"Hey," she called out, her words almost entirely drowned out by the whistling evening air.
He answered without turning. "Hey yourself."
She drew a long, deliberate breath before stepping forward on the sand - on the very beach that had first solidified their friendship years ago.
She looked down for a moment. It seemed almost apt that they'd come back full circle.

"You okay?" she ventured.
He grunted and shrugged.
She stepped close enough to touch him without actually doing so. "I - I figured you'd be here after - you know."
"Yeah," he simply answered.
She bit her lip in frustration. Was there really any way to make 'guess your mom ditched you too' sound comforting? She'd rushed over the moment she heard the news. He needed someone, and who better than a friend - or ex-friend - who fully understood the pain?

"Why here?" She tried questions instead.
"Well, why did you look here?"
It was her turn to shrug. "I dunno. I just kinda - "
"Felt it." They spoke in unison. They quickly turned to face each other.

For the next few seconds, she allowed herself to look at him openly, honestly. The pain in his eyes rekindled her own.
'Was it me?' 'Why didn't she stay for me?' 'Should I have done more?' - a thousand questions had plagued her mind last year the day after her mom disappeared. And she knew for certain that those same questions plagued him now.

"Logan." she stepped closer, her frame dwarfed by his. "It's not your fault - you know that, right?"
The bitter laugh that escaped his lips caught her by surprise. "Then whose was it?"
"Not you!" She fought to be heard above the waves and breeze.
Instinctively, she grabbed his arms right above the elbows and looked resolutely into his eyes. "Remember the picnics and parties we had here? The laughing and the singing and the playing? The campfires?"
She shook him till he returned her gaze.
"Logan - she packed those baskets. She shot those pictures. She was never too cool for her teenage son. She loved you!"
She saw him flinch at the word 'love' and lowered her voice to a whisper. "And she would never have left because of you, okay?"

His eyes, obviously brimming, ducked downwards; and she hung on firmly until he looked back up with a sniffle. "You sure?"
"One hundred percent."
"But I acted up so much. I was a bad kid - I - "
She silenced him with her mouth, kissing him firmly on the lips as she tiptoed in the sand. She pulled back a second later, and they both lifted their eyelids.
His gaze met hers with a myriad of emotions - more uncertainty than pain.

With tears of her own threatening to escape, she flung herself up to hug him.
He caught her immediately, pulling her tightly in his arms as hers secured around his neck.
"It was never, ever, ever your fault, okay?" She whispered into his hair. "The pain, the hurt - it's not your fault."
He tightened his hold until she could barely breathe. Then he pressed a kiss into her shoulder. "Thanks."

She blinked. "Whenever you need me."

Veronica blinks herself as she scrolls up and down the screen, her tongue darting to lick her chapped lips. Fictional though the scene may be, pulses of genuine emotion course through her veins as she recalls the way Logan felt in her arms in the hotel lobby last night, his body hunched over and his soul broken.

To lose hope is demoralizing. To lose renewed hope is utterly devastating. And a part of her wishes she never told Logan about his mom's credit card after all.

She closes her eyes and ignores the beeps on her laptop. Who could care for superficial fawning when life throws curveballs as big as parent deaths your way?

Answer - Veronica Mars.

She grumbles to, and also at, herself while she straightens up at from her slouch. She clicks the notifications in her inbox.

"So sweet and sorrowful at the same time! They need each other" - shakespeareana
"didn't see that coming. keep writing." - 3naecholls

Well, neither did she.

"There's something very precious in the middle of this. You make Logna and Amber more than jus charicatures. They feel like real people. No matter wat happens, they will still be there fur each other." - purplemanikin

Her lips inch up ever-so-slightly. Hopefully, they will.


She searches the comments page thoroughly, emotions spanning incredulity to amusement at the different responses. Sure, mostly everyone from Neptune High is at the spring dance tonight - but she still has readers elsewhere, right? Her eyes travel up and down in search for that one particular reader.

V3nd3tta: Hey
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Oh hi

She straightens up against her pillows.

V3nd3tta: Home alone?

Security-wise, she really shouldn't be admitting this.

M3r5hM2ll0ws: Yeah. You?
V3nd3tta: Yeah...except dad
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Ugh, sorry.
V3nd3tta: It's fine.

It's been no secret between them what he thinks of his faceless father.

