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Silent Kind of LoVe

Veronica eyed the monstrosity sitting in the parking lot of the Neptune Grand. She looked up at her boyfriend standing beside her, her hand held to her forehead to shade her eyes from the early morning sun. "You couldn't find anything bigger?" she asked sarcastically.

Logan dropped his arm across her shoulder. "Listen up, sugarpuss. I'm only going to explain this one more time. Six people don't fit comfortably in the XTerra." His lips contorted into his trademark smirk. "I know, technically you and Mac only count as half-people, but it still won't work."

"You think you're so funny, don't ya, pretty boy." Veronica turned back to the midnight blue Chevy Suburban he'd rented for the trip, frowning in disgust. She still wasn't sure how he'd managed to pull it off. You had to be twenty-one to rent a car in California. "This is overkill."

"No, this is appropriate." Logan opened the front passenger door. "You and me upfront." Then he opened the rear door. "Three in the back. And one all the way in the back, with the cooler and the snacks. Everyone has plenty of room this way."

Veronica eyed him suspiciously. "So we can stick Dick back there, right? Far away from me?"

Logan scratched the side of his head, his words coming out slow and deliberate. "Ah, yeah, that's an option. But then he'd be unsupervised. He'd probably spend the whole trip mooning people through the back window. And do you really want him in charge of the food?"

Veronica flopped down on the curb. "This was a stupid idea. I should have asked Weevil to pick up the car and drive it back by himself." Somehow the trip to Vegas had taken on a life of its own. Veronica, Wallace, Mac and Meg were standing by the lockers after school on Thursday. Veronica and Wallace were discussing the trip, and Mac asked if she could tag along. Her parents had mentioned something about amateur go-cart racing that weekend; she needed an excuse to bail. Veronica said sure, the more the merrier. Unfortunately, Dick and Logan walked up right at that moment. Dick considered her words an open invitation to join them. Veronica was about to correct that assumption, but Meg nudged her shoulder and gave her a meaningful look. The plan, right. So instead, Veronica pasted a smile on her face and said nothing, while Logan shot her several questioning glances as the group worked out the specifics of the trip. Logan estimated the five hour drive to Vegas would take closer to six, adding in gas and restroom breaks. Once there, they'd eat lunch, pick-up Veronica's car, then head back. If they wanted to get home at a decent hour, they'd have to leave early.

So it was Saturday morning, close to seven, and the couple was waiting for their friends to arrive. Logan hauled her up from the ground, ignoring her groan of protest. "Come on, Ronnie. It's a road trip! Road trips are fun. Get into the spirit of it." He pushed his uncooperative girlfriend towards the car. "You're my co-pilot, which means you get control of the stereo," he added in a sing-song voice.

Veronica turned, her eyes narrowed. "Are you trying to bribe me, Logan Echolls?"

"Bribe is such an ugly word. I was thinking more along the lines of entice." He walked her backwards until she was flush against the side of the SUV. "I know you're not a morning person, but you got plenty of sleep last night. We went to bed at ten, like old people. Don't be a grump."

Veronica looked up at him, his lopsided smile shining down at her, and she hated him for being so cheery. "You should be grumpy too. This is way early for you."

Logan fitted his hips against hers; Veronica's arms automatically encircled his neck. "Actually, I'd be up around this time if I was going to surf. Once everyone's here, we'll stop at Starbucks. I promise." He laid kisses along her jaw, working his way up to her ear where he pulled her earlobe into his mouth, sucking and nibbling on the tender flesh.

Veronica closed her eyes and sighed as she tightened her hold on him. If she had to be up at this ungodly hour, the least Logan could do was buy her caffeine. What he was doing with his mouth was good too. "I want a venti caramel macchiato. And a blueberry muffin. And a piece of banana nut bread."

Logan laughed against her skin, the sound vibrating through her. "You had breakfast a half hour ago."

Veronica's only response was to arch her neck to give him better access. She knew she should stop him before the impromptu making-out session got out of control. Standing in the parking lot of the Grand didn't offer much protection from the paparazzi, and their friends were due to arrive any minute. But instead of doing the logical thing, she let her mind wander into the semi-dream state her boyfriend created. It was one of her favorite things about Logan - he's ability to make the world melt away for her. She wasn't required to worry about every little detail, or be responsible for other people's problems. She could relax and be a seventeen year old girl. It was almost frightening how easy it was to let loose of the tight control she usually maintained at let someone else take care of her.

