Fic: Know Her (7/?)
Title: Know Her (7/?)
Author: lipstikstain
Pairing: LoVe mainly, but this part mostly revolves around Logan and Weevil
Word Count: 3, 213
Rating: R for language, but eventually some NC-17 LoVe
Spoilers: Nothing at all - but to be safe all of season 1 and all episodes aired so far in season 2
Summary: Logan was living under the radar in the beaches of Mexico, regretful that he ever left Veronica. Now, almost 7 years later, fate forces Logan to face reality: lose her forever or try and win her back, but he has to get to know her first.
Disclaimer: Not mine - all Rob's.
A/N: I’ve decided to add music at the end of this chapter (which is available for DOWNLOAD HERE and at the end of the chapter) to add some *pizzaz* or drama to the closing scene.
A/N: Thank you to all of who have been reading/following this story and been graciously giving me feedback - I ABSOLUTELY appreciate it.
He is startled awake by the douse of cold water Weevil pours over him.
“Hello there sleepy head, it’s time to pay for your dues!”
Logan shoots Weevil an irritated look and attempts to reach for his shirt.
“Ah -uh, that’s a big no, no. You’re not going to need a shirt today, just make sure you’ve got your best pair of panties on and meet me outside.”
The seriousness of the deal he made last night finally kicks him, and Logan feels the doubts traveling from his heart to the uneasy pit in his stomach that is ready to regurgitate the alcohol he consumed.
Weevil has no intention of making this an unwieldy task. He wants to vanquish the vestiges of what was Logan’s fortifying spirit. Would he even have enough energy to properly prepare a convincing overture for Veronica with such a dispirited decorum?
He urges himself quietly;
This is for Veronica…
It’s just one day then it will be over…
He goes through the open slits of his tent and is anticipated by a smiling Weevil who’s already holding the duct tape in one hand and scissors in the other. All right, he’ll play along…he isn’t going to let Weevil have all the fun.
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up,” Logan bats his lashes while puckering his lips and walks to the pole wrapping his hands behind him. This is going to suck.
Weevil travels in circles around him to secure him to the pole, the rough ripping sound of the tape catching the attention of passerbyers.
“Echolls, I’m really going to enjoy this.”
“Now Weevs, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this, but I like you just as a friend.”
He scratches his dark moss of hair covering his upper lip and pulls out a marker from his pocket.
“You know, I wasn’t going to do this, but because you just had to be a smart - ass…”
Weevil’s cold hands rest on Logan’s chest as he begins to write one big letter at a time.
P-R-I-C-K
“NOW it’s like high school, but don’t worry - it’s not permanent AND it’s grape flavored.”
Weevil laughs uproariously as he walks away, and Logan swears he saw him skip a little bit as he disappeared into the garage.
Logan wishes he didn’t forget about the importance of sun screen because he can feel his skin burning as the afternoon sun heightened in temperature. He lost track of how many hours he’s been strapped to that pole, and he’s pretty sure that one or two of the countless strangers who had stopped to pose with him for a picture will eventually realize who he is and sell his picture to the tabloids.
At least he still works out and has great abs to show off in those photos, or else he’d be really embarrassed, he sarcastically thinks to himself.
“What are you smiling about?”
Weevil’s words break through his thoughts, and he is relieved to see him holding a bottle of water.
“I hope that you brought that for me, ‘cause I’m dying.”
Weevil places a straw in the newly opened bottle and levels it to Logan’s mouth.
“I’m not completely without a heart - so…you hungry?”
Logan is already almost halfway finished, when he pauses from his thirsty consumption to take a breath.
“Um, no, I’m cool man. I think the less I eat the better, but thanks.”
“Sure, no problem,” once Logan finished the last drops of water, Weevil is about to head back to the garage when he pauses and turns to him, “but before I forget… Say ego maniac!”
He pulls out a disposable camera from his jacket, focusing it on a smiling Logan.
“Geeze man, how many pockets do you have in that jacket of yours? Well, I just hope you got my good side Weevs, and make sure I get some copies.”
“Don’t worry Logan…I’ll make sure to keep the memory alive with poster size prints.”
