A/N: While I hadn't really planned on expanding on the scene where Logan left Piz the ticket, but thanks to Luanna's review, I decided to rethink that...:)

Chapter Six: Two spoons and a gallon of rocky road

Veronica sat in the crowded cafeteria, trying to study. She now thought maybe she'd be better off in her car. The noise she could handle. Even the occasional whispers and stares. She was used to being the talk of the cafeteria. But the way Logan kept looking up at her from across the room was driving her mad. She had to focus on getting through finals before she could deal with him. She knew in her heart what she wanted to do, but in her head, she was still angry, betrayed, and beyond irritated with him. She just couldn't seem to reconcile the two - her heart and her head. The story of her life.

"Hey, Veronica. Ready for finals?"

Veronica looked up. She was caught more than a little off guard to see the face that now sat in front of her.

"Piz? Hey. Not really, I'm trying to cram it all in before my first one tomorrow. How about you?"

"Yeah, I think so. I've had a lot of time to study lately."

Veronica lowered her head, not sure where this was going, but already feeling uncomfortable and very remorseful, as if she thought she might hurt him yet again.

"So, about that ticket..."

"Huh?"

"The plane ticket to Virginia Logan gave me."

"What plane ticket?"

"So you didn't know."

"About what? I'm lost here."

Piz nodded, laughing to himself. He pulled the ticket from his bag and stood up. He slid it towards her.

"I thought so, I guess I was just hoping differently. Anyway, can you give it back to him for me? I guess I really won't be needing it."

"What are you talking about Piznarsky? I mean, really, I am clueless here."

"Yeah..." Piz started, then changed course. "Logan gave me a plane ticket. He told me I should go with you. Fight for us. I thought it was just some ploy, but Wallace seemed to think the guy must have been sincere. I guess I was stupid enough to think you might want me to go...anyway...just give it back to him, would you?"

"Piz...I..."

"No, Veronica, don't. I'm the idiot here. To think, I...well, anyway. I almost traded it in for my ticket to New York."

"I thought you weren't going," Veronica blurted out, knowing instantly when it came out of her mouth that she would eat those words later, and they would come back up badly. She remembered that the reason Piz wasn't going to go to New York was her.

"Damn, Piz, I'm sorry, again. I just can't seem to not mess things up with you, can I?"

"You know, Veronica, I'd love to blame you, but I can't say I wasn't warned. I always thought I was a smart guy, but here...well, let's just say you have a certain effect on people."

"Piz..."

"No. Please."

"Here, you should trade it in. It's not like Logan needs it. Swap it for your ticket to New York. I hope you have a great summer."

Piz reluctantly took the ticket back from Veronica's outstretched hand. He guessed the guy at least owed him a first class plane ticket to make up for all the shit he'd suffered because of him.

"You, too, Veronica. Although, I already know you will..."

With that, Piz walked away. She turned to find Logan, but he wasn't there. She scanned the cafeteria and saw him nowhere. She had a hard time believing he wouldn't stay and watch their little exchange, but she could find no trace of Logan Echolls anywhere near the cafeteria. She decided to give up and go to her car. She could sit there for a half-hour while she waited for her review session to begin.

...

As Veronica drove, her nerve began to falter. She was less than thrilled about violating the terms of her agreement with Jake. She'd promised never to show her face on Kane property again, but she couldn't help it this time. Duncan had reminded her about the package he had sent her. He told her there was no need to bring Logan if she didn't want to. He gave her something else to get her in the door. There were photos of he and Lilly and an envelope for his parents. He insisted on her delivering it to the Kanes herself, along with a sealed envelope containing a note that they must read before she left. She was afraid of nothing and noone, but she had promised her dad she would stay out of trouble, and this certainly was breaking that promise. She knew as soon as she drove up to the house alarms would sound en masse. Fortunately, all was quiet when she rang the doorbell.

Clarence Weidman opened the door.

"Hmmph. Didn't think you'd have the guts," he said and opened the door for her to come in.

Weird, she thought.

Clarence disappeared, and moments later, Jake Kane followed in behind him. Before he could start yelling, Veronica held out the envelope.

"Duncan sent this to me. He insisted I bring it to you in person. I know this breaks our agreement, but he said for you to read this note ASAP, before I leave," she said, in a rush.

