A/N: Wow! So thank you for the reviews, follows, and favorites! I really appreciate it and it helps so much to keep me excited to post. I'm flattered by the interest and excitement. Thank you! PS Thanks Bondopoulos for everything, oh, and also your betaing skills (but that's just a given, you know. I'll always be thankful for that.)

RATING: T++ for slight sexuality

Mac's expression when she walked through the sliding glass door nearly broke him. He could tell that she'd spoken to Veronica. Mac looked exactly how Logan felt, shell-shocked. Raw and emotional.

Mac had raided an all-night diner and brought enough food and coffee to feed an army. Unable to leave, they sat huddled together in the waiting room waiting. There were no attempts at conversation; they merely sat in companionable, shocked silence.

After thirty or so minutes of not saying anything, Mac's phone vibrated. She looked down at it. "She's on her way."

He nodded his acknowledgement, but kept his eyes on his hands.

Finally, Mac gave him a long look. "You didn't have to pay for her ticket, Logan. She can afford to come to her dad's side. She'll insist on paying you back."

Logan flicked a hand dismissing Mac's comment. "It doesn't matter. One less thing for her to worry about."

Mac was silent for a beat before she changed the subject. "What are you doing here, Logan?"

He chewed the inside of his lip, thinking. He swallowed. "I couldn't just leave him."

Mac guffawed and rolled her eyes. "You know what I meant. What were you doing with Keith Mars, of all people?"

"I really don't want to get into it, Mac."

She crossed her arms and gave him a hard stare. "He's the PI who figured it out, isn't he?"

Logan bit his lip, debating whether to admit it. He fidgeted with the sleeves of his jacket. "It hit the news, huh?"

The sympathetic look she gave him twisted his heart. "Yeah. It was the lead story on TMZ tonight. I'm not one to surprise easily, but I have to say, Logan, I can't believe what really happened. I'm so sorry. I know…" she trailed off, her eyes roaming the room in thought. "You loved her. And Gia and Stu were your friends." She met his gaze. "People suck."

He choked back a laugh. "You got that right." They stared at one another until the swoosh of the sliding glass doors caused Logan to break eye contact. He turned to watch a doctor in blue scrubs stroll towards them.

"Mr. Echolls?" The doctor asked, extending a hand to him. Logan shook it. "I've just spoken with the nurse. Has Keith Mars' daughter been contacted?"

"Uh.." Logan looked over at Mac, who nodded. "Yeah, we called her. She's on her way. But she's travelling from New York; it's going to take some time. And that's his only family…at least the only family that we're aware of."

The doctor seemed to process that before nodding slowly. "Mr. Mars is in critical condition. He won't be able to be moved for quite some time. Until then I'm afraid that not even his daughter will be allowed in to see him."

Logan's heart sank at the doctor's words. Veronica wouldn't settle for that if he knew her at all. Which, come to think of it, he didn't any more. He cocked his head to the side and stared at the doctor intently. "But he'll live?"

The doctor fidgeted with the waistband of his scrubs. "I can't share direct health information with a non-family member. Privacy issues."

"That's not what I'm asking," Logan prompted with frustration. "Mr. Mars and I go back years. He's like a father to me." He felt Mac's stare burning into him but he chose to ignore it. "Whatever information you can give us would be more than appreciated. Veronica will be on a plane and unreachable for the whole of the morning and possibly into the afternoon. We just want to know where things stand here. "

The doctor appeared to contemplate that for a moment. Logan could see the muscles of the man's face working as he thought it over. Apparently coming to a conclusion, the physician suddenly nodded. "I understand. I will say that I am confident that Mr. Mars will live. But it will be a long, slow recovery. You'll need to prepare his daughter for that. He will need supervision of some kind for weeks, maybe even months. There are options available-a rehabilitation center or a live-in nurse. I don't yet know what the best course will be. But he won't be walking out of here any time soon."

As the doctor turned to head out of the waiting room but Logan had a sudden thought and spoke up, "Doctor? What about the other man in the car with Mr. Mars? Did he live?"