And it was equally amazing that Logan had the energy or stability of mind to do it for her. The federal prosecutor had finally called. Friday after school, Logan had watched videos of his father and random women having sex. By the time he got back to the suite, his anger was palatable. He'd changed into a pair of sweats and had been gone for two more hours releasing that anger on a punching bag. And then he'd walked back in the door and kissed Veronica's socks off.

She wished she could help him, but Logan was sworn to secrecy. What he watched, the names of the women he could identify, he wasn't allowed to talk about any of it. The most he'd said was that Aaron was definitely going to jail, so Veronica knew some of the women – girls – were under age.

And in the middle of the hell surrounding them, Logan still found time to do unbelievable things for her. A masseuse was waiting when they got back from visiting her dad Wednesday night. She'd spent an hour being manipulated by very talented hands. Every muscle kink and stress knot smoothed out until her entire body turned to mush. It had been heaven. She couldn't remember the last time she'd been pampered like that.

Thursday had been all about romance. Logan was true to his word; lunch was blissfully free of '09ers. He persuaded Wallace to sit with his jock friends while he treated her to a picnic on the grassy knoll of the Neptune soccer field. It was the two of them, a blanket and a bottle of sparkling cider. Before journalism he presented her with a pink rose. Just because.

Friday was in no way less impressive. Tad was back, on crutches with his broken arm in a sling. His face looked like he'd gone ten rounds with Evander Holyfield. At least, that's what she'd been told. She never saw him. Somehow Logan managed to shield her from it. And he made sure she wasn't alone either. Normally, there were times when she walked between classes never seeing her friends. Not on Friday. If it wasn't Mac or Meg or Wallace, it was Dick or Casey or Logan himself. She was escorted everywhere and she knew it was all Logan's doing. He was protecting her.

He was protecting her. It was such a novel idea. A boy going out of his way to make her feel safe and special. She tried to remember if she'd ever felt that way before, and in all honesty, she couldn't. Oh, there were times when Duncan made her feel safe, times he made her feel special. But feeling both at the same time and knowing it wasn't an accident, that someone, that Logan, had purposely gone out of his way to make it happen, that was new. And now he was going to drive a very eclectic group of people to Las Vegas so she could pick up a car, and he wasn't complaining. Not even about Weevil.

"I was told this trip would be PG, PG-13 max."

"Go away," Logan growled threateningly, breaking Veronica from her thoughts.

She slowly opened her eyes to peak over his shoulder. Mac was standing there, Starbucks cup already in hand, her own personal smirk on her face. Veronica gently pushed Logan away, noting his disappointment. She reached up and dropped a kiss on his nose. "It's Mac. We like her, remember?" Then she slid out of his grasp, much happier than she'd been ten minutes before. "Good morning, fellow traveler!" Mac took a sip from her cup and pointed at Veronica's top. Veronica looked down to find her cardigan gaping open. She quickly buttoned it up, her cheeks enflamed. "Sorry about that," she mumbled as she shot Logan an exasperated look. He stared back at her, the picture of innocence.

Mac chuckled at her friend's embarrassment. It was good to see Veronica off-balance and having fun for a change. They talked on the phone the night before so she knew Veronica was anxious about the trip. All that teenage testosterone locked in a car was bound to cause problems, especially when some of the males in question weren't fond of each other. They'd also talked about Meg's plan. Getting a jump on it by making Logan's morning a little brighter wasn't a bad idea. "Is this our ride?" Mac ducked her head into the interior of the SUV, noting the DVD monitors imbedded into the back of the headrests. "Sweet. I brought the movies you wanted. I also have bottled water. You mentioned a cooler would be provided?"

Logan's hand lingered on Veronica's lower back as he took the bag of water bottles from Mac. "You didn't have to bring anything. I raided the Sac-N-Pac last night. We have water, soda, chips, pretzels, chocolate and two bananas."

"Two bananas?" Mac asked, laughter bubbling up and out of her this time.

Logan sheepishly nodded. "Yeah, I know, but it was the only fruit I could find that didn't look like it had been run over. Veronica mentioned you were a vegetarian and I wasn't sure what else to get you."

Mac sobered quickly as she absorbed his words. He'd bought fruit specifically for her. "Bananas are great. Thanks." Logan nodded again, then headed towards the tailgate to load the extra water into the cooler. Mac nudged Veronica's shoulder. "Your boyfriend's sweet."

