DISCLAIMER: I don't own any rights to Veronica Mars. This story is written as a tribute only. No celebrity endorsement is implied by product placements. All real persons' names are used in the sense of "wouldn't it be cool if this person had this gig?"

PROLOGUE:

Veronica sits on the thin mattress on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest in a vain attempt to keep warm. A threadbare blanket is draped around her shoulders and she tries again to stretch it to cover her lower legs completely. The darkness of the room is complete; not even a speck of moonlight penetrates the blacked-out window.

How many girls spent lonely nights in this room before me? I can get through this, she thinks, trying to talk herself into being courageous. She shivers again, uncontrollably, and she accidentally knocks her bruised shoulder against the wall, wincing from the unexpected pain. Remembering last night's vicious fight, she wiggles her loose tooth with her tongue, hoping it will eventually tighten in its socket again; she smiles grimly, thinking that at least her opponent got the worst of it. Veronica stands up and resumes pacing the length of the room, flailing her arms to try to keep warm. One, two, three, four, five, turn around, one, two, three, four, five, turn around... Finally, she gives up and curls up in a fetal position on the mattress, huddled under the blanket. She whispers, "I'm going to make these bastards pay. I'm not giving up."

Two months earlier...

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Boy's Got Game
Veronica and Logan have a study break;
Wallace meets the new girl.
Veronica: Kristin Bell. Logan: Jason
Dohring. Wallace: Percy Daggs III.
Candice Pauling: Toy Connor.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER ONE: "BOY'S GOT GAME"

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Logan's house, Venice Beach, CA

Veronica pauses in her studying and considers Logan sitting across the room on the couch, his feet propped up on the coffee table. He is staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows of his beach house at the Pacific Ocean, ostensibly writing. On the stereo, the Coldplay song 'Don't Panic' plays over and over, set to repeat ad infinitum.

Veronica has asked him about this. After the tenth time through a song, she is ready to scream, but he sits there staring at the ocean, thinking. He tells her that the repetition almost hypnotizes him while he sits there figuring out what he wants to write in his head. Usually after several hours of thinking, he grabs his laptop and types furiously for an hour or so. Then he begins to edit, slashing and burning, rewriting, reconsidering.

Now, he feels her eyes upon him; his eyes focus on her and he smiles.

Veronica removes the headphones she's been wearing to avoid listening to 'Don't Panic' for the last hour, and says, "Hey, you."

"Tonight's our last chance to have kinky sex in the wheelchair," he replies, using the remote to shut off the stereo.

"Almost makes you feel sorry for Anna Nicole, considering how much trouble we've had."

"I wouldn't say trouble, I would say creative," he retorts. In the last two and a half months, the cast on Logan's leg has forced the couple to experiment with position and leverage. He's getting the cast off tomorrow, and he can't wait.

She stands up, smiling broadly, and pulls off her T-shirt, revealing bare skin underneath. "I think I know what you have in mind."

"Looks like you're the one who has it in mind," he muses, noting her erect nipples. He watches her in amusement, an appreciative smile on his face.

Veronica shucks off her jeans and walks over to the kitchen in the corner of the large room. She moves a footstool next to the kitchen counter, wiggling her ass provocatively at Logan as she adjusts it. Deliberately seeking out his eyes, she then shucks off her panties, and hops onto the end of the kitchen counter, facing the footstool located directly below her. She crosses her legs and says in a kittenish voice, "I thought it seemed a little warm in here so I took my clothes off. I saved a spot for you, right here in front of me. Why don't you come over here?" She motions to the footstool, then leans back, keeping herself propped upright with her hands on the counter, which makes her breasts slightly more prominent. She bounces her foot a little and looks enticingly at Logan.

Logan chuckles and grabs his crutches. He propels himself over to the kitchen area and seats himself on the ottoman in front of Veronica, stretching out his right leg in its cast. Logan strokes her foot and caresses her calf, kissing a small childhood scar. He gently uncrosses her legs.

"Oh my goodness, look what we have here," he says throatily. He breathes in the heady aroma of Veronica's arousal. His fingers slide smoothly over her thighs, and she sighs appreciatively, "mmm". He leans in and kisses her just above her right knee. He looks up questioningly.

"Oh, that's nice. Maybe...just a little higher," she suggests.

"Up here?" he says, stroking her inner thigh, so lightly, kissing her again in the same place on the other knee.

"Mmm, hmm," she agrees, arching her back a little.

"Maybe...this is what you had in mind." He trails kisses up her thigh, and pretends that he is going to kiss her center, when he teasingly pulls back to look up at her again.

"Loooo-gahhhhn..." she pleads.

"Oh, you want me to stop," he says.

"Noooo, please..."

"All right," he says, resuming his kisses on her upper thigh, coming so achingly close, that she involuntarily scooches closer to the edge of the counter, trying to make contact. "Veronica, you're such a dirty girl."

