Fic: The Sweet Life, L/V, WIP, 2/?
Title: The Sweet Life, WIP 2/?
Author:gertinator
Pairing/Character: Logan/Veronica, ensemble
Word Count: 4504
Rating: PG 13 with a little heavier swearing than TV
Summary: The au of Veronica's graduation dream... Lilly is alive. How did Veronica end up with Logan?
Spoilers/Warnings: I played fast and loose with canon (Seasons 1 & 2) and used some things but changed the context. I am god!!!! Or um, not. Yeah, really, that's Rob Thomas and the gang. *sighs* But a girl can dream.
A/N: This is for jen_knee_suu. Happy Birthday, dear! Also I'd like to thank my dearest synful_trixx for reading bits and pieces and helping me stitch them together into a story. Oh, and for giving it a name. *smoochies*
Part 1
Part 2
"Like, ohmigod! You will not believe what I just saw! Logan Echolls was up on the diving board, stripping! He is so drunk! He said he felt like skinny dipping, but first he was giving a show..." The high pitched giggle of the perky freshman was probably causing dogs all over the neighborhood to howl.
"Really?" giggled her friend. "Like, he was totally naked? I so want to see that! Come on!" She grabbed Giggle Girl #1's arm and dragged her back towards the pool.
"Oh, shit, Meg." Veronica turned to her friend, probably the only person at the bacchanal who hadn't imbibed twice their weight in liquor that evening.
"He must have seen Lilly making out with Weevil," Meg answered with a wince. Lilly had put on quite a show that evening, getting picked up by the head of the local biker gang and making it very clear to all that he was her new boy toy. She had been seeing Weevil for months, but she had never displayed her affection so... publicly before.
"Are you kidding? The whole world saw Lilly with her hands in Weevil's pants. That was her point," grumbled Veronica. She loved her friend, but she didn't always understand her. "Let's go find Logan before his naked ass is all over the internet."
It wasn't hard to find Logan. He was making a very public spectacle of himself pool side, yelling something about a "two for one special" and swinging his pants over his head like a lasso. The crowd cheered as he did an obscene dance. The rest of his clothes seemed to be floating in the pool. Veronica sighed.
"Up for some crowd control?" Veronica asked Meg. Meg's eyes widened in apprehension but she nodded.
Veronica began to push her way through the crowd yelling, "Okay, folks. Show's over," in her best imitation sheriff's voice. Meg followed behind, trying to imitate her.
When Veronica got to the diving board she tried very hard not to look at the six feet of very naked Loganness right in front of her. Considering the body parts that were right at eye level, it was both hideously embarrassing and irresistibly exciting. She could feel the heat of a deep red blush soak her skin to the roots of her hair.
"Logan, put your pants on," Veronica commanded. She noticed Meg was gawking with her mouth hanging open, and she poked her friend, hissing,"Crowd control!"
Meg shook her head, now a matching shade of pink, and began to herd people away from the pool. There was a chorus of groans, but most people filed out to refill their drinks and wait for the next big spectacle. 09er parties were always a carnival of outrageous stunts.
Veronica peeked to see if Logan had obeyed her. He had not. Instead, he was bent over, peering down at her. "You sound like my mother," he slurred. "But you're much too short and blonde."
"Logan, for god's sake." Veronica shook her head. "Pants. Please. Now." Naked Logan was a very disturbing sight, and Veronica did not like the funny feelings she was getting. Hot twitchy feelings, that seemed to go straight to her groin. Especially since he seemed to also find their conversation... arousing. God, she wished she hadn't noticed that.
"What? These old things?" Logan dangled his jeans over the water and Veronica snatched them away. The rest of his clothes were at the bottom of the pool now. She wasn't about to risk him losing his pants, too.
"Ahhh. See? You really want me nekkid after all. I knew you couldn't resist the Echolls charm." Logan leered down at her and almost tipped off the diving board. Veronica imaged him smashing his head, and having to explain the naked boy with the concussion to her father. Or worse yet, she could try to catch all that naked boy... naked Logan. The thought made her face burn like fire. Oh God.
She looked him directly in the eye and said with as much force as she could muster, "Get. Down. Here. And. Put. Your. Pants. On." She held up the pants for emphasis. "NOW."
"Whasa matter, Ronnie? Not enjoying the show?" leered Logan, but he was clearly deflating and he followed orders, climbing down off the diving board and reaching a hand out for his jeans. "I had to do something to compete with that scorcher Lilly put on earlier," he added with a little whine.
He zipped the jeans carefully since his boxers were currently being sucked into the pool vent and thus not available to provide protection. He left the top button undone. As soon as his pants were on, the remaining crowd dispersed, disappointed that Veronica had ruined the fun.
Logan sat down heavily on the diving board and began rummaging underneath it. A moment later, his efforts were rewarded and he triumphantly held a half full liquor bottle, which he waved in the air to emphasize his point before taking a big swig.
"Thought she was gonna fuck Weevil right there on Madison's dining room table," he said, closing his eyes in pain, as if to block out the sight, or maybe to torture himself with it again.
Veronica reached out a hand to his bare shoulder. His skin was warm and soft, with a slick sheen of sweat, and the touch woke up a whole flock of butterflies in her stomach. She pulled away quickly and met his gaze instead.
"Do you really need to compete with her, Logan?" she asked gently. "Like this?"
He hung his head and then mumbled, "I'm a jackass, aren't I?"
"Yes, definitely," answered Veronica with a hint of humor. "But a very charming one. Now let me take you home." She peered into the pool. "Should I try to find something to fish your clothes out with?"
