Fic: Full Circle, part 22/22.5 - gertinator
Title: Full Circle, part 22/22
Author: gertinator
Pairing/Character: Logan/Veronica
Word Count: 6163
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Epic. V and Logan find their way back to each other and solve a mystery, too.
Spoilers/Warnings: a little AU but mostly intact including 2.22. The mystery is about a serial killer and some parts may be graphic.
A/N: This was written for the loveathons Epic Challenge. Knitting needles prompt. I am officially calling this the end, because the deadline is *cough* minutes away. However, I know afrocurl would hunt me down and kill me if I left it here, so there will be an epilogue, hopefully posted tomorrow night. Be patient one more day, my dear. At least I gave you some smut.
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | part 11 | part 12 | part 13 | part 14 | part 15 | part 16 | part 17 | part 18 | part 19 | part 20 | part 21
Part 22
"So how's Logan doing?" asked Wallace as he took in the sight of the patient on the bed. Veronica hadn't left Logan's side since they had brought him in the day before, even though it had meant facing down some bitter and overbearing night nurses. The nurses had finally given up when they realized that no matter the rules, Veronica Mars was not leaving. Not until she could take Logan home with her.
"Twas a mere flesh wound," Logan piped up with a lousy British accent that had a bit of a slur to it. "Come on over here, ye coward. I can still take you." Logan was blinking groggily as he waved Wallace over to the bed. Wallace rolled his eyes at Veronica, but moved over bedside. Logan groaned a little as he sat up.
"I'm surprised Nurse Nasty there even let me have a visitor," Logan said, nodding his head towards Veronica. "She's been a real dungeon master. I told her this doesn't fit with my naughty nurse fantasies at all, but she just shoves more jell-o in my mouth to shut me up." His teasing grin showed just how much he was enjoying "Nurse Nasty's" company.
"He's a pain in the ass patient, as always," smirked Veronica. The bullet had passed cleanly through Logan's side. He had lost a lot of blood but missed doing any critical damage. He was being held for a few days to make sure there was no infection, but otherwise he was fine.
Veronica kept telling herself that. Logan was totally fine. If the bullet had been an inch to the left, or entered at a bit of an angle, or hit a rib or... well, there were any number of ways that the story could have ended differently, but she refused to consider them. Logan was fine.
"I smuggled you in some 'doodles, man." Wallace did a melodramatic shifty look around the room and then pulled a plastic baggie of Veronica's snickerdoodles out of his pocket.
"Thanks, dude." Logan accepted the contraband greedily, shoving two of the 'doodles in his mouth immediately. "You are totally in the next book, Waldo, I promise," he said once he swallowed, as he wiped the crumbs from his mouth. "That really hits the spot. Man can not live by jell-o alone." Logan narrowed his eyes at Veronica, who gave him an innocent smile.
"Who's Waldo? I thought I was Wendell, the faithful step brother?" Wallace chuckled. He gave Veronica a hug. "Which reminds me - how are you doing, girl?" His teasing expression also showed his concern. Veronica hadn't had an easy few days either. Logan's wound had just been the most recent in a string of disturbing events starring his beloved - and danger magnet - step sister.
"I'm okay... just tired." Veronica leaned into Wallace's hug for a minute, allowing herself to relax and close her eyes. There were some definite benefits to being back in Neptune. "I'll be much better when we get this guy home." She waved towards Logan, who was noisily consuming several more snickerdoodles.
"And then we'll get to play Naughty Nurse?" Logan asked hopefully, trying not to spit crumbs into the bed.
"In your dreams," said Veronica sternly, though she did wink. Logan was not sure what that meant, but it certainly gave him a hard on to think of the possibilities.
Wallace made a face. "Okay, I think I've had enough of Echolls high on pain pills. I'll leave before the real dirty talk starts. I know I sure as hell don't wanna see him model his hospital finery. It'll give me nightmares for a week." Wallace punched Veronica lightly in the shoulder. "I just wanted to stop in, check on you all." Wallace examined the two of them. Veronica had moved to Logan's bedside and was holding his hand, brushing the hair out of his eyes. They were perfect bookends, bruised, exhausted and clearly in love.
"You know, Neptune is actually a boring town most of the time," Wallace teased. "I can't decide if I want you to visit more or not."
*********
Logan woke from his nap to find Veronica asleep, head resting against his arm, drooling on his sheets. He couldn't contain his grin. No morphine angel this time, she was the full fledged thing. She had barely left his side for the last two days, and even though she pretended to be irritable with him, and did her best to keep up the snark, he saw the tender looks she shot his way when she thought he was distracted.
Logan wove his hand through the silky strands of her hair, careful not to wake her. He was storing up those loving looks to last him through all of the rough times in his life. Though he hoped they would be few and far between now that she was at his side. He had a driving urge to make it official, to get his hands on that little turquoise box that had been waiting so patiently for the right time. He knew now that she wouldn't say no. He just had to figure out how to pop the question.
Logan had no desire to turn on the TV and see how effectively Ruthie was handling the spin on his story. Word was he was now a hero and the studio was anxious to flip Rita into a movie ASAP. He had waited this long, though, he wasn't going to let them mess Rita up just to catch a wave of publicity. He knew better than anyone how fickle the media was and he wanted Rita to be treated like a lady.
His mind slipped to Rita for a moment. The latest book, Aphrodite's Overcoat, was almost finished. Barry Nolan was going to propose in the final chapter. Logan let himself drift into a daydream. He had as much trouble writing the scene for poor Barry as he did for himself. How was Barry going to convince Rita to be his forever? How was Logan going to get Veronica to put that ring on and never take it off?
Logan sighed and looked down at the drooling angel on his arm. "Soon but not yet," he whispered. "But I'll be damned if we are leaving Neptune before I put that ring on your finger."
**********
Day 3 in the hospital and Logan was bored out of his mind. He was hoping to be released soon. They had cut back the drugs at his request, but now his side ached and he wished for some brain numbing relief. The sweet pull of oblivion had proved his downfall before, though, so he breathed into the pain and counted the hours until Veronica came back.
She hadn't wanted to leave him, but he couldn't honestly let her continue to sleep fitfully on hospital couches. She needed a real bed, a shower, some clean clothes. She needed to escape the soothing mint green walls that reminded Logan of laxatives and puke pans. He wished he could follow her, but his doctor was holding off one more day. Logan was sure if he had been on welfare, instead of a celebrity with expensive insurance, he would have been kicked out on his ass long ago.
Veronica was stubborn, and if he hadn't hinted about her smell, along with a joke or two about how he'd have to come out of the closet and admit to dating Steve Buscemi, she probably would have never left. His little marshmallow, who also guarded him as fiercely as a pit bull. The one and only Veronica Mars.
The knock at the door startled Logan out of his revery. It was too early for Veronica to be back, and he wasn't expecting any other visitors.
"So little brother," a voice drawled. "Back in the hospital and back on the front page." Logan looked up to see Trina grinning at him. She held a tabloid with a grainy shot of him being taken out of the Neptune Grand on a stretcher. The headline read, "Real Life Hero." Underneath in smaller print it told how, "Mystery writer Logan Echolls solved the case and saved his true love. Exclusive story inside!"
Logan groaned. "You know one of the few benefits of being trapped in this sterile shoe box is that I don't have to see the garbage they are printing about me."
Trina laughed. "Aww, come on. I knew you'd want to hear the story of your heroism. Shall I read it aloud? It's quite impressive, really. Though I think Veronica will be a little insulted that you solved the mystery all by yourself and then rescued the helpless damsel single handedly..."
