Fic: Some Truths Hurt (V/Logan, all) R [21 of ?]
Title: Some Truths Hurt
Author: jenwin23
Pairing/Character: all, LoVe
Word Count: 15,827
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Slight violence, cussing, discussions about rape and possible incest.
Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!
This story so far recaplet: Cannon up until Echolls Family Christmas. Veronica copied Duncan’s laptop hard drive to get his journal. Connor and Veronica were dating for awhile, until she and Logan finally managed to work through their issues enough to get together. Veronica took a paternity test and is a Mars, Duncan wants to date her again, awkwardness ensues. LoVe investigates the rape and the truth is revealed (but is it the whole truth?). Aaron confronts Lynn after Keith reveals that she sold the pix to the tabloids. Lynn tried to commit suicide but Logan found her and got her to the hospital in time. Veronica is at Logan’s side, but he breaks up with her convinced that she would be better off away from him. Logan’s friends have a surprising response to the breakup. Dick tries to get LoVe back together and his plans go horribly wrong. Lynn disappears out of the hospital and Logan asks V to find her, they track her to a rehab facility in Santa Barbara. Logan keeps trying to push V away by being a jackass, she has enough and kicks his ass for it. They have a kinda-sorta reunion and have sex but all is not well between them. Logan’s grandma is in town.
A few things to clarify/remember: Veronica doesn’t “know” why Logan broke up with her, she only suspects his reason. There was no discussion in Santa Barbara about them being together again. Logan assumed they were together because of how she acted and that she had sex with him, and because he’s removed his head from his ass and wants her back. Veronica however never even considered them being together again-it was just a moment out of time and she decided to seize the day.
Chapter 21 (part 1)
(Sunday continued)
The afternoon is bright and sunny, in direct contrast to Veronica’s mood. Keith had not been happy with her when she came home and the ensuing fight had been one of their worst ever. Thankfully he didn’t seem to suspect anything had happened between the teenagers over the weekend, but he was still mad enough to ground Veronica for the week. Her shrug in response had only made him more angry, but she didn’t care about being grounded. It wasn’t like she had anywhere fun to go anyway.
On top of dealing with her dad she had to finish her English paper, and ignore all of Logan’s calls and text messages. He’d even resorted to emailing her. She ignored each and every one of his missives, and tried to push him out of her mind. It was time to move on.
Instead she focused her attention on neglected laundry and planning her revenge against Dick. She considered and disregarded several plans as too simple or too juvenile. Late that night as she sat on the couch channel surfing trying to unwind so she could go to bed she came across the movie Real Genius on TNT and she smiled. She had a plan. Satisfied with her own deviousness she considered the practicalities of the prank as she got ready for bed.
(Monday)
Driving Wallace to school Veronica apologizes profusely for missing his last game of the season on Saturday, and for getting him in trouble with both their parents for covering for her. Wallace is cool with it and is more concerned with what happened with Logan and Veronica over the weekend.
Wallace: So what did happen this weekend?
Veronica explains about Logan’s mom, and how they finally got to see her.
Wallace: I’m happy for him, but what about you?
Veronica: Me? Besides being grounded, I’m fine.
Wallace: I mean with you and him. Are you back together now?
Veronica: No.
Wallace: You sure?
Veronica: Extra sure. It’s done.
Walking into English Veronica looks for Dick, but he isn’t there yet. She bets herself that he’s still hiding from her. She sits in the back corner as per usual, and Meg comes in.
Meg: Hey stranger.
Veronica: (smiles) Yeah, sorry I’ve been busy lately.
Meg: I know. I was just teasing you. (lowering her voice to not be overheard) Did you find Logan’s mom?
Veronica: Yeah. Case closed.
Meg: (looks uncertain) Good then.
Veronica: Yep.
Meg: (perking up) So do you think you have time this week for me?
Dick slips into class and sits as far away from Veronica as he can.
Veronica: Always, what’s up?
Meg opens her mouth to tell her but Mrs. Murphy rushes into class and begins collecting their papers.
Meg: I’ll tell you later. Wanna eat lunch together today?
Veronica: Sure.
Meg: I’ll order Chinese.
The girls focus on the lecture, they’re moving into the Romantic period and will be allowed to pick their own essay or book for the next assignment. Veronica rolls her eyes. When Dick sneaks a peak at her she smirks and he turns back around quickly.
