Home and Heart Improvements

[christykq]

Title: Home and Heart Improvements
Author: christykq
Rating: M for language and innuendos mostly, some sex
Characters/Pairings: some Logan/Parker, LoVe, ensemble
Word Count: 8,249 in this section; 34,118 total
Spoilers: This fic takes place just after 3.15 and continues AU from there.
Summary: Logan buys a fixer-upper house and needs help making improvements. Slight Logan/Parker, LoVe.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in the VM universe, it all belongs to the master RT and no copyright infringement is intended. Transcripts from Indigo Mantoya at twiztv dot com.

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A/N: This is an oneshot that is too big to post as only one document, therefore, this fic is broken into four sections. It’s split for no other reason than size because I just can’t write a short story, no matter how hard I try.

A/N2: Character’s thoughts are italic.

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Veronica sits behind her desk at Mars Investigations with her nose in her Art History book, studying. She has a quiz in forty-five minutes and she is not feeling very confident about her knowledge of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Feeling the stress of her quiz rapidly approaching, she doesn’t acknowledge the intruder when the office door opens and a large masculine form nears her desk.

“TWO o’clock.” The client says loudly, demanding Veronica’s attention.

Stressing the first syllable of his phrase, the familiar voice makes the tiny investigator jump in her seat and Logan chuckles at Veronica’s reaction.

“Jesus, Logan. Scare a girl much?” She places her hand over her heart, assuring the organ’s location in her chest and not, as she thought, in her throat.

“I said, I’m here for my two o’clock appointment with your dad.” Logan laughs and casually falls back into the chair in front of the receptionist’s desk.

“That’s not what you said.” Veronica retorts as she scurries to check the appointment book under her schoolbooks and notebooks. “You’re not Dad’s two o’clock. He doesn’t have anything until seven tonight.” She scans over Keith’s agenda carefully.

Logan smirks. “Just tell him I’m here please. He’s expecting me.”

She looks him up and down skeptically before walking to Keith’s closed office door and pokes her head in the inner office. “Do you have an appointment with Logan at two?”

Keith jumps up from his seat quickly with a big grin and rounds his desk, addressing Logan loudly. “Hello Logan, I’ll be right there. I lost track of time. Give me one second.”

“Okay.” Logan nods at Keith and stands.

Veronica leans against her father’s office doorjamb watching the two men interact. What is going on? These two obviously have something up their sleeves.

She glares at Logan as Keith retrieves his briefcase and rushes past his daughter, kissing her forehead as he passes. “I’ll see you tonight, Honey.”

“Where are you off to?” She inquires. Keith ignores her question and continues out the door.

Veronica’s eye narrow as Logan flashes a Hollywood smile, pulls his sunglasses over his eyes and silently follows Keith out the door.

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“Honey, I gotta head out. My guy is at the border. I should be back by tomorrow night.” Keith pushes his arms through his jacket and kisses his daughter’s cheek. “Can you take this over to Logan’s place? He needs this by noon today and I’m not going to be able to get over there in time.” Keith hands a large, sealed envelope to Veronica.

She turns the envelope over in her fingers, inspecting it closely. “What’s in here?”

“Papers that Logan needs today by noon.”

Veronica eyes her father. “What are you doing with Logan? Why wasn’t his appointment in the book? What papers do you have to give him? What is going on?”

“It’s nothing, Honey. Logan just needed help with something. Can you take that to him for me please?” Keith gives Veronica a pointed look.

“Fine.” She huffs. “What’s this address on the sticky note?” Her fingers run over the street address on the yellow paper stuck to the outside of the envelope.

Keith kisses the top of her head quickly and hurries to the door. “That’s Logan’s address.” He leaves the office before Veronica can question him further.

“What?” His address? This isn’t the Grand’s address. She smiles. This is in the ’02 zip code. Did Logan buy a house? Oh I have got to see this. Veronica grabs her bag and the sealed envelope and rushes out the door.

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Two-twelve, two-fourteen, two-sixteen. “Aha! Two-eighteen Dune Drive.” Veronica inventories the property as she slowly pulls in the driveway: overgrown hedge, worn gravel driveway, large, wrap-around porch in need of a new paint job, broken shutters, loose door number hanging upside-down. This can’t be Logan’s house?

She notices the dark green Range Rover parked close to the house behind a large bush and the long beach path from the house to the ocean in the distance. Oh, this is definitely Logan’s house.

Veronica knocks on the front door and corrects the upside-down number two on the wall to the left of the entry. She hears footsteps on the other side of the door as she watches the number fall back to its original inverted position.

Logan swings his front door open wide. “Hey.”

“Hi. New place?”

“Yeah.” He steps to the side and gestures his ex-girlfriend into his small, run-down cottage.

Veronica examines the interior of Logan’s new house as she steps over the threshold into the large open, empty room. Beautiful but dirty light oak, random-width hardwood floors cover the entire area. To her right, a large front window covered by a torn shade shows the overrun shrubs and hedge just beyond the driveway, in the front of the house. On the far wall, two small windows flank a large stone fireplace, stretching from floor to ceiling with a rustic wooden mantle at eye level. On the back wall of the house, two large picture windows, on either side of sliding glass doors, display a pristine view of the ocean, the poorly painted wrap-around porch extending to the back and a wooden beach path leading through tall dune grasses to the beach. A small but workable kitchen fills the left corner and an expansive kitchen island jets toward the center of the room. A few steps lead to another floor and a set of dark, louvered closet doors behind the front door finish out the living space.