"And why would I believe a word you say?"

"You shouldn't believe me. I told Duncan you probably wouldn't. He told me to tell you if the amount of $10,320.03 meant anything to you."

"You little...Clarence, get the Sherriff on the phone. He needs to come arrest his daughter for theft and the feds will want to talk to her about bank fraud..."

"He said you'd say that, too. So, he told me to ask you about July 14, 2004 and someone named Rachel."

Jake froze.

"How the hell do you know..." He grabbed Veronica's wrist. "Let me tell you something, little girl. I don't care who your father is, I can bury you."

"Jake, just open the damn envelope. I don't have time for these stupid games," Veronica retorted, knowing that she know had Jake's balls in a vice.

"If you have been in contact with Duncan you could be arrested for aiding and abeding a kidnapping. They already have you pegged for helping him get away. This would just ice the cake."

Veronica had no idea what was in the envelope, but she now suspected. Duncan, with his last act of protecting Veronica and thanking her for all she had done for him, had insured that Jake Kane never bothered Veronica again. He opened the small letter envelope, and read the note. He glared at Veronica. He tore open the package and looked at the contents. He reached in and pulled out one picture from the contents. It was a picture of Duncan and Lilly on the beach. They were smiling. Veronica noticed what was written on the back.

This is close as you'll ever get to your granddaughter Lilly. Hope you're happy. Revel in the knowledge that you have destroyed the lives of two little girls named Lilly. - Sincerely, Duncan

Jake turned over the photo and read the words Veronica had just read. There was more in the envelope, but Jake didn't pull it out right then. He stumbled back and landed on a chair. He broke down. Veronica knew it wasn't right to kick a man who was already down, but Duncan had seen all of this. He knew what was going to happen, almost as if he had scripted it. He made her promise to add one last final touch.

"By the way, Jake. You might find it interesting to know that it was one of your own people who's been helping Duncan and feeding him all this valuable information. One of your own. And the kicker is - you're never gonna find out who. Have a nice life, Jake."

With that Veronica left Jake a mess in his study and walked out of the Kane estate for the last time. She hated Celeste wasn't there to enjoy the festivities as well, but as usual, she was holed up in a spa or some posh escape where rich people go to forget their problems.

A small smile crept on her face as she got in her car and backed out of the lavishly landscaped driveway.

"Was that good for you, too, DK?" she said aloud, knowing somewhere Duncan was probably smiling, too. "Now, let's go study, for pete's sake."

The rest of the week passed relatively uneventfully for Veronica. She made it through her finals rather easily, considering. As she walked out of the classroom, finished with her last final, she finally cleared her head for the evenings events. She was meeting Logan. And she had so many questions...she didn't really know where to start, so in true Veronica fashion, she'd just improvise.

She busied herself with getting ready, knowing that there would likely be no rescue from Duncan to get her out of it this time. When she decided she was presentable enough, she headed out. Driving to the Grand, she felt butterflies begin to flutter up to her throat. Why? Hell, she was Veronica Mars. Why in the world was she nervous? She had barely knocked on the door when it flew open.

"Hey."

"Hey. You gonna let me in?"

"Maybe."

Veronica rolled her eyes. She pushed the door open and walked in.

"See there, that's my girl. I love it when you take charge."

She wasn't sure she was ready to dive into their old sarcastic routine just yet. Although, it felt a whole hell of a lot more comfortable than their more recent exchanges.

"Well, you know I like it rough, so, by all means, put up a fight."

Logan smiled and led her to the kitchen.

"Wanna help me finish up?"

"Finish what?"

"Dinner."

"Umm...you...cooked?"

"I am a man of more talents than you know."

"No, Logan, you're really not."

"Try this," he said, shoving a spoon of sauce in her mouth.

Veronica really hated to admit it, but it was amazing.

"Wow, if I knew that's all it took to shut you up..."

"It's not bad, Logan. So who did you pay to come cook all this and sneak out the door before I got here? Maybe they're still here..." Veronica pretended to look around.

"Funny, P.I. Mars."

"Oh, I'm not joking. I'm getting to the bottom of this."

"See what you do to me? I even learn to cook for you."