"Deputy Sacks?" The doctor asked, swiveling back around on the balls of his feet. "I'm afraid he was pronounced dead on arrival." With that, the doctor spun around and left the two of them staring stunned after him.

"Deputy Sacks was in that car?" Mac asked rhetorically, her voice dull.

"No," Logan answered, suddenly more worried than ever. "Deputy Sacks was driving that car."

**Break***

Veronica stepped out of the cab and onto the brightly lit street. The California sun was beating down gloriously without a cloud in the sky but she took no time to enjoy it. Instead, she hoisted her leather computer bag further up onto her shoulder and waited for the cabbie to unearth her carry-on from within his trunk.

Once the luggage was out she tipped the man and made her way to the entrance of Neptune Memorial. She had arranged to meet Mac there so that Veronica could consult with the doctors regarding her dad's prognosis. Mac would then take Veronica to Mac's apartment.

Butterflies, and not the good kind, fluttered wildly in her stomach. It felt more like a swarm of moths or bees were warring inside of her. Veronica squelched the desire to puke on the vestibule's shiny tile and forced one foot in front of the other as she made her way to the information booth. The volunteer on duty directed her to the ICU on the fifth floor. Once on the elevator, Veronica found herself fighting off the overwhelming threat of tears that were burning her eyelids. Rallying, she punched the button marked with a 'five' and headed to whatever fate awaited her.

Breathe in and breathe out, Veronica. Just breathe.

She'd left New York with barely any thought except that she had to get to Neptune immediately. As soon as she'd hung the phone up with Mac, Veronica began the furious dash of packing and running out the door in search of a taxi.

Mac had bought her a first class ticket. Veronica had picked the ticket up at the check-in counter and easily bypassed security without any issues. She was going to owe her life to Mac for getting the ticket so quickly. Veronica decided that it paid to know a hacker.

The elevator pinged and opened, bringing Veronica's attention back to the present and what she was about to face. A sign near the elevator indicated the waiting room was beyond a set of double-glass doors. Veronica could see Mac sitting just on the other side of them reading a book. Veronica didn't think that she'd ever been happier to see her friend in her entire life.

The doors slid open and Veronica rushed in. Mac noticed her at once and she stood up, the book on her lap clattering loudly to the floor. "They won't let anyone in yet to see him. The doctor said a few days," she warned.

With that news Veronica felt herself crumple. Traveling with limited knowledge of what had happened made her weak with exhaustion. She dropped the handle of her suitcase and it toppled over onto her foot, her computer bag's strap slipped down off her shoulder. It was too much. Tears sprang to her eyes and she began to sob.

The words struggled to form, but somehow she was able to gasp out, "Just please tell me he's going to live." Mac pulled her into an embrace, giving Veronica the dignity to grieve without having to school her features. Veronica took advantage of the warmth and melted into her friend, burying her head into Mac's shoulder. "What on earth happened? I feel like I just talked to him. He has to live, Mac!"

She composed herself and pulled away. Veronica wiped her eyes with her fingers and laughed. "Sorry. Sorry. I've just been having all these scenarios," she gestured wildly about her head, "They've been going round and round in my head and I can't rid of them. Being on a plane and traveling alone only made it worse."

"You're entitled to wild scenarios," Mac answered, leading Veronica to a stiff waiting room chair. "Well, I don't know much, but the doctor did relent enough to tell us that he's confident Keith will live. He's just severely injured."

"Us?" Veronica echoed as she settled in and looked around. "Where is Wallace anyway? I thought he would be here." Veronica didn't notice the awkward flash of uncertainty cross Mac's face. "How did you find out about this? What happened? When did it happen?"

"It's all very confusing. All I know for sure is that your dad was with Deputy Sacks. It was a hit and run…multiple hits, actually. Witnesses say that the truck involved doubled back and struck Sacks' car a second time before fleeing the scene," Mac answered carefully.

"Doubled back?" Veronica repeated. "What?"

"Someone took a hit out on Sacks, I think. Veronica…he's dead."

