Season 3 Redux - 3.04 Don't Snort Charlie
Rating: NC-17 for serious lovin’
Word Count: 6,095
Category: AU-ing Season 3. They didn't do it right
Characters/Pairings: Veronica/Logan, Keith, Lamb, OFC
Spoilers: You should've watched the whole lot anyway, but this is only up to and including 3.04
Disclaimer: The characters were created by Rob Thomas and remain the property of Thomas, the CW, and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement is intended, no profit is made. But think of all the fun we'd have together....
Author's Note: Thanks as always to celtic_flicka for her fantastic beta. There are some punctuation rules I should’ve learnt by now, but turns out, not so much… I therefore thank my beta for her patience. All mistakes after the fact are mine.
Author’s Note2: WARNING - major angst ahead. If you came here for fluff, there’s none. I can offer you smut and angst, but you never know, you might like it… Comments are what I live for.
Summary: What if Season 3 was re-done? What if Veronica was the lover not the fighter? What if Logan looked the other way? Could they come back from it this time?
Previously on Veronica Mars: Episode 3.01, 3.02, 3.03
Now
“Come out, come out, blondie... I know you’re in here. I can smell the peroxide and perfume.” The voice was slow and calm. A voice you would trust if it belonged to any other person.
The rain had plastered the blond strands to her head, yet the wind managed to whip one across her face and into her eyes. She pulled at it frantically, not wanting her vision to be obstructed even for a second. Noises were coming at her from all around, echoing off the partial walls of the warehouse. Footsteps. Her brain repeated. Footsteps.
She clung to the industrial bin she was crouched behind, praying it would continue to hide her. She was so tired. She didn’t have any fight left. Her vision blurred again. She scrunched her eyes shut, desperate to clear them. It didn’t work. She choked back a sob as the panic began to rise. Her heart thumped wildly. Lightning lit up the room, the rumble of thunder echoed around it shortly after. Focus, come on, focus. Her brain wouldn’t listen. Exhaustion was overwhelming her. She felt her feet give way. She slipped backwards from the crouch she had been in, banging into the wall behind her and sliding down, landing on the cold concrete. Her legs bent awkwardly under her.
There was a sudden shrieking sound, the noise of metal scraping on concrete. The industrial bin was pushed aside. She looked up. She didn’t have the energy to sob, to cry out. She was so tired. Raindrops splattered on her face, stinging her eyes, yet through them she made out the figure standing in front of her.
“Why run when ya can’t hide?” he drawled. “You know, I was going to let you off easy, seeing as you’re just so pretty, but you went and pissed me off with your running, so I think I’ll stick with my original plan.”
He crouched down in front of her. The rain wasn’t splattering on her cheeks anymore. Her tears were.
“You just can’t keep your nose out of anything, can you?” he sneered.
Lightning lit up the room again, but she never heard the thunder.
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Then
Ordinarily the smell of food cooking would be enough to distract her from most things. Most things except this. This was unfamiliar territory for her.
“This is a bad idea.”
“No, it’s not.”
“You only think it’s not ‘cause you came up with it.”
“Veronica,” Keith put down the ladle and turned to her. “Is there something you’re trying to hide from me?”
Veronica fiddled with a non-existent snag on the counter surface. “No,” she said shortly.
Keith sighed. “Then what? Is it that you’re not really dating Logan and so when I asked you to invite your boyfriend around to dinner you’re embarrassed to admit it’s actually Cliff?”
Veronica allowed the corner of her mouth to turn up in a smile. “Wrong, and oh God, no.”
“Then what?” Keith repeated exasperatedly.
“Nothing, it’s just, you know, Logan. And you. In the same room. I remember one time that happened and...” She trailed off, her gaze shifting to the wall opposite her. The wall where Logan’s face had previously been pressed by her father.
