Title: Unexpected (4/?)

Author: Bex81385

Pairing: Logan/Veronica, LOVE

Rating: Somewhere between PG 13 and R

Spoilers: Everything up to Ruskie Business, after that goes completely AU

Summary: An unexpected event shakes Veronica to the core and threatens to bring Logan and Veronica back together.

Chapter Four

It wasn't hard for Veronica to sneak out of Cliff's apartment. All she had to do was climb out the window and crouch past the living room windows. She'd accomplished much more stealthy escapes in the past year, but Cliff and Wallace were still none the wiser. She moved as fast as her feet would carry her to the library, thankful that it wasn't very far away. She reached the library with a minute or two to spare, but thankfully didn't see Logan's SUV yet. She sat solemnly on the stairs and prepared to wait, hoping no one noticed her.

She pulled her knees up flush against her chest and rested her head on them. She didn't mind waiting for Logan, not one bit; it was the silence that was getting to her. In the silence, there were way too many voices inside her head, all talking at the same time, all saying the same thing. You're a horrible daughter. She sighed and lifted her head to look at her watch. Finally five minutes later she saw the Xterra pull up.

Logan saw her crouched in a ball on the steps of the library, a huddled mess. He felt his chest tighten as he saw her breath hitch and she finally looked up at him. He recognized the effort to put a smile on her face, and tried to send her one back. Both failed and they both knew it. He rolled his window down. "Sorry I'm late. I had a hard time getting away from Duncan and Meg." he admitted

She shook her head. "It's fine." She felt bad for dragging him away from his friends, and she was sure it was because he was suffering the same way she was, but she felt better when she was with him.

He sat behind his wheel for a long moment waiting on her to get in. When it didn't look like she was planning on moving he spoke again. "You coming?" he asked

She nodded and moved from her space on the steps and to the other side of his SUV. She opened the door and quickly climbed in. She watched as Logan turned the Xterra back on and put it in drive. She looked confused for a moment when he turned to her, unsure of what he wanted. She groaned inwardly as she realized how stupid she was being. Of course, he's waiting on you tell him where we're going, she thought to herself. "Can you take me somewhere?" she asked quietly

Logan nodded. "Anywhere. You name it."

"Dad's office." she requested.

Logan's gaze whipped off the road and to her. "Are you really sure that's a good idea Ronnie?"

Veronica shook her head lightly. "No. I'm actually positive it's a very bad idea. But I have to look for something and no one else would think or know to look for it."

"But... I just don't think..."

"Logan, either you take me or I take myself." she said determinedly, "I didn't really want to go alone, so I called you, but if you don't want to go then say the word. Pull over and let me out, I can go by myself."

Logan sighed and paused for a moment.

Veronica looked at him in shock. It seemed as if he was actually considering letting her go alone. When a few more moments passed and he still hadn't said anything, she cut her eyes at him. "Just let me out here." she snapped

Logan wanted to smile at the anger her voice held. She'd been so passive, and even though she had every right to be he couldn't ignore how much more like herself she seemed now that she was growing indignant. "Did I say I wasn't taking you?"

"You didn't say you were taking me either, did you?"

"I'm still driving aren't I?" he asked smiling

xxxxxx

They both remained sitting in the truck after pulling into the back lot of the office, neither one anxious to get inside. Finally it seemed that Veronica had bolstered her courage, and quickly exited the truck. Logan was quick to follow her, and now they both stood perfectly still in front of the building's back door.

He watched her stare at the door as if it was going to strike any minute and bite her. He could see her hesitating, her resolve wavering, her hand reaching out several times for the doorknob, and pulling back every time. Five minutes passed before she finally opened the door. He'd expected her to step in immediately but her feet seemed rooted to the ground. "Veronica..." Logan started, "if you're not ready to do this we can always come back later..."

Veronica shook her head and stared into the office. "I can do this." she said almost inaudibly before she finally walked in. She didn't even realize she was holding her breath until Logan jostled her as he shut the door behind him, and she'd been forced to release it.

Logan watched as she walked over to her father's desk, her eyes never making contact with the blood stained carpet. He couldn't help but wonder how she managed that because he was having a hard time not looking at it. He scanned the room in its entirety, looking for nothing in particular, before turning his attention back to her. He was surprised to see her going through the desk, but he wasn't sure why since she'd told him she had to look for something when he picked her up.

