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: PG-15/T+

Spoilers: Series thus far.

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

Summary: Taking that final step will change everything.

Chapter Nine: Everything

would you take me in

take me deeper now

'cause you're all I want

all I need

you are everything lifehouse, everything, track twelve

Veronica rubs at her eyes sleepily as she throws her arms up and stretches. Logan lets out a snore from where he lies on the floor, causing Duncan and Weevil to exchange glances as she looks over to her sleeping friend. Shaking her head, she says, "When did he fall asleep?" as she begins to put away her notes and books.

"About the time we started A&P," Duncan replies as he gets up, wincing at the ache in his back. He glances over at the couch and smiles as Mac stirs briefly before going back to sleep. Chuckling, he picks up a blanket from the back of the couch and throws it over his girlfriend, saying, "I guess we could call it a night."

"I've been saying that for two hours now," Weevil grumbles as he gets to his feet and stretches, letting out a groan of pain as his back muscles spasm in protest. Shaking his head, he says, "If I ever agree to a study group like this again, I'm killing myself."

"Oh stop it," Veronica says as she holds out her hands and Weevil helps her to her feet. "You did say you wanted to pass with flying colors so this is the only way to do it."

"This is what I get isn't it," Weevil asks the ceiling as Duncan laughs quietly. "I'm being punished for beating up kids for their lunch money in elementary school, aren't I?"

Veronica squeals at him in mock outrage and he grins at her as Duncan says, "Man, I remember you in elementary. Curly hair and these big brown eyes..."

"Shut up, man," Weevil replies gruffly and Veronica grins as she says, "You were so cute..." pinching his cheek. Weevil glowers at them playfully before saying, "I better get you home chica. It's almost three and your dad does have a shotgun that I don't wanna ever see."

"Very funny," she drawls but gathers up her bag and coat. Weevil helps her into her jacket and after saying goodbye to Duncan and watching in amusement as he wakes Logan up, causing the Echolls heir to let out a shout of, "Not the Elmer's Glue!" leaving them all snickering.

"You're all going to hell," Logan says solemnly as he stumbles sleepily towards his bedroom, waving behind him at the laughing goodbyes from Veronica and Weevil as they walk out the front door of Duncan and Logan's apartment. Duncan gently gathers Mac in his arms and carries her down the hall before returning to lock the front door and turn out the lights.

Meanwhile, Veronica looks up at Weevil as he unlocks the car door, helping her into it. She smiles sleepily as he shuts the door and goes around to his side. Her eyes close as she leans against him sleepily and she listens to him start up the car, smiling as he slides his arm around her shoulder.

When she awakens, she can hear her father murmuring and she nuzzles her face against Weevil's neck as he carries her into her bedroom. Keith watches the bald-headed youth settle his daughter on her bed and slips away, feeling he shouldn't intrude on such an intimate moment. Sighing, he sits down on the sofa and glances around the apartment, taking in the photographs that depict Veronica at all the stages of her life.

Tears blur his eyes as he hears Weevil's deep voice reply to Veronica's softer one. Rubbing his hands tiredly across his face, he starts as his cell phone vibrates against his hip. Answering the phone, he holds up his hand as Weevil comes out of Veronica's room, pausing as the older man frowns and nods his head, saying, "All right, I'll be there in a few hours."

Hanging up, he turns to Weevil and says, "I need to hunt down a bail jumper. Could you let Veronica know?"

"Sure," Weevil agrees as he watches the former sheriff go into private investigator mode. Keith gathers his things together and pauses at the door, turning to Weevil. Hesitantly, he says, "I don't normally condone having boys staying over but I'd feel better if you stayed here until I got back."

"Sheriff?"

"Veronica may feel that she can take care of herself," Keith says meeting Weevil's eyes. "But she's not the one who had to watch a man set fire to the box she was trapped in."

Swallowing the sudden lump in his throat, Weevil says, "I'll stay. Don't worry about Veronica; I'll protect her."

"I know you will," Keith says as he opens the door. "I trust you Eli."

"Thank you sir," Weevil says as he watches the door shut behind him. Sagging against the wall, he stares at the ceiling before going to the phone and calling his grandmother. Leaving a message, he sheds his jacket and shoes, intent on crashing on the couch when Veronica's sleepy voice interrupts him.

"The couch is lumpy," she says as she leans against her doorframe, blue eyes sleepy. "You'll wake up with a crick in your neck."

"Better that than your dad's shotgun in my face," he replies and she smiles slightly as she walks forward and takes his hand. "He trusts you," she says as she looks up at him. "More than that, I trust you. What's bothering you Eli? You've been acting funny all day."

"I don't know," he says after a moment. "I'm just tired I guess. So much is happening now, V. College, us. I don't know what's happening anymore; I just feel..."

"Lost?" she supplies. "Scared? I feel that way too Weevil."

"You don't act like it."

"I'm good at hiding things," she replies softly as she cups his cheek. His eyes flutter shut and she adds, "A year ago, I was busy chasing after ghosts. Now, I'm happy. You make me happy."

He smiles as he opens his eyes. "I think that's what scares me the most," he says. "That I'll disappoint you."

She shakes her head. "If I had wanted someone perfect," she says. "I would have never trusted you even before I knew I did." She frowns, wrinkling her nose up at him. "Did that make any sense at all? 'Cause I just thought that over and it totally didn't."

He laughs, kissing her on the mouth, stopping her voice effectively. She melts against him, hands sliding up around his neck as they step back until they reach the doorway of her bedroom. He breaks away long enough ask, "You sure?" his dark eyes searching her blue ones as she stares up at him.

Veronica smiles and murmurs, "I'm sure..." as she draws him down to fuse their mouths together again.

And there is pleasure and pain. There is silent gasps and quiet moans that echo in the stillness of the apartment. Veronica's hands clutch against his shoulder, digging into his tattoo as he slides above her and his mouth is against her throat, sucking on her pulse. His rough hands trace a path on her body and her mind focuses on the sensations as she feels his scalp beneath her fingers...

And then there is her name falling from his lips, "Veronica..."

"Eli..." she cries out and he shudders as the dawn breaks through the dark night.

Next Chapter Ten: Unknown...