Disclaimer: I do not own Veronica Mars or any of the characters (unless you don't recognize them). Rob Thomas owns them. (Though if he ever wants to give me Logan I wouldn't complain)
Chapter 4
Mars Apartment
"Thank you Dad for this." Veronica says from the doorway of Keith's room. He is finishing packing the last of his belongings to move into Alicia's house.
"Just remember the rules and that I have eyes and ears everywhere Veronica. And honestly, I have to let you go at some point. At least this way we are helping someone and you are still close by." He says as he smirks at his daughter.
"By the way, Meg just called. She is being released today from the hospital."
"Okay. Did she say what time?"
"In about an hour. She said they were getting ready to draw up her discharge papers."
"Okay. Well, I am just going to finish packing and take these boxes over to Alicia's real quick before I pick her up and take her to get her things."
"I figured as much and so I told her that you may be a few minutes late, but that you would be there." The tiny blonde said with a smile.
Outside the Manning Mansion
"Thank you again Mr. Mars for everything. My parents aren't happy about what I am doing and I just couldn't imagine giving up Arianna." Meg says with a slight smile.
"Call me Keith and it is okay. I am glad that I could help you out. Now, let's get this over with. I am sure that you would like to get back to your daughter."
"Definitely. I don't ever want to be away from her." She says as she pushed the doorbell.
"I still can't believe that you are doing this Meg! You are throwing your life away for some bastard child." Meg's parents yelled at Meg as she packed some of her things into a box.
"Mom, Dad, this is my choice. I cannot give Arianna up. Especially to be raised like you have raised us girls. You may think that I am throwing my life away, but I'm not. I am still going to work and go to school. If you don't want to be a part of Arianna's life, that is perfectly all right with me. But if you ever plan on being in her life than I will not have you calling her names or making her feel like she is not loved. Is that understood?" Meg says as she picks up the last box to load into Keith's car.
Mars Apartment
Veronica, Meg, and Keith are all in the kitchen area. Meg and Veronica stand on one side of the island while Keith stands by the other.
"Thank you so much for everything Veronica and Mr. Mars. I don't know what I would do without all your help." Meg says with a genuine smile.
"It is no problem Meg. I am glad that we can help and it works out for everyone." Keith says as he smiles at the two blonde girls smiling back at him.
"Well, you might want to get going Dad. If you are late for dinner Alicia might get pretty mad and we still have to set Meg's room up for her." Veronica says as she looks at Keith.
" I know. So remember the rules and I will see you three later." He says and then walks over to Arianna's basinet to give the tiny infant a kiss on her little head. Keith then leaves.
A little while after, at the Mars Apartment
Veronica comes out of her bedroom with her work uniform on trying to fix her hair while Meg is sitting on the couch with Ari in her arms.
"I hate to do this to you Meg, but I have to get to work. Will you be okay by yourself?" Veronica asks as she picks up her messenger bag.
"Sure, I am just going to do a bit more unpacking and I have backup here with me. Just go to work, Ari and I will be fine and if there is a problem I can always call you."
"Okay, then I am off to work. I should be home in a few hours, see you then." Veronica says as she walks out the door and off to work.
In a black Explorer
"I will make you see that we belong together Veronica. I am not going to lose you" Comes a familiar voice. As he sees Veronica's LaBaron pulling out he starts the car and eases onto the road.
At the Java Hut
"Hi, what can I get for you?" Veronica says without looking up.
"A mocha will be fine." Veronica hears Duncan say.
"Duncan, what are you doing here?" She says with a hint of irritation.
"I wanted some coffee. Is that a crime? Or am I not supposed to come here anymore because you decided that we were over?"
"I am sorry Duncan. It has just been a long day." She says as she rubs her temple.
"It is okay. I hear that Meg has moved in with you?" Duncan says as he looks at the ground.
"Yeah, that way she doesn't have to give Arianna up." Veronica hesitates before her next statement. "I have some pictures of her if you would like to see them?" Veronica asks.
"Could I?" Duncan asks and takes his eyes off of the floor.
"Sure, let me go get your coffee and the pictures from my purse. I'll be right back." She says and walks over to the counter.
When Veronica walks back up to Duncan's table she notices Logan is there.
"Here Duncan" She says as she sneaks a peak at the man that she knows that she loves, but can't tell him.
"Well, well, well Veronica Mars…" Logan trails off as he looks into her eyes.
'God how I could drown in those eyes, along with the rest of her.' Logan thinks to himself.
Duncan notices the look of desire in Logan's eyes as he looks at the tiny blonde one, and when he looks at her, he sees the same look mirrored on her face.
"Did you bring the pictures?" Duncan asks, hoping to dispel the sexual tension he can feel that is going on with his best friend and ex-girlfriend.
Veronica gives Duncan the pictures and stares at him while he looks at them. Logan then looks across the table to see the pictures also. Logan looks up with a smirk on his face. "When did you pop that one out Ronnie?"
Veronica, slightly angry, puts her hands on her hips and replies "hardy, har, har Logan, god, what are you twelve?"
Logan shows no reaction to this and says "hi ho, shouldn't it be off to work you go?" as he makes a shooing motion with his hand.
"And while I am off to work, shouldn't you go play with your playmate Logan?"
"My playmate? Didn't you know I kicked Kendall to the curb like a month ago? And here I thought you were keeping up with my sex life, Veronica." Logan says as he gives her a jokingly curious look.
"Hey Veronica, can I keep these?" Duncan asks, trying to ignore the vibrations he was getting from the two people.
"Yeah, I have copies. And I am sure that if you ever wanted to see Ari, Meg wouldn't mind. We both really think that you should be in her life." She says with a slight curl at the corners of her lips. Duncan smiles in return.
"Well I better get going. I am supposed to have dinner with my parents and we all know how Celeste can be. Why don't you join us Logan?" Duncan asks hoping to get his best friend away from Veronica.
"Actually, I have plans to hang out with Dick tonight, something about needing a guys night. But why don't you join us after your dinner?"
"Actually, I'll probably just go back to the penthouse after. But I will catch you both later." Duncan says as he stands up from the table and slowly leaves.
Veronica and Logan just stare at each other in awkward silence.