Veronica’s eyes meet Logan’s and she smiles. “Nice hardwood floors. Are you going to paint the walls or leave them obnoxious, jackass yellow?”

He shuts the door and rolls his eyes. “It’s called canary yellow and it’s the same color as my Xterra. It does wonders for the complexion, don’t you think?” He shifts his head to the left and right demonstrating how the bright hue reflects off his skin.

“Not to mention the need for sunglasses at all times, day or night.”

Logan chuckles. “Yeah, this room is the first one I’m painting.”

Veronica turns her attention back to her ex-boyfriend. “Why did you move out of the Grand?” She asks softly.

He shrugs putting his hands in his back pockets. “I was looking for some place more permanent for a while now. I can only eat hotel food for so long.” Logan looks down and shuffles his feet. “I was going to tell you I bought this place the night we were supposed to go out on our nice dinner date.”

Veronica’s jaw drops at the mention of their latest break-up, ending because of Logan’s drunken misdeeds with Madison Sinclair. She quickly looks away and bites her bottom lip, swallowing back any emotion.

After a few minutes of silence Logan breaks the tense quiet. “So… um… why are you here?”

She shakes her head to free the bad memories from her mind. “Oh, um…” Veronica hands Logan the sealed envelope. “…my dad asked me to drop this off to you before noon today.”

He nods. “Thanks. Settlement papers I wanted your dad to look over for me.” Logan holds up the envelope then places it on the kitchen island.

“Oh, he was helping with the house settlement?” Veronica nods in understanding.

“He didn’t tell you?”

“No. He said it was some paperwork you needed. He didn’t give me any details.”

Logan laughs. “The man knows a thing or two about client confidentiality, doesn’t he?”

“Yes, he does.” Veronica roams around the room, touching the mantle with her fingertips. She stops at the back window and watches the tall grasses sway in the breeze. “This place is really nice, Logan.” She locks eyes with the new homeowner. “I’m glad to see you’re moving on…” She pauses and he swallows loudly. “…from the Neptune Grand. You look happy.”

He breathes a sigh of relief and holds her gaze for an extended moment then looks away, nervously running his fingers through his hair. “I’ve only lived here for one night, Ronnie. Wait until I’m refinishing the porch or painting the freakin’ yellow walls with the tenth coat of paint to see how happy I am.”

She chuckles. “Well, just remember all the hard work you put into this place will only make it that much sweeter once it’s complete. This is a great place, Logan, and I love it. I think you’re going to be happy here for a long time.”

Logan shrugs shyly. “Thanks.”

“Well, let me know if you need any help. I’ll see you around.” Veronica says as she walks to the front door.

“You might regret that offer when it comes time to refinish the floors.” Logan yells after Veronica as she shuts the door, leaving him in the middle of his living room alone. It would be a lot nicer if you were living here with me, Ronnie.

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Veronica’s cell phone vibrates as she’s leaving her criminology class. She pulls it from her pocket and checks the caller ID. Logan? What the hell does he want? “Hello.”

“Hey. Um… I tried calling your dad but he’s in Santa Fe or something. Do you have a minute to help me out?” Logan asks insecurely.

“Uh, sure.” She strides down the outdoor walkway to her car. “What’s up?”

“My toilet is broken and I don’t know how to fix it.” He mumbles into the phone.

Veronica laughs at the thought of Logan not being able to use his bathroom and panicking. “We’re not talkin’ dirty water here are we because I’m not cleanin’ up your dirty shit water. Sorry.” She teases, taking advantage of Logan’s unstable state.

“No. Veronica…” He whines. “…the thing in the back of the tank won’t stop running and the handle is loose.”

“Did you jiggle the handle?” Veronica deadpans.

“Ronnie!” Logan sighs, reigning in his anger. “Can you help me or not?”

“Yes.” She concedes. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch. I’ll be over in a few minutes. In the meantime, go to the hardware store and buy a toilet repair kit. The sales guy can help you get the right thing. This is a common repair.”

“Thanks. I’ll see you in a few.” Logan disconnects their call and heads off to the hardware store.

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Veronica trots down the four steps leading to Logan’s living room, dusting her hands off dramatically. “Another job well done.”

“Thanks, Vee. I appreciate it.” Logan says, following her into his living room. “I couldn’t call a plumber just because the plunger thingy wasn’t working and you said it yourself, once all the repairs are finished this place is going to be sweet.” He admires his broken, limping homestead.

Veronica picks up her jacket and bag from the only piece of furniture in the room, a brand new brown leather sofa, when her eye catches the new curtain rods above the windows. “Logan?”

“Yeah.”

“Did you hang those curtain rods?” She points to the black wrought iron rods hanging over the large window in the back of the house and the smaller window next to the fireplace.

“Yeah.” He looks at the small blonde skeptically. “Why?”

She laughs and replaces her stuff on the sofa, never taking her eyes off the metal rods. “Because they don’t match. Did you measure them?” She nears the wall and examines the rods closely.

“Measure them? I measured the window if that’s what you mean.” He moves toward Veronica and the window treatments in question.