Logan was ready to open his mouth, but he catches himself, knowing that his words would have been regretful. Nah, Weevil is kind enough to bring him water and ask him if he’s hungry - he’ll let that one go.
The first half of the business day is probably the most difficult part of this tedious task because Logan is bored to death, and the muscles on his cheeks started to tweak out the more he smiled for photos, but he gradually endures the rest of the day with sprinkled fantasies of seeing Veronica again, and remembering his favorite parts of her.
The way her nose crinkled every time he made her laugh or smile…
How her hips swayed each time he watched her walk away…
The soft locks of her blond hair that felt like silk under his fingertips…
That warm, concave valley between her brea -
“Echolls. Echolls! Hey Logan!”
Logan didn’t realize that he had shut his eyes and had been solicited by his dreams. He looks around with squinted eyes, forgetting for a second where he is, and soon as his vision cleared, he notes the uncommon look of concern on Weevil’s face.
“You okay man?”
“Yeah, I just passed out. What time is it?” Logan swallows, attempting to moisture his dried throat and winces at the pain.
“You’ve got 30 more minutes till your sentence is done. You want some water?”
“No - I’ll hold till then.”
Weevil hears the cracking of Logan’s joints as he moves his neck from side to side.
“So why now? Why would you wait this long to come after her?”
Logan didn’t expected Weevil to take this opportunity to have a heart to heart about Veronica, but he understands that he is simply trying to give some understanding as to why Logan is willing to make an ass of himself when in high school he wouldn’t have even thought of asking to borrow Weevil’s pen.
“I was afraid before…I couldn’t face the truth that I might have lost her the day I left.”
“So what makes you think that it’s not too late - I mean I know that some things are never too late, but in this situation…”
“I know that my chances are slim right now, but I have to try. I was stupid enough to wait this long, but I’m not that moronic to watch them name their first born Duncan Jr.”
Weevil remains silent and doesn’t show a tinge of movement until he takes out his switchblade, and for a moment, Logan is seriously worried for his life until he sees the sharp blade move against the gray colored restraint.
“I thought you said I have half an hour left.”
“You do, but I’m a sucker for sob stories and you haven’t eaten anything the whole day.”
Logan hears the plastic material snap and he shakes his hands to gain some feeling on his wrists. He watches as Weevil safely puts his knife away back into his pocket and motions Logan to follow him.
“C’mon. There’s some Chinese take out waiting for you.”
Logan’s movements are slow at first as his tired legs try to remember what it should do to get from point A to point B. It feels like forever when Logan reaches the tent and he almost collapses on a chair that Weevil had set up for him. He doesn’t bother to put some clothes on, mostly because he doesn’t feel he has enough strength to stand up again without first putting some food in his stomach.
Although he is dying to ask Weevil about Veronica, his stomach is screaming in too much pain to allow his mouth to be without food in it. When he feels his appetite is more than satisfied and the only thing left of the Chinese food are egg rolls, Logan finally initiates to cover his newly tanned skin and wraps a blanket around him.
“So I showed you mine, how about you?”
“Are you sure you’re up to talk about this now?”
“Yes, Ma - I’ve added the much needed nutrition from greasy Chinese food and 4 bottles of water - I think I’m ready to hear whatever it is you have to say.”
Weevil is skeptical of Logan’s words, and even though he wouldn’t admit it, he is truly concerned for his health, but if the guy says he’s fine, then who is he to argue with him?
“Well, Veronica came home every summer to visit her dad, and the summer before her senior year something happened. Thumper’s cousin Alejandro tried to pin a gas station robbery on me - I guess he was really pissed at me for sending his cousin to jail for Felix’s murder. I asked V for help and as expected she managed to solve the mystery…”
Weevil’s fragmented words started to kill Logan’s patience. So Veronica came home every summer and she helped save Weevil’s ass - AGAIN - is this the information that he had camped out and had been strapped to a pole for?
“Is that it? She got you out of another bind and, what? - did you braid each other’s hair afterwards?”
“What I’m going to tell you isn’t easy to hear, so just try not to lose it.”
