Episode Two: Dream A Little Dream - Ensemble - R
Title: Season Three - Episode Two: Dream A Little Dream
Author: fickledame
Rating: There may be character death, bad language, dark themes and possibly sex all somewhere down the line. This episode - R.
Characters: All main cast.
Word Count: Every episode will differ, but this one is 5784.
Summary: This is the first episode in a planned ten episode season three. It’s totally plotted out, and I planned to completely finish the whole thing before posting, but I’m afraid I can no longer resist.
Spoilers: You should have seen season’s one and two. There are no spoilers for season three at all. If I happen to get anything right when the episodes start airing, it’s entirely coincidental.
Thanks: Gah, who didn’t I rope into helping me with this? First of all, massive thanks go to skk670 who has helped me every step of the way with the plot and read over everything. Additional thanks go to veni_veni_veni, semby moire2, marylane23 and taken_with_you. If I’ve forgotten anyone, I’m very sorry! Just let me know.
A/N: Italics denote Veronica’s voiceovers and pink text are Veronica's dreams.
A/N 2: I tried and tried to wait until I'd finished the next episode before posting this, but I could wait no longer. So there might be quite a gap before the next. I'm sorry.
Episode One: Tabula Rasa
“Come on, it’s easy,” Lilly declared, jumping up and catching a lower branch. She swung for a second before nimbly clambering further up. She looked back down at Veronica, who watched nervously from the bottom of the tree. “Hurry up!” Lilly demanded harshly
Veronica glanced around, half expecting to see Celeste coming storming towards them, but no one appeared.
“Veronica,” Lilly hissed. “Do you want to get back inside before Celeste notices we left and throws a shit-fit, or what?”
Veronica sighed and yanked down the denim mini-skirt Lilly had insisted she wore, before following the same path Lilly had taken. Her best friend was struggling to open the window when she reached the top of the tree conveniently grown in the perfect spot for sneaking in and out of the house. Veronica perched uncomfortably on the branch behind her. The window suddenly shot open, surprising Lilly and making her tumble backwards into Veronica.
The next thing Veronica saw when she opened her eyes was Lilly crouched next to her with a worried expression on her face. Jake and Celeste Kane hovered nearby, Celeste looking annoyed and Jake nervous. Veronica’s arm throbbed with pain.
“It’s okay,” Lilly reassured quickly.
“But you’re going to get into trouble,” Veronica whispered, before groaning as the pain increased.
“Shh,” Lilly hushed. “The ambulance is on its way. And it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter at all.”
*
Wallace peered around the door and saw Mac sitting up in the hospital bed. She was alone, her eyes fixated on the television. He knocked gently and she looked up, smiling when she saw who it was. He entered the room.
“Hey. How you feeling?” he asked, dropping down in the chair next to her. Wallace looked weary and tired, and was still wearing the same shirt and pants - still streaked with Veronica’s blood - he had on from the night before.
Mac smiled wanly. “I’m fine, thanks. I felt sick when I woke up, and confused, but my mom explained what happened.” Her expression turned anxious. “How’s Veronica? I keep asking the nurses, but they won’t tell me anything - I’m not family.”
Wallace sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Not good. They announced she was stable this morning and they managed to contain the internal bleeding in surgery. She also has a fractured wrist and plenty of cuts and bruises. She hasn’t woken up yet.”
Mac looked distressed as she twisted the bed sheet around her hand. “Mom said the police are saying it was an attempted kidnap?”
“That’s the official story,” Wallace agreed.
“And the unofficial?” Mac prompted.
Wallace looked down at the floor. “There has been talk of it being the Hearst rapist, with the reported assaults still going on. The drugs fit, but no one’s been physically attacked yet.” He stood up. “I’m gonna head home. I wanna get out these clothes and then get back to Veronica, now I know you’re okay. Is your mom still here?”
“She just went home to get some stuff, she’ll be back soon,” Mac said.
Wallace nodded. “I’ll see you soon.” He turned just as Matt knocked on the door. “Hey, man,” he greeted as he passed.
“Mac,” Matt said with a shy smile, his eyes lighting up as he saw Mac.
“Hi!” Mac replied in surprise, suddenly feeling self conscious. She hadn’t brushed her hair and she was in a horrible over-sized hospital gown, while he looked fresh in Diesel jeans and a polo shirt. His blonde hair was neatly gelled and his hand was behind his back.
He moved his hand forward, producing a bunch of brightly coloured flowers. “Sorry to be so cliché,” he apologised.
“Not clichéd at all.” Mac couldn’t help but smile brightly as she said, “Take a seat?”
***
The blue and purple bruises stood out in harsh contrast to her pale skin. Keith reached over and brushed a strand of blonde hair away from the blood-mottled cut across her forehead, cringing as he did so.
“Any change?” Wallace asked quietly as he came through the door, having changed in fresh clothes.
Keith looked up and shook his head sadly. “Nothing.”
Wallace looked disappointed, before he held up a DVD. “I picked up the South Park movie when I was at home. Thought we could play it.”
“Thanks,” Keith murmured. “I’ll put it on later.”
Wallace pushed a chair by the wall over to the bed and sat down heavily. “Is Lamb in charge of the investigation?”
“Afraid so,” Keith said grimly.
“Can you not use your influence to, I don’t know, threaten him?” Wallace suggested. “Veronica would be impressed.”
Keith’s eyes dropped to his daughter between them, then back up to her best friend. “She would,” he agreed.
“Sir?” a female voice said from the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but we are ready for you to make the statement to the press now.”
“Thanks, Judy,” Keith said, walking to the door, before he asked, “Stay with her?”
“Of course,” Wallace replied as Keith left.
The only sounds in the room after the door clicked shut were the quiet beeping from the heart monitor and an annoying persistent cough from down the hallway. Wallace reached out and placed his hand on Veronica’s smaller one.
“Wake up,” Wallace murmured. “Please Veronica, come back to us.”
His fingers wrapped around hers. “Who’s gonna eat lunch with me? Who’s going to keep me awake when I’ve got a project due the next day and I’m pulling an overnight? Who’ll make me watch the Southpark movie for the three-thousandth time?” His voice broke as he whispered, “Who’s going to be my best friend?”
The darkness in Veronica’s mind shifted into images of a sunny Californian day.
*
It wasn’t until she began to push through the crowd of people Veronica realised what everyone was staring at. She didn’t recognise the boy taped to the flagpole and he looked about her age, so she was sure he was new. Veronica glared in disgust at a guy who pulled out his camera and took a picture. Acute humiliation flittered across the poor bound boy’s face as he squeezed his eyes shut for a second, trying to remain composed in front of his tormentors.
“Move,” Veronica demanded to the guy with a camera.
“Who died and made you quee-?” the jerk began, until Veronica pulled out a knife.
“You are a freak.” He disappeared back into the crowd as Veronica began to slice through the tape holding the boy up.
*
All in all, it was a pretty crappy day. Meg had died, Duncan hadn’t bothered to phone, she was back on the shit-list of the 09ers and she was spending New Year sitting on the couch alone.
There was a knock at the door and her stomach rumbled. Maybe she could talk the pizza guy into staying with her until twelve… he was probably lonely as well.
She grabbed the money as she walked over to the door and opened it. Her jaw dropped open in shock as her eyes filled with tears.
Wallace smiled as he exclaimed, “Happy New Year!” She stood looking at him for a second before she moved forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him as he laughed.
*
The test was going to start in only a few minutes, and if Wallace left now, she could read to the end of the chapter.