Keith followed her gaze and sighed. “Honey, I’m not planning on throwing Logan up against a wall again anytime soon.” He smiled and turned back to the pot on the stove, picking up the ladle once more. “Unless of course, he criticises my...” He sniffed at the pot, before picking up the recipe next to the stove. “Goulash?! What on earth possessed me to cook goulash?” He feigned disgust, turning once more to Veronica.
She smiled. “Maybe you secretly hate him after all?”
“Secretly...?” He winked at her, just as there was a knock at the door.
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At first Logan had found Veronica’s vetting of the conversation between him and Keith amusing, endearing even. However, it didn’t take long for him to start questioning why she was doing it. Is Veronica ashamed? It appeared as if there was nothing safe for him to talk about, nothing that she approved of. Logan sighed and gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“Logan?” Her voice broke the silence inside the car. She sounded tentative.
Logan glanced at her in reply, turning back to look at the road as they approached a corner.
“You’re pretty quiet. Don’t you normally make some comment about Wendy’s right about now?” She gestured to the neon lighting of the fast food chain as they drove past.
Logan shrugged. “Guess there really is a limit on ice cream innuendo.”
“Logan-“
“Veronica, look, I’m tired and full of whatever the hell goulash is. There’s nothing wrong, ok?”
Veronica kept silent, staring straight ahead out the windshield as Logan parked the car in the basement under the hotel. He shut off the engine and the silence enveloped them.
Veronica’s jeans squeaked slightly on the leather as she turned in her seat to face him. She unclipped her seatbelt.
“Logan, please. Just listen. I know you’re pissed at me for something, and I think I know why.”
“Veronica, I’m not-“
“Let me finish.” She took a deep breath and leaned closer. “I... I guess...It just... It just really bothered me that you and my dad were talking,” she said in a rush of words.
Logan flicked his head to look at her. “Why?” he asked angrily. “You don’t think I can be trusted with speech? You don’t think I can be trusted to engage in polite conversation without an ulterior motive?”
Veronica pushed a lock of hair out of her eyes and looked out the windshield once more. “No,” she said simply. “I’m afraid my dad can’t be trusted.” She continued to stare straight ahead, even though she could feel Logan’s eyes on her. “Logan, my dad...” She stopped, biting her bottom lip.
Logan was silent. Her simple admission spoke volumes. She had never taken his view over Keith’s before. Just when you thought Veronica was a closed book, a new chapter begins. He watched her fiddle with the seam on the seat and felt a small smile break out over his face. He reached forward and cupped her chin. She jumped slightly at his sudden touch. Her skin felt so soft under his fingers. He ran his thumb over her bottom lip, watching as the tip of her tongue snaked out and followed its path.
“Logan...” Her voice was low. Her gaze searched his. Say it, Veronica. Say it. I know you want to. Logan silently pleaded, but Veronica remained quiet.
Logan dropped his gaze, so he didn’t see Veronica move. He heard the leather seat protest and suddenly she was on his lap. Her hands tangled together at the base of his neck, her hips pressed forward insistently into the crotch of his jeans.
His hands spanned her waist. “Veronica, you can exit the car through the passenger door, you know.” He smirked up at her.
Veronica unlocked her hands from around his neck, grasping the zipper of her hoodie and tugging it down sharply, parting the material, all the time holding Logan’s gaze.
Logan dropped his eyes to her newly exposed skin. A lot of newly exposed skin. He breathed in sharply. “Veronica,” he started slowly, forcing his voice down from the high pitch it was attempting. “Veronica, please tell me you didn’t sit like this all through dinner.” His hands travelled upwards, almost involuntarily, cupping a breast in each one.
Veronica arched back slightly, forcing her breasts further into his palms. The stiff peaks dug in, begging to be touched. Logan obligingly swept a thumb over each. Veronica leaned forward, touching her forehead to his, grinding her hips hard into his crotch. “You would’ve seen this a lot sooner, Logan, if you hadn’t kept bitching and moaning all night.”