Logan nods his understanding, his curiosity rising.
“When Veronica went to the sheriff with evidence that it was Alejandro and not me that committed the robbery, he panicked and found us at the parking lot of the Java the Hut…”
****
Veronica’s chest is rising quickly as adrenaline races through her system, her mind trying to articulate the dilemma she is in as she and Weevil are cornered at gun point.
There’s no sign of life anywhere, which isn’t surprising since it is almost past midnight and her summer job as the manager at Java the Hut meant that she is the only person, besides Weevil, who is left at that parking lot.
“You’re going to have to put the gun down, okay man? It’s not too late. We can all walk away from this without a scratch.” Weevil has never backed down from threats, but this time it’s different: Veronica is with him. If he decides to be hasty, one or both of them could get hurt, or worse, killed. He shields Veronica’s body with his own, his eyes shifting from the gun to Alejandro, as he tries to create some distance between Alejandro’s gun and him and Veronica.
“So this is the bad ass Weevil that was the leader of a biker gang - you’re pathetic. You’re going to have to pay for sending my cousin to jail, but don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your blond girlfriend for you.”
Weevil attacks Alejandro, lunging at him to gain control the gun. They struggle back and forth, Alejandro shifting his hand to point the gun at Weevil, but he is too strong for him.
Veronica’s shock dissipates and the kick of adrenaline has her reaching in her messenger bag to pull out her taser gun. She slowly steps around the two powerful forces struggling in front of her and waits until her aim is perfect. The glowing, electric blue sparks as she strikes at Alejandro, targeting his neck. Alejandro musters the strength to push Weevil off him that his sudden movement accidentally punches Veronica in the face, forcing her to land on the dirt.
She audibly groans her pain as her body weakly lies on the ground momentarily distracting Alejandro, his back carelessly facing his forgotten enemy. Weevil seizes the opportunity to pull his arms back to restrain him. They compete for authority, knowing that this cannot end well. In the maelstrom of loud grunts and rubber soles scratching the rough, pebbled pavement, the thunder of a gunshot breaks the night air and they notice the growing redness on Veronica’s crisp, white shirt.
With sudden indifference for Alejandro, he pushes him aside and runs to Veronica’s side, lifting her head.
“Veronica? Veronica! Open your eyes!”
But she isn’t responding and Weevil is terrified at the thought of her slipping away.
The whole night is a blur. All Weevil remembers is dialing 911, some red and blue flashing lights, and the doctors updating him on her condition after hours of operation.
“She got very lucky. The bullet managed to miss any major organs and important nerves. She’ll heal of course, but she is slightly feverish, which is normal in most post operations. You can see her for a little while when they wheel her out of the ER.”
He watches as the nurse checks her vitals and pump her with drugs he is sure that she wouldn’t approve of if she was awake.
“Is that normal?-her all sweaty like that?”
The nurse continues to tend to Veronica, never looking up at Weevil.
“I’m sure the doctor told you that she’s fine, so no need to worry.”
She looks over her patient one more time and slowly approaches Weevil.
“Are you her boyfriend?”
“No, just a really good friend. Her boyfriend should be here later.”
“Okay, she needs her rest now, so please don’t stay too long.”
Then she leaves his side.
Weevil is afraid to move. He is the reason she’s lying on that hospital bed and he’s truly afraid for her. One, then two steps until she is only a hand reach away. He wants to tie her hair back to prevent it from sticking to her skin, but instead he dries her forehead with a tissue he grabbed near her bedside eliciting Veronica to suddenly jerk under his ministering touch.
She moans a bit and her head lethargically moves from side to side. She gurgles her next words.
“Commmm ba lurgan…”
Weevil leans in to hear her better.
“Veronica? Sshh, it’s okay. I’m here. Are you okay?”
He tenderly weaves his long fingers through hers, the warmth of his hands melting away the cold surface of her palms. He has never been this close to her, and reproves himself for inappropriately approving Veronica’s enviable beauty, especially since this was not the perfect time to be checking out his friend.
“Veronica?”