Veronica hastily jerked the drawers on the desk open and began looking through the files. She felt Logan's eyes on her, but refused to let his scrutiny stop her from meticulously searching for Lilly's file. After going through them each one by one she moved furiously to the file cabinet across the room. After exploring all four drawers she slammed the fourth one shut angrily. "Strike one." she mumbled softly. She looked around the room once more and caught Logan's eye. He looked confused and worried and for a moment she felt really bad for leaving him in the dark and not telling him exactly what she was looking for. She pushed the thought of telling him away before striding out to her own desk and her own file cabinet, the entire time forcing herself not to think about the bloodstain she'd just passed.

Logan watched as she haphazardly searched through the files. He could tell she was getting more and more frustrated when she started throwing the files behind her once she realized they were clearly not what she was looking for. Veronica had always been organized and the act of throwing the files on the floor and not putting them back in the cabinet was strictly out of character dor her. He looked around the office at the files strewn everywhere and sighed. "You know, if you'd tell me what you're looking for, I could probably help you."

Veronica froze. There was no way she could tell him she was searching for the file they weren't supposed to have regarding Lilly's murder investigation. She wasn't even sure if he'd believe her anyway, and there was always the possibility he'd be really angry to find out they were still investigating it in the first place. She shook her head quickly. "No. It's ok. Just... um... go and make sure no one comes in or anything."

Logan hesitated briefly before turning and doing as she asked.

Veronica look back into the cabinet and realized it was now empty. "Strike two." she said before heading back into her father's office. She froze in the doorway, this time unable to stop a vision of her father sitting behind the desk from flashing across her mind. The last time she'd seen him sitting behind his desk he'd yelled at her for refusing to let Lilly's case go, and she'd yelled back, calling him a hypocrite because he couldn't let it go either.

Tears welled in her eyes and before she knew it they'd fallen down her cheeks. She heard Logan moving around near the door and shook her tears away. She didn't have time to break down. She took a deep breath composing herself before heading to the safe.

After standing in front of the door for ten minutes Logan grew bored. He sighed tiredly before turning to head back to Veronica. He walked into Keith's office and found her digging through the safe.

"Damn it." she yelled in frustration before slamming the safe door shut. She heard footsteps behind her and turned to find Logan looking at her curiously. She slumped to the floor next to the desk and immediately her eyes were drawn to the bloodstain she'd been so good at avoiding. "It's not here." she mumbled inaudibly

Logan looked at the disaster that was Keith's office and frowned. "What?" he asked when he thought he heard her say something.

Veronica shook her head. "It's not here." she said her voice stronger this time.

Logan's brow furrowed in confusion. "What's not here?"

She shook her head, ignoring the question. She wasn't even sure she knew how to answer it. "Can you take me home?" she asked softly

"You want to go home?"

She nodded.

"It's not a good idea Veronica. It's too soon." he tried to reason. He'd caved on the office, but he wasn't about to take her home.

"Please." she pleaded, her puppy dog eyes in full effect.

Logan sighed. He'd never mastered the ability to say no to her when she looked at him like that, no matter how much he wanted to. "I'm assuming the same logic as before applies still?" He didn't want to take her but he didn't want her to go alone either.

Veronica shook her head. "No. I can't go there alone."

"And you're sure that's where you want to go?"

Veronica nodded.

Logan nodded and reached a hand down to help her up. "Ok then, let's go." he said softly.

Veronica smiled slightly and reached out for his hand. He pulled her up and Veronica tried not to notice that he didn't let go of her hand, and instead intertwined their fingers.

"For the record, this is a bad idea." he said before leading her out the office.

xxxxxx

Walking though the front door of the apartment proved to be much more difficult than the back door of the office, but then again, Logan knew it would be. Considering this was the last place Veronica had seen her father alive, it made plenty of sense that she'd be hesitant to return. He felt a squeeze on his hand and looked down. He hadn't released her hand the entire time he was driving over here and but had to let go when they got there so she could get out of the SUV. He wasn't sure if it had been him or if it had been her that had reached out for the other's hand once they were both standing in front of the door, and he was surprised at the lack of discomfort he felt simply holding her hand. He squeezed back gently, and made no attempt to extricate his hand or un-thread their fingers.

He reached out for the keys she was holding and took them from her. He slowly unlocked the door but left it closed. "We can go in whenever you're ready. Take all the time you need."

After standing there for five minutes, Logan thought she might change her mind and back out. However, before he knew it he felt his arm being pulled and Veronica was rushing them both inside the door. Once they were in she quickly locked the door behind her and turned to Logan.

"Before I lost my nerve." she explained, "Like ripping off a band-aid."