The migraine that had been threatening all day blinded Veronica all at once. The throbbing pain in her temple radiated to her forehead. She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Dad said something being busy with a possible case." She eyed Mac. "Do you think Sacks came to him about the corruption in the Sheriff's office?"

Mac sighed. "When is it ever not about the Neptune's illustrious police force?"

"Has there been an investigation at all? Has anyone been up here to talk to you?"

"No…not that I'm aware of." Mac shook her head deliberately. "I really don't think anyone's talked to the witnesses either."

Veronica blinked. She sat back against the hard back of the chair. "Then I will. No one messes with a Mars and gets away with it."

**Break***

The beach house was still and quiet when Logan walked through the door. He and Mac had counted down the hours and then the minutes before Veronica arrived to the hospital. Within ten minutes of her expected arrival Logan got into a taxi and left after he'd made Mac swear to keep his involvement quiet for as long as possible. He knew that once Veronica knew that he was involved it would be just one more thing for her to worry about. Realistically, it would only be a matter of time before she figured out that it had been he who had saved Keith from that vehicle, but he didn't want to burden her too soon with the knowledge of it.

So with that reasoning, Logan swept into the taxicab with only moments to spare. As the cab zoomed off, Logan looked back and he saw Veronica stepping out of a taxi. She looked as beat up as he felt. But even from a distance he could see determination radiating from her. Everything in him wanted to stop his driver so that he could jump out and take her into his arms to hold her. But he'd fought the urge, knowing she would never be receptive to him or anything he had to say. Decisively, he turned back in the seat and directed the driver to Dick's house.

Logan was exhausted. Sleeping in hard plastic chairs had never been comfortable, but had lost its charm after he'd graduated high school. His back was killing him and he had a crick in his neck. That added to the stress and adrenaline of the previous night left little doubt in Logan's mind as to why he felt so drained. Exhaustion was about to overtake him. As soon as he walked into the house, Logan quietly made his way to the living room. It was late and he was tired of fighting sleep. Logan sat on the couch, leaned back, and was out.

**Break***

The doctors told her to go home and rest. Rushing across the country only to be told to go home made Veronica want to scream in frustration. The staff wouldn't even allow her see Keith through a window, which she thought was all sorts of unfair.

Mac drove Veronica to Keith's house. Veronica needed to get keys to her dad's car so that Mac wouldn't have to chauffeur Veronica everywhere. Not only did Mac need her own set of wheels, but it made more sense for Veronica to drive her dad's car. Mac's schedules would conflict with hers for sure. Veronica would be camped out at the hospital most of the time or out running errands; Mac needed to work.

Veronica had only visited her dad a few times since he'd 'moved on up' in the world, as he phrased it. She still wasn't used to the pristine yards or the well-lit street. Tonight, the street was quiet and showed no signs of the drama that had played out just over twenty-four hours earlier. Veronica remembered the day he'd moved in and how proud he'd been. It bothered her that the seedy under-belly of Neptune had followed her dad home. It bothered her that she'd been half a world away while he fought for his life. It bothered her that obviously there was still a war waging in Neptune and that Keith, as always, was the lone crusader. It bothered her most that she wasn't here, helping her dad with his mission.

Veronica wondered if any amount of time would change that feeling within her.

Mac pulled to a stop in front of the little bungalow before putting the car in park. She turned to look at Veronica. "You can stay at my place like we planned. Only if you want to, of course. No pressure, but you can follow me there now."

"No." Veronica shook her head. She really needed to process the whole day without an audience. "I think I'll just crash here for the night. I can decide what to do in the morning. I need to sort through of Dad's insurance information and paperwork. It'll be fine, Mac."

Mac looked dubious. "I can pack a bag and come back?"

Veronica gave her a look. "No. Definitely not. I mean, I appreciate the gesture, really, but you've done enough already. Staying all day at the hospital while I couldn't be there, not many people would do that. There aren't words to express how much that means to me. I owe you and Wallace." She pulled on the door latch. "Besides, you shouldn't take off more work than you have to. Speaking of which, I guess I ought to call Truman-Mann to tell them I can't take the job."