"Nah. Leave 'em. I've got too many clothes as it is." He was serious for a moment, sizing Veronica up. "Why are you doing this, Veronica? You don't have to."
"Guess I feel like I owe you one," she said shrugging. Logan seemed to accept that answer. He stumbled to his feet just as Meg returned.
"Hey, Meg. I'm gonna take Logan home. You want to follow in the Tweetie Bird Express?" Veronica loved to take every opportunity to bash the Xterra. Logan did the same about the LeBaron. It was a game they played.
"No, No." Logan held up his hand. "I don't wanna ruin the night for both of you. I'll get my car tomorrow." Veronica and Meg exchanged knowing glances.
"He doesn't trust me with his baby," teased Meg. Logan looked away but didn't deny it.
Veronica shook her head in amusement. "Whatever. You should stay and have fun, Meg. I've got Dirk Diggler here."
"Lilly been screening our home movies for you?" Logan smirked sideways at her, then slowly lost his cheer as he remembered what had inspired his strip tease.
Veronica sensed the change in him and didn't want an emotional scene pool side. As drunk as he was, she had no idea what he'd do next. "Come on, porn star. Let's get you home." She tugged on his arm until he reluctantly followed, throwing his arm around her for support.
*********
Veronica pulled through the Echolls gates and stopped up front, but Logan didn't seem ready to get out yet. He sat, silent, staring straight ahead, and for some reason, she shut off the car.
"Do you think Lilly loves Weevil?" he asked after a while, a small hitch in his voice.
"I'm not - I'm not really sure. She doesn't talk about him really. Not like she did about you." Veronica put her hand on his shoulder, this time more prepared for the sensation of his hot skin under hers. It still felt vaguely risque, but Logan was so drunk, she wasn't sure he would remember any of this in the morning. Anyway, it probably didn't mean anything to him.
Logan fisted a hand in his hair in his classic nervous gesture. "Sometimes I think she can't love anyone except herself."
"Logan." Veronica turned to face him straight on. "I know she loved you, Logan... it just didn't -"
Logan let out a bitter bark of laughter. "Just not like I loved her. Not in any way that could last."
"I'm so sorry, Logan." Veronica felt her heart break in sympathy. She knew what it was like to love a Kane and get your heart shredded in the process.
"S'okay," Logan said, a little of his slur coming back, though his voice was laced with bitterness now. He was no longer the jolly drunk. "We're in high school, right? It's not like I expected to be the love of her life." He shook his head, took a deep breath and met Veronica's gaze full on. His eyes were red and blood shot, but she wasn't sure anymore that it was the alcohol. He seemed way too sober.
"It's been months, Ronnie. It's not like I've been... you know, alone. Why does it still hurt so much?" The vulnerability in his eyes made Veronica want to wrap her arms around him and hold him like a child. But this was Logan Echolls and his half naked body reminded her that even if he wasn't a man quite yet, he was damn close. So she settled for taking his hand instead, holding it tightly in her own
"It'll get better someday," she said, trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince him. She still ached for Duncan, for the old days.
Logan looked out the window, out at the dark stars in the sky, contemplating the mystery of Lilly Kane. Finally, he turned back to Veronica. "You know," he said, not meeting her eyes. "Lilly used to say her parents worshipped Duncan and tolerated her. And if she couldn't please them, she was going to go out of her way to piss them off." He picked at the seam of his jeans for a moment, then caught her eye. "I'll bet Weevil's perfect for that."
Veronica wanted to protest, but she knew Lilly too well, and the sound died on her open lips. Logan looked heartbroken as he continued.
"But he'll find out. It gets old, getting used like that. There will always be a new bad boy she can shove in Celeste's face." His eyes seemed old beyond his years, and more lonely than Veronica had ever seen.
"Logan - " Veronica had no idea what to say. Logan had never talked about anything like this with her before. She had always assumed that he was just a male version of Lilly; suddenly, she knew she had had it all wrong.
"S'okay, Ronnie," he said, smiling weakly. He ran a finger down her cheek. "We both gave our hearts to the Kanes, only to realize they had no idea what to do with them. Maybe because they don't have the same sort of tender organs." He sighed. "Maybe they are better off." He shook his head and unbelted himself.
"We sure had some good times, though. The four of us." He smiled, genuinely this time, and it lit his eyes for just a brief second. "Don't be a stranger, Mars. And thanks for the ride."
*********
"So I hear you appointed yourself Logan's keeper..." Lilly's voice held an edge to it that Veronica had never heard directed at herself before. Jealousy? Or was she just mad that Veronica was being disobedient? Ruining Logan's shows of pining over the Great Lilly Kane?
Veronica decided the best response was silence. There was no point in trying to reason with Lilly.
"It's a full time job, Veronica Mars. Think carefully before you take it on..."
Veronica stewed quietly for a second. As if Lilly had ever been Logan's keeper. Lilly needed a keeper of her own, and Veronica and Duncan had played the part on numerous occasions. But there was no point in dwelling on it, it was the price one payed for the benefit of Lilly's capricious company. Veronica tried a different tactic instead. Redirection.
"I owed him one. No big deal." She said simply, then continued. "Are we still going shopping this afternoon? Because I totally need a new suit for your pool party next weekend. Everything I have is so last year!" She really didn't need a new suit, much less another too-revealing designer one picked out by Lilly, but it was the perfect distraction. It was the first pool party of the season, and Lilly planned to throw a rager.