"Oh, God." Logan put his arm over his eyes wearily. "She's gonna kill me. I hope that wasn't Ruthie's doing."
"No, the normal papers are giving it a more fair telling." Trina came to sit next to him, setting the cheap tabloid on his end table. Her teasing tone evened out into one of concern. "I got here as soon as I could. Are you okay? Veronica told me it wasn't a serious wound, and I know you bounce back faster than Wile. E. Coyote, but I was still worried."
"I'm okay, Treeney," Logan assured her. "Just gonna have to take it slow for a while." Her gaze measure him for a minute, and then she nodded.
"Looks like this book/movie things a go, huh, Larry?" Her voice held a hint of accusation. He had come clean before Ruthie's big outing, but he still regretted how long he had kept his alter ego from Trina. She had proved she could keep secrets when she helped him go under as Lanik Mueller, he should have trusted her with Larry.
"I'm sorry, Treens," he said, taking her hand. He winced slightly as he changed positions and jostled his wound. "I know I should have told you a long time ago. For a while, I was just embarrassed... then, I didn't know how to come clean."
Trina patted his cheek. "As long as you find a part for me in the movie, I'll forgive you." At Logan's horrified expression, she laughed. "Kidding little brother. Totally kidding." Then she glanced at him slyly, "Though a brother/sister cameo, Hooker #2 and Bum #1, could be a lot of fun." She raised her eyebrow at him. "Or maybe you wanna be my Pimp Daddy?"
"Ewww. You are so bad." Logan laughed, then choked a little as it pulled at his stitches. Trina reached out in concern, but he batted her hand away. He had been through far worse. It had just been a while.
"So..." Trina seemed hesitant a moment, then went for it. "With the movie in the works and all, I take it you're not coming back to New York?" She sounded sad, though she tried to cover it with light hearted curiosity. "You know, you are lucky I'm so secure in my absolute fabulousness as a big sister. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get away from me."
"I don't know." Logan wouldn't meet her eyes. She had been so excited to be moving to his coast, he hated to tell her he didn't think he would ever be back to New York for more than a visit. "Veronica and I haven't talked about it." Logan met Trina's gaze. "I go where ever Veronica goes." What the hell, he thought. Might as well tell her the news. "I'm planning on proposing. And if she says yes, well, then I gotta love, honor and obey." He grinned a lopsided grin at his sister. "And knowing Veronica, there will be a lot of obeying."
Trina squealed and pulled him into a hug. At his gasp of pain, she hurriedly let him go, contenting herself with fussing excitedly at his blankets.
"Does this mean I'm gonna be an auntie?" Trina teased.
"Whoa. One step at a time." Logan was certainly ready to start breeding but he wasn't sure Veronica felt the same. "First I gotta get the proposal out. Then I'll try to get her knocked up." Logan grinned at the thought.
"You totally do want to get her knocked up!" said Trina, eyes wide. "My little brother wants to be a daddy."
"Shh. Don't jinx me." Logan grinned, settling back into his pillows. "I'll wait until she's ready... But yeah, I wouldn't mind playing Mr. Mom."
"Oh, god, you have changed." Trina giggled and leaned in close to give him another, more careful hug. "I'm so proud of you, baby brother. That brain damage seems to have done you some good."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Treens." Logan rolled his eyes.
*********
Veronica had gone home and showered, but she couldn't sleep. She knew Logan would just yell at her if she showed right back up at the hospital, so she stopped by the police station instead. Anderson had taken care of the most essential loose ends, and left the rest for her to deal with when she had some time. He insisted she take a month's leave, and said they could review the situation after that time was up.
Veronica settled in at a table in the conference room, filling out forms and signing statements. She caught sight of Lamb passing in the hallway and she called out to him. "Hey, Donnie. Get me a cup of coffee, will ya?" She turned back to her stack of paperwork, not bothering to conceal her smirk. She really did need some coffee, it was just a bonus to ask Lamb for it. Crashing on hospital chairs for the last two days had not given her very restful sleep.
Lamb stopped at the door and looked in, a pinched expression on his face and a low growl coming from his throat. "I'm not your errand boy."
"Aw, come on," Veronica wheedled with a grin that was not the least bit friendly. She loved to poke the Lamb when he was down. "It's the least you can do after leaving your observation detail and almost getting me killed. And after I sang to you and everything." She batted her eyelashes. "You were supposed to throw yourself in front of the bullet."
"You had Echolls to take the bullet." Lamb grumbled defensively, guilt washing across his features, "He had a badge."
Veronica smiled her bright and shiny smile, as brittle as ice. "But we both know you can't always trust a man with a badge, right?" Veronica could see she had scored a direct hit when his face crumbled for a second before his bland mask took over. She felt a brief flicker of... could it be compassion for Lamb? Naw.
"I'll get the damn coffee," he mumbled. "Maybe it'll get you out of here faster." He turned to go back towards the break room.
"Two sugars and a spot of cream?" Veronica called after him, grinning again at his grunt of assent. She really wasn't holding a grudge, but it was just too damn much fun to needle him.
Lamb was back in a moment with a steaming cup of coffee. He had added the sugar and cream as requested, but just to show he was not totally submissive, he had chosen to give commentary in his choice of mug. The graphic showed a very cocky looking mouse standing next to a giant slice of swiss, and said, "Big Cheese." It reminded Veronica of the many similar silly mugs she had purchased for her father, and she was sure it belonged to Chief Nichols. Lamb smirked as he set it down.
"Here ya go, boss," he said obsequiously.
"It's not your fault, you know." Veronica conceded, trying to be kind. Lamb's grimace showed kindness from Veronica Mars was even worse on his ego than snarky comments. But she continued anyway. "You made your decision based on the information you had."
Lamb stared at her a minute, confused by her sincerity. A flash of vulnerability crossed his eyes and then was quickly hidden behind his usual smug mask. "This mean you love me again, Mars?"
"Well," she said, turning back to her paperwork. "I wouldn't invest in a ring if I were you."
She didn't look up at his snort, but she felt his questioning gaze for several minutes before he turned to go.
*********
"I'm back!" Veronica announced cheerfully. Logan could tell she had not slept; she still had purple smudges under her eyes. But she did seem more cheerful, and she had showered and changed into a sexy short skirt and a tight fitted, low cut sweater.
"Sorry, no naughty nurse outfit," she grinned, leaning in for a kiss and giving him a good view of her cleavage. And the fact that she was sans bra. "I decided to just be a Naughty Veronica."
"Naughty Veronica is good," Logan answered huskily. "Very good." He felt the blood rush to his groin.
"I told security to give us some time uninterrupted," she continued with a twinkle in her eye. She sat on the bed next to him and pulled his hand up to her mouth. She kissed the palm and then turned it over. Keeping her eyes connected to his, she slowly licked his forefinger. Logan's breathing hitched, and she ginned like the cat who swallowed the canary. Although Naughty Veronica was not particularly interested in canaries. She had bigger game in mind. Logan gulped as she sucked his finger into her mouth.
"You love having me helpless, don't you, Mars?" he squeaked out, trying keep keep his cool facade.
"You're wrong, Logan. I don't want you helpless. I just want you completely under my control." She winked and wiggled and eyebrow at him as she wrapped her lips around his finger again, rolling it around on her tongue.
"Um, okay," he agreed, eyes wide. He was willing to give up control to her any time, any place. Now in the hospital bed sounded just fabulous.