Veronica turns to Logan and describes the problem clearly. “No, I mean, did you measure from the floor to the top of the window? So when you buy your curtains they will fall at the correct place on the wall.” She points to the two rods that are not positioned near each other but are close enough that Logan’s mistake is visible to the naked eye.

Logan listens intently as Veronica continues. “See curtains come in certain lengths: ninety-six inches, eighty-four inches, seventy-two inches, et cetera. So, you have to measure on the wall where eighty-four inches is so you know where your curtains will fall when you hang them on the curtain rods. These two curtain rods are not at the same height so when you buy your curtains they’re going to look funny being different lengths. Curtains usually go to here or here or here.” She points to the places on the wall just under the windowsill, at the base board trim and on the floor.

“Aaaah, fuck!” Logan states.

“It’s not a big deal but it needs to be corrected or it’s going to look bad.” Veronica says softly, trying to spare his feelings. “Do you have a screwdriver, we can fix them right now.”

Logan looks at his watch and bites his lower lip. “Sorry. I can’t do it now. I have plans with-...”

“Oh.” Veronica interrupts, realizing he has plans with Parker, his girlfriend. “Right, I’ll just go get out of your hair then.” She hurries to her coat and bag.

“No, Veronica, you don’t have to rush out. I didn’t mean you had to leave.” Logan grabs her arm. “Please, don’t run out like this.”

She pauses and looks into his eyes. “I don’t want to keep you from your date, Logan.”

“You’re not keeping me from my date. I just don’t have time to start another project right now. It just took us two hours to repair my toilet and that was supposed to be an easy fix.”

Veronica laughs. “Yeah, um, most home repairs usually take twice as long and cost twice as much as you think they will.”

“That’s good to know.” Logan rubs the back of his neck with his hand.

“But I’m glad you’re trying to do this stuff first, before you hire someone to do it for you. Home repairs aren’t hard, you just have to have common sense. Time and money help too.” She chuckles. “I really should leave though. We’ll fix the curtain rods some other time.”

“How ‘bout tomorrow?” Logan asks quickly as Veronica goes to the door. “We can order food and fix my mess.”

“Um, actually… you should paint before you hang the curtain rods. It makes the painting go a lot quicker.”

Logan glances at the curtain rods and the bright yellow wall around them. “Oh. I… I…  don’t really know where to start when it comes to painting.” He says softly.

“I can help you if you want. It’s not hard but there are a few tricks to make the job easier.” She looks around the room. “How ‘bout we paint this weekend?”

“Okay. How’s ten sound?”

“How ‘bout eight, otherwise we’ll be painting for weeks.”

“8 a.m. it is.” Logan strides to the door as Veronica walks to her car. “See ya Saturday.”

“Bye.” She climbs in her car and backs out the driveway with a smile on her face. As she drives down the road, she thinks about her time with Logan. Damn, Veronica what are you doing? He just wants you to help him fix his damn house. He’s over you and moving on to greener pastures. Her smile falls from her face and she smacks the steering wheel with her palm. “Damn it.”

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“Dude, what is your fuckin’ problem tonight?” Dick yells over the music at the Pi Sig frat party.

Logan is leaning against the wall, near the bar, watching the people on the dance floor shake their asses to the thumping beat of the bass, coming through the speakers in various locations in the house.

“What? I don’t have a problem.”

“Yeah, you’ve been milking that beer for the last twenty minutes and your girlfriend is grinding up against that geeky pledge’s leg and you’re not over there kicking his ass. What the fuck?” Dick asks then chugs his beer and places the empty bottle on the bar behind him.

“Nothing. I’m just tired. I guess.” Logan groans.

“Too tired for a beat down?” Dick raises an eyebrow in question.

Logan turns his back to the dance floor and hunches over the bar. “Too tired to care.” Logan mumbles and motions to the bartender for another beer. “I’ve been working on my house a lot lately and I’m tired. That’s all.” He says more clearly.

“Why did you even come here then, Dude?” Dick turns and hunches on the bar, matching Logan’s position.

“Parker wanted to come to the party.” Logan monotones, sips his beer and changes the subject. “How’s living with your dad, Dude?”

“Oh shit, Dude, it sucks and I can’t fucking wait until he goes to the big house and I can move in your place.”

“Dick, my place isn’t that big. It’s only three bedrooms and you have to cook your own food.”

“Hotel food sucks anyway.” Dick sips his beer. “We should go surfin’ in the water behind your place, Man. You wanna go this weekend?”

“No, not this weekend. I think I’m gonna start painting the living room this weekend.”

“Dude, your rich, why don’t you hire someone to do that shit for you?” Dick questions and gulps his beer.

“Nah, I got some help. I don’t need to hire anyone.” Logan says quietly and doesn’t make eye contact with his best friend.

Dick smirks, eyeing Logan. “Dude, you sly dawg, how’d you get Ronnie to help you?”

Logan’s eyes widen as he casually looks over his shoulder to make sure Parker is out of earshot. “We’re friends, Dick. She was dropping off paperwork for her dad and we fixed my toilet. That’s it, nothing more.”

“Uh huh.” Dick turns around and leans his back against the bar, watching the dancers on the dance floor again. “What was she wearing?”

“Tight green sweater and black jeans that hugged her ass…” Logan response immediately and glances at Dick’s wide smile and lowers his head. “Fuck.”