"That depends, Veronica. Are you going to let me pick it out?" There was a wicked edge to Lilly's voice now, a teasing kind of impishness. Veronica imagined the kind of suit Lilly would pick and sighed. What the hell. She'd just make sure to get a new cover-up to go with it. It was worth it if it got Lilly off her case.
"You pick, but it has to be in my price range. No designer suits that I can't even get wet."
"I know just the place to go," Lilly squealed. "I'll pick you up in an hour! You are gonna look so hot, Veronica Mars. Duncan's eyes will roll back in his head."
Veronica sighed. Lilly hadn't quite forgotten, or she wouldn't have brought up Duncan. Apparently, helping Logan out carried a certain amount of penance.
*********
"Lilly, I can't believe you invited Logan." Veronica glanced over to where Lilly's ex sat, flirting with a couple of cheerleaders. Had Logan been working out? She didn't remember him looking so... tasty without a shirt.
Maybe it was that she could actually look at him without blushing this time, and the glimpses she had gotten at the last party made her want to know more. In the old days, she had only had eyes for Duncan. But Duncan had clearly moved on, whether she had or not, so there was no point in even thinking of him.
"He's the Donut's best friend, and some good eye candy besides. It's no big deal, there are no hard feelings between us." Lilly giggled and made a show of studying Logan for a moment. He was watching them, his gaze intent, even as he chatted up the other girls.
"Well, there may still be hardness on his side..." Lilly licked her lips and winked at Veronica. "I could so totally have that anytime I wanted." Lilly wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis.
"Lilly," Veronica said disapprovingly. "Logan is a person, not a that. Stop messing with his head." She loved Lilly, but Lilly and men? So disturbing sometimes. And even more so as they got older.
"Why Miss Veronica Mars!" Lilly's tone set Veronica's teeth on edge, and she wished she had just let Lilly's comments go. Veronica certainly hadn't helped Logan by defending him; she had just dug a hole for herself. "You have become awfully protective of a certain Echolls lately. Something you want to tell me?"
"Oh, please." Veronica tried to be nonchalant, and she hoped her blush didn't show. She searched around for some kind of diversion, that was the only way she would get out of this mess. As if she'd ever go for Logan. The punishment would never end. "So what's up with you and the biker? Is he coming over today?" The one sure way to distract Lilly Kane? Let her talk about her favorite subject - herself.
"Naw. He's been kinda clingy lately, so I'm backing off a little. And anyway pool parties aren't his thing. Says all the reflection off the white skin would make him blind." Lilly giggled and seemed to consider a minute. "The two of us alone and skinny dipping? Now that he appreciates, and so do I. Oh, Veronica, his skin is the most beautiful color, and the tats are so damn sexy. He has them, like, all over. I just wanna lick 'em."
Veronica was used to Lilly's over sharing, and she tried not to visualize Eli Navarro naked. It did sound like an impressive sight. She sighed. She had a hard time imagining herself with anyone but Duncan, but that didn't mean she couldn't look. And Eli was nice to look at.
"Anyway, I'm moving on to college guys these days..." Lilly continued. "There's a party at Hearst tonight. You should totally come with me. You should see some of the frat boys, such hotties! You'll forget I even have a brother."
So Lilly hadn't totally forgotten the Logan comment. She always brought up Veronica's own break-up when she needed a little knife for revenge. Unlike Lilly, Veronica just hadn't been inspired to move on. Though Duncan clearly had. He was talking up some redhead lounging on a raft. Veronica sighed.
Lilly was her BFF, but that didn't mean she had to be Veronica's only friend. It was time to start widening the social circle. Meg Manning was a really nice girl, maybe she'd want to hang out a little. Rumor had it her parents were some kind of strict Christians. Keith Mars would be thrilled at the change. It would hurt a little at first, but Lilly probably wouldn't even notice. And anyway, Lilly'd be off at college herself in another year so Veronica had to have a back-up BFF.
"Earth to Mars? Hello in there?" Lilly tapped Veronica's head. At least Veronica had spaced out staring at Duncan and not at Logan. That would ease some of the pain Lilly liked to inflict for failing to pay her full attention. Lilly seemed to enjoy the fact that Veronica was still pining for Duncan, even if she did encourage Veronica to find herself a new man.
"Veronica? Frat party tonight? What do you say?" Lilly was gushing with enthusiasm. It meant trouble, big time. No way was Veronica getting involved. She was barely off the last grounding, and hoping for a summer curfew extension. She wasn't going to let Lilly ruin the whole summer by getting her in trouble now.
"Sorry, Lilly. Not a chance. Dad has really locked down since the Shelley thing." Veronica shrugged. Everybody knew what Keith was like. It was a hard to argue.
"Come on! You can tell him you are staying here," Lilly leaned forward and whispered conspiratorily.
"Yeah, and then he'd put a squad car out front on surveillance and we'd both be caught." Veronica rolled her eyes. "Not gonna happen, sweets. It's the hazards of being the Sheriff's daughter. You'll just have to go after the prime college booty without me." Veronica was partially joking about the squad car, but not entirely. Keith Mars had been extremely protective of his little girl since Shelley's party, and he did not trust Lilly Kane at all. For good reason. And lately, Veroncia had not been able to predict his actions at all.
"Oh, Veronica. You need to bust out of the prison and let your true fabulousness shine through." Lilly suddenly leaned back and rolled her shoulders to show off her breasts to maximum capacity. She flipped her hair seductively and smiled.
Veronica didn't even have to look over her shoulder to know a guy had walked up. She lay back on the towel and tried not to wince at how much skin the bikini Lilly had picked was showing off. Lilly said it was hot - but it was also sort of embarrassing. Not that the guy would even look at Veronica.
