AN: Thanks for your patience, work has been crazy and this chapter took me a little longer than most. I appreciate all the feedback I got and it helps to keep me motivated so please keep it up! Once again I do not own anything Veronica Mars related (no matter how much I wish it was so)

I tried to call Logan, but his phone went straight to voice mail. I drove to his house as fast as the La Baron could safely travel. I must have broken a dozen traffic laws, but it was necessary if I was going to get to Logan in time. I waddled to the door and rang the bell.

Logan answered the door and looked at me in surprise. "Veronica? What are you-"

I grabbed him into a hug and he tried to hold me. "Your phone was off," I said. I knew I should have started with my news, but I wanted to put off shattering Logan like that.

"And you worried that my life was tied to having cell signal?" he asked softly with a grin.

"Logan, where is your mom?"

"She went out to pick up some things. Why? What's going on?" Logan asked as he pulled away from me, concern finally filling his face.

"I was at the Sherriff's station and-"

"Veronica, long time no see," Sheriff Lamb interrupted me to say. "Logan Echolls there has been a tragedy. Your mother seems to have jumped off the Coronado bridge. I'm sorry, but we need you to come to the station to give us a statement."

Logan turned to me with tears in his eyes. My heart broke as I wished I could go back in time and talk to him sooner. No one should have Lamb tell them their mother is dead. He has no empathy, it's like hiring a clown to do it. It just makes it hurt more. "Logan, I'm so sorry."

He shakes his head in negation and steps back into my arms. He's hunched over so much that I can see Lamb over his head as he sobs onto my shoulder. "I'll get him to the station. Give us a few minutes," I said, letting some of my anger leak into my voice.

I let Logan cry for several minutes before his sobs started to slow. When they did I kissed his forehead and whispered, "Logan, we need to go down to the station."

He pulled away and looked hurt, but I knew it would be worse if Lamb came back. He would probably arrest Logan just out of spite. "It's ok, I'll come with you, but we have to go."

He deflated in front of me and I felt a wave of anger towards Lynn go through me. What kind of person could leave their seventeen year old son alone like this? Yeah, the paparazzi were annoying, but they were survivable. She survived living with Aaron for years and she couldn't take a few months of reading about her husband's sexual exploits?

I waited while Logan talked to the Sherriff and gave them whatever answers he had. I was thankful they had not been able to locate Lynn's body so Logan was not forced to identify anything.

When Lamb was done making up questions he told Logan he could go home, but to stay close. Logan got into my car moving robotically. I thought about taking him to my apartment, but Dad was home and I didn't think Logan was up for seeing anyone else today.

I pulled up in front of his house and softly asked, "Would you like me to come in."

Logan turned towards me and his eyes were full of unshed tears. "You don't have to."

"I want to."

Logan nodded and led the way inside. I left him in his room so he could get changed and I went downstairs to make him some soup. I can't help it if my go to move when faced with adversity is to cook. Before going upstairs I texted Dad to tell him what happened and where I was.

I brought a bowl up to Logan, but I found him already in bed. I set the soup down and sat on the bed next to him. I prayed for the right words to say, but I had nothing. I wrapped myself him around him as best as I could with my giant belly between us. His only reaction to my presence was a slight relaxation in his muscles and his sobs grew louder.

I woke up early because the baby was playing soccer with my bladder again. I moved carefully so I wouldn't disturb Logan. When I was done I cleaned up the soup and the dishes I had used. I looked around and tried to find something else I could do. I felt lost without a task at hand.

I went back upstairs to check on Logan, but he was in the shower. I checked in with Dad who encouraged me to make it home soon since he was worried about me.

As I hung up the phone Logan came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. He looked surprised to see me, but maybe he was just confused since I was just staring at him.

"If you wanted to stare at me in a towel you only had to ask, Veronica," Logan said with a cheesy grin.

I blinked at him completely confused. What happened to the Logan who sobbed into my shoulders like his life was over? "Do you need anything?" I asked as I forced myself to turn away from his half naked body.

