First and Last - Chapter 3
Chapter three of the fic written for love_is_epic's birthday, after THIS little comment. Thanks to my partner-in-crime and fabulous betaceltic_flicka, as well as to birthday girl love_is_epic (sorry this is late) and wily_one24 for jump-starting my muse.
First and Last
2003
The question wasn’t whether or not he was drunk. The way the room was spinning and tilting at a slight angle made the answer to that question pretty clear. What Casey was trying to decide was just exactly how drunk he was. And more importantly, how long would it be ‘til he was sober enough to drive himself home.
One thing he was certain of, however - he was nowhere near as drunk as Dick Casablancas. Casey watched, slightly amused, as his friend did a rather unimpressive bump and grind to “I Touch Myself.” His eyelids drooped closed for a moment, and when he opened them again it was to find that Dick had acquired a dance partner.
There was no doubt in Casey’s mind that Veronica Mars was drunker than he and Dick combined. If Dick hadn’t been holding her up, she wouldn’t have been able to stand. Casey watched uncomfortably as his friend ground his lips against hers, her lack of response making him uneasy.
“Why don’t you go see Uncle Casey?”
Without warning, Casey found Veronica thrust into his lap. He looked up inquiringly at Dick and caught sight of Madison Sinclair glaring daggers in their direction. Casey knew it wasn’t meant for him; it was for her idiot boyfriend or, more likely, Veronica.
Casey knew that ever since Lilly’s death Veronica had been less than popular among the 09er crowd. While he wasn’t convinced her ostracism was entirely justified, he hadn’t really wasted a lot of time thinking about it. He had his own problems to deal with.
But now here he was, once again face-to-face with Veronica Mars. A memory of the last time she had been in his arms swam to the surface of his alcohol-clouded brain, and he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her again. The blank look on her face, however, put an end to that. Veronica Mars was most definitely not at home. Hell, the lights were just barely on. With a sigh Casey pushed the tiny blonde away.
“No thanks. I like mine to be able to stand on their own power.”
He watched her stumble away and then managed to get to his feet. He went out back and took a turn around the pool, hoping the fresh air would help clear his head. He was more than ready for this night to be over. When his head stopped spinning he decided to risk the short drive home.
As he made his way back through the house, a particularly boisterous crowd caught Casey’s eye. Curiosity piqued, he moved in for a closer look.
He wished he hadn’t. The sight of Dick and Sean force-feeding Veronica shots made him sick to his stomach. He didn’t stay to find out if they were successful in their attempts to get her to make out with Shelly. Shooting them all a disgusted look, he made his escape.
Casey drove around the block several times, trying to decide what to do. Part of him wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and just forget about the whole night. But he couldn’t get Veronica out of his mind.
She was in bad shape, and he hated leaving her there. But it wasn’t as if he and Veronica were friends really. There was no reason he should be the one expected to step in and save her. That should have been Duncan’s job, he reasoned.
But then Veronica and Duncan weren’t dating any more, were they?
Casey knew full well if he went in there and put an end to his friends’ so-called fun he would be subjecting himself to social suicide, but he didn’t really know if he cared any more. He was getting really tired of social politics. His girlfriend probably wouldn’t understand when it got back to her either, but then he was getting a little tired of her as well.
Casey’s sense of decency won out. Decision made, he turned the car back towards Shelley’s. Once inside, however, he couldn’t find Veronica anywhere.
“She went off with Duncan,” Logan informed him with a sneer. He’d been headed out the door with a very friendly freshman when Casey asked if he had seen Veronica. “He had some objections to the body shots. Came swooping in like a knight in shining armor. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two were busy making up right at this very moment.” Raised eyebrows and an inappropriate gesture accompanied his last remark, implying more than Casey really wanted to know.
He watched Echolls walk out the door, not at all sorry to see him go. Just to be sure, he asked around a bit more. Another semi-sober witness confirmed what he’d been told; Veronica and Duncan had gone off together, looking rather cozy.
Casey sighed. It had been stupid of him to think Veronica Mars needed saving, and even stupider to think he should be the one to save her. He was no hero. Feeling a bit let down, he pushed his way through the crowd, anxious to be on his way home again.
