A/N - Sorry about the lateness of this chapter. I've got to get ahead in all of my classes as I'm going to go and see Kanye West in Brisbane on the 20th and U2 on the 21st. So my story may be delayed a little until I come back on the 25th. Also thank you to all the new readers who left me feedback for the last chapter. I loved it! Also I found the Postal Service song "Such Great Heights" which was in Veronica Mars, for free at music. download. com. If you don't have it yet, go get it. It's excellent!

XVI.

Veronica and Logan had been sitting on the wooden chairs of the sheriff's office for five minutes. They had found out that Leo's shift didn't start for another quarter of an hour. As they sat down, Logan began to nervously bounce his left leg up and down. He stopped suddenly when Veronica placed her hand on it.

"Will you calm down already?" Veronica said as she removed her hand and waited for an answer. Logan studied Veronica's face trying to sort out the thoughts running through his head.

'What's going on between us?' was something he desperately wanted to ask. He also wondered what her lip gloss would taste like straight from her lips. But the thoughts foremost in his mind were all about Leo. 'What's he like? Why did you two break up? Did the two of you sleep together?' 'Great,' Logan thought, 'now I have the visual of Veronica having sex with someone else.' He shook his head clear and decided to get his mind off of Leo.

"I spoke to Jake Thompson today." Of all the things that Veronica thought that Logan would say, the subject of Jake Thompson didn't even make it into the top ten.

"Okay...What did he say?"

"Well, he admitted that he did pay for the 'shadow guy' to put up a photo. But he said it was for one of Dick, not of you."

"Did he say anything else?"

"Well, I couldn't get him to tell me who the guy is..."

"Not for lack of trying, I bet." They shared a smile as Logan continued.

"But he did give me a web address am amazing," Veronica said as Logan looked on confused.

"Excuse me?"

"Look at you, my own little Archie Goodwin. Two days with me and you're already tracking down the bad guys."

"Do you realize the kind of ego it takes to think that?" Logan smiled. He was about to add more when they both realized that someone was standing in front of them.

"Veronica, hey."

"Hey." Veronica answered back. 'Yep,' Logan thought, 'that was definitely the awkward greeting of two exes. He looked at Leo and a wave of jealousy went through him. 'At least I'm taller.'

"Leo, this is Logan," Veronica continued and Logan was shaken out of his thoughts as Leo offered him his hand to shake. Leo recognised the look in Logan's eyes for what it was and smiled to himself. 'This guy doesn't know what he's getting himself in for.'

"So, what can I do for you Veronica?"

"I need a..."

"A favor." Leo finished fore her. "Why am I not surprised?"

"It's only a very little one. I need a name."

"A name?"

"Yeah, on the Jeff Stintson credit card case. I have one of the victim's names, Daisy Carter. I need the other one." While Leo was deciding on whether he would help Veronica or not, Logan studied the two of them.

Logan knew that he had no right to be irritated about the fact, but all that kept going though his mind was, 'Did they sleep together?'

"Just give me a minute, okay," Leo said as he walked off in the direction of the file room. Veronica turned to look at Logan, who still had a certain question running through his head.

"The answer to your question is no," she said as she watched Logan nearly choke.

"I wasn't aware I had asked one.

"It's written all over your face, Logan. But the good deputy and I never had sex, okay." Even though Logan was relieved at Veronica's admission, he didn't want to reveal how relieved he actually was.

"What, no cop fantasies running through that little head of yours, Miss. Mars?"

"Logan..." Veronica warned. She had been willing to share a little, but that was going to be the extent of it for the moment. Veronica let out a sigh of thankfulness when she saw Leo heading back toward them.

"Teresa Guerrero. That's the name." Leo said.

"Thank you, Deputy."

"Now if that's all..."

"That's it. And I mean it, Leo, thank you. This is really going to help us out."

