Inevitable Part One
Title: Inevitable
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: Rob Thomas owns the VM universe
Rating: NC-17 (eventually for sexual situations)
Pairing: LL, VD, LV
Word Count:
Part One - 6,606 (hmm… how evil)
Spoilers: Season 1 and 2
Summary: AU - set pre-season 1;
Author’s Note: I've been working on a lot of AUs lately and decided to submit one for the Loveathon’s Epic Love Challenge. So to do something completely unprecedented, I'm going to start posting this as a WIP. Hope you enjoy it and hopefully it won't be long before I finish it. (I really need to work on my titles.)
--
Part One
--
“Do me a favor?” Lilly looked at her best friend with puppy eyes.
An unsuspecting Veronica asked, “What kind of favor?”
“I’m supposed to go to Dick’s party tonight with Logan. Go for me?”
“Why aren’t you going?”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “Celeste is demanding our presence at a family dinner tonight.”
“Duncan’s going too?” Veronica looked up in surprise. He hadn’t told her about it.
“He’s the reason for the dinner. Apparently he won something for soccer or something like that.”
“His MVP award.”
“Whatever. You know Celeste would celebrate Duncan sneezing if she could.”
Veronica smiled. “Why can’t you just tell Logan you can’t make it?”
“Because he’s being a possessive jerk again. He won’t believe me.”
“Alright, I’ll go. It’s not like I have plans now that both you and Duncan have been shanghaied for this dinner.”
“You’re the best, Veronica Mars.” Lilly flamboyantly kissed her cheeks.
“I don’t see why Logan can’t just go alone.”
“You’ll understand when you get there.”
Veronica sighed, “What have I gotten myself into?”
--
Logan opened his arms wide as he flung the door open to greet his girlfriend. His grin fell when he saw who was standing there. Dropping his arms, he glared at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Lilly and Duncan have been roped into a family dinner,” Veronica said in explanation.
He looked her over. “And you came to throw yourself at me now that they’re out of the way?”
She rolled her eyes. “Lilly asked that I keep you company at Dick’s party.”
“And that requires that you dress like that?” He raised an eyebrow at her attire.
She looked down at her outfit. She was wearing a strapless top made out of a shimmering light green lacy material over tight dark blue jeans. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“You don’t usually dress so…” Logan grasped for the right word.
“So, what?” Veronica crossed her arms.
“Hot.” The red burned up the back of his neck.
She punched his arm. “Stop joking. Come on, let’s go to this party.”
When she turned around, heading towards her car, Logan noticed that the back of her top was… well, there was no back to her top except for a thin strip of ribbon that tied together at the middle of her back. The entire expanse of her smooth back was exposed.
Logan jogged after her. “What do you think you’re wearing?”
“What are you talking about?” She frowned at him in confusion.
“You don’t really expect me to let you go out in public wearing that?”
She rolled her eyes. “Just get in the car, Logan.” Sitting behind the steering wheel, she waited patiently for him to get into the car. “Are you coming?” Seeing him stand there petulantly, she added, “I’m going whether you come or not.”
Muttering under his breath, he got into the passenger seat.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Veronica asked when they got to Dick’s.
“You’re half naked.”
“I’m not half naked.” Veronica pushed her way into the mansion.
Logan grabbed her. “Stay in front of me.”
“Logan, you’re overreacting.”
“Did Duncan see you tonight? There’s no way he would let you out wearing that shirt. If you can even call it a shirt.”
“Duncan doesn’t tell me what I can or can’t wear.”
“He should,” he grumbled.
“Go have fun with your friends.” Veronica pushed him away. “Go, shoo.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Logan, just go.” She walked away.
He followed her, grabbing a cup of beer from Dick as he passed the keg. He felt slightly relieved when he saw Veronica taking a seat on the couch with Meg. Collapsing on the sofa beside her, he gulped down his beer as Dick sat on the ottoman in front of him.
“Hey, Ronnie,” Dick leered. “Where’s DK tonight?”
“Dinner with the family.” She knocked Logan’s hand away from her French braids.
“So you came to spend your lonely night here?” Dick grinned. “Excellent.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Hey, Dick, where’s Madison?”
“Around somewhere,” Dick shrugged.
Veronica turned back to her conversation with Meg as Logan and Dick set up shots.
“So Lilly’s at the family thing too?” Dick asked.
“She is part of Duncan’s family.” Logan downed his shot. “She sent Veronica as my designated driver.”
“How considerate of her.” Dick topped off their glasses. “So I’m planning a trip down to TJ. Interested?”
“When?”
“Two weeks.”
“I’ll have to get back to you.”
Dick nodded.
“Party next week. My place.”
“Yeah?”
“My parents are going out of town.”
“Where to?”
“Nepal.”
“I’ll bring the kegs.”