"Hi, Lilly..." drawled an unfamiliar voice. Veronica tried to place the face, secretly studying him through her sunglasses. She thought he was a senior, maybe a basketball player? He was very tall. "Haven't seen you around in a while... Great party here." From the tone of his voice, it wasn't "seeing" Lilly that he was interested in.
Veronica closed her eyes. Did it count as a seduction if the lead up was less than a minute? Sure enough, Lilly didn't bother to be subtle.
"Hey, Jim. You haven't ever been to my house before, have you? Do you want a tour?" Her flirtatious tone promised special care would be taken in showing off the bedrooms.
"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" mumbled Veronica, giving Lilly a look out of the side of her eyes. Lilly winked and jumped up to grab Jim by the hand.
"Be back in a little while, Mars. Don't have too much fun without me!" Lilly grabbed Jim's ass and winked back at Veronica again, before flipping her hair over her shoulder and leading him into the house.
Veronica closed her eyes and sighed, concentrating on absorbing the gorgeous sunshine that promised summer had almost arrived. School would be out soon. She had a job lined up at Java the Hut to keep her busy, and Lilly had proposed a camping trip up north as soon as they were free of the halls of academia.
Veronica's dad was a little iffy on letting her leave town with Lilly, but if Meg Manning came along as a sort of chaperone, it might be okay. Of course, convincing the Mannings to trust their little girl with Lilly Kane might take a miracle. Veronica sighed. Lilly took things just a little too far just a little too often, and it didn't always sit well with Veronica.
On the other hand, Lilly could make even the most boring outing turn into outrageous fun. And boys were attracted like bees to honey. Or dogs sniffing out a bitch in heat. Veronica snorted. If only she had a fraction of that... sensuality that Lilly managed so effortlessly. She'd try, Lilly was always pushing Veronica to let her "true fabulousness" out.
Maybe she'd even be able to work up the energy for a summer romance, Veronica mused. Casey had been hanging around a bit lately, and he seemed like a nice guy. Not a Prince Charming like Duncan, or a Dangerous Yet Appealing Rogue like Logan, but nice.
Veronica drifted in a sunny haze, day dreaming. Wondering if Casey would be a good kisser, if he'd ever actually ask her out. If she didn't find a guy soon, she would be doomed as the eternal wingman - wingwoman - in Lilly's endless quest for new men. It was a daunting prospect. Or worse yet, Lilly might start setting her up on dates. Veronica shuddered at the thought.
Veronica's relaxed reverie was rudely interrupted by a freezingly cold, wet trail sliding down her stomach. She recognized the smirky chuckle immediately, even as she jumped up in shock, trying to brush the ice cubes off.
"Logan?!!" Veronica pulled off her sunglasses and gave him her best "Don't mess with me" glare. Logan held his hands up as if in surrender.
"Couldn't help it, Mars. You were such a tempting target... You know I have no will power when the Devil's whispering in my ear." Logan smirked at her, trying not to be too obvious in his appreciation of her new suit. Clearly, Lilly had picked it out. It was just a little too tight, a little to small, and it had much more shimmer than Veronica would ever go for. Logan gave it a double thumbs up. Yeah, and not just the thumbs. Totally going in the rotation.
Logan Echolls was a horny teenaged boy and Veronica Mars was a hot teenaged girl. That was what he told himself whenever he got those funny stirrings from being with her. How could it be anything else? She would never go for a fuck-up like him, and anyway, Lilly would castrate him for even thinking it. And Duncan, Duncan would never forgive him.
He flopped into the lawn chair Lilly had vacated and asked, "So how're tricks? Haven't talked to you since you rode up on your white horse and rescued me."
"Well, if you're gonna play Lady Godiva, then I can be the knight in shining armor," Veronica giggled. "Glad to see you decided to actually wear a suit today." Having Logan so close, and shirtless, was making Veronica feel a little dizzy and sweaty, so she tried for their old friendly banter. Safe, platonic friendly ground.
"Couldn't take all the attention away from Lilly, could I?" leered Logan. "And you know no one can keep their eyes off me even fully clothed." He stroked his chest with such an obnoxiously cocky grin, that Veronica had to laugh out loud.
"Yeah, I'm so struggling," giggled Veronica as she settled back in her lounger and closed her eyes. "So what's the flavor of the month? Redhead? Brunette?"
She needed to think of Logan's string of bimbos, gorgeous girls with hot bodies that liked to put out. There was no way he would be interested in her; she was more like a little sister to him. Best to keep that firmly in her mind. Also best not to look at him anymore. The ice had not cooled her down in the least. Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Hmmmm. I'm thinking Jenny Richols, or maybe Sue Langley. So I guess brunette." Not blonde, he told himself. Not this blonde. His voice suddenly rose in volume as he noticed a commotion at the other side of the pool. "Oh my god. Dick and Cassidy have Madison up in the air - I think they're gonna throw her in the water. I've gotta see this! Talk to ya later, Mars." He gave her stomach two little pats and then was gone.
Veronica sat and contemplated the feel of his warm hand on her skin long after he (and his cute ass) disappeared into the crowd cheering Dick on. Yep, gonna have to find a summer romance to distract her, if Logan Echolls was starting to look good. That way lay only humiliation and social suicide. Lilly would make sure of it.
She glanced around and saw Casey, hanging out by the snack table. Might as well make herself available, she thought as she threw her cover up over her shoulders. Besides, Veronica Mars never turned down snacks.