“You better enjoy this, 'cause this is as nostalgic as I get,” Wallace said, and she looked up, finally giving him her undivided attention. “I just wanted to say...it was worth getting taped to a pole.” Veronica’s expression softened, her heart melting at his words. “Gonna miss you.”
Veronica waited a second before she joked, “And my stupid ass face?” covering the fact that she was on the verge of tears. They both broke into laughter.
*
“Sir, while you’re here,” Beverly called out, hurrying after Keith into his office as Keith stormed through, “can you just sign these, so I can get them sent out?”
“What are they?” Keith asked, taking the small pile of papers from her.
“Housing applications,” Beverly replied. “I’d get the Head of Housing to do it, but he’s on holiday, not due back for a week.”
“Christopher Harris, he’s that film director.” He frowned. “Isn’t he new in town? How is his application at the top of the pile already?”
Beverly flushed. “Oh, well, you know.”
Keith’s eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t know.”
“Well, sir, when someone makes a donation of some kind, it’s common practise to let a few things slide. They put money back into the town…” Beverly tried to explain.
“Does this happen across the board?” Keith interrupted, in a low tone. “Make a donation, get what you want?”
“I… guess,” Beverly said hesitantly.
“That is not how things are going to work anymore,” Keith said. “Call a meeting. I’m going to fire all the heads of departments.”
“What?” Beverly asked in shock. “But…”
“Do it,” Keith demanded. “Things have been run the wrong way for too long. They’re top paid workers, they’ll get jobs elsewhere. Advertise all the positions.”
“Mr Mars, the press are outside, waiting for you,” someone said from the doorway. Keith nodded at Beverly, before following to make his statement.
***
The smell in the room was overpowering as stale sweat and alcohol mixed together. Logan fought back a groan as a pretty blonde girl sat down next to him with a glass of neat vodka in her hand and put her hand on his knee. His head was pounding with a hangover from the night before and he felt like he was going to throw up.
“Hey, Logan,” the girl said, in her best sultry voice. She looked like she’d been poured into the red dress she was wearing. His body stiffened as her hand slid further up his thigh, and he tried to move further over on the sofa. "Quite a party. I'd heard the rumours, but they were nothing compared to the real thing. I'm sure a lot of things I hear about you aren't as good as the real thing..." Her hand slid suggestively to the inside of his thigh.
He pushed away her hand in annoyance. "No, they aren't - but I'm sure that everything I've heard about you is true. Fred Durst said that doing you was like spelunking. Who knew that that was even possible? I mean, if I actually stuck it in, I wouldn't get off - and, well, that's just pointless. So, why don't you run along so I can have a more satisfying experience jerking off?"
She yanked her hand back, looking disgusted. “You know, broken-hearted emo boys are so last summer.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bill. “And coke whores were never in style. Here's five bucks, pick up a Cosmo and learn a thing or two,” he snapped, throwing the money in her direction as she stomped off the best she could in high heels.
Logan got up and stepped over a guy passed out on the floor, white powder spilt near where his hand lay. He reached the sanctuary of his bedroom and sighed in relief, until he heard a low moan. He squinted in the darkness and saw a couple writhing on his bed.
“Get out,” he yelled. They looked up and saw his face contorted in rage. They jumped out of the bed and he threw the clothes he gathered from the floor at them. He noticed a shoe that didn’t belong to him and lobbed it at the door as it slammed shut behind them. It bounced off, sending the alarm clock on the bedside cabinet flying.
“Is nothing sacred anymore?” he mumbled sarcastically to himself. Logan pulled the top cover away and threw it in the corner, before he sat down on the large bed. He grabbed the remote control, hit the power button and began to channel surf. He had flicked past the news channel when he realised that the ticker across the bottom had said Neptune, so he quickly switched back. He craved some kind of contact from his hometown. He had debated about subscribing to the local newspaper, but decided that being cut off completely was the way to make a clean break. That didn’t mean he wasn’t interested when something was held right in front of his face.
A news anchor stood outside the mayor’s office, with a serious expression on her face as she said, “A massive search has started today after an assault and attempted kidnapping at Hearst College in Neptune, California, last night. In a statement released a few minutes ago, the local Sheriff said that Veronica Mars, the daughter of the recently elected County Supervisor was at a freshman mixer at Hearst. She was attacked by three masked men in the parking lot outside the dormitory almost immediately after leaving the party. Luckily, two students leaving the same party interrupted the attack. Ms Mars is comatose, and in a critical condition. Keith Mars, County Supervisor, has vowed to do everything in his power to find the men responsible and bring them to justice.”
Logan sat staring at the television long after the news changed to a story of a robbery in San Diego. His lungs felt like they were burning as he struggled to keep breathing. His throat felt sore and tight and his head pounded. He leaned forward, burying his face in the palms of his hands, trying to ignore the burning feeling behind his eyelids.
He began to throw his things haphazardly into a bag, before he opened his bedroom door and grabbed the first person walking past.
“Dave,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Get these people out of my house - all of them. Five minutes, I swear.”
Dave nodded and hurried off as Logan fumbled in his pocket for his car keys.
*
Veronica could hear the water gently lapping against the rocks as she sat on the edge of the cliff with her legs dangling over. The back of her calves brushed the sandy front. Her gaze leisurely scanned the horizon, taking in the aqua hues of the ocean and the shimmering violet cast by the setting sun.
The wind softly breezed past, lifting her hair momentarily and then settling it down. She reached up and absently pushed the golden strands back behind her ear.
She heard footsteps clacking on the stone path stretching behind her and glanced to her left to see a pair of pink five-inch Manolo Blahnik’s come to a halt. The girl clambered down beside her and smoothed down her matching dress. She looked like she’d been poured into it, the material accentuating every curve.
“Nice view,” the girl remarked. Veronica felt a sharp pang at the familiar voice. The sense of loss was acute, even now.
She turned and gave her a watery smile. “I miss you, Lilly.”
”Of course you do, I was fabulous! And I’d be pissed if you didn’t.”
Veronica sighed and Lilly leaned on her shoulder, her shiny hair tumbling across Veronica’s collarbone and tickling her. The spicy aroma of Lilly’s Dolly Girl perfume overpowered the sweet smell of the salty ocean. Veronica remembered the day they picked out the perfume, after Lilly read in Vogue that all girls need a signature scent. Lilly had been drawn to the pink bottle straight away, the mixture of apple, melon and cinnamon appealing to her. The blurb described it as mischievous, carefree and flirty and she’d laughed at the accuracy.
Veronica had taken her time, slowly trying out every bottle until finally finding the one she liked - Sui Dreams. Lilly proclaimed it perfect; pointing out it was described as part soft innocence and part rock-n-roll vixen. She’d nudged Veronica and winked, telling her to unleash the vixen sometime, and then whisked her off before she could change her mind.
“You don’t visit often, anymore,” Veronica said sadly.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Lilly promised.
“You’re too busy having fun in your afterlife?”
Lilly smirked. “Something like that.”
“Lil, did you give that psychic a message?” Veronica asked curiously.
Lilly looked up. “I wouldn’t be so tacky. Messages written in blood red lipstick on the mirror? More my scene.” She smiled. “I kinda liked that Jackie.”
“She reminded me of you, sometimes,” Veronica admitted. “I think that’s why I didn’t like her.” Lilly looked offended and Veronica rushed to add, “Because it hurt, you know? I always admired her, she seemed like she was happy to be herself. Then it turned out she was living the biggest lie of all. Ironic, huh?”
“Jeeze, melancholy much?”
Veronica rolled her eyes. “Life ain’t sunshine and roses.”
