This is it -- the last chapter. Although no one has commented on the Duncan being noble thing, it kind of bugs me. We all know he called the hit on Logan's Dad, but Veronica and Logan don't know that.

Let me know what you think of where I ended it. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 5

Logan looked like someone had punched him in the gut. "At least you're being honest now. Excuse me while I go throw up." He ripped his hand away from hers.

Veronica blocked his path. "But it wouldn't have been right. It wouldn't have been real."

Logan's eyes narrowed. "What does that mean?"

"It means that when I started dating Duncan again, I was trying to recapture how happy and carefree I'd been the first time we'd been together. Lily was still alive. My Mom was still around. You weren't a psychotic jackass."

Logan gave a bitter laugh.

"Deep down, I knew I couldn't turn back time. That didn't stop me from trying my damnedest to make it happen anyway. But even before Duncan left, I knew it wasn't working. People were still dead, or gone. I couldn't turn back into the happy naïve girl I'd once been. And I didn't want to anyway."

"Why didn't you break up with him then?"

Veronica shrugged. "All the reasons you named. Duncan is smart, he's nice, and we never fought. I kept trying to tell myself he was the perfect guy. That we could be happy together. Your basic apathy. So yeah, we might have still been dating if he hadn't had to run."

"And now?"

"Now, I've had time to see our relationship from a distance. When Duncan left it was like a good friend left; not like the love of my life left. And I realized that while the old Veronica Mars loved Duncan Kane, that girl hasn't existed in a long time."

Logan stared intently at her. "And the new Veronica Mars?"

"The new Veronica Mars lies in bed at night, remembering the passion she once shared with an old boyfriend. An old boyfriend named Logan Echolls, not Duncan Kane."

Logan took a sharp breath.

Veronica's glistening eyes caught the light as she stepped closer to Logan. "And the new Veronica Mars, knows with all her heart that there is only one guy she wants to be with. The new Veronica Mars…" her voice trailed off. "Aw, the Hell with hiding behind the third person." She took both his hands in hers and lifted her eyes to meet his. "Logan, I love you."

Logan squeezed her hands. "Veronica, I—I don't know what to say."

"Say you believe me."

Now Logan's eyes were glistening. "I believe you," he said softly, leaning his forehead against hers. "And I love you so much it hurts."

"It shouldn't hurt, Logan." She whispered in his ear. "Let me take away the hurt."

Veronica felt Logan's body quiver. Then he leaned down and his lips brushed against hers. Her breath escaped as a sigh. Their kiss deepened. One hand eased out of hers and then his fingers were through her hair, pulling her head closer to his.

A few minutes and they were both gasping for oxygen. Logan pulled back a few inches. His eyes flickered over her face, as if memorizing every inch. Then his dark eyes met hers and his voice came out ragged. "Make love to me, Veronica."

Veronica exhaled slowly. She took his hands in hers and backed towards the bed. Her legs met the edge and she started to sit but he pulled her back up. She looked at him quizzically.

He just smiled and his eyes dropped to her shirt. He unfastened the top button. The backs of his hands brushed against her as he moved to the next button. Veronica arched toward him, craving more than just a teasing touch.

Logan smiled a knowing smiled and moved to the other buttons. When he was done, he pushed the shirt off her shoulders, his thumbs grazing the fabric of her bra as he did.

Veronica gasped. "You're a bad boy, Logan Echolls."

He gave a husky chuckle. "And that's why you love me," he said, moving to kiss a now exposed shoulder.

Veronica sighed. "And that's why I love you." She pressed herself against him but it wasn't enough. She stepped back and tugged his shirt over his head before moving closer again. Bare skin against bare skin. Mmmm. A current sparked between them.

Soon her jeans lay in a puddle at her feet. Veronica reached for Logan's belt buckle but froze. The last time she tried that she'd scared him off. But things were different now. Right? She looked at Logan with pleading eyes. He wouldn't reject her again, would he?

Logan gave a nod of understanding and led her hand back to his buckle. Soon, the two of them were standing naked before each other. Logan's eyes were intense as they traveled over her body.

Veronica shivered, but didn't move to cover herself. She didn't feel vulnerable. Not here. Not with Logan.

Logan's voice was hoarse. "I trust you, Veronica."

"I trust you, too, Logan. With all my heart."

Logan smiled. Then he kissed her again, and lowered her to the bed.