His other hand brushes back her head to reveal her sweat soaked forehead, his heart becoming more exposed the more he lingers beside her. He is nuzzling her hair, his moustache roughly brushing her ears.
“I’m sorry V. I didn’t think it would get this bad. So sorry…”
His tears mix with the dampness on her skin, and she stirs once again.
“Logan…come back. Please…”
Weevil’s mouth drops open, and he attempts to settle her growing anguish.
“Ssshhh…it’s okay.”
His plan works and her mouth clamps once more as the drug completely sedates her.
“Weevil?”
He turns to see the tall pale form under the doorway. The blue shades magnified by the pools of water collecting in his eyes.
Embarrassed, Weevil uses the sleeves of his shirt to wipe away his emotions and releases Veronica’s hand.
“How is she?” Duncan asks, his stare landing on the limp form of his girlfriend.
Weevil’s guilt grounds his eyes and moves towards the door, placing a hand on Duncan’s shoulder.
“She’s going to be okay.”
He is almost completely halfway out the door before Duncan thanks him, but Weevil doesn’t feel he deserves it.
“I’m the reason she’s here.”
****
“V - of course didn’t blame me for what happened, but it took me awhile to even look at her straight in the eye without thinking about that night. Alejandro on the other hand- poor guy didn’t have a chance when you’ve got Kane money against you. Duncan made sure that he and Thumper spend a lot of time together.”
Logan could feel his throat tighten. He could have lost her forever and she would have never known how he really feels. She would have left this earth thinking that he didn’t love her, and the guilt of his mistake expands from his core to reach each crevice of his body. He is not going to allow his own stupidity or cruel fate get in the way anymore.
“What made you come here and change your mind?”
“Veronica acted like nothing even happened - that she didn’t risk her life for mine. She gave me a second chance at life, and I guess that’s something I’m still learning from her. I’m not the most forgiving person, but I guess you of all people deserve a fair chance - the same kind of chance she gave me.”
Before completely extracting himself from Logan’s sight, Weevil hands him a piece of paper.
“By the way, I talked to Mac and she told me to write something down to give to you, I think you already know what it is.”
Logan’s confusion crumpled the smooth skin on his face, his eyes narrowing as he is pulled further into Weevil’s profound acumen, and just like the night before, he leaves him in his tent with no further explanation or time to absorb anything.
*(Closing music begins)*
He unfolds the piece of paper in front of him, a pleased simper appearing on his face.
The next morning, Weevil is surprised to see that Logan is waiting around for him.
“I would have assumed you left the very minute after I told you what you wanted to know.”
Logan acts sheepishly, shocking a half awake Weevil.
“Well, you’re so good at making hasty exits before I can soak in what you say and I never get to thank you. So…thanks, I know that you didn’t have to do what you did. You could have just let me beg till I died, but you didn’t. Why?”
Weevil shifts from his position and he notices that the tough exterior Logan superstructed to be unbreakable has evanesced. His shoulders are hunched over concealing his true height, not because he was subjugated and stripped of his pride the minute he was taped to the poll, but because he is at ease.
He unfurls a foreign kindness and sincerity that suddenly places a different focus on him, and for the first time, Weevil glimpses a portion of Logan that is unvarnished and he sees through the tunnel leading straight to his heart.
There is a schism in Weevil’s resistance and he tells him what he knows he needs to hear.
“I realized that night that she still cared for you. It wasn’t Duncan, or her dad that she was calling for…it was you - even after the shit you pulled, she still loved you - and if you’re okay with Veronica, then I guess you’re not so bad - BUT that doesn’t mean I like you, I just feel like I owe her to be happy.”
Logan nods his understanding and shakes Weevil’s hand in appreciation.
“Thanks again - and I would say I owe you but I might regret it later.”
Logan turns on his heel, opens the car door, and settles himself in the driver seat. He takes one deep breath to release the tension that had built up inside of him, gripping the steering wheel as he slowly inserts the key in the ignition to turn it on.
He steps on the gas pedal, and the screeching tires leave its mark on the pavement, the smell of burnt rubber the last trace of Logan’s presence.
Seattle, here he comes.