“It could be, if you wanted,” Lilly said. “But you aren’t that boring.”
Veronica smiled and pinched her, as Lilly laughed and battered her hand away. She lay back, perched on her elbows and let out a breath of air. “I’ll tell you what’s ironic.”
“What’s that?” Veronica asked.
“Aaron murders me, by splattering my brains everywhere.”
“Then someone splatters his brains across a TV,” Veronica finished with a laugh. “Fitting.”
***
Wallace grunted in his sleep as he leaned on the bed, his arms folded. Keith closed the door gently behind him and walked quietly over to the bed, thankful to leave the rank hospital smell of food, disinfectant and urine in the hallway behind him. The harsh overhead light cast an unforgiving glow on Veronica. Every bruise and scrape stood out and anger coursed through his veins, making his skin hum with the need to find whoever did this to his daughter and wrap his hands around their necks.
Keith glanced tenderly at Wallace, who’d been by her side every moment he could. While Veronica had been happy in years gone past, knowing lots of people within the 09ers, Keith realised the value of having a small number of close friends, who would stand by you for life.
The door clicked open and a nurse let herself in, not bothering to try and contain any noise. Wallace jerked awake and spotted Keith. A guilty expressed crossed his face. “I was just…”
“It’s okay,” Keith assured. “You must be exhausted.”
The nurse busied herself taking Veronica’s blood pressure and checking her vital signs.
“Any change?” Keith asked hopefully.
The nurse shook her head. “Still stable. Everything looks okay.”
“Then why isn’t she waking up?” Wallace asked.
“We can’t always tell why patients remain in a coma. Sometimes the body likes to heal before it lets itself regain consciousness and it isn’t uncommon for someone who has suffered head injuries or a traumatic experience to remain this way for a few days.”
“She’ll wake up,” Keith said firmly, before he realised he sounded more like he was trying to reassure himself, than Wallace.
Wallace stood up. “I’m going to get some food, want anything?”
Keith grimaced, his stomach feeling like it had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. “I’ll pass, thanks.”
***
“Do you want another drink, honey?” Natalie Mackenzie asked, hovering by the bed anxiously. Mac shook her head. Her mom had insisted she go home, rather than back to her dorm room like Mac wanted. She’d only been away for a few days, but already her bedroom felt foreign to her. It didn’t help that all her art posters had been taken down, leaving the walls looking bare. “Are you sure you feel okay?”
“Mom, I’m fine,” Mac repeated. “I feel completely normal, it isn’t a big deal.”
“My daughter was drugged,” Natalie said, pursing her lips. “Of course it’s a big deal.”
“Nothing happened, I was safe. It wasn’t even intended for me…” Mac assured.
“Well, perhaps your friend should be more careful about what she gives you in the future.”
“Mom! It wasn’t Veronica’s fault,” Mac snapped back. “Blame whoever did it, not her. She’s in a coma, for god’s sake.”
Natalie sighed, tucking the comforter in further around Mac. Mac squirmed uncomfortably. “Ryan has chosen some movies to watch with you.”
“What? Why? Make him stay away from me,” Mac said irritably.
“Cindy, he is just as worried about you as we are.”
“I’m going back to school tomorrow,” Mac informed her mom.
Natalie looked wounded for a second, her hands fluttering up to play with necklace, as she often did when she was worried or nervous. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked.
Mac nodded resolutely, pushing the comforter back down. “Absolutely.” Her mom headed back out the room was a disapproving expression on her face and Mac sighed. She leaned down and picked up her laptop from the floor. She clicked the button to connect to the college WAN system.
She hadn't had a chance to dig around Hearst's server and it wasn't long before she was behind the firewall and into student records. There were the standards - grades, medical needs, archives. However, when she tried to get into a generic temp file, she was denied access, even when the server thought she was the administrator. She quickly found her password decryptor and uploaded it, allowing it to run in the background while she continued to browse.
It wasn't long until she realized the program had been running an hour and she'd only broken through the first layer of encryption. She found a few of the already decrypted files and began going through them, thoroughly baffled at the code in front of her. She'd never seen anything like it in her life.
Just then, a system message popped up. She tutted and was just about to close it down automatically when she noticed what it said.
'Tredding on thin ice, Big Mac. Back up before you fall through the rabbit hole.'
She flinched, and slammed the laptop screen down.
*
The air felt crisp and Veronica shivered. She ran her hands up her arms, trying to smooth the goose pimples down. She squinted across the frozen water, picking out a young boy in the crowd skating. He turned with a flourish and began skating backwards with a finesse Veronica had never been able to manage. There was something very elegant about ice skating, people letting themselves go, their arms poised as they held themselves in perfect balance on a thin strip of metal. She rubbed at her freezing cold nose, knowing she probably resembled Rudolf.
“Gonna try it?” Wallace ask, making her jump as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere and leaned on the same metal bar she was currently propped up against.
“Probably not,” she replied. She tasted cinnamon and hot chocolate as she ran her tongue over her teeth.
“I didn’t think so.” His teeth gleamed white against his skin and the dull glow of the evening.
“You remember what I told you?” she asked softly. He looked at her blankly. “Oprah. Kittens.”
“You aren’t going to die, Veronica,” he replied sternly. The boy she’d been watching on the ice tried a double spin, and lost his footing. He came crashing to the ground, bringing another two people with him. Veronica winced.
“We all die sometime. Some sooner than others,” she pointed out.
“Not you,” Wallace replied, his voice full of certainty.
“Not you either,” she commanded. “Life would really suck without you.”
“What are we talking about?” Mac asked, suddenly joining them on her other side.
Veronica frowned, the conversation slipping out of her grasp. “I can’t remember.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Wallace prompted.
“Oh yes,” Veronica said. “Wallace, meet Mac - computer extraordinaire and vegan. She was swapped at birth you know.” Wallace raising his eyebrows, looking impressed. “And Mac, meet Wallace. Best basketball player Neptune has ever known and valiant meat eater. He found out the dude he thought was his dad in fact wasn’t, and the ex-junkie, ex-cop in fact was.”
Mac nodded. “Neptune is so fucked up.”
Veronica glanced down to see a revolver appear in her hand. It felt warm and sleek and as quick as it was there, it was gone. She looked up to meet Mac’s eyes, shining in sympathy.
“You should have killed him when you had the chance,” she said.
“Hey, isn’t that David Hasselhoff skating over there?” Wallace asked, nudging her.
Veronica’s nose wrinkled in distaste. The boy once again attempted a double spin, and succeeded. He landed with a triumphant grin.
*
Logan arrived at the hospital that evening and asked the person behind the desk for directions to Veronica’s room. At first, the receptionist didn’t want to tell him anything, as he wasn’t family, but it was amazing how a flash of green could make people suddenly talkative.
He reached the floor Veronica was on and grimaced when he realised the large police officer standing outside a room, was in fact his destination. He approached, trying to look confident. The officer noticed him and raised an eyebrow.
“You can’t go in there,” he warned.
Logan raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m a family friend, just want to visit.”
“No one can go in there, unless they have family say-so.”
“Oh, come on, Officer, who will know?” Logan asked, making sure to keep his tone light, trying to glance around the officer’s bulky frame into the room.
The officer side-stepped, directly blocking his view. “I’ll know. Please leave, before I have to escort you off the premises.”
“Look, I just want to see her,” Logan said angrily.
“I can’t let you do that,” the officer said firmly. Logan stepped forward and the officer put his hand on his baton in warning. Logan stiffened, his hand tightening into a fist.