Veronica's eyes closed as she concentrated on making love to Logan's hand, sliding her tongue between the fingers, rubbing her lips over them. He relaxed back into his pillows, enjoying the sensation, knowing that those lovely lips would be teasing other body parts soon. His girl was nothing if not thorough.
Logan moaned, and for the first time in days it was the low keen of desire rather than pain. His whole hand was slick and wet from the silk of Veronica's tongue and it took him a moment to realized she had moved it to rest between her thighs.
His eyes flew open as his fingers explored another wet cavity. Apparently, the bra was not the only garment she had left behind. Before he could say a word, she brushed a silencing finger across his mouth. He nipped at it and she smiled.
The satin of her pussy lips was as slick as her tongue. Apparently, she had been missing his touch, too. And the feeling of being not quite secure, not quite alone in the hospital room only fueled the heat between them. His hand was soaked in her juices.
"Veronica..." Logan groaned as he slipped a finger inside her. He raised his other hand to rub against the pebble of her nipple under the tight sweater. "God, I love you. You are the perfect woman for me. You are the perfect woman."
Veronica arched into his hands, moaning agreement, closing her eyes and just relishing in the fact that Logan was still alive, still able to touch her like this. Logan pulled the vee of her sweater over to bare the nipple he had been teasing and he leaned down to take it in his mouth.
Veronica mewled in pleasure and ran a hand through Logan's hair, gripping him behind the neck and holding him to her breast. He moved over a little on the bed to give her room to sit, to spread her legs for his questing fingers. She was so wet, he wanted to take her, spread out beneath him. Unfortunately, he was not physically able to mount her, so he would have to wait for her inclinations to set the pace. In the meantime, he finger-fucked her with gusto, groaning into her breast.
Veronica used her hand on Logan's neck to pull him back, and she scooted down until she was level with his face. She held his gaze for a moment, the heat of love and passion in her eyes, along with her building sexual arousal.
"I love you," she said. "I can't imagine my life without you." She leaned forward and took his lips in a hungry kiss, dirty and wanting and yet gentle and loving.
Logan was so distracted by the kiss, by her settling astride him, that he didn't notice her pushing the thin papery cotton of his hospital gown aside until he felt her cool fingers trail down his chest.
"I love the easy access clothing," she chuckled into his mouth, her voice deep and raw with need. The denim of her skirt brushed his cock, making it stiffen and beg fro attention. She ground against him for a second, the sweet friction nearly making him incoherent.
"Me, too," he answered, flicking her clit and twisting his fingers inside her.
"I'm afraid you're gonna have to let that go for a moment," she breathed across his ear, sliding her tongue down the lobe. "I need to... reposition..."
Logan reluctantly pulled his hands from her warm opening, contenting himself with rolling her exposed nipple between his fingers and watching her slide down his body. She kissed her way down his chest, feathering light affection over the bruises from his fight with Tilden. She caressed the edge of his bandages with her tongue, looking up at him briefly to check that he was okay. The blissed out expression on his face told her that she didn't need to worry.
Veronica licked and tickled her way to his groin. Logan's breathing was speeding up in anticipation of what she was about to do. She decided to tease him a little, and so she avoided his eager cock, which was twitching and straining for attention, and instead stroked his inner thighs with her tongue.
Logan fisted his hand in her hair and tried to guide her back to his crotch, but she resisted with a giggle, instead sliding her hands along his powerful legs, tickling the hairs and massaging the muscles.
"Please," Logan whimpered, and so she took mercy, sucking his rock hard dick into her hot wet mouth. "Oh my god..." he groaned, his palm flattening against her head, trying to hold her tight to his bucking hips. The movement pulled at his wound but he didn't care, it felt too incredibly good.
Veronica let his cock fall out of her mouth with a pop. "Shhh. You'll bring Nurse Meanie down on us," she said, referring to the militant night nurse who was always trying to evict Veronica. "And I am sure that this is not on the list of approved visitor activities," she added with a giggle.
"I approve whole heartedly..." Logan moaned in a whisper. "I can feel myself healing already. I think we need to make it a regular part of my therapy."
"Um, hmm." Veronica said around her mouthful, using one hand to slide up and down his cock, fisting it tightly in the right kind of friction. She could tell he was close to coming, and she didn't want to waste it, so she reluctantly let him go.
"Ohh," he sighed in disappointment as the cool air hit his already lonely organ. The sensation didn't last long, though, as Veronica crouched over him and guided him into her wet and welcoming entrance. "OOOhhh," his sigh changed into a moan that Veronica caught in her mouth.
"Remember Nurse Meanie," she warned. "She'll bust right through security if she thinks I'm hurting you."
"You could never hurt me," Logan answered, in response to the question in her eyes. His side hurt a little, but the pain was overcome and transformed by the pleasure Veronica was giving him, making him feel hazy and almost drunk. "I could be five minutes from dying and I'd still want to be inside you."
Veronica began to slowly ride him, careful of the tenderness in his side. Logan slid his hands up her sweater so he could hold her bare breasts in his hands and also take a little of her weight. Their mouths fused into a greedy conduit of love and need as they rocked their way to anihilation.
*********
"You seemed flushed," said Nurse Meanie to Logan, checking his forehead and giving Veronica a glare. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel great," said Logan, trying not to smile as Veronica smirked behind Nurse Meanie's back. They had barely settled into a post-coital cuddle when the nurse had shown up for evening rounds. "Better than I have in days." He wondered if the old nurse could smell the heady scent of sex in the air, or it was all his imagination.
"Well," the nurse grumbled, shooting another disapproving look at Veronica, who could barely hold back her giggles. "Let's hope it's not infection. The doctor planned to release you in the morning, but we'll have to keep you longer if the wound goes septic."
"Really, I feel quite good..." Logan smirked back at Veronica, hovering over Nurse Meanie's shoulder as if in concern. "Though I am suddenly ravenously hungry. Do you think you could hook me up with some more of your fabulous jell-o? I especially love the orange with the little bits of fruit," he added, a slightly flirtatious note in his voice. Nurse Meanie melted immediately under the Echolls charm, and Veronica had to physically cover her mouth to stifle the laughter that threatened to bubble out.
"I suppose another serving of jell-o couldn't hurt, young man. You must have a real sweet tooth." She patted his head with what passed for affection in her gruff world, and turned around. "I'll send an orderly back with the jell-o," she said on her way out the door. "Now don't let that one keep you awake. You need your rest."
"That one, eh? I don't even rate a name? After all the extra nursing I've done?" Veronica was playfully indignant.
Logan reached out a hand to pull her to the bed. "I am certainly grateful to have benefitted from your healing touch. I feel like I could go run a marathon."
"Or fall totally asleep after eating your weight in jell-o?" Veronica asked, twinkle in her eye.
"Or that," Logan agreed, scootching over on the bed to make room for her to sit next to him. "Home tomorrow," he sighed.
Veronica rested her head on his shoulder and twined her hands in his. "Yep. Home tomorrow."
********
Logan had been in the hospital many times in his life, for a variety of self-inflicted, family-inflicted, and fight-inflicted wounds. He had always been thrilled to be released. But this? This was the first time that he had ever felt that he was being released into the loving care of people who wanted his well being as much as their own.
Keith pushed his wheelchair with a gruff kind of fatherly concern covered by light jokes about Alicia preparing meals to make up for the hospital food. Veronica hovered at his side like an anxious bird, fluttering around and chatting nonsensically.