Veronica tilted her head close to Mac's. "I know, but don't tell him. His ego's big enough as it is."

"I heard that," Logan called from the back of the Suburban.

Weevil showed up soon after, the sound of his motorcycle preceding him. He parked his bike and made his way over to the small group, standing in front of Veronica and Mac, and completely ignoring Logan. "Morning, ladies."

Veronica felt Logan stiffen next to her. "Weevil! So glad you could join us," she said brightly to cover the rising tension. If it was any indication of how the rest of the day was going to go, she knew she'd have a migraine before they left the state. "Whatcha got in the bag?"

Weevil adjusted the leather knapsack on his shoulder. "Just some stuff. I, uh, I wasn't sure what we were doing..."

As he let the sentence trail off, Veronica realized he hadn't received the same information as the rest of the group about the trip. A mistake on her part. She hadn't talked to him for longer than a minute since the incident in the girl's locker room. Had barely seen him at all in school. "There's a cooler if you have drinks or anything you want to keep cold. We'll eat lunch once we get to Vegas. If we have time, I was thinking the Hard Rock Cafe on the strip could be fun."

"Yeah, whatever you want. The dealership's just outside the city. We should have time." Weevil shifted on his feet, his body language effectively communicating his discomfort. "The cooler?"

Logan pointed towards the tailgate, but said nothing. Veronica followed Weevil to the back of the SUV, wanting to make up for her boyfriend's behavior. And a few minutes ago she was amazed because he wasn't complaining! As Weevil opened the cooler, she got her first good look at his hands. "Oh my god," she whispered as she reached out to touch the bruised knuckles. "Eli..."

Weevil looked down, not sure what had garnered that reaction from her. Then he remembered. He flexed his hands before dropping them to his side. "It was worth it." He saw the look of pure anguish on Veronica's face. "V, don't worry about it. The guy got what he deserved."

Veronica sat on the bumper of the Suburban, burying her head in her hands. "I should have checked on you. I should called or come over."

"No, you shouldn't." Weevil sat down next to her, his voice tender. "Stayin' away was the smartest thing you coulda done. You don't need any of this comin' back on you."

"But I'm responsible for what happened," she said as all her guilt came rushing back. Tad was beaten-up. Weevil was hurt. She made Logan lie to her dad. She should have gone to the police. She should have gone to the police.

Weevil tapped her on the shoulder until she looked over at him. "Last time I checked, you weren't the asshole who attacked a girl. I told ya I was lookin' for an excuse to beat on the guy. I enjoyed doin' it."

Whether it was something Weevil wanted to do or not, it was still her fault. "But your hands..."

"This?" Weevil raised his hands again and scoffed. "This ain't nothin'." He gave her one of his crooked smiles. "Most of this came from the other night when I was beatin' on your boy. You didn't notice 'cause you were too busy yellin' at me. So upset 'cause of a little dislocated shoulder." Veronica punched his arm and Weevil grabbed at it in mock pain. "And now you're beatin' on me. You don't appreciate me at all." He hung his head and sighed.

Veronica would never tell either of them, but Logan and Weevil, sometimes they were very much alike. They both deflected pain with humor. They both acted tough, when underneath it all they were pussycats. They both were passionate; protecting the people they cared about, never thinking of the consequences to themselves. And they both had a way of instantly making her feel better about really crappy situations. Her lip twitched, but she refused to smile. "Well, if those bruises are from Logan, then you deserve them, and I don't feel bad for you one bit."

Weevil, glad that the self-deprecation was over, finished putting his supplies in the cooler. "See? This is what I'm talkin' about. No appreciation. I also delivered him to you as requested, in case you forgot."

Veronica scoffed. "You beat the hell out of him first. And he was drunk! You took advantage of a drunk," she said matter-of-factly.

Weevil puffed up at the insult, playing along with Veronica's game. "Drunk or sober, I could kick his ass without trying. You forget who you're talkin' to. That boy of yours is soft." He made a show of rubbing his hands down his chest. "Now, I'm a real man."

Veronica jumped up, hands on her hips, fire back in her eyes. "A real man? Please! I could take you."

"Are you callin' me out, blondie?" Weevil said, invading her personal space.

Veronica refused to back down. She wouldn't let him win that easy. She poked him hard in the chest as she spoke. "I think I am, tough guy. You just name the time and place."