"I am so sorry, V. I can't even tell you," Mac started.

"Don't be." Veronica interrupted her. "I'm used to Murphy's Law meddling with my best laid plans. But I can't promise to take a position in New York next week when the doctors are telling me that the next month of my life will be spent rehabilitating my dad."

"There are facilities, Veronica. And live-in nurses."

Veronica laughed sardonically and looked over at Mac with a grimace. "You and I both live in the real world. How will he afford that kind of care? I'd be more cost effective as a Walmart Greeter while he sleeps and nurse him back to health myself than hire someone. I'd make more money to pay the bills that way."

"Sorry to break it to you, but you won't qualify as Greeter. Besides requiring a general lack of disdain for humanity, those Greeters are eighty-plus years old."

"Not helping." Veronica smiled weakly. "You get the idea. I need to sit down and figure this out. I can't have the weight of some unattainable position keep me from making the best choice for my dad. I'll just tell them that I can't take the job." She got out, slammed the door and then leaned into the open window to look at Mac. "Thanks for everything. We need to sort out the plane ticket."

Guilt flashed across Mac's face and she shrugged quickly. "It's taken care of. Just…consider it an early birthday present. For the rest of your life. Don't worry about it." Her fingers clenched the steering wheel.

Veronica looked at her strangely. "You must have gotten your promotion at Sun Corp, huh? Go you!"

Mac looked even more uncomfortable. "Actually, I just switched companies. Sun is no longer shining in my life."

Now it was Veronica's turn to look guilty. "We need to catch up, Mac. I feel like I don't even know you. Maybe we can catch dinner tomorrow night, after I sort some of this out. Somewhere close to the hospital, perhaps. Would you be available?"

"For you, V, I am available anytime. Text me; we'll make it happen."

**Break**

There was a hide-a-key in the little rock that sat in the small flower pot on her dad's back porch. Veronica let herself in through the back door with it that lead to the kitchen. She had never given herself time to let this house feel like home. It felt even emptier tonight without Keith's presence.

Dishes were piled in the sink and a dried out loaf of French bread sat on the island next to a serrated knife. It looked as though her dad had been in the middle of preparing dinner when he'd been summoned to Sack's little car. Peculiar, Veronica thought. But it wasn't entirely out of character for Keith to be called away unexpectedly, especially for a case.

The rest of the kitchen was in a similar state of disarray. A pot of cold coffee sat on the counter top and the light was still on in the little pantry. There was an open folder on the table; its contents spilling out from within it. Keith's laptop was open but powered off.

Veronica set her bags down by the island and strode over to the table. She could see Keith's planner peeking out from underneath another file. Pushing the papers aside, Veronica picked the planner up and skimmed through it. Leave it to Keith to still use a paper day planner. She ran her finger along the days, stopping at his schedule for the previous day. He hadn't penciled much in, but at eight o'clock last night he'd written the letter 'L' and circled it.

L.

So…who was L?

She set the planner aside and opened the file full of papers. There was no label on the tab, but inside she found various media clippings regarding Bonnie DeVille's death. Veronica's eyes bounced back to the 'L' before she refocused on the folder, flipping through more of its contents.

Further into the file, Veronica found a sheet of legal notebook paper in Keith's handwriting. Her eyes eagerly skimmed her father's notes on the case. It appeared that he had created timeline of the last day of Carrie's life. There were various comments regarding police logs and witness statements.

The very last page in the file held the bombshell. Her dad had solved the case. Carrie Bishop aka Bonnie DeVille hadn't committed suicide after all. Her own friends had killed her.

A gasp escaped from her lips. Dawning realization twisted in her stomach like a knife. When she'd asked about his caseload, Keith had said: 'Someone asked me to double-check the facts of a loved one's cause of death.'

'L'…

Her mind flashed to the picture she'd burned into memory from within the pages of Entertainment Weekly.

***Break***

"Hey, Logan! That girl who follows you around is here!"