She held his prescription tightly, and a bouquet of flowers she had purchased for him, along with the printed instructions for the care of his wound.
He didn't really need the wheel chair, few people ever did. It was just part of hospital regulations. But somehow, it made him feel like a prince, a king. He had everything he had ever wanted. Veronica, a family. What did a little hole in his side matter compared to those things?
He reached out for Veronica's hand, grabbing it despite the fistful of papers. "It's going to be good to be home." As he said the words, they resounded deeply in his heart. He was going home. Keith's house was now his home. Neptune was home.
********
"So what's gonna happen now?" Logan asked from his bed on the couch, propped amongst the pillows. He was healing just fine, but Veronica seemed to enjoy treating him as a patient, so he wasn't going to argue. They hadn't talked about plans for the future at all, though, and he really wanted to know what was on her mind.
The studio was hounding him for decisions and commitments on Rita, and the latest book in the series was lingering in his notebook waiting for an ending. He was finally getting back to a normal routine, one that didn't involve sleeping through almost every day. Veronica was also going back to normal. The shadows had faded from under her eyes, and she hadn't had a nightmare since he came home.
Veronica seemed to sense that he wasn't asking about what movie to put in or what was for dinner. She sighed. "I don't know. I still have three more weeks leave before I have to report back to Anderson."
"Do you want to go back?" he asked curiously. He teased lightly, "Maybe you could take up something more relaxing for a while. You know, just until I recover."
"Maybe I should take up knitting? I hear it is very trendy! All the coolest celebs do it!" Veronica's perky valley girl voice showed what she really thought of the idea.
"Can you use a knitting needle to pick a lock?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow. "'Cause that's the only way I can see you being interested." He seemed to think a minute. "Though I bet you could also figure out a way to use on as a deadly weapon."
"You know me so well." Veronica smiled and settled in next to him on the couch. "I have three weeks until I have to decide anything. What do you say we take up this conversation again in about...say... two and a half weeks?"
"Fine by me," Logan agreed. Then more seriously, "I go where ever you go. Felicia and I will follow you." Felicia had taken a liking to Alicia during Logan's hospital stay, though, and Logan wondered if his girl loved him as much as she used to.
Alicia was a damn good cook, and Felicia's loyalty could easily be bought with table scraps. If he didn't take the furball away soon, she might be lost to him forever. Or be the size of a basketball. She was the right color, he thought with a grin, but a little too fluffy.
There was an idea in the back of his head, just a tickle, and he didn't want to crush it by speaking too soon. Still, he thought he might as well plant the seed. "You know if you wanted to stay here... I mean, Neptune, you know, in a place of our own, it'd be okay with me..." Veronica fixed him with a disbelieving stare, and then shook her head. Logan thought he saw a hint of longing flicker in her eyes, though, and he tucked the idea away for further consideration.
"I'm going to check our room for hidden speakers," she said, cuddling on Logan's good side. "I think my dad is playing the subliminal tapes again. And you are apparently weak minded enough to be influenced."
Logan thought of how nice it was to talk to Keith in person, to have dinner with the family, to be here, stretched out on the couch with Veronica and he chuckled. "Maybe I am. Maybe I am."
********
"Oh, my God. I need that stuffed animal." Logan stopped Wallace with a hand on his arm, and pointed at a shop window. It was the first time he had really been out since, well since coming to Neptune and having accusations raining down on him. Since the weekend they had all gone out for karaoke.
Logan's side still ached from the bullet, but it was healing nicely. One more shiny pink scar to add to his collection. Veronica hadn't said a word about the plans for the future, though by his count, the day of reckoning was fast approaching. He wasn't going to push it. Life was rolling along nicely for him.
The script for Rita's movie was coming along really well, and the press had mostly died down. Life was as normal as it ever got for Veronica and him. He was basking in the glow of his new surrogate family, his love for Veronica, and his general happiness at being alive and relatively healthy.
Gina and Mac had driven down again, and the three girls were off giggling and shopping. Wallace and Logan had decided on the more manly pursuit of pizza, and were thus making their way back across the mall to the rendezvous point, stomachs pleasantly stretched.
Wallace eyed Logan speculatively. "V said you had gotten in touch with your feminine side, man, but this may be taking it too far."
"It's for Veronica," Logan explained, the plan already forming in his brain. He was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "The time has come, man, and that little critter is gonna help make it happen." He and Veronica worked best when a little humor was thrown into the mix. He knew in his gut that the little plushie was going to help him pop the question.
Wallace looked at the stuffed toy and then at Logan, shaking his head. "You've lost it, dude. V's not into cutesy animals and shit like that. She'll kick your ass."
Logan's eyes twinkled. "Ah, you don't know my little marshmallow as well as I do. It's a joke. Something I said years ago. Trust me, she'll love it. Be right back."
Logan came back out of the store with a spring in his step and a glitter in his eye. "Dude, we have to run out to the car and stash it. I don't want her to see it before the time is right."
"Yeah, man, whatever," said Wallace, eyeing Logan as if he had lost his mind. "I hope I am never as gone for a chick as you are for Veronica." He said it, but he didn't really mean it. He was already pretty gone for Gina, though he wasn't about to admit it.
*********
"You guys wanna come to a Halloween party with me tonight?" asked Wallace. "I'm going as P. Diddy and Gina's gonna be my ho." It had been Gina's suggestion, actually. Wallace was a little embarrassed by the idea, but also amused. "Mac's going too. She says she going as a computer nerd. I have a feeling that means no dress up," he added dryly.
Veronica and Logan shared a glance.
"You could reprise your role as the naughty nurse," Logan suggested. "You know I am always willing to be your patient."
"I think I've had enough of people pretending to be things they are not," commented Veronica. "Maybe next time?"
Logan swung his arm around her. "So a night of making out on the couch and pretending to watch horror movies?"
Veronica eyed Logan. "I've called a moratorium on blood and guts. How about one of your chick flicks? You've seen the Philadelphia Story less than ten times, right?" At Logan's bashful look, she laughed. "Okay, are there any of them you haven't seen at least ten times?"
"The Philadelphia Story is good," Logan shrugged. His life's reality was such that he didn't need to see other people's heartbreak and anguish in the movies. And besides, it wasn't like he rented teen flicks. He liked the classics. "You know I like feisty women." He winked.
"And I love the conniving men." Veronica batted her eyelashes at him.
"You think I'm like Cary Grant?" asked Logan, flattered. "I knew there was a reason I loved you." Logan dipped Veronica for a silver screen worthy kiss, completely forgetting Wallace was in the room. Cary Grant got Katherine Hepburn to marry him twice in Philadelphia Story. Logan figured his odds were good for getting Veronica at least once. As soon as he got around to pulling out the ring.
His latest excuse was that he was waiting for her to decide her future, their future. He also wanted to pick a memorable occasion. he was thinking maybe Christmas, or New years. The holidays were so far away... which gave him time to build his courage. But also increased his anxiety.
"All right, I'm leaving before I am scarred forever," Wallace mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Have fun, ya'all. there is candy for the kiddies in a bowl by the door." The only response he got was smacking and slurping and he shuddered. Keith and Alicia were the same way. He really hoped he and Gina weren't that bad, though it seemed to be a part of the Marfennel genetics.
A/N: To repeat, there is a small epilogue coming for all of you waiting for that proposal, including poor afrocurl. I just wanted to post this before the deadline so i could technically call myself done. *grins* Hopefully, I will have teh epilogue up tomorrow night.