Author:gertinator
Pairing/Character: Logan/Veronica, ensemble
Word Count: 4504
Rating: PG 13 with a little heavier swearing than TV
Summary: The au of Veronica's graduation dream... Lilly is alive. How did Veronica end up with Logan?
Spoilers/Warnings: I played fast and loose with canon (Seasons 1 & 2) and used some things but changed the context. I am god!!!! Or um, not. Yeah, really, that's Rob Thomas and the gang. *sighs* But a girl can dream.
A/N: This is for jen_knee_suu. Happy Birthday, dear! Also I'd like to thank my dearest synful_trixx for reading bits and pieces and helping me stitch them together into a story. Oh, and for giving it a name. *smoochies*
Part 1
Part 2
"Like, ohmigod! You will not believe what I just saw! Logan Echolls was up on the diving board, stripping! He is so drunk! He said he felt like skinny dipping, but first he was giving a show..." The high pitched giggle of the perky freshman was probably causing dogs all over the neighborhood to howl.
"Really?" giggled her friend. "Like, he was totally naked? I so want to see that! Come on!" She grabbed Giggle Girl #1's arm and dragged her back towards the pool.
"Oh, shit, Meg." Veronica turned to her friend, probably the only person at the bacchanal who hadn't imbibed twice their weight in liquor that evening.
"He must have seen Lilly making out with Weevil," Meg answered with a wince. Lilly had put on quite a show that evening, getting picked up by the head of the local biker gang and making it very clear to all that he was her new boy toy. She had been seeing Weevil for months, but she had never displayed her affection so... publicly before.
"Are you kidding? The whole world saw Lilly with her hands in Weevil's pants. That was her point," grumbled Veronica. She loved her friend, but she didn't always understand her. "Let's go find Logan before his naked ass is all over the internet."
It wasn't hard to find Logan. He was making a very public spectacle of himself pool side, yelling something about a "two for one special" and swinging his pants over his head like a lasso. The crowd cheered as he did an obscene dance. The rest of his clothes seemed to be floating in the pool. Veronica sighed.
"Up for some crowd control?" Veronica asked Meg. Meg's eyes widened in apprehension but she nodded.
Veronica began to push her way through the crowd yelling, "Okay, folks. Show's over," in her best imitation sheriff's voice. Meg followed behind, trying to imitate her.
When Veronica got to the diving board she tried very hard not to look at the six feet of very naked Loganness right in front of her. Considering the body parts that were right at eye level, it was both hideously embarrassing and irresistibly exciting. She could feel the heat of a deep red blush soak her skin to the roots of her hair.
"Logan, put your pants on," Veronica commanded. She noticed Meg was gawking with her mouth hanging open, and she poked her friend, hissing,"Crowd control!"
Meg shook her head, now a matching shade of pink, and began to herd people away from the pool. There was a chorus of groans, but most people filed out to refill their drinks and wait for the next big spectacle. 09er parties were always a carnival of outrageous stunts.
Veronica peeked to see if Logan had obeyed her. He had not. Instead, he was bent over, peering down at her. "You sound like my mother," he slurred. "But you're much too short and blonde."
"Logan, for god's sake." Veronica shook her head. "Pants. Please. Now." Naked Logan was a very disturbing sight, and Veronica did not like the funny feelings she was getting. Hot twitchy feelings, that seemed to go straight to her groin. Especially since he seemed to also find their conversation... arousing. God, she wished she hadn't noticed that.
"What? These old things?" Logan dangled his jeans over the water and Veronica snatched them away. The rest of his clothes were at the bottom of the pool now. She wasn't about to risk him losing his pants, too.
"Ahhh. See? You really want me nekkid after all. I knew you couldn't resist the Echolls charm." Logan leered down at her and almost tipped off the diving board. Veronica imaged him smashing his head, and having to explain the naked boy with the concussion to her father. Or worse yet, she could try to catch all that naked boy... naked Logan. The thought made her face burn like fire. Oh God.
She looked him directly in the eye and said with as much force as she could muster, "Get. Down. Here. And. Put. Your. Pants. On." She held up the pants for emphasis. "NOW."
"Whasa matter, Ronnie? Not enjoying the show?" leered Logan, but he was clearly deflating and he followed orders, climbing down off the diving board and reaching a hand out for his jeans. "I had to do something to compete with that scorcher Lilly put on earlier," he added with a little whine.
He zipped the jeans carefully since his boxers were currently being sucked into the pool vent and thus not available to provide protection. He left the top button undone. As soon as his pants were on, the remaining crowd dispersed, disappointed that Veronica had ruined the fun.
Logan sat down heavily on the diving board and began rummaging underneath it. A moment later, his efforts were rewarded and he triumphantly held a half full liquor bottle, which he waved in the air to emphasize his point before taking a big swig.
"Thought she was gonna fuck Weevil right there on Madison's dining room table," he said, closing his eyes in pain, as if to block out the sight, or maybe to torture himself with it again.
Veronica reached out a hand to his bare shoulder. His skin was warm and soft, with a slick sheen of sweat, and the touch woke up a whole flock of butterflies in her stomach. She pulled away quickly and met his gaze instead.
"Do you really need to compete with her, Logan?" she asked gently. "Like this?"
He hung his head and then mumbled, "I'm a jackass, aren't I?"
"Yes, definitely," answered Veronica with a hint of humor. "But a very charming one. Now let me take you home." She peered into the pool. "Should I try to find something to fish your clothes out with?"