Logan grabbed some things out of his dresser and went back into the bathroom. "I could use the number of a good lawyer. Now that I'm little orphan Annie I'll have to look into getting emancipated. If I don't hurry they might give Trina custody of me," he said with a shudder as he walked back into the room.

I knew things were bad if Logan was in full avoidance mode. "Logan, I meant-"

"Veronica, I'm fine. You can go home if you want. Your dad must be worried, and I would hate to have him go all open season on the last of the Echolls clan," he said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I don't have to go," I tried again.

Logan's voice became soft as he said, "No, but you don't have to stay either. I'm just going to talk to my lawyer and complete paperwork. I'm not going to do anything that needs a kick ass teenage detective." He looked like he wanted to say something else, but he just grinned again and went back into the bathroom to style his hair.

With a sigh I admitted to myself that the idea of taking a shower and being able to change my clothes was a nice one. I walked over to the bathroom. "Ok, Logan. I'm going to go home and check in. Call if you need anything, ok?"

Logan nodded, still focused on styling his hair. I wanted to hug him, but I didn't want to make this moment any more awkward than it already was.

After I had been able to take a shower and change my clothes I felt anxious again. I wanted something to do, a mission. I tried to call Logan, but his phone was shut off. I made a mental note to give Logan a disposable cell phone for moments when he wanted to avoid paparazzi.

I turned all my anxious energy into baking. I made dozens of cookies and two lopsided cakes before I ran out of ingredients.

I decided to go help my dad finish some paperwork at the office. I called Wallace and bribed him with a batch of cookies to come help me.

Wallace got to the office and gave me a hug as he snatched a cookie.

I laughed. "Nice to see you have priorities, Wallace."

"Hey you came first, you were just quickly replaced with the allure of baked goods. And mmm the girl can bake!" he said as he moaned with ecstasy.

I turned on my computer and an ad for a tabloid flashed across the screen. Logan Echolls' Private Tragedy - Lynn's car is found parked on bridge – abandoned. I was suddenly angry. They had managed to get a decent shot of a heartbroken Logan. Didn't they realize that some things should be private? I very badly wanted a target for my anger.

Wallace saw what I was looking at and broke me out of my plotting. "Did she really leave a note on a Blackberry?"

"Yeah. Talk about post-modern," I said with a sigh. I still couldn't believe how selfish Lynn had been.

"How's Logan holding up? It must suck to have tabloid creeps in your face at a time like this."

I debate between being completely honest and protecting Logan's pain. "It's hard to say. His phone is off today; I think he's in full avoidance mode. Not that he doesn't have valid reasons. And you're right, tabloid creeps are always obnoxious, but it should be criminal for them to stalk him right now."

"Since when did Veronica Mars have a soft spot for Logan Echolls?" Wallace asked teasingly. "You're getting soft, Veronica."

Before I could reply a large man with an entourage walked in. "Hey, I'm, uh, looking for Keith Mars."

I called out for Dad and led the men into his office.

When I sat back down Wallace looked at me with wide eyes. "You know who that is?"

"Should I know who that is?"

"If you're serious about your cred with the urban demographic."

"I am absolutely serious about my cred with the urban demo."

"Drive by records." Wallace paused as though this should mean something to me. "Reported to have held a man out of a window in order to get him to sign a contract." He paused again and sighed. "Twice jailed and emerged stronger each time." He looked at me, but this still didn't mean anything to me. "The gangster rap impresario beside whom all gangster rap impresarios measure themselves. That's Bone Hamilton."

"Hamilton? God, that's Yolanda Hamilton's dad?"

"I didn't know you knew her."

"We used to be friends…a long time ago."

When Bone and his boys left Dad came out looking serious. "Veronica I need you to go home. Mr. Hamilton's daughter has been kidnapped and I don't want you to be involved in this case."

"Dad-"

"Veronica, no arguments. I am not going to allow my daughter to try to chase down the type of people who kidnap teenage girls. Wallace, will you make sure Veronica gets home safely?"

Wallace nodded in affirmation and I rolled my eyes. "Dad, this over protective grandpa thing is getting old. She's a senior at my school. I can ask around, background info."