"God, Logan, please..."

He takes pity and caresses her pussy, just for a moment, ever so lightly, with the back of his index finger. She pushes into him, trying to increase the pressure. He laughs, saying, "Don't be in such a hurry, let me enjoy you." He touches her again gently, watching her reaction. He speeds his finger's motions and is gratified when she sighs "Ahhh..." She throws her head back, enjoying the moment, and Logan gently pushes the finger in her pussy, indulging in the incredible feeling of her dampness. She grabs the edge of the counter and moans again, rocking against him, as he adds a finger and increases his pace. He kisses his way up to her center, then roughly grabs her ass with both hands, pressing his tongue into her. He flicks his tongue furiously against her clit, and she grabs his head, stroking his hair, muttering incomprehensibly, "Logan, god, Logan..."

As he feels her trembling begin, he clutches her ass with his left arm, maintaining the pressure and intensity of his tongue, and brings his right hand back to her, plunging two fingers in again. She lets out a gasp and launches into her orgasm, clutching her legs around him in desperation. He gently bites on her clit, and she moans loudly, bucking against his mouth and fingers. He holds her firmly against him, loving the control she has given over to him. Awed by the abandon of her release, he thinks every minute of every day about how close they came to losing each other forever.

As her shuddering slows, he gently pulls away to look at her smiling down at him. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he tilts his head questioningly toward the bedroom, and she nods. Logan pushes the footstool far enough away that she can drop down to the floor. She retrieves his crutches for him, then walks toward the bedroom saying "Coming, dear?"

"Soon enough, sugarpuss," he replies, following her, moving quickly on the crutches. When he enters the bedroom, he almost loses it when he sees her already kneeling on the bed, playing with her breasts.

"Are my babies feeling ignored?" he whispers, seating himself on the bed and swinging his legs up. "Veronica, help me get my clothes off." It kills Logan every time he has to ask her for help. He quickly takes off his shirt while she pulls off his sweats and boxers.

She runs her fingers along his leg, enjoying watching his cock jerk in anticipation of her approach. She straddles him and he reaches for her breasts, saying insolently, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to ignore these."

He rolls her nipples between her fingers and watches her sway in front of him. She is drunk with her enjoyment, and moans delightedly as he leans in and licks her nipple, nipping at it gently with his teeth. He sucks greedily, as he continues to roll and gently pinch her other nipple.

She lowers her hips and gently begins to drag her pussy along Logan's hard length, and he moans in appreciation at the sensation. "Veronica, wait...wait...let me get a condom."

Veronica holds his head in her hands and kisses him deeply. "No, I trust you, we don't need one..."

"Are you sure, Veronica?" he asks, looking into her eyes. "I know you're on the pill, but..." He has never suggested going without a condom, knowing Veronica's history and her fear of std's and pregnancy. You don't have to do this, Veronica...

"I love you, Logan, I know...I can trust you."

Logan pulls her closer and kisses her back, feeling as if he can just kiss her deep enough, he'll touch her soul and she'll finally be his forever.

Before he can protest further, Veronica slides herself one last time along Logan's cock and when it jerks in response, she engorges him in her.

"God, Veronica, so wet, you're so tight around me. It's so incredible to feel you," he murmurs. She begins to move her hips furiously, and he grabs her, holding her in place.

"No, slow down," he begs her. "I want to feel you, I want it to last, the first time I've felt you, god." With the strength of two months of upper-body workouts and six weeks of supporting himself on crutches, he takes control of her hips. He slowly moves her up and down and she mewls in frustration. "Touch yourself, baby," he whispers. She licks her finger, reaches down and begins to finger her clit.

As Logan watches, he gradually loses control and allows Veronica to set the frantic pace she desires. The strange new sensation of skin on skin is overwhelming in its intensity. He releases her hips and grabs her breasts again, furiously kneading her nipples as she pants and moans. With a supreme effort, he pulls himself to a seated position, and Veronica screams with pleasure as his cock hits her in an extreme angle. He grabs the back of her head and kisses her as he surges inside her, glorying in coming inside her without a barrier, loving the feeling of her muscles clenching uncontrollably around him.

- • -

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Hearst College, Neptune, CA

Wallace adjusts the collar of the new suit his mom had bought him for Christmas as he enters the common room of the engineering building. He looks around the room and realizes that he might be overdressed, noting that he's surrounded by pocket protector types. He muses, What else would you expect at the induction ceremony for the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society?

He recognizes a classmate from his engineering classes, and greets him with his fist extended. "We made it," Wallace says.

"Never had a doubt," his friend replies, bumping fists.

"Don't think I'd go that far," Wallace responds.

His faculty advisor, Professor Winkler, joins them. He claps Wallace on the back, and says, "Mr. Fennel, congratulations. You've worked really hard for this."

"Got in by the skin of my teeth, Professor Winkler," Wallace says, smiling.

