Can I just avoid this conversation all together? 'Cause that would be nice.

[renewedsoul_v]

To say I wasn't really looking forward to this conversation with my dad was more than an understatement. There was no way this was going to go well. No way he was going to be happy or even act like it for my sake.

It's going to be all panic and ulterior motives. I know this. Because he doesn't trust his idea of who Logan is. Not who Logan actually

Comments

[renewedsoul_v]

"Still crumbling. More so than usual today if you ask me." I commented. "But I'm glad you had a good day." He was in such a good mood. I really didn't want to totally obliterate that with what I had to tell him.

I took a breath when he brought up the scholarship. "That's probably a good thing really, because somehow it ended up going to Madison Sinclair of all people." I told him, "Believe me, you should be glad you weren't me in the centre of all the rumours that started swirling around after the announcement." That was so much fun, to just sit and listen and not say a word to anyone who was determined to believe Duncan somehow rigged things so that I wouldn't get that money. He's hurt, sure, but I still don't think he's that spiteful.

I wasn't sure if I should come out and tell him about the bank statement Logan had handed me this morning. One freak out's probably better than two in the long run.

"But it's okay." I started hesitantly, trying to ignore the look of utter confusion that was instantly on his face. Like there was no way it could be okay when one of the 09ners got that scholarship when I actually needed it. "Look, I know you're not going to be even remotely happy about this on so many levels, but I've got plenty of money for school now, trust me." I told him. I couldn't seem to just come out and say I'd even see Logan today, never mind that he'd given me more than a hundred thousand dollars. Working up to that seemed like a plan.

[__keithmars__]

I gave a heavy sort of sigh as the words 'it ended up going to Madison Sinclair' - I would have told her than things would be okay and that we'd find some sort of way to pay for her going to college, but she seemed to have that taken care of. Not only that, but her day sounds difficult and that's disheartening. I know school and socializing has been different since we've changed, but still... I hope to god things aren't going back as the way they were.

"Look, I know you're not going to be even remotely happy about this on so many levels, but I've got plenty of money for school now, trust me."

I couldn't help but let a breathy laugh escape from my lips as I glanced up towards her in confusion. "You didn't rob that bank, Honey, did you? Because I told you, you'll get caught for doing something like that."

It clicks a moment before she moves to speak again. All the hesitance, the inability for me to be happy about why she apparently has college money anyway. Who had the fund as was currently dating her no matter how much I told her she shouldn't see him?

"Logan."

Of course it was Logan. I had just started to come around to the fact that I was useless to stop my eighteen year old daughter from seeing him, but I didn't particularly agree with this whole idea of him paying for her education or... generally being in the vicinity of her.

"Look, honey, I know I can't do a damn thing about you seeing him or not. I could ground you, give you lectures, everything that you've heard before, but you have to realize that I do have my worries for a reason. I'm trying to protect you."

[renewedsoul_v]

"The rumours today were mostly because of me and Duncan, dad. Nothing you did, promise." I pointed out quietly when I saw that worry flash in his eyes for a moment. Like I really cared what those people had to say about me? Not anymore. At least I knew who my real friends were and who only talked me when they needed something.

I shook my head slightly when he joked about robbing a bank. I probably would have laughed if not for the fact that I knew he wasn't really in the mood for that the second he started catching on to the fact that I've even seen Logan outside of a class long enough to have a conversation.

"It's not like that, Dad. I didn't go to him and ask for money. I wouldn't do that." Did he have to say Logan's name like that? Like it was some sort of dirty word? That wasn't any better than calling him 'that boy'.

It wasn't like I would even allow him the chance to sympathise or comfort me this morning. He means so much to me, loves me so much and I just couldn't bring myself to let Logan just hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay. What was that? "It was my problem and I had to figure out away to fix it. All I did was tell him how disappointed you would be. How you would feel like you'd let me down somehow because there wasn't money just sitting there for me to go to school. And for the record, you haven't let me down. Not even close."

The second he says his objections to Logan are because he's trying to protect me I have to fight the urge to scream. Somehow I knew telling my dad about when the account was set up and the amount of money in it was going to end up coming out in the middle of an argument unless something changed rather quickly. He hadn't so much said it, but it didn't take a genius to see I was right about him being apposed to the money coming from Logan.

"Protect me? From someone who loves me and wants me safe and happy just as much as you do?" I couldn't help but ask. "It's not Logan you have to worry about." I added. And everything I had to worry about that wasn't already at my school that I had to be worried about probably knew I wasn't investigating them anyway.

[__keithmars__]

We seem to go right back to the same spot when talking about Logan right now. We can't because Veronica automatically assumes that I'm doing the worst now to her relationship, that I don't approve - which really it's more specific things that I don't approve of, for instance, sex on the couch, the dangerous life that her boyfriend chooses to lead. I don't appreciate my daughter getting pulled into some of these things.