Dad's face softened. "Sure, honey, but be careful. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

I convinced Wallace that I could drive myself home without getting into any trouble as he had driven his mom's car anyway. Instead of heading home I went back to Logan's house.

I waited at the gate for a long time. I had almost given up on Logan being willing for company when I was buzzed in.

Logan opened the door after I knocked. He gestured dramatically around the front room which had flowers on every available surface. "If you really want flowers, dying seems to be the way to go."

Logan sounded drunk and I sighed as I wished I had a manual for how to help someone through the death of not one but both of their parents.

Logan pulled a garment bag out of the closet. "My costume. Do you think it's sad enough? Or should I order a veil to go with it?"

I debate whether the sarcastic answer or a push towards dealing with his emotions will be more effective.

"Veil might be overkill. I would hate to overshadow Trina. She sent a wreath." He gestures towards one side of the room. "She also sent a telegram. Heartbroken. Stop. Can't make it back from Sydney. Stop. Underwater scene shoot tomorrow. Stop. Entire crew said prayer for Mom. Stop. Love you. Stop."

"Logan-"

"Stop?" he says angrily. "Why are you here Veronica? Memorial service isn't until tomorrow. Did I get your invitation wrong," he said snarkily.

"I thought you might some company. Judging by how drunk you sound I think I came right on time."

"Do you think Trina would really care? Until the lawyer is able to push through the emancipation she is my legal guardian. Luckily she's out of the country and my lawyer assures me before the wills are executed I will be free of guardianship."

"Did you ever think I might care," I finally snapped. I felt horrible for snapping while Logan was clearly hurting so badly, but then I saw him smile for the first time since before he got the news about his mother.

"I will admit evidence to the contrary is staggering."

I playfully shoved his arm. "I figured you would have been able to read the clues I was laying out." I got a text from dad telling me he was heading home because he had not gotten anywhere with the first suspect from Bone Hamilton.

"You told me you were trying. Trying and caring are different," he said with sadness creeping into his voice.

I gave him a hug. "Maybe I'm succeeding." I pulled away and grinned. "A little," I said teasingly. He grinned back at me. "So am I really invited to this memorial service tomorrow?"

Logan stiffened. "Of course. Everyone who ever met either of them is invited. Didn't you see Entertainment Tonight?"

"What I was really asking was if you wanted me to come, Logan," I said seriously.

Logan laughed and toasted me with his flask before taking a very long drink. "What I want is to skip the whole thing. I hate the idea of Mom being remembered by all the people trying to kiss the ass of Aaron's memory."

"Maybe you'll be surprised. Your mother was well loved too. She was a great woman."

Logan smiled at me, "Of course she was, but you don't understand the people who will be coming. Mom may have been a great woman, but her 'friends' were people riding Aaron's coattails. These are going to be people angling to get a little more attention or fame out of the affair." He took another drink from his flask before looking sad. "Looks like I need a refill."

"You don't need a refill, Logan. You don't need that."

"When both of your parents die within a week we'll talk about what is needed. In the meantime I'm going to drown my sorrows with my Mom's closest friend, Jack Daniels."

I considered telling Logan why his drinking was bugging me. I knew it would have to be a discussion. There is no way he could be around my kid if he was going to drown his sorrows whenever life threw him a curve ball. He was not going to be a drunk like my mom, willing to abandon their kid when it wasn't convenient to stick around anymore. I couldn't do it in that moment though. Logan was so broken and I knew if I gave him that particular ultimatum it would destroy him.

Logan didn't bother with a glass as he took a long swig straight from the bottle. He turned to me, face serious, and said, "Does this mean we're friends?"

I couldn't help smiling at him. "I think it might. I only offer to hang around with drunk people when they're my friends."

Logan grinned. "But will you hold my hair when I drink too much and end up puking it back up?"

"I think I have to draw the line somewhere before that," I said teasingly. "The baby doesn't like it when I do things that are gross. I've just gotten used to not losing everything I eat, I think I'm all set."

I half expected Logan to be hurt by my teasing, but he just blew me a kiss and took another drink.