“Hey,” a sharp voice called out, and Logan glanced over his shoulder to see Keith standing there with a coffee in his hand. “That’s enough.” The guard relaxed when Keith nodded at him, and he wandered further down the hallway to give them some privacy.
“How is she?” Logan asked quickly.
Keith looked worn down, with wrinkled clothing and a despairing look in his eyes. “She’s in a coma,” he said honestly. “The longer she stays that way, the worse things are.”
“Can I see her?” Logan asked desperately.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Keith said.
“Please,” Logan implored, his eyes looking suspiciously shiny. “Just a few minutes.”
Keith sighed. “Alright,” he agreed. “I’ll go and drink the coffee outside, I’ll be back soon.”
Logan nodded gratefully, hurrying in the room before Keith could change his mind. His breath sucked in when he saw her lying still on the bed. He walked slowly over to the bed, and reached out tentatively to run his fingertips across her hair. A colourful bruise covered her cheek, and a long cut ran across her forehead. Her bare arms were covered with dark bruises.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m so sorry for letting you get hurt again.”
His eyes stung, and he rubbed them, before he gently threaded his fingers through hers.
*
Veronica squinted ahead in the dimming sunlight. Lilly and Logan had already reached the car, and Duncan was trailing ridiculously far behind, having been left to drag the barbeque back that Lilly had thought would be a fabulous idea to take to the beach. Her legs throbbed; it felt like she hadn’t sat down all day. She’d been too busy swimming or playing volleyball with the others. The car was a welcome sight
Veronica put her foot on the asphalt and hissed as it burned the soles of her feet, pulling her foot back quickly. She dropped her bag on the sand and began to rummage around for her sandals. The bag, while full of towels, suntan lotion, Lilly’s change of bikini and some left over cans of Coke, was empty of the shoes in question. She sighed and looked up, and jumped when she realised Logan was standing right in front of her, staring at her questioningly.
“Leave something behind?” he asked.
“No, I was looking for something to put on my feet,” she explained. “I think they must be in Lilly’s bag. The ground is boiling.”
“Want a piggy back ride?” he asked, with a smirk.
“Seriously?” she asked, biting her lip. Logan wasn’t exactly the type the offer to do something just because. Unless it was for Lilly, of course.
“Well, yeah. You aren’t exactly heavy. I think a five year old could knock you over,” he teased. “And I do want to get home sometime this year…”
“Oh, ha ha,” Veronica replied, rolling her eyes.
Logan turned and lowered, so she could clamber onto his back. He hands grasped her ankles, holding her secure as he headed back towards the car.
“I bet you’ve never seen the world from such heights before,” he said sarcastically.
“I’m not that short!” Veronica laughed in exasperation.
*
Logan leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly across her hand. “I’m a fuckup,” he murmured. “I always have been. See, I was wrecking your life as well as mine, and that’s not fair. I had to go. I never wanted to leave you, I swear, I did it for you.”
He swallowed harshly, his throat aching under the painful pressure. He couldn’t stand to see her looking so vulnerable and small. Veronica was sassy, feisty - telling him off and bossing people around.
“I promise,” he said softly, “if you wake up - I’ll stay by your side. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I’ll change and I won’t screw up anymore. I’ll sort my life out, be the person you want me to be. Just please, wake up, Veronica.”
*
Logan’s intense gaze swam into focus. She was lying on top of him and her lips tasted of him. “I can't take that I hurt you like that. I can't take that I hurt you when all I want to do is protect you.”
She leaned forward, pressing her lips back against his. She pushed him back into the bed, deepening the kiss until his hands grasper her shoulders and pulled her away gently.
“I want you to trust me,” he said.
She smiled. “I do.”
*
Her mind was a million miles away as she walked across the beach, Backup tugging on the leash. She barely registered walking past a group of people, so intent on finding her car keys, until Logan’s voice harshly broke unto her thoughts.
“So, I guess we broke up, huh?”
Veronica glanced behind her and then tugged onto the leash, carrying on towards the car. “What do you want me to say, Logan?” she asked.
Logan’s steps quickened, easily beating hers as he said, "‘Logan, I'm gonna go home and put my head in the oven, because I can't go on living knowing what a heartless bitch I am.’ Something like that.” He stopped in front of her.
“So you’re saying you want me dead?” Veronica asked.
“Yes,” Logan said simply.
*
Logan held up his hand, his fingers spread as he whispered, “Five more minutes,” to an imaginary Keith. Veronica giggled as Logan sat back a little. “He should feel lucky. I mean, you could be out here with some pretty-boy jerk just looking to get laid.”
He moved back to kiss her again when she suddenly pulled away. “Wait. What are you saying, you’re not pretty?” she joked.
He smiled, shaking his head. “What I’m trying to say is I’m in love with you.” Veronica’s eyes sparkled, as a small smile settled on her lips.
*
“Please wake up, please,” Logan begged. “I can’t live without you anymore. God, I sound so melodramatic - but it’s true. I love you.”
“Logan?” Keith said from the doorway. “I think you should leave her now.”
Logan wiped his cheeks with the back of sleeve before he turned to look at Keith. “Give me another minute? I know you already gave me time, but please…”
Keith nodded, looking unhappy, before disappearing again without a word.
Logan bent forward and gently kissed the side of Veronica’s face, mindful of her bruises. “I swear I won’t let you down again,” he vowed.
He frowned, glancing down. He could have sworn that the fingers wrapped around his own just moved. He stared unblinkingly at her face. Nothing happened. He sighed, feeling a pang of familiar disappointment. He gently unthreaded her fingers from his, immediately aching for their warmth.
“I’ll come back and see you,” he promised.
Her breath hitched for a second and his heart began to pound. “Veronica?” he said softly. He looked over his shoulder, to see if there was a doctor in sight. The hallway was empty.
“Logan?” Veronica mumbled and his gaze shot back to her blue eyes blinking at him in confusion.
“Oh god, Veronica,” he replied, unable to help a smile.
“Wha- what’s going on?” she asked groggily.
“You’re okay,” he said, reaching out and stroking her hair. “You’re in the hospital.”
“I feel like I swallowed sawdust,” she croaked, her voice sounding raw.
“I’ll get you some water,” he said quickly. “I’ll be back in a second.”
He hurried out into the hallway and looked both ways, but it seemed like all the staff had suddenly disappeared. He decided to go the opposite way to which he had come. Finally he spotted a nurses station in relief and rushed up to the counter.
“Excuse me,” he called, getting the attention of the nurse busy reading a file in front of her. “Veronica Mars, she just woke up.”
“I’ll alert a doctor,” the nurse said, getting up and walking way. Logan spotted a jug of water and some plastic cups on a tray on the desk and grabbed them. He hurried back to the room when he heard voices.
Keith stood by the bed, next to an unknown guy who looked a little older than them, who was staring at Veronica. A doctor was standing over Veronica, listening to her heartbeat through her hospital gown.
“Hey, man,” Wallace said from behind him, beaming. “She woke up when she heard Toby. She just opened her eyes as soon as she heard his voice. After we tried all day…”
Logan nodded slowly, clutching the water, wondering who the hell Toby was. “Right,” was all said.
Toby smiled, before he lifted Veronica’s hand up and pressed a soft kiss into her palm. “Glad to be of service,” he said.
Keith glanced up at Logan, his expression dark; making it clear to Logan he knew exactly what had happened. Keith looked back at Veronica, who was fighting desperately to stay awake, and his face softened.
***
TBC...
Thank you SO much for all your fantastic feedback last time. It's what feeds me and keeps me going, and every one is treasured.
