Anthology, Part II
II. Walk Away
Summary: Logan's getting married - to the wrong girl. Part 2 of the Anthology series.
Categories: Veronica/Logan, Logan/Veronica, Logan/Parker
Genre: Angst, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG
Characters: Dick Casablancas, Logan Echolls, Madison Sinclair, Parker Lee, Veronica Mars, Wallace Fennel
Author's Notes: Futurefic. Possible spoilers for Season 1-3.
All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. (They belong to Rob Thomas, but they spend a lot of time in my head.)
Veronica stood in the corner of the penthouse, apart from the festivities that were going on around her. She wished, for possibly the hundredth time, that she hadn’t come. It was pure torture, watching the ‘happy couple’ making the rounds and accepting the congratulations and well wishes from their guests.
(So, why are you here then? Keeping up appearances? Who do you think you’re fooling?)
Veronica looked around at the wedding guests. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. No one was staring at her as if there was a big flashing sign over her head spelling out ‘heartbroken’ in red neon letters. Dick, for one, was having a fantastic time, living up to the reputation he had earned in high school. Much to his wife Madison’s obvious irritation.
That observation brought a slight smile to Veronica’s lips. It felt unfamiliar on her face; it had been that long since she had really smiled. Not since Logan had turned up on her doorstep that night, full of sadness and tearful apologies.
There had been any number of fake smiles, of course, in the intervening month. One for when Parker had shown off the giant diamond engagement ring Logan had bought for her. Another for when she had asked her to be a bridesmaid. Veronica was unprepared for that, and consequently she had found herself standing in front of everyone today to show her support as Logan married someone else instead of her. Passing her tears off as tears of joy not tears of sorrow. And in another month she was going to wear the same fake smile as Parker and Logan surprised everyone with the news that they were expecting.
(Maybe I should have gone into acting.)
A pair of desperate brown eyes caught her attention from across the room. Her gaze
locked with Logan’s, and Veronica had to tear it away as she felt her eyes threaten to overflow with tears again.
(OK, maybe I’m not fooling everyone.)
But then Logan wasn’t everyone, and she hadn’t been able to fool him in a long time. She looked up again, but Logan was off mingling, the smile on his face a copy of the one she had been wearing the past four weeks.
(Looks like I’m not the only one putting on an act. But then acting is in his genes, isn’t it?)
“So, are you going to stand here in the corner all night?”
Veronica spun around, startled by Wallace’s voice behind her. His eyes went from her face to land on Logan, who was being fed a piece of cake by Parker, camera flashes creating a strobe effect. She felt slightly sick, her stomach knotting at the scene.
“Lover Boy does look good in a tux,” Wallace’s tone was gently teasing, “not as good as I do of course - “He grinned as Veronica swatted him playfully, then wrapped an arm around her casually.
“So do you have a full schedule of pining planned for tonight, or do you think you might be able to break away to have a piece of cake with me?”
(Looks like I can’t fool my BFF either. Guess I won’t hold my breath for that Oscar).
Veronica plastered the fake smile back on her face, and stepped carefully out from under Wallace’s arm. “Sure, just let me freshen up.” Her brow furrowed determinedly. “Can’t let a little thing like my phenomenally tragic love-life stand between us and dessert now, can we?”
Veronica could tell Wallace wasn’t buying it, but, hey, if she had to pretend than he could too. She gave him another playful jab and headed off to the bathroom.
She wasn’t sure why she chose to use the bathroom in Logan’s room. Force of habit, she supposed. But it was quieter in here, and it felt good to be away from everyone’s scrutiny. But of course, no one was really looking at her. They were all looking at Logan. And Parker. Logan and Parker. The newlyweds.
(I think I’m going to be sick.)
(Get a grip. Better yet, get a piece of cake. Keep up appearances. And get the hell out of here as soon as you can.)
Veronica was about to reach for the doorknob when the door swung open and Logan crashed into her. She began to pitch backwards, and he caught her quickly. Her arms went around him reflexively, and before she knew what was happening he had her crushed to him. His lips were on hers, his tongue forcing her mouth open. Without thought she wrapped one leg around him, trying to make up the difference in their heights. She felt more than heard his groan against her lips, as he lifted her effortlessly and sat her on the edge of the sink.
