CHAPTER 5

He walked out to meet her at the door as she drove up. He smiled as she jogged up to him from her car. He folded her into his arms as she approached. Breathing in her scent he just stood there with her for a minute.

"Let's go in. Everything is ready" Logan said, taking her hand a leading her through the door and towards the dining room. They went through the motions of setting the table silently. When they were sitting and about to eat Veronica told him.

"Jesus, Ronnie" Logan stuttered, gaping at Veronica from across the table. "You're kidding me, right?"

"No Logan, I am not kidding" Veronica glared at him. "What exactly about this situation is so unbelievable?" she ended with acid sweetness.

"The part about Weevil knowing how to read" Logan snarked, chuckling lightly. When Veronica scowled at him he burst out laughing. "That's what you wanted to tell me?" he asked between sniggers.

"Yes. Though judging by your reaction, I was worried about nothing" she said wryly, rubbing her eyes tiredly.

"Hell, if Paco wants help in school, then I'll pay for the tutor myself" Logan smiled. Relief was coursing through him. He wasn't going to lose her.

"That is a very…generous offer Logan. But I don't think that Eli would be comfortable with a tutor. I'll help him myself". She began eating the stir-fry he had made for them. Now that she had told him, the nervous energy that had been in her stomach had changed back into her appetite.

"What do you mean, you'll do it yourself?" Logan frowned. "How do I know that this isn't Weevil's plan to get closer to you?" he asked, eyes narrowing as she guiltily avoided looking at him. "He made a move on you already, didn't he?" he said, voice rising. His eyes widened as understanding dawned. "So that's why you didn't want to tell me". He pushed back from the table and stalked into the kitchen. Veronica wasn't far behind him.

"Logan! Nothing happened" she cried out, catching at his arm. He brushed her fingers off and turned, hurt, angry eyes piercing her.

"You left me this afternoon, for him?" he accused, his voice rising. "You've been avoiding me for the past week, FOR HIM?" he ended screaming and turning quickly, he punched the wall. The pain rushed through him as Veronica gasped in shock. She tried to take his hand but he snatched towards his chest, cursing.

"God Logan!" Veronica cried. "Your hand is bleeding". She took a hold of his wrist then, despite his mumbled protests. His knuckles were scraped, and noting the impression he had left on the wall, she thought they would be bruised before too long. "I am sure that the wall is suitably impressed with your manliness" she said coldly. But her touch on his hand was gentle as she led him to the sink and cleaned off the blood.

"See Ronnie?" he said in his little-boy voice. "I need you to take care of me too". He used his free hand to run his fingers through the ends of her hair. Veronica melted.

"Logan" she sighed. "No matter how Eli feels about me, I will still love you" she said, looking into his eyes. His fingers tightened in her hair and he pulled her lips to his.

"I love you Ronnie" he whispered against her lips. "Veronica Mars" he continued. "You are the love of my life". The quiet sincerity in his voice left her floored. A little part of her had always thought that he never stopped feeling that way about Lilly.

"Right back at you, big boy" she said lightly, pinching his butt. She chuckled when he yelped and accepted his kiss eagerly. "Right back at you".