Author: fickledame
Rating: There may be character death, bad language, dark themes and possibly sex all somewhere down the line. This episode - R.
Characters: All main cast.
Word Count: Every episode will differ, but this one is 5784.
Summary: This is the first episode in a planned ten episode season three. It’s totally plotted out, and I planned to completely finish the whole thing before posting, but I’m afraid I can no longer resist.
Spoilers: You should have seen season’s one and two. There are no spoilers for season three at all. If I happen to get anything right when the episodes start airing, it’s entirely coincidental.
Thanks: Gah, who didn’t I rope into helping me with this? First of all, massive thanks go to skk670 who has helped me every step of the way with the plot and read over everything. Additional thanks go to veni_veni_veni, semby moire2, marylane23 and taken_with_you. If I’ve forgotten anyone, I’m very sorry! Just let me know.
A/N: Italics denote Veronica’s voiceovers and pink text are Veronica's dreams.
A/N 2: I tried and tried to wait until I'd finished the next episode before posting this, but I could wait no longer. So there might be quite a gap before the next. I'm sorry.
Episode One: Tabula Rasa
“Come on, it’s easy,” Lilly declared, jumping up and catching a lower branch. She swung for a second before nimbly clambering further up. She looked back down at Veronica, who watched nervously from the bottom of the tree. “Hurry up!” Lilly demanded harshly
Veronica glanced around, half expecting to see Celeste coming storming towards them, but no one appeared.
“Veronica,” Lilly hissed. “Do you want to get back inside before Celeste notices we left and throws a shit-fit, or what?”
Veronica sighed and yanked down the denim mini-skirt Lilly had insisted she wore, before following the same path Lilly had taken. Her best friend was struggling to open the window when she reached the top of the tree conveniently grown in the perfect spot for sneaking in and out of the house. Veronica perched uncomfortably on the branch behind her. The window suddenly shot open, surprising Lilly and making her tumble backwards into Veronica.
The next thing Veronica saw when she opened her eyes was Lilly crouched next to her with a worried expression on her face. Jake and Celeste Kane hovered nearby, Celeste looking annoyed and Jake nervous. Veronica’s arm throbbed with pain.
“It’s okay,” Lilly reassured quickly.
“But you’re going to get into trouble,” Veronica whispered, before groaning as the pain increased.
“Shh,” Lilly hushed. “The ambulance is on its way. And it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter at all.”
*
Wallace peered around the door and saw Mac sitting up in the hospital bed. She was alone, her eyes fixated on the television. He knocked gently and she looked up, smiling when she saw who it was. He entered the room.
“Hey. How you feeling?” he asked, dropping down in the chair next to her. Wallace looked weary and tired, and was still wearing the same shirt and pants - still streaked with Veronica’s blood - he had on from the night before.
Mac smiled wanly. “I’m fine, thanks. I felt sick when I woke up, and confused, but my mom explained what happened.” Her expression turned anxious. “How’s Veronica? I keep asking the nurses, but they won’t tell me anything - I’m not family.”
Wallace sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Not good. They announced she was stable this morning and they managed to contain the internal bleeding in surgery. She also has a fractured wrist and plenty of cuts and bruises. She hasn’t woken up yet.”
Mac looked distressed as she twisted the bed sheet around her hand. “Mom said the police are saying it was an attempted kidnap?”
“That’s the official story,” Wallace agreed.
“And the unofficial?” Mac prompted.
Wallace looked down at the floor. “There has been talk of it being the Hearst rapist, with the reported assaults still going on. The drugs fit, but no one’s been physically attacked yet.” He stood up. “I’m gonna head home. I wanna get out these clothes and then get back to Veronica, now I know you’re okay. Is your mom still here?”
“She just went home to get some stuff, she’ll be back soon,” Mac said.
Wallace nodded. “I’ll see you soon.” He turned just as Matt knocked on the door. “Hey, man,” he greeted as he passed.
“Mac,” Matt said with a shy smile, his eyes lighting up as he saw Mac.
“Hi!” Mac replied in surprise, suddenly feeling self conscious. She hadn’t brushed her hair and she was in a horrible over-sized hospital gown, while he looked fresh in Diesel jeans and a polo shirt. His blonde hair was neatly gelled and his hand was behind his back.
He moved his hand forward, producing a bunch of brightly coloured flowers. “Sorry to be so cliché,” he apologised.
“Not clichéd at all.” Mac couldn’t help but smile brightly as she said, “Take a seat?”
***
The blue and purple bruises stood out in harsh contrast to her pale skin. Keith reached over and brushed a strand of blonde hair away from the blood-mottled cut across her forehead, cringing as he did so.
“Any change?” Wallace asked quietly as he came through the door, having changed in fresh clothes.
Keith looked up and shook his head sadly. “Nothing.”
Wallace looked disappointed, before he held up a DVD. “I picked up the South Park movie when I was at home. Thought we could play it.”
“Thanks,” Keith murmured. “I’ll put it on later.”
Wallace pushed a chair by the wall over to the bed and sat down heavily. “Is Lamb in charge of the investigation?”
“Afraid so,” Keith said grimly.
“Can you not use your influence to, I don’t know, threaten him?” Wallace suggested. “Veronica would be impressed.”
Keith’s eyes dropped to his daughter between them, then back up to her best friend. “She would,” he agreed.
“Sir?” a female voice said from the doorway. “Sorry to interrupt, but we are ready for you to make the statement to the press now.”
“Thanks, Judy,” Keith said, walking to the door, before he asked, “Stay with her?”
“Of course,” Wallace replied as Keith left.
The only sounds in the room after the door clicked shut were the quiet beeping from the heart monitor and an annoying persistent cough from down the hallway. Wallace reached out and placed his hand on Veronica’s smaller one.
“Wake up,” Wallace murmured. “Please Veronica, come back to us.”
His fingers wrapped around hers. “Who’s gonna eat lunch with me? Who’s going to keep me awake when I’ve got a project due the next day and I’m pulling an overnight? Who’ll make me watch the Southpark movie for the three-thousandth time?” His voice broke as he whispered, “Who’s going to be my best friend?”
The darkness in Veronica’s mind shifted into images of a sunny Californian day.
*
It wasn’t until she began to push through the crowd of people Veronica realised what everyone was staring at. She didn’t recognise the boy taped to the flagpole and he looked about her age, so she was sure he was new. Veronica glared in disgust at a guy who pulled out his camera and took a picture. Acute humiliation flittered across the poor bound boy’s face as he squeezed his eyes shut for a second, trying to remain composed in front of his tormentors.
“Move,” Veronica demanded to the guy with a camera.
“Who died and made you quee-?” the jerk began, until Veronica pulled out a knife.
“You are a freak.” He disappeared back into the crowd as Veronica began to slice through the tape holding the boy up.
*
All in all, it was a pretty crappy day. Meg had died, Duncan hadn’t bothered to phone, she was back on the shit-list of the 09ers and she was spending New Year sitting on the couch alone.
There was a knock at the door and her stomach rumbled. Maybe she could talk the pizza guy into staying with her until twelve… he was probably lonely as well.
She grabbed the money as she walked over to the door and opened it. Her jaw dropped open in shock as her eyes filled with tears.
Wallace smiled as he exclaimed, “Happy New Year!” She stood looking at him for a second before she moved forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him as he laughed.
*
The test was going to start in only a few minutes, and if Wallace left now, she could read to the end of the chapter.
“You better enjoy this, 'cause this is as nostalgic as I get,” Wallace said, and she looked up, finally giving him her undivided attention. “I just wanted to say...it was worth getting taped to a pole.” Veronica’s expression softened, her heart melting at his words. “Gonna miss you.”