Logan stumbled and I helped him down the hall to his bedroom. He passed out within seconds. I tucked him in and kissed his forehead before heading home.

Dad offered to join me at the memorial service, but I told him to keep looking for Yolanda. I was worried about her and it was driving me crazy that Dad wouldn't let me help. When I checked in with Dad he told me that he wasn't making much progress looking for Yolanda. Dad admitted he had been able to eliminate some of Bone's suspects, but he stated that he was running out of leads. I went to Logan's for the memorial service for his mother. They had luckily not been able to find a body, so instead of a funeral they were honorary Lynn's memory.

I got to his house early, but it was already crowded. I guess when it came to making a show of your grief early was the new fashionably late. I watched Logan drift through the crowd. He was shaking hands and pretending to thank everyone for coming, but I could see the sarcasm and mischievous glint in his eyes from across the room.

When Logan winked and pointed a finger gun at a woman I rolled my eyes and went up to him. When he saw me his eyes softened. "Veronica, I'm so glad you came," he said, sounding genuine.

I don't bother saying I'm sorry. I've said those words and they didn't help. As I realized no words could do anything to help I reached up and gave Logan a hug. He relaxed into my arms. When he finally pulled away I could see him sighing before glancing around the room again.

"I should let you continue to make the rounds," I said softly.

Logan snorted. "Are you kidding? Half the time I don't think the people I'm greeting even know who I am. I could use a drink though. Can I get you anything?"

I shook my head in negation and watched Logan walk to the fully stocked bar. A man came up to him and appeared to push for more than a generic thank you for coming.

When Logan was able to get away from him he came back, but he looked angry.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Dad's old flunky Harvey is trying to convince me to step into the old man's shoes. He said I'd be a natural and could probably get any part I wanted with all of the media attention on me. He really believed I would trade parents for a career in acting."

"Want me to dig up dirt on him later so we can laugh at the embarrassing skeletons in his closet?"

Logan looked at me for a minute before bursting into laughter. "Yes, that sounds perfect. Way more effective than me telling him to fuck off."

"I'm sorry that a jerk like that would be bugging you now of all times. "Don't worry, Veronica. It's going to be ok." He started to play with a gold lighter.

Dick came over to see Logan and I wandered to give them some privacy. Condolences from people who actually cared about you should not be a public affair.

I was sad to see that I didn't recognize most of the people in the room. I wished that remained true when I ran into Jake Kane.

"Veronica," he said awkwardly.

"Jake," I said without wanting to say more.

"I've been meaning to-"

I laughed. "Please don't do that."

"What?" he asked.

"Pretend you care. It's a little late to try to play the Daddy card. I've filled that slot in my life."

Jake looked pained. "Veronica, I never meant-"

"Oh you never meant to help my mother cheat on my father? You never meant to donate the sperm necessary for a daughter you'd never acknowledge? You never meant to allow your son to date your lover's daughter? Bygones!" I almost told him about Duncan raping me, but I decided I didn't want the world to know about it. Maybe it made me a weak person, but I didn't want the world to know my brother raped me.

I walked away before he could reply, and decided to try to find Logan again. When I wandered back I couldn't find Logan. I looked around for him, but it looked like he had ditched his own party. I texted him and he said he was playing video games with Dick and paying homage in his own way. I reminded him to let me know if he needed anything and went home.

When I got home Dad told me that he had found Yolanda and she was fine. Apparently she hadn't been kidnapped, she had run away to get married to the son of her Dad's number one enemy. It was sad how comforting it was that someone had a more complicated situation than mine. I was glad Yolanda was safe though. I had been feeling guilty even though it had been a long time since I let her down by letting Lily dictate who I could be friends with. For the first time I started to wonder what Lily would have thought of the new Veronica Mars. It was a little disturbing to realize she might not have found all of my changes to be the improvements I saw them as.

A light knocking on my window woke me up in the middle of the night. I jumped out of bed and was surprised to see Logan there. I went around and let him in the front door. "What are you doing here, Logan?" I asked softly.

"I want you to find my mother."