They tapped their glasses before tipping them back.
Logan spent the next few hours knocking back shots with Dick and whoever else stopped by to chat. He was beyond drunk by the time he realized that he hadn’t checked on Veronica since they’d arrived.
Logan turned his head to look at her. His back went ramrod straight when he didn’t see her beside him. “Where’d she go?”
“Where’d who go?”
“Veronica.” He shot to his feet as he began scanning the room. “Where the hell did she go?”
“What do you care?”
“Did you see what she was wearing?”
“She looks hot.”
“Exactly.” Logan stumbled his way, pushing through the crowd as he looked for the wayward blond. He finally spotted her standing by the stairs with some guys that he couldn’t quite recognize in his inebriated state. “Ronnie?” he giggled. “Where’d you go?”
“I’ve been right here,” she answered, looking him over.
“I didn’t see you.”
“Could that be because you’re drunk?” she asked dryly. Wrapping her arm around his waist, she guided him toward the door. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
“But the party’s just getting started,” he yelled.
Dick hooted his agreement from across the room, before bursting into a fit of giggles and collapsing back on the sofa.
“The party started four hours ago and you’ve been drinking nonstop for more than half that time.” Veronica tugged on him. “Come on, Logan.”
“I don’t want to leave.” He pulled away from her.
Cassidy joined her. “Why don’t you get him upstairs? He usually passes out in the guest room with Lilly by this time of night.”
Nodding, she grabbed Logan’s arm, before asking Cassidy, “Help me?”
The two managed to get Logan upstairs before he lost his balance and ended up on his ass. Luckily he was already by the bed, so he didn’t have far to fall.
Veronica and Cassidy drag him to the middle of the bed, before dusting their hands off.
She turned to him, “Why don’t you head back to the party? I’ll make sure he doesn’t chock on his own vomit.”
“You sure?”
Veronica nodded. “Go have fun.”
Cassidy closed the door behind him as he left.
Climbing on the bed beside Logan, Veronica grabbed the remote to turn the television on. With the volume on low, she watched old reruns.
--
The solid warm weight across her stomach was the first thing she noticed when she woke up. The second thing she noticed was the heavy arm lying across her stomach. Shifting slightly, she felt the body pressed against her back. “Logan?” she asked softly.
Hearing a short groan and feeling the arms tighten around her, Veronica tried a different approach. Grabbing his hand, she tried to move it away from her, but she achieved the opposite effect. His hold tightened further.
“Logan?” she gasped as his lips touched her bare back.
He hummed, barely acknowledging her, as he pressed kisses across her shoulders.
“Logan!” she said sharply.
“Veronica,” he complained. Logan had had this dream many times. Usually he’d be startled awake after he’d gotten her naked. Tonight’s dream was going a little differently.
“Would you please let go of me?”
Her hands felt so real on his skin; her body warm against his. It was slowly getting through to Logan’s sleep fogged brain that this wasn’t a dream. Not wanting her to realize his mistake, he smirked against the back of her neck. “Come on, Ronnie, how many times will I get to wake up in bed with you? You didn’t expect me not to take advantage of this delightful opportunity.”
Elbowing him in the stomach, she turned around once he’d loosened his grip. “Behave. I’m sure Lilly wouldn’t appreciate you feeling up another girl.”
“I’m sure she would when she finds out it's you.” Logan hugged her close. “Lilly would probably congratulate me.” He squeezed her tight, tickling her sides.
Giggling, she pushed him away. “Lilly might, but Duncan definitely wouldn’t.”
He dropped his arms and slumped back on his back.
Veronica rolled off the bed, careful to make sure that her top was held against her because she was pretty sure that Logan had pulled the ribbon loose. She kept her back to him as she tied her shirt back into place. Walking over to the mirror, she got a look at her sleep frazzled hair. Sighing, she pulled out the ties and began to undo her braids.
Logan watched as she pulled her fingers through her long hair. When she was done, her hair fell around her shoulders in loose waves.
“Come on,” Veronica nudged his feet, “we should get out of here.”
“What time is it?” he groaned.
“Seven.”
“In the morning?” He turned over to bury his face in the pillow. “Wait, it’s seven?” He jumped to his feet. “I have to get you home. Your father is going to kill me.”
“It’s fine.” Veronica followed after him. “I called him last night.”
He slowed. “What’d you tell him?”
“I told him that you got drunk off your ass and I had to stay with you.” She laughed when he stared at her, mouth gapping. “I’m kidding. I told him I’d be staying over at Lilly’s.” Looping her arm through his, she walked down the stairs with him. “You can treat me to some breakfast before I drive your hung-over self home.”
“Why should I?”
“To make up for groping me.”
--
Veronica skipped with Logan into his house. They were greeted by Logan’s father.
“Logan,” Aaron plastered a smile on his face, “where’ve you been all night?”