"Nice suit, Wallace," the professor comments.

"Just trying to spread a little of that fine Fennel magic around." Wallace looks around the room and notices a woman standing by the bar. He adds, "Speaking of Fennel magic, do you know who that is?"

"Oh that's Candice Pauling. She just started in the MSE program."

"The master's program? That's a hard program to get into," Wallace comments.

"She's a brilliant scholar. Candice had her choice of programs across the country," Professor Winkler explains.

And a really beautiful woman besides, Wallace muses. "Can I get you a drink, professor?"

"No, Wallace," the professor laughs, "Good luck." He motions for Wallace to go.

Wallace presses his way through the crowd, keeping his eyes trained on Candice. She has chocolate-colored skin, and elaborate hair, woven into a multitude of messily curled braids, with some of her hair colored red and gold. The overall effect is one of exotic charm that contrasts with the unfashionable engineering crowd. Best of all, as Wallace draws closer he notes that even with high-heeled shoes, she is only slightly taller than he is. He pushes through the last few bodies and reaches the bar, standing directly next to Candice. Wallace catches the bartender's eye and asks for a Coke. He turns to Candice and asks, "Do you need a refill?"

She smiles, and shakes her head no.

"Just the Coke, then," Wallace says. As the bartender gets his drink, Wallace watches her peripherally. He notes her unusual jewelry and, screwing up his courage, asks her, "Your jewelry is beautiful. Is it from Africa?"

"Oh, thank you, the earrings are from Mali. They are called fula earrings," she explains. "I just returned from a year working in Mali with the Peace Corps. It was a life changing experience."

Wallace, surprised, replies, "I know what you mean. I spent a summer working in Uganda with the Invisible Children Project."

She is about to comment when another student sidles up to the bar intending to order a drink. He notices Wallace, and says, "High five, man, great game last night!" Wallace obligingly high-fives and returns his attention to Candice.

"Great game?" she queries, looking from the student to Wallace.

"I'm on the basketball team."

The student turns and says, "He's being modest. He is the basketball team. This year, Fennel is averaging .660 in True Shooting Percentage, and he leads the league in rebounds."

"Aren't you a little...um...height-challenged to be a basketball player?" she says in a slightly surprised tone.

"What I lack in height, I make up with stamina and hustle," Wallace retorts. He extends his hand. "Wallace Fennel, nice to meet you."

"Stamina and hustle," she repeats, thoughtfully. "Well, Wallace Fennel, nice to meet you too. I'm Candice Pauling."

- • -

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Logan's house, Venice Beach, CA

Logan and Veronica lay on the bed panting and recovering. Veronica gently extricates herself and lays next to him. Logan reaches for the nightstand and grabs the notebook and pen there for the purpose of writing down ideas in the middle of the night. He rolls onto his left side and begins writing.

"What are you writing?" Veronica can't help asking.

"Nothing," he says, turning a little more so she can't read what he's writing.

"Logan! What are you writing?" She tickles his side and he jumps, but keeps the notepad obscured. "Don't make me hurt you, lover," she says dramatically.

"Like you could...You are so nosy."

Veronica rolls out of the bed and runs over to Logan's side. She grabs the notebook after a tussle. She sits on the edge of the bed and reads aloud.

'1. In the shower, from behind, while soaping her breasts
2. Against the wall, with her legs wrapped around me
3. Doggy style
4. In the backseat of the BMW
5. In the backseat of the Saturn
6. Missionary, missionary, missionary
7. On the kitchen counter after I lick her
8. With her legs flipped up and wrapped around my neck
9. In the Hearst library on the third floor--the Congress of the Cow
10. Tie her to the bed and make her come ten times'

"Oh my god, what is this?" she laughs.

"It's the top-ten list of the ways I'm going to fuck you when I get this cast off." He reaches around and grabs her breast.

She screams and giggles, turning to kiss him on the lips. "You know, you're still going to have a cane, and you're not going to be as limber as you used to be," she says mock-solemnly.

"Don't worry, I'm going to see a special physical therapist to help me with this. I'll show you limber," he says, kissing her neck. "Come on, let's try it on my side again."

She stands up to move to the other side of the bed, and the doorbell rings.

"Shit," Logan says.

"Are you expecting someone? Dick, perhaps?" Veronica suggests. After the last time that Dick walked in on them, with Veronica moaning uncontrollably on top of the kitchen counter, Dick swore that he would always ring the doorbell in the future.

"I don't know. Maybe."

Veronica grabs Logan's white fluffy bathrobe, monogrammed 'Neptune Grand' on the pocket, and wraps it around herself. "I still can't believe you stole a bathrobe."

"They got enough of my money; they can afford it," he snarks.

Veronica pads toward the door, trying futilely to smooth her just-fucked hair. She looks through the peephole, then excitedly flings open the door. "What the hell are you doing here?"

