Story so far: Logan and Duncan overhear Veronica at Lilly's graveside. They learn she has cancer and is dying. They also learn she can prove Abel Kunz didn't kill Lilly. In the hospital, Logan ends up rushing into Veronica's room begging her not to go to Lilly and to stay because he needs her. Logan once Veronica's heart rate rises professes he knows she is going to get better. She does and while she is recuperating at home, Logan does some soul searching and decides he needs to make changes. Logan worried about how Veronica is taking that Duncan and Meg are dating talks to her in the hallway at school. The rumors have them dating. Logan frustrated meets with Veronica at a burger bar to discuss how to handle all the rumors about them. Now back to the story.......

Logan arrives at school on Monday morning a few minutes before first period. He notices a lot of students are watching him. He is used to being watched but this is different. They stop talking when he walks down the hall towards them and the whispering starts up again once he is past them. He briefly wonders what the gossip about him is now. When he walks down the hall towards his locker, he sees Duncan is waiting for him.

Logan says happily when he gets close, "Hey DK. What did you do this weekend?"

Duncan looks at Logan, his face placid. He says dryly, "I went out with Meg on Friday and Saturday night. What did you do?

Logan reaches up to unlock his locker and says, 'Nothing much. I went surfing with Casey yesterday."

Focused on his task Logan misses Duncan's frown. Duncan says, "How was your date with Veronica on Saturday?"

Logan looks over at his best friend in surprise at the question. He says slowly, "We didn't have a date."

Duncan pulls out a tabloid and shows Logan the front page. There is a large picture on the front of Logan and Veronica exiting a restaurant. Logan takes the tabloid from his friend and looks at the picture in shock.

He looks from the picture to his friend. He sees Duncan is upset. Duncan his voice low and angry says, "You keep telling me that you two don't have anything going. You know I still love her. Why are you dating her?"

Logan looks at Duncan in surprise. He says slowly, "It is not what you think DK."

Duncan shoves Logan against the locker and yells, "Quit lying to me."

Logan makes no attempt to defend himself. He looks his friend in the eyes, saying quietly, "Calm down Duncan. Everyone is looking at us."

Duncan looks around the hallway at all the students watching them. He gives Logan a last shove and walks away down the hall.

Logan looks back down at the photograph on the front page. How does this keep happening? He talked to Veronica at school and the rumors were he asked her to the dance so he meets with her away from school and now the tabloids pick it up with the headline of "Echolls heir and his new girlfriend at the boardwalk." He can see why Duncan thinks he and Veronica had a date. It looks like he has his arm around her and they are both laughing. They look happy together. He shoves the paper in his locker, grabs his books and then shuts his locker. He walks towards his first period class. He ignores the students looking at him.

Logan walks into class and the room goes quiet. He pauses in the doorway and then walks into the room and sits in his usual chair at the back of the room. Duncan already sitting there ignores him. Meg is sitting at the front of the room her back straight and stiff. Logan almost groans. It is obvious that Meg has heard about the confrontation between him and Duncan.

Veronica walks into the room and pauses in the doorway. She walks over and sits in her usual chair beside Meg. Logan watches as Veronica tries to talk to Meg and is given the cold shoulder. He sees Veronica sigh and open her books. Logan thinks that Veronica has been through enough and really doesn't need this stress with one of her few friends. The teacher starts the class and Logan turns his attention to her.

Meg gets up immediately as class ends. Veronica grabs her arm and says something to her and Meg shakes off her arm and walks out. He sees Veronica's shoulders slump and she picks up her bag and leaves the room.

Logan turns to his best friend and says quietly but urgently, "DK, Veronica and I aren't dating."

Duncan doesn't look at Duncan and says in a bored tone, "Whatever."

Logan steps in the isle and stops Duncan's exit from the room. He says, "I am hoping to some day deserve to be her friend again."

Duncan looks at Logan and sees his sincerity. His shoulders slump and he says, "I know Logan. I'm sorry."

Logan says, "It's OK DK. I know that your relationship shouldn't have ended the way it did."

They walk together to their next class.

*****

Neither Veronica nor Logan goes to the Valentine's Dance. Meg and Duncan don't go either. The rumors around the school are now filled with the triangle of Logan, Duncan and Veronica.