Veronica Voiceover: Oh yes. This will be fun.
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Veronica manages to avoid Logan until she arrives in Journalism. She walks in and quietly takes a seat between two other students and occupies herself with her dayplanner, filling her week with chores, errands, and activities. Logan enters and stares at her, walking close and stopping right next to her waiting to be acknowledged, but while she stiffens under his gaze she offers no other response. Logan frowns and his forehead wrinkles as he tries to figure out what happened that Veronica is ignoring him again. Tempted to ask her outright, he opens his mouth until he notices the unusually quiet classroom, he raises his head to find all the room’s occupants watching them, including Duncan and the teacher. He moves to an open seat behind her so he can watch her throughout class and thinks back over the weekend.
Sure he’d been a dick, and had selfishly manipulated her into staying with him, but she had seemed ok and supportive even before they slept together. Something was definitely off with that, she had been hiding something, but Logan didn’t know what at the time. Maybe it was this.
She had no intention of getting back together; she just got swept up in the moment. He frowns deeply, remembering it was her who pushed things farther. Maybe she wanted one last hooray? That didn’t seem to fit with the Veronica he knew. Logan had thought everything was ok on Sunday, then when he’d dropped her off at home she had avoided his kiss. Later when she hadn’t answered any of his calls he thought her dad might have taken her phone away, but now he was sure she was just ignoring him. But the question remained, why? And what was he going to do about it?
Logan wanted to just walk over and kiss her until she admitted that she needed him as much as he needed her, audience be damned, but thought that might lead to him getting his nuts crunched again. He didn’t like it but he resolved to give her some space before he confronted her. Maybe until lunch.
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Meg and Veronica walk to lunch together, finally getting to talk since they were assigned to different activities in PE today.
Meg: So I really need to talk to you.
Veronica: What’s up?
Meg: I think I have a secret admirer.
As Meg speaks, Veronica’s cell starts ringing. She reaches into her back pocket to retrieve it.
Veronica: (impressed, to Meg) Ooohh.
Veronica opens the phone and answers it as they continue walking.
Veronica: Hello. (pause, then impatiently) Hello.
There is another pause and Meg looks concerned.
Veronica: Oh hi, nice breathing. Yep, just keeps getting better and better. (to Meg) Has your secret admirer been calling you off and on for weeks and hanging up without speaking?
Meg: No.
Veronica ends the call.
Veronica: Hmm, lucky you. So tell me about it.
Meg tells Veronica how she got a weird text message on the bus after the basketball game on Saturday night. She holds up her phone for Veronica to see “I think UR kewl” on the display. Veronica quirks one eyebrow and looks at Meg to continue.
Meg: So I looked around and there were two guys on their phones on the bus. Caz and Martin. Caz is always flirty with me but that guy would flirt with a trash can if it had boobs. Then there’s Martin. He’s sweet but a little moony, if you know what I mean.
Veronica: Or it could be some maladjusted freshman who likes to lurk outside your bedroom window with binoculars and a bag of pork rinds.
Meg nods and giggles.
Meg: (begging, cheerfully) Come on, Veronica. You gotta help me find out who it is. This could turn out to be my soul mate.
Veronica smiles skeptically.
Veronica: Of course I’ll help you. Let me see your phone.
The text message doesn’t have a call back number.
Veronica: Humm. Darn, it’s not as easy as hitting redial.
They arrive at Veronica’s table and sit down with Wallace.
Wallace: Ladies.
Meg: Hi Wallace.
Wallace: What are you two up to?
Veronica: (sounding impressed) Meg has a secret admirer.
Wallace smiles.
Wallace: (teasing) More girlie girl drama.
Veronica: Actually this is boy created drama. The guy could have just talked to Meg, but instead he sent her an anonymous text message.
Wallace shrugs and watches as Logan approaches Veronica from behind her back.
Wallace: So you said you and Logan were over right?
Veronica: Yep.
Wallace: Did he get that memo?
Logan arrives and bends down to kiss Veronica’s temple, nuzzling her gently before dropping his mouth to her ear and whispering something only she can hear. Veronica freezes at his touch, her heartbeat stumbling then racing. He lifts his head and looks at her soulfully before walking away. You could hear a pindrop while Logan was at Veronica’s table, then the noise picks back up and the gossip mills begin churning out possible explanations.