Author: gertinator
Pairing/Character: Logan/Veronica
Word Count: 6163
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Epic. V and Logan find their way back to each other and solve a mystery, too.
Spoilers/Warnings: a little AU but mostly intact including 2.22. The mystery is about a serial killer and some parts may be graphic.
A/N: This was written for the loveathons Epic Challenge. Knitting needles prompt. I am officially calling this the end, because the deadline is *cough* minutes away. However, I know afrocurl would hunt me down and kill me if I left it here, so there will be an epilogue, hopefully posted tomorrow night. Be patient one more day, my dear. At least I gave you some smut.
part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | part 5 | part 6 | part 7 | part 8 | part 9 | part 10 | part 11 | part 12 | part 13 | part 14 | part 15 | part 16 | part 17 | part 18 | part 19 | part 20 | part 21
Part 22
"So how's Logan doing?" asked Wallace as he took in the sight of the patient on the bed. Veronica hadn't left Logan's side since they had brought him in the day before, even though it had meant facing down some bitter and overbearing night nurses. The nurses had finally given up when they realized that no matter the rules, Veronica Mars was not leaving. Not until she could take Logan home with her.
"Twas a mere flesh wound," Logan piped up with a lousy British accent that had a bit of a slur to it. "Come on over here, ye coward. I can still take you." Logan was blinking groggily as he waved Wallace over to the bed. Wallace rolled his eyes at Veronica, but moved over bedside. Logan groaned a little as he sat up.
"I'm surprised Nurse Nasty there even let me have a visitor," Logan said, nodding his head towards Veronica. "She's been a real dungeon master. I told her this doesn't fit with my naughty nurse fantasies at all, but she just shoves more jell-o in my mouth to shut me up." His teasing grin showed just how much he was enjoying "Nurse Nasty's" company.
"He's a pain in the ass patient, as always," smirked Veronica. The bullet had passed cleanly through Logan's side. He had lost a lot of blood but missed doing any critical damage. He was being held for a few days to make sure there was no infection, but otherwise he was fine.
Veronica kept telling herself that. Logan was totally fine. If the bullet had been an inch to the left, or entered at a bit of an angle, or hit a rib or... well, there were any number of ways that the story could have ended differently, but she refused to consider them. Logan was fine.
"I smuggled you in some 'doodles, man." Wallace did a melodramatic shifty look around the room and then pulled a plastic baggie of Veronica's snickerdoodles out of his pocket.
"Thanks, dude." Logan accepted the contraband greedily, shoving two of the 'doodles in his mouth immediately. "You are totally in the next book, Waldo, I promise," he said once he swallowed, as he wiped the crumbs from his mouth. "That really hits the spot. Man can not live by jell-o alone." Logan narrowed his eyes at Veronica, who gave him an innocent smile.
"Who's Waldo? I thought I was Wendell, the faithful step brother?" Wallace chuckled. He gave Veronica a hug. "Which reminds me - how are you doing, girl?" His teasing expression also showed his concern. Veronica hadn't had an easy few days either. Logan's wound had just been the most recent in a string of disturbing events starring his beloved - and danger magnet - step sister.
"I'm okay... just tired." Veronica leaned into Wallace's hug for a minute, allowing herself to relax and close her eyes. There were some definite benefits to being back in Neptune. "I'll be much better when we get this guy home." She waved towards Logan, who was noisily consuming several more snickerdoodles.
"And then we'll get to play Naughty Nurse?" Logan asked hopefully, trying not to spit crumbs into the bed.
"In your dreams," said Veronica sternly, though she did wink. Logan was not sure what that meant, but it certainly gave him a hard on to think of the possibilities.
Wallace made a face. "Okay, I think I've had enough of Echolls high on pain pills. I'll leave before the real dirty talk starts. I know I sure as hell don't wanna see him model his hospital finery. It'll give me nightmares for a week." Wallace punched Veronica lightly in the shoulder. "I just wanted to stop in, check on you all." Wallace examined the two of them. Veronica had moved to Logan's bedside and was holding his hand, brushing the hair out of his eyes. They were perfect bookends, bruised, exhausted and clearly in love.
"You know, Neptune is actually a boring town most of the time," Wallace teased. "I can't decide if I want you to visit more or not."
*********
Logan woke from his nap to find Veronica asleep, head resting against his arm, drooling on his sheets. He couldn't contain his grin. No morphine angel this time, she was the full fledged thing. She had barely left his side for the last two days, and even though she pretended to be irritable with him, and did her best to keep up the snark, he saw the tender looks she shot his way when she thought he was distracted.
Logan wove his hand through the silky strands of her hair, careful not to wake her. He was storing up those loving looks to last him through all of the rough times in his life. Though he hoped they would be few and far between now that she was at his side. He had a driving urge to make it official, to get his hands on that little turquoise box that had been waiting so patiently for the right time. He knew now that she wouldn't say no. He just had to figure out how to pop the question.
Logan had no desire to turn on the TV and see how effectively Ruthie was handling the spin on his story. Word was he was now a hero and the studio was anxious to flip Rita into a movie ASAP. He had waited this long, though, he wasn't going to let them mess Rita up just to catch a wave of publicity. He knew better than anyone how fickle the media was and he wanted Rita to be treated like a lady.
His mind slipped to Rita for a moment. The latest book, Aphrodite's Overcoat, was almost finished. Barry Nolan was going to propose in the final chapter. Logan let himself drift into a daydream. He had as much trouble writing the scene for poor Barry as he did for himself. How was Barry going to convince Rita to be his forever? How was Logan going to get Veronica to put that ring on and never take it off?
Logan sighed and looked down at the drooling angel on his arm. "Soon but not yet," he whispered. "But I'll be damned if we are leaving Neptune before I put that ring on your finger."
**********
Day 3 in the hospital and Logan was bored out of his mind. He was hoping to be released soon. They had cut back the drugs at his request, but now his side ached and he wished for some brain numbing relief. The sweet pull of oblivion had proved his downfall before, though, so he breathed into the pain and counted the hours until Veronica came back.
She hadn't wanted to leave him, but he couldn't honestly let her continue to sleep fitfully on hospital couches. She needed a real bed, a shower, some clean clothes. She needed to escape the soothing mint green walls that reminded Logan of laxatives and puke pans. He wished he could follow her, but his doctor was holding off one more day. Logan was sure if he had been on welfare, instead of a celebrity with expensive insurance, he would have been kicked out on his ass long ago.
Veronica was stubborn, and if he hadn't hinted about her smell, along with a joke or two about how he'd have to come out of the closet and admit to dating Steve Buscemi, she probably would have never left. His little marshmallow, who also guarded him as fiercely as a pit bull. The one and only Veronica Mars.
The knock at the door startled Logan out of his revery. It was too early for Veronica to be back, and he wasn't expecting any other visitors.
"So little brother," a voice drawled. "Back in the hospital and back on the front page." Logan looked up to see Trina grinning at him. She held a tabloid with a grainy shot of him being taken out of the Neptune Grand on a stretcher. The headline read, "Real Life Hero." Underneath in smaller print it told how, "Mystery writer Logan Echolls solved the case and saved his true love. Exclusive story inside!"
Logan groaned. "You know one of the few benefits of being trapped in this sterile shoe box is that I don't have to see the garbage they are printing about me."
Trina laughed. "Aww, come on. I knew you'd want to hear the story of your heroism. Shall I read it aloud? It's quite impressive, really. Though I think Veronica will be a little insulted that you solved the mystery all by yourself and then rescued the helpless damsel single handedly..."
