No one answered their phone calls. Texts were unanswered as well. Keith was panic stricken as he marched up the steps to the loft. Banging loudly on the industrial metal door, he yelled at the obstruction. "Logan! Are you in there?!" He kept hammering until he heard the clicking of the locks being turned. The door opened slowly, revealing his stricken son-in-law. Keith paused to look at Logan; his eyes were bloodshot from crying, his face was white, except for a large red welt on his left cheek. Keith shook his head sadly and brushed past him, on a mission.

He walked along the large wall of windows in the loft, dropping the expensive rolling blinds down, making the entire place dark and industrial feeling. When he was done, he turned back to Logan. "What's across the street from you? Who works there?"

Logan ambled over to him. "I own the building. First floor is commercial, second and third floor I lease to the County to store document boxes. No one actually 'works' there. It has a special security system on those floors and the only time anyone is there is during the day when county clerks and Deputies deliver file boxes. And that's rarely."

Keith rolled his eyes. "Well, the program for the security was probably made by Kane Software. You are being watched and whomever is watching you is probably on one of those two floors."

Logan walked over to the closed blinds and shook his head. "Of course they are. We keep sweeping for bugs, but I never thought anyone could be watching us from across the street." He laughed to himself and rubbed his cheek. "Duncan will probably have the photo of Veronica slapping me framed and hung over his mantle."

Keith put his hand on Logan's shoulders. "Alicia overheard him talking to Weidman. Duncan was waiting for you both to get into an argument before he sent the photos, that's why it took so long. He was waiting to get to Veronica when she was feeling vulnerable." Keith dropped his head. "What did you argue about this morning, son?"

Logan's voice went hoarse. "The baby. A baby. She wants to try again in a few weeks. I told her I wasn't sure if I wanted to try again...ever." He took a sharp intake of breath. "In a month I have lost my child and my wife. I don't know how much more of this I can take."

Keith looked around the loft. Set out across the table were a series of pictures. He walked away from Logan and over to the display. Stopping at the first one, he picked it up and let out a deep sigh. Logan turned to see what he was doing then quickly turned back, unable to watch his father-in-law's disappointment. Keith walked around the table, following the photos in order, until they came to their conclusion.

"Logan..." Keith began as he stared at the photo of him following the hooker into the room.

"Please don't." Logan's voice was thick and strained. "I didn't fool around with her. I didn't have sex with her. I paid her for information on the bounty I was chasing. She kissed me, I didn't kiss her. That is the truth, but Veronica doesn't believe me. And now she hates me."

Keith put down the photo and rubbed his eyes. "She doesn't hate you." He said, trying to be empathetic, but missing the mark with his tone.

Logan turned and laughed. "Yeah. She does. I saw it in her eyes. She even compared me to Aaron. I'm pretty sure that's as much hate as she has in her."

Keith was torn. Even though he had sympathy for the pain Logan was in, Veronica was out there somewhere, feeling at least a thousand times worse, because of his stupid actions. "I need to find her, Logan. WE need to find her. Duncan is tracking her car. He plans on capitalizing on her distress and I'm worried that in her emotional state, he may have a chance of taking her away."

Logan turned and began walking towards Keith, pulling his phone out of his back pocket. He looked at it and held it up to Keith. "She hasn't stopped moving. After she left, I activated the GPS tracking on her phone. We both have it, as a safety precaution for cases, but she hasn't thought to turn hers off." He watched as her little red dot drew lines on his screen. "She is just driving around Neptune. She hasn't stopped for more than a few minutes before moving again."

"Well, then get yourself together, son. We have to find her before Duncan does." Keith gestured to Logan.

It was like Logan was hit by lightning as new enerty surged into him. His eye shone and his jaw set with purpose; making sure his wife didn't fall into Duncan's hands again.

Even though it was the afternoon, the sky was dark. A storm was brewing and Veronica imagined, as she drove around Neptune, that it was her own personal emotional black cloud following her. She stopped only once to refill her tank and buy a big bag of gas station food from the Gas n' Sip that became her 'lunch'. She felt ill, first from not eating, then from eating junk. She needed to stop driving, get out of the car for a while, and think what to do next.

