Author's Note: Thank you so much to everyone for their amazing support! I'm a bit stunned at all the positive feedback I've gotten for my very first story. Also, a special thank you to those kind enough to point out certain logistical discrepancies in the first 2 chapters. I've fixed those errors, and it should now make more sense.

Again, I only own Sasha. Everyone and everything else belongs to Mr. Rob Thomas and the fine people who created 'Veronica Mars'.


Part of her wanted to run back to her car. Part of her wanted to sink into the ground. Part of her wanted to throw her arms around him and hold on tight. Unable to do any of them, she simply stood and stared.

She'd always still pictured him as he was in high school, but that boy had become a man. The Logan in front of her exuded confidence instead of cockiness, a self-assurance based on something more than his bank accounts. For a moment, it was as though she were looking at a stranger who merely resembled someone she once knew. Until she looked his straight in the eye. The eyes were still the eyes of the boy she had known, the boy who had been, at various times, a friend, an enemy, an ally, an enigma, and a lover. Looking into his eyes, she found the ghost that had haunted her for five years.

A familiar half-smile turned up the corner of his mouth. "So, come here often?"

His voice was the same. Somehow, part of her had expected that it, too, would have changed.

"Is that the best line you've got these days?" she replied, returning the smile.

"It was either that, or 'What's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?'"

"Strange, most people in Neptune would think that this is my natural habitat."

"Only when there's a full moon."

Veronica looked up at the sky. "Phew. For a moment, I was afraid I'd turn into a werewolf."

"Nah. Furry wouldn't be a good look for you. Speaking of which, you look amazing. Still short, but it works for you."

She struggled for a reply, and the light banter which had flowed so easily turned into the awkward silence which she had been dreading from the start. Unable to look him in the eyes again, she stared at the flowers he held.

"Birds of paradise?" she queried.

Startled by the change of subject, he looked down at the flowers. Walking forward, he laid them on Lilly's grave beside the blossoms Veronica had left, and then stood beside her. "I always like to bring her something eye-catching. She'd have killed me if I'd ever tried to give her tulips or roses."

"I guess lilies weren't so imaginative."

"You'll do better next time. But why three?"

Veronica fidgeted. "One from me. And one from Duncan. And one from baby Lilly. It suddenly occurred to me that Duncan can never visit and bring his own flowers, and that baby Lilly can never…pay her respects…to the girl she's named for."

Logan sighed. "Too bad there's no statute of limitations on kidnapping. It's still strange to me that I haven't heard his voice or seen his face in five years."

I haven't heard your voice or seen your face in five years either.

The same thought went through both their heads, but neither voiced it.

"Do you ever try to imagine what she looks like now? I still think of her as 'Baby Lilly' but she's five years old. She can walk and talk and is probably learning how to read and tie her shoes by herself."

"I guess I just see a mini-version of our Lilly. Big eyes, long blonde hair, and a smile that can light up Las Vegas."

Without thinking, Veronica sighed and rested her head lightly against Logan's shoulder. They stood like that for a moment, until awareness dawned and she suddenly jerked away and took a step back.

He looked down at her, saying nothing. As she looked up at him, she was reminded of their last conversation, standing the same way in their caps and gowns, and the ugliness that had passed between them.

You died the same day that Lilly did.

Her eyes filled, and she took another step back. "I have to go," she choked out. Tearing her gaze fom his, she turned and ran to her car. Behind her, she heard nothing but the evening breeze through the trees.