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Daddy/Daughter Time
An old friend visits and pisses off Logan;
Keith reluctantly takes on a new assignment.
Veronica: Kristin Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Keith: Enrico Colantoni. Cliff: Daran Norris.
Duncan 2.0: Chris Carmack. Vinnie Van Lowe:
Ken Marino.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER TWO: "DADDY/DAUGHTER TIME"

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Logan's house, Venice Beach, CA

Veronica flings open the door, saying, "What the hell are you doing here?" She grabs Duncan Kane in a hug.

Duncan folds his arms around her and kisses her cheek. God, what is that smell... she smells like Kendall used to, how can that be...oh my god...they were making love, she smells like LOGAN...look at her hair, he's been running his fingers through her hair...they were FUCKING, they were FUCKING...Duncan feels as though he was sucker-punched. This must be what Logan felt...whenever Veronica was over.

He clears his throat, pulling back from her. "Veronica, I've been trying to call you. You never pick up. Finally I called your dad. He said you were here for the long Martin Luther King Day weekend, studying." He stares at her.

Veronica blushes, and says, "We were just taking a little break." She walks into the living room and picks up her iPhone, scrolling through the missed calls list. "I don't answer calls without a caller ID. We still get a lot of reporters trying to get an interview." She spies her clothes scattered on the floor, and picks them up, saying, "We really weren't expecting company. I'll tell Logan you're here. He hasn't seen you since you...changed." Duncan has had numerous plastic surgeries and his appearance is completely altered. His hair is blond, and even his voice has changed due to a surgery on his voice box.

Veronica disappears into the bedroom, and Duncan hears murmurs, and a loud "Who?" from Logan. Five minutes later, Logan and Veronica emerge, having hastily dressed themselves. Veronica's hair has been pulled back into a messy ponytail, Duncan notes.

Logan stumps over on his crutches. "Duncan, is that you? I wouldn't have recognized you if I passed you on the street."

"In fact, you didn't. You saw me one time when you were in Veronica's parking lot, and you didn't look at me twice," Duncan comments. He hesitates, then crosses the short distance to Logan and grabs him in a bear hug. "I've missed you, man. It's been so hard."

"It hasn't been so easy for us here either," Logan replies, looking closely at Duncan to see if he can find anything recognizable in this blond stranger's appearance.

"I heard about Harmony Chase. How's the leg?" Duncan asks.

"I'm getting the cast off tomorrow. I can't wait. I'll still need a cane for awhile but I won't need as much help. It's probably going to be four more months of physical therapy before I'm one hundred percent again," Logan says. "Did you see the TV interviews? The media is never going to leave us alone."

"I know..." Duncan agrees. The three of them move into the living room and sit down.

Duncan continues, "The reason why I'm here...I'm going to surrender myself into custody in three weeks. Then there will be a hearing about the kidnapping two days later. We have a deal in place, I will plead guilty to a misdemeanor, endangering the welfare of a child, and serve five hundred hours of community service. My mother insisted that I not be charged with a felony, since she still has her heart set on me becoming a lawyer. The district attorney has also agreed that he will not charge me in my sister's murder, since my attorneys made it clear that there is sufficient reasonable doubt that I would not be convicted." He glances at Logan, the unspoken thought that 'your dad killed my sister and got away with it' passing between them.

"When I surrender myself, I will hand Lilly over to the child welfare authorities. Then there will be another hearing to determine Lilly's placement. Veronica, I know you're responsible for providing the tapes of the Mannings abusing their daughter Grace, and I thank you for that. If my mother and father could form a coherent sentence without spitting your name, they would thank you as well."

"They still blame me for helping you flee the country," Veronica says, nodding.

"Yes. My mother is...not very rational about all this," Duncan comments.

He continues, "When the plea deal was first negotiated, the Mannings agreed to relinquish their claim on Lilly. After all, I can prove conclusively that I am her father, and if I am cleared of felony kidnapping charges, their claim that I am an unfit parent will be hard to prove, especially since there is equally damaging evidence about their family."

Duncan sighs. "But now at the last minute Stewart has found a new attorney and they are disputing the evidence on the blackmail tapes. They are claiming that the tapes have been manufactured, and, since they were obtained without a warrant, are not admissible. This is juvenile court, so the standards of evidence are lower, but my attorneys are warning me that the Mannings may be successful in getting the evidence excluded. If it is excluded, the Mannings will bring up my seizure problem. My seizure problem alone isn't enough to deny my custody, but in conjunction with the kidnapping–it might be enough to cause me to lose custody. We have to find a way to force them to drop their custody suit, or else I'm going to have to reject the entire deal and go back overseas."

"I don't understand, Duncan. Why can't I just testify to what we saw at the Mannings house?" Veronica asks.