That's how she found herself walking along the sand near a hidden area of the beach. The tiny parking lot held only a few cars, and at night it was usually packed with teenagers, making out in their vehicles. She remembered how Logan would bring her here and they would make-out until she thought one of them would burst. Her good thoughts suddenly became clouded as the image of him following another woman into her bedroom floated past.

She walked to the edge of the water and took off her shoes, letting her bare feet sink in the sand. The water was getting choppy and the wind blew her hair. She closed her eyes and breathed in the cool air, feeling it deep in her lungs. Opening her eyes, she imagined Logan out surfing the waves. How could she be so mad and so deeply in love at the same time, she wondered. She wanted to scream at him, shake him, slap him again, but at the same time, she wanted nothing more than to sink into his arms. Her head and her heart were once again at odds in her life.

She wasn't sure how long she had been standing there, minutes or hours, when the slight drizzle began. She stayed put, enjoying the cleansing drops.

"I can help you, Veronica." Came a masculine voice and two large hands suddenly grasped her by the shoulders. She jumped and turned around. Duncan was standing in the rain, his eyes full of concern. "Let me help you, please."

Veronica stood her ground. "Help me with what?"

"Help you escape this pain. I know you want to get away from the pain of losing your baby; from your husband's betrayal." He offered his hand to her. "I can help you escape."

Escape. Her head grasped the word and wouldn't let go. The idea of escaping from everything was seductive. "How?" She found herself asking.

Duncan smiled. "I have a cabin in the woods. You are welcome to stay until you know what you are going to do next. You can be alone and think and mourn and heal." He said and stepped closer to her, positioning himself by her side. When she didn't move, he wrapped one arm around her. "I will take care of you. You will never have your heart broken again." He whispered into her ear.

Veronica closed her eyes. In spite of everything she knew, she wanted to follow him so badly, if only to have a place to hide.

"VERONICA!" Her name travelled across the sand.

Logan was sprinting towards her, in the rain. She began to shiver at the sight of him. Logan reached the two and stopped abruptly. Putting his hand out to her, he spoke forcefully. "Veronica, please come with me. You know you are not safe with him, just please come home."

Duncan laughed. "Not safe with me? I'm pretty sure that you are the one she is running from. And I can keep her safe from you."

Veronica looked between the men. She wanted to run away from the pain inflicted by Logan's transgressions, but she knew that Duncan was not the safe place he promised to be.

She stepped away from them both, backing up towards the long stretch of beach. It was raining harder now and she was shaking with anger and cold. "I don't want to go with either of you! Duncan, you raped me when I was unconscious and told me I wanted it! Logan, you cheated on me and broke my heart! I just want to be left alone. Please. Just leave me alone!" She screamed into the ocean and then turned and ran towards the parking lot. As she reached her car a figure came out of Logan's Hummer. She stopped in her tracks.

Keith Mars walked out into the deluge towards his daughter. As he approached, she felt her emotions building inside. When they were face to face he spoke quietly. "Let's go home, sweetheart." The dam burst in Veronica again and she began sobbing. Gently, he took her keys from her hands and guided her to the passenger side of the car. She climbed in willingly and he slammed the door.

Turning back to Logan, Keith walked towards him in the sand. "GO HOME, LOGAN! DON'T LET HIM MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU'LL REGRET!" He yelled, his voice carrying against the rain.

Logan turned to Duncan, who wore a satisfied smirk on his face. He would have liked nothing more than to beat that smile off of him. Instead he licked his lips and spat near Duncan's sandy shoes. Duncan's look changed to a death stare, his eyes full of rage. Logan grinned, knowing he had gotten to his old friend. Giving him a wave with his fingers, Logan turned and headed down the beach, back to his car. He saw that Keith had started Veronica's vehicle, but was waiting for him to leave before he left with Veronica.