Veronica smiled sweetly at him. “Mr. Echolls, I had car trouble last night on our way home. Logan offered to stay with me while I waited for the tow truck. I took him to breakfast as a ‘thank you’ before driving him home.”
Aaron patted Logan’s shoulder. “You should have called to let me know. Your mother and I were worried.”
Logan scratched his ear sheepishly. “I was too busy distracting Veronica. She doesn’t like to be out so late at night.”
“I’m sorry I kept Logan with me,” she apologized. “I would have called my dad, but this is his first night off in weeks. I didn’t want to bother him.”
“Don’t worry about it, Veronica. I’m glad Logan could help.” He patted Logan’s shoulder again. “Go say ‘hello’ to your mother.” He waved at Veronica, “I have a meeting with my agent. Veronica.” Making his way out of the house, he made sure to throw Logan a glare before shutting the front door.
Veronica looked up at Logan worriedly. “He seemed mad.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he smirked. “He’ll forget by the time he gets home.”
Seeing that he didn’t want to discuss it further, she pulled on his arm. “Let’s go say ‘hi’ to your mom.”
--
Logan let out an oomph as Lilly landed on top him.
“Hey, how was Dick’s party?” She asked, straddling his thighs.
“Stressful.”
“How?” She lent her elbows on his chest so that she could prop up her chin.
“Did you see what Veronica was wearing yesterday?”
“No, why? What was she wearing?”
Logan sighed, “Forget about it.”
“Tell me. You can’t peak my curiosity and then leave me hanging. What was V wearing? Was it pink?”
“Green.”
“And what was so special about what she was wearing that made you stressed?”
“She looked…”
“Looked?” she prodded, “Cute? Prim? Sexy?” She laughed as if that weren’t a possibility.
“Hot,” Logan finally admitted.
“Really?” she said, intrigued. “And this made you stressed because?”
“Everyone was looking at her,” he muttered.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Lilly sat up straight. “Veronica Mars is hot. I’ve been trying to get her to flaunt it.”
“She doesn’t want the attention like you do.”
“But she does get it.”
Logan placed his hands firmly at her waist and rolled her off him onto the bed beside him as he shot to his feet.
“Oh,” she smiled like a Cheshire cat, “seems Veronica gets your attention too.”
He smirked. “I do have eyes.”
“It’s more than that.” She tilted her head, studying him.
“Think what you want,” he scoffed. “You always have.”
--
Lilly bounced on to Veronica’s bed. “You have to show me what you wore to Dick’s party.”
Veronica frowned, “You’ve never wanted to see my clothes before.”
“No,” she agreed, “but I’ve been hearing how hot you looked from everybody.” Lilly grinned, “Maybe I’ll borrow it from you sometime.”
Sifting through her closet, Veronica tossed her jeans at Lilly before pulling her top out.
Lilly pouted as Veronica held the top against her. She’d expected something more than a strapless top made of lace. Hopping off the bed, she took the top from Veronica. That’s when she noticed the lack of a back. A smirk stretched across her lips. “Veronica, how hot is this?”
“You think?” Veronica asked. “I liked the lace.”
“And the green goes perfectly with your eyes.” Lilly held the top to herself, “I think I’m a little too busty for this top.” She pouted a little before turning wicked eyes on Veronica. “Your swimsuit covers more of your back than this does. I’m surprised you voluntarily wore this.”
“You make me sound like a prude.” Veronica took the top back and put it back in her closet.
Lilly tapped her lower lip. “What made you decide to wear this to Dick’s?”
She shrugged, “I got it a couple weeks ago. Dick’s was the first party I’ve been to since then.”
“You could have worn it on a date with Donut,” Lilly pointed out.
“Not exactly something I’d wear to a fancy restaurant and it seemed a waste to wear it to the movies.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure it wasn’t because you were going out with Logan?”
“You’re not serious,” Veronica said in disbelief. “You think that I like Logan?”
Lilly shrugged, “You wouldn’t be the first.”
“Lilly, I would never go after your boyfriend.”
“That doesn’t stop you from liking him.”
Veronica studied her friend for a moment, gauging whether she really wanted the truth. "Honestly? If you never dated him and if I never dated Duncan, I would probably have a crush on him.”
“So even if I broke up with him now, you wouldn’t date him?”
“Friends don’t date their best friends’ exes.”
“Even if the best friend gave permission to?”
“Lilly, where are you going with this?”
She shrugged, “Just curious.”
--
“You guys prepared for the biggest blow-out of all time?” Logan grinned.
“Where are your parents going this time?” Duncan asked.
“Nepal.” He reached over and pulled a rubber band off Lilly’s wrist, causing her to throw down her chopsticks. “Sherpas lug their crap up and down a mountain for two weeks so they can take pictures of a yak,” he commented as he stretched the rubber band and took aim at Duncan who was trying to dodge the attack.