Logan nodded. He understood, and he knew she knew it as well.

They weren't in the room long before Back-Up came barreling through the room in their direction. Instantly feeling guilty for having forgot about Back-Up, she let go of Logan and embraced the anxious dog. She continuously gave the dog her undivided attention until the dog noticed Logan.

Logan smiled warmly at the dog who'd always been fond of him and reached out to pet him lovingly when he made his way to him. "Hey boy." he said playfully, "Does someone have to go out?"

Veronica's eyes widened. "I'm such a bad pet owner, of course he has to go out."

Logan shook his head. "You have other things on your mind right now. Give me his leash, I'll take him." Logan offered

Veronica sighed. "You don't mind?"

Logan nodded. "Terribly, that's why I offered." he joked

Veronica rolled her eyes and threw the leash at him. She would never admit it but his sarcasm made her feel better. "Thank you." she said before leaving the room.

Logan laughed and attached the leash to Back-Up. "Come on boy."

xxxxxx

Veronica moved slowly into her father's room. The room looked as if it had been ransacked, and if her father wasn't such a slob, Veronica would have suspected it had been. The bed was unmade, there were clothes all over the floor, and his scent lingered throughout the entire room. Feeling tears prickling in her eyes, she wanted nothing more than to climb into his bed, wrap herself up in his scent and never move again. Still, she knew she had things to do. She had to find that file. She moved to start searching through the clutter but heard Logan reenter the apartment.

Logan released Back-Up just in time to see Veronica exiting a room. Judging by her bloodshot eyes, he assumed it had been Keith's. "How are you doing?" he asked even though he knew it was a stupid question

She shrugged. "Make yourself at home." she said softly, "Just don't touch anything... or move anything... or..."

"Breathe?" he asked sarcastically

She sighed. "Sorry. Just follow me." she said heading back towards her bedroom. She shoved her head in the door quickly surveying it for embarrassing or incriminating items. Finding none she pushed the door open all the way and led him in. "You can wait in here. I won't be long, I promise." she said honestly. She had no desire to be here any longer than necessary. He'd been right. Coming home this soon had been a very bad idea, and if it wasn't for Lilly's missing file she doubted she'd have ever entertained the idea at all.

Logan nodded. "Is there anything in here I can't touch?"

She'd known he was kidding but that didn't make her answer any less serious, and she knew he knew it. "My laptop." she said before backing out the room.

Logan sighed and looked around the room curiously, anxiously searching for evidence of the Veronica he used to know before Lilly's death. He thumbed through her cd's, wondering if her musical taste had changed at all. He was pleased to find that it hadn't. Her taste in music had always surprised him considering how innocent and naive she'd been. He'd always assumed she'd be the type of girl who bobbed her head along to bubble gum pop, especially since, for the most part, Lilly had been that type. Veronica, however, had drummed to a different beat on that front and her style more or less resembled Logan's. Still, signs of Lilly were scattered throughout the collection. He smiled as he brushed past a Veronica's album. He remembered Lilly giving it to Veronica only a week before she died. Lilly had been ecstatic at the find when she'd come across it. She'd instantly told Veronica that she couldn't not own a cd that literally had her name on it. Logan had laughed while Lilly pouted when Veronica had told her that she could if the cd blowed.

He left her cd's and looked around the room again this time his eyes catching on the wall of philandering spouses. He moved closer and was surprised to see how many people he knew currently residing on the wall. Still, he hadn't been surprised to see his father there. The picture that surprised him most was Jake Kane, especially since the picture that earned him clearance on the wall of adultery contained Veronica's mother as well.

He turned to look around the room again and spotted her laptop. He couldn't help but wonder what she had on there that she was so intent to hide. A loud crash from across the hall sounded loudly throughout the room and he immediately turned towards the door. Another loud crash had him rushing out to check on Veronica.

xxxxxx

She didn't think she could have done more damage to the disaster area that had been her father's room, but looking around at all the strewn boxes and files, it was evident she had. She'd searched every corner of the room, knowing that if the file was here in the apartment it would be in his room. There would have been no chance he'd have left it anywhere else, for fear of her actually finding it. She'd emptied the safe as well and still couldn't find Lilly's file anywhere. It was becoming more and more clear to her that the file was gone. She doubted he'd have destroyed it, he'd spent far too much time and energy investigating her best friend's murder, so the only reasonable explanation for it's disappearance was that someone else had taken it.