Taking a last look through the windshield, Logan saw Veronica huddled for warmth in the passenger seat. She didn't make eye contact at first, but then she finally looked up at him, standing soaking in the rain. Memories of her bombarded him: the night he proposed, their wedding day, their honeymoon, the day she showed him that stick with the two blue lines. He filled himself up with her love again, just through her eyes. He held her gaze for a few moments more before Keith honked at him, jarring him back to the present.

Logan broke contact and climbed into the Hummer, starting the engine and following Keith out of the parking lot. But instead of going left, keeping up with Veronica's car, he went right and headed for home.

Just after midnight, Veronica awoke with a terrible thirst. All the salty food she consumed had dried out her tongue. And the crying didn't help either. When her father brought her back to his house, Alicia took over and plunged her into a hot bath to warm her up. Veronica then changed into one of Alicia's nightgowns and crawled into the guest bed. She fell asleep almost immediately, even though it was only late afternoon.

She looked over beside her. The other half of the bed was empty. She knew Logan wasn't there but somehow, she still woke up with a hope that he was. It was as if she could feel his presence as she slept and wished he would miraculously appear when she opened her eyes.

She crawled out of bed and padded barefoot into the hall. Poking her head into her dad's office, she realized the computer was on, recording night time activities in the Kane house, but Keith and Alicia were in bed as well. She shuffled to the kitchen and opened the door to the fridge. It was stuffed with food. She mused for a second how her and Logan's fridge was definitely not stuffed with food and that any child of theirs would have to learn how to order pizza by the age of five. Logan. Baby. Gone. She mentally cursed herself for bringing them up in her head and grabbed a bottled water. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Alicia came around the corner, a little shriek escaping.

"I didn't mean to scare you, honey. I just wanted to check if you were okay?" She said and moved closer to Veronica.

Veronica clutched her hard beating heart. "I'm okay, thanks. Sorry to wake you."

Alicia laughed and took a seat at the island. "Years of having two boys coming in at all hours trained me to wake at the sound of an opening fridge. Both Wallace AND Darryl would always head straight to the food when they got home after midnight."

Veronica laughed and leaned on the counter across from her step-mom. "Wallace has always been driven by a deep desire in his life...for food!"

Alicia reached over and touched her step-daughter's hand. "Are you sure you're okay? Keith told me about the fight you and Logan had before the pictures were delivered."

Veronica sighed. "I know in my head that he is right about waiting to have another baby, but when we were having the argument, it was like it wasn't me. Like I was just so determined to feel hurt that everything he said I twisted."

Alicia nodded, listening intently. "And what about when you saw the photos?"

Veronica groaned. "I know he loves me. I know, deep down inside, that he would never sleep with someone else. I actually get what he was telling me with his explanation. Lord knows I have done some crazy things when I was in the field. But in that moment..." She went quiet, thinking back to their fight. She began to tear up again. "...I didn't fight fair. I hit a man who was abused as a child. Then I pretty much called him 'Aaron'." She covered her eyes. "Even if I can forgive him for the photos, I don't know how I'll ever forgive myself for how I acted. Or maybe he'll never forgive me."

Alicia stood and came around the island. She put her arm around Veronica's shoulders and guided her to walk with her. Veronica opened her eyes as they crossed to the front window. It was still dark in the house, so the outside was clear. There, in front of the house, was Logan's Hummer, parked under a streetlamp. Veronica scrunched her face and looked around the living room, thinking he was there. Alicia shook her head.

"After Logan changed out of his wet clothes, he came back to take Keith to the loft for his car. Except he followed Keith home and parked himself outside and just sat in the car." Alicia looked outside and put her hands on her hips. "I took pity on him and brought him a pillow and blanket. He told me he was staying out there all night to make sure Duncan's goons didn't cause you trouble tonight." She jerked her head down the street to a black car, few houses away, with a person clearly sitting in it.

He was here. Her heart climbed out of hiding and filled itself with love. She had the urge to run out and see him, but as she began her movement, she balked. "I shouldn't go." Her head interrupting her heart. "The photos. He kissed someone else..."

