Fic: There and Back Again (LoVe/VD) PG-13 {FINAL CHAPTER}
Title: There and Back Again
Word Count:
Rating: PG-14 for language {May change in the future}
Warnings/Spoilers: If you know that Veronica and Logan broke up, Logan asked Parker out and Cassidy Casablancas’ role in the second season; you’re more than good to go.
Summary: On the second anniversary of Aaron Echolls death, Veronica and Logan decide to finally set their issues to rest, at the Echolls’ cabin, with six of their nearest and dearest friends.
Official Disclaimer: All Veronica Mars characters and plots belong to Rob Thomas and the CW. I do not hold stock either the man or the company. Veronica Mars, Logan Echolls, and any other character featured are NOT mine. I also don’t claim ownership to the song lyrics in this one. They’re by The Calling, and I found them fitting.
I came to tell you
How it all began
Nothing seems to work out right
I'm broken down again
So hold me now
Say it's not forever
'Cause maybe someday in time
Things will go my way
9:12 am
Monday, June 18th 2007
The car pulled out of the driveway with less fanfare than one would have thought the week would have required. Bags were packed and routes were planned the night before, just as when they arrived, and cell phones had been traded along with car keys immediately following the all too quick breakfast that Logan had created from the fruit and cereal that had been left over. Mac couldn’t help her sigh as she dropped Veronica’s sidekick into an empty cup holder and flipped down the visor in Veronica’s Saturn. She double checked the clock and then turned off of the dirt road and onto the paved one that led to the highway.
“Hell of a vacation, huh?”
She adjusted the rearview mirror with one hand even as Parker turned in her seat. “Understatement of the year, Casablancas.” She muttered over the radio. Her iPod hadn’t been plugged in yet, more or less forgotten in the cup holder next to Veronica’s phone, and judging by the mood in the vehicle, she would have to guess that it would be a while before anyone requested road tunes. She watched his eyes register her words, and then swallowed harshly. “But I’d have to agree.”
“How many times in your life do you think you’ll have to say that?” Dick’s lopsided grin was contagious; Mac couldn’t help but to return it.
Parker watched the exchange with an odd fascination. “I won’t be forgetting it any time soon.”
“I don’t think any of us will.” Mac turned her attention back to the road as Dick’s eyes caught hers in the mirror. They both looked away in a blink and Mac’s smile turned downward for a moment.
“Nor should we.” It wasn’t often that Dick was this lucid this close after waking up, but Mac wasn’t that surprised. Since his outburst two days ago it was almost like he was a different person. “This was one for the history books.”
The Saturn burst on the highway and Mac’s foot pushed down the accelerator. Her smile widened. “I for one can’t wait to do it again.”
I've pushed to get through
The crowds of twisted souls
Just to find I'm right back here
Doing what I'm told
So take my hands
Don't let me surrender
'Cause maybe someday in time
Things will go my way
10:22 am
Monday, June 18th 2007
“We’re all set.” Wallace made one more trip into the kitchen to make sure his thermos of coffee had made it into Mac’s Volkswagen before stopping in the formal living room to look at the crowd that had gathered there. Lilly was playing with a stuffed animal on the floor between the couch and the unused fireplace, her little hands banging the poor toy into the floor as her father looked on from his place in the leather chair behind her. Veronica and Logan were going over last minute driving directions, just to make sure that everyone would come into town from different directions, and Piz was trying not to jump out of his skin. It had been easier to keep the man calm back when he didn’t know that Duncan was a known fugitive and they all could go to jail for the week they had just had.
“You’re going to get off at the college exit.” Veronica told him smoothly, handing him the papers that she and Logan had been playing with. “It’ll be easier for dad to think that Mac and Parker are going to the dorms.”
“You sure?” He didn’t miss the way Piz’s eyes shifted uncomfortably. “It’ll put the Rover going straight to the airport.” Logan nodded and Veronica and Duncan both glanced from the map to Wallace.
But Veronica would not be deterred. “It helps that Logan’s phone is with Dick.” She decided. “And I don’t think Dad’ll think much about you and Dick riding through town on your way to the Grande.”
If it was good enough for Veronica, it was good enough for Wallace, who simply grabbed the folder Logan was offering him with the new plans and palmed Mac’s keys. “Let’s roll out.”
They reached the bottom of the steps as a group and Duncan dropped a hand onto Wallace’s shoulder. “Thanks again.” He said after a moment, trying his hardest to figure out exactly what he was thanking his ex’s best friend for. Wallace had always been there for Veronica, and he seemed more then just a little too nonchalant about the fact that he had picked up a wanted fugitive a week ago and was now playing decoy so said felon could get back on a plane.