"Oh, God." Logan put his arm over his eyes wearily. "She's gonna kill me. I hope that wasn't Ruthie's doing."
"No, the normal papers are giving it a more fair telling." Trina came to sit next to him, setting the cheap tabloid on his end table. Her teasing tone evened out into one of concern. "I got here as soon as I could. Are you okay? Veronica told me it wasn't a serious wound, and I know you bounce back faster than Wile. E. Coyote, but I was still worried."
"I'm okay, Treeney," Logan assured her. "Just gonna have to take it slow for a while." Her gaze measure him for a minute, and then she nodded.
"Looks like this book/movie things a go, huh, Larry?" Her voice held a hint of accusation. He had come clean before Ruthie's big outing, but he still regretted how long he had kept his alter ego from Trina. She had proved she could keep secrets when she helped him go under as Lanik Mueller, he should have trusted her with Larry.
"I'm sorry, Treens," he said, taking her hand. He winced slightly as he changed positions and jostled his wound. "I know I should have told you a long time ago. For a while, I was just embarrassed... then, I didn't know how to come clean."
Trina patted his cheek. "As long as you find a part for me in the movie, I'll forgive you." At Logan's horrified expression, she laughed. "Kidding little brother. Totally kidding." Then she glanced at him slyly, "Though a brother/sister cameo, Hooker #2 and Bum #1, could be a lot of fun." She raised her eyebrow at him. "Or maybe you wanna be my Pimp Daddy?"
"Ewww. You are so bad." Logan laughed, then choked a little as it pulled at his stitches. Trina reached out in concern, but he batted her hand away. He had been through far worse. It had just been a while.
"So..." Trina seemed hesitant a moment, then went for it. "With the movie in the works and all, I take it you're not coming back to New York?" She sounded sad, though she tried to cover it with light hearted curiosity. "You know, you are lucky I'm so secure in my absolute fabulousness as a big sister. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to get away from me."
"I don't know." Logan wouldn't meet her eyes. She had been so excited to be moving to his coast, he hated to tell her he didn't think he would ever be back to New York for more than a visit. "Veronica and I haven't talked about it." Logan met Trina's gaze. "I go where ever Veronica goes." What the hell, he thought. Might as well tell her the news. "I'm planning on proposing. And if she says yes, well, then I gotta love, honor and obey." He grinned a lopsided grin at his sister. "And knowing Veronica, there will be a lot of obeying."
Trina squealed and pulled him into a hug. At his gasp of pain, she hurriedly let him go, contenting herself with fussing excitedly at his blankets.
"Does this mean I'm gonna be an auntie?" Trina teased.
"Whoa. One step at a time." Logan was certainly ready to start breeding but he wasn't sure Veronica felt the same. "First I gotta get the proposal out. Then I'll try to get her knocked up." Logan grinned at the thought.
"You totally do want to get her knocked up!" said Trina, eyes wide. "My little brother wants to be a daddy."
"Shh. Don't jinx me." Logan grinned, settling back into his pillows. "I'll wait until she's ready... But yeah, I wouldn't mind playing Mr. Mom."
"Oh, god, you have changed." Trina giggled and leaned in close to give him another, more careful hug. "I'm so proud of you, baby brother. That brain damage seems to have done you some good."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Treens." Logan rolled his eyes.
*********
Veronica had gone home and showered, but she couldn't sleep. She knew Logan would just yell at her if she showed right back up at the hospital, so she stopped by the police station instead. Anderson had taken care of the most essential loose ends, and left the rest for her to deal with when she had some time. He insisted she take a month's leave, and said they could review the situation after that time was up.
Veronica settled in at a table in the conference room, filling out forms and signing statements. She caught sight of Lamb passing in the hallway and she called out to him. "Hey, Donnie. Get me a cup of coffee, will ya?" She turned back to her stack of paperwork, not bothering to conceal her smirk. She really did need some coffee, it was just a bonus to ask Lamb for it. Crashing on hospital chairs for the last two days had not given her very restful sleep.
Lamb stopped at the door and looked in, a pinched expression on his face and a low growl coming from his throat. "I'm not your errand boy."
"Aw, come on," Veronica wheedled with a grin that was not the least bit friendly. She loved to poke the Lamb when he was down. "It's the least you can do after leaving your observation detail and almost getting me killed. And after I sang to you and everything." She batted her eyelashes. "You were supposed to throw yourself in front of the bullet."
"You had Echolls to take the bullet." Lamb grumbled defensively, guilt washing across his features, "He had a badge."
Veronica smiled her bright and shiny smile, as brittle as ice. "But we both know you can't always trust a man with a badge, right?" Veronica could see she had scored a direct hit when his face crumbled for a second before his bland mask took over. She felt a brief flicker of... could it be compassion for Lamb? Naw.
"I'll get the damn coffee," he mumbled. "Maybe it'll get you out of here faster." He turned to go back towards the break room.
"Two sugars and a spot of cream?" Veronica called after him, grinning again at his grunt of assent. She really wasn't holding a grudge, but it was just too damn much fun to needle him.
Lamb was back in a moment with a steaming cup of coffee. He had added the sugar and cream as requested, but just to show he was not totally submissive, he had chosen to give commentary in his choice of mug. The graphic showed a very cocky looking mouse standing next to a giant slice of swiss, and said, "Big Cheese." It reminded Veronica of the many similar silly mugs she had purchased for her father, and she was sure it belonged to Chief Nichols. Lamb smirked as he set it down.
"Here ya go, boss," he said obsequiously.
"It's not your fault, you know." Veronica conceded, trying to be kind. Lamb's grimace showed kindness from Veronica Mars was even worse on his ego than snarky comments. But she continued anyway. "You made your decision based on the information you had."
Lamb stared at her a minute, confused by her sincerity. A flash of vulnerability crossed his eyes and then was quickly hidden behind his usual smug mask. "This mean you love me again, Mars?"
"Well," she said, turning back to her paperwork. "I wouldn't invest in a ring if I were you."
She didn't look up at his snort, but she felt his questioning gaze for several minutes before he turned to go.
*********
"I'm back!" Veronica announced cheerfully. Logan could tell she had not slept; she still had purple smudges under her eyes. But she did seem more cheerful, and she had showered and changed into a sexy short skirt and a tight fitted, low cut sweater.
"Sorry, no naughty nurse outfit," she grinned, leaning in for a kiss and giving him a good view of her cleavage. And the fact that she was sans bra. "I decided to just be a Naughty Veronica."
"Naughty Veronica is good," Logan answered huskily. "Very good." He felt the blood rush to his groin.
"I told security to give us some time uninterrupted," she continued with a twinkle in her eye. She sat on the bed next to him and pulled his hand up to her mouth. She kissed the palm and then turned it over. Keeping her eyes connected to his, she slowly licked his forefinger. Logan's breathing hitched, and she ginned like the cat who swallowed the canary. Although Naughty Veronica was not particularly interested in canaries. She had bigger game in mind. Logan gulped as she sucked his finger into her mouth.
"You love having me helpless, don't you, Mars?" he squeaked out, trying keep keep his cool facade.
"You're wrong, Logan. I don't want you helpless. I just want you completely under my control." She winked and wiggled and eyebrow at him as she wrapped her lips around his finger again, rolling it around on her tongue.
"Um, okay," he agreed, eyes wide. He was willing to give up control to her any time, any place. Now in the hospital bed sounded just fabulous.