She pushed down the urge to scream, her rage nearly overpowering every other aspect of her personality. Instead she slumped down onto the floor banging the back of head against the wall lightly. She looked around the room again and couldn't help but flashback to the argument she'd had with her father that morning.

"She's in trouble." she screamed at her father with tears in her eyes.

"Veronica, your mother can take care of herself."

"She called me..."

"She called you?" Keith asked shocked, "When?"

"Last night. She called my cell phone, she was upset."

Keith sighed. "She was probably drunk Veronica."

Veronica glared at him. "She's in trouble, and you don't even care. What kind of person are you?" she yelled before storming out of his room. She hadn't bothered to say another word to him, she'd simply gotten dressed for school. When she went to leave she ignored him as he told her he loved her, and slammed the front door behind her.

She dropped her head into her hands and started bawling. The voice was right, she was a horrible daughter. She hadn't even told him she loved him too, she'd just left. She heard footsteps and knew Logan had once again entered the room. She didn't even look up at him when he sat down next to her.

Seeing Veronica like this was harder than he thought it would be. "Ronnie..."

"It's gone." she mumbled, "It's not here." she said slowly before breaking out into sobs all over again.

He wasn't sure what she was talking about but he found it didn't really matter. He pulled her into his arms and let her cry against his chest, while rubbing her back soothingly. Agreeing to bring her here had been a horrible idea, and he knew he shouldn't have done it. He murmured false platitudes, repeating 'It's ok, it's all going to be ok...' over and over again, even though he doubted he was getting through to her. "What's going on in that head of yours?" he asked softly

Veronica pulled away and looked up at him tiredly. "It doesn't matter. You won't believe me."

Logan shook his head. At this point he was sure that no matter what she told him, he'd believe her. "Try me."

Veronica shook her head quickly. She knew there was no way she could handle having to convince Logan that Lilly's killer was still out there. She felt tears flood her eyes once more and she sighed angrily. She hated letting him see her this way, this weak, but at this point it was taking everything she had in her to keep breathing. She could worry about keeping up appearances later. "I can't." she finally whispered before turning away from his gaze.

Logan nodded. He could only hope that she would trust him and tell him eventually. He stood up and held out a hand for her. She accepted it and moved to sit on Keith's bed.

Veronica sat on his bed silently. She'd hoped to find Lilly's file, but it wasn't until now that she realized she'd been hoping to find something else as well, solace. She'd thought being around her father's things would help her feel less awful about the way things ended between them, but it hadn't. She looked up at Logan who was watching her carefully. She knew he'd understand that aspect of her grief. She was sure it was that same search for solace that had led Logan to believe his mother was still alive in the first place.

She knew that if anyone could rationalize what was going on in her head it would be him, and for a moment she thought maybe he'd understand the stuff about Lilly as well.

"We need to get out of here Ronnie. This isn't a good place for you to be right now." Logan said in a soothing voice. He didn't like how pale she looked and he didn't think she could possibly still be hydrated after all that crying. He felt Veronica nod into his chest briefly before sitting up off of him. He brushed the hair off her face gently so that he could see her eyes. He forced himself to ignore the strange feeling of intimacy the moment had created and turned his attention back to her. "I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but you'll get through this. You're the strongest person I know."

Veronica didn't know what she was supposed to say to that so she simply nodded. Logan stood up and reached down for her, so she reached up and took the hand he was offering. Once she was standing up she expected him to let go, but was surprised when he simply threaded his fingers through hers.

Logan squeezed her hand reassuringly and pulled her behind him out of Keith's room and into her own. He stopped in front of her bed and sat down, pulling her back down with him. He released her hand when he felt her head lean onto his shoulder, but only so that he could wrap his arm around her shoulder to hold her closer. Once they were situated in a comfortable position he leaned his own head against the top of hers. "You can trust me." he whispered across the top of her head.

"What?" she asked while lifting her head to look at him

"Whatever it is that you think you can't tell me, that you think I won't believe, if you decide to tell me, you can trust me. I'll keep your secrets."

Veronica sighed. "I'm not worried about you telling anyone."

Logan nodded. "I won't leave you either. I promise. You're stuck with me now Ronnie."

She smiled slightly and leaned back on his shoulder. "Poor me." she said sarcastically. She knew he was right, she could trust him. She just wasn't sure he could hold up the other promise. Still, she'd never know until she tried, and the worst that could happen is uncomfortable conversation. She knew he wouldn't leave her right now. She sighed, knowing it was now or never."I was looking for a case folder. It's about L..." she started only to be interrupted by the ringing of her cell phone. She reached for it immediately and sighed again once she realized it was Cliff.