“Fuck, here comes Parker. I’m out. Call me when you want to surf. Later.” Dick walks away from the bar as Parker approaches Logan, trailing her fingernails affectionately down his back. “Hey.”

He looks up and smiles. “Hi. You want a drink?”

“Yeah, I would love one.”

Logan waves the bartender down and orders Parker a rum and coke. “You almost ready to go? I’m really tired.”

Parker frowns. “We just got here.” She cuddles up next to her boyfriend and whispers in his ear as her fingers tickle his back. “Come on, dance with me.”

He kisses her lightly on the lips. “Not tonight.” Logan touches her cheek softly with his fingers. “I need to get out of his smoky frat house before my head explodes from this loud music.”

Parker sucks down the rest of her drink and sighs. “Okay, let’s go.”

Logan squeezes her shoulder affectionately and takes her hand, leading her out the front door of the frat house and across campus to her dorm room.

Parker leans into Logan and plants a hot, steamy kiss on his mouth, an unspoken invitation to stay the night.

He slowly breaks their kiss, resting his forehead on hers. “Not tonight, Parker. Another night, okay?” He speaks softly, twisting the ends of her hair in his fingertips.

She sighs deeply and kisses his lips quickly. “Okay, another night.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.” Parker tiptoes into her room and clicks the door shut with a smile.

Logan exhales a deep breath and walks to his Range Rover.

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Veronica pounds on the door with her fist. “Logan, open up.” She says and forcefully knocks again.

“It’s eight o’clock.” She chirps and beats the door again. I should of known he wouldn’t wake up at eight o’clock on a Saturday morning unless there were ten foot waves cresting somewhere. She leans her forehead against the thick, oak door and whacks her hand on the wood surface again. “Wake up, it’s time to-…”

Logan whips the door open swiftly, causing Veronica to stumble into his house and into his chest.

She regains her balance and looks up at Logan, finishing her sentence with a bright smile. “…paint.” She is surprised to see he is showered, shaved and wide awake, ready to paint. Mmm, he smells good.

“Good morning, Miss Mars.” He notices her long hair is tied into two knots at the base of her head, behind her ears and she’s wearing a stained shirt, a ripped pair of shorts, and sneakers with… oh God… knee socks.

Veronica smiles and holds up the large carton of steaming, hot coffee. “I brought joe and lots of it.” She says as she places it on the kitchen counter.

Damn, she smells good. He thinks as she passes him and enters his home. Logan closes the front door and draws her attention to the supplies he bought with a whisk of his arm. “I got all kinds of brushes and rollers, masking tape, stirrers and painters’ cloths. Do you think six gallons will be enough? If not we can always get more, right?”

Veronica nods as she approaches her ex-boyfriend with her arms behind her back. “Six gallons will be a good start.” She grins mischievously and stands toe-to-toe with Logan.

He can’t help but smile in response. “What are you grinning about, Mars?”

“I bought you a housewarming present.”

“Good. Let me guess, it’s behind your back?” He smirks.

“Yep. But can you guess what it is?” She raises her eyebrows in a challenge.

He easily reaches around her body, without touching her, and grabs the large book from her hands. “A How-to book for first time homebuyers?” Logan asks as he lifts it over her head and pages through the large book.

“You cheated.” She lightly punches his stomach. “I also brought spackle to fill the holes from the curtain rods.” Veronica nods her head toward the dismantled wrought iron rods sitting on the floor in the corner of the room.

“Good thinking.” Logan snaps the book closed and places it on the kitchen counter, turning toward Veronica. “Where do we start, tiny blonde one?

“How ‘bout we spackle the holes in the walls, then we’ll tape up the edges and I’ll paint the low trim and you can paint the high trim.” Veronica instructs as they prepare for their long day of painting.

“A little music first.” Logan aims the iPod dock remote toward the iPod base on the kitchen countertop and he begins covering his new sofa with a drop cloth.

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Veronica rolls her shoulders, extending her stiff muscles and looks across the room at Logan stretching to paint a far corner of the crown molding, at the juncture where the ceiling meets the wall. He’s shifting his body weight from the top step of the small stepladder and humming to the music.

Logan’s cell phone rings from the kitchen counter. “Ronnie, can you get that for me?”

“Oh, yeah. Sure.” Veronica jumps up from her spot on the floor, wipes her hands on her shorts and reads the caller ID. “It’s Dick.”

“He probably wants to surf. Answer it if you want to.” Logan hollers as he continues to paint the trim.

“Hello Dick.” Veronica breathes into the phone, channeling a phone sex operator and Logan almost drops his paintbrush at the sound of her voice.

“Hi. Who’s this?” Dick says in his best bedroom voice. “You sound fuckin’ hot.”

“Oh I am and I have an identical twin sister.” Veronica coos as Logan shakes his head, continuing to paint.

“You’re fuckin’ lying. Who the hell is this?” Dick yells.

She returns her tone to its normal level. “Dick, it’s me Veronica.”

“Ronnie, don’t fuckin’ do that to me again. I almost came in my jeans.”

“Ew, Dick, you’re gross. Logan’s painting, what do you want?”

“I wanted to play Halo and see if he’s up for it. When will he be done fuckin’ painting his damn house?” Dick whines.