Closing music: Stereophonics - Rewind
Author: lipstikstain
Pairing: LoVe mainly, but this part mostly revolves around Logan and Weevil
Word Count: 3, 213
Rating: R for language, but eventually some NC-17 LoVe
Spoilers: Nothing at all - but to be safe all of season 1 and all episodes aired so far in season 2
Summary: Logan was living under the radar in the beaches of Mexico, regretful that he ever left Veronica. Now, almost 7 years later, fate forces Logan to face reality: lose her forever or try and win her back, but he has to get to know her first.
Disclaimer: Not mine - all Rob's.
A/N: I’ve decided to add music at the end of this chapter (which is available for DOWNLOAD HERE and at the end of the chapter) to add some *pizzaz* or drama to the closing scene.
A/N: Thank you to all of who have been reading/following this story and been graciously giving me feedback - I ABSOLUTELY appreciate it.
He is startled awake by the douse of cold water Weevil pours over him.
“Hello there sleepy head, it’s time to pay for your dues!”
Logan shoots Weevil an irritated look and attempts to reach for his shirt.
“Ah -uh, that’s a big no, no. You’re not going to need a shirt today, just make sure you’ve got your best pair of panties on and meet me outside.”
The seriousness of the deal he made last night finally kicks him, and Logan feels the doubts traveling from his heart to the uneasy pit in his stomach that is ready to regurgitate the alcohol he consumed.
Weevil has no intention of making this an unwieldy task. He wants to vanquish the vestiges of what was Logan’s fortifying spirit. Would he even have enough energy to properly prepare a convincing overture for Veronica with such a dispirited decorum?
He urges himself quietly;
This is for Veronica…
It’s just one day then it will be over…
He goes through the open slits of his tent and is anticipated by a smiling Weevil who’s already holding the duct tape in one hand and scissors in the other. All right, he’ll play along…he isn’t going to let Weevil have all the fun.
“All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up,” Logan bats his lashes while puckering his lips and walks to the pole wrapping his hands behind him. This is going to suck.
Weevil travels in circles around him to secure him to the pole, the rough ripping sound of the tape catching the attention of passerbyers.
“Echolls, I’m really going to enjoy this.”
“Now Weevs, I don’t know how many times I have to tell you this, but I like you just as a friend.”
He scratches his dark moss of hair covering his upper lip and pulls out a marker from his pocket.
“You know, I wasn’t going to do this, but because you just had to be a smart - ass…”
Weevil’s cold hands rest on Logan’s chest as he begins to write one big letter at a time.
P-R-I-C-K
“NOW it’s like high school, but don’t worry - it’s not permanent AND it’s grape flavored.”
Weevil laughs uproariously as he walks away, and Logan swears he saw him skip a little bit as he disappeared into the garage.
Logan wishes he didn’t forget about the importance of sun screen because he can feel his skin burning as the afternoon sun heightened in temperature. He lost track of how many hours he’s been strapped to that pole, and he’s pretty sure that one or two of the countless strangers who had stopped to pose with him for a picture will eventually realize who he is and sell his picture to the tabloids.
At least he still works out and has great abs to show off in those photos, or else he’d be really embarrassed, he sarcastically thinks to himself.
“What are you smiling about?”
Weevil’s words break through his thoughts, and he is relieved to see him holding a bottle of water.
“I hope that you brought that for me, ‘cause I’m dying.”
Weevil places a straw in the newly opened bottle and levels it to Logan’s mouth.
“I’m not completely without a heart - so…you hungry?”
Logan is already almost halfway finished, when he pauses from his thirsty consumption to take a breath.
“Um, no, I’m cool man. I think the less I eat the better, but thanks.”
“Sure, no problem,” once Logan finished the last drops of water, Weevil is about to head back to the garage when he pauses and turns to him, “but before I forget… Say ego maniac!”
He pulls out a disposable camera from his jacket, focusing it on a smiling Logan.
“Geeze man, how many pockets do you have in that jacket of yours? Well, I just hope you got my good side Weevs, and make sure I get some copies.”
“Don’t worry Logan…I’ll make sure to keep the memory alive with poster size prints.”