"Right," he drew out the word. "'Cause that's the reputation I need. Beatin' up little girls."

"You're just scared," Veronica taunted him. "You know I'd win."

Weevil held up his hands in pretend fear. "Ooh, I better run. Big, bad Veronica Mars wants to kick my ass." He walked around her, sizing her up. "What are ya? About 85 pounds soakin' wet? Stick with the taser and the pit bull, chica. Those are the only two scary things about you."

Veronica stuck out her bottom lip. "I scare people." When Weevil continued to stare not convinced, she stomped her foot. "I do! People are scared of me all the time!"

"People are scared of the dirt you uncover," Weevil pointed out. "Not you. That's why you call me to do the heavily liftin'."

Veronica jutted out her hip, pushed her elbow into her side and studied her nails. "All this talk about being a real man, but you're not willing to prove it."

Weevil leaned in close again, closer than he'd been before. His voice dropped to a suggestive whisper. "Oh, I'd be more than happy to prove it." His eyes raked up and down her body as he ran his tongue across his teeth. "If ya want to touch me, V, all you have to do is ask. You don't need to make up an excuse."

Veronica's eyes widened in shock as she pushed him away, laughing at his comment. "Weevil!"

"Trying to make time with my girl, Paco?" Logan's voice invaded the private conversation. Veronica swung around to see him standing next to the SUV, his arms crossed in front of him with no expression on his face. Her stomach took a dive as she wondered how much he'd heard.

Weevil was just as surprised by the '09er's sudden presence, but he refused to let it show. Instead his lips turned up in a cocky half smile. "When I decide to make time with your girl, you won't have to ask. You'll know." Then he purposely kissed Veronica's cheek before walking away.

Logan continued to stare at her blankly, ignoring Weevil's departure. Veronica gave him a nervous smile. "We were just joking around." Although she wasn't sure if the last part was a joke, and that gave her pause.

"Uh, huh," was Logan's only response.

She threw her hair over her shoulder, falling back to defensive mode. "God, Logan. What do you think we were doing? You think I was back here flirting with him, with you standing five feet away? Give me a little credit!"

"Who said anything about flirting?" Logan asked smoothly.

Inside, Veronica cringed. Oh, why did she have to say that? Like Logan didn't have enough insecurities or reasons to dislike Weevil. No, she had to go and remind him of what happened with Lilly. Good god, Mars, could you screw-up any worse if you tried? Her mouth parted, but nothing came out. She didn't know what to say, how to make it better. And Logan wasn't helping. He stood still as stone. She couldn't read him and it scared the hell out of her. Either he was taking it all as the joke she said it was, or he was about to explode into a jealous rage. Knowing Logan, it was probably the second and her mind worked furiously to find a way to diffuse the situation before a fight broke out.

Obviously, she took too long to answer. Logan's eyes dropped from hers, his shoulders slumped in defeat and he walked away without saying another word.

--- VVV

Veronica knew she was staring, but she couldn't help it. Logan hadn't said two words to her since their unfinished conversation back at the hotel parking lot. By the time she got her feet to work and went after him, he was talking to Dick, who must have shown up while she was talking to Weevil. She walked over to Logan, stood by his side, waited for him to acknowledge her, but he didn't. Wallace arrived a few minutes later, and Logan made quick work of getting everyone in the Suburban and on the road.

When they stopped at Starbucks, he ordered everything she earlier told him she wanted, along with what everyone else wanted, but he didn't talk to her. He silently passed the food and drink over to her without even looking at her. They'd been on the road now for over an hour and the silence between them continued. Veronica wanted to scream, to do anything to get him to talk, but she wasn't going to start a fight in a car filled with their friends. Especially when she felt so damn guilty. So she stared at him instead. And he stared at the road.

The other occupants of the SUV noticed, but no one was sure what was going on. Even Weevil was a little confused. He'd expected V and Echolls to get into a screaming match, or Echolls to come after him over the stunt he pulled. Kissing Veronica's cheek like that, pushing the guy's buttons on purpose. But nothing had happened. Nothing at all, which didn't sit right with Weevil. Sure, he liked V and she was hot, but he'd stepped on Echolls' toes before and he wasn't looking to do it again. Besides, she was his friend, a good friend, and he didn't want to mess that up. He didn't have too many friends outside the gang and his family, and definitely not one who could help him when he got into a jam. What he'd said to her, it was all a joke. Something to get her mind off Wilson. He didn't mean to cause a real problem for her.