“Moaning all night, huh? That sounds promising.” Logan moved his head, kissing her jawbone, before trailing his tongue down her neck, dipping into the hollow of her throat. As his tongue moved down, his hands at her waist forced her up onto her knees, until his tongue reached the curve of her breast. He slowed his movements, replaced his tongue with his lips, planting kisses along the top of each breast. His hands moved up to cup each one. He swirled his tongue around and around, making smaller and smaller circles with each pass. He could hear Veronica panting above him, and her skin was heated and flushed. He circled smaller and smaller, until he reached the centre. He paused and flicked at her nipple with the top of his tongue.
“Logan...” she warned with as much strength as she could muster.
His tongue lapped again, slower this time. When faced with Veronica Mars’ breasts, it was almost impossible to keep up a seduction for any great length of time. He knew it, she knew it. Her warning was all part of the game. His mouth parted and closed over the nipple, covering it completely and sucking deeply.
“Logan,” Veronica breathed. Her fingers tangled in his hair again, pulling him to her. Logan opened his mouth wider, sucking more of her breast in. He drew back slowly, catching her nipple between his teeth and nibbling gently. His eyes flicked upwards. Her hair was cascading down, her eyes were closed and her cheeks were flushed. Logan pulled back, allowing her breast to slip out from his lips completely.
Veronica’s eyes popped open and she looked down at Logan. Her lips parted in surprise as Logan pulled her zipper back up.
“Logan...?”
“Veronica, do you know that the last time we actually had sex in a bed was over two weeks ago? Now, call me old-fashioned, but I would like to pleasure my lady in an environment where the likelihood of having a stick-shift up my ass is pretty low.”
Veronica settled back onto his lap, smirking when she saw Logan wince.
“And what if all your lady wants is to insert said stick-shift up your ass?”
“Well, then my lady isn’t much of a lady now, is she?”
Veronica smiled sweetly, rotating her hips slightly. Logan stifled a groan.
“No, she isn’t.”
Logan pushed Veronica slightly off him and grasped the door handle, pulling it sharply to force the door open.
“Right, that’s it, Mars. You’ve asked for it.” Logan made to grab her and carry her out the car.
Veronica fended him off, laughing. “Forget it old man, I’ll make my own way upstairs.” She clambered off his lap and out of the car. Logan followed, slamming the door behind him and locking the doors. Veronica’s eyes flicked down pointedly. Logan followed her gaze, smirking when he saw the obvious bulge in his jeans. “What?” He shrugged innocently, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the elevator.
“Logan? How did you know it had been two weeks since we’d had sex in a bed? Did you write it in your journal?” she teased.
“Dear diary.” Logan stretched his free arm out in front of him, miming the placement of the words in the air with his hand. “Today, a girl smiled at me at my locker. Then later, Veronica fucked me like the bitch that I am.” Logan dropped his arm, spinning towards her. “We were also in bed,” he finished.
“Sounds like a best-seller.” Veronica walked ahead of him into the waiting elevator. “Ready for the sequel?” she asked, turning back and leaning against the elevator wall, smiling invitingly.
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Now
It wasn’t the incessant ringing that finally permeated his sleep-filled state. It was the drilling sound his cell seemed to make as it vibrated across the nightstand. Logan rolled over, grunting softly, stretching his arm out and feeling nothing but cool sheets.
His cell continued to ring, the sound echoing around the room.
Logan’s eyes popped open. The other side of the bed was empty. Logan pushed himself up on one elbow and rubbed a hand across his face, realization slowly replacing confusion.
His cell continued to ring. The glowing red numbers on the clock read 3.02 am. Logan swallowed and pushed himself up further. The sheets slid down and pooled at his waist. Despite the warmth of the room he felt a chill run through him.
His cell continued to ring. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky.