“Don’t mention it.” He double checked the back seat and forced himself to take a calming breath. “It’s all part of the ‘Veronica’s my best friend’ package.” He smiled to himself as he shook Duncan’s hand. “And I should be the one thanking you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Duncan shook Piz’s hand. “It was great meeting you, man.” Piz just nodded and then bolted for the side of the car.
With Lilly on her hip, Veronica sidestepped Logan and wrapped one arm around Wallace’s shoulders. “I’ll see you back at the Grande.” She whispered in his ear. He dropped a kiss to Lilly’s head and smiled when she giggled.
Wallace nodded at Logan, who gave him the usual two-finger salute before making sure that Mac’s cell phone was plugged into the charger. He cranked the ignition and threw the Bug into reverse as Duncan and Veronica waved from the porch.
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for the loss of what he’d become comfortable with over the last week. He’d seen a new side to his best friend that he never thought he’d be privy to, and he’d realized just what she’d been missing when he came into her life. The Veronica of her past had merged with the Veronica that he had met, and he only hoped this time she didn’t second guess herself into thinking that she shouldn’t have the happiness she wanted.
With another wave, Wallace threw the vehicle into drive and sped down the dirt road.
For all the lies I've tasted
Just looking for the truth
For all the dreams I'm chasing
What am I to do?
When everything's against me
And the answers are all wrong
I'm hoping that I found out
10:53 am
Monday, June 18th 2007
One final check of the house and two final checks of the Range Rover later, it was truly time to go.
Veronica strapped Lilly into her car seat while Logan left a list of instructions for the caretaker and made sure that the cooler was restocked for the return trip. The little girl looked around expectantly and finally stopped trying to make sense of her new predicament when Veronica handed her the stuffed elephant that Logan had bought for her. It had become one of her favorite toys in the last few days, and she was glad that Lilly would have something to hold on to from this trip.
She found Duncan on the edge of the cliff that served as the front yard. She’d taken seven steps away from the Range Rover when he realized that he was being watched. Nine before he realized that his life wasn’t over just because he was going home.
“She would have loved this.”
Veronica didn’t have to ask whom he was referring to.
“She did love this.” She answered confidently, knowing full well that they hadn’t truly been alone for this trip. Nine people had traveled to the cabin, but there was ten there for the duration. If she didn’t believe in spirits before she sure as hell did now. “You know she did.”
Duncan took one last swig of his soda and flung the can off the side of the cliff. It felt good to know that somewhere down below would be proof that he was home one more time. “I don’t think I realized how much I missed her until this week.” He ran a hand over his head and finally turned to the tiny blonde at his side. “Or you guys.”
“We miss you too.” Veronica forced her arm around his back and just stood there for a moment. From the bottom of the canyon she could hear laughter and it took her a second to realize that it was only in her head.
There was a cough from behind as Logan wrapped his arms around Veronica and spun her around to face the car. “Everything’s locked up.” He announced, resting his head on top of hers. “What do you say that we get you and Little Bit to the airport on time?”
“There are days that I don’t recognize you.” Duncan bumped into the two beside him as he spun and waved at the baby in the car. He gave Logan a friendly shove back toward the Rover and laughed when Veronica shouted for shotgun and raced to the passenger side.
Logan’s smirk could probably been seen from space as flicked the lock button on the vehicle remote and flipped his key ring around his middle finger. “As long as they are few and far between.” He bumped shoulders with Duncan and hit the button again, pulling open the door for Veronica so she could climb into her seat. He shut the door behind her and double checked Lilly once more before shutting her door as well.
He made it around to his side just as Duncan slammed his door and he gave one final look at the cabin before climbing in and throwing the keys into the ignition. Veronica had his iPod hooked to the stereo before he could ask, and he threw it into reverse without thinking. After a quick three point turn he stopped, double checked his mirrors and the air and threw it into drive again, the hand that was out of the window waving to the past.
From the porch Lilly waved back.
For all the lies I've tasted
Just looking for the truth
For all the dreams I'm chasing
What am I to do?
When everything's against me
And the answers are all wrong
I'm hoping that I'll find out
It was worth it all along
3:55 pm
Monday, June 18th 2007
The Saturn pulled into the Neptune Grande parking lot just a little behind schedule, and Parker shot out of the vehicle before Mac could put it in park, racing into the building to locate a restroom. Mac didn’t think twice about handing the keys to the valet as she popped the trunk and Dick let himself out of the back to instruct the bellhop standing by to get them a cart so they could unload. He could hear Mac snort at the look on Parkers face when she jetted across the lobby.