All Mac knew was one minute Logan was smiling and joking, and the next... Dick showed up complaining about being awake before the butt-crack of dawn, asking where the hell Ronnie was, 'cause if Logan had let her sleep in, he was volunteering to drag her ass out of bed. Logan told Dick if he ever got anywhere near Veronica's bed, he'd kill him, and the conversation between the two quickly deteriorated into ridiculous verbal jabs and threats, none of which were serious. Mac had stood by watching them, forgotten or unnoticed, she wasn't sure, until she laughed at one of Dick's comments, and then Logan turned his quick wit on her. She spared with him for a few rounds, surprising him, she thought, when she gave as good as she got. When she started teasing him about what she'd seen earlier, he realized Veronica was missing and he went to find her. But when he rejoined them, his entire demeanor changed. And when Veronica stood next to him, it was like he didn't care that she was there. Mac didn't have a chance to ask Veronica what happened, but she saw the lost look in her friend's eyes so she knew it was bad.

Dick saw the change in Logan too, but he wasn't going to ask why. He was on thin ice with Veronica and he knew it. Getting mixed up in whatever domestic squabble the two of them were having was not the way to get on her good side. Logan had warned him not to cause trouble. That it was a miracle Ronnie was letting him come at all, and it he fucked up, it would be forever before she gave him another chance. So he was keeping his mouth shut. Besides, it was Logan. Dick was sure whatever happened, the guy would apologize eventually, whether it was his fault or not, and things would get back to normal.

Wallace was completely in the dark. He'd missed everything. He tried to get the story from Mac, but she didn't know much. She told him she thought it was somehow connected to Weevil, but she wasn't sure. Wallace bet it was. He knew taking this road trip with the PCHer was a bad idea. Veronica couldn't see Weevil had a thing for her, but Wallace knew Logan saw it. Saw it clear as day. Wallace still wasn't sure how he felt about the '09er, but he knew Logan was a better match for Veronica than Weevil. Not that he thought Veronica would ever reciprocate Weevil's feelings, but just having the guy around was asking for trouble. And the cold front coming off the couple in the front seat indicated trouble had definitely arrived. The first stop they made, he was cornering his best friend and asking her exactly what the hell was going on.

--- VVV

They stopped at a small gas station after crossing the border between California and Nevada. Wallace and Mac waited anxiously for Veronica to exit the car, while Weevil hovered next to the driver's side door, having decided he needed to say something to Echolls. Dick quickly wandered off, sensing the undercurrents and not wanting to get involved.

Veronica waited, wondering if Logan had finally decided to talk to her. They didn't need gas and no one had asked to use the bathroom, so she hoped the reason he pulled over was that he wanted a minute alone with her. When he didn't exit the car with the others, she knew she was right. But she still jumped when she heard the locks click into place. She swallowed the lump in her throat as she turned to look at him.

Logan had needed the silence. Seeing Weevil standing so close to Veronica, hearing the words the PCHer said to her, it had fried nearly every rational brain cell Logan possessed. But the few that were left told him vocalizing any of the accusations rushing through his mind would have meant a complete and utter destruction of their relationship. So he clamped down on his instincts. For once, he was going to think before he opened his mouth.

Veronica wasn't Lilly. He kept reminding himself of that. Whatever he witnessed, there was an explanation. Veronica wasn't Lilly. She wouldn't do that to him. She wouldn't cheat. If she wanted out of their relationship, she'd tell him straight to his face. She wouldn't go behind his back, flirt with Weevil or any guy. She was loyal. She always had been. That's why she told Lilly about him kissing Yolanda, because she had to. Veronica wasn't Lilly. She might ask Weevil to do her a favor once in awhile, but he wasn't the guy she wanted to be with. She wanted Logan. She'd assured him of that over and over, and she wouldn't lie about it. Veronica wasn't Lilly.

About thirty miles back, the mantra he kept repeating finally sunk in. Veronica wasn't Lilly. He was being ridiculous. He didn't need to convince himself because it was fact, plain and simple fact. She was friends with Weevil, something she never tried to hide, and whatever the two of them were doing, it was completely innocent. He was sure of it. It was Weevil who made the comment, not Veronica. Her response had been to push him away. And she said it was a joke. But even if it wasn't, even if Logan hadn't shown up when he did, even if Weevil pushed a little farther, Veronica would have stopped it. Because that's who she was. She'd gotten defensive - big deal. She was probably waiting for him to blow up and reacted before he could. That made more sense than anything else. He knew he was right. He had to be. So he'd ask her flat-out, and when she told him what he already knew to be true, he'd drop the subject. They'd go back to the way things had been that morning and enjoy the rest of the trip.