Ah, shit. Logan jerked straight up from his lying position on the couch. He pressed a hand against his forehead, suddenly feeling nauseous. Blurrily, he attempted to compose himself. Despite the fact that he hadn't drunk on drop, Logan felt like he had a hangover; the symptoms were the same. Here we go.

He stood up, brushed the lint off his jeans, pulled his shirt down and squared his shoulders. It was time to face the firing squad.

Wordlessly he watched as Veronica Mars strolled purposely down the hallway, her eyes fixed on him. He noted that the determined set of her jaw was the same as it always had been, as well as the steely resolve in her posture. Warily, Logan waited. Though he kept his face impassive, his heart beat wildly at the sight of her, here, coming to talk to him. This was the moment Veronica Mars walked back into his life, and he hadn't realized until that very second how much he'd wanted it to happen. Even though he knew she was probably only here to yell at him. Or accuse him. Take your pick, Echolls. You're always guilty of something in her book.

Entering the living room, Veronica came to a stop about three feet in front of him. He kept his eyes locked on hers as dryly remarked, "That didn't take you very long."

A slight smile formed on her lips. She clasped her hands in front of her and bounced on her heels, looking awkward. "I just dropped by to say thank you."

He blinked. "Come again?"

Veronica's eyes filled with tears. "I don't need to know why you were there, and I really don't need to know, but thank you."

His defenses fell down. Her reaction was completely the opposite of what he'd expected. "I just reacted. There's nothing to thank me for."

"Since when have you ever been humble?" Veronica asked, smiling softly. She gestured around, changing the subject abruptly when she remarked, "You've sure done well for yourself."

Logan shrugged, his features schooled. "This is Dick's place. I'm just crashing."

"Aah, I should have known. Well, your boyfriend has done well."

Logan let the quip slide. He only allowed himself to give her a slightly exasperated look. "Dick runs his own business now. He's doing well at it. As for me, I have a place near base in San Diego." He added the last part just to see her reaction.

It shut her up. Logan watched her swallow and press her lips tightly together. He could tell that she was thinking of that night, so many years ago, when she'd seen him on that random street in New York. When he'd been in uniform. He could tell with certainty that Veronica knew he was in the Navy and that she'd known it for a while. If that hadn't been the case, she would have reacted differently, probably by pumping him for information.

"Well…I'm glad for you." Slowly, deliberately, Veronica turned around and started back down the hallway. So that was it then. A quick thank you and then a 'see ya in another ten years'.

Logan hesitated before saying, "Veronica?"

She stopped.

Logan shut his eyes. Breathed out. Breathed in. Opened his eyes. "You're welcome. But I didn't do it to be thanked." He ached to reach out to hold her. She looked so good, if a bit haggard. He would have done anything to be able to comfort her in this time of need.

Veronica didn't turn around. She stood still for a moment longer before she slowly jerked her head up and down in silent answer. She then continued making her way to the door. He stared after her for a long time after she'd disappeared.

**Break***

Inside the car, Veronica sat gazing out the window at the beach house. She ignored the exclusively shrill ring of her phone that told her it was Truman-Mann calling. Nothing the firm had to say interested her enough to answer their call right now. She couldn't take her eyes from the glass door through which she could see both Dick and Logan going about their daily business.

Once she'd put the pieces together, Veronica had known she needed to thank Logan personally for saving her father's life. There wasn't time for her to tip-toe around Neptune in the hopes of never running into him. Every time she'd ever come for a visit that was exactly what she'd done, but there would be no getting around it now. So when she'd woken up this morning, she'd called the hospital first, to check on Keith's status, and then had driven to the address that Keith had listed as Logan's address.

When Dick swung the door open, Veronica had been stunned to see the blonde-haired imbecile grinning goofily down at her. She hadn't been expecting him. He'd looked momentarily stunned for a moment as well, but then had recovered remarkably with a snide comment about how he'd ordered a short brunette, not a feisty blond.

It had taken Dick only a second before he'd called out to Logan and pointed her in the direction of the living room. Too late to turn tail and run, Veronica had headed down the hallway to find Logan rousing himself from what looked like a rather uncomfortable night sleeping on a couch that was much too short for his tall frame.