A week later after school Logan is sitting in his psychiatrist's waiting room when his phone rings. He looks at the ID and sees Veronica's name. He answers a little tentatively, "Hey Ronnie."

Veronica says, "Logan"

Logan waits to hear what Veronica wants. After a short silence, she questions, "Logan were you serious when you told me that you wanted to talk to me about what happened after Lilly died?"

Sitting straight Logan says quietly, "Ronnie. I don't want to make excuses for how I behaved. You deserve to hear a real apology and have me listen to how what I did affected you."

Thinking aloud Veronica says, "Like alcoholics or drug addicts do when they are recovering?"

Logan's attention is focused on her voice. He explains, "I guess kind of like that. I am not going around to everyone I hurt or anything like that. I just feel I stepped over the line with you and I want to give you a chance to talk about it if you need to."

Veronica is quiet for a few seconds obviously thinking. Logan waits for her to talk but his face shows his concern. She finally says her voice tentative, "I am not sure I can open up like that to you Logan."

Trying to reassure her Logan says, "I don't blame you for not trusting me."

There is a pause in the conversation. Logan says, "Look Ronnie. I won't push the conversation. It can wait until you are ready for it, if you are ever ready for it."

He pauses waiting and then when it seems Veronica doesn't know what to say, Logan says sincerely, "I would be happy to just hang out with you and get to know each other again. No strings. No expectations. We were close once. I know my behavior is the reason we are not close anymore. I know I don't deserve to have your friendship. I just want you to know that I would be a lot more protective of our friendship this time if you ever decide to give me the chance."

Veronica is quiet for a little while. She finally says when it becomes obvious Logan has said what he wants to say, "Can I get back to you on everything Logan?"

Logan easily says, "It is an open ended offer Ronnie."

Veronica says her voice quiet, "Thanks. I have to run."

Logan says softly, "Bye Ronnie."

Veronica says her voice equally soft, "Bye Logan."

Logan hangs up and looks at his phone for a few seconds. He raises his head when he hears his psychiatrist say, "That sounded like an interesting conversation."

He looks over and sees him standing in the doorway looking at him. Logan says neutrally, "It was."

His psychiatrist says, "Come on in Logan."

Logan gets up and goes in.

****

The next day at school everyone is buzzing about how Luke tested positive for steroids. The rumor is the baseball team is facing a year ban from play and Luke if found guilty will be banned for life. Logan listens as Luke tells the 09ers at lunch what happened. He is devastated. His dream of being a pro baseball player is over and his teammates are mad at him. He claims he will be found innocent but Logan remembers Luke bringing the piñata full of steroids back from Mexico before Christmas. Logan can't help but wonder if Veronica is involved. She doesn't seem to be but she is capable of setting it all up.

****

A week later, Logan is sitting on his surfboard looking back at the beach. Casey and John left an hour ago. He sees someone sitting beside his chair reading a book. He looks closer and sees it is Veronica. He looks around and sees she is alone sitting there. He waits for the next wave and rides his board in. He walks out of the water and over to where she is sitting. He says, "Hi Ronnie."

Veronica looks up at Logan's voice and feels her heart jump in her chest. When did he get so….. muscular? Her eyes run over his bare chest and abdomen.

Logan looking down at Veronica is having similar thoughts about seeing her in her bikini. He hasn't seen her in a bathing suit since before Lilly died and she always wore one pieces then. He turns from her and puts down his surf board willing his body not to react. Veronica admires the muscles in his arms and back while he is turned from her.

Logan turns back drying his hair and face with his towel. He says, "Are you here for a surfing lesson?"

Veronica smiles at Logan and shakes her head, "Not today. I just thought we would hang out, if that's OK?

Logan smiles slowly at Veronica. Her heart skips again in her chest. He happily tells her, "It's great." He sits down beside her and looks at the book she is reading. He says, "Is this for the assignment on powerful people?"

Veronica nods. Logan observes, "Man you are almost half way through. Is it any good?"

Veronica nods, "It is actually a surprising book. I had no idea of all of his accomplishments before he became President. She looks at Logan and says, "Who did you choose to do your report on?"

Leaning over to his cooler, Logan gets out a water. He looks over at Veronica offering it to her. She shakes her head and says, "No thanks."