Alicia sighed. "Veronica...just talk to him. You don't have to work everything out tonight. You were not completely in the wrong and neither was he. You were both imperfect humans, trying to do your best, at the worst time possible. But open the discussion again. This won't be solved in a few days, it may take months or years, but as long as you are talking, you have a chance."

Veronica caught Alicia's eye in the reflection of the window. Her eyes teared up. Alicia was right. Again. She was filled with love not only for Logan but for her family as well. "Thanks Mom." She said quietly and turned to hug the older woman. Pulling back, she saw the tears in Alicia's eye. She smiled and turned towards the door.

Sliding out into the chill of the night gave Veronica goosebumps. The moon was clouded and the porch lights cast strange shadows from her form. She was wearing a long cotton nightgown, and she cold feel her nipples harden in the cold. Crossing her arms over her chest, she ran, barefoot to the car.

Jumping onto the step to the passenger door, Veronica rapped softly on the window. Logan awoke from his sleep in the drivers seat with a jolt, his eyes wild and trying to focus. He threw off his blanket and saw her face in the window. He fumbled for the automatic door locks and opened her side. She jumped in and slammed the door behind her.

"Hi." She said with a grin, genuinely happy to see him.

"Hi to you." He said, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

She shivered a bit. Logan noticed immediately and tossed the blanket off of himself and around her. "It's cold out here." She said and snuggled under the warm cover. She noticed he had the back window open a crack for air circulation and a little breeze was blowing in.

Logan shrugged and yawned. "The rain cooled everything off." He stated.

There was a silence as they each contemplated what to say next. "Thanks for coming to find me at the beach." She blurted. "I wasn't really thinking too clearly."

Logan smiled shyly at her. "You once told me that you would always come and find me. Same holds true for me finding you."

Veronica's eyes became glassy at the thought of seeing him for the first time in nine-years, in disguise, hiding from people trying to kill him. "It's true. Nine years and I still came running to you."

Logan reached out and touched her face. "You know the stupid thing is, that in those nine years, even though we weren't together, whenever I was with someone, I always felt like I was cheating on you." He confessed. "Because you were always right there in my heart."

She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of his fingers on her face. "I know. I felt the same way."

Logan's voice dropped and she could tell he was reaching deep into his emotions. "I am so sorry for the pain I caused you. I'm sorry for being an idiot and not thinking what happened in those photos would ever matter. I'm sorry I've been a jerk about having another baby. I'm just greatly sorry for everything that has transpired over the last 24 hours."

Veronica opened her eyes and looked at him. She reached out from the blanket and touched the side of his face she had slapped. The colour had returned to normal but the emotional scar was still there. "I'm sorry I hit you. There is no excuse for it. You never, ever deserve to be hit. And comparing you to Aaron was just...terrible judgment on my part. I'm so sorry." She took a deep breath. "And I'm sorry for arguing about having another baby so soon, even though I know that you are right and we should wait."

There was silence as the couple contemplated each other's words. They suddenly both moved at the speed of light, lunging for each other, their lips connecting in the middle. Their kiss was as passionate as their argument and Veronica felt herself getting warmed from the inside, out.

Logan pulled out of the kiss first, gasping for air. "God, I love you Veronica Mars." He exclaimed and dove for her neck with his mouth. Veronica wrapped her arms around him and let her head hang back, granting him access.

She giggled as his stubble tickled her neck. "I love you too. I love you so much." She proclaimed. Pushing herself up on her knees, she forced him to let go of her neck. Seeing her opportunity, she scampered across the middle console and straddled his lap in the seat, wedging herself between him and the steering wheel. Making room for her body, she ground her pelvis down into his lap, eliciting a curse of pleasure from her husband's lips. She felt his cock harden in his khakis, through her cotton panties.

He tossed his head back as she ground her hips down again. "Fuck, Veronica! If you do that again I'm going to come." He groaned.

She pressed her breasts against his sweatshirt and moved her body along him. "That's the idea." She said and caught his lips again.