“I doubt he wants to play but let me ask him.” Veronica moves the phone from her mouth and speaks to Logan. “Dick wants to play Halo tonight. Are you up to it?”

“No, we’re painting. I’ll call him when we’re done but by the looks of it, we’re not going to be done until tomorrow.” Logan yells over the music as he moves his stepladder down the wall a few feet and continues his work.

“Did you hear that, Dick? He’s painting and he’ll call you when we’re done but it probably won’t be until tomorrow.” Veronica repeats into the phone.

“Fuck. I’m freakin’ bored now, God damn it.”

“Well, you could always come over and help us out then Logan will get finished quicker.” Veronica quips.

“Shit, no. Tell him to fuckin’ hire someone to paint and call me when he’s done. Bye.”

“See ya.” Veronica snaps Logan’s phone closed and speaks over her shoulder, in Logan’s direction. “Call your boyfriend when you’re done painting.”

Veronica walks to the refrigerator and opens it, surprised to see it filled with, among other things, a twelve pack of Skist. She smiles and yells. “You want anything to drink?”

“I’ll take a beer.” Logan steps down from the ladder and places his paint brush across the top of the open paint can, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.

Veronica opens the beer and hands it to her ex-boyfriend. “Here’s to your new house.” She holds her can of soda up as Logan clanks his bottle against the aluminum cylinder.

“To my new house.” He smiles proudly and they each swallow a big gulp from their drinks, look over their beverages at one another and lock eyes.

Their extended gaze ends when Logan’s cell phone rings.

Her eyes drop to the counter as he wipes his paint drizzled fingers on his shirt, glances at the caller ID and answers his phone. “Hey.”

Veronica turns her back to Logan to give him a little privacy and wanders over to the large picture window in the back of the house.

“I’m painting my living room.” He says softly.

She watches the waves crash on the beach, pounding into the sand repeatedly as Logan lowers his voice and walks to the far end of the living room.

A seagull swoops down toward the beach and spreads its wings, gliding on the ocean breeze as Veronica sips her soda and enjoys the peaceful moment. She’s broken from her thoughts when her cell phone rings as she glances at Logan laughing quietly into his phone and answers her cell. “Hey Dad.”

“Hi Honey, what are you doing? You were up and out early this morning. I didn’t get to see you.” Keith states softly.

“I’m helping Logan paint his yellow living room light brown. What’s up?” Veronica sips her soda.

“I’m leaving for a few days. I should be back by Wednesday or Thursday. Will you be okay without your dear ole Dad until I nab this bail jumper?”

Logan finishes his call and throws his phone on the counter as he dips his head back and empties his beer while Veronica chats with her Dad.

“Yes, Dad. Go nab your bail jumper. I’ll be fine all by myself until Wednesday or Thursday.”

Logan shifts his head, listening to the younger Mars’ side of the conversation. Wednesday or Thursday? Shit, she’s going to be alone for the entire week. I hate when Keith leaves her in that empty apartment by herself. Backups a good watchdog but it still sucks she’ll be alone.

“Can you do me a favor? Can you let Backup out before you leave and make sure he does his business, ‘cause I’m not sure what time I’ll be done here at Logan’s?”

“Sure Honey. I love you. Be good. I’ll see you next week.”

“Bye Dad. I love you too.” She hangs up and turns around to see Logan’s eyes burrowing into her skin.

“Your Dad is leaving again?” Logan asks softly.

“Yeah.” She throws her phone on the counter. “You hungry? ‘Cause I’m starving.”

“Luigi’s or Cho’s Pizza?”

“Like you have to ask.” She smirks.

“Right, where is my head? Luigi’s it is.”  Logan picks up his phone and, instinctively orders three of Veronica’s favorite entrées for dinner, from her favorite Italian restaurant in Neptune, without even asking the tiny blonde what she wants to eat.

Jesus, he knows me too well. She shakes her head and finishes her soda.

Logan figures he can eat the one meal she doesn’t want and she’ll be too stuffed to complain about it after eating the remaining two dinners.

The couple sits on the plastic-covered leather sofa eating their meals, sharing comfortable conversation, a few wisecracks here and there, and quickly return to their painting.

After a few more hours of painting and casual discussion, all of the trim in the room was completely covered in a soft, off-white color. The fresh coats of paint perked up the dingy, neglected room, despite the bright yellow walls, and Logan and Veronica were happy with the results.

Veronica unsuccessfully stifles a big yawn as Logan closes up the cans of paint and hands her the dirty paintbrushes to clean. “How ‘bout I make some coffee?”

“Mmm. Coffee sounds wonderful.” She stretches her achy muscles and rolls her shoulders while she walks to the kitchen sink to scrub the paint from the brushes.

Logan sees a flash of skin as Veronica’s shirt lifts at her waist when she extends her arms in the air. He swallows audibly and tries not to stare as his heart races in his chest and he forces himself to look away. God damn it, Logan, get a fuckin’ grip.

They drink their coffee snuggled, under two different blankets, on either ends of the couch and chat about everyday topics. Logan notices Veronica’s eyes fluttering closed and he watches her sleep for quite a few minutes, memorizing her features and listening to her deep, rhythmic breathing. “I love you Veronica.” He whispers faintly.

He slowly rolls out from under his blanket and off the sofa, careful not to wake the tiny blonde woman that has a death grip on his heart and finds his keys.