"Veronica, the statute of limitations for felony burglary is three years, so you would be in the clear. But unless you perjure yourself and say that I was not there, you would be exposing me to prosecution. There's a clock on the statute of limitations, and it doesn't run if you are not living in the state where the crime was committed. For me, the clock has only run for several months, so I can still be prosecuted for breaking into their house," Duncan explains.

"So I'll perjure myself and say that I broke into their house alone. It's their word against mine," Veronica says impulsively. "You can't stay on the run forever, Duncan."

Logan glances at her, wishing she wasn't offering to help so quickly.

"No, Veronica. It's an unacceptable risk. I might not win custody if I'm convicted of a felony. You yourself could be convicted of perjury; Manning will certainly contradict your story," Duncan says, shaking his head.

Veronica thinks, I was just cleared of manslaughter charges in the shooting of Harmony Chase. Okay, that was a formality, but still...I need a nice safe profession, like race-car driver, or Alaskan crab fisherman. "Let me speak to Cliff and see what he says. Maybe he can arrange some kind of a deal for me. But Duncan, you know I promised Meg...to keep Lilly away from her parents. I have to find a way to help you," Veronica muses.

Duncan adds, "Veronica, there's one more thing. We have to be careful how we proceed. No one can know that you helped me to flee the country. There's no statute of limitations for kidnapping."

"The only people who know for sure about the kidnapping are the three of us and my dad." And Astrid and...Vinnie, she realizes, horrified.

At her expression, Logan turns to her and says, "What?"

"Vinnie Van Lowe knows. He helped us get across the Mexican border. Oh my god. That's why...that's why my dad's been helping his defense case in his racketeering trial. Vinnie must have threatened to tell what he knows about the kidnapping. I couldn't figure out why Dad was helping him, after Vinnie targeted me in the Wiedman murder investigation. Dad just said 'Everyone deserves a defense' and wouldn't discuss it," she explains.

- • -

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Lompoc State Penitentiary, Lompoc, CA

In Lompoc State Penitentiary, Keith Mars and Cliff McCormick wait in the attorneys' interview room to see Vinnie Van Lowe. When the guard opens the door, they are shocked to see Vinnie shuffle in, obviously in pain, and sporting a black eye. The guard escorts Vinnie to the table where Keith and Cliff are already seated and discreetly moves a distance away.

"Vinnie, what happened?" Keith asks.

"Liam's boys got to me last night. They heard I was going to be speaking to you today, and they wanted to warn me to keep my mouth shut," Vinnie explains morosely.

Cliff clears his throat. "We can request that you be moved to solitary confinement."

"I'm not sure it would help; Liam owns a couple of the guards," Vinnie says. "Let's just face it, I'm screwed. I'll just plead guilty and spend the rest of my life in prison, focusing on keeping my mouth shut. Do you think you could arrange for some conjugal visits?"

"Vinnie, I don't understand why you're refusing to take the deal the prosecution has offered. If you testify for the prosecution against Liam, they'll have to provide a new identity and relocation," Cliff asks.

Vinnie sighs. "You're my attorney. You can't be forced to repeat what I'm telling you, right?"

"Well, if you tell me something, I can't allow you to commit perjury when you testify, and if it involves a future criminal act, I'm required to report it..." Cliff reiterates, having gone over this with Vinnie numerous times.

"And Keith, he could be compelled to testify..." Vinnie says nervously.

Keith quickly says, "Vinnie, you and I know I won't divulge anything you tell me." He stares at Vinnie, thinking about what Vinnie knows about his daughter's misdeeds.

Vinnie slowly nods. "All right, I trust you, Keith." He fiddles with his hands, delaying his words. "When I was just a kid, about nineteen, before I went in the army, I held up a liquor store." Vinnie looks at Keith and Cliff to see how they are reacting; they motion that he should continue. "I was pointing my gun at the kid behind the cash register. He made a move like he was going for a gun. He scared the crap out of me, and I shot him without thinking. I didn't mean to hurt anybody, but the kid was dead. I panicked and called my high school buddy, Liam. He and a couple guys came right away. They hot-wired the kid's car, put his body in it and took it away, then cleaned out the liquor store. I don't know what they did with the body, but I imagine they stashed it somewhere in the desert, or buried it. I was in shock, and I gave Liam my gun. I didn't even think about it at the time, but I found out later he kept the gun, with my fingerprints on it. I joined the Army the next day. The police thought that the kid had taken off with all the cash and the premium liquor from the store."

Keith looks at Cliff, then says to Vinnie, "No statute of limitations on murder."

Cliff adds, "And manslaughter committed in the course of a felony is automatically charged as murder in the first degree."

Keith comments, "We see your problem. You're positive that Liam kept the gun, with DNA and fingerprints on it?"

"Yes, he showed it to me, when he convinced me to run for sheriff. Liam laughed and said, 'And Vinnie, don't forget I'm the only one that knows where the body was buried.'"