V3nd3tta: How are you?
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Good, I guess. Turned down a hot date.
V3nd3tta: Ah, interesting...not hot enough?
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Actually, he is
V3nd3tta: Dashing, debonair prince charming on a horse?
M3r5hM2ll0ws: More like rich, dark hair in a certified cop cruiser?
V3nd3tta: Ah, the PI meets CSI. Sounds perfect to me.
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Yeah
V3nd3tta: Yeah...So, well, why not?

She sighs for a moment. Yeah - what's wrong with Leo?

M3r5hM2ll0ws: He's just, well, not my type, you know?
V3nd3tta: No, I don't know. Do tell.
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Just...he's nice and all. But, like, you know how sometimes you think you want something until what you really want comes along?

His reply takes way too long to arrive.

V3nd3tta: So like...a romantic epiphany?
M3r5hM2ll0ws: Lol. Yeah, maybe not that dramatic. But yeah...

She counts two mississippis.

V3nd3tta: So who's the lucky guy?

She shrugs before she types.

M3r5hM2ll0ws: Someone I never thought it would be.


The water lapped softly against her semi-submerged knees, the subtle pool waves churned out in perfect rhythm by Logan's swimming form. She squinted against the setting sun for a minute before finding her ankles wrapped in two strong, teenage arms. She looked down and smiled.
"Not joining me?" he asked, eyes glistening right along with the tips of his damp hair.
"It's okay. I like the view."
They exchanged a couple more small smiles.

"Thanks for coming over. I mean, with Dad being - "
"Yeah, I get it," she answered calmly. "You would've done the same."
He nodded back. Despite the Hollywood varnish, life with Aaron Echolls wasn't all it was made up to be. And Amber was one of the few who knew as much.
Who knew a funeral could be filled with so much pretense and affectation?
"Sorry I wasn't here early enough," she spoke almost to herself.
She felt him squeeze her knee before kicking back out into the water. "It's okay. I'm still glad you're here."
"Of course."

A handful of silent minutes passed as the two friends soaked in the afternoon warmth of Californian air.
"Why me?" Her voice sounded almost intrusive in the stillness of the half-empty grounds.
"Why you?"
"Yeah, why me? Why didn't you call Rick or Darren or any of your other friends?" She looked him straight in the eye.
The side of his mouth lifted fractionally. "Cuz only you would believe me."
She furrowed her brow.
"Lots of people believe what they want instead of what's true," Logan continued, still treading water a yard away. "They think this" - he gestured at their grandiose surroundings - "is all real. They think that when other people call us infallible, then we really are."

Her eyes stayed on his face as he waded towards her again.
"And as long as they buy that nonsense, they'll never truly understand," he concluded, leaning an elbow and arm against the side of the pool while looking up at her. His words slowly sank in.
"Got it?"
"Yeah." She nodded with a sad smile. "I think I do."


"So much angst and beauty!" - yogipoohbear
"She's so lucky to hang out with Logan!" - trophywifewannabe
"Awwww, young love!" - LamberLove

She almost chokes at the last one. Seriously?

"They are so lovely together. Its beautiful how it all unfolds. Is there friendship going to be something more eventually?" - PerfectPrincess

Is it?

Veronica shakes her head for even mentally entertaining the stupid question.

V3nd3tta: Hey there

She focuses back on the screen.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Hey
V3nd3tta: How are you?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Fine, I guess
V3nd3tta: You guess?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well...kinda unsure of some things
V3nd3tta: Ah...like your story?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, no. Or well...yeah, kind of.

She sighs. He has to be a genius to figure that one out.

V3nd3tta: So...something like real life affecting what you think of the story?

Fine, he just might be one.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Maybe? I mean...what do you think of the story?
V3nd3tta: Ah...and there it is
M2r5hM2ll0ws: What is?
V3nd3tta: My cue for an apology

She shrugs as if he could see her.

V3nd3tta: Sorry that I haven't been leaving my comments recently
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Yeah, sure
V3nd3tta: No, really. I'm sorry.

She huffs.

V3nd3tta: I just...haven't gotten around to it?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, you've been online enough

V3nd3tta: Yeah, I know

She refuses to reply.

V3nd3tta: Hey, I'm sorry...I just...I just don't want to upset you, you know?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Upset me?
V3nd3tta: Yeah, like. I don't want to say something you don't wanna hear.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Like?
V3nd3tta: I dunno...like maybe something shipping Lamber?

She feels a smidgen of tension escape her.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: If you think that's gonna upset me, then you clearly haven't been reading the recent comments
V3nd3tta: Okay, okay, no excuses. I heart Lamber 4-evah. That good?

