Two Week Stay-cation // (Logan, Veronica, ensemble)

Aug 17, 2009 14:49

Title: Two Week Stay-cation -+- Chapter One of  --?--
Author:
cloud_forest
Pairing/Characters: Logan/Veronica, Aaron, Lynne, Lilly, Keith, and Lianne
Word Count: 3,181
Rating: G (this part)
Summary: Set pre-series, at the end of the school year before Lilly dies. Keith and Lianne go on vacation, and decide to have Veronica stay at Logan's while they're gone. During her stay with the Echolls, Veronica and Logan start to... notice each other.
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: This story is totally all mine. Every bit came from my brain. Hold on. Wait. I'm not Rob Thomas? Damn. Guess that means I'm just playing with his toys for the time being :P


Author's Note: As you might notice, I took a few liberties with the layout of the Echolls' pool house. It seemed to change from episode to episode anyway, so I didn't think it would matter... mostly just saying this for anyone who might be a stickler for detail, 'cause I know it would bug me, hehe. Enjoy!

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{  Week One || Day One ~ Friday  }

“Can we go over this just one more time?” Veronica resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose.

“Honey, I know this isn’t what you would want, but-”

“Up-bup-bup!” She stopped Lianne with a quick shake of her head, bringing her pointer finger to her lips. When her parents signaled that they would give her the chance to speak, she took a deep breath and proceeded. “So you guys are going away for a two-week vacation that doesn’t include me. I can handle that. But instead of letting your very mature, very responsible fifteen-year-old daughter stay home alone during that time, you’re forcing me to go and stay with another family.”

“That’s right,” Keith confirmed from his post, standing behind the kitchen counter while Lianne and Veronica sat across from each other at the table.

“With the Echolls family,” she stressed, using every minute form of body language possible to display how terrible she thought this idea was.

“Yes.”

She huffed. “Why can’t I stay with Lilly and Duncan instead?”

“Because, sweetie, the Kanes already have two children to look after. It wouldn’t be fair for us to ask them to look after you too while we’re gone,” Lianne explained.

As if one person would make a difference to the squadron of housekeepers the Kanes employed. Veronica knew it was really code for, ‘because Celeste thinks Satan is your real father, and doesn’t want you infecting her dear children with your heathen ways’.

“And besides them, the only other person you seem to hang out with just as much is Logan.”

“That’s only because he’s the bonus prize that comes with the purchase of Lilly and Duncan. Only he’s not so much a bonus prize as a free sample of something you wouldn’t otherwise buy,” she responded dryly. “Like mustard-scented dish soap.”

All three of them knew that comment came more out of her dissatisfaction with the whole situation rather than with Logan, so Keith jogged past it. “Look, I already talked to Aaron and Lynne. They say they’ll be happy to have you, and you can even take Backup since they’ll be giving you the pool house to stay in.”

“What?” She perked up a little. “Really?”

“Yep.”

“Oh, well that’s…” She looked between her parents again, still not sure if they were lying to her. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” Lianne chuckled as she leaned in to pat her daughter’s hand. “Veronica, it’s not that we don’t trust you to live on your own while we’re on vacation. It’s just, this house can get lonely pretty fast when you’re here by yourself. We’d feel better knowing you’ve got people around, and that you won’t be spending the next two weeks hearing your own voice echo off the walls.”

“Well, when you say it like you actually care, it’s kind of hard to say no.” She smiled at them.

“So you’re okay with this arrangement then?”

Two weeks with Logan? They could barely go two minutes without getting into a snarky argument. Better known by them as a snark-gument. Veronica took a moment to pray that she wouldn’t regret the next three words that came out of her mouth. “Yeah, it’s cool.”

|#|+---+---+---+---+|#|

“Hey there, roomie!” Logan’s voice curled around her the same way his arm did, like a python snuggling up to its prey. He pulled her in for a sideways hug, keeping stride with her as she moved down the hall.

“So you heard?”

“Hey, who do you think had the idea to put you up in the pool house during your wonderful holiday at the Echolls Inn?”

“You?” Veronica asked, eyebrows holding a skeptical pose. “Really?”

“Well, it was more for my benefit, I’ll admit. I didn’t want my house to start getting that working-class smell to it.”

“Realizing, of course, that the full complement of maids and other assorted servants that spend twenty-nine hours a day there qualify as ‘working class’?”