"And it's not just that," Vinnie continues. "Even if I could somehow get out from under a murder rap, I can't even consider witness protection. Liam has a contact in the FBI. He'll know my new identity before I do."

- • -

Mon. 1/19/09 MLK Day: Logan's house, Venice Beach, CA

Duncan and Veronica endlessly rehash the problem of the Mannings' custody suit. Logan observes their conversation with growing aggravation. Finally he comments, "I don't see a solution here. I really don't like Veronica getting involved in this."

Veronica says, "I'm already involved." She looks at Logan quizzically, "There's a right thing to do, and I'm doing it." She excuses herself to go to the bathroom.

"What is your problem, man?" Duncan says to Logan once they are alone. "We used to be friends. I let you live with me after your house was burned down."

"My problem? My problem is that you put Veronica is jeopardy by asking her to help you kidnap Lilly." Logan stares at Duncan. "And you played me. You needed me to witness Kendall coming out of your room and Veronica having a freak out. What was the plan? You had Veronica wait by the elevator, then she just happened to come up to the room at the same time as me?"

"Something like that," Duncan replies.

"Did she tell you what I said? I was joking; I said, 'Time to fake the donut.'" Logan looks at Duncan, who avoids his gaze. "She jumped a mile high, must have thought for a sec I knew what was going on. But you know Veronica. She kept her cool and had her scene with Kendall. And I did my part, I reported the whole thing to Dick, and he did his job, told the whole school. Geez, Duncan, you never even said goodbye to me," he says, only half sarcastically.

Logan pauses, then plunges ahead. "Why are you coming back now, Duncan?" He adds to himself, why are you coming back now that things are good between me and Veronica? Aloud, he says, "Why didn't you just stay overseas? It seems like that would be the smartest move here."

"It's not easy being on the run, Logan. It's hard on Lilly. She has to lie all the time. More and more schools require fingerprinting, which obviously I can't allow. And as soon as Lilly and I would settle in somewhere, the Mannings' private detectives would start to catch up with us. The Mannings have backed off now, but I'm still on a U.S. watch list. There's always a danger the federal agents will find us, and it's expensive to keep moving all the time. If my mother hadn't relented and started sending me money, I don't know what I would have done. The amnesty deal is my opportunity to put all that behind me and have some semblance of a normal life," Duncan explains.

"I still don't understand why you didn't just get a lawyer and sue for custody when Meg died. You're the dad. You would have won custody," Logan insists.

"My mother said she wouldn't let me ruin my life like that."

FLASHBACK: Celeste and Duncan are arguing in the old Kane house. Celeste says, "I was always terrified that Lilly was going to get pregnant. I never worried about you; I always thought you had more sense than that."

Duncan replies, "The condom broke, Mother. Accidents happen. Deal with it. I'm going to keep the baby."

Celeste turns and screams at him, "You can't let one mistake ruin your life, Duncan. We have plans for you: Harvard, law school, Congress. I won't allow it. I'll testify for the Mannings. I'll testify that you have violent seizures and hurt your sister without even knowing it. I'll say that the medication doesn't fully control your fits. I won't allow you to keep this baby."

Across the room, Jake sips at a drink, unhappy but resigned.

Celeste continues, "If you sue for custody, we're going to cut off all your funds. No more trust fund to pay for your attorneys and your dirty diapers. You haven't even graduated from high school. How will you support your bastard child? You will do as I say, Duncan."

Duncan turns to his dad and yells, "And you're okay with this? You'd let your granddaughter live with those monsters?"

Jake says quietly, "I'm not okay with any part of this. I'm not okay with you being stupid enough to knock up your girlfriend. I'm not okay with you making sure we're featured in the tabloids again." His voice begins to rise in anger. "And I'm definitely not okay with you giving up your life because of one drunken night at prom."

Duncan flushes in anger and leaves, slamming the door behind him.

Duncan continues, "Veronica and I went to see a lawyer in Los Angeles. He said that as a seventeen year old there was a real danger I would lose custody at least temporarily if my mother testified for the Mannings. The fact that Lamb didn't arrest us the night we broke into the Mannings' house actually made it worse. The lawyer said it would support the Mannings' contention that there was no abuse, and we made it all up to try to get custody. The Mannings are churchgoers with a reputation for supporting charities and good works."

Veronica comes back into the room and says, "And they threatened Lizzie. I know it. She wouldn't even see us. She was afraid of what her parents would do to her if she testified for us. Duncan told me he was going to run with or without my help."

Logan thinks, He did it before. It's what he does. He's a fucking coward.

"Astrid came to me and offered to help. She overheard my parents talking, and she was furious at them. Veronica realized we could use the fact that Astrid looks a little like her in our plan," Duncan adds.

Logan says aloud, "So what changed? Why are you back?"

