Summary: AU Season 2. Over the summer it comes out that Veronica is in fact Jake Kane's biological daughter. Unhappy, she files for emancipation, transfers to Pan High School and is living with Keith Mars. She is reluctantly tested and agrees to donate the bone marrow Jake needs. After the surgery she has difficulty breathing and before she passes out calls to Lilly. Veronica after getting out of the hospital is quiet and depressed. She moves in with Jake Kane and keeps busy with a lot of activities. Duncan asks her to talk to him about whatever is bothering her. Veronica meets with Logan and Duncan and tells them about seeing Lilly when she was unconscious in the hospital. She tells Logan she wants to be his friend but can't right now because she still loves him. Veronica at the father/daughter banquet reveals to everyone that she and Connor Larkin have been dating. It is apparent that they are close. Logan attends the performance of Veronica's play. At the after party, they talk and decide to be friends. Diana, Logan's girlfriend is unhappy as Logan and Veronica become closer. Veronica and Connor break up. Veronica dates Casey and meets his parents. Veronica tells Jake Kane she is going to the bachelor's charity auction. She buys Dick which shocked everyone.... Now on with the story....

Diana walks across the cement patio her heels making purposeful clicking sounds as she walks. She stands a few feet away from the lounger and says calmly, "I am glad that I caught you alone Veronica."

Veronica looks up from her book and sees Diana standing there. She looks around quickly and sees that Diana is alone. She says curiously, "What's up?"

Without preamble Diana tells her firmly, 'I want you to stay away from Logan."

Veronica looks at Diana trying to gauge her mood. She asks, "Why?"

"I can see you still love him. He's mine now. We've been together for months." Diana puts her hands on her hips as she talks.

Veronica meets her gaze and says, "I am not looking to be with Logan."

Frowning Diana says, "I have been very patient with the whole situation. Logan wouldn't even want to be your friend if you weren't Duncan's half sister."

"Logan and I have been friends since we were twelve." Veronica quietly points out.

Diana quickly adds, "Except for when he and none of the 09ers talked to you and when you were dating."

Veronica looks at Diana studying her carefully. She says, "We broke up a long time ago. Logan would never cheat on you."

Diana says, "I know you want him. You need to back off."

"I don't think you need to worry about me." Veronica says quietly.

Angrily Diana says, "I am not worried about you."

Veronica answers, "Then I am not seeing the problem. I will be moving away in a few months."

Diana spits out, "Yes but now you are going to be on the board of directors of the company he is starting. You will always have contact with him."

Veronica says, "You should be proud of what Logan is doing."

Diana says, "Yeah proud that he is giving away his money."

Her voice disapproving, Veronica defends Logan saying, "He's trying to help women and children who have been abused and maybe prevent it from happening to others. I think it is great."

Frowning Diana says, "I am not interested in your opinion. I am going to get Logan to work for my dad."

Veronica smiles at how little Diana understands Logan and says, "Good luck with that."

Diana explodes, "I am not asking. I am telling you. Stay away from Logan."

Veronica says "You should leave Diana before you say something you will regret."

Diana steps closer and says, "You will regret it if you don't stay away from Logan."

Veronica goes back to reading her book. She says without looking up, "Please leave now before I call security."

Diana stalks away from the pool towards the inside of the house.

Meg steps out from the pool house where she had gone to change. She had come to the door just in time to hear the whole conversation. She walks up to Veronica.

Concerned Meg asks, "Are you OK Veronica?"

Veronica looks up from her book to Meg and says, "Hey Meg, you look nice!"

Meg not willing to be sidetracked says, "I just heard what Diana said to you. Are you OK?"

"Sure," Veronica readily answers, "She's feeling a little threatened now."

Meg questions, "Because Logan asked you to be on the board of the Lynn Foundation?"

Veronica says quietly, "Maybe because he didn't ask her."

Meg says, "Oh."

Meg says, "He asked Duncan and me to be on the board too."

Veronica nods her approval and says, "I heard. He also asked Father and he asked Dad to consider being the lead investigator."

"He seems really serious about it." Meg says.

Veronica nods and says a little proudly, "It's a great idea. He is going to use the Echolls' name to raise money for it. It's kind of poetic justice."

Meg agrees and then says, "I think he has big ideas."

Veronica laughs and says, "He does." She adds thoughtfully, "He is starting small though and seems to actually have a pretty good business plan."

Veronica adds, "I know Father was impressed and wanted to donate."

Meg says, "I saw a different side of Logan when he talked to Duncan and me."