Logan was ready to open his mouth, but he catches himself, knowing that his words would have been regretful. Nah, Weevil is kind enough to bring him water and ask him if he’s hungry - he’ll let that one go.
The first half of the business day is probably the most difficult part of this tedious task because Logan is bored to death, and the muscles on his cheeks started to tweak out the more he smiled for photos, but he gradually endures the rest of the day with sprinkled fantasies of seeing Veronica again, and remembering his favorite parts of her.
The way her nose crinkled every time he made her laugh or smile…
How her hips swayed each time he watched her walk away…
The soft locks of her blond hair that felt like silk under his fingertips…
That warm, concave valley between her brea -
“Echolls. Echolls! Hey Logan!”
Logan didn’t realize that he had shut his eyes and had been solicited by his dreams. He looks around with squinted eyes, forgetting for a second where he is, and soon as his vision cleared, he notes the uncommon look of concern on Weevil’s face.
“You okay man?”
“Yeah, I just passed out. What time is it?” Logan swallows, attempting to moisture his dried throat and winces at the pain.
“You’ve got 30 more minutes till your sentence is done. You want some water?”
“No - I’ll hold till then.”
Weevil hears the cracking of Logan’s joints as he moves his neck from side to side.
“So why now? Why would you wait this long to come after her?”
Logan didn’t expected Weevil to take this opportunity to have a heart to heart about Veronica, but he understands that he is simply trying to give some understanding as to why Logan is willing to make an ass of himself when in high school he wouldn’t have even thought of asking to borrow Weevil’s pen.
“I was afraid before…I couldn’t face the truth that I might have lost her the day I left.”
“So what makes you think that it’s not too late - I mean I know that some things are never too late, but in this situation…”
“I know that my chances are slim right now, but I have to try. I was stupid enough to wait this long, but I’m not that moronic to watch them name their first born Duncan Jr.”
Weevil remains silent and doesn’t show a tinge of movement until he takes out his switchblade, and for a moment, Logan is seriously worried for his life until he sees the sharp blade move against the gray colored restraint.
“I thought you said I have half an hour left.”
“You do, but I’m a sucker for sob stories and you haven’t eaten anything the whole day.”
Logan hears the plastic material snap and he shakes his hands to gain some feeling on his wrists. He watches as Weevil safely puts his knife away back into his pocket and motions Logan to follow him.
“C’mon. There’s some Chinese take out waiting for you.”
Logan’s movements are slow at first as his tired legs try to remember what it should do to get from point A to point B. It feels like forever when Logan reaches the tent and he almost collapses on a chair that Weevil had set up for him. He doesn’t bother to put some clothes on, mostly because he doesn’t feel he has enough strength to stand up again without first putting some food in his stomach.
Although he is dying to ask Weevil about Veronica, his stomach is screaming in too much pain to allow his mouth to be without food in it. When he feels his appetite is more than satisfied and the only thing left of the Chinese food are egg rolls, Logan finally initiates to cover his newly tanned skin and wraps a blanket around him.
“So I showed you mine, how about you?”
“Are you sure you’re up to talk about this now?”
“Yes, Ma - I’ve added the much needed nutrition from greasy Chinese food and 4 bottles of water - I think I’m ready to hear whatever it is you have to say.”
Weevil is skeptical of Logan’s words, and even though he wouldn’t admit it, he is truly concerned for his health, but if the guy says he’s fine, then who is he to argue with him?
“Well, Veronica came home every summer to visit her dad, and the summer before her senior year something happened. Thumper’s cousin Alejandro tried to pin a gas station robbery on me - I guess he was really pissed at me for sending his cousin to jail for Felix’s murder. I asked V for help and as expected she managed to solve the mystery…”
Weevil’s fragmented words started to kill Logan’s patience. So Veronica came home every summer and she helped save Weevil’s ass - AGAIN - is this the information that he had camped out and had been strapped to a pole for?
“Is that it? She got you out of another bind and, what? - did you braid each other’s hair afterwards?”
“What I’m going to tell you isn’t easy to hear, so just try not to lose it.”
Logan nods his understanding, his curiosity rising.