Veronica's eyes closed as she concentrated on making love to Logan's hand, sliding her tongue between the fingers, rubbing her lips over them. He relaxed back into his pillows, enjoying the sensation, knowing that those lovely lips would be teasing other body parts soon. His girl was nothing if not thorough.
Logan moaned, and for the first time in days it was the low keen of desire rather than pain. His whole hand was slick and wet from the silk of Veronica's tongue and it took him a moment to realized she had moved it to rest between her thighs.
His eyes flew open as his fingers explored another wet cavity. Apparently, the bra was not the only garment she had left behind. Before he could say a word, she brushed a silencing finger across his mouth. He nipped at it and she smiled.
The satin of her pussy lips was as slick as her tongue. Apparently, she had been missing his touch, too. And the feeling of being not quite secure, not quite alone in the hospital room only fueled the heat between them. His hand was soaked in her juices.
"Veronica..." Logan groaned as he slipped a finger inside her. He raised his other hand to rub against the pebble of her nipple under the tight sweater. "God, I love you. You are the perfect woman for me. You are the perfect woman."
Veronica arched into his hands, moaning agreement, closing her eyes and just relishing in the fact that Logan was still alive, still able to touch her like this. Logan pulled the vee of her sweater over to bare the nipple he had been teasing and he leaned down to take it in his mouth.
Veronica mewled in pleasure and ran a hand through Logan's hair, gripping him behind the neck and holding him to her breast. He moved over a little on the bed to give her room to sit, to spread her legs for his questing fingers. She was so wet, he wanted to take her, spread out beneath him. Unfortunately, he was not physically able to mount her, so he would have to wait for her inclinations to set the pace. In the meantime, he finger-fucked her with gusto, groaning into her breast.
Veronica used her hand on Logan's neck to pull him back, and she scooted down until she was level with his face. She held his gaze for a moment, the heat of love and passion in her eyes, along with her building sexual arousal.
"I love you," she said. "I can't imagine my life without you." She leaned forward and took his lips in a hungry kiss, dirty and wanting and yet gentle and loving.
Logan was so distracted by the kiss, by her settling astride him, that he didn't notice her pushing the thin papery cotton of his hospital gown aside until he felt her cool fingers trail down his chest.
"I love the easy access clothing," she chuckled into his mouth, her voice deep and raw with need. The denim of her skirt brushed his cock, making it stiffen and beg fro attention. She ground against him for a second, the sweet friction nearly making him incoherent.
"Me, too," he answered, flicking her clit and twisting his fingers inside her.
"I'm afraid you're gonna have to let that go for a moment," she breathed across his ear, sliding her tongue down the lobe. "I need to... reposition..."
Logan reluctantly pulled his hands from her warm opening, contenting himself with rolling her exposed nipple between his fingers and watching her slide down his body. She kissed her way down his chest, feathering light affection over the bruises from his fight with Tilden. She caressed the edge of his bandages with her tongue, looking up at him briefly to check that he was okay. The blissed out expression on his face told her that she didn't need to worry.
Veronica licked and tickled her way to his groin. Logan's breathing was speeding up in anticipation of what she was about to do. She decided to tease him a little, and so she avoided his eager cock, which was twitching and straining for attention, and instead stroked his inner thighs with her tongue.
Logan fisted his hand in her hair and tried to guide her back to his crotch, but she resisted with a giggle, instead sliding her hands along his powerful legs, tickling the hairs and massaging the muscles.
"Please," Logan whimpered, and so she took mercy, sucking his rock hard dick into her hot wet mouth. "Oh my god..." he groaned, his palm flattening against her head, trying to hold her tight to his bucking hips. The movement pulled at his wound but he didn't care, it felt too incredibly good.
Veronica let his cock fall out of her mouth with a pop. "Shhh. You'll bring Nurse Meanie down on us," she said, referring to the militant night nurse who was always trying to evict Veronica. "And I am sure that this is not on the list of approved visitor activities," she added with a giggle.
"I approve whole heartedly..." Logan moaned in a whisper. "I can feel myself healing already. I think we need to make it a regular part of my therapy."
"Um, hmm." Veronica said around her mouthful, using one hand to slide up and down his cock, fisting it tightly in the right kind of friction. She could tell he was close to coming, and she didn't want to waste it, so she reluctantly let him go.
"Ohh," he sighed in disappointment as the cool air hit his already lonely organ. The sensation didn't last long, though, as Veronica crouched over him and guided him into her wet and welcoming entrance. "OOOhhh," his sigh changed into a moan that Veronica caught in her mouth.
"Remember Nurse Meanie," she warned. "She'll bust right through security if she thinks I'm hurting you."
"You could never hurt me," Logan answered, in response to the question in her eyes. His side hurt a little, but the pain was overcome and transformed by the pleasure Veronica was giving him, making him feel hazy and almost drunk. "I could be five minutes from dying and I'd still want to be inside you."
Veronica began to slowly ride him, careful of the tenderness in his side. Logan slid his hands up her sweater so he could hold her bare breasts in his hands and also take a little of her weight. Their mouths fused into a greedy conduit of love and need as they rocked their way to anihilation.
*********
"You seemed flushed," said Nurse Meanie to Logan, checking his forehead and giving Veronica a glare. "Are you feeling okay?"
"I feel great," said Logan, trying not to smile as Veronica smirked behind Nurse Meanie's back. They had barely settled into a post-coital cuddle when the nurse had shown up for evening rounds. "Better than I have in days." He wondered if the old nurse could smell the heady scent of sex in the air, or it was all his imagination.
"Well," the nurse grumbled, shooting another disapproving look at Veronica, who could barely hold back her giggles. "Let's hope it's not infection. The doctor planned to release you in the morning, but we'll have to keep you longer if the wound goes septic."
"Really, I feel quite good..." Logan smirked back at Veronica, hovering over Nurse Meanie's shoulder as if in concern. "Though I am suddenly ravenously hungry. Do you think you could hook me up with some more of your fabulous jell-o? I especially love the orange with the little bits of fruit," he added, a slightly flirtatious note in his voice. Nurse Meanie melted immediately under the Echolls charm, and Veronica had to physically cover her mouth to stifle the laughter that threatened to bubble out.
"I suppose another serving of jell-o couldn't hurt, young man. You must have a real sweet tooth." She patted his head with what passed for affection in her gruff world, and turned around. "I'll send an orderly back with the jell-o," she said on her way out the door. "Now don't let that one keep you awake. You need your rest."
"That one, eh? I don't even rate a name? After all the extra nursing I've done?" Veronica was playfully indignant.
Logan reached out a hand to pull her to the bed. "I am certainly grateful to have benefitted from your healing touch. I feel like I could go run a marathon."
"Or fall totally asleep after eating your weight in jell-o?" Veronica asked, twinkle in her eye.
"Or that," Logan agreed, scootching over on the bed to make room for her to sit next to him. "Home tomorrow," he sighed.
Veronica rested her head on his shoulder and twined her hands in his. "Yep. Home tomorrow."
********
Logan had been in the hospital many times in his life, for a variety of self-inflicted, family-inflicted, and fight-inflicted wounds. He had always been thrilled to be released. But this? This was the first time that he had ever felt that he was being released into the loving care of people who wanted his well being as much as their own.
Keith pushed his wheelchair with a gruff kind of fatherly concern covered by light jokes about Alicia preparing meals to make up for the hospital food. Veronica hovered at his side like an anxious bird, fluttering around and chatting nonsensically.