Duncan smiled as he was hit on the forehead.
“While I take pictures of you yakking in the comfort of your living room,” Veronica stated happily as she took a bite of her lunch.
“Happens twice a year,” Lilly informed Yolanda, the new girl. “His parents leave town. He throws a big party and he gets busted. You must be there.”
Veronica agreed. “You must.”
Yolanda smiled, “I guess I must.”
--
“You’re really not going?” Veronica asked Lilly as she dressed for Logan’s party.
Lilly leaned back against the pile of pillows on her bed. “Like I said. He’s insanely jealous all the time.”
“And it’s getting on your nerves,” she finished, rolling her eyes. She sighed, “If he bothers you that much I’m surprised you got back together with him in the first place. Why don’t you just break up with him again?”
“I’ve considered it,” Lilly responded, “but I love the poor boy. Why else do you think I keep getting back together with him? Two years, you know?” She smirked, “Plus we’ve only been together for a couple weeks this time. I wouldn’t want to be mean.”
“Have you talked to him?”
She smirked, “Can’t say I have. I admit it, V, Logan and I don’t do the rational talking thing.”
“I guess not.” Veronica had been witness to their relationship since the moment of its conception. She knew that they were more likely to break up after a fight rather than try to get through it. Looking at her best friend now, she said, “Maybe it’s time you start.”
Lilly shook her head. “Logan and I aren’t like you and Duncan. We aren’t the goopy, sweet and sugary type.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t talk. And no, shouting at the top of your lungs doesn’t count.”
“Don’t worry about us, V. Things will work themselves out… eventually.”
Checking her hair one last time, she turned back to Lilly. “You’re sure you won’t come?”
“Next time. I need a break.”
“Alright.” Veronica grabbed her hands. “I’ll walk you out. Unless you want to spend the night with my parents?”
Lilly smirked, “I’m sure your mother would be tons of fun, but I doubt your dad would be happy with underage drinking.”
Veronica shook her head, a smile on her face. “You’re such a bitch, Lilly.”
“But you love me anyway.” She looped her arm around Veronica’s. “Why isn’t Donut picking you up again?”
“Soccer practice.”
--
Logan was half drunk and he was still drinking. He laughed as Yolanda flicked another quarter into his shot glass. “Girl is deadly at this.”
“You’re letting her win,” Duncan commented.
“Yep, or maybe it’s to let her get me drunk and she’ll take advantage of me.”
“Dream on,” Yolanda scoffed.
Logan tossed back his shot.
Veronica shook her head from her position sitting on Duncan’s lap. “Careful, Logan. Lilly’s just sick. She’s not dead.”
He spat the quarter out. “Sick, my ass! She’s jerking me around. She look sick to you earlier, D?”
Duncan shook his head, “Hey, leave me out of this.”
Logan mocked, “Status quo.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Duncan laughed, confused.
Wanting to avoid an argument, Veronica touched her boyfriend’s face. “Duncan, we should get going. You have practice early tomorrow and I need to get home before my dad decides to have you killed.”
“Right.” He stood once Veronica slid off his lap.
Veronica exchanged air kisses with Yolanda. “Got to go, Yo.”
Logan stood with them. “Uh, Veronica, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” She went to follow him into another room. “Duncan, why don’t you go ahead? We came separately anyway.” She didn’t hear his response since she’d already left the room. Turning to Logan, she asked, “So, what’s up?”
He looked at her from beneath his lowered lashes. “I wanted to ask you… why didn’t Lilly come tonight?”
Looking up at him with sad eyes, she sighed, “Oh, Logan.”
“She’s going to break up with me, isn’t she?”
“I don’t know. I did ask her though.”
“What did she say?”
“Logan-”
“Just tell me. I can handle it.”
She swallowed. “She said that she considered it… but she loves you… so she hasn’t really decided yet.”
He snorted, “If she really loved me, she wouldn’t be considering it.”
“You have to admit that the two of you haven’t really been happy lately.”
Glaring at her, he kicked at the ground.
“You get jealous when she talks to other guys-”
“‘Talks to’? You mean ‘flirts with,’” he muttered.
“And she gets annoyed by your possessiveness.”
“You make it sound like it’s all my fault.”
“It’s not. It’s both of you. If you could just sit down and talk, you could work through all your problems. You’re both just too pigheaded to admit that you’re wrong.” She shook her head. “What I don’t understand is that neither of you seem to have any difficulty talking to me. Why can’t you talk to each other?” Sighing, she leant up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Get some rest, Logan. You know as well as I do that there’s no use worrying about it. Lilly is going to do whatever she wants… and nothing you or I do is going to change her mind.”