Wallace: Cause from what I hear, he’s telling people you’re back together.
Veronica tries to mask her emotions from the curious eyes surrounding her, but her friends can tell she’s not ok.
Meg: What did he say?
Veronica: Nothing.
Veronica has goose bumps as his words reverberate around her brain. “We belong together. You’re only delaying the inevitable.”
They eat lunch, and avoid talking about Logan who stares at Veronica openly throughout the meal. The school gossips about Logan and Veronica and also the possible new couple of Nadia Dawson, the new girl, and Casey Gant. Rumor had it they had hooked up over the weekend and they were currently sitting together having a comfortable tête-à-tête.
The rest of the day passes without notable drama, but Veronica does coerce Wallace into checking Caz and Martin’s phones for a text sent to Meg. The guys are supposed to clear out their team lockers for the baseball team after school. As Veronica leaves the school she feels Logan’s eyes on her and can’t help but turn her head to see him. He is leaning on his Xterra watching her as she walks to her car. He is unsmiling and his eyes are intense.
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Arriving at the office with two minutes to spare, beating Keith’s deadline, Veronica slips behind her desk and makes a to-do list. She pays several bills, issues some invoices, and files closed cases. Keith closes his door to take a call and Veronica lets out a loud breath. Having her dad mad at her is uncomfortable and she hopes he’ll move on soon. Listening at the door for a minute she discerns he’s talking to one of his old contacts who is particularly long winded. She crosses back to her desk and calls Mac.
Mac: Hey Veronica. What can I do for you?
Veronica: (smiling) You’re in a good mood.
Mac: I guess I am.
Veronica: Enbom is treating you well?
Mac: If I say no, will you slash his tires tomorrow?
Veronica: No.
Mac: Why not?
Veronica: Cause I have to get Dick back first, so unless he’s seriously hurt your feelings or done something worse he’ll have to get in line. And that trick has been done to death.
Mac: What did Dick do?
Veronica: He locked me in a closet.
Mac: (barking with laughter) What? When?
Veronica: Friday.
Mac: Why didn’t I hear about it?
Veronica: Well, I didn’t exactly announce it.
Mac: So what are you going to do to him?
Veronica: I’m still working out the details. If I need your help can I still count on you?
Mac: Of course. Would Q ever leave Bond hanging?
Veronica: I don’t know. If Q were dating the enemy…
Mac: John’s not the enemy. And you are chummy with several 09ers so you don’t get to judge.
Veronica: Fine.
Mac: So?
Veronica: Oh, right. Back to the original point of this call.
Mac: You need a favor.
Veronica: You say that like it’s a bad thing. Up for issuing some parking tickets, maybe a moving violation or two?
Mac: Sure. Who are we harassing today?
Veronica: Tom Barger.
Mac: Dunno him. Does he go to our school?
Veronica: Nope. He’s Lynn Echolls’ agent and he lied to Logan’s face and said he didn’t know where Lynn was or if she was alive.
Mac: Asshole. How about we cancel his credit cards too.
Veronica: Excellent. Make it slow though. Drag it out.
Mac: You have info for me?
Veronica: I’ve got everything. Bank and cell phone accounts, open credit cards.
Mac: Let’s get started.
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Scene opens on the Echolls’ pool. Logan is doing laps, swimming most of the length of the pool underwater. His grandmother comes out to watch him. She is tall, straight backed, with iron grey hair swept back into a tight bun. Her clothes, fine wool slacks, a buttoned up cardigan, and pearls, show both her wealth and her conservative nature. When Logan continues swimming, either not knowing or caring about his audience, she sits in a chair under a large umbrella.
Logan begins to slow and stands up in the shallow end of the pool, slicking his hair back and clearing some of the water from his eyes and face. He looks over and sees Grandma Hatchet.
Logan: (cautiously) Grandma.
Family discussions for Logan never end happily. He climbs out of the pool and grabs a towel but doesn’t move to sit with his grandmother.
Grandma Lester: Hello, Logan. I’m glad to see you’re still swimming. Not just that juvenile surfing.
Logan: I can do both.
Grandma Lester: Of course. You are my grandson. Now come over here. We need to talk.
Logan: (avoiding) I have homework.
Grandma Lester: This won’t take long.
Logan: (resigned) Ok. So what’s up Grandma?