Out of breath, Veronica broke the kiss. She was overly aware of him pressed between her legs as she gazed into his eyes, bright with unshed tears.
“What are you doing in here?” His voice was rough, almost harsh.
She shot him an annoyed look, and jerked her chin at the toilet.
“What do you think?” She felt her heart twist a bit more when there was no witty comment from Logan, only a vaguely dazed look.
(Poor Logan.)
(Poor Logan? Poor me!)
(Poor us.)
“Here’s a better question,” she added, slowly withdrawing her arms from around his neck, “what are we doing in here?”
Logan’s arms showed no signs of releasing her. Instead his fingers gently trailed along her lower back, causing Veronica to shiver slightly. “God, Veronica, I don’t think I can do this.” His confession was whispered against the nape of her neck, causing her to shiver again.
“Logan-“
“This isn’t what I wanted,” his words tumbled out, with more than a hint of panic. “She’s not who I wanted. I can’t do this.”
“I think it’s a little too late, now,” Veronica could hear the tremor in her voice and fought to control it. “You’ve already done it.”
“You’re right, “ Logan nodded slowly against her shoulder, then suddenly he released her stepping back so quickly that she had to grab the counter behind to keep from falling.
“Oh God, Veronica, I’m married!” He seemed on the verge of hysteria.
“Which definitely puts me in ‘the other woman’ category.” Veronica’s attempt at humor did nothing to alleviate the problem, as Logan began to pace across the tiny room.
“Great, I’m already cheating on my wife. Didn’t take me long to follow in the old man’s footsteps,” his laugh was harsh and self-derisive. “How long until I turn into a psychotic, abusive -“
Veronica looked up sharply when he didn’t continue. Logan was staring at her, his eyes wide with terror. It wasn’t difficult to know where his thoughts were headed. “Logan, don’t-“
“What if it’s true?”
“No, Logan-“
“What if I am like my father?” the anguish on his face was heartbreaking. “In less than a year I’m going to be a father. What if I -“
“Never.” Veronica only hoped he could hear the conviction in her voice. She moved across the room to grab him by the arms, making sure she had his full attention. “You are nothing like that bastard, do you hear me?”
Veronica wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed until she felt his arms settle around her. “You are going to be a great father,” she told him, forcing away unwanted thoughts of the children that she would never have with Logan, the children she had never even known she wanted until now.
(Where did that come from?)
“But now,” she took a deep breath, and pushed herself away from him, “you need to pull yourself together and go back out there-,” she had to take a breath before getting the next words out, “-to your wife.”
Her words seemed to have a bracing effect on Logan. Veronica could see the change come across his face. He was putting on his façade, the one he had perfected under Aaron’s tutelage, the disguise he wore to hide his true feelings from the rest of the world. Veronica hadn’t seen this Logan for a long time, and she hadn’t missed him. But she understood why he was here now. She was seriously considering dragging out her own alter-ego as well.
Logan was nodding. “You’re right.” He started to open the door, turning back to ask, “Are you coming?”
“Yeah, in just a minute,” Veronica watched him walk out of the bathroom. And out of her life.
The thought caused her stomach to drop, and the resulting nausea made her legs waver.
“You know,” her voice sounded far away, even to her own ears, “I’m not really feeling too well. Could you find Wallace and see if he’ll drive me home?”
“Can I do anything?” The concern on his face made her stomach hurt more, and she knew she had to get away from him before they both fell apart again into pieces that neither one of them would be able to put back together.
“No,” her voice was too stern, so she toned it down before adding, “but please give Parker my best wishes, and tell her I’m sorry for having to leave so suddenly.”
He gave a nod, the disguise back in place, and went off in search of Wallace. The door had barely shut behind him when Veronica lost what little she had in her stomach.
She couldn’t get out of there fast enough after that. With Wallace’s arm around her, she left the penthouse, pausing just briefly to look back across the room. She spied Logan across the room talking to Dick, and when their eyes met she mouthed one word-
Goodbye.
-and walked out of his life.