“When Veronica went to the sheriff with evidence that it was Alejandro and not me that committed the robbery, he panicked and found us at the parking lot of the Java the Hut…”
****
Veronica’s chest is rising quickly as adrenaline races through her system, her mind trying to articulate the dilemma she is in as she and Weevil are cornered at gun point.
There’s no sign of life anywhere, which isn’t surprising since it is almost past midnight and her summer job as the manager at Java the Hut meant that she is the only person, besides Weevil, who is left at that parking lot.
“You’re going to have to put the gun down, okay man? It’s not too late. We can all walk away from this without a scratch.” Weevil has never backed down from threats, but this time it’s different: Veronica is with him. If he decides to be hasty, one or both of them could get hurt, or worse, killed. He shields Veronica’s body with his own, his eyes shifting from the gun to Alejandro, as he tries to create some distance between Alejandro’s gun and him and Veronica.
“So this is the bad ass Weevil that was the leader of a biker gang - you’re pathetic. You’re going to have to pay for sending my cousin to jail, but don’t worry, I’ll take good care of your blond girlfriend for you.”
Weevil attacks Alejandro, lunging at him to gain control the gun. They struggle back and forth, Alejandro shifting his hand to point the gun at Weevil, but he is too strong for him.
Veronica’s shock dissipates and the kick of adrenaline has her reaching in her messenger bag to pull out her taser gun. She slowly steps around the two powerful forces struggling in front of her and waits until her aim is perfect. The glowing, electric blue sparks as she strikes at Alejandro, targeting his neck. Alejandro musters the strength to push Weevil off him that his sudden movement accidentally punches Veronica in the face, forcing her to land on the dirt.
She audibly groans her pain as her body weakly lies on the ground momentarily distracting Alejandro, his back carelessly facing his forgotten enemy. Weevil seizes the opportunity to pull his arms back to restrain him. They compete for authority, knowing that this cannot end well. In the maelstrom of loud grunts and rubber soles scratching the rough, pebbled pavement, the thunder of a gunshot breaks the night air and they notice the growing redness on Veronica’s crisp, white shirt.
With sudden indifference for Alejandro, he pushes him aside and runs to Veronica’s side, lifting her head.
“Veronica? Veronica! Open your eyes!”
But she isn’t responding and Weevil is terrified at the thought of her slipping away.
The whole night is a blur. All Weevil remembers is dialing 911, some red and blue flashing lights, and the doctors updating him on her condition after hours of operation.
“She got very lucky. The bullet managed to miss any major organs and important nerves. She’ll heal of course, but she is slightly feverish, which is normal in most post operations. You can see her for a little while when they wheel her out of the ER.”
He watches as the nurse checks her vitals and pump her with drugs he is sure that she wouldn’t approve of if she was awake.
“Is that normal?-her all sweaty like that?”
The nurse continues to tend to Veronica, never looking up at Weevil.
“I’m sure the doctor told you that she’s fine, so no need to worry.”
She looks over her patient one more time and slowly approaches Weevil.
“Are you her boyfriend?”
“No, just a really good friend. Her boyfriend should be here later.”
“Okay, she needs her rest now, so please don’t stay too long.”
Then she leaves his side.
Weevil is afraid to move. He is the reason she’s lying on that hospital bed and he’s truly afraid for her. One, then two steps until she is only a hand reach away. He wants to tie her hair back to prevent it from sticking to her skin, but instead he dries her forehead with a tissue he grabbed near her bedside eliciting Veronica to suddenly jerk under his ministering touch.
She moans a bit and her head lethargically moves from side to side. She gurgles her next words.
“Commmm ba lurgan…”
Weevil leans in to hear her better.
“Veronica? Sshh, it’s okay. I’m here. Are you okay?”
He tenderly weaves his long fingers through hers, the warmth of his hands melting away the cold surface of her palms. He has never been this close to her, and reproves himself for inappropriately approving Veronica’s enviable beauty, especially since this was not the perfect time to be checking out his friend.
“Veronica?”