All Chapters Here
*****
First and Last
2003
The question wasn’t whether or not he was drunk. The way the room was spinning and tilting at a slight angle made the answer to that question pretty clear. What Casey was trying to decide was just exactly how drunk he was. And more importantly, how long would it be ‘til he was sober enough to drive himself home.
One thing he was certain of, however - he was nowhere near as drunk as Dick Casablancas. Casey watched, slightly amused, as his friend did a rather unimpressive bump and grind to “I Touch Myself.” His eyelids drooped closed for a moment, and when he opened them again it was to find that Dick had acquired a dance partner.
There was no doubt in Casey’s mind that Veronica Mars was drunker than he and Dick combined. If Dick hadn’t been holding her up, she wouldn’t have been able to stand. Casey watched uncomfortably as his friend ground his lips against hers, her lack of response making him uneasy.
“Why don’t you go see Uncle Casey?”
Without warning, Casey found Veronica thrust into his lap. He looked up inquiringly at Dick and caught sight of Madison Sinclair glaring daggers in their direction. Casey knew it wasn’t meant for him; it was for her idiot boyfriend or, more likely, Veronica.
Casey knew that ever since Lilly’s death Veronica had been less than popular among the 09er crowd. While he wasn’t convinced her ostracism was entirely justified, he hadn’t really wasted a lot of time thinking about it. He had his own problems to deal with.
But now here he was, once again face-to-face with Veronica Mars. A memory of the last time she had been in his arms swam to the surface of his alcohol-clouded brain, and he had an overwhelming urge to kiss her again. The blank look on her face, however, put an end to that. Veronica Mars was most definitely not at home. Hell, the lights were just barely on. With a sigh Casey pushed the tiny blonde away.
“No thanks. I like mine to be able to stand on their own power.”
He watched her stumble away and then managed to get to his feet. He went out back and took a turn around the pool, hoping the fresh air would help clear his head. He was more than ready for this night to be over. When his head stopped spinning he decided to risk the short drive home.
As he made his way back through the house, a particularly boisterous crowd caught Casey’s eye. Curiosity piqued, he moved in for a closer look.
He wished he hadn’t. The sight of Dick and Sean force-feeding Veronica shots made him sick to his stomach. He didn’t stay to find out if they were successful in their attempts to get her to make out with Shelly. Shooting them all a disgusted look, he made his escape.
Casey drove around the block several times, trying to decide what to do. Part of him wanted to go home, crawl into bed, and just forget about the whole night. But he couldn’t get Veronica out of his mind.
She was in bad shape, and he hated leaving her there. But it wasn’t as if he and Veronica were friends really. There was no reason he should be the one expected to step in and save her. That should have been Duncan’s job, he reasoned.
But then Veronica and Duncan weren’t dating any more, were they?
Casey knew full well if he went in there and put an end to his friends’ so-called fun he would be subjecting himself to social suicide, but he didn’t really know if he cared any more. He was getting really tired of social politics. His girlfriend probably wouldn’t understand when it got back to her either, but then he was getting a little tired of her as well.
Casey’s sense of decency won out. Decision made, he turned the car back towards Shelley’s. Once inside, however, he couldn’t find Veronica anywhere.
“She went off with Duncan,” Logan informed him with a sneer. He’d been headed out the door with a very friendly freshman when Casey asked if he had seen Veronica. “He had some objections to the body shots. Came swooping in like a knight in shining armor. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two were busy making up right at this very moment.” Raised eyebrows and an inappropriate gesture accompanied his last remark, implying more than Casey really wanted to know.
He watched Echolls walk out the door, not at all sorry to see him go. Just to be sure, he asked around a bit more. Another semi-sober witness confirmed what he’d been told; Veronica and Duncan had gone off together, looking rather cozy.
Casey sighed. It had been stupid of him to think Veronica Mars needed saving, and even stupider to think he should be the one to save her. He was no hero. Feeling a bit let down, he pushed his way through the crowd, anxious to be on his way home again.
All Chapters Here
*****