But his pep talk didn't stop him from being nervous. This was a big step for Logan, a big walking-off-a-cliff step. He didn't look at her when he spoke, his words barely above a whisper. "Were you flirting with him?"

After so much silence, his voice shocked her, but Veronica immediately responded. "No. No." She adamantly shook her head. "No. We were talking, arguing, joking, but I was not flirting."

Logan sighed in relief. He dropped his chin to his chest, gave a pray of thanks to whatever god was listening, and when he raised his head again, he was smiling. Not a huge smile, but a smile just the same. "Okay." He unlocked the doors.

Veronica quickly locked them again from her side, not sure what was going on, and wary of his strange behavior. "Wait. That's it?"

Logan shrugged. "If you say you weren't flirting, I believe you." He hit the locks again. "Would you grab me a soda out of the cooler? I'm going to the bathroom."

Veronica held down the lock with her finger as Logan continued to try to open the door. "But we need to talk about this," panic in her voice now. Too easy. It's too easy, she thought.

Logan leaned across the seat and pulled her hand away from the door. "No, we really don't." Then he exited the car before she could stop him.

Weevil was waiting for him, but Logan ignored him. He swept passed the biker before a word could be exchanged. Thing were good with Veronica. The same couldn't be said for Weevil. She wasn't flirting, but he'd heard what the guy said and Weevil was definitely hitting on her. Logan would deal with him later when his girlfriend wasn't around.

Veronica scrambled out of the SUV. That feeling was back. The one where she felt she'd been dropped into the Twilight Zone. She wasn't prepared for Logan's simple acceptance of the situation, and the fact that he wasn't mad, somehow, made her mad. They weren't done talking. "Logan Echolls! You come back here right this minute!"

Logan didn't stop or turn around, so Veronica took off after him, but Mac and Wallace descended on her. Wallace grabbed her arm before she could run off. "What's going on? What are you two fighting about?"

Veronica yanked free. "We're not fighting." She switched directions, but Mac blocked her path from the other side. She was trapped. "Guys, I'm a little busy right now. Can we talk later?" Logan was getting farther and farther away from her.

Mac's voice was calmer than Wallace's accusing tone. "You two haven't said a word to each other in hours. And now you're yelling at him." Veronica tried to dodge her, but Mac wouldn't budge. "What happened to the plan? What happened to the make Logan happy plan?"

Wallace frowned as he looked between the two girls. "There's a plan?"

Mac rolled her eyes. "Focus, Wallace. Please!" Boys were so easily distracted. "What happened in the parking lot? You two were all over each other this morning, and then suddenly everything changed."

Wallace regrouped. "Yeah. And what does he have to do with it?" He motioned towards Weevil who was rounding the front of the SUV. "Because I know he's involved."

Veronica watched Logan disappear around the corner of the gas station. She wasn't thrilled about the idea of busting into the men's room, but it wouldn't be the first time her and Logan had talked in a bathroom. At least they'd have some privacy. Now all she had to do was get away from her friends. "Logan and I aren't fighting. We're having a minor disagreement. Nothing to worry about. But I need to talk to him. Which I can't do if I'm standing here talking to you!" She pointed at Weevil. "And you! You pull a stunt like that again, and you'll find out exactly how scary I really am. My taser and Back-Up will be the least of your worries."

Wallace turned on the PCHer, his wrath redirected. "I knew you did something!"

Veronica smiled. Just the opening she needed. She side-stepped Wallace, evaded Mac's hands, and ran after Logan.

--- VVV

The bathroom door flew open and Veronica marched in. Logan's hand hovered over the zipper of his jeans. Remarkably, he wasn't as surprised to see her as he probably should have been. "As rich and diverse as my fantasy life is, even I don't want to have sex in the men's room of a gas station." He made a quick sweep of the room with his eyes. "Especially this men's room. It's disgusting in here."

Veronica ignored his attempt at humor, too annoyed and too flustered to care. "We weren't finished talking," she said through clenched teeth.