--
Veronica spun around hoping to see her boyfriend after being away for a weekend with her best friend. She smiled at him about to greet him when he just walked passed without a word or a single glance. Her smile fell in confusion.
Noticing this, Logan nudged Duncan’s elbow. “What was that?”
Frowning, Duncan looked at him. “What?”
“You just snubbed your girlfriend, man.”
He shrugged in response.
“What the hell is going on? Did you two break up or something?” Not getting any kind of response, let alone the one he was expecting, Logan grabbed Duncan’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Duncan pulled his arm from Logan’s grip. “Veronica and I… we can’t be together anymore.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“We’re not together anymore… Just leave it alone,” Duncan said in frustration.
“Fine,” Logan said petulantly, “but did you let her in on this little detail?” He glared at Duncan for a minute before he stormed off.
--
“He’s an idiot,” Lilly said idly as she lay on her side.
“I don’t understand. He’s in love with her,” Logan said, “why is he dropping her?”
“You’d know better than me.”
“You’re his sister.”
“You’re his best friend.”
“This just doesn’t make sense.” Logan shook his head. He knew that Duncan was head over heals in love with Veronica. He would have bet his right hand that Duncan would do anything for her. Now suddenly Duncan was breaking up with her.
“You’re telling me. Breaking up with her is one thing, but to not even say so to her face,” Lilly scoffed. “I always knew my brother was never the confrontational type, but I didn’t think he was such a coward.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“He wouldn’t say.”
“How is she doing?”
“She doesn’t even know what’s going on.” Lilly sighed and rolled on to her back. “I promised her I’d talk to him.”
Logan crawled on top of her. “I guess it will be your job to help get her over this.” He leant down and started kissing her cheek.
“Our job,” she giggled before wrapping an arm around his neck, pulling him down on top of her.
--
It broke Lilly’s heart to see her best friend so sad. She watched as Veronica tried to cover her tears as she went to hide in the girls’ bathroom. She leaned back against Logan when he walked up behind her. “She’s so sad.”
“I know,” Logan kissed her cheek, “but we’ll make it better.”
“Go talk to her.”
“What? Why me?” he protested. “You’re the girl. Shouldn’t you be the one that goes into the girls’ bathroom to comfort her?”
“Just go already!” she shoved him in.
He stumbled in before he could regain his balance. Landing against the wall opposite the door, he righted himself before peeking around to look in on Veronica. Not seeing her, he asked softly, “Veronica?” He heard sniffles coming from one of the stalls. “Veronica?”
“Go away, Logan.” Her voice was muffled. “What are you doing in the girls’ bathroom, anyway?”
“Ask your best friend. She’s the one that pushed me in here.” He looked around the forbidden room curiously. “I’ve never been in here before.”
“That’s because you have that extra appendage that girls don’t have,” she sniffled.
“True, but it provides so much entertainment.” His smirk widened when he heard her small snort. “Come on, Ronnie, get out of there. I promise not to laugh at your puffy eyes and drippy nose.”
“My eyes are not puffy,” she said indignantly, before softly blowing her nose.
“Just come out here.” He listened as the lock unlatched. Standing with his arms spread, he engulfed her in a hug when she walked into his embrace. “It’s going to be alright.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not.”
“Of course it is. Duncan’s not god’s gift. You’ll find hundreds of other guys just like him.”
“I don’t want a hundred guys.” She pressed her face against his shoulder.
“I know,” he rolled his eyes, “you want the perfect guy… with the perfect hair… so that you’ll have a perfect marriage, with a perfect house and the perfect two point five kids... and a perfect dog.”
She shoved his shoulder. “I thought he loved me.”
“I thought he did too.” Logan sighed, trying to reassure her, “D’s probably just going through something.”
“That’s what Lilly said,” she muttered. “What does that even mean? ‘He’s going through something.’ He’s an ass. He didn’t even have the guts to break up with me.”
Changing tactics, he agreed, “That’s exactly right. Duncan’s an ass. You deserve better than him.” Insult the boy, so that maybe she’ll stop crying over him.
“At least when Lilly breaks up with you, she tells you you’re broken up.”
“Well, D and Lilly never did have the same interests. She likes to see herself ripping out my heart. Duncan’s more sensitive that way,” he said snidely.
“You mean he’s more delusional that way,” Veronica said bitterly. “He doesn’t want anything to mar the image of his happy world… so he avoids it. Ignores it, so that maybe it will just go away.” She whispered, “And it usually does.”
Logan was surprised that she was able to say such harsh things about her boy… well, ex-boyfriend. He didn’t think that she had noticed any flaws in his best friend. “You’re not planning on going away, are you?” he teased, trying to make her laugh. “I can’t have that. Especially since you help me amuse Lilly. I’d have to deal with her pouting twenty-four seven if you went away.”
“I’m sure you could handle it,” she said dryly.