“You know last road trip I had the exact same effect on the person in shotgun.” He whispered, leaning his forearms on the car next to her while the hotel staff unloaded the car.
“I think Veronica wished she had a shotgun.” Mac whispered back, trying her hardest to remember that the person next to her had been responsible for almost all of the reprehensible things that had been done to her and her friends over the years. It was a shame that she had memories of the last few days. They would make even the worst that Dick Casablancas did seem not so bad. She almost leaned into him as she was bumped out of the way of the bellhop trying to unload the trunk.
Reminding himself the important things were hidden in Logan’s car, Dick watched impassively as the men worked. “What do you say we order junk food from room service until the others get here?” He asked with a smirk. “A few fried potatoes and some Monty Python?”
Mac’s smile could probably have seen from space. As could the VW Bug that pulled up beside the Saturn. “Sounds like a plan to me.” She allowed Dick to wrap his arm around her shoulders and wandered into the building behind their luggage. She’d let Wallace worry about his own bags.
So hold me now
Say it's not forever
'Cause maybe someday in time
Things will go my way
4:22 pm
Monday, June 18th 2007
Logan pulled his SUV into the drop off zone and killed the engine. He hadn’t even opened the door before Veronica was out, pulling Lilly’s carrier out of the passenger side and kissing the top of her head.
“Would now be a good time to beg you to stay?” Veronica hadn’t taken Lilly out of her carrier yet. She was almost afraid to pick her up for fear that she might not let her go.
“Only if I can remind you that the Manning’s have upped the reward on me,” Duncan checked his wallet for his driver’s license and changed the passport in his jacket pocket for the one that Logan handed him from the glove compartment. Since Keith Mars had become aware of Ron Logan, they had to pull another alias out of reserve. Kane and Megan Mars were leaving Neptune instead and then he would pick back up DK Ellington in San Francisco to get him home. He’d have to remember to have Clarence Weedman write Logan a check for his expenses. “You could try to help with that you know? I’m sure Clarence would love the assistance” He kissed Veronica on the cheek and grabbed the duffle bag that Logan was pulling out of the trunk.
“I’ll see what I can come up with.” She promised lightly, kissing Lilly again before handing the carrier over to Logan. She stepped up to Duncan with both arms open and then sighed. “I’m gonna miss you DK.” She smiled sadly.
“You’ll see me again.”
She smacked him on the shoulder and shook her head. “Not what I meant smart ass.” Her arms came around his shoulders in a fierce hug and his followed suit. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” He whispered into her ear. “And I’ll see you in a few months.”
They pulled apart and the carrier was once again handed back to Veronica as Logan stepped forward. “You gonna cry Kane?” He asked as he held out his hand. Once Duncan took it, he pulled the younger man into a hug.
“Not on your life.” Duncan shook his head. “It was good to see you man. The real Logan Echolls.” Both men slid apart, and Logan’s arm immediately slipped around Veronica’s waist. “All he needed was the right boost.”
“Boost your kid.” Veronica snapped playfully, holding out the carrier. “And get her home safely.”
“Say bye-bye ‘Lil.” He waved at Veronica and Logan in view of Lilly, and laughed when Lilly did the same. “We love you.” He said seriously.
As Duncan turned towards the terminal, both of Logan’s arms wrapped themselves around Veronica’s waist and he felt her shudder against him. “They’ll be okay.” He whispered softly, kissing the back of her head.
Veronica smiled lightly. “I’m more worried about us.”
To all that I held on to
That slipped right through my hands
To all the stones I’ve thrown out
That washed up on the sands
5:13 pm
Monday, June 18th 2007
With a heavy heart Duncan trudged through the security line to the metal detectors, Lilly high on one hip and her duffle bad bouncing against the other. Part of him wished that he wasn’t so paranoid in open spaces so Lilly could sleep in her carrier while he ran through the checkpoints. The line came to a dead stop and Lilly seemed to jolt awake, throwing her pacifier onto the floor with a huff that would have made her aunt proud.
“Why’d you do that Silly-Lilly?” Duncan asked with a sigh. He set her carrier down onto the floor and rotated his shoulder to drop the bag beside it. “I should have left you with your uncle shouldn’t I? You liked him better.” He had just started to crouch when a hand shot out of nowhere, holding the pacifier up for him to take. “Thank - ”
Duncan followed the tan colored sleeve up to the badge on the man’s chest.
With a nod, Keith let go of the pacifier. “Have a safe flight, son.”
In the eyes of inspiration
Something’s gotta change
I’m hoping that I’ll find out
Things will go my way
Fin.