Note: I don't own Veronica Mars. Just a big fan. Also, I appreciate the spotlight from VM Fic Recs. I'm having so much fun writing this and I'm glad you guys like it too!

Logan drove through the gated community to the new house he shared with his mom, holding his girlfriend's hand. He was stopped by the security guards before entering and had to verify his identity. Before his mom left his dad, he would have been irritated by being stopped. Didn't everyone know who he was? Now, he valued the extra security. He could take care of himself; he had been for years. But he was afraid of what Aaron would do to his mom if he could get a hold of her.

They pulled into the driveway just as a delivery truck was leaving. Entering the house was like entering chaos. Men were moving around furniture, women were placing accent pieces around the rooms, and Christmas music was being played loud through built-in speakers in the ceiling. Logan called out for his mom and she glided into the foyer like the queen in her domain.

"Hello you two!" Lynn smiled and gave them each a hug. Veronica stiffened a bit, unused to open displays of affection from anyone but her dad. Her mom hadn't hugged her in almost two years and the contrast was startling.

Logan was more affected by his mom's obvious happiness. He hadn't seen her this way in a long, long time. "The furniture came quick. We just ordered it yesterday," Logan said while putting his backpack and Veronica's overnight bag down by the stairs.

"Yes but I made a few phone calls and got them to rush the delivery after I knew Veronica would be staying. We can't have her staying here without furniture!" Lynn swept out of the room and the two teenagers followed. Veronica wondered what Lynn would think if she knew how long she slept on the sleeper sofa in their apartment before they could afford to buy her a new bed. Still, Lynn's obvious fussing made her smile and melted a bit of her grief.

They entered the kitchen and Logan grabbed them each a bottle of water while Lynn talked to a woman holding a large vase filled with huge fake flowers. Logan began making funny faces at Veronica and she laughed.

Lynn turned and smile at the sound of Veronica's laughter. The woman left the room and Lynn grabbed Logan's hand and began to dance in the kitchen to 'Jingle Bell Rock.' Veronica laughed again at the two of them and shook her head with a smile when Logan tried to get her to join. They danced through the end of the song and Logan sauntered up to Veronica before tickling her ribs.

"Never give up, never surrender!" Veronica said between deep belly laughs while Logan continued to tickle her.

"Come on, forfeit!" Logan picked Veronica up and sat her on the kitchen's island counter. His tickling fingers finally stopped just as he placed his lips on hers. She gently shoved him away and looked around the room for Lynn. "She went out to pick up some linens and dinner. We have the house to ourselves," he said huskily, bending down to kiss her neck. She moaned softly and moved her head to give him better access. He placed big openmouthed kisses over her shoulder and neck before sucking gently below her ear. Her hands tightened on his shirt, drawing him in closer.

"You have magic lips, Mr. Echolls," Veronica said breathlessly.

"All the better to kiss you with, Miss Mars," he replied between nibbling on her earlobe and kissing her jaw. "Want to see my room?" He stepped back to look at her face. She knew this question was asking more about her comfort with their make out session than a tour of the house. She was nervous about Logan's obvious sexuality but she trusted him to stop when it became too must for her. She nodded and he grabbed her hand, pulling her up the stairs.

Logan threw the door open and pushed her onto his bed. She landed in the middle and laughed up at him. He stood like a caveman, hands on his hips, looking down at his prize. He launched himself onto the bed, landing next to her, and pulled her onto his chest. His eyes gentled and he kissed her lips sweetly. "I know you aren't ready to go much further and I want you to know I'll wait forever for you. I just want to feel close to you," he murmured against her lips. She wanted the same, to feel close to someone and lean on them. She had relied on herself for so long that it such a relief to have someone to share with.

She ran her fingers through his hair and gazed down at him. "Let's play a game. Two truths and a lie." Logan quirked an eyebrow and she laughed. "Come on, it'll be fun. I'll go first." She tapped a finger to her lips and looked thoughtful. "My favorite animal is a unicorn. I've had a crush on you since I was 12. I loved the Twilight books."

Logan slipped his hand under her shirt and rubbed circles on the base of her spine. "I know you love unicorns." She nodded and leaned down to kiss his lips quickly. "I really can't see you liking Twilight. I mean, I read them, but they just don't seem to be your cup of tea." Veronica laughed again and shook her head. "So then it's true that you've had a crush on me." She smirked and he leaned up to capture her mouth with his, running his tongue over her lips and massaging hers when her mouth parted. He deepened the kiss and smiled when she moaned. He flipped them over so Veronica was on her back and he was on his side, perched over her. He broke this kiss and said, "My turn. I love historical romance novels. I hate peas. I've thought about kissing you almost every day since you and Duncan broke up."