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Then
Logan felt her shift in the bed next to him. She had been asleep for a while now if the gentle snoring she insisted she didn’t do was any indication. He rolled towards her, looping an arm around her waist and gently pulling her naked sleeping form flush against his body. She stirred in her sleep, mumbling something and shifting her hips backwards so her ass ground against his crotch. He felt his cock leap, the blood in his body surged downwards.
Veronica’s breathing changed. She made another small movement with her hips. Logan felt his cock harden fully and push at the back of her thighs. Veronica lifted her leg slightly and his cock sprang into the gap, running itself along the full length of her sex. The heat radiated from her and he couldn’t stop himself thrusting his hips and letting out a small groan.
Veronica arched her back. Logan thrust again, sliding his hand from her waist to grip her thigh, opening her legs wider. Veronica shifted her hips and the tip of his cock slid to her entrance. She let out a soft moan and raised her arm over her head, bent at the elbow, grasping at the back of his head. He kissed her neck and bit down gently on her shoulder.
Veronica pushed herself backwards and Logan felt the length of him slide into her in one long, slow movement. Logan grunted, pulling all the way out just as slowly, before thrusting back in. Veronica moaned softly, grabbing a handful of his hair. Logan continued to thrust into her. He slid his hand from her thigh and trailed it across her stomach before tangling in the curls between her legs, seeking out her clit.
Veronica jerked in his arms when he touched it. Logan thrust harder and bit down again on her shoulder, tasting the saltiness of her skin. Veronica let go of his hair and moved her hand down to squeeze her breast. Logan moaned and thrust harder. Veronica very rarely touched herself. He flicked her clit in between thrusts, watching as she pulled at her nipple.
Logan’s breathing was becoming ragged. He felt a bead of sweat break out on his forehead. He moved his hips faster, pounding into Veronica, strumming her clit, desperate to take her over the edge with him. He thought she was close. Her moaning was making it worse for him. He hoped she was there. He thrust forward one last time and felt himself empty into her.
“Veronicaaa...” he groaned, his movements slowing. He pressed his forehead to her shoulder and felt his heart rate return to normal. He took a deep breath. His ability to master rational thoughts slowly returning to him.
“Wait... Veronica, did you...? Didn’t you...?” He half-sat, looking down at Veronica. Her head was turned away from him slightly. He felt his heart thud and slid his hand back down between her legs when she didn’t answer.
Veronica gripped his wrist to stop him. “It’s fine, Logan, don’t worry.” Her voice was low. She still wouldn’t look at him.
Logan paused before attempting to move his hand again. Veronica was surprisingly strong when she was half-asleep. His hand wasn’t going anyway. “Veronica, I’m not going to roll over and go to sleep. Please, I want to do this for you.”
“Logan, it’s fine.” Her voice was firmer now. “Please, just go back to sleep.”
“Veronica-?”
“Logan.” She rolled over suddenly, keeping hold of his hand so it ended up pressed between them. She looked up at him, her gaze determined. “I...” Her voice faltered and her gaze dropped. Logan tipped her chin back up with his free hand wordlessly.
Veronica took a deep breath. “I... I was asleep and then... then we were having sex... and it reminded me... that time... when it happened.... to me... and I... I... suddenly didn’t feel... I didn’t want to...”
Logan’s eyes widened slightly as she spoke. Christ, Echolls. Happy you got laid now? He slid his hand from under her chin to cup her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb. “Veronica, I’m...”
“Don’t. It’s ok,” Veronica said softly. She looked at him unblinking for a minute before leaning up and pressing her lips to his. “Go to sleep.” She kissed him again, but this time aimed for the corner of his mouth. She lay back down and rolled away from him.
Logan dropped his head down, pillowing it on his bicep. He closed his eyes and lay unmoving. Jesus, Logan. You should not be around people. Everything you touch, you turn to shit. Logan rolled onto his back, lacing his hands together and cradling his head. Everything you do reminds Veronica of the worst events of her life, but at least you got satisfied, right Logan?
He didn’t sleep for a long time.
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Part Two