Even though Logan's clothes had been rumpled they were obviously of high quality and he wore them well. He'd roll the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows and his jeans hung just right on his hips and Veronica was annoyed that she'd let herself notice.

The air in the car was stifling and Veronica couldn't breathe; she felt too hot. Going for a stroll along the beach sounded soothing and an effective way to clear her mind of all thought for a little while until she could head to the hospital once it was visiting hours. Not wanting to sit there any longer, Veronica got out of the car and walked over to the public access to the beach.

The breeze felt wonderful on her skin as it whipped her hair into her face. It had been years since she'd walked down the beach, years since she'd felt sand between her toes. Aimlessly, she wandered, first to the water's edge and then back towards where the long grass met the sand line.

When she'd called the hospital first thing this morning, the news had been positive but not what she wanted to hear. Keith still didn't have clearance to have visitors and there was no indication when that might happen. Disappointed with that news, Veronica made the ICU nurse promise to call if there was any change at all.

She couldn't visit her dad. Wallace and Mac were at work. There was nowhere she had to be. With that in mind, Veronica found a semi-secluded spot near some brush and boulders to sit down by. After a while, she laid back, first pulling her jacket off and bunching it under her head as a headrest and watched the clouds roll by.

***Break***

"Dude, what the hell was Veronica Mars doing at our door after ten long damn years?" Dick asked as he and Logan headed toward the ocean with their surfboards. "Did she finally come crawling back to you after a decade of running? Your prayers have been answered!"

"Dude, shut up. She had her reasons. And it's been nine years."

"Same dif. What possible reason could Veronica Mars have to talk to you?" Dick pressed, taking a moment to zip up the last few inches of his wet suit.

Logan hadn't told Dick anything about hiring Keith Mars or of the accident. Dick, like the rest of Neptune, was under the impression that the sheriff's department had solved Carrie's murder. Not wanting delve into it all, Logan answered evasively, "She just came to offer condolences."

Dick grunted, clearly not buying it.

Logan didn't really care what Dick thought, so he said nothing more. Instead, he focused on the water and the weather. The sun was high in the sky, the waves were rolling, and it was the perfect combination for excellent surfing. Logan looked forward to the ride, to clear his mind. Surfing was cathartic to him; it always had been. Today was no exception. Together, the two friends jogged into the ocean as far as the water would allow and then hopped onto their surfboards and paddled out the rest of the way.

***Break***

She heard them before she saw them.

The warm air had made her doze but the voices were like bees in her ear. Veronica propped herself up and squinted across the horizon to see two men surfing. Their voices carried across the water in the breeze and she knew immediately that it was Dick and Logan. She watched for a moment, reflecting.

It had always been pleasurable to watch Logan surf. It was if he became one with the board and water, riding the wave out expertly even at a young age. Back when they'd dated, Veronica used to bring picnic lunches to the beach and watch him. After he'd surfed the morning away, they'd sit together, just enjoying each others company.

He'd tried to teach her how to surf once. She must have fallen off a million times, but Logan had been so patient with her that she'd kept at it for quite a while. Finally, though, he'd realized that she'd had enough and took her back to shore. She'd repaid him by finding a secluded spot further down the beach.

***FLASHBACK***

Veronica took off running, knowing that Logan would run after her. She could hear his labored breathing behind her, and she threw a grin back at him, her hair whipping about her face. Logan's returned grin made her run even faster, up across the boulders that led to a dark cave they'd discovered years before, with Duncan and Lilly.

She was still in her wetsuit, so while she waited for Logan to climb up after her, she unzipped and peeled it off of her warmed body. She was still struggling to free of her legs when Logan reached her, huffing from the exertion.

"We can find better places, you know."