Veronica nodded in agreement. She says, "I told Logan he should take a business degree in college. He seems to have a good mind for it."

Meg agrees and asks, "What did Logan say?"

Veronica laughs and says, "I won't tell you what he initially said but later on he told me he will think about it. He said he sees some merit in it."

Meg laughs as well. There is a pause as they both think about Logan perhaps going to college after professing he would never go. He had told everyone he wanted to bum around spending his father's inheritance.

Meg says, "What are you going to do about what Diana said?"

Veronica sighs quietly and says, "She is just protecting what is hers. I guess she doesn't want me to be Logan's friend." Veronica shrugs and adds, "I understand it."

Worried Meg asks, "Are you going to quit being Logan's friend?"

Veronica looks across the pool and then back at Meg. She says, "No but I may have to back off. I would never do anything to upset his relationship with Diana; especially with the trial coming up."

Meg frowns in puzzlement. Veronica clarifies, "It's going to be tough on Logan to testify. He is going to need the support of his girlfriend."

Veronica takes a deep breath and lets it out. She says, "I just hope she doesn't become so possessive that Logan can't be friends with Duncan though. He really needs Duncan especially right now and Duncan needs him."

Meg says immediately, "Logan needs you Veronica."

Veronica smiles a little at Meg and says, "We are just starting to be friends again. He needs her more."

The both look up as they hear Duncan walk out of the house. He calls, "Meg, are you ready to go?"

Seeing that his girlfriend is talking to Veronica, Duncan walks over. Veronica smiles at him and says, "Hey Duncan. Where are you guys off to?"

Duncan smiles back and says, "The Yacht Club with Logan and Diana. Want to come with us?"

Meg interjects with, "Veronica is not allowed to come."

Puzzled by what Meg said, Duncan turns to her and says, "What?"

Meg her voice still a little upset explains, "Diana warned Veronica away from being Logan's friend."

Duncan immediately protective, turns to Veronica and says, "What did she say?"

Veronica smiles at his protectiveness. She says easily, "It doesn't matter Duncan. Leave it alone. I have plans today anyways."

Duncan looks like he might say something else but Meg shakes her head and takes his hand.

Veronica looks at them fondly and says, "Go you guys. Have fun."

Veronica turns her attention back to her book thinking that at this rate she is never going to get this chapter studied.

***

Logan and Dick are in Logan's pool house playing on the Play station.

Logan asks as he pushes buttons on the controller, "Has Madison calmed down since your date with Veronica?"

Dick snorts exclaiming, "Dude, she's crazy! She checks my phone randomly to make sure I'm not talking to Veronica."

Logan winces in sympathy and says, "Sorry man."

They play for a few minutes.

Logan points out, "Well the papers are all speculating on if you and Veronica are secretly dating. I imagine that is not helping Madison's mood."

Dick shakes his head and says, "No, it's not."

They play for a while.

Dick says, "You know I totally get why you dated her. I don't just mean because she's hot."

Logan looks over at Dick in question. He asks, "What do you mean?"

Dick looks at Logan waving his controller around as he explains, "Dude. She is so much fun! She's so different! I mean she wasn't worried about her hair or make-up. She didn't care about any of the stuff that most girls care about."

Logan nods and agrees, "I know what you mean."

Dick puts his hands down and continues, "It's more than that though. She thought about me. She talked to Beav and had my favorite hangover cure and foods on the plane. Veronica said she saw the water park on a TV special and it looked fun and since she knew I liked the ocean she thought I would like the water slides too. Throughout the whole day she kept making sure I felt OK and was having fun."

"I take it Madison isn't much on looking after you?" Logan asks.

Dick snorts and says, "Not much no."

Logan muses, "Ronnie is good like that. She looks after the people she cares about."

Dick nods as he starts the game again and they both begin to play. He adds after a few seconds, "Yeah. It was kind of nice."

They both turn their focus back to the TV and the sounds of the Play station fill the room for a while.

They are interrupted by the maid bringing in the pizza they ordered. They open the box and both get a slice and start eating.

Logan says in between bites, "How was the water park?"

Dick enthusiastically tells his friend, "It was so cool! We went down all the slides, even the Sky Screamer. It is almost straight down. Man what a rush!"

Logan asks, "Veronica wasn't afraid?"

"Hell no! She wanted to go again." Dick says, "Although she did scream the whole way down."

Seeing Dick is impressed, Logan says dryly, "I guess that's why it's called the Screamer."

Dick laughs. He tells Logan about some of the water slides and his time in the boogie board pool.