Ok, here comes the uncomfortable part. Is it hot in here? I hadn't noticed that when I came in.

"Sorry, I...here, can you make the salad?"

"Sure."

The tension faded quickly as they worked in the kitchen. When everything was ready, Logan took everything to the table that Veronica had never noticed before. It was set up beautifully. Veronica had a real hard time believing Logan had done all this himself. They ate dinner and shared a laugh or two. They talked about their finals. Veronica shared her story of what happened at the Kane estate.

"Man, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall."

"I almost feel bad for it."

Logan looked at her with a smirk.

"I said almost."

After they finished, Logan cleared the plates and decided to bring up the topic of this summer.

"So, you all set for Virginia yet?"

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that."

"Uh oh. I know that tone."

"You should. I assume you saw Piz talking to me the other day in the cafeteria."

"Huh?"

"Yeah, okay, we'll play you're way. So, Piz approached me in the cafeteria the other day. He handed me a plane ticket."

"He did?"

Veronica was growing impatient.

"He said he wanted me to return it to you."

Logan just nodded. Veronica was ready to blow.

"Damnit, Logan. What was that about?"

"I was just trying to make ammends," Logan said quietly, obstinately not playing Veronica's game.

"By telling him to try to get back together with me? You know, I just ended up breaking his heart all over again."

"I thought you said he tried to give it back," Logan said, not sounding at all surprised. By now, Veronica knew that he had managed to hear everything. She wasn't sure how, but somehow Logan knew everything that happened. And he disappeared fast, too. Maybe she should hire Logan to help out at the office now that her dad was back at his old lawman desk.

"He asked if there was any reason for him to keep it first."

"And you stomped his heart again, Mars. Good going."

"Don't, Logan."

"Sorry. So what did he do with the ticket?"

"Why do you care?"

"Well, if he isn't going to use it..." Logan started.

"What exactly are you going to do with it?" Veronica cut him off.

"Trade it in on a ticket to Fiji. I don't know. Something good. It wasn't a cheap ticket, you know."

"Yeah, first class. I told him to trade it in for a ticket to New York. He kinda thought it was the least you owed him."

"Damn." Logan pretended to be angry. "Probably right, though. Although..."

"What?"

"I hardly think a plane ticket takes the place of the notorius Veronica Mars."

Damn, he thinks he iss so frickin' slick. She almost let herself fall for it.

"Logan..."

"Look, you said we'd talk. I've already laid everything out for you. You know where I stand, Ronnie."

"Logan, I just..."

"What, Ronnie? You look me in the eye and tell me you don't love me."

Well, Logan, just lay it all out there. Don't hold back.

"That's not the issue?"

"Well, then what the hell is?" Logan begged, no longer able to restrain his frustration.

"There's a lot of crap that goes along with us, Logan. There's a lot of pain, and frustration, and just general shit that happens when we're together."

"You know what? You're right. There is a lot of shit that happens when we're together, but there's shit that happens in everyone's relationship. It's not supposed to be all wine and damn roses, Veronica. If it was easy, my parents would still be here with their arms wrapped around me smiling like f#cking jackasses. Your mom wouldn't be who knows where drunk out of her mind. Jake and Celeste wouldn't be trapped all alone in their big ass mansion with no family. Shit happens to everyone, Veronica. I'm willing to wade through it all. I'm fighting for you...for us, and this time I'm not going to shy away in the background and drink myself to sleep while I wait for you to realize you want to wade through it with me."

Veronica stared at a man she no longer knew to be Logan. He looked like Logan. He definitely smelled like Logan. Mmm. delicious-focus, Veronica! But he didn't sound anything like the Logan Echolls she had known all her life. He had never actually spoke this passionately about anything else before. EVER. And now he was waxing poetic about her-about them. WTF?

"Logan..."

"What, damnit?"

"I'm kinda speechless."

"It's about damn time. It's only taken me half my life to make you unable to talk."

"Congratulations," she commented, sarcastically.

"Thank you," he said, unable to stiffle a giggle. Then they both started laughing. After recovering their breath, he recalled a funny moment he had shared with Duncan last weekend that this moment had reminded him of. Of course it was all about Veronica. And just like that it was over. He made no further mention of their relationship. And neither did she.