Logan opens the top and takes a drink. Veronica watches this throat move as she swallows and feels suddenly warm as the act of tipping his head back to drink outlines his chest and abdominal muscles. She is brought back by Logan saying as he puts the cap back on the bottle, "I am doing my report on Angela Merkel."

Veronica looks up to his face in surprise. She says, 'Really? I am impressed."

Logan shrugs a little and says, "She is a pretty interesting person."

Tilting her head a little, Veronica says sincerely, "I can't wait to hear your report."

They are quiet for a minute. Veronica is looking at her hands as they smooth out the sand beside her chair. Logan is looking at Veronica. Veronica looks up and says a little tentatively, "Do you have plans tonight?"

Logan shakes his head no. Veronica adds, "I was wondering if you felt like going to a movie?"

Logan looks at her and smiles. She smiles back. He says, "Sounds good. What movie did you want to see?"

***

They walk out of the movie theater together. Veronica is laughing at Logan's imitation of the main character. Logan puts his hand on her back to guide her through the crowd when they hear a voice, "Hey Logan."

Logan and Veronica turn and see Dick, Madison, Beaver, John, Pam, Luke and Kim standing there.

Veronica looks and sees the stares full of hatred from Kim, Pam and Madison. Luke is looking shocked. Beaver is looking interested and Dick is puzzled.

Logan says, "Hey." He nods at them all and bumps fists with John. Logan asks, "What movie are you going to see?"

They tell him and he says, "We just saw it. It's pretty good." He adds, "I think I liked it better than Ronnie did though." He smiles down at her.

He looks up and says to them, "Hey catch you tomorrow."

He directs Veronica away from them with his hand at her back.

Logan says as they walk towards the exit, "I'm hungry. Do you want to grab something to eat?"

Veronica smiles and says, "Sure." Then she imitates the female lead of the movie and says huskily, "What are you hungry for?"

Logan holds the door of the building open for her. He smiles enjoying her teasing manner. He follows her outside and falls into his role as the lead of the movie. He wiggles his eyebrows and says, "What do you think?"

Veronica pulls ice from her drink and tosses it at Logan and says, "A cold shower perhaps?" She laughs when Logan ducks under her throw but still gets hit with some ice.

When Logan stands up sstraight she sees the look on his face. She tosses her drink into the garbage and starts to run towards the parking lot. He easily catches her from behind and lifts her off the ground tickling her abdomen. Veronica swats his hands laughing.

Logan says in mock anger, "You little missy have taken on the bull."

Veronica giggles, "OK, I give Logan."

Logan stops tickling her and puts her down. He turns her to face him in his arms. He says pretending to be upset, "I don't think that is enough punishment."

Veronica her eyes sparkling with fun, says in a sweet voice, "I'll let you pick the restaurant."

Logan shakes his head, his own eyes twinkling with laughter but his face remaining stoic, "Not enough."

Veronica puts her arms around Logan's waist and leans into him. She pouts, "I'm sorry I threw ice at you."

Logan smiles and says, "That's better." He hugs her back and says, "Let's go." He takes her hand and walks her to his car. He opens the door for her and then walks around and gets in the driver's side.

***

The photographer filming the two teenagers thinks to himself. This couple is easy money.

The next day on Entertainment News, a video of Logan chasing and catching Veronica is played. It is obvious they are both laughing and enjoying each other. The host comments on how they are so cute together and questions whether an engagement can be far behind.

***

Logan is beyond frustrated at school. Duncan and Meg aren't talking. Meg is mad at Veronica and now Duncan is not talking to Logan. There are so many rumors going around the school about them all, it is getting totally ridiculous. The rumors don't seem to be letting up either. Even with all the rumors about Dick, Sean and Luke, Logan's life still seems to be a hot topic of conversation. Don't these people have lives of their own Logan wonders?

When Logan and Veronica are seen together at school, it is obvious there has been a major shift in their relationship. They laugh and talk easily and they are happy to see each other. They don't kiss or hold hands and they seem more like friends.

Some people think they are hiding their relationship from Duncan. Others say they love each other but can't be together because of Duncan. Some people say it is only a matter of time until they start dating. Either way, everyone is watching.

********************

I am grateful to those of you who have given me feedback on this story. It has been so helpful and insightful. Thank you all for reading it. Keep the great advice and support coming...... I am learning so much.

You know what to do................