Logan tiptoes out the front door and drives to the Mars’ apartment. He lets himself in with the hidden spare key as Backup greets him with several sloppy kisses. He walks the pit bull down the walkway quickly to pee, gathers a few pieces of Veronica’s clothing and he and Backup return to his seaside cottage.

His absence went unnoticed by the sleeping detective on his sofa.

Backup investigates his new surroundings and settles at Veronica’s side as Logan turns off the lights and goes to sleep in his bedroom.

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Veronica cracks one eye open slowly when she smells coffee and hears a door shut. What time is it? She takes in her surroundings cautiously. And what the hell am I still doing at Logan’s? Oh my God! Backup! I never got Backup! She sits up rapidly and throws off her blanket. “Logan?” She stands up ready to rush home to rescue Backup when she sees Logan walking toward the house on the wooden beach path with Backup at his heels. He went and got Backup for me? Wow, when did he do that? That was sweet.

Logan sees Veronica standing on the inside of the sliding glass doors and he smiles. She responds with a bright smile and a small wave. He opens the door and Backup dances with excitement around Veronica’s legs.

“Good morning. When did you get Backup?” Veronica asks sweetly and bends to greet her pit bull, receiving dog kisses as she scratches behind his ears.

“You fell asleep on the sofa last night so I went over to your place and got Backup and a change of clothes for you so you wouldn’t have to go all the way home and then turn around and come all the way back this morning.” Logan shrugs shyly and goes into the kitchen to pour two cups of coffee.

“Thanks Logan. You didn’t have to do that.” She looks at her ex-boyfriend with a warm smile.

“No problem.” He returns her warm smile and slides a full cup of coffee in her direction on the counter.

Logan sips his coffee and pauses for a minute, not knowing how to proceed with his next sentence. “I also wanted to give you this.” He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a key. “Now, don’t freak out about this but I want you to have this house key.”

Veronica’s mouth falls open as she holds her hand up and shakes her head no. “A house key? I can’t take that. Logan, I-…”

“Ronnie, relax.” Logan states firmly. “It’s just a spare key.”

“But, I- I shouldn’t…”

“Veronica, it’s a key to my damn house. We’re friends and you’re the only one I trust to have an extra key to my house, if something happens or I’m not here. It’s not a big deal. Okay?” Logan clarifies.

The tiny blonde bites her bottom lip and sighs, taking the key from his fingertips. “Alright. But I’m only taking this to make you feel safe at night.” She smirks, pushes the key into her pocket and takes a long sip of her coffee.

Logan breathes a sigh of relief and drinks his coffee, hiding his smile behind his cup.

“Now where are my clean clothes?”

“Right there.” He points to the pile of laundry sitting on her messenger bag. “You know where the shower is, help yourself.”

Veronica runs her fingers through her messy bed head. “Yeah, I need a shower.”

“Make it snappy or we’ll be painting all damn day, Mars.”

Veronica goes upstairs to the guest bathroom with the newly repaired toilet and flips the lock shut, leaning against the door and looking at her reflection in the mirror. He gave me a house key? He gave me a house key! She pulls the key from her back pocket and holds it up in front of her face, examining it closely. I have Logan’s house key. She shakes her head. “It’s just a spare key.” She mumbles, sits the key on the counter and undresses.

While she showers, Logan finishes his coffee and begins preparing the room for painting.

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“I’m tired.” Veronica whines as she wipes her forehead with the back of her hand and inadvertently dabs her cheek with her wet paintbrush. “Ahh and I just got paint all over my cheek.” She complains as she smears the swatch of paint down the side of her face.

“Me too.” Logan steps down the stepladder, laughing at Veronica’s mishap and treads directly on the paint-covered lid of the open paint can, coating the bottom of his foot with light brown paint. “Fuck!” He yells as he hops on one foot, careful not to get paint on the hardwood floor.

Veronica slumps on the floor in a fit of giggles as Logan bounces on one foot, swearing at his own stupidity.

Logan begins to see the humor in his situation and joins Veronica in laughter, dropping to the floor.

“Are you going to start painting with your feet now?” Veronica laughs. “Have you been watching My Left Foot again?”

Logan wipes his foot off with a rag and throws the messy towel at his ex-girlfriend, hitting her in the face as his laughter increases.

“Hey.” Veronica chuckles and throws the paint rag back to Logan, missing his body completely.

“You throw like a girl.”

“Shut it.” She laughs. “I’m too tired to hit my target.”

“Uh huh. You keep telling yourself that, Mars.” Logan takes a deep breath and smiles at Veronica, across the room. “Thanks for your help, Ronnie.”

She returns his smile. “We still have curtain rods to hang and I’m so tired I can’t lift my arms.”

He looks at the freshly painted walls. “How long do you think it will take to hang the rods?”

“I don’t know. An hour, maybe.”

“’Cause I don’t have any curtains to hang up yet so the curtain rods can wait if you want to do that another day.” Logan offers softly. “I’m pretty tired too.”

“Mmm. Maybe I’ll take you up on that because I still have a paper to write tonight and I’m exhausted.”

“Okay, another day then.” Logan shrugs and rests back on his arms, exhaling loudly.

Veronica and Logan lock eyes as Backup lies next to Logan’s extended legs and he absent-mindedly tickles behind the pit bull’s ears.