Veronica looked up at him and giggled. "You love peas. We used to sneak cans into your locker." Logan nodded. "I can't imagine you reading historical romances."

"Wrong, I love that crap. Especially ones in the early 1800's when the duke falls in love with his governess. So romantic," he sighed. Veronica's eyes narrowed. "So, I lied. It's wasn't almost every day that I thought of kissing you." He leaned down and kissed her jaw. "It was every single day, every time I saw you. I had to be a jerk to keep you away from me because I couldn't keep away on my own." Veronica's breath hitched and her eyes moistened, much to her dismay. He kissed her lips sweetly and rolled onto his back.

She sat up on her elbows and looked at him. "Why did you have to stay away?"

He sighed and played with the sleeve of her shirt. "Lilly and Duncan knew I liked you. Lilly was okay with it, I think, but Duncan asked me to stay away. Right after he broke up with you," she scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I know, he didn't actually tell you he broke up with you. That was shitty on his part. Anyways, right after, he told me he needed me to help keep you away. He wasn't strong enough to do it on his own. I thought that was weird but it makes sense now. He still wanted you and he couldn't have you. I felt the same way. I wanted you but thought I couldn't have you, with your love for Duncan and mine for Lilly hanging over our heads."

Veronica eased back down, pacified by his answer. "You were never tempted to make a move on me?"

"Oh, plenty of times. After I smashed your headlights, I wanted to grab you and kiss you until your lips were swollen." He rolled to his side to face her again and ran his finger over her lips. "I also need to be honest about something. At Shelley's party, I didn't know you were drugged, obviously. I just thought you were drunk." She nodded looked into his earnest face. "We used you for a salt lick. Took shots off you and stuff." She blinked rapidly, trying to figure out what he was saying. "I thought you were too drunk to remember, but I kissed you then. You kissed me back. Duncan interrupted us and he took you away. I was so mad or maybe jealous, I left shortly after with someone else."

Veronica chewed on her lip while she thought. After a long moment, she said bluntly, "So the kiss in your pool house wasn't our first kiss." He looked at her tenderly as he shook his head, she felt any anger she had at being used melt away. "But it was such a great first kiss. Of all of my first kisses," he scowled at the mention of her kissing anyone else, "it was the best first kiss a girl could ask for. Now that I know it wasn't really the first…" she trailed off.

Logan looked thoughtfully at her and smiled. "Hi, I'm Logan Echolls. What's your name?" Her brow furrowed and she gazed at him questioningly. "We're obviously just meeting for the first time and definitely have not kissed yet."

She laughed, her nose wrinkling at his silliness. "I'm Veronica Mars. It's nice to meet you."

"Yes, very nice to meet you. Now that we've met properly, it's time for our first kiss." She chewed on her lip, pretending to think it over before finally nodding. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. The warmth of his lips sent a jolt through Veronica and her mouth parted, allowing his tongue entry. She brought her arms up to wrap around his neck while he maneuvered his body between her open thighs. It all felt very erotic but perfectly right, she thought, while Logan deepened the kiss. His hand grazed her side, ribs, and underneath her breast while he savored her sweet taste. They kissed for what felt like hours before Logan broke off and gazed down at her with labored breath. "How was that?"

She smiled. "Great. A solid 10 all around. Why did you stop?" She leaned up to kiss him again and he moaned.

"Veronica…" He broke the kiss again and rested his forehead on hers. She began to squirm, trying to draw his lips back to hers, when he pressed his hips and erection into her belly. She gasped softly. "We need to stop unless you are ready for more." She shook her head and he kissed her forehead gently before rolling off of her and onto his back. He drew her to his side and she rested her head on his chest.

"You're good at that," she said as she snuggled in closer to him.

"All my skills are at your disposal now, mi'lady." She laughed and closed her eyes.

"This feels so nice." He nodded and closed his eyes too, trying to keep his mind off of his raging erection. Soon, Veronica's breathing evened out and she slept soundly for the first time since she found out about her mother's death.

Veronica woke alone nearly an hour later. The Christmas music was still playing, albeit more quietly than before. She found her way to the bathroom and then headed downstairs towards the scent of food. She found Logan and Lynn sitting at a cozy kitchen table, heads bent over a photo album. She cleared her throat, unsure if she should interrupt. Lynn smiled and waved her over.

"We're looking at photos of me growing up. Have a seat and I'll serve up dinner," Lynn said enthusiastically before making her way through the kitchen to pull out warming dishes and plates.

"Your mom is very... chipper," Veronica whispered to Logan.