"Nah. Leave 'em. I've got too many clothes as it is." He was serious for a moment, sizing Veronica up. "Why are you doing this, Veronica? You don't have to."
"Guess I feel like I owe you one," she said shrugging. Logan seemed to accept that answer. He stumbled to his feet just as Meg returned.
"Hey, Meg. I'm gonna take Logan home. You want to follow in the Tweetie Bird Express?" Veronica loved to take every opportunity to bash the Xterra. Logan did the same about the LeBaron. It was a game they played.
"No, No." Logan held up his hand. "I don't wanna ruin the night for both of you. I'll get my car tomorrow." Veronica and Meg exchanged knowing glances.
"He doesn't trust me with his baby," teased Meg. Logan looked away but didn't deny it.
Veronica shook her head in amusement. "Whatever. You should stay and have fun, Meg. I've got Dirk Diggler here."
"Lilly been screening our home movies for you?" Logan smirked sideways at her, then slowly lost his cheer as he remembered what had inspired his strip tease.
Veronica sensed the change in him and didn't want an emotional scene pool side. As drunk as he was, she had no idea what he'd do next. "Come on, porn star. Let's get you home." She tugged on his arm until he reluctantly followed, throwing his arm around her for support.
*********
Veronica pulled through the Echolls gates and stopped up front, but Logan didn't seem ready to get out yet. He sat, silent, staring straight ahead, and for some reason, she shut off the car.
"Do you think Lilly loves Weevil?" he asked after a while, a small hitch in his voice.
"I'm not - I'm not really sure. She doesn't talk about him really. Not like she did about you." Veronica put her hand on his shoulder, this time more prepared for the sensation of his hot skin under hers. It still felt vaguely risque, but Logan was so drunk, she wasn't sure he would remember any of this in the morning. Anyway, it probably didn't mean anything to him.
Logan fisted a hand in his hair in his classic nervous gesture. "Sometimes I think she can't love anyone except herself."
"Logan." Veronica turned to face him straight on. "I know she loved you, Logan... it just didn't -"
Logan let out a bitter bark of laughter. "Just not like I loved her. Not in any way that could last."
"I'm so sorry, Logan." Veronica felt her heart break in sympathy. She knew what it was like to love a Kane and get your heart shredded in the process.
"S'okay," Logan said, a little of his slur coming back, though his voice was laced with bitterness now. He was no longer the jolly drunk. "We're in high school, right? It's not like I expected to be the love of her life." He shook his head, took a deep breath and met Veronica's gaze full on. His eyes were red and blood shot, but she wasn't sure anymore that it was the alcohol. He seemed way too sober.
"It's been months, Ronnie. It's not like I've been... you know, alone. Why does it still hurt so much?" The vulnerability in his eyes made Veronica want to wrap her arms around him and hold him like a child. But this was Logan Echolls and his half naked body reminded her that even if he wasn't a man quite yet, he was damn close. So she settled for taking his hand instead, holding it tightly in her own
"It'll get better someday," she said, trying to convince herself as much as she was trying to convince him. She still ached for Duncan, for the old days.
Logan looked out the window, out at the dark stars in the sky, contemplating the mystery of Lilly Kane. Finally, he turned back to Veronica. "You know," he said, not meeting her eyes. "Lilly used to say her parents worshipped Duncan and tolerated her. And if she couldn't please them, she was going to go out of her way to piss them off." He picked at the seam of his jeans for a moment, then caught her eye. "I'll bet Weevil's perfect for that."
Veronica wanted to protest, but she knew Lilly too well, and the sound died on her open lips. Logan looked heartbroken as he continued.
"But he'll find out. It gets old, getting used like that. There will always be a new bad boy she can shove in Celeste's face." His eyes seemed old beyond his years, and more lonely than Veronica had ever seen.
"Logan - " Veronica had no idea what to say. Logan had never talked about anything like this with her before. She had always assumed that he was just a male version of Lilly; suddenly, she knew she had had it all wrong.
"S'okay, Ronnie," he said, smiling weakly. He ran a finger down her cheek. "We both gave our hearts to the Kanes, only to realize they had no idea what to do with them. Maybe because they don't have the same sort of tender organs." He sighed. "Maybe they are better off." He shook his head and unbelted himself.
"We sure had some good times, though. The four of us." He smiled, genuinely this time, and it lit his eyes for just a brief second. "Don't be a stranger, Mars. And thanks for the ride."
*********
"So I hear you appointed yourself Logan's keeper..." Lilly's voice held an edge to it that Veronica had never heard directed at herself before. Jealousy? Or was she just mad that Veronica was being disobedient? Ruining Logan's shows of pining over the Great Lilly Kane?
Veronica decided the best response was silence. There was no point in trying to reason with Lilly.
"It's a full time job, Veronica Mars. Think carefully before you take it on..."
Veronica stewed quietly for a second. As if Lilly had ever been Logan's keeper. Lilly needed a keeper of her own, and Veronica and Duncan had played the part on numerous occasions. But there was no point in dwelling on it, it was the price one payed for the benefit of Lilly's capricious company. Veronica tried a different tactic instead. Redirection.
"I owed him one. No big deal." She said simply, then continued. "Are we still going shopping this afternoon? Because I totally need a new suit for your pool party next weekend. Everything I have is so last year!" She really didn't need a new suit, much less another too-revealing designer one picked out by Lilly, but it was the perfect distraction. It was the first pool party of the season, and Lilly planned to throw a rager.