They made out like teenagers in the car, each one gasping and groping just enough to be enjoyable while neither was ready to commit to coming.

Finally, Logan came up fir air and pulled his hands away from her. "WAIT! There is a car parked down the block with one of Duncan's guys in it. He's probably taking pictures of this right now." He said and reached for the blanket to cover his wife.

Veronica arched her eyebrow at her partner. "Let him. Duncan likes to look at pictures of us so much, let's give him something that may cure his prying eyes." She pushed the blanket off her herself and began nibbling her husband's neck.

Logan laughed and slipped his hand across the front of her nightgown, grasping one of her breasts. "God damn it, I love you."

She groaned in ecstasy and looked into his eyes. "Shut up and pretend to fuck me." She giggled.

Keith Mars was wondering what happened to his wife. He wandered out into the hall to find the stove light on and his wife drinking the remains of a glass of red wine, sitting at the counter.

"Why are you awake?" He asked and wrapped his arms around her lovingly.

She put down her wine glass and wrapped her arms around her husband's. "Veronica woke up so we had a little talk."

Keith kissed his wife on the cheek. "Logan?"

She smiled. "Logan."

Keith released his wife and started walking towards the front window. "Is he still sleeping out..."

Alicia jumped off her stool and interrupted her husband. "I wouldn't look out that window if I were you!" She proclaimed.

But it was too late. There, in full view were his daughter and son-in-law, making out like teenagers in his car. He closed his eyes and rubbed his face, turning back toward his wife. "It was bad enough I had to go through this when they were younger! Really? They're in their thirties!"

Alicia wandered over to her husband and kissed him on the nose. "Just be happy they aren't fighting. And Duncan did not get between them."

Keith reached out and held his wife quietly, muttering something under his breath. The slamming of car doors made the older couple turn toward the window again. There was Veronica running across the yard, laughing, with Logan running after her. He intercepted his wife at the porch and grabbed her around the waist, kissing her neck. She put her finger to her lips to quiet him and she gently opened the front door.

The young couple slowly pushed the door open and tiptoed into the room, Veronica in bare feet, Logan just in socks. As they closed the door, Keith cleared his throat, causing them to jump.

Veronica crossed her arms in front of her chest and backed into Logan. "Hey dad." She said and giggled.

Logan looked down at her head, trying to hide his goofy grin, not able to make eye contact with Keith. "Hey." He muttered.

Keith rolled his eyes at them and let out a sigh. Alicia smiled at the happy duo. "A but cold out there, isn't it."

Veronica saw her opening and took it. "Yeah. Even with the blanket, Logan was freezing so I thought it was best if he came in with me and stayed in the guest room with me for tonight and then tomorrow we'll go home and get out of your hair." She explained, looking between her step-mom and father. Not really waiting for an answer, she reached behind her and found Logan's hand. "Goodnight!" She said and dragged her husband down the hallway.

"We have a lovely couch for Logan to sleep on, if you'd like!" Keith called out after her.

"Nope! We're good! Thanks!" Veronica yelled back.

"Goodnight!" Logan called as he followed behind his wife. The sound of laughter echoed as they closed the door.

Keith looked at his wife and frowned. "I know their married, but why do I still feel like my 18 year old daughter just took her boyfriend to her bedroom?"

Alicia laughed. "Because no matter how old they get, they will always be our 'kids'." She said and kissed her husband on the lips. "Come on, let's go back to bed."

Keith kissed his wife on the forehead. "You go ahead. I'll lock up and join you in a minute."

Alicia smiled and headed down the hallway. When she was gone, Keith walked to the front door and went onto the porch. He looked down the street at the surveillance car. Suddenly, the vehicle roared to life. The lights were blinding as it drove past him. Keith watched it disappear and then went into the house, locking the door behind him. Turning off the lights in the kitchen, he paused in the darkness, lost in a thought. He chuckled to himself and let out a breath. "Well kids...let's see how Duncan reacts to those photos tomorrow." Then he went to join his wife in their bedroom