"I didn't assume anything, Veronica," I said with a low warning tone. I couldn't wrap my mind around why I would assume Veronica would ask for money like that. She wouldn't. I know my daughter, she works hard for what she earns and really it would have to be him who offered her the money.

What I want to know it why he did it. I'll try to believe that it's out of the kindness of his heart and that he wouldn't pay her otherwise unless she was doing some sort of job for him (which she shouldn't do anymore). It's hard to assume the best when Veronica becomes so defensive.

"For the record, Veronica, we would have found a way to pay for college. Even without his money. You don't need to be concerned with what I'm feeling in this situation. Yes, things would be a lot easier if I still had my job as Sheriff. They'd be a lot easier if things were different, but they're not and we still would have found a way." The only think I would have been disappointed in would be myself.

But she's still getting heated and defensive again any possible words I have for her boyfriend. I can't help but snap back, "I never said that he didn't want those things. Listen up! My worries are valid as both a parent and a P.I.! I looked into his case file. I've been looking up because, yes, there is something wrong there, but the trails lead into bad places." I glance up to her again, my tone serious and bearing, "Did you know that the 911 caller leads you straight into the Fighting Fizpatricks?"

I have to believe that if she knew that she wouldn't have even touched this case.

[renewedsoul_v]

"College, sure." I nodded. I was sure he would have figured out some way to at least get me to a community college, "But a good school? One not in Neptune? Berkeley?" I questioned. It didn't seem likely somehow, and I knew my dad wanted me to be able to go to the best schools. He of course was thinking like, Harvard or Yale, something like that. And I didn't really want to be that far away. I can be out of this town and not be on the other side of the country. Either way, there's no way Berkeley's even a remote chance without Logan's money, and I know Dad knows that.

I pat Backup on the head as I get up and go over to my bag, getting out the bank statement Logan had given me this morning, and hand it to my dad. "Look at the date of the first deposit, Dad. He's been sitting on this for months. It was supposed to be a surprise - a graduation present." He didn't close it even after I broke up with him and you threw him out. I add silently as I sit back down on the couch. "He doesn't want us to have to worry about where the money's coming from. He didn't want it to be a big deal. He said I deserve something to go right for once."

I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes when he told me to listen up. When he said he never said Logan didn't want the things I said he did. "Maybe not, but you did repeatedly insist that Logan would do nothing but hurt me. That no good could possibly come of my being in the same building as he is." I pointed out. "I'm not saying you don't have a right to be worried that Logan's going to hurt me. But you don't need to. That's the last thing he wants to have happen." I stated.

"Well I knew there was something weird about that call. I told you he was being framed. What we don't have half a clue on right now is why he is." I pointed out. So, I knew a little more than I was letting on there, but what good would telling him I knew about the Fighting Fitzpatricks do right now?

[__keithmars__]

I could feel an exasperated sigh building up in me. There really wasn't anything I could say to her, was there. Veronica was already on the defense even though she didn't need to be and I was getting sick and tired of her attitude. That I sort of do blame her boyfriend for. Before Logan she didn't feel this need to defend herself or him so much. Not to me. I was her father and she'd talk to me about every thing.

I glanced towards the bank statement. Yes, I know what it meant. I saw that Logan didn't bother to close it even after Veronica had broken up with her, but I hadn't started any argument about this in the first place. "Why are we debating this, Veronica? I expressed concern and that was it." I told her in frustration.

"I know you've been seeing him," I started, feeling my lungs tightened. "I know that you've already made up your mind no matter what I say, but I'd like to, at the least, be respected and listened to. I deserve at least that, don't you think? So, stop for a moment."

Shaking my head towards her, I wanted to be there for her. I wanted to say all the important things I had to say about her, about Logan, about his case, but I wasn't going to do that when the both of us were so angry.

I pressed the bank statement back into her hand. "I'm glad you have the money for college," I said tightly before moving to get up again. I wasn't about to point out that she actually didn't answer my question if she knew the Fighting Fitzpatricks were involved. I wasn't about to point out that I knew she skipped school with him on more than one occasion. I just couldn't get into this right now.

[renewedsoul_v]

"I wasn't debating." I replied. "I was just - I don't want you to think he's got some sort of ulterior motive, that's all." And it was really all I was trying to do. I knew my dad wouldn't think I was with Logan for his money, but I wasn't entirely sure my dad believed Logan would just hand me that much money no-strings.

"Dad I told you when you insisted I break up with him that I wasn't going to." I reminded him with a sigh. It wasn't as if I actually told him once I wasn't going to see Logan. "I guess the fact that I was trying not to flaunt the fact that I was ignoring the no Logan thing isn't going to score me any points?" I asked, "Or the fact that it was mostly at school, where we do have numerous classes together? The only time I was ever anywhere but at school with him was the Monday after Christmas break. I promise." Okay, true, so while we may have been at school, we tended to spend at least one class a day not bothering with the whole 'going to class' concept, but we were still at school where we were put in constant contact with each other as it was.