Logan listens and is happy at his friend's excitement over the water park. Dick is saying, "You would totally love the boogie pool. Veronica fell off her board all the time but I was able to ride a lot of the waves. It was awesome!"

He goes on talking about how he and Veronica ended up going around the whole park with about eight other people and everyone had a blast. He says they all raced down the slides but everyone beat Veronica because she is such a light weight. He laughed about how she had more to eat than him and how she wouldn't share her ice cream.

Understanding Logan laughs, "She can eat a lot for her size."

Dick sarcastically says, "She would be an expensive date just because of the amount she eats."

Logan smiles commenting quietly, "She has always been able to pack away the food."

Dick takes a swig of his water and then says, "Veronica was saying we should get a bunch of people and go to the park after graduation."

"It sounds like a plan." Logan agrees.

Dick nods and says, "Totally." He pauses obviously thinking, "I don't think most 09er girls would like the water park."

He looks at Logan and adds, "Not like Veronica did."

Dick picks up his controller and after a pause Logan follows suit. They get back to their game.

At a pause in the game Logan looks at Dick, "I heard you did some acting."

Dick laughs loudly, "That was fun! I don't know how Veronica heard about that restaurant but it was great."

Dick went on to say how he could understand why Texas is famous for barbecue because it was so good. He talked about how the atmosphere was just like an old time saloon. He said he got voted as Sheriff and had to say the cheesiest lines about protecting the town and how he always gets his man.

Dick snickers as he remembers, "Veronica had to dress up as a saloon girl. She got picked to get up and sing." Dick adds, "She has a great voice. The crowd cheered for her."

Logan says, "I saw the picture in the paper of you kissing her."

Dick smiles at that. He explains, "The staff that ran the restaurant and the show were so much fun. One of the guys told me to surprise Veronica and kiss her. She blushed and everyone laughed and clapped."

Logan says, "It sounds like a great date."

"It was awesome." Dick agrees.

They go back to playing play station. Dick's phone rings and he stops the game to talk on his phone.

After Dick hangs up, Logan comments, "Was that the ball and chain?"

Dick his voice subdued, "Yeah she is checking up on me."

"It sounded like it." Logan adds, "Diana said that Madison was mad you went to see Veronica the next day."

Dick shakes his head a little and says, "Dude Veronica totally saved my life! I told her I was failing English and I needed a really good grade on my final paper to pass. I hadn't even read the book and the paper was due on Monday. Veronica had read the book last year so she knew the characters and stuff. She offered to help me write my English paper if I gave her a surfing lesson."

Surprised Logan comments, "Really?"

Dick missing Logan's total surprise says, "She said she'll be leaving Neptune soon and since she still had the board you bought her, she thought she'd get a lesson in return."

Logan asks, "How'd she do?"

Dick comments almost tactfully, "Well she's not a natural."

Logan laughs and says, "Yes I remember."

Dick shakes his head and says sadly, "Dude she finally got where she could stand up a bit."

"She probably felt the same thing about you doing the paper, " Logan asks, "How'd you do on your paper?"

Dick proudly tells Logan he got an A. He says, "Mrs. Carter couldn't believe how much insight I showed. She quizzed me about the book and my paper. Ronnie explained it so well so I told Mrs. Carter what I knew and she had to pass me."

After a short pause Logan asks, "Do you think Ronnie bought you to piss off Madison? They hate each other."

Dick shakes his head a little and says, "I don't know man. Madison is really talking down Veronica but Veronica never said one bad thing about Madison, Neptune High or really anything."

He pauses and then says, "I asked her why she bought me and she shrugged and said because she could. She said she is moving across the country to college and she just wants to have uncomplicated fun for now."

Logan thinks about it and then says, "That's true. You are uncomplicated."

Dick smiles at Logan's dig. He looks at his friend and says seriously, "It was like hanging out with a guy well except she is good looking." He frowns as he thinks, "It's funny. When she walked out of the dressing room in her bikini, I….. well you know. A lot of guys were checking her out. Then after a while I didn't notice her body, I just saw her."

Looking shocked, Logan says, "Well I never thought I would hear you say that."

"I know." Dick agrees, "I didn't know girls could be like that. She was just having fun. She didn't expect me to act in a certain way. She just accepted me for me." He takes a drink of his water. He continues, "It was kind of nice. I feel bad about how I treated her last year. I wanted to tell Madison to shut up about her already."

Logan looks at Dick in wonder. His mouth drops open in shock. He says, "The tiny blond worked her magic on you, didn't she?"

Dick shrugs obviously uncomfortable, "You know I can see why all the rich dudes want her. You know Duncan, you, Connor and Casey; she's so different from the rich girls we date."