"So, Piznarksy decided to head to New York after all?"

"Yeah. I'm glad. I hated to totally ruin his summer."

"Life...summer...whatever," Logan mumbled, jokingly.

"Why do you have to be such an ass?"

"But you love my ass."

Veronica peeked around behind Logan. She nodded in afirmation.

"It's not bad."

"Not bad? I'll show you not bad," Logan teased, and grabbed her by the waist and pulled her in tight. He drew closer and closer when Veronica pulled away.

"Logan, I can't. If we do this we have to take it slow. So slow we make a kindergarten romance look like a wild tryst."

Logan let go, feeling a sense of disappointment and hope at the same time. That sounded like they were back together. Sorta.

"We were never good at slow."

"I know, which is all the more reason to do it this way. If we can't handle slow, then we sure as hell can't handle the fast lane."

"So, what are we Veronica? Friends? What?"

"Why do we have to "be" anything? Why can't we just be Logan and Veronica?"

"Ill-fated lovers. You know, in ten years no one will know who Romeo and Juliet are, it'll be the tales of Logan and Veronica."

"Hey, if you think I'd drink poison for you..."

"I'm hurt," Logan said, grabbing his chest, feigning sadness.

"See, isn't this fun?" Veronica smiled.

Logan rolled his eyes.

"I'll take you however I can get you, Ronnie," Logan said, grabbing her hands.

She reached up and kissed his cheeks.

"Tell me you don't think I'm right."

He squeezed her hand.

"My head says yes, but..."

Little Logan says no? Veronica thought.

"If it's going to be too hard to be celibate..."

"No, Veronica. That's not it. You're still pissed about Madison, aren't you?"

Veronica felt like he'd stabbed her with a knife. The hurt was still a little raw.

"I'll always be pissed about that...but..."

"But?"

"But, I'm learning to move on. I know you don't understand why I hate her so much..."

"I promise you, Veronica, there is no one else for me. I know you have a hard time believing this, but I've changed. I'm different. I don't want to be stupid and young anymore."

"Just stupid?" Veronica teased.

"Seriously?"

"Sorry," Veronica said, pretending to zip her lips closed.

"Veronica, I'm all yours. I told you that. I meant it. The next step is yours. But I'll wait. Patiently. As long as it takes."

She knew he meant it.

"Thank you." She kissed him on the cheek again. "I need to get to bed. I'm exhausted. I've been up studying all week. And I HAVE got to find an apartment in Virginia..."

"Oh, yeah, about that," Logan said, moving his hand to the back of his neck nervously.

"Logan?"

"I sort of made some phone calls, and..."

"LOgan?"

"...and made an appointment for you to meet with an agent next week."

"You did what?"

"Well, I knew you needed help finding something, so I had a lawyer friend make a few phone calls and turns out, a friend of a friend is an agent in Alexandria."

Veronica was slightly angry that Logan would be so...Logan, but she was so touched that he would make such and effort. But now she had to go to Virginia to meet with some agent. Where was she going to get money for an extra plane ticket? Even though her dad had his old job back, they weren't back in 09'er money.

"Logan, I really appreciate that, but I can't fly to Virginia next week. Plane tickets are expensive. I know you don't know how much things cost in the real world, but..."

"It's okay, Veronica. I'll spring for the ticket."

"No, Logan, I..."

"Come'on, Veronica. It's not charity. I have more money than I know what to do with. At least let me put it to good use. Investing in the future of national security," Logan said, mock-saluting Veronica.

"No, Logan."

"At least think about it. Sleep on it."

"Uggh, okay, Logan. I'll think about it."

"Can I call you tomorrow?"

Veronica smiled, "What will you call me?"

Logan returned her smile. He took her hands in his once again and looked into her eyes.

"Goodnight, Veronica. Sweet dreams."

She gave him a final kiss on the cheek. "Goodnight, Logan. Thanks."

She drove back to her apartment, once again her mind swirling with thoughts and emotions.

"So...how did it go?"

"Do you really want to know?"

"That good, huh?"

"No, Dad, it was great. I just..."

"There's a gallon of rocky road in the fridge."

"I'll get the spoons," Veronica replied.