She looks annoyed at his slang, then looks down. When she looks back up her brown eyes are burning with emotion and brimming with tears. Logan is surprised. She came from the stoic generation that lived through several wars and the part of the great depression. She rarely showed emotion.
Grandma Lester: I want to thank you. While your father and that incompetent sheriff were spinning their wheels, you were out there doing something to find your Mother.
Logan: I had to.
Grandma Lester: I know. And I wish I had been of better assistance to you. Your friend, Veronica? She was a great help to you.
Logan: Yes.
Grandma Lester: (tears clearing) It’s rather remarkable what you two were able to do.
Logan: It was mostly Veronica. Her dad is a private investigator.
Grandma Lester: Perhaps, but still for you two kids to do what the adults couldn’t (a dark look crosses her face) or wouldn’t.
Logan: We’re not children, Grandma. We’re both 17.
Grandma Lester: Yes. Now, let me thank you. Knowing that my Lynnie is safe and is seeking help for her problems, is a huge relief. I was very worried for her and your grandfather.
Logan: Grandpa?
Grandma Lester: His health is not what it was. When we heard about your mother I thought he would have to be hospitalized.
Logan: I didn’t know.
Grandma Lester: We didn’t want you kids to know. You and your cousins shouldn’t have to deal with our problems. Just like you shouldn’t have had to get involved in your Mothers.
Logan: My mother’s problems are my business.
Grandma Lester: Perhaps. But they should not be.
Logan: Life rarely works in shoulds and should nots Grandma. There is only what is, and that is rarely fair.
Grandma Lester: (surprised at his astute observation of live) You’re right. But it is my job as your Grandmother to protect you. And that brings me to the next part of this conversation.
Logan: (worried) I’m all ears.
Grandma Lester: I’d like you to come live with us.
Logan: (stunned) In Wisconsin?
Grandma Lester: Yes. While your Mother is in rehab, and maybe until you finish high school.
Logan: No.
Grandma Lester: Logan, I know you and your father don’t get along. Do you really want to stay here with him if you have another option?
Logan: My friends are here.
Grandma Lester: And your family is in Wisconsin.
Logan: I’m staying.
Grandma Lester: (lowering her head regally) If that is your choice.
Logan: It is. But thank you.
Grandma Lester: (nods) The offer is open.
Logan: Are we done?
Grandma Lester: No. Not quite.
Logan: Ok.
Grandma Lester: Since you are no longer a child, there are a few things I should acquaint you of.
Logan: (one eyebrow raised expecting a lecture on drinking or sex) Hit me.
Grandma Lester: (smirks for a moment before controlling it) You are aware of the trust fund your mother set up for you as a baby.
Logan: Yeah, I guess.
Grandma Lester: It was $500 thousand dollars when she started it. With interest and some wise investments over the years it is now worth $1.7 million dollars.
Logan: That I didn’t know. I suppose I have you to thank for the wise investments?
Grandma Lester: Well it’s certainly not your father. Your mother and I are the trustees on this account, and she wanted it to come to you at 18. I would argue to change it but we set it up as an irrevocable living trust.
Logan: Why? Why an unchangeable trust?
Grandma Lester: That was my idea. So that in the case that your father’s fortunes changed he would not be able to raid it.
Logan processes that.
Grandma Lester: In addition, you have a trust fund from your grandfather and me. All our grandchildren do. I set it up as one large trust fund that will be split out into four accounts for you and your cousins upon your 25th birthday, you being the oldest. Each of you will receive access to these funds on your 25th birthdays.
Logan: How much money?
Grandma Lester: (smiles coolly) I like that you are not delicate about money, Logan. It is annoying to have to pussyfoot around it. The trust fund is currently a little under $5 million dollars.
Logan nods.
Grandma Lester: The stock market is very volatile right now, so I only have about a million dollars in the market, the rest is in a long term savings account, and therefore safe. You won’t have to worry about money Logan. Not if you live frugally.
Logan: (looking around the lavish backyard and large house he’d grown up in) Frugality is in my very nature Grandma.
Grandma Lester: Don’t be glib Logan. Of course there will also be your inheritance once your Grandfather and I have past. That will be held in trust until each of you are 30 years old, with lump sums paid out to Lynnie and your aunt Sarah.
Logan frowns at the thought of his grandparents passing, but can tell that his Grandmother is not finished.