His other hand brushes back her head to reveal her sweat soaked forehead, his heart becoming more exposed the more he lingers beside her. He is nuzzling her hair, his moustache roughly brushing her ears.
“I’m sorry V. I didn’t think it would get this bad. So sorry…”
His tears mix with the dampness on her skin, and she stirs once again.
“Logan…come back. Please…”
Weevil’s mouth drops open, and he attempts to settle her growing anguish.
“Ssshhh…it’s okay.”
His plan works and her mouth clamps once more as the drug completely sedates her.
“Weevil?”
He turns to see the tall pale form under the doorway. The blue shades magnified by the pools of water collecting in his eyes.
Embarrassed, Weevil uses the sleeves of his shirt to wipe away his emotions and releases Veronica’s hand.
“How is she?” Duncan asks, his stare landing on the limp form of his girlfriend.
Weevil’s guilt grounds his eyes and moves towards the door, placing a hand on Duncan’s shoulder.
“She’s going to be okay.”
He is almost completely halfway out the door before Duncan thanks him, but Weevil doesn’t feel he deserves it.
“I’m the reason she’s here.”
****
“V - of course didn’t blame me for what happened, but it took me awhile to even look at her straight in the eye without thinking about that night. Alejandro on the other hand- poor guy didn’t have a chance when you’ve got Kane money against you. Duncan made sure that he and Thumper spend a lot of time together.”
Logan could feel his throat tighten. He could have lost her forever and she would have never known how he really feels. She would have left this earth thinking that he didn’t love her, and the guilt of his mistake expands from his core to reach each crevice of his body. He is not going to allow his own stupidity or cruel fate get in the way anymore.
“What made you come here and change your mind?”
“Veronica acted like nothing even happened - that she didn’t risk her life for mine. She gave me a second chance at life, and I guess that’s something I’m still learning from her. I’m not the most forgiving person, but I guess you of all people deserve a fair chance - the same kind of chance she gave me.”
Before completely extracting himself from Logan’s sight, Weevil hands him a piece of paper.
“By the way, I talked to Mac and she told me to write something down to give to you, I think you already know what it is.”
Logan’s confusion crumpled the smooth skin on his face, his eyes narrowing as he is pulled further into Weevil’s profound acumen, and just like the night before, he leaves him in his tent with no further explanation or time to absorb anything.
*(Closing music begins)*
He unfolds the piece of paper in front of him, a pleased simper appearing on his face.
The next morning, Weevil is surprised to see that Logan is waiting around for him.
“I would have assumed you left the very minute after I told you what you wanted to know.”
Logan acts sheepishly, shocking a half awake Weevil.
“Well, you’re so good at making hasty exits before I can soak in what you say and I never get to thank you. So…thanks, I know that you didn’t have to do what you did. You could have just let me beg till I died, but you didn’t. Why?”
Weevil shifts from his position and he notices that the tough exterior Logan superstructed to be unbreakable has evanesced. His shoulders are hunched over concealing his true height, not because he was subjugated and stripped of his pride the minute he was taped to the poll, but because he is at ease.
He unfurls a foreign kindness and sincerity that suddenly places a different focus on him, and for the first time, Weevil glimpses a portion of Logan that is unvarnished and he sees through the tunnel leading straight to his heart.
There is a schism in Weevil’s resistance and he tells him what he knows he needs to hear.
“I realized that night that she still cared for you. It wasn’t Duncan, or her dad that she was calling for…it was you - even after the shit you pulled, she still loved you - and if you’re okay with Veronica, then I guess you’re not so bad - BUT that doesn’t mean I like you, I just feel like I owe her to be happy.”
Logan nods his understanding and shakes Weevil’s hand in appreciation.
“Thanks again - and I would say I owe you but I might regret it later.”
Logan turns on his heel, opens the car door, and settles himself in the driver seat. He takes one deep breath to release the tension that had built up inside of him, gripping the steering wheel as he slowly inserts the key in the ignition to turn it on.
He steps on the gas pedal, and the screeching tires leave its mark on the pavement, the smell of burnt rubber the last trace of Logan’s presence.
Seattle, here he comes.
Closing music: Stereophonics - Rewind