Logan groaned inwardly. She'd been about to tell him what was going on in her head; what was worrying her so much besides her father's murder and her damn phone rings. "Who is it?" he asked curiously

Veronica handed the still ringing phone to Logan. "Cliff. Talk to him." she said softly. "I'm going to pack some clothes." she explained before walking over to her closet.

Logan looked at the phone carefully for a second as it was going to bite. He wasn't sure if Cliff would be angry at him for helping Veronica get away from his house or not. Finally he flipped the phone open and placed it to his ear. "Hello."

"Who is this?" Cliff asked confused

"Logan." he replied easily

"Why are you answering Veronica's phone?"

"Because I have Veronica here with me and she asked me to answer it."

"She asked you? Does that mean she's talking?" Cliff asked hopefully

Logan shook his head, despite the fact that he knew Cliff couldn't see him. "No not really. I mean not much. A word here, a phrase there." he said unsure if Veronica really wanted them to know she was talking to him.

Cliff sighed sadly. "How is she?"

Logan shrugged. "I don't know. Not good."

Cliff sighed. "What's she doing?"

"Packing some clothes."

"You took her to the apartment!" he yelled angrily

"Hey! Don't yell at me!" Logan snapped, "I'm the one who said this was a bad idea. She insisted."

Cliff sighed again. "I'm sorry. I'm just... stressed." he said apologetically

"It's fine."

"So I just spoke to Lamb and the coroner's report is ready. I went looking for Veronica and she wasn't in the guest room..."

"You want me to bring her to you?" Logan asked

Cliff shook his head. "Actually can you meet us at the Sheriff's office?"

"Hold on." he said before heading towards Veronica. "Ronnie?" he said softly

She looked away from her closet and at him. "Yeah?" she asked her voice barely audible. The crying had done a number on her voice, and she was getting slightly hoarse.

"Cliff says the coroner's report is in. He wants me to take you to the Sheriff's office." he said gently. He felt a twinge in his heart as her face contorted in sadness. "It might help if you know exactly what happened."

"How could it possibly help?"

"Once you know what really happened, you can start to deal with it."

Veronica nodded. "Give me five minutes." she said sadly "Now go away so I can change."

Logan nodded. "Sure." he said before walking out of the room so she could change. "She said give her five minutes."

"I heard her." Cliff said smiling slightly "So she wanted to go the apartment huh?"

"The office too."

"Really?"

Logan knew Veronica was going to be angry with him, but he knew someone needed to know what was going on with her. "Yeah. So... um... listen... I'm sure she's going to be pissed because I told you this but she destroyed the office."

"She what?" Cliff asked shocked.

"Keith's room too. She's looking for something."

"What?"

"I don't know what, she won't tell me. Any ideas?"

Cliff wiped his face tiredly. "No. No clue." he said honestly

Logan nodded. "Ok well, I'll drop her off in about five minutes." he said before hanging up the phone. He smiled lightly as he saw Veronica leave her room and head back in his direction. "You ready?"

Veronica nodded and looked around the living room. This was the last place she'd seen her father alive and happy. She wished she could see him that way now. A shudder ran through her body as she felt Logan's arm wrap around her and pull her against him. "Thank you." she said softly

"For what?"

She looked at him knowingly and knew he knew exactly what she was thanking him for. She heard a bark and turned to look at Back Up. She couldn't believe she had forgotten him again. She wanted desperately to take him with her but she knew there wasn't room for him at Cliff's. "Logan?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you do me a favor?" she asked hesitatingly

Logan nodded. "Sure."

"Can you take Back Up home with you?" she asked quickly. "There isn't room for him at Cliff's and he can't stay here by himself."

Logan sighed. "You know Trina's allergic to dogs right?"

Veronica sighed. "Oh, no I didn't know that. Never mind then I'll just..."

"It's fine. It means I can make Trina miserable, and Back Up won't be cooped up in this apartment. It's a win win in my books."

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I mean, won't your dad be angry?" She didn't want to ask him to do something that would get him in any more trouble.

Logan nodded. "It's fine Veronica." he told her reassuringly. He grabbed the dog's leash from where he'd left and called for Back Up. He put the leash on the dog, wrapped an arm around Veronica and led them both to the door. "Come on."

Veronica glanced back around the room once more before letting Logan lead her out of the apartment and to the Xterra.

AN: The rest of the rewrites will be up this weekend... Let me know what you think about the rewritten story you guys...