“She’ll want to start braiding my hair,” he said with mock horror.
Giggling, she gripped his shirt in her hands, “I can just imagine you with cornrows.”
Logan grimaced, “Not likely.” Seeing her small smile, he tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him. “Don’t cry for him anymore. He’s not worth it.” He ran his thumbs under her eyes to wipe away her tears. “You don’t need D.”
“It feels like I do.”
“It’ll go away,” he whispered softly. “Trust me. I’ve been dumped by a Kane dozens of times.”
--
“What?” Lilly said in surprise.
“It’s true,” Madison simpered. “Carrie saw them coming out of the girls’ bathroom this morning. They weren’t even trying to hide it. He was all over her.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Wait. This morning?”
“Yeah, right before first period.”
Lilly waved it off. “That was nothing.”
Madison was confused. “Your boyfriend is cheating on you and you don’t care?”
“They weren’t cheating. They would never cheat… well, at least Veronica wouldn’t.” Lilly pouted as she continued on her way to her class.
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to.”
--
“What’s wrong with you?” Dick frowned at his girlfriend when she slammed her locker shut.
“Lilly and her trailer trash friend.”
He looked around, making sure no one heard her. “Don’t talk about Veronica that way. Do you want Logan to hear about it?”
Ignoring him, she ranted, “I tell Lilly that Logan was probably cheating on her with that trailer park girl and she doesn’t even blink an eye. It was like she wanted them to be together.”
Dick laughed at that. “Veronica would never hone in on Logan.”
“Carrie saw them all over each other.”
“So what? Carrie’s a gossip and a liar.”
“Whatever. Doesn’t matter. If it were any other girl, Lilly would have kicked her ass to the curb by now.”
“Veronica’s her best friend,” he shrugged.
“And the weird thing is that it seemed like Lilly wanted Logan and Veronica to be cheating on her.”
“Maybe they have a threesome now that Duncan’s out of the way,” he joked.
“That’s sick, Dick.” She thought for a moment. “I wouldn’t put it passed them.”
“The only reason you hate Veronica is because she’s Lilly’s best friend… and she’s actually nice. Stop obsessing about Veronica Mars.” Dick started heading for class.
“I don’t understand why we even have to put up with her anymore anyway. It’s not like she’s dating Duncan now. He finally grew a brain.”
--
Logan had made his way into the Kane manor in search of Duncan. No matter what the situation between Duncan and Veronica, Duncan was still Logan’s best friend.
“Hey, man,” Duncan greeted with a smile.
They headed up to his room where they settled in to play video games.
“Dick, Beaver and I are making a trip to Tijuana. Want to join?” Logan asked.
“Can’t. My parents would kill me if I missed two days of school to go carousing and drinking.”
“You mean your mom would.” Logan smirked, “I can just picture Celeste’s face frozen in her regal ice queen glare now.”
Duncan chuckled, “Not exactly something that I want to come home to.”
“And yet your dad does it everyday.” Logan fell back, as Duncan playfully socked him in the shoulder before rising.
“More popcorn?”
“Sure.” His attention became focused on the game in front of him. Logan was so absorbed in the game, he didn’t noticed how long Duncan was gone until he heard screaming coming from the other room. Jumping to his feet, he went to investigate.
He heard Duncan saying, “You took everything. Go away.”
Quickening his pace, he reached the adjacent room to find Duncan on the floor. Moving closer, he was shocked to find that Duncan was choking his own father.
Grabbing Duncan’s wrists, Logan tried to pull his hands off of Jake.
He was further confused when Duncan sudden collapsed.
Jake scrambled to his feet and moved to help Duncan up.
Not understanding, Logan simply assisted Jake in carrying Duncan to his room.
Settling Duncan on to his bed, Jake turned to Logan. “Why don’t you head home? I have this under control.”
Helplessly, Logan looked over at Duncan before leaving.
--
Veronica stabbed listlessly at her lunch.
“Here.”
She looked up and saw that Logan had placed a carton of egg rolls in front of her. She gave him a small smile. “My favorite.”
“I know. You tried to bite my hand off for the last one the last time we ordered take out.”
“Thank you.”
He dropped his own lunch down on the table before sitting down beside her. “Where’s Lilly?”
“I don’t know.”
“Feel like going to Tijuana this week?”
“And interrupt your guy bonding?”
“You can drink and look at naked women with us,” he teased. “Maybe you’ll see something you like.”
She rolled her eyes, “No, thank you. Lilly and I have to go to the car wash for pep squad.”
“Hm,” he said, intrigued, “wet t-shirts.”
“Pervert.”
“It’s a known fact,” he said proudly.
She laughed at his absurdity. Taking a moment, she added softly, “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me twice for egg rolls.”
“No, not for that… for helping me forget.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“But you’re his friend.”