"I'm sorry, okay? It's not like I want to be fighting with you about this stuff. You know that, right?" I questioned quietly as he started to get up. It meant a lot that he could say he was glad I had money for college, even if he didn't exactly sound it. I knew he meant it. "I do get why you're worried, where it's coming from, but you don't have to worry about Logan."

[__keithmars__]

"Personally, Veronica, I always want you to be honest with me. I want you to let me know about these things no matter how upset or unhappy I may appear to be about them. I know lately I haven't given you much reason to trust me with that information. I want you happy."

I sighed, and mostly to myself. "Finding the two of you here wasn't the best of moments for any of us. I reacted badly. I don't have any right to tell you who or not you can see. That doesn't mean I'm still not incredibly concerned about him. Concerned, Veronica. This whole thing...? It was bad enough with the PCH Biker Gang involved. I'm not liking what I'm seeing in this and I'm worried."

I glanced up to her, "But I believe you, that he's innocent."

"I do have to worry. Just not in the way you think I am. My priorities are making sure that you're safe. The both of us. I don't think working on this case is in anyone's best interest," I said firmly, making sure that she knew that I wished things were different. I wasn't doing this to hurt anyone. I was doing this to protect all of us.

[renewedsoul_v]

"I know you do, Dad." I nodded slightly when he said he wanted me to be honest with him, "You weren't exactly making that overly easy the last little while, but I know." It would have been easier to believe if we could have at least acted like we were hearing each other any time Logan came up in the conversation. "Does this mean you're accepting the fact that Logan's part of that happiness right now?" I asked. I wasn't expecting that any time soon, but the way he was talking, I couldn't help but wonder.

"That morning wasn't exactly one of my shining moments either. And not that this makes it in any way better, but he really did come over to talk about everything that happened with Duncan, and he stayed so that I wasn't alone. Because he was worried about me. What you walked in on wasn't even close to why he came over." I let out a breath.

"You believe he's innocent, so what you're really concerned about is everything else, not him?" I pointed out.

I sighed heavily when he was dropping the case. I couldn't really argue. I mean, I knew he was right. What happened at the River Styxx proved that. This was dangerous, and the last thing I wanted was for something to happen to my dad, but what about Logan? Without our help he's going to end up going to jail for something he didn't do, and since it's a murder he's accused of...

I couldn't even finish that thought, "So what happens to Logan? I mean, you know what's going to happen if somebody doesn't prove he's innocent, Dad." I pointed out, trying to keep my voice level, the panic and worry I was feeling from turning me into a giant spaz again. I'd done enough of that for one evening. I wasn't going to cry.

Unfortunately the desire not to overreact on my dad, or knowing that he was right that it was better for us if he didn't dig further didn't erase the fact that I felt like I was going to throw up at the thought of what this meant to Logan. "I promised we'd fix this." I whispered.

[__keithmars__]

"Yeah," I said quietly, hoping that I wasn't making any drastically wrong choice in saying so. "If Logan makes you happy, I want you happy," I reassured her, even though all this stuff on Logan's case didn't make me any less nervous about him.

I had to think about the Logan Echolls I knew when they were kids. Recently, more or less after Lilly Kane's death, everything became more difficult. His mother worried so much about him and I wasn't sure that he knew that, but I know he's had a hard life. Everything that came out while his father was on trial proved that, not to mention just the losses he had gone through the past few years. I can see why he'd be close to Veronica. She soothed those wounds over.

I glanced back up to her when she whispered that we'd fix this problem for him. I sighed softly. In five words it was apparent how much she loved that boy and how much we needed to help him.

"I know it's not consoling but I talked to Lamb. I gave him the information we had. I'll check up to make sure that he's doing something about it." We can't fix everyone's problems... "It's the best bet we have right now. Even Lamb was being abnormally nice today...." I sighed and put a hand on her shoulder, "We'll help him the ways that we can."

[renewedsoul_v]

"He makes me happy." I replied. It was one of the few things I was actually sure of. Took me far too long to admit that he actually did, and I wasn't about to doubt that he did anytime soon.

"Lamb? Dad, no offense, but are you crazy?" I sighed. He knew as well as I did Lamb's police skills were pretty much a joke, and that he already decided Logan was guilty. "We would have been better off if you'd handed it off to Vinnie Van Lowe." Yep. Vinnie Van Lowe might very well be a slimy, disgusting joke, but somehow I figured if we paid him enough he'd do just about anything. Lamb had nothing to gain at all, on about a million levels, for Logan being exonerated.

"Lamb was being nice?" I asked, feeling my stomach drop as my dad touched my shoulder, trying to calm me down. I couldn't shake the feeling that he'd done exactly what I was afraid of. "Nice and Lamb? Those two words don't belong in the same sentence. Especially not where Logan's concerned since that night on the bridge."

Yeah, with the luck we've been having? I wouldn't be surprised if Lamb's somehow took everything we've found and managed to find some excuse to arrest him already.