"That depends, Veronica. Are you going to let me pick it out?" There was a wicked edge to Lilly's voice now, a teasing kind of impishness. Veronica imagined the kind of suit Lilly would pick and sighed. What the hell. She'd just make sure to get a new cover-up to go with it. It was worth it if it got Lilly off her case.
"You pick, but it has to be in my price range. No designer suits that I can't even get wet."
"I know just the place to go," Lilly squealed. "I'll pick you up in an hour! You are gonna look so hot, Veronica Mars. Duncan's eyes will roll back in his head."
Veronica sighed. Lilly hadn't quite forgotten, or she wouldn't have brought up Duncan. Apparently, helping Logan out carried a certain amount of penance.
*********
"Lilly, I can't believe you invited Logan." Veronica glanced over to where Lilly's ex sat, flirting with a couple of cheerleaders. Had Logan been working out? She didn't remember him looking so... tasty without a shirt.
Maybe it was that she could actually look at him without blushing this time, and the glimpses she had gotten at the last party made her want to know more. In the old days, she had only had eyes for Duncan. But Duncan had clearly moved on, whether she had or not, so there was no point in even thinking of him.
"He's the Donut's best friend, and some good eye candy besides. It's no big deal, there are no hard feelings between us." Lilly giggled and made a show of studying Logan for a moment. He was watching them, his gaze intent, even as he chatted up the other girls.
"Well, there may still be hardness on his side..." Lilly licked her lips and winked at Veronica. "I could so totally have that anytime I wanted." Lilly wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis.
"Lilly," Veronica said disapprovingly. "Logan is a person, not a that. Stop messing with his head." She loved Lilly, but Lilly and men? So disturbing sometimes. And even more so as they got older.
"Why Miss Veronica Mars!" Lilly's tone set Veronica's teeth on edge, and she wished she had just let Lilly's comments go. Veronica certainly hadn't helped Logan by defending him; she had just dug a hole for herself. "You have become awfully protective of a certain Echolls lately. Something you want to tell me?"
"Oh, please." Veronica tried to be nonchalant, and she hoped her blush didn't show. She searched around for some kind of diversion, that was the only way she would get out of this mess. As if she'd ever go for Logan. The punishment would never end. "So what's up with you and the biker? Is he coming over today?" The one sure way to distract Lilly Kane? Let her talk about her favorite subject - herself.
"Naw. He's been kinda clingy lately, so I'm backing off a little. And anyway pool parties aren't his thing. Says all the reflection off the white skin would make him blind." Lilly giggled and seemed to consider a minute. "The two of us alone and skinny dipping? Now that he appreciates, and so do I. Oh, Veronica, his skin is the most beautiful color, and the tats are so damn sexy. He has them, like, all over. I just wanna lick 'em."
Veronica was used to Lilly's over sharing, and she tried not to visualize Eli Navarro naked. It did sound like an impressive sight. She sighed. She had a hard time imagining herself with anyone but Duncan, but that didn't mean she couldn't look. And Eli was nice to look at.
"Anyway, I'm moving on to college guys these days..." Lilly continued. "There's a party at Hearst tonight. You should totally come with me. You should see some of the frat boys, such hotties! You'll forget I even have a brother."
So Lilly hadn't totally forgotten the Logan comment. She always brought up Veronica's own break-up when she needed a little knife for revenge. Unlike Lilly, Veronica just hadn't been inspired to move on. Though Duncan clearly had. He was talking up some redhead lounging on a raft. Veronica sighed.
Lilly was her BFF, but that didn't mean she had to be Veronica's only friend. It was time to start widening the social circle. Meg Manning was a really nice girl, maybe she'd want to hang out a little. Rumor had it her parents were some kind of strict Christians. Keith Mars would be thrilled at the change. It would hurt a little at first, but Lilly probably wouldn't even notice. And anyway, Lilly'd be off at college herself in another year so Veronica had to have a back-up BFF.
"Earth to Mars? Hello in there?" Lilly tapped Veronica's head. At least Veronica had spaced out staring at Duncan and not at Logan. That would ease some of the pain Lilly liked to inflict for failing to pay her full attention. Lilly seemed to enjoy the fact that Veronica was still pining for Duncan, even if she did encourage Veronica to find herself a new man.
"Veronica? Frat party tonight? What do you say?" Lilly was gushing with enthusiasm. It meant trouble, big time. No way was Veronica getting involved. She was barely off the last grounding, and hoping for a summer curfew extension. She wasn't going to let Lilly ruin the whole summer by getting her in trouble now.
"Sorry, Lilly. Not a chance. Dad has really locked down since the Shelley thing." Veronica shrugged. Everybody knew what Keith was like. It was a hard to argue.
"Come on! You can tell him you are staying here," Lilly leaned forward and whispered conspiratorily.
"Yeah, and then he'd put a squad car out front on surveillance and we'd both be caught." Veronica rolled her eyes. "Not gonna happen, sweets. It's the hazards of being the Sheriff's daughter. You'll just have to go after the prime college booty without me." Veronica was partially joking about the squad car, but not entirely. Keith Mars had been extremely protective of his little girl since Shelley's party, and he did not trust Lilly Kane at all. For good reason. And lately, Veroncia had not been able to predict his actions at all.
"Oh, Veronica. You need to bust out of the prison and let your true fabulousness shine through." Lilly suddenly leaned back and rolled her shoulders to show off her breasts to maximum capacity. She flipped her hair seductively and smiled.
Veronica didn't even have to look over her shoulder to know a guy had walked up. She lay back on the towel and tried not to wince at how much skin the bikini Lilly had picked was showing off. Lilly said it was hot - but it was also sort of embarrassing. Not that the guy would even look at Veronica.