“I’m your friend too. And quite frankly, he’s being a jackass.”
“Mad that he’s taken your role?” she smirked.
He grinned, “I do play it best.”
--
“Hey, Duncan. You okay?” Logan asked in concern when he saw Duncan for the first time since the incident at the Kanes’.
Looking at him, slightly confused, Duncan shrugged, “I’m fine. Everything’s cool.”
Logan was baffled by Duncan’s reaction, as if he didn’t know what Logan was asking him about.
Duncan smiled, “So you guys are leaving today?”
“After school,” he responded slowly.
“Have a good time. I’ll see you when you get back on Sunday.” Duncan waved before leaving for his next class, leaving Logan to stare after him in dismay.
--
Seeing her best friend so happy and bouncy, Veronica commented, “God, Lilly, I see the Prozac’s working.”
“High on life, Veronica Mars. I’ve got a secret… a good one,” Lilly announced conspiratorially.
“Girls, less talk, more scrub.” They heard from behind them.
“Later.” Lilly dragged the soapy sponge across the car as she bounced away.
Veronica continued to soap up the car when suddenly she was sprayed full on by the hose. She shrieked while trying to run away and get a look at the culprit. “Logan!”
Laughing, he released the handle and passed the hose back to the girl he had borrowed it from. He gave Veronica a playful leer. “Is that a bikini I see under that top of yours?”
“I probably look like a drowned rat and that’s what your focus is on?” She pulled her wet hair out of her face, pulling out her hairclips. Gathering her hair back, she wrung out the water before putting it up in a messy pony tail. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I was worried about you, so I drove back this morning. I was also tired of watching Dick and Beaver taking turns heaving.” He looked her up and down. “Don’t you think you should take off your shirt? It’ll dry faster.”
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Veronica huffed as she pulled off her clinging uniform top.
“I’m a master at getting girls to remove their clothes for me.”
“Dream on.” Lilly came up, wrapping an arm around his waist. “What are you doing here?”
He kissed her cheek in greeting. “I came to see you and Veronica in wet t-shirts. You weren’t around when I had the hose.”
“Too bad. I don’t have a swimsuit under this.” She turned her eyes on Veronica, “And you. When did you buy such a hot bikini and why haven’t you worn it before today?”
Crossing her arms self-consciously around her middle, Veronica sighed, “I only wore it under my shirt in case I got wet.” She didn’t normally wear anything so revealing.
“Well, you look hot.”
“Girls!” the older pep squad member shouted. “Back to work!”
“How much longer are you here for?” Logan asked as Veronica picked her sponge back up and returned to soaping the car.
“Another hour or so,” Lilly sighed in displeasure.
“I’ll stick around. We can go for food after.”
“Pick up some takeout?” Lilly asked. “I have something to do after this.”
“Then we’ll meet at my place?”
“My place. At six?”
“What about DK?”
“He’s not home. He has soccer practice.”
--
“Thanks, dad,” Veronica leaned over and kissed Keith’s cheek.
Logan nodded, sheepishly, “Yeah… uh, thanks for the ride.”
“No problem.” Keith grabbed the pizzas from Logan. “Come by the station tomorrow and I’ll drive you over to the impound lot.”
Veronica smirked, “Maybe next time you’ll remember not to park in a fire route.”
“Hey, I was only planning on stopping by to say ‘hi’,” Logan complained. “What happened to just giving parking tickets?”
Keith snorted his laughter, before nudging the two of them to the front door. “I’ll carry these in for you,” he offered, seeing that Logan was weighted down with the Chinese takeout they had also ordered.
“Lilly’s probably pissed that we’re late,” Veronica sighed.
“I wasn’t the one that took forever deciding on what to eat,” Logan remarked.
“You also weren’t the one that wanted Chinese and pizza,” Keith added, teasingly.
Veronica huffed, “I wasn’t the one that got my car towed and made us wait an extra half hour for my dad to come pick us up.”
“Children,” Keith said sternly.
“Why isn’t Lilly answering?” Logan trying to peek through the tinted windows of the front door. “She is home, isn’t she?”
“Her car’s here.” Veronica looked to the side of the house, “She’s probably out back.”
As they approached the backyard, they heard shouting.
“I want those tapes back, you little bitch!”
Logan frowned, “Dad?”
Keith handed the pizzas over to Veronica. “Stay here.”
He rounded the house quickly to see an ash tray smashing down on Lilly’s head. She fell to the ground. Pulling out his weapon, he cocked it and shouted, “Freeze!”
Aaron dropped the ash tray in stunned silence, panicked at what he had just done and that he had been caught by the Sheriff doing it. He turned around slowly, his mind working to try to find a way out of the problem. He saw his son and the cute blond directly behind Keith and knew from their expressions that they had seen him slamming the ash tray into their friend’s skull.