She smiles just a little.

V3nd3tta: But I totally get why he didn't kiss her back.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: He what?!

Her mind speeds to recap the contents of her recent updates.

V3nd3tta: I mean...I'm glad to know she'd kiss him.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Yeah, okay...but?
V3nd3tta: But...how would he know it's not just because she feels bad for him, you know?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Feel bad for him?
V3nd3tta: Yeah, like a sympathy kiss, or a pity hug.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: It's not just pity, you know
V3nd3tta: Well, okay. I know now cuz you tell me. But would Logan - I mean, in the story - would he know?

Veronica pauses.

V3nd3tta: I still think it's an awesome story, you know?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Yeah, yeah
V3nd3tta: No, really. It is. It feels genuine and tangible and wonderful.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Okay...?
V3nd3tta: But it's just SO genuine and tangible that I...I kinda feel for the guy and his situation, you know?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: And the situation happens to be?
V3nd3tta: Being stuck in the friend zone :D
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Friend zone
V3nd3tta: Yes, friend zone...that awkward land of endless suffering
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Lol. You're quite the drama queen
V3nd3tta: Wouldn't you know it :)
M2r5hM2ll0ws: :)

A notification pops up in her inbox.

"Excellent chapter. Not everyone can see past the bloody glitz and glamor of Beverly Hills. Amber rocks." - V3nd3tta

She smiles.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Apology accepted
V3nd3tta: :)
M2r5hM2ll0ws: And also...message received.
V3nd3tta: ?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: You'll see :)


She poked her sunglasses, forcing them to stay put on her nose as she drank in the ocean air. There was always something magical about the ocean.
"Sorry!" he heaved his words while sliding gracefully down beside her on the picnic blanket. "Sorry I'm late."
She turned to face him. "It's okay."
Behind the safety of her shades, she analyzed each part of his youthful features - chocolate eyes to smiling lips. When they'd gone from sworn enemies to mutual annoyances to genuine friends - she didn't know. But somehow, between the lines of life, things just happened.

"So - ready for some celebrating?" She smiled as she turned to proudly pop the champagne bottle. He grinned. They both know who'd taught her that one.
"Celebrating what?" He leaned closer, their sides touching.
She shrugged while filling the two glasses she brought along. "Maybe, you know, someone's belated birthday or something, since we missed it."
He flinched. For a moment, she thought he'd run.

"Thanks," he mumbled as he took a glass for himself and gulped down the contents unceremoniously.
She frowned before taking a sip from hers.
"What's wrong?" she ventured to ask after another silent minute.
He stretched out his legs wordlessly. Two seconds later, he replied, "I don't need you to take pity on me, you know?"
"Pity?"
"I - I really thank you for being around for me when Mom disappeared, but" - He sighed between his words - "but you don't have to feel bad for me."

His possible perception dawned slowly on her consciousness. Was this why he's been staying at an awkward arm's length all this time?
"Logan." She lifted a hand to reel in his face, creating eye contact. His eyes were almost watery. "It's never been about pity."
His silence prodded her on.
"I do this because I care, okay? I want you to be okay. I want to make you happy again." She exhaled the last few words.
His gaze softened.
"Pity is for people you don't care for. Sympathy is for people you don't know. This is different." Her fingertips grazed his face between both her hands. "This is real."

She let go of the breadth she'd been holding the moment he let loose his own. He smiled, softly, as he placed his hand over one of hers. "Thanks."


"My heartstrings. Ugh! Lamber 4 ever!" - kissdgal
"Just kiss already!" - HotPinkSandals
"Thanks for the fast update! Whens the next one? :D" - 87barbiepixie

Veronica laughs. Next one? Apparently, fangirls know no contentment.

She leans back against the chair while her eyes meander casually to a photo of the Fab Four pinned right in the middle of her wall. Her eyes dim. Has it really all been less than two years? Crazy youthful fun turned to lost lives and shattered friendships that returned eventually to their current amicable truce - have a matter of months truly changed life that much?

Her mind travels back to her story. As much as she might deny it, V3nd3tta was on to something: in her case, the ties between real life and fiction are far more than just writing from experience. It's almost biographical.

She inhales. But if it really is autobiographical, does it mean -

V3nd3tta: Hi!

She smiles.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Hi :)
V3nd3tta: Thanks for writing that into the story
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Oh yeah? What makes you think I wrote it for you?
V3nd3tta: Oh, my bad. Too assuming. Sorry, sorry.