"Yes we were. You said you weren't flirting and I believed you. What more is there to talk about?" Logan pointed to the urinal. "I do have to pee. So either leave or you're going to get a show." He arched his brow in challenge. Veronica raised her own eyebrow as she folded her arms across her chest. Logan sighed. And then the sound of his zipper being pulled down echoed through the small room.

Veronica's eyes flicked down and back up again. It was by shear strength of will alone that she didn't blush like the sorta-virgin she was. So she peaked. Of course she peaked! She'd been sleeping with Logan for almost a week, waking up to his hand cupped around her breast and his morning wood pressed against her butt. There would have been something seriously wrong with her if she didn't look at him when given the chance. She already had a good idea about his size; seeing it was confirmation to what she already knew. And yes, when they did have sex, she was going to be one happy girl. "You say you believe me and then walk away. Did you really think that was the end of it?"

"Would you have preferred I said I didn't believe you and then walked away?" Logan began to pee, not self-conscious at all.

Veronica threw her hands in the air. "Stop being a jackass!"

Logan sighed again, dropping the sarcasm. "I asked you a question. You answered. I believe you told me the truth. What more do you want from me?"

"See, that's the problem." Veronica began to pace in the small space. "You say you believe me, but I don't believe you. This is not how you react. You aren't the calm, cool, collected type. You get jealous. You fight, you yell, you scream."

"And that's what you want?" Logan was genuinely confused. "Christ, Ronnie, I'm trying to be reasonable here."

"If I wanted someone reasonable, I'd be dating -" Veronica stopped herself from saying it, but she knew it was too late. She closed her eyes and waited for the storm.

Logan looked at the ceiling, clicking his tongue against the inside of his cheek, his anger barely in check. "You are bound and determined to piss me off today, aren't you? Did you wake up this morning and say 'Today, I'm going to fight with Logan. We haven't fought in days. It's about time we started again.' Is that how the conversation in your head went?"

"Not exactly." Veronica almost leaned against the wall, but she realized the bathroom was disgusting like Logan said, and she straightened. And then the outright ridiculousness of the situation hit her and she started to laugh. She was in a gas station men's room, arguing with him because he believed her when she told him the truth. She had completely lost her mind!

Logan finished peeing, zipped up and headed for the sink. As he washed his hands, he watched her in the mirror, a worried expression on his face due to her outburst. "I don't know what's going on with you today. First, there's the unconventional wardrobe. And then -"

"You noticed the skirt?" He hadn't commented on it all morning and Veronica was beginning to wonder, even before the fight, if wearing it was a good idea. Meg had borrowed it from her sister, saying Logan would appreciate it. It was shorter than anything Veronica would normally wear and much, much tighter.

Logan snorted. "If that's what you're calling it. I'd call it a belt. I can practically see your underwear when you sit down."

Veronica fingered the edge of the skirt, smiling at him. "So that means you like it." Logan met her eyes in the mirror. She watched them darken in a way that had nothing to do with anger. Then he blinked, and the desire was gone.

He pulled a few paper towels out of the dispenser. "Then I catch you - yes, I said catch you - standing so close to Weevil you might as well be kissing him and he's leering at you. But I don't say a word, because I already got yelled at this week for being a jealous boyfriend." He turned, leaning against the sink as he threw the towels in the trash. "Instead I say nothing. I wait until I've calmed down, because I know if I don't, I'll only make the situation worse."

Guilt started creeping back up on her. Veronica shifted her weight back and forth between her feet. "And contrary to my current behavior, I appreciate that."

Logan nodded, then continued. "So I decide to ask you what happened. No jumping to conclusions. No misunderstandings. I'll ask you because you wouldn't lie to me. And when you tell me you weren't flirting, I believe you. Again, because you wouldn't lie to me. And yet... I still get yelled at." Finally, his anger surfaced. He pushed off from the sink and got in Veronica's face. "What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"I don't know," she whispered, as confused as he was. Then she took a step back and pulled herself up to her full height. "I don't know," she said again in her normal voice. "You... you took me by surprise. I don't know how to react to you like this. Jealous Logan I'm prepared to deal with. Rational Logan throws me off my game."

Logan ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I'm trying to be better with you. For you. I'm trying to be less of the jackass you're always accusing me of being, but I can't win. How can I, when no matter what I do, you're still not happy."