“Yeah, but they’re all thoroughly cleaned before entering the premises.”

She looked up at him, still fastened to his body, unable to tell if he was joking or not. “You know, I can already see the inscription on your tombstone.” They disengaged upon arriving at her locker, and she held both hands out in front of her, motioning at imaginary words. “‘Logan Echolls. Humanitarian.’ Simple but so fitting.”

“You know my motto.” He tilted his head to one side and pressed a hand over his heart. “I live… to give.”

“You’ve never said that before in your life,” she shot back.

“Well, not in that context.” He shrugged, but he practically had the word ‘innuendo’ tattooed on his bottom lip when he grinned at her.

Veronica rolled her eyes, but her expression turned to one of amusement once shielded by the door of her locker. Depositing books and withdrawing new ones from the lemony cave, she wondered for a moment why she thought his comment was at all funny.

“Hey losers, what’s up?” Lilly’s voice rolled down the hall as she bounced toward them.

“Veronica’s coming to live with me for two weeks,” Logan announced, poking his head around the sunny metal panel before pulling it flush against its neighbour.

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Because my parents don’t want me on my own while they’re out of town,” she grumbled.

Lilly leaned in. “But why live with Logan? You’re saying you actually gave up the chance to spend two weeks in the same house as Donut?”

“Shh.” Veronica pushed her back. “Look, it wasn’t my choice. Mom and Dad say I’m going to Logan’s, so that’s where I’m going.”

“This doesn’t have anything to do with Celeste does it?” Lilly asked, one eye narrowed, spitting her mother’s name out like it was doused with poison.

“What do you think?”

“Ugh, she’s such a bitch.”

“All the more reason for little Ronnie to stay with me instead,” Logan piped up from his spot, mussing a hand in his soon-to-be-roommate’s hair.

“Bah!” she knocked his hand away before swatting him in the stomach. “Jackass.”

“See? Do you really want to have to spend fourteen long days with that?” Lilly jabbed a hand in his direction.

“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself. Besides, we both know I’ll be spending the majority of my time over at your house anyway.”

Lilly nodded her agreement.

“Wait, do you actually think it’s going to be that bad living at my place?”

Veronica twisted on her heel to look at him. “Why don’t you ask my hair?” She pointed to the now messy mop perched on the top of her head.

“Don’t be so serious,” Logan responded, poking her in the stomach before hooking his arm around her again. “I promise. It’s gonna be awesome.”

For a moment, she believed him. Teetering above that stupid smirk of his was a tiny, sparkling gem in his eyes that said he really meant it.

|#|+---+---+---+---+|#|

“You know, if you really wanted to show your daughter you love her, a good way to do that would be to take her on vacation with you.” Veronica was making a final attempt to escape her two-week sentence at Logan Penitentiary. One serious problem with her strategy though was that she’d left her appeal until the last possible moment- Keith and Lianne were walking her to the Echolls’ door. “And not leave her trapped in her arch nemesis’ lair.”

“Honey,” her mother paused, turning her body so she was square with Veronica’s. “Do you really think it’s going to be that bad?”

Tell her yes! Tell her this is going to be the worst experience of your life! …Despite what her brain was screaming, the words wouldn’t percolate through her lips. “No,” she conceded. “It’s just… I guess Logan and I kind of make a career out of teasing each other, even when the other one’s not around.” She tacked a small laugh onto the end of her explanation.

“You guys are so funny,” Lianne chuckled with a slight roll of her eyes.

“Just try not to kill him, all right sweetie?” Keith pleaded from behind his two favourite women while wrestling with Veronica’s bigger suitcase.

“I can’t promise anything,” she said with a shrug, moving up the front steps and pressing the doorbell.

Keith dropped the luggage for a couple of moments before the shimmering structure swung open. A plain woman in plain clothing was waiting on the other side. “Yes?”

“Oh, Veronica!” chirped a cheerful voice off to the side, annunciating every syllable in her name with purpose, dragging the final one out like it left a pleasant taste on her tongue. Lynne Echolls fluttered toward the front door, arms swinging with vigor. “Thank you, Deedee,” she politely dismissed the housekeeper, who smiled at the Mars family before departing.

“Come in, come in!” Pulling the door wide open, she hustled the trio inside, wings flapping. “Ah, well. Welcome, Veronica. We’re so glad to have you here!” To perhaps keep them from continuing their calisthenics, she then clasped her hands in front of her.