Logan: There’s more. (one eye brow raised) More trust funds?
Grandma Lester: Not exactly. While you were off tracking down your Mother this week, I managed to overhear your father on the phone several times.
Logan’s expression is grim.
Grandma Lester: He was moving funds around.
Logan: (sitting back, grim) Hiding money.
Grandma Lester: And some assets I assume your mother doesn’t know about.
Logan: No. Dad always managed his own money. Mom was never involved.
Grandma Lester: (looking affronted) Arrogant man.
Logan laughs lightly.
Grandma Lester: From what I could hear he was moving funds into off-shore accounts, preparing for a divorce if your Mother decides to go that route.
Logan looks uncertain, not knowing if his mother would ever divorce his father no matter what his sins were.
Grandma Lester: Some of the new accounts were in your and Trina’s names.
Logan: (sitting up, listening intently) Oh?
His thoughts race ahead at how to find the accounts and get the funds out before his father did.
Grandma Lester: (sternly) Logan. You will do nothing.
Logan: If the accounts are in my name...
Grandma Lester: Yes, then technically it is your money, and I will make it officially yours. I will hire a forensic accountant to find the accounts and get the funds transferred to an account in only your name.
Logan: (smiling) Thanks Grandma.
Grandma Lester: It is the least I can do, seeing as how you found Lynnie for me. Tell me again how she looked? You’re sure this is a reputable facility?
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Scene cuts to Veronica closing up the office that evening. She shuts off the lights and locks the door at the top of the stairs before walking down. When she opens the street level door she stops short, seeing Logan leaning on the front of his Xterra waiting for her directly in front of the door. She hardens her face and steps out of the small hallway pulling her keys from her bag to lock the door from the outside. Logan interrupts her as she inserts the key into the lock.
Logan: Veronica.
She stops and turns to look at him as he comes closer. They stare at each other for a moment, emotions bouncing back and forth, her hurt and anger, his regret and longing. Neither speaks then Logan breaks the stalemate, reaching out and cupping his hand around her neck as he steps forward to kiss her. Her heart clenches and her stomach flips over but she responds and they kiss passionately. Breaking apart, Logan rests his forehead on hers.
Veronica: What are you doing here?
Logan laughs.
Logan: I miss you. I want you back.
They kiss again but Veronica pushes him away in the midst of it.
Veronica: I can’t Logan.
Logan: You can, Veronica. I know I hurt you, but…
Veronica: (unbearably sad) You don’t know. And you don’t know what you want. You say you want me back now. For how long? Until you Mom gets out of rehab and it’s too much to handle again? (shaking her head) I can’t go through that again. I won’t. It’s time for us both to move on.
Logan: Veronica, no. What I said. I didn’t mean it. I wanted you to leave. I thought you’d be better off away from me. I said what I had to, to keep you safe. I always wanted you.
Veronica: (swallows thickly) It doesn’t matter why you did it. (tilts her head up to meet his eyes directly) I don’t trust you anymore.
That revelation hurts but Logan expected it. Knew he deserved it.
Logan: Then why did you sleep with me? If you don’t trust me?
There is a long pause as Veronica figures out what to tell him, lie or truth, and how much truth. In the end she decides to be bluntly honest, knowing it will hurt him and hopefully push him away.
Veronica: (without shame or regret) Because I wanted to. Because I didn’t want my first time to be with some guy, (shrugs) whoever I date next. I wanted it to be with you. But you fucked it up first so, when the opportunity to have that last part of our relationship was there, I took it.
Logan looks hurt and confused. Then his expression hardens and jealously flashes in his eyes. He steps closer to her, framing her face firmly in both hands, tilting it up to meet his eyes.
Logan: (intensely) The guy you date next is going to be me.
His mouth crushes down on hers, lips and teeth gnashing together until his tongue sweeps into her mouth swirling around hers, both desperate and dominating. Her chest heaves and she responds to his passion, unable to do otherwise. Logan’s hands move down her body and pull her closer. The kiss overwhelms her, physically and emotionally. She tries to regain control of herself but he feel of his body pressing against her is too distracting. She gives up trying to resist when Logan’s mouth moves to her neck, alternately working the spot under her jaw and the one at the base of her neck with abandon.
Veronica Voiceover: One last kiss.
Link to part 2 of chapter 21