Veronica chewed on her bottom lip. "I'm sorry. It's just -"

"Am I that big a jerk?" Logan waved his hand in front of her face. "No, don't answer that. I know I'm that big a jerk. I know I've been that big a jerk to you for a long time now. But is that all you think I am? That's all I'm capable of being?" It was his turn to start pacing. "This thing between us, it didn't start out right. We were hiding from everyone, and then you needed to find out what happened at Shelley's, and then figure out Lilly's murder. You kept accusing me of things, and I understood why." Hurt and disappointment overcame the anger in his voice. "But I thought we were past that. I thought we were finally at a point where I wasn't always the bad guy. So I guess I need you to explain to me, right now, why, even when I'm doing something right, I'm still wrong."

Veronica reached for him, but Logan evaded her touch, so she let her hand drop back to her side. "You're not wrong. You're just not what I expected." The Formica looked clean enough, so she hopped up on the counter of the sink. "We both changed after Lilly's death. Both of us, we got... harder. Tougher. I was always so trusting before, but the past two years, every time I turn around, the people I trust betray me. So I don't trust as easily now. I guess... I guess I thought it would be the same for you." Veronica looked down, watched her legs swing back and forth. "But you... you still trust people. After everything that's happened. If I found you with..." She searched her mind for an appropriate substitute. "Madison. If I found you with Madison the same way you found me with Weevil, I'm not sure I'd believe you if you told me you weren't flirting. Eventually, I probably would, but it would definitely take time. I was so geared up for a fight, I wasn't ready for you to let it go. And when you did, I didn't know how to react. You didn't do anything wrong, and you're not the bad guy. You're the complete opposite of the bad guy. You're being the perfect boyfriend. The hotel suite, the picnic, the massage. I understand that stuff, because it's a little over the top, and it's so you. And I appreciate all of it. But the normal every day stuff, when you don't react, or overreact the way I expect you to, that's the stuff I don't understand. It's not what I expect, so I..." She looked up, tilted her head, not sure she had his full attention. "Logan? Are you listening to me?"

An evil grin spread across his face. "No, I'm looking at your underwear."

Veronica glanced down at the borrowed skirt riding high, high up on her thighs. "Great. I pour my heart out and you're being a lech." She jumped down. "Forget everything I just said. You are a jackass and a jerk."

She headed for the door, but Logan stopped her, wrapping his arms around her from behind and pulling her back towards him. "I was listening. I heard what you said. But I was also enjoying the view." He teased close to her ear, "You're wearing pink panties."

Veronica huffed, but she smiled in spite of his outrageousness, or maybe because of it. "Keep this up and it's the only time you're ever going to see them."

Logan brought her flush against his body, repositioned them so they were once again standing in front of the mirror, looking at each other through the glass. "I understand the over the top stuff better too. The grand gestures, the big dramas. I'm used to living that way." He ran his hand down the side of her cheek. "The day-to-day being with someone is new to me, but I like it. I like being with you. So I'm learning how to do it. And I don't trust a lot of people, but I trust you. You are probably the most moral person I know. That's why I know you wouldn't lie to me, not about this."

Veronica took his hand and threaded their fingers together. "So we really are okay? You really do believe me?" she asked, wonder in her voice.

"Of course I believe you." Logan kissed her cheek. "If I can't believe you, I can't believe anybody." He rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about giving you the silent treatment. I needed some time to think."

"I understand. After all, I'm the queen of I-need-space." It was a disgusting little bathroom and it smelled of bleach and other things, but at the moment, it was exactly where Veronica wanted to be. "I glad you decided to come with us. If it had been me, I would have bailed."

Logan's eyes narrowed and his lips tightened into a thin line. "And leave you with lover boy? I don't think so."

"There's my jealous boyfriend. I wondered where he was hiding." Veronica turned, looping her arms around Logan's neck, so happy things were back to normal. "Are you going to kiss me anytime soon?"

Logan held her away from him, once again surveying the room. "Not in here. But I saw a picnic table outside I wouldn't mind bending you over." He pinched her butt and Veronica squealed.

---TBC

And we're off to Vegas! There will be much more Dick, Wallace and Mac in the coming chapters, I promise. We will find out exactly why Weevil needs to be there, Meg's plan will unfold, and Weevil and Logan will... talk.

I know in this chapter Logan's character is a little off, but I want him to grow more than he did in the show. He's a great guy who's been dumped on most of his life, yet he has always been able to see his own flaws. I think if you're that self-aware, you should be able to correct those flaws too. I hope everyone is okay with my take on him.

Thanks again for all the great reviews. You keep me inspired!