Logan is quiet for a few seconds and then agrees quietly, "Yeah, she is."

Dick plays with the label on his water bottle. He says, "I wouldn't mind hanging out with her again. Not you know as a girlfriend but maybe as a friend. It's weird but I want to call her to talk to her."

Logan looks at his friend for a moment and then says, "Imagine if you dated her. Think about how much you'd miss her then."

Logan turns back to the video game. Dick looks at Logan as he concentrates on picking the next game. Dick gets a thoughtful expression on his face. Then he too turns his attention back to the game.

****

Veronica listens to her voice mails.

Logan's voice comes on, "Dick Casablancas is missing. You are the lead suspect in the case."

There's a pause in the message then, "Thanks."

Veronica smiles and then presses delete.

****

Duncan looks up from his locker and sees Logan approach. He says, "Hey, Logan."

Logan leans on the locker next to Duncan and answers quietly, "Hi."

Looking around to make sure no one can hear them, Duncan asks, "Are you going to see the DA this week?"

Logan pulls at his sleeves restlessly and answers a little gruffly, "Yeah."

Duncan stands and looks closely at his friend. He says, "Veronica, Mr. Mars and I are going tomorrow."

Logan looks around and then tells Duncan that he is supposed to go on Thursday. Logan moves his books to his other hand and then looks around the hall.

Duncan sees his friend is anxious. He asks, "Are you going to the whole trial?"

Logan looking down mumbles, "The DA wants me to."

Worried Duncan tries to make Logan feel better. He says, "I am going to be there. Dad, Mom, Mr. Mars, Mrs. Mars, Veronica and I are going to sit together. Do you want to sit with us?"

Logan shifts again and then plays with his sleeves again. He says, "I don't know. I don't know if I can do this."

Duncan quietly says, "I am sorry man. Anything I can do?"

Finally meeting his gaze Logan says, "I need to talk to Veronica." Duncan sees he is worried. Logan continues, "She is avoiding me. She answers her phone but always has to ring off. She says she is too busy to see me."

Duncan tries to placate Logan. He says, "Well she has a lot on her mind. Dad had to hire body guards to protect her. She has been threatened and the paparazzi are really hounding her."

Logan stops his restless moving and pins Duncan with a stare. He says, "She's been threatened?"

Duncan frowns at Logan's raised voice. He looks around and seeing the coast is still clear tells Logan, "She's had phone calls at the house and pictures with RIP printed over her body. Sheriff Lamb thinks it's an obsessed fan of your....... Aaron's."

Logan frowns. He asks, "What does Mr. Mars say?"

Duncan reassures Logan, "Mr. Mars and Clarence are working together to find out who it is."

Logan nods, "Good." He says, "I wish she went to school here so we could watch over her."

Duncan agrees, "Yeah. I know what you mean."

Logan plays with his sleeves again and then looks over at Duncan. His face shows his vulnerability, "Is that why she doesn't have time to talk to me?"

Duncan shuts his locker and looks down the hallway. He looks back at Logan and says quietly, "No, it's not."

Logan looks at his friend and can see he knows something he is not telling him. He asks, "Then why?"

Duncan takes a deep breath and sighs. He says, "I would rather stay out of it."

Logan straightens and says urgently, "Tell me." "Is she upset with me?" he guesses.

Duncan immediately shakes his head stating, "No, no, it isn't her choice."

Quickly Logan asks, "Is it her dad, your dad, the District Attorney?"

Duncan feeling uncomfortable with how upset Logan is getting says, "No Logan, let it go man."

"I won't let it go. I need to talk to her." Logan grasps Duncan's arm stopping him from leaving. He demands, "Tell me."

Letting go of Duncan's arm, Logan moves so he is in front of Duncan, He adds pleadingly, "I don't think I can do this without her."

Duncan looks around ensuring no one can hear them and then looks back at Logan. He admits, "It's Diana man. She told Veronica to stay away from you."

Logan says shocked, "What? Why?"

Duncan sighs and then explains, "Meg overheard her talking to Veronica."

Logan becomes even more upset. He exclaims his voice rising, "I don't believe this! Another girlfriend who doesn't trust me, what a shocker!"

Duncan shushes his friend. He says quietly, "I don't know man; you'll have to talk to Diana."

Logan obviously angry says, "Oh I will. First I need to talk to Meg."

Logan stalks off as Duncan and his classmates watch warily.

****

The next chapter is the last one. I am pretty excited that this story is almost completed. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and gave me such good advice. I learned a lot from your comments. The review button is below...... hint.