"Well, I'd say come back anytime, but I think that you've taken that as implied already. It was good seeing you and meeting you as well, Logan." Leo eyed Veronica as he continued. "That's one crazy girl you've got on your hands." Logan looked at Veronica's affronted glare, and smiled back at Leo.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

ooooooooooooooooooo

"Wallace, man. Have you seen the new photo up? It's a classic." Dan said as he passed by Wallace at his locker.

"What is it this time?"

"Uh, uh. You've got to see it for yourself." At the excited tone in Dan's voice, Wallace closed his locker and headed towards the board where all the photos had appeared. Wallace burst out laughing when he saw what was pasted there.

In the photo was hard-assed, bastard Dick. And he was sitting at a little pink table, handing out tiny tea cups to a stuffed cat, rabbit and dog.

"Oh, Veronica is going to love this," Wallace said as he took out his cell phone and hit speed dial.

ooooooooooooooooooo

"This is the best day ever," Logan heard Veronica say as Wallace filled her in on the latest photo. He had to admit that Mr. PhotoShop was good at what he did. But then Logan remembered the image of Veronica's face covered in bruises and his smile disappeared.

"I think that's yours," Veronica said looking at him. Logan was confused for a moment until he realized that his phone was ringing.

"Hello."

"This is the Los Angeles Correctional Facility. Would you accept a collect call from inmate 751823, Aaron Echolls?" Logan's whole body started to shake and he sat down in the gutter.

"Yes," he stuttered out. Veronica looked at Logan strangely. In ten seconds he had gone from normal, joking Logan to looking like a scared, little child. Her questions were answered by his next word.

"Dad."

"How are you, son?"

"Don't call me that," Logan said angrily. Veronica sat down beside Logan and rubbed her hand up and down his back. His body slowly stopped shaking as Veronica continued the movement.

"I want you to come visit me, Logan. I need you to know why..."

"Stop Dad, please," said Logan as a tear slipped down his face. Veronica's heart broke at the sight of it.

"Logan..." Aaron started.

"I've got to go." He ended the call and continued staring at the phone. Veronica waited for him to speak.

"He wants me to visit him," Logan got out before he lowered his head and broke down. All the anguish that had built up in him over the last few months came out and Veronica wrapped her arms around him. Logan rested his head on her shoulder and she could feel his hot tears landing on her skin.

Veronica knew that there was nothing to be said. She had to let Logan speak first. One of her hands stroked his back while the other caressed his cheek. They stayed like that, not caring about all the people that were probably watching them.

Suddenly she felt Logan pull away from her. Veronica realized that she missed the weight and warmth of Logan's body.

"I'm sorry..." Logan began, but Veronica waved him off.

"Don't even mention it. I just want to know that you're okay." Logan smiled at her concern as he wiped away his tears.

"I don't know if I'm okay, but I certainly feel better." Veronica nodded and tried to think of a way to broach the subject of his father. However, Logan saved her the trouble.

"He wants me to visit him. He wants to explain why. Like that's possible." Logan lowered his head and Veronica put her arm around him. He unconsciously leaned against her.

"I can't do it, Veronica," Logan said in a whisper. "And he's not going to give up. I know Aaron Echolls and if there's one thing he doesn't like, it's the word no." He raised his head and looked into Veronica's eyes. She saw that Logan really needed her at this moment. He needed her to be his strength.

"Then we'll be ready for him," Veronica answered him with strong conviction in her eyes. Logan smiled, briefly closed his eyes and gently placed his lips on her temple. He stayed there a few beats, then pulled away completely and stood up.

Logan turned back, grabbed Veronica's hand and helped her up. They walked over to her car and only let go of each other when Veronica walked around to the driver's side.

As she was about to unlock the car, Veronica looked over and studied Logan. He noticed her staring and gave her a questioning look.

"What?" he asked.

"I'm going to bake you something," Veronica answered decidedly. Logan, not knowing that it was possible, let out a laugh.

oooooooooooooooooo