She looked up at him while still bent over. "But what kind of memory would that be?" Veronica teased. Finally succeeding in detangling herself, she stood up straight. "I mean, now, we'll always associate me learning and failing to surf with a lovely tryst in a cold dark cavern where you warmed this cold, cold heart of mine." Logan's eyes dilated from the sight of her small breasts pushed up in a halter-styled bikini top. His response made Veronica glad she'd spent the extra money on it. She used the effect she had on him to advantage by cocking her head to the side and crooking her finger at him seductively. "I'd settle for just a body warm-up, how about you?"

"How about I do both?" He growled, pulling her into him. His hands skimmed her back and she arched into him, relishing the heat that his touch immediately evoked. Her fingers dug into his shoulder blades when his lips left hers to skim down her neck and plunge into the V of her breasts.

Her breath came out in choppy bursts when his mouth found a nipple and she lost all comprehension. His fingers found the other nipple and began feathering ever so slightly in the same rhythm as his tongue. He pulled away from her to give her a devilish grin, his brown orbs like fire in the darkness. She wondered if he saw the same heat reflected in her own eyes.

He captured her mouth again with his and she was gone, lost by his touch, happy to be in his arms.

***END FLASHBACK***

Veronica blinked the memory away. It had been a while since she'd let herself think of that day. The flush of her body made her wish that she'd never insisted adding that particular excursion to the day she'd attempted surfing. As tempting the memory it was to remember it wasn't useful in keeping detached from the past. Right now, she needed to focus on her dad and getting him the care he needed, not on a rock hard body and a pair of smoldering brown eyes.

Being pretty well hidden from view, Veronica watched the two riders. As much as she wanted to look away, it was impossible. Her eyes were drawn to surfers. The two were expertly riding, bending and twisting just so, easily staying on their boards. It was easy to discern which form was whose. Dick's shock of blond hair stuck out above his wet suit. The years had thickened Dick out a little, but to Veronica he would always be a scrawny frat boy. The form on the other board, however, was as familiar as he was a stranger. Logan was nowhere near the boy he once was.

His body was more muscular and lean than she remembered. His posture was straighter, evidence of his years in the Navy. She had noted when she stood in front of him how short he kept his hair now; the lines of his face more rugged. Some men just got more attractive with age and Logan was definitely one of them. She'd had to force herself not to get lost in his brown eyes. There had always been something magnetic when he'd looked at her, and nine years hadn't diminished the pull. She'd had to push her feet firmly into her shoes to keep herself from jumping into his arms.

She was sure he wouldn't have welcomed that. She'd left him. Technically, they hadn't even been together when she'd moved away, but that seemed like semantics now. They'd each broken the other's hearts more than once. After all this time Logan probably hated her.

Actually, he'd looked wary of her. He'd seemed distant and not very glad to see her. Not the way someone would look who wanted to reconcile or even be friends again. It wasn't as if she wanted to reconcile, per se, but friendliness would have been welcome.

Plus he was mourning Carrie. Or Bonnie. Whatever the hell name she'd used, Bonnie/Carrie had been Logan's girlfriend for years now. The two of them had been involved for much longer than Veronica and Logan had officially even been together. When they were younger, grief always seemed to put Logan on a different playing field than during less emotional times. Right now Logan was in the throes of grief and Veronica had to stay away from him.

For that matter, Veronica was also in the throes of grief herself. If she allowed herself to think too much about his chocolate-brown eyes, she had to remember that she was weak and had to be strong. Yes, she thought, feeling better about the situation, this is just grief that's making me nostalgic for Logan and the way things used to be.

She didn't really need anything from Logan. She was merely feeling lonely and the idea of Logan brought comfort and familiarity. Yes. That's what this was. Familiarity.

Determined to not get carried away by pointless emotion, Veronica stood up and brushed the sand from her jeans. Time to get out of here. Logan and Dick had just reached the shoreline and were bantering back and forth like the good friends they were. Veronica waited for the two of them to head back out into the ocean before gathering her things and left. She didn't look back.

A/N: thanks for reading! If you have a moment, please leave a review and let me know how you liked it! Thanks again for taking the time to read this! FYI this will likely be a 20+ chapter thing. I am trying hard to keep up with a weekly posting schedule. I hope you all stick with me and stick with where this is going.