple, a smile tugging at her mouth. Weevil beams at her, waving the envelope in the air, saying, "I got accepted to San Diego State!"

A shriek of joy rips itself from Esther lips as Maricella, Celenia, and Lisette all bombard Weevil with hugs and kisses. Grandma Letty appears from the kitchen, demanding to know what is happening and when she is told, tears fill her eyes as she hugs her grandson with joy. She kisses his brow and says softly to him so only he can hear, "Your parents would be so proud of you..."

A brilliant smile lights up Weevil's features and Veronica watches him with a smile on her lips. She kisses him as he hugs her and smiles as he murmurs, "I can't believe it."

"Why?" she asks as she pulls back to look up at him. "You're not stupid Weevil. You're smart and the school knows it."

"I know," he says softly. "But I never thought that I'd be able to do this, you know? I mean, I didn't..."

"Do you want to go?" Veronica asks as she looks up at him. "Do you really want this Weevil?"

He says nothing for a few minutes and then smiles slightly as he nods. "Yeah," he says. "Yeah I really do. I want to be something other than a mechanic. Maybe I'll be a P.I. like your dad."

She grins. "As much as I like the idea of that," she says. "Do what you want to do Weevil. Not what I want you to do or what everyone else says you should do. What you want."

"I just need to figure out what that is," he replies as he kisses her, adding, "I mean, I've got you already so that's done..." and she laughs loudly in reply.

Next Chapter Nine: Everything...