She admires the nicely painted walls surrounding them and smiles. “We did a nice job on these walls.”

“Yeah, we did, didn’t we?”

“Light brown is so much nicer than jackass yellow.” She smirks. “Well, let’s get this paint cleaned up. I have a paper to write.” Veronica climbs to a stand from her position on the floor as Logan remains in his seat, scratching Backup’s ears.

She walks to Logan’s spot, hovering over him and holds her hand out to help him up. “Come on. Let’s go or you’ll be writing my paper for me.”

He reaches up and grabs her hand, feeling an electric spark pulse through his body as their hands touch. Logan pulls on her hand, trying to pull the tiny woman off-balance but she stands her ground and glares at her ex-boyfriend. “Nice try, Echolls. Now, move your ass.”

Logan moans and rises to his feet with Veronica’s help and they begin cleaning up the painting supplies.

“Thanks for your help, Ronnie. I really appreciate it.” Logan says as Veronica walks to the door with Backup at her feet.

“No problem. Thanks for bringing Backup over last night. Call me when you’re ready to do the curtain rods. Later.” She says with a wave as she escorts Backup to the car and leaves Logan’s house.

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“Hey.” Wallace says as he sits at Veronica’s table in the Hearst College food court.

Veronica yawns a long, drawn-out, sleepy yawn.

“Am I keeping you awake?” Wallace jokes.

“I was up late writing a paper last night.” Veronica gulps her coffee. “I got your message by the way. Sorry I never got back to you.”

“How long is this paper you were writing anyway? I left you that message yesterday afternoon.” Wallace lifts an eyebrow in question.

“Oh, it’s not that long but I was busy yesterday and didn’t get to my paper until about eight last night.” Veronica explains.

“I thought you said you had off this weekend? What were you doin’, Supafly?”

“I was helping Logan out.” She mumbles into her coffee.

“Oh really?” Wallace asks skeptically.

“It was nothing. He bought a little fixer-upper up on Dune Drive and I was helping him paint his living room.”

Wallace shakes his head at his best friend.

“What? We’re friends. He doesn’t know anything about home improvements and I do.” She shrugs.

“He has a girlfriend, you know.”

Veronica clenches her jaw. “I know. We are friends. He’s with Parker and I’m…” She clears her throat. “…single and nothing happened. We painted all weekend and I was up late last night writing my stupid Psych paper.”

“Alright. I’m staying out of it.” Wallace takes a bite of his breakfast. “Be careful, Girl. That boy has some voodoo power over you and I don’t want to have to pick up the pieces when he breaks your heart… again.”

“We’re friends.” She checks her watch and gathers her belongings. “I gotta get to my class all the way across campus. Later.”

“Peace.” Wallace smiles as Veronica leaves the food court.

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Veronica sits on a bench on Hearst campus, sipping her coffee and waiting to meet Mac and Parker as she watches students hurry to their classes around her, in the quad.

“Hey.” Logan flops down on the bench next to her. “You’re up early, this fine morning.”

“Do you have to be so peppy? I’m workin’ on about two hours sleep.” Veronica says grumpily, sipping her coffee.

“Hot date?” He jokes, spreading his legs out in front of him and arms out wide over the back of the bench, taking up as much space as his extended limbs will allow.

“Ha.” She huffs. “Stake out.” Veronica pauses, glancing at Logan’s easy-going and happy demeanor. “You’re in an awfully good mood. Hot date?”

He chuckles. “Is that an offer, Ms. Mars?” He winks in her direction and continues. “I just hit a gnarly set at Conner’s Point this morning.”

She nods. Thank God he didn’t say hot date. I don’t think I could handle that this morning.

“I got curtains the other night. Dark green satin and white what-do-you-call ‘ums to go underneath the curtains?”

“Blinds? Shears? Shades?”

Logan snaps his finger and points at the grumpy blonde. “Shears. They should look cool with the light brown walls, don’t you think?”

“Yeah. When do you want to do the curtain rods?” Veronica yawns. “I’m not doing anything tonight but sleeping.”

“How ‘bout tomorrow night?”

She nods slightly. “Alright. I’ll be over at eight.”

“Cool.”

“Hey, I didn’t know you did mornings.” Mac says toward Logan.

“Hi, I didn’t expect to see you until lunch.” Parker chirps with a big smile and leans toward Logan, kissing his lips lightly.

He quickly stands from his relaxed position. “I don’t normally do mornings unless the waves are good. I went surfing this morning and I was on my way to get breakfast when I saw Ronnie, so I stopped to be friendly.” Logan explains.

“I didn’t know you do friendly.” Mac says straight-faced and turns to Veronica. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” She says to Mac as she stands and watches Parker kiss Logan on the lips again as the couple talks softly to each other.

Rolling her eyes, Mac steps away from the kissing couple. “Suck face later, Parker. We’re going to be late for class.”

“Alright, alright.” Parker pecks Logan’s lips and joins her friends as Logan goes in the opposite direction in search of breakfast.

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“You better not be canceling on me because I am pulling into your driveway as we speak.” Veronica states as she turns her Saturn into the gravel driveway.

“No, I’m not canceling. I just wanted to let you know I’m running late so just let yourself in with your key and I’ll be there in about a half hour.”

