Exit Wounds

Chapter 1/19

Veronica Mars was the strongest person he knew. He had torn her down, stripped her of all reason to stand, and she still stood. She hid her scars, just like he did. But, he knew they were there, hidden under the layers of armor she had built around herself. She might have been tiny in stature, but she was still like an Amazon warrior. She never backed down from a fight or a challenge if it was for justice.

Logan Echolls knew he wasn't the same. He had been abused by his Hollywood father Aaron. Logan had been controlled and set on a particular path that he had often drifted from and paid the price with welts on his back. But, Logan wasn't going to let his father's hard hand keep him down. He had plans to get out and leave the abuse. Last year, when his mother died so abruptly, Logan thought he had lost his protector. But, this small blonde who he had spent over a year tormenting and teasing came back into his life and saved him. It was easy to fall for her, even if he was blinded by the glare of her armor a time of two.

He found out his abusive father had a sexual relationship with Lilly Kane, who his father murdered for threatening to expose the relationship. Lilly was a force of nature that shattered every life she touched. No one survived as the same person. Veronica hardened without Lilly to protect her best friend. Logan lashed out at everything because the truth of Lilly being a horrible girlfriend was harder to deal with than her memory. But, Veronica softened him once again. After a year of ridicule, she taught him it was alright to love again, to move on, and to grow.

Then, as fast as she came into his heart again, she left. She accused him, wrongly of course, of Lilly's murder. Sure, his alibi didn't work anymore and he could have had motive. But, the fact that Veronica thought Logan had the ability to kill Lilly was what stung. It stung worse than anything his own father had done to him, with the exception of murdering his girlfriend or maybe trying to kill Veronica for figuring out Aaron Echolls was the killer. But, when Veronica turned Logan into the sheriff, it hurt him. Add to that, Veronica returning to the puppy love of Logan's former best friend, Logan was broken again.

They survived senior year of school with only the typical problems though. Logan slept with his new best friend's stepmother, Kendall Casablancas. She was great for his ego, but horrendous for his friendships. Duncan Kane, Veronica's new/old boyfriend, had a baby with the virginal and pure Meg Manning, who died after being in a coma from the bus crash Veronica avoided miraculously. Veronica's fairy tale romance ended when Duncan took the baby on the run.

By the end of the school year though, Logan and Veronica were back on track to be something more than friends or enemies. They were the ones left, and somehow, that meant something. Logan, regardless of who he dated or slept with, was still hopelessly in love with Veronica. She would be his soulmate. He even threw a prom just so she could go. He, in traditional Logan Echolls fashion, got too drunk, proclaimed epic love and scared her off. Also in traditional Logan Echolls fashion, he turned to the warmth of a woman to soothe his aching abadoned heart. When Veronica showed up the next day, obviously touched by his words, which he couldn't exactly remember, he welcomed her with Kendall glowing with post-coital bliss hanging all over him. Rightfully turned off and disappointed with Logan, Veronica left. Months would go by before they were back to friendly terms.

The day after graduation was emotional. Logan and Veronica had both lost their fathers the night before. They went to her apartment, mostly to get away from the hotel crime scene. The night was spent in silent sobs or inhuman wails. Neither were shedding a tear for Aaron Echolls. No, the tears were for Keith Mars, father extraordinaire to Veronica. He was her rock, her constant and her savior. He was the hero that stayed. He was also the reason Logan had faith in fathers, in spite of his own. Logan mourned the loss, but it was seeing this girl crumble to pieces that truly broke his heart.