She held his prescription tightly, and a bouquet of flowers she had purchased for him, along with the printed instructions for the care of his wound.
He didn't really need the wheel chair, few people ever did. It was just part of hospital regulations. But somehow, it made him feel like a prince, a king. He had everything he had ever wanted. Veronica, a family. What did a little hole in his side matter compared to those things?
He reached out for Veronica's hand, grabbing it despite the fistful of papers. "It's going to be good to be home." As he said the words, they resounded deeply in his heart. He was going home. Keith's house was now his home. Neptune was home.
********
"So what's gonna happen now?" Logan asked from his bed on the couch, propped amongst the pillows. He was healing just fine, but Veronica seemed to enjoy treating him as a patient, so he wasn't going to argue. They hadn't talked about plans for the future at all, though, and he really wanted to know what was on her mind.
The studio was hounding him for decisions and commitments on Rita, and the latest book in the series was lingering in his notebook waiting for an ending. He was finally getting back to a normal routine, one that didn't involve sleeping through almost every day. Veronica was also going back to normal. The shadows had faded from under her eyes, and she hadn't had a nightmare since he came home.
Veronica seemed to sense that he wasn't asking about what movie to put in or what was for dinner. She sighed. "I don't know. I still have three more weeks leave before I have to report back to Anderson."
"Do you want to go back?" he asked curiously. He teased lightly, "Maybe you could take up something more relaxing for a while. You know, just until I recover."
"Maybe I should take up knitting? I hear it is very trendy! All the coolest celebs do it!" Veronica's perky valley girl voice showed what she really thought of the idea.
"Can you use a knitting needle to pick a lock?" Logan asked with a raised eyebrow. "'Cause that's the only way I can see you being interested." He seemed to think a minute. "Though I bet you could also figure out a way to use on as a deadly weapon."
"You know me so well." Veronica smiled and settled in next to him on the couch. "I have three weeks until I have to decide anything. What do you say we take up this conversation again in about...say... two and a half weeks?"
"Fine by me," Logan agreed. Then more seriously, "I go where ever you go. Felicia and I will follow you." Felicia had taken a liking to Alicia during Logan's hospital stay, though, and Logan wondered if his girl loved him as much as she used to.
Alicia was a damn good cook, and Felicia's loyalty could easily be bought with table scraps. If he didn't take the furball away soon, she might be lost to him forever. Or be the size of a basketball. She was the right color, he thought with a grin, but a little too fluffy.
There was an idea in the back of his head, just a tickle, and he didn't want to crush it by speaking too soon. Still, he thought he might as well plant the seed. "You know if you wanted to stay here... I mean, Neptune, you know, in a place of our own, it'd be okay with me..." Veronica fixed him with a disbelieving stare, and then shook her head. Logan thought he saw a hint of longing flicker in her eyes, though, and he tucked the idea away for further consideration.
"I'm going to check our room for hidden speakers," she said, cuddling on Logan's good side. "I think my dad is playing the subliminal tapes again. And you are apparently weak minded enough to be influenced."
Logan thought of how nice it was to talk to Keith in person, to have dinner with the family, to be here, stretched out on the couch with Veronica and he chuckled. "Maybe I am. Maybe I am."
********
"Oh, my God. I need that stuffed animal." Logan stopped Wallace with a hand on his arm, and pointed at a shop window. It was the first time he had really been out since, well since coming to Neptune and having accusations raining down on him. Since the weekend they had all gone out for karaoke.
Logan's side still ached from the bullet, but it was healing nicely. One more shiny pink scar to add to his collection. Veronica hadn't said a word about the plans for the future, though by his count, the day of reckoning was fast approaching. He wasn't going to push it. Life was rolling along nicely for him.
The script for Rita's movie was coming along really well, and the press had mostly died down. Life was as normal as it ever got for Veronica and him. He was basking in the glow of his new surrogate family, his love for Veronica, and his general happiness at being alive and relatively healthy.
Gina and Mac had driven down again, and the three girls were off giggling and shopping. Wallace and Logan had decided on the more manly pursuit of pizza, and were thus making their way back across the mall to the rendezvous point, stomachs pleasantly stretched.
Wallace eyed Logan speculatively. "V said you had gotten in touch with your feminine side, man, but this may be taking it too far."
"It's for Veronica," Logan explained, the plan already forming in his brain. He was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. "The time has come, man, and that little critter is gonna help make it happen." He and Veronica worked best when a little humor was thrown into the mix. He knew in his gut that the little plushie was going to help him pop the question.
Wallace looked at the stuffed toy and then at Logan, shaking his head. "You've lost it, dude. V's not into cutesy animals and shit like that. She'll kick your ass."
Logan's eyes twinkled. "Ah, you don't know my little marshmallow as well as I do. It's a joke. Something I said years ago. Trust me, she'll love it. Be right back."
Logan came back out of the store with a spring in his step and a glitter in his eye. "Dude, we have to run out to the car and stash it. I don't want her to see it before the time is right."
"Yeah, man, whatever," said Wallace, eyeing Logan as if he had lost his mind. "I hope I am never as gone for a chick as you are for Veronica." He said it, but he didn't really mean it. He was already pretty gone for Gina, though he wasn't about to admit it.
*********
"You guys wanna come to a Halloween party with me tonight?" asked Wallace. "I'm going as P. Diddy and Gina's gonna be my ho." It had been Gina's suggestion, actually. Wallace was a little embarrassed by the idea, but also amused. "Mac's going too. She says she going as a computer nerd. I have a feeling that means no dress up," he added dryly.
Veronica and Logan shared a glance.
"You could reprise your role as the naughty nurse," Logan suggested. "You know I am always willing to be your patient."
"I think I've had enough of people pretending to be things they are not," commented Veronica. "Maybe next time?"
Logan swung his arm around her. "So a night of making out on the couch and pretending to watch horror movies?"
Veronica eyed Logan. "I've called a moratorium on blood and guts. How about one of your chick flicks? You've seen the Philadelphia Story less than ten times, right?" At Logan's bashful look, she laughed. "Okay, are there any of them you haven't seen at least ten times?"
"The Philadelphia Story is good," Logan shrugged. His life's reality was such that he didn't need to see other people's heartbreak and anguish in the movies. And besides, it wasn't like he rented teen flicks. He liked the classics. "You know I like feisty women." He winked.
"And I love the conniving men." Veronica batted her eyelashes at him.
"You think I'm like Cary Grant?" asked Logan, flattered. "I knew there was a reason I loved you." Logan dipped Veronica for a silver screen worthy kiss, completely forgetting Wallace was in the room. Cary Grant got Katherine Hepburn to marry him twice in Philadelphia Story. Logan figured his odds were good for getting Veronica at least once. As soon as he got around to pulling out the ring.
His latest excuse was that he was waiting for her to decide her future, their future. He also wanted to pick a memorable occasion. he was thinking maybe Christmas, or New years. The holidays were so far away... which gave him time to build his courage. But also increased his anxiety.
"All right, I'm leaving before I am scarred forever," Wallace mumbled, rolling his eyes. "Have fun, ya'all. there is candy for the kiddies in a bowl by the door." The only response he got was smacking and slurping and he shuddered. Keith and Alicia were the same way. He really hoped he and Gina weren't that bad, though it seemed to be a part of the Marfennel genetics.
A/N: To repeat, there is a small epilogue coming for all of you waiting for that proposal, including poor afrocurl. I just wanted to post this before the deadline so i could technically call myself done. *grins* Hopefully, I will have teh epilogue up tomorrow night.