He laughed and whispered back, "I know! I haven't seen her like this in forever." He looked back at his mom thoughtfully and smiled. "I love it."

Lynn started putting dish after dish on the table and told the teenagers to dig in. Veronica gaped at the smorgasbord of food. Turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and more filled up the table.

"It's like Thanksgiving dinner," Veronica said quietly. She remembered her Thanksgiving festivities with her dad. She cooked lasagna, one of the few dishes she'd mastered, and they watched a movie before he went to work and she read a book. It had been kind of lonely.

"Exactly! We were out-of-town for Thanksgiving so we didn't get to have a family dinner. I thought we could make up for it tonight. I just love this caterer," Lynn said cheerfully.

Logan and Veronica looked at each other and decided to dig in. Veronica filled her plate to the brim and ate earnestly. She hadn't had much of an appetite all day and was feeling ravenous. Each bite made her feel better, physically and emotionally. She missed her dad terribly and this whole evening could only have been better if he was with them. Conversation flowed and they all laughed until their sides hurt. Veronica forgot for a little while that she was sad.

After dinner, she and Logan cleaned up the kitchen, shooing Lynn into the living room to get started on the Christmas tree. They washed the dishes in comfortable silence and then joined Lynn. She had Christmas decorations spread out everywhere and a large tree already strung with lights near the fireplace. Lynn turned the music back on and they all began placing ornaments and ribbon on the tree. After lots of laughter and a game of Rock Paper Scissors, Logan placed the star on the top of the tree and they stood back to look at their creation.

"That is one God awful tree," Logan said joyfully. Veronica nodded and Lynn laughed.

"It is, isn't it? It looks truly atrocious. I LOVE IT!" She clapped her hands pulled them both into a big hug. Veronica's cell phone rang and she extricated herself to answer it. Her dad's name appeared on the screen.

"Hey dad," she answered, walking out of the room and into the kitchen.

"Hi sweetheart. So, I've got some news." He sounded tired and she missed him so much in that moment.

"Uh oh. Nothing good ever comes out of that phrase." She chewed on her lip. Logan entered the room and sat on the counter, playing on his cell phone. She appreciated that he wanted to be near her but was still giving her privacy.

"Well. I met with the chief of police. The car they found was registered to your mom but there was no purse or identification in the car. Then I went to the coroner to identify her body." He was quiet for a long moment.

"And? Was it bad? I wish I would have come with you."

"It was bad. But it wasn't her. The body wasn't your mom's, Veronica. She isn't dead."

Veronica's mouth fell open and she stared at Logan. He stared back, trying to figure out what was going on.

Keith continued, "Right, so she isn't dead. But I did find her."

Veronica gasped. "You what? What happened?" Logan was almost frantic now, trying to determine what happened. He put his hand on her shoulder and she shook her head at him, waiting to hear what her dad said.

"I stopped to get some coffee after leaving the morgue and she came up to me, in a disguise. I almost didn't recognize her. She said she had seen the article and thought she should come forward."

"What about the car? Why was someone else driving it?" Veronica asked.

"She doesn't really remember. She got drunk and woke up to find her car gone. I figure it was stolen." He yawned and she urged him to continue. "Anyways, we talked. I told her I knew about the Kanes forcing her out-of-town. I also told her I knew about the paternity issue. She broke down crying. She needs real help, honey."

"So she isn't coming home." Veronica said flatly. Logan's eyebrows flew up.

"No, she isn't. I'm so sorry sweetheart. We're going to use this accident to get her away. I'm not going to correct the coroner. He's going to pronounce your mom deceased. She is going to go far away and restart her life." He sighed and she could hear the fatigue in his voice.

"Without us."

"She loves you very much, Veronica. Never forget that."

"Not enough to fight for your marriage. For her daughter."

"Our marriage was over a long time ago," he said firmly. "She loves you but she isn't well enough to be your mom. It isn't anything you did or didn't do. She's making this choice on her own."

Veronica shook her head and sagged back into Logan's arms. He was still confused but gently stroked her hair and rubbed her neck. "All right. I guess this is another hurdle we'll have to get through," she said resigned.

"I'll be home tomorrow and we'll talk more about it. For now, I'm beat. I'm going to get some sleep then deal with the police in the morning and be home to you in the afternoon. I love you, Veronica. More than you can ever know."

"I love you too, daddy." The call ended and she looked at Logan, emotions bubbling to the surface.

"What happened?" he asked quietly.

"She didn't die in that accident. Another woman did. But she's going to pretend like it is her so she can start a new life. Without us." She began to cry and Logan folded her into his arms, unsure what to say.