Title: The Steps (4?)

Author: Kayla

Rating: R

Word Count: 1,057

Character/Pairing: Dick/Veronica, Logan

Summary: Step One: Stop being an asshat to her. Step Two: Ask Logan how he ever got her to date him. Step Three: Get her to say your name without disgust.

Spoilers: Through 2x18 (I Am God)

A/N:

Tuesday:

10:12pm:

"I'm an ass."

"Yeah, so?" She looks confused, so I elaborate.

"I just, I don't mumble and I don't fix girls cars and all that shit," I try to explain. Except it's not coming out how I planned.

"Dick, look, you have been acting, umm, weird lately, but—"

"Who's your date, Dick?" Logan asks, coming from his bedroom behind Veronica.

"Let's go," Veronica whispers in my ear.

"He's going to see us either way, he's headed over right now," I say. Fuck, I do not want to have this conversation with Logan, like ever.

"Veronica Mars," Logan says when he finally sees her face. "Here with Dick?"

"We were just leaving, actually," Veronica says. "Ready, Dick?"

"Umm, yeah. Later bro," I say to Logan, because what else is there too say? This is seven different kinds of awkward. Not that I care about shit like that, cuz I don't … but if I did, this would be awkward.

"Why? Party's just getting started." Yeah, Logan's definitely drunk, and about to cause a scene. Stage right: exit Dick and Veronica.

Tuesday:

10:17pm:

"I told you that was a bad idea," The blonde in my chair says.

"Listen, I know, alright. It was just -- I didn't think it'd be that big of a deal. We just, went to a party together," I explain.

Fuck. I kinda hate myself again. I feel like a 12-year old school girl. What the fuck? Did I just say that? Or think it? Whatever. God, I hate that feeling where like, you know, you like a girl. Like, really like her. And you want to be with her and shit, and it's like, God, I'm totally fucking the code. I don't fall for girls. Especially my best friend's ex. But that's shit, because admit it, Dick. You like Veronica Mars.

"What did you just say?" She looks at me like I just said 'Logan wants to have a three-some.'

"What do you mean?"

"Did you just say you like me?" Holy shit. I said it aloud? Fuck, no. I totally didn't. I'm like on Punk'd or some shit. Ashton was probably like, 'Let's Punk the fucker whose dad fled the country.'

"Umm, no. I mean, I, uh, I don't think…I am, ahh, do you want me to drop you off at your house?"

Holy fuck. I did not just say it out loud. I stuttered like seventy times. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I am a loser. God, I should just fling myself out of the car.

"Sure," she says. That's it? Sure. I just accidentally told her I liked her, and she says sure? What the fuck is her problem? Well, maybe it was the fact that I'm a total fuck-up and have mocked her for years. That could be why she hates me.

"Listen, I don't hate you," she says. Fuck, she's a fucking mind reader. I knew it. I didn't say that shit aloud. She's just, like, reading my mind or some shit. I just need to go home and forget about Veronica Mars. I fuck. I fuck and I don't care about girls. Damn Veronica Mars.

"It's just, it's weird. All of the sudden, you're a reasonable human being, and we're going to parties together."

"A party, Veronica. And listen, I'm trying," I say. Don't tell her that, you dumbass. God, she's going to think, well, I don't know what she'll think, but it won't be good.

"Trying to what, Dick? Get laid? Not going to happen."

All right, this is another conversation I never want to have. I don't fucking talk about my feelings and shit. It's just not me.

"I don't wanna talk about it," I say, cuz I don't. God, I feel like I'm going emo or something. Trying to find a reason to not talk about shit and be like, all, let me tell you about my feelings. God, why don't I just tape a sign to my back that says, 'I'm emo and Veronica Mars owns me.'

Logan might not like it.

"All right," she says, as I pull into her apartment complex. "Why don't we go to Fred's? I mean, if you want to be seen in the 02er realm."

Oh. My. God. I am doing something right. Milkshakes at Fred's with Veronica? Fuck the 09er rules. Fuck the 09ers!

"Yeah," I say. God, I feel all giddy, which is totally weird. Is it possible I've switched brains with Duncan?

Tuesday:

10:54:

"Ah, hell no. That was the day I was trying to teach you to surf."

"No, that was the day we all went to the beach, and Madison threw up and had to go home. Then you started hitting on me, and tried to teach me to surf," Veronica says.

"Whatever, dude, you totally wanted me to teach you. You eyes said it all, Ronnie," I say.

"Why have you called me that all year?"

Okay, legitimate question, but again, I don't feel like answering it.

"Uh, no reason, really. Just do."

"No one's called me that since sophomore year. Well, except Logan did once, but -- yeah, not since sophomore year."

"Yeah, it was like your fucking nickname. Dude, I remember I got all pissed at Casey Gant's party because everyone started calling you that, and was like, 'Logan, cool nickname.' I was like, what the fuck? I totally came up with that," And dude, I totally did. I just kinda wanted to remind her.

"Yeah, I remember. That was also the same night you puked on my shoes," she informs me. Like I don't remember? Pshh.

"Chill Ronnie, I bought you a new pair. And you were like, 'Dick, I love these.'"

"Yeah, because you spent like 200 bucks on them. I was pretty superficial then." But, she's not anymore, and I think I like her better now. Not that I didn't like her before, because she was cool and yeah, I liked it, or whatever. But now, she's like, I don't know, fucking unstoppable. And that's so hot.

"This was fun," I say as I give my credit card to the waiter.

"Oh, I got mine," Veronica says.

"Nah, my treat. You're a cheap date."

She smiles and I smile back. So her smile wasn't all, 'I'm in love with you,' but it was something.