“Glad to be here.” Veronica’s wide smile came more from her enjoyment of Lynne’s enthusiasm than her own excitement. “Thanks for having me.”

“Oh, it’s no problem at all. We’ve got plenty of space.”

Gaze creeping over Lynne’s shoulder, Veronica could see her adversary perched at the edge of the room, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall, making his best attempt at hiding his amusement.

“So, we left Veronica with a list of emergency numbers in case you need anything. It’s buried somewhere in one of her bags right now, but she’ll give it to you later,” Lianne was saying.

“That’s perfect. Oh and if you want to get in touch with Veronica, feel free to call us collect. No need to pay for all those international charges when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation,” offered the pillow-lipped woman.

“A-Are you sure?” Lianne asked, startled by the generous offer.

“Yes, yes, I’m sure!” she scoffed. “Aaron was on the phone yesterday with a producer in Japan for nearly two hours! A half-hour call from Mexico is hardly going to make a dent on our phone bill.”

“Thank you, Lynne. That’s very kind of you,” Keith spoke up for the first time since entering, having been glad to let his wife take the lead in communicating with the bubbly woman.

“Well, I guess we should get going and let you start unpacking,” Lianne said, focusing on her daughter again.

“Plus, you guys have that plane you gotta catch,” Veronica commented.

“Ooh, I’m going to miss you, honey.” Lianne pulled her daughter in for a tight hug.

“You too, Mom.”

“Two weeks isn’t that long though, right?”

“Nah. It’s like, fourteen days. And a day isn’t that long. So it’s practically no time at all,” she half-jokingly assured her mother. “Don’t worry about me though. You guys enjoy your vacation.”

“We’ll call you when we land, okay?” Lianne cupped her hands around her daughter’s face.

“Sounds good,” Veronica said with a short nod, giving her Mom’s forearms a squeeze. Lianne planted a kiss on the top of her head as she turned toward her father. “Bye Dad.”

“See ya, kiddo.”

When Keith hugged her, he wrapped his arms under hers and lifted her off the ground. Veronica imagined that if grizzly bears hugged their young, this is what it would look like. When she was a little girl, she had lived for these hugs. Dad Hugs. What daughter didn't love them?

“I promise. If I happen to commit any acts of murder, I’ll cover my tracks well,” she murmured into his ear.

Putting her down, he stared at her with that ‘you’d better be kidding’ look he’d perfected. She smiled back.

“Have a great trip, you guys.”

“Take care!” added Lynne.

“Thanks again, Lynne. Be sure to thank Aaron, too.”

“I will.”

“Bye sweetie.”

“Bye.” She waved, and watched as with excellent hostess timing, Lynne closed the door behind them.

“Well,” the older woman clapped. “Let’s get you all sorted out, why don’t we? Juan will take your bags to the pool house for you. Juan!”

Veronica took that opportunity to cast a glance at Logan again, but he’d evaporated during her good-bye hugs.

“It’s so nice to see your parents taking a bit of time for themselves,” Lynne remarked as they waited.

“Oh yeah, it’s great. I can’t remember the last time they went on vacation together.”

“Tell me about it. I don’t think a month has gone by in the last five years when Aaron wasn’t working. He’s always so busy. If it’s not movies, then it’s photo shoots, promotional tours, and interviews. Oh! Juan, there you are. Could you take Veronica’s bags to the pool house?” she was instructing more than asking, flicking her hand in the direction she wanted the bags to go. “Dinner will be another hour or two, so you’ve got plenty of time to get settled in.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Echolls.”

“Veronica, I don’t want to be hearing that for two weeks. You can certainly call me Lynne.”

“Okay, um,” an airy laugh sputtered out of her. “Thank you then, Lynne.”

Veronica followed Juan to her temporary dwelling. No matter how many times she experienced it, she never stopped feeling awkward about the whole ‘butler’ concept. It was so weird to be at Lilly’s house and have someone whisk her dirty glass away to the kitchen- just as strange was having someone carry her suitcases through the house and across the Echolls’ patio.

“Thank you very much, Juan,” she said to the man once they’d arrived.

He nodded. “Is there anything else I can get you, miss?”

“Veronica.” She pointed to herself. “And, uh- no. I think I’m cool here,” she said, looking around. “Thanks.”

He nodded again, then made his way back to the house.