Duncan explains, "When Aaron tried to throw suspicion on me for Lilly's murder, my father realized that it was too dangerous to say that I had violent fits. He told my mother he would support my custody petition. He set up a fund that funneled me money overseas and began speaking with attorneys about amnesty. That's actually one of the reasons my parents separated. Celeste finally relented just this past year."

"That's why your parents reconciled?"

"One big happy family," Duncan says sarcastically.

Veronica, Logan and Duncan continue to talk for hours, endlessly discussing the upcoming custody battle. Throughout the evening, Veronica keeps catching Logan staring at Duncan with a bleak look. As the hour becomes late, Veronica suggests that Duncan should crash in the guest room and go back to Neptune in the morning. There is an awkward moment as the three say goodnight, with all three remembering the different sleeping arrangements at the Neptune Grand three years earlier.

In the master bedroom, Veronica undresses and joins Logan in his bed, settling herself under the covers. He turns on his side, ignoring the discomfort from his cast. Leaning on one elbow, he reaches for Veronica. With the back of his fingers, he caresses her cheek, then runs his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp lovingly. Her eyes half-closed, she turns her head and places a kiss against his wrist. He trails his hand across her neck and down between her breasts. Watching her reactions intently, he languishes caresses on her stomach, and slowly strokes the side of her breast, so gently that for once she doesn't feel ticklish. Logan lovingly palms her breasts, circling her pebbled nipples with his thumb, then returns to caressing her face, gently touching her lips as if to memorize them. He strokes down her torso, causing her to shiver. Veronica sucks in her breath in a quiet 'oh!'. Logan slowly slides his hand down below her waist. She opens her legs invitingly as he gently strokes the juncture of her thighs. He whispers to her, "Turn on your side."

She complies, sighing and pressing her ass against him, loving the feel of his arousal.

Logan begins to stroke her pussy. He whispers in her ear, "He's laying in the next room thinking about what I'm doing to you. He knows I'm making you come right now."

Veronica turns her head in shock. She gasps, as Logan lovingly probes her sensitive areas; she tries to keep silent, mindful of Duncan next door.

Continuing to caress her, Logan murmurs into her ear, "He's listening right now, the way I used to listen. Whenever I used Kendall to get me off, I was always thinking about you next door...thinking about how much I loved you and wanted you. I just wanted to be touching you the way I'm touching you right now. I hated that he was your first." He is still touching her, languidly, loving that he, and only he, knows exactly what she wants.

She stiffens, thinking my first?

He notes her reaction and whispers, "I mean, I hate it that he's the first guy you gave yourself to. I wanted it to be me. It should have been me." He begins to stroke her violently, making her shudder.

Veronica turns her head questioningly, seeking his eyes. She tries to talk, but she can only whimper, breathless from Logan's ministrations. "Logan..." she tries, but her words dissipate into incoherent moans.

"Veronica, I love you so much. I loved you since the first day I saw you. It should have been me," he repeats, his lips brushing her ear.

She is thrashing under his stroking hand, and reaches back to touch him.

He says, "No...don't...this is about you. This is about me making you come, and he can't do a goddamned thing about it. You are mine, Veronica." He leans to her mouth, turning her head to him with his insistent lips, and kisses her hungrily. He fills her mouth with his tongue as he fills her with his fingers. He pulls her to him desperately as she comes, hard, shaking uncontrollably. She is crying soundlessly, her tears smearing on Logan's face as he kisses her. She bucks against him one last time, and begins to calm down, trembling as the aftershocks of her orgasm dissipate. Finally, Logan breaks his kiss, pulling away and looking into her eyes.

She says quietly, "Logan?"

He caresses her face gently. "No, Veronica, we're not going to talk about this," he replies, with finality, rolling onto his back.

She turns over to cuddle against him and closes her eyes, wishing futilely for the oblivion of sleep as the tears run down her face.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
VERONICA MARS
10:00PM SHO ch: 340 60min 2009 TV-MA
Nimbus
Mac is contacted about a new case;
Logan gets his cast off; there's bad news
about someone from the past.
Veronica: Kristin Bell. Logan: Jason Dohring.
Mac: Tina Majorino. Hsiang Chu: Parry Shen.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

CHAPTER THREE: "NIMBUS"

Tues. 1/20/09: Logan's house, Venice Beach, CA

Veronica gives up on sleep at 6 am and decides to go for a run on the beach. The recent events with Harmony have reinforced her commitment to training. Whenever she stays with Logan and is unable to attend her Neptune jujitsu classes, she makes a point of running every day and working out with the lightest set of Logan's weights. He teases her about using the baby barbells but she just smiles, saying it's technique more than strength.

She runs that morning as if she's trying to pound the feelings out of herself. Winded, she walks up onto Logan's deck, where Logan is sitting sipping his coffee, staring at the ocean. "Any more of that coffee?" she asks, slightly out of breath.

He nods and she goes inside to get a cup.