She can't help grinning.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Relax. I was kidding. I mean...you did help me see a point about the plot progression. So thanks for that.
V3nd3tta: :D
M2r5hM2ll0ws: :)

Her eyes trail back to the picture on the wall.

V3nd3tta: So how's your day? :)
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Decent
V3nd3tta: Oh, need some sugar to pump up the energy? :)
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, someone's definitely trying to amp up the charm.
V3nd3tta: Is it working? :)
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Not really
V3nd3tta: Oh :(
M2r5hM2ll0ws: I mean...the number of emoticons do reach a point of diminishing return :D
V3nd3tta: Sorry :(
M2r5hM2ll0ws: :D

It's funny how punctuations are used these days.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: So what makes you so happy today?
V3nd3tta: I dunno
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Really?
V3nd3tta: Well, fine. I know...but it sounds lame.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: I've been writing and chatting on my computer for more hours than I've been outside the house this entire past month. I'm the queen of lame. Do elaborate.
V3nd3tta: Hehe, okay.

She waits for him to continue.

V3nd3tta: I'm happy because of your story
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Right, Mr. always-sincere-with-the-ladies
V3nd3tta: Lol. No, really. I am.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, what part of it?
V3nd3tta: Well, you know
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Right, cuz you 'totally ship Lamber'
V3nd3tta: Well, yeah, there's that. They're practically my OTP.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: OTP?
V3nd3tta: One True Pairing
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Wow, so everyone only gets one shot at it?
V3nd3tta: Well, there's OTP, and then there's OTP of OTP'S
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Which doesn't make sense
V3nd3tta: Just like English spelling
M2r5hM2ll0ws: I'll tell my English teacher that
V3nd3tta: Sure, but deep down, you'd still agree with me
M2r5hM2ll0ws: :P

She stops to stretch her arms, her eyes still glued to the screen.

V3nd3tta: But anyway, that's not why I'm happy
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Okay...
V3nd3tta: I'm happy because you actually listened to me
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Excuse me?
V3nd3tta: No, no...not in an 'obey me' sort of way. Just in a, you know, take me seriously sort of way
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Okay, and why shouldn't I?
V3nd3tta: Well, you certainly don't have to
M2r5hM2ll0ws: But I'm a very reasonable person, so I do.
V3nd3tta: LOL
M2r5hM2ll0ws: What?
V3nd3tta: Nothing, hehe.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Seriously, what? I'm not reasonable?
V3nd3tta: For the record, I did not say that
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, fine. But what was I supposed to say?
V3nd3tta: Well..I was hoping you'd say cuz you're my friend?

She takes a pause.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: Are we friends?
V3nd3tta: Hm...we're not?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Well, define friends
V3nd3tta: Friends? Well friends =
M2r5hM2ll0ws: And don't go all Google on me!
V3nd3tta: :D
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Harhar
V3nd3tta: But seriously, friends are people who watch out for each other, keep each other company, and exchange sincere thoughts.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: True. But friends are also people who know what each other look like and meet each other regularly.
V3nd3tta: Okay...who have you talked to the most regularly this past month?

Darn it, he has a point.

M2r5hM2ll0ws: That's besides the point.
V3nd3tta: No, it isn't. If all the elements of a friendship are present, why would the lack of seeing each other physically disqualify the relationship as such?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Cuz it doesn't work that way.
V3nd3tta: And do all things work the way we've come to expect?
M2r5hM2ll0ws: No

She begrudges her own acquiescence.

V3nd3tta: And besides, we could always amend that.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Amend what?
V3nd3tta: Your reservations about labelling our unique interactions as what it truly is.
M2r5hM2ll0ws: Okay, and what do you suggest?

He replies way too fast.

V3nd3tta: Wanna meet up?

She catches her breath.

V3nd3tta: We know we both live in California. We'll appoint a neutral meeting place so we can each take our own car. Knowing your skill set and background as the only child of a former sheriff, I doubt you'll be in any danger.

She stares at her screen, willing her heartbeat to slow.

V3nd3tta: Well?

Her fingers hover shakily over the keyboard.

V3nd3tta: Smiley face? :D


A/N: Thank you so much for everyone's encouragement! For some reason, readership of this story just isn't as high or consistent as all my other stories. It's a shame, because I personally like this one so much. But that makes every review (especially detailed ones) more precious than ever. Thank you! And I'm sorry if this chapter felt way too long. I think I got carried away.