"Hi, Lilly..." drawled an unfamiliar voice. Veronica tried to place the face, secretly studying him through her sunglasses. She thought he was a senior, maybe a basketball player? He was very tall. "Haven't seen you around in a while... Great party here." From the tone of his voice, it wasn't "seeing" Lilly that he was interested in.
Veronica closed her eyes. Did it count as a seduction if the lead up was less than a minute? Sure enough, Lilly didn't bother to be subtle.
"Hey, Jim. You haven't ever been to my house before, have you? Do you want a tour?" Her flirtatious tone promised special care would be taken in showing off the bedrooms.
"Is that what the kids are calling it these days?" mumbled Veronica, giving Lilly a look out of the side of her eyes. Lilly winked and jumped up to grab Jim by the hand.
"Be back in a little while, Mars. Don't have too much fun without me!" Lilly grabbed Jim's ass and winked back at Veronica again, before flipping her hair over her shoulder and leading him into the house.
Veronica closed her eyes and sighed, concentrating on absorbing the gorgeous sunshine that promised summer had almost arrived. School would be out soon. She had a job lined up at Java the Hut to keep her busy, and Lilly had proposed a camping trip up north as soon as they were free of the halls of academia.
Veronica's dad was a little iffy on letting her leave town with Lilly, but if Meg Manning came along as a sort of chaperone, it might be okay. Of course, convincing the Mannings to trust their little girl with Lilly Kane might take a miracle. Veronica sighed. Lilly took things just a little too far just a little too often, and it didn't always sit well with Veronica.
On the other hand, Lilly could make even the most boring outing turn into outrageous fun. And boys were attracted like bees to honey. Or dogs sniffing out a bitch in heat. Veronica snorted. If only she had a fraction of that... sensuality that Lilly managed so effortlessly. She'd try, Lilly was always pushing Veronica to let her "true fabulousness" out.
Maybe she'd even be able to work up the energy for a summer romance, Veronica mused. Casey had been hanging around a bit lately, and he seemed like a nice guy. Not a Prince Charming like Duncan, or a Dangerous Yet Appealing Rogue like Logan, but nice.
Veronica drifted in a sunny haze, day dreaming. Wondering if Casey would be a good kisser, if he'd ever actually ask her out. If she didn't find a guy soon, she would be doomed as the eternal wingman - wingwoman - in Lilly's endless quest for new men. It was a daunting prospect. Or worse yet, Lilly might start setting her up on dates. Veronica shuddered at the thought.
Veronica's relaxed reverie was rudely interrupted by a freezingly cold, wet trail sliding down her stomach. She recognized the smirky chuckle immediately, even as she jumped up in shock, trying to brush the ice cubes off.
"Logan?!!" Veronica pulled off her sunglasses and gave him her best "Don't mess with me" glare. Logan held his hands up as if in surrender.
"Couldn't help it, Mars. You were such a tempting target... You know I have no will power when the Devil's whispering in my ear." Logan smirked at her, trying not to be too obvious in his appreciation of her new suit. Clearly, Lilly had picked it out. It was just a little too tight, a little to small, and it had much more shimmer than Veronica would ever go for. Logan gave it a double thumbs up. Yeah, and not just the thumbs. Totally going in the rotation.
Logan Echolls was a horny teenaged boy and Veronica Mars was a hot teenaged girl. That was what he told himself whenever he got those funny stirrings from being with her. How could it be anything else? She would never go for a fuck-up like him, and anyway, Lilly would castrate him for even thinking it. And Duncan, Duncan would never forgive him.
He flopped into the lawn chair Lilly had vacated and asked, "So how're tricks? Haven't talked to you since you rode up on your white horse and rescued me."
"Well, if you're gonna play Lady Godiva, then I can be the knight in shining armor," Veronica giggled. "Glad to see you decided to actually wear a suit today." Having Logan so close, and shirtless, was making Veronica feel a little dizzy and sweaty, so she tried for their old friendly banter. Safe, platonic friendly ground.
"Couldn't take all the attention away from Lilly, could I?" leered Logan. "And you know no one can keep their eyes off me even fully clothed." He stroked his chest with such an obnoxiously cocky grin, that Veronica had to laugh out loud.
"Yeah, I'm so struggling," giggled Veronica as she settled back in her lounger and closed her eyes. "So what's the flavor of the month? Redhead? Brunette?"
She needed to think of Logan's string of bimbos, gorgeous girls with hot bodies that liked to put out. There was no way he would be interested in her; she was more like a little sister to him. Best to keep that firmly in her mind. Also best not to look at him anymore. The ice had not cooled her down in the least. Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Hmmmm. I'm thinking Jenny Richols, or maybe Sue Langley. So I guess brunette." Not blonde, he told himself. Not this blonde. His voice suddenly rose in volume as he noticed a commotion at the other side of the pool. "Oh my god. Dick and Cassidy have Madison up in the air - I think they're gonna throw her in the water. I've gotta see this! Talk to ya later, Mars." He gave her stomach two little pats and then was gone.
Veronica sat and contemplated the feel of his warm hand on her skin long after he (and his cute ass) disappeared into the crowd cheering Dick on. Yep, gonna have to find a summer romance to distract her, if Logan Echolls was starting to look good. That way lay only humiliation and social suicide. Lilly would make sure of it.
She glanced around and saw Casey, hanging out by the snack table. Might as well make herself available, she thought as she threw her cover up over her shoulders. Besides, Veronica Mars never turned down snacks.