Veronica whines. “A half hour, Logan? Why are you running late and don’t even say you’re playing Halo at Dick’s?”

Logan laughs. “No, I was actually studying at the library and lost track of time. I just left the library, I’m not even to the Rover yet since I parked all the way across campus.”

She huffs. “Fine. But don’t be surprised if I’m asleep when you get here. It’s after my bedtime.”

“Make yourself at home in the guest room, Ronnie. That’s why it’s there. I’ll see you in a bit.” Logan hangs up before Veronica can respond.

She lets herself into Logan’s house with the spare key, looking around at the details of his cottage.

Admiring the newly painted walls she smiles. We really did a nice job on the walls. Oh my gosh. Veronica spots the pile of living room curtain rods, curtains and shears lying in the corner of the room. He wasn’t kidding, these curtains are going to look great.  She continues looking around the room. It seems Logan purchased a small kitchen table and chairs since I was here last. Nice, simple, fits in the kitchen nicely. When did he get such good taste?

Veronica’s curiosity gets the best of her as she glances up the steps. I’ve been upstairs, it’s not a big deal. I’m just using the bathroom. She justifies internally as she sneaks to the end of the hall and peeks into Logan’s bedroom.

The master bedroom is a large off-white room in need of a fresh coat of paint with a gorgeous view of the beach from a good-sized window in the back of the house. He has a dark-stained oak bedroom set that is very masculine and suits Logan well. His king-sized bed is unmade and the sheets look very expensive. Mmm, I remember how Logan’s sheets feel around me when he’s… NO! Veronica STOP! You are friends and he has a girlfriend. Stop thinking about his strong, warm body wrapped around you, twisted in those expensive sheets. Veronica shakes her head to rid her mind of her naughty thoughts of Logan when she notices a few photographs sitting on his dresser.

She steps into his bedroom to get a closer look. Oh my God, they’re all pictures of me. Veronica glances at the framed pictures: the fab four before homecoming, smiling and posing for the camera; herself and Lilly in pink bikinis, laying out by the Kane’s pool; herself scowling at the camera behind jail bars with her hair braided and her t-shirt’s sleeves pushed up to showoff her fake tattoo on her bicep; a whole group of ‘09ers in their Neptune High caps and gowns goofing around, presumably before the graduation ceremony with Mac, Wallace and herself, in the background, sitting at a lunch table, laughing; and, Veronica’s favorite of the selection, herself and Logan at the beach.

She picks up the last photograph and smiles as she remembers the day it was taken.

The summer after senior year, she and Logan went to the beach for the day. She soaked up the sun while Logan surfed for hours. Once the tide went out, they splashed in the water and walked along the beach hand-in-hand, falling deeper in love. They strolled the boardwalk and shared cotton candy, resting on a bench Veronica brought out her camera and held it in front of them, poking Logan in the side with her elbow. “Say cheese” she said as she snapped their self-portrait with the sun setting behind them. The picture captured herself and Logan giggling at the stupidity of their photo, happy, together and in love with the sunset over their shoulder.

Veronica gently runs her fingertips over the wooden frame. We were so happy. I wish we could be like that again. God, I miss him. His deep voice whispering in my ear, his sexy smile meant only for me, his strong hands on my body and, oh God, his tongue. Damn, he definitely knows how to use his tongue. She sets the picture on his dresser again and walks out of his room, down the hallway and past the guest room just as Logan enters his house.

“Hi Honey, I’m home.” He laughs and throws his backpack on the floor near the front door.

Veronica stands at the top of the steps watching her ex-boyfriend. “You know you really should lock your safe when a private investigator comes to your house. They may let their curiosity get the better of them.”

“Nothin’ you haven’t seen already.” Logan shrugs.

He has a point. She thinks as he goes to the refrigerator to retrieve a beer. “You want something to drink?”

“Skist please.” She says as she joins the homeowner in his kitchen.

“Find anything good while you were snooping?” Logan inquires as he hands Veronica her soda.

“Nah. Just checking out the guest room. Purple, huh?”

He laughs. “You like that, do ya? I think the only room the color-challenged decorators didn’t get to was the master bedroom.”

She raises an eyebrow in question.

“It’s off-white.” He smirks at the tiny investigator. “Like you didn’t know that already.”

Veronica remains quiet and sips her soda. “I saw the curtains you picked. I think you spent a little too much time with Lynn’s designer Fernando.”

He laughs at the memory of Lynn’s very flamboyant designer. “Damn, Ronnie, how did you remember that guy’s name?”

She shrugs.

“He hit on me one time.” Logan rolls his eyes and sips his beer.

“What the pink satin running suit didn’t do it for you, Echolls?”

“It was the pink and white polka dot ascot and matching sneakers that made me hot and horny.” He laughs.

“Be honest, he gave you fashion advice, didn’t he?” She giggles.

“No, he always wanted to measure me for pants.” Logan shutters.

“Eww. TMI.” Veronica shakes her head at the vision and walks to the pile of window treatments in the corner of the room. “Okay, we need…”

“Everything is right here.” Logan joins his ex-girlfriend and points to the toolbox on the floor at their feet.

Veronica looks down at the toolbox and up at Logan’s face.

“Guess who read the How-to book?” He grins.

“Good to know you can read.” She snarks and begins measuring the walls.

continued...