Veronica waited a second before she joked, “And my stupid ass face?” covering the fact that she was on the verge of tears. They both broke into laughter.
*
“Sir, while you’re here,” Beverly called out, hurrying after Keith into his office as Keith stormed through, “can you just sign these, so I can get them sent out?”
“What are they?” Keith asked, taking the small pile of papers from her.
“Housing applications,” Beverly replied. “I’d get the Head of Housing to do it, but he’s on holiday, not due back for a week.”
“Christopher Harris, he’s that film director.” He frowned. “Isn’t he new in town? How is his application at the top of the pile already?”
Beverly flushed. “Oh, well, you know.”
Keith’s eyes narrowed. “No, I don’t know.”
“Well, sir, when someone makes a donation of some kind, it’s common practise to let a few things slide. They put money back into the town…” Beverly tried to explain.
“Does this happen across the board?” Keith interrupted, in a low tone. “Make a donation, get what you want?”
“I… guess,” Beverly said hesitantly.
“That is not how things are going to work anymore,” Keith said. “Call a meeting. I’m going to fire all the heads of departments.”
“What?” Beverly asked in shock. “But…”
“Do it,” Keith demanded. “Things have been run the wrong way for too long. They’re top paid workers, they’ll get jobs elsewhere. Advertise all the positions.”
“Mr Mars, the press are outside, waiting for you,” someone said from the doorway. Keith nodded at Beverly, before following to make his statement.
***
The smell in the room was overpowering as stale sweat and alcohol mixed together. Logan fought back a groan as a pretty blonde girl sat down next to him with a glass of neat vodka in her hand and put her hand on his knee. His head was pounding with a hangover from the night before and he felt like he was going to throw up.
“Hey, Logan,” the girl said, in her best sultry voice. She looked like she’d been poured into the red dress she was wearing. His body stiffened as her hand slid further up his thigh, and he tried to move further over on the sofa. "Quite a party. I'd heard the rumours, but they were nothing compared to the real thing. I'm sure a lot of things I hear about you aren't as good as the real thing..." Her hand slid suggestively to the inside of his thigh.
He pushed away her hand in annoyance. "No, they aren't - but I'm sure that everything I've heard about you is true. Fred Durst said that doing you was like spelunking. Who knew that that was even possible? I mean, if I actually stuck it in, I wouldn't get off - and, well, that's just pointless. So, why don't you run along so I can have a more satisfying experience jerking off?"
She yanked her hand back, looking disgusted. “You know, broken-hearted emo boys are so last summer.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bill. “And coke whores were never in style. Here's five bucks, pick up a Cosmo and learn a thing or two,” he snapped, throwing the money in her direction as she stomped off the best she could in high heels.
Logan got up and stepped over a guy passed out on the floor, white powder spilt near where his hand lay. He reached the sanctuary of his bedroom and sighed in relief, until he heard a low moan. He squinted in the darkness and saw a couple writhing on his bed.
“Get out,” he yelled. They looked up and saw his face contorted in rage. They jumped out of the bed and he threw the clothes he gathered from the floor at them. He noticed a shoe that didn’t belong to him and lobbed it at the door as it slammed shut behind them. It bounced off, sending the alarm clock on the bedside cabinet flying.
“Is nothing sacred anymore?” he mumbled sarcastically to himself. Logan pulled the top cover away and threw it in the corner, before he sat down on the large bed. He grabbed the remote control, hit the power button and began to channel surf. He had flicked past the news channel when he realised that the ticker across the bottom had said Neptune, so he quickly switched back. He craved some kind of contact from his hometown. He had debated about subscribing to the local newspaper, but decided that being cut off completely was the way to make a clean break. That didn’t mean he wasn’t interested when something was held right in front of his face.
A news anchor stood outside the mayor’s office, with a serious expression on her face as she said, “A massive search has started today after an assault and attempted kidnapping at Hearst College in Neptune, California, last night. In a statement released a few minutes ago, the local Sheriff said that Veronica Mars, the daughter of the recently elected County Supervisor was at a freshman mixer at Hearst. She was attacked by three masked men in the parking lot outside the dormitory almost immediately after leaving the party. Luckily, two students leaving the same party interrupted the attack. Ms Mars is comatose, and in a critical condition. Keith Mars, County Supervisor, has vowed to do everything in his power to find the men responsible and bring them to justice.”
Logan sat staring at the television long after the news changed to a story of a robbery in San Diego. His lungs felt like they were burning as he struggled to keep breathing. His throat felt sore and tight and his head pounded. He leaned forward, burying his face in the palms of his hands, trying to ignore the burning feeling behind his eyelids.
He began to throw his things haphazardly into a bag, before he opened his bedroom door and grabbed the first person walking past.
“Dave,” he said, his voice low and serious. “Get these people out of my house - all of them. Five minutes, I swear.”
Dave nodded and hurried off as Logan fumbled in his pocket for his car keys.
*
Veronica could hear the water gently lapping against the rocks as she sat on the edge of the cliff with her legs dangling over. The back of her calves brushed the sandy front. Her gaze leisurely scanned the horizon, taking in the aqua hues of the ocean and the shimmering violet cast by the setting sun.
The wind softly breezed past, lifting her hair momentarily and then settling it down. She reached up and absently pushed the golden strands back behind her ear.
She heard footsteps clacking on the stone path stretching behind her and glanced to her left to see a pair of pink five-inch Manolo Blahnik’s come to a halt. The girl clambered down beside her and smoothed down her matching dress. She looked like she’d been poured into it, the material accentuating every curve.
“Nice view,” the girl remarked. Veronica felt a sharp pang at the familiar voice. The sense of loss was acute, even now.
She turned and gave her a watery smile. “I miss you, Lilly.”
”Of course you do, I was fabulous! And I’d be pissed if you didn’t.”
Veronica sighed and Lilly leaned on her shoulder, her shiny hair tumbling across Veronica’s collarbone and tickling her. The spicy aroma of Lilly’s Dolly Girl perfume overpowered the sweet smell of the salty ocean. Veronica remembered the day they picked out the perfume, after Lilly read in Vogue that all girls need a signature scent. Lilly had been drawn to the pink bottle straight away, the mixture of apple, melon and cinnamon appealing to her. The blurb described it as mischievous, carefree and flirty and she’d laughed at the accuracy.
Veronica had taken her time, slowly trying out every bottle until finally finding the one she liked - Sui Dreams. Lilly proclaimed it perfect; pointing out it was described as part soft innocence and part rock-n-roll vixen. She’d nudged Veronica and winked, telling her to unleash the vixen sometime, and then whisked her off before she could change her mind.
“You don’t visit often, anymore,” Veronica said sadly.
“It’s not that I don’t want to,” Lilly promised.
“You’re too busy having fun in your afterlife?”
Lilly smirked. “Something like that.”
“Lil, did you give that psychic a message?” Veronica asked curiously.
Lilly looked up. “I wouldn’t be so tacky. Messages written in blood red lipstick on the mirror? More my scene.” She smiled. “I kinda liked that Jackie.”
“She reminded me of you, sometimes,” Veronica admitted. “I think that’s why I didn’t like her.” Lilly looked offended and Veronica rushed to add, “Because it hurt, you know? I always admired her, she seemed like she was happy to be herself. Then it turned out she was living the biggest lie of all. Ironic, huh?”
“Jeeze, melancholy much?”
Veronica rolled her eyes. “Life ain’t sunshine and roses.”