“Ho…ly… crap,” Veronica said aloud once she was alone. She’d been to Logan’s pool house a couple of times, but she’d never really taken a look around. The place was nice. A family of four could probably make a decent living here.

A wide set of sliding doors led into the main room. Centered in the large space was a black leather couch, opposite to which sat two leather easy chairs. Lying in the canyon between them was a polished mahogany coffee table decorated with a few candles. All four pieces were floating on a burgundy rug amid the sea of white marble tile beneath. An entertainment center was sunken into the left-hand wall, equipped with a flat-screen television, DVD player, stacks of movies, and a few more decorative pieces. In the far right corner of the room, a set of stairs led down into a small sitting area surrounded by windows. Sunlight drenched the space with cheerful yellow warmth.

Beside her and to the right, a short hallway opened into the bedroom, which itself was like a self-contained hotel suite. A mini bar consumed the farthest third of the floor plan, the wall shimmering with crystal glasses. Veronica had to giggle at the doorway nearby, the curtain hanging there having the Echolls’ faces printed onto it; classy black and white shots of each family member. At this size though, the class was totally lost, replaced instead by the stench of gouda, parmesan, or some other form of pungent cheese.

The bed though… was glorious. It was a mountain. A herd of gold and burgundy throw pillows clustered at its peak, nestled on the duvet that covered the rest of the landscape. From the looks of things, they’d spent more on this single piece of furniture than she would on her first year of tuition at university. Absurd as it was though, she couldn’t say it was disappointing to think she’d be embraced by goose down, Egyptian cotton, and a king-size mattress when she went to bed that night.

Gazing upon the ultimate creation of comfort, Veronica was hit by the sudden urge to- No! Don’t do it! Don’t give in! -throw herself at it. There was her subconscious though, telling her to at least try to act like a mature human being. She hadn’t even been here ten minutes yet.

…But her subconscious could shove it. She just couldn’t resist.

Kicking off her flip-flops, she crouched down to give herself a bit of power as she made a break for the bed. With four strides she sailed across the carpet and vaulted into the air, spinning around during flight. She bounced once on her butt to absorb most of the impact of her landing and then let herself fall back, arms splayed out to the sides.

It felt like she was being swallowed by softness. The mattress must’ve been full of marshmallows, letting her sink into it, and the duvet crinkled when she moved. Her assumptions about the bed’s comfort factor now confirmed, Veronica wasn’t sure how she’d be able to leave it in the morning.

“So.”

His voice was like a sledgehammer, shattering the glassy orb that surrounded her newfound world of bliss. The marshmallows went stale and hardened beneath her, and the duvet deflated. Mentally groaning, she retracted her arms and pushed up into a sitting position, eyes swinging toward the interloper.

“That was quite a touching moment you and your parents had at the door there,” Logan teased. “The way you guys were acting, you’d think they were going off to war or something.”

Shimmying forward, she climbed off the bed and approached him with her arms crossed over her chest. “Actually Logan, that’s just the way parents say good-bye to their kids when they actually love them.”

“Oo, ouch.” He hit a fist against his chest. “Geez Mars, when you strike, you go right for the kill, don’t you?”

“Yeah, and don’t forget it.”

“Well, if you’re gonna talk to me like that, maybe I won’t help you unpack after all.”

Veronica laughed. “Like you were going to in the first place,” she countered, cocking a skeptical eyebrow at him.

He didn’t make an attempt at arguing; just shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll leave you to it then.”

“So wait,” Veronica stopped him as he turned to leave. “You came out here just to mock me?”

“Yeah, pretty much.”

“Wow.”

“Hey, it was worth it. Especially since I got to see that little acrobatic show of yours.”

She could already feel her face blooming with red, like a bottle of food colouring being dumped into a bowl of water. “You saw…?”

“Yup.”

“Great.”

“Ha, don’t sweat it, Ronnie. It was kinda cute,” he said with a grin, tilting his head to one side.

Veronica was a bit stunned, not accustomed to hearing him describe her actions in such a way. Before she could react though, he spun on his heel and strolled out of the pool house.

As she watched him go, she found herself puzzled not only by his comment, but also by the warm feeling that ruffled through her when he said it.

((  End Chapter One  ))

[  I know it's been quite a while since I've had some fic to offer, but as always, comments = crack ♥ ...hope you liked it! ;)  ]

two week stay-cation

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