She rejoins him on the deck. She caresses his arm and says, "Did Duncan leave?"

Logan just nods again.

"I'm glad," she replies. She sets down her cup and moves behind Logan. She puts her arms around him, and leans down to whisper in his ear, "I was listening too...It should have been you."

- • -

Tues. 1/20/09: Hearst College, Neptune, CA

Charleston Chu knocks on the door of Mac's and Veronica's dorm room. When Mac opens the door, she recognizes Dick Casablancas' Pi Sig fraternity brother. She frowns and says, "Uh, Charleston, right?"

"Yeah, that's what they call me. I'm looking for Veronica," he replies. "The Pi Sigs sent me over."

"She's not here."

"You're her friend Mac, right? The one who was going out with–"

"Don't say it. I'm trying to forget that I ever went out with him." Mac grimaces, just thinking about her ill-advised dalliance with Dick Casablancas.

"Umm, yeah, right. Well, he's still totally in love with you."

"Funny, I see him with a different girl every day," Mac says sarcastically.

"We all deal with the pain of rejection differently," Charleston muses.

Impatient, Mac blurts out, "What do you want?"

"Somebody screwed up all the computers at the Pi Sig house. Chip Diller thinks someone is trying to bring down the frat again, maybe Nish and her society of frigid bitches," Charleston explains.

"And you think Veronica's going to help you?" Mac laughs. "I think she's more likely to call up Nish and congratulate her."

"We're willing to pay the Pi Sig rate," Charleston replies.

At Mac's puzzled expression, Charleston explains, "Di–, I mean one of the frat brothers said Veronica was willing to help us before when we paid double." He pulls a wad of cash from his pocket. "This is a thousand dollars for a deposit."

Despite her reservations, Mac is tempted by the cash. "I don't know. Are you sure this isn't some scheme of Dick's to try to get me back?"

"No way."

"Keep the cash for now. I'll talk to Veronica and see what she says."

- • -

Tues. 1/20/09: UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

At the orthopedist later that day, Veronica sits in the waiting room trying to get some studying done. Even Logan couldn't maintain his dour mood when faced with the prospect of being liberated from his cast.

The orthopedist, Dr. Remick, examines the final set of x-rays, and confirms that he will remove Logan's cast that day. "So, Mr. Echolls, what's the first thing you're going to do when you get this off?"

Logan looks through the doorway at Veronica and smiles. The orthopedist catches his drift and laughs. "Nothing too strenuous at first, okay? I don't want to have to recast this."

After the cast is removed, the orthopedist writes a new prescription for physical therapy. Veronica accompanies Logan to the physical therapist, who replaces Logan's temporary cane with a permanent one perfectly fitted to his height. The therapist teaches Logan the proper way to use the cane, then continues by assigning exercises and stretches. He then reviews techniques to help Logan perform everyday tasks safely. Logan, grinning at Veronica, asks about any limitations on physical activities. The physical therapist is slightly dense and says that Logan should be careful until he has completely healed.

Logan goes to change into street clothes, ecstatic to be back in his customary jeans. When he has finished changing, he looks for Veronica in the waiting room. She is pacing back and forth, watching the waiting room television, which is showing a CNN news anchor speaking grimly.

"Veronica?" Logan asks.

"Logan...it's..." she tries to speak.

On the television, a photo replaces the talking head. It's a school photo of Hannah Griffith. The graphic under the photo reads 'Saturday Night Slasher Serial Killer Strikes Again'.

The physical therapist's exercise pamphlets drop to the floor forgotten. Logan stares at the television in shock. Finally, he stammers, "The Saturday Night Slasher? Doesn't he only target...?" He can't bear to say the word.

"Yes, he targets prostitutes." Veronica grabs Logan's arm and leads him to a chair, forcing him to sit down. "They're saying that she ran away from boarding school in the summer of 2006 and her family lost contact with her. Apparently, she ended up in Los Angeles on the streets...Logan, I'm sorry."

Logan looks at her, finally focusing his eyes. "She ran away?"

Just then, the CNN news anchor is shown interviewing Dr. Tom Griffith, who says, "She took up with a bad element in high school, and we sent her to boarding school..." His voice begins to shake, and he continues, "She ran away and we haven't heard from her since. We hired private detectives, but they hadn't been able to find any trace of her. Please, if anyone knows anything...the FBI would like to speak to anyone who's been in contact with her in the last two and a half years."

"Logan?" Veronica asks.

He looks at her, the pain evident in his eyes. "She called me a few summers ago, just after Beaver...after we got back together. I told her I was sorry, but you and I were...a couple again, and...Damn it, why didn't she tell me she ran away? She told me she hated the boarding school and...How could she become, she was...Veronica, she was so...inexperienced." His voice trembles, and he struggles for control. Finally he says, "I would have helped her."

"Logan, it's not your fault," Veronica says.

"I'm not so sure about that," he replies.