“It could be, if you wanted,” Lilly said. “But you aren’t that boring.”
Veronica smiled and pinched her, as Lilly laughed and battered her hand away. She lay back, perched on her elbows and let out a breath of air. “I’ll tell you what’s ironic.”
“What’s that?” Veronica asked.
“Aaron murders me, by splattering my brains everywhere.”
“Then someone splatters his brains across a TV,” Veronica finished with a laugh. “Fitting.”
***
Wallace grunted in his sleep as he leaned on the bed, his arms folded. Keith closed the door gently behind him and walked quietly over to the bed, thankful to leave the rank hospital smell of food, disinfectant and urine in the hallway behind him. The harsh overhead light cast an unforgiving glow on Veronica. Every bruise and scrape stood out and anger coursed through his veins, making his skin hum with the need to find whoever did this to his daughter and wrap his hands around their necks.
Keith glanced tenderly at Wallace, who’d been by her side every moment he could. While Veronica had been happy in years gone past, knowing lots of people within the 09ers, Keith realised the value of having a small number of close friends, who would stand by you for life.
The door clicked open and a nurse let herself in, not bothering to try and contain any noise. Wallace jerked awake and spotted Keith. A guilty expressed crossed his face. “I was just…”
“It’s okay,” Keith assured. “You must be exhausted.”
The nurse busied herself taking Veronica’s blood pressure and checking her vital signs.
“Any change?” Keith asked hopefully.
The nurse shook her head. “Still stable. Everything looks okay.”
“Then why isn’t she waking up?” Wallace asked.
“We can’t always tell why patients remain in a coma. Sometimes the body likes to heal before it lets itself regain consciousness and it isn’t uncommon for someone who has suffered head injuries or a traumatic experience to remain this way for a few days.”
“She’ll wake up,” Keith said firmly, before he realised he sounded more like he was trying to reassure himself, than Wallace.
Wallace stood up. “I’m going to get some food, want anything?”
Keith grimaced, his stomach feeling like it had gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. “I’ll pass, thanks.”
***
“Do you want another drink, honey?” Natalie Mackenzie asked, hovering by the bed anxiously. Mac shook her head. Her mom had insisted she go home, rather than back to her dorm room like Mac wanted. She’d only been away for a few days, but already her bedroom felt foreign to her. It didn’t help that all her art posters had been taken down, leaving the walls looking bare. “Are you sure you feel okay?”
“Mom, I’m fine,” Mac repeated. “I feel completely normal, it isn’t a big deal.”
“My daughter was drugged,” Natalie said, pursing her lips. “Of course it’s a big deal.”
“Nothing happened, I was safe. It wasn’t even intended for me…” Mac assured.
“Well, perhaps your friend should be more careful about what she gives you in the future.”
“Mom! It wasn’t Veronica’s fault,” Mac snapped back. “Blame whoever did it, not her. She’s in a coma, for god’s sake.”
Natalie sighed, tucking the comforter in further around Mac. Mac squirmed uncomfortably. “Ryan has chosen some movies to watch with you.”
“What? Why? Make him stay away from me,” Mac said irritably.
“Cindy, he is just as worried about you as we are.”
“I’m going back to school tomorrow,” Mac informed her mom.
Natalie looked wounded for a second, her hands fluttering up to play with necklace, as she often did when she was worried or nervous. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she asked.
Mac nodded resolutely, pushing the comforter back down. “Absolutely.” Her mom headed back out the room was a disapproving expression on her face and Mac sighed. She leaned down and picked up her laptop from the floor. She clicked the button to connect to the college WAN system.
She hadn't had a chance to dig around Hearst's server and it wasn't long before she was behind the firewall and into student records. There were the standards - grades, medical needs, archives. However, when she tried to get into a generic temp file, she was denied access, even when the server thought she was the administrator. She quickly found her password decryptor and uploaded it, allowing it to run in the background while she continued to browse.
It wasn't long until she realized the program had been running an hour and she'd only broken through the first layer of encryption. She found a few of the already decrypted files and began going through them, thoroughly baffled at the code in front of her. She'd never seen anything like it in her life.
Just then, a system message popped up. She tutted and was just about to close it down automatically when she noticed what it said.
'Tredding on thin ice, Big Mac. Back up before you fall through the rabbit hole.'
She flinched, and slammed the laptop screen down.
*
The air felt crisp and Veronica shivered. She ran her hands up her arms, trying to smooth the goose pimples down. She squinted across the frozen water, picking out a young boy in the crowd skating. He turned with a flourish and began skating backwards with a finesse Veronica had never been able to manage. There was something very elegant about ice skating, people letting themselves go, their arms poised as they held themselves in perfect balance on a thin strip of metal. She rubbed at her freezing cold nose, knowing she probably resembled Rudolf.
“Gonna try it?” Wallace ask, making her jump as he appeared seemingly out of nowhere and leaned on the same metal bar she was currently propped up against.
“Probably not,” she replied. She tasted cinnamon and hot chocolate as she ran her tongue over her teeth.
“I didn’t think so.” His teeth gleamed white against his skin and the dull glow of the evening.
“You remember what I told you?” she asked softly. He looked at her blankly. “Oprah. Kittens.”
“You aren’t going to die, Veronica,” he replied sternly. The boy she’d been watching on the ice tried a double spin, and lost his footing. He came crashing to the ground, bringing another two people with him. Veronica winced.
“We all die sometime. Some sooner than others,” she pointed out.
“Not you,” Wallace replied, his voice full of certainty.
“Not you either,” she commanded. “Life would really suck without you.”
“What are we talking about?” Mac asked, suddenly joining them on her other side.
Veronica frowned, the conversation slipping out of her grasp. “I can’t remember.”
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Wallace prompted.
“Oh yes,” Veronica said. “Wallace, meet Mac - computer extraordinaire and vegan. She was swapped at birth you know.” Wallace raising his eyebrows, looking impressed. “And Mac, meet Wallace. Best basketball player Neptune has ever known and valiant meat eater. He found out the dude he thought was his dad in fact wasn’t, and the ex-junkie, ex-cop in fact was.”
Mac nodded. “Neptune is so fucked up.”
Veronica glanced down to see a revolver appear in her hand. It felt warm and sleek and as quick as it was there, it was gone. She looked up to meet Mac’s eyes, shining in sympathy.
“You should have killed him when you had the chance,” she said.
“Hey, isn’t that David Hasselhoff skating over there?” Wallace asked, nudging her.
Veronica’s nose wrinkled in distaste. The boy once again attempted a double spin, and succeeded. He landed with a triumphant grin.
*
Logan arrived at the hospital that evening and asked the person behind the desk for directions to Veronica’s room. At first, the receptionist didn’t want to tell him anything, as he wasn’t family, but it was amazing how a flash of green could make people suddenly talkative.
He reached the floor Veronica was on and grimaced when he realised the large police officer standing outside a room, was in fact his destination. He approached, trying to look confident. The officer noticed him and raised an eyebrow.
“You can’t go in there,” he warned.
Logan raised his hands in mock surrender. “I’m a family friend, just want to visit.”
“No one can go in there, unless they have family say-so.”
“Oh, come on, Officer, who will know?” Logan asked, making sure to keep his tone light, trying to glance around the officer’s bulky frame into the room.
The officer side-stepped, directly blocking his view. “I’ll know. Please leave, before I have to escort you off the premises.”
“Look, I just want to see her,” Logan said angrily.
“I can’t let you do that,” the officer said firmly. Logan stepped forward and the officer put his hand on his baton in warning. Logan stiffened, his hand tightening into a fist.
“Hey,” a sharp voice called out, and Logan glanced over his shoulder to see Keith standing there with a coffee in his hand. “That’s enough.” The guard relaxed when Keith nodded at him, and he wandered further down the hallway to give them some privacy.
“How is she?” Logan asked quickly.
Keith looked worn down, with wrinkled clothing and a despairing look in his eyes. “She’s in a coma,” he said honestly. “The longer she stays that way, the worse things are.”
“Can I see her?” Logan asked desperately.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Keith said.
“Please,” Logan implored, his eyes looking suspiciously shiny. “Just a few minutes.”
Keith sighed. “Alright,” he agreed. “I’ll go and drink the coffee outside, I’ll be back soon.”
Logan nodded gratefully, hurrying in the room before Keith could change his mind. His breath sucked in when he saw her lying still on the bed. He walked slowly over to the bed, and reached out tentatively to run his fingertips across her hair. A colourful bruise covered her cheek, and a long cut ran across her forehead. Her bare arms were covered with dark bruises.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “I’m so sorry for letting you get hurt again.”
His eyes stung, and he rubbed them, before he gently threaded his fingers through hers.
*
Veronica squinted ahead in the dimming sunlight. Lilly and Logan had already reached the car, and Duncan was trailing ridiculously far behind, having been left to drag the barbeque back that Lilly had thought would be a fabulous idea to take to the beach. Her legs throbbed; it felt like she hadn’t sat down all day. She’d been too busy swimming or playing volleyball with the others. The car was a welcome sight
Veronica put her foot on the asphalt and hissed as it burned the soles of her feet, pulling her foot back quickly. She dropped her bag on the sand and began to rummage around for her sandals. The bag, while full of towels, suntan lotion, Lilly’s change of bikini and some left over cans of Coke, was empty of the shoes in question. She sighed and looked up, and jumped when she realised Logan was standing right in front of her, staring at her questioningly.
“Leave something behind?” he asked.
“No, I was looking for something to put on my feet,” she explained. “I think they must be in Lilly’s bag. The ground is boiling.”
“Want a piggy back ride?” he asked, with a smirk.
“Seriously?” she asked, biting her lip. Logan wasn’t exactly the type the offer to do something just because. Unless it was for Lilly, of course.
“Well, yeah. You aren’t exactly heavy. I think a five year old could knock you over,” he teased. “And I do want to get home sometime this year…”
“Oh, ha ha,” Veronica replied, rolling her eyes.
Logan turned and lowered, so she could clamber onto his back. He hands grasped her ankles, holding her secure as he headed back towards the car.
“I bet you’ve never seen the world from such heights before,” he said sarcastically.
“I’m not that short!” Veronica laughed in exasperation.
*
Logan leaned forward and brushed his lips lightly across her hand. “I’m a fuckup,” he murmured. “I always have been. See, I was wrecking your life as well as mine, and that’s not fair. I had to go. I never wanted to leave you, I swear, I did it for you.”
He swallowed harshly, his throat aching under the painful pressure. He couldn’t stand to see her looking so vulnerable and small. Veronica was sassy, feisty - telling him off and bossing people around.
“I promise,” he said softly, “if you wake up - I’ll stay by your side. I won’t let anyone hurt you again. I’ll change and I won’t screw up anymore. I’ll sort my life out, be the person you want me to be. Just please, wake up, Veronica.”
*
Logan’s intense gaze swam into focus. She was lying on top of him and her lips tasted of him. “I can't take that I hurt you like that. I can't take that I hurt you when all I want to do is protect you.”
She leaned forward, pressing her lips back against his. She pushed him back into the bed, deepening the kiss until his hands grasper her shoulders and pulled her away gently.
“I want you to trust me,” he said.
She smiled. “I do.”
*
Her mind was a million miles away as she walked across the beach, Backup tugging on the leash. She barely registered walking past a group of people, so intent on finding her car keys, until Logan’s voice harshly broke unto her thoughts.
“So, I guess we broke up, huh?”
Veronica glanced behind her and then tugged onto the leash, carrying on towards the car. “What do you want me to say, Logan?” she asked.
Logan’s steps quickened, easily beating hers as he said, "‘Logan, I'm gonna go home and put my head in the oven, because I can't go on living knowing what a heartless bitch I am.’ Something like that.” He stopped in front of her.
“So you’re saying you want me dead?” Veronica asked.
“Yes,” Logan said simply.
*
Logan held up his hand, his fingers spread as he whispered, “Five more minutes,” to an imaginary Keith. Veronica giggled as Logan sat back a little. “He should feel lucky. I mean, you could be out here with some pretty-boy jerk just looking to get laid.”
He moved back to kiss her again when she suddenly pulled away. “Wait. What are you saying, you’re not pretty?” she joked.
He smiled, shaking his head. “What I’m trying to say is I’m in love with you.” Veronica’s eyes sparkled, as a small smile settled on her lips.
*
“Please wake up, please,” Logan begged. “I can’t live without you anymore. God, I sound so melodramatic - but it’s true. I love you.”
“Logan?” Keith said from the doorway. “I think you should leave her now.”
Logan wiped his cheeks with the back of sleeve before he turned to look at Keith. “Give me another minute? I know you already gave me time, but please…”
Keith nodded, looking unhappy, before disappearing again without a word.
Logan bent forward and gently kissed the side of Veronica’s face, mindful of her bruises. “I swear I won’t let you down again,” he vowed.
He frowned, glancing down. He could have sworn that the fingers wrapped around his own just moved. He stared unblinkingly at her face. Nothing happened. He sighed, feeling a pang of familiar disappointment. He gently unthreaded her fingers from his, immediately aching for their warmth.
“I’ll come back and see you,” he promised.
Her breath hitched for a second and his heart began to pound. “Veronica?” he said softly. He looked over his shoulder, to see if there was a doctor in sight. The hallway was empty.
“Logan?” Veronica mumbled and his gaze shot back to her blue eyes blinking at him in confusion.
“Oh god, Veronica,” he replied, unable to help a smile.
“Wha- what’s going on?” she asked groggily.
“You’re okay,” he said, reaching out and stroking her hair. “You’re in the hospital.”
“I feel like I swallowed sawdust,” she croaked, her voice sounding raw.
“I’ll get you some water,” he said quickly. “I’ll be back in a second.”
He hurried out into the hallway and looked both ways, but it seemed like all the staff had suddenly disappeared. He decided to go the opposite way to which he had come. Finally he spotted a nurses station in relief and rushed up to the counter.
“Excuse me,” he called, getting the attention of the nurse busy reading a file in front of her. “Veronica Mars, she just woke up.”
“I’ll alert a doctor,” the nurse said, getting up and walking way. Logan spotted a jug of water and some plastic cups on a tray on the desk and grabbed them. He hurried back to the room when he heard voices.
Keith stood by the bed, next to an unknown guy who looked a little older than them, who was staring at Veronica. A doctor was standing over Veronica, listening to her heartbeat through her hospital gown.
“Hey, man,” Wallace said from behind him, beaming. “She woke up when she heard Toby. She just opened her eyes as soon as she heard his voice. After we tried all day…”
Logan nodded slowly, clutching the water, wondering who the hell Toby was. “Right,” was all said.
Toby smiled, before he lifted Veronica’s hand up and pressed a soft kiss into her palm. “Glad to be of service,” he said.
Keith glanced up at Logan, his expression dark; making it clear to Logan he knew exactly what had happened. Keith looked back at Veronica, who was fighting desperately to stay awake, and his face softened.
***
TBC...
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