Dropping to his knees, he stared at his hands. Putting his acting skills into use, he wailed, “What have I done?”
Keith approached him slowly, his gun aimed at Aaron’s chest. “Don’t move.”
Logan dropped the food and ran to Lilly. Seeing her blank unseeing eyes, he knew she was dead, but he needed to confirm it. Reaching out with a shaky hand, he felt for a pulse. He found none. “She’s dead.”
“Veronica, call 911,” Keith said as calmly as possible. He was torn between wanting to comfort his daughter and keeping Aaron in his sights. He sighed internally as his duty as Sheriff prevented him from doing his duty as a father. Withdrawing his handcuffs, Keith reached for Aaron’s wrists. “Aaron Echolls, you are under arrest for the murder of Lilly Kane. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do will be used against you...” Cuffing Aaron, as he spoke, Keith kept one eye on him while he carefully guided Logan away from Lilly’s body and toward Veronica.
It wasn’t long before the sirens were heard and Keith’s backup arrived en masse.
The paramedics rushed to check on Lilly. Deputies Saks and Lamb moved to take the prisoner into custody. The rest of the deputies sealed off the perimeter, while the crime scene guys began to gather their evidence.
Keith went over to Logan and Veronica. “Why don’t we go out front?” He could tell as he guided them easily away from the scene that the pair were in shock. He asked the paramedics to make sure that they were okay before sitting down with them.
Veronica looked up at her father, eyes wide. “Lilly’s dead,” she whimpered, her voice cracking. Tears began to flow freely as she gasped in shock and pain.
Before Keith could move to her, Logan pulled Veronica into his arms and buried his face in her hair. Keith sat by helpless watching the two cry - Logan’s silent tears dripping down his face and Veronica’s loud sobs muffled by Logan’s chest. He was moved to comfort them, but was drawn away when Celeste and Jake Kane arrived with their son. Keith looked at them sadly.
It was never an easy task to tell someone that a loved one was dead, but someone had to do it.
--
To be continued
Loveathon's Epic Love Challenge
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: Rob Thomas owns the VM universe
Rating: NC-17 (eventually for sexual situations)
Pairing: LL, VD, LV
Word Count:
Part One - 6,606 (hmm… how evil)
Spoilers: Season 1 and 2
Summary: AU - set pre-season 1;
Author’s Note: I've been working on a lot of AUs lately and decided to submit one for the Loveathon’s Epic Love Challenge. So to do something completely unprecedented, I'm going to start posting this as a WIP. Hope you enjoy it and hopefully it won't be long before I finish it. (I really need to work on my titles.)
--
Part One
--
“Do me a favor?” Lilly looked at her best friend with puppy eyes.
An unsuspecting Veronica asked, “What kind of favor?”
“I’m supposed to go to Dick’s party tonight with Logan. Go for me?”
“Why aren’t you going?”
Lilly rolled her eyes. “Celeste is demanding our presence at a family dinner tonight.”
“Duncan’s going too?” Veronica looked up in surprise. He hadn’t told her about it.
“He’s the reason for the dinner. Apparently he won something for soccer or something like that.”
“His MVP award.”
“Whatever. You know Celeste would celebrate Duncan sneezing if she could.”
Veronica smiled. “Why can’t you just tell Logan you can’t make it?”
“Because he’s being a possessive jerk again. He won’t believe me.”
“Alright, I’ll go. It’s not like I have plans now that both you and Duncan have been shanghaied for this dinner.”
“You’re the best, Veronica Mars.” Lilly flamboyantly kissed her cheeks.
“I don’t see why Logan can’t just go alone.”
“You’ll understand when you get there.”
Veronica sighed, “What have I gotten myself into?”
--
Logan opened his arms wide as he flung the door open to greet his girlfriend. His grin fell when he saw who was standing there. Dropping his arms, he glared at her. “What are you doing here?”
“Lilly and Duncan have been roped into a family dinner,” Veronica said in explanation.
He looked her over. “And you came to throw yourself at me now that they’re out of the way?”
She rolled her eyes. “Lilly asked that I keep you company at Dick’s party.”
“And that requires that you dress like that?” He raised an eyebrow at her attire.
She looked down at her outfit. She was wearing a strapless top made out of a shimmering light green lacy material over tight dark blue jeans. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
“You don’t usually dress so…” Logan grasped for the right word.
“So, what?” Veronica crossed her arms.
“Hot.” The red burned up the back of his neck.
She punched his arm. “Stop joking. Come on, let’s go to this party.”
When she turned around, heading towards her car, Logan noticed that the back of her top was… well, there was no back to her top except for a thin strip of ribbon that tied together at the middle of her back. The entire expanse of her smooth back was exposed.
Logan jogged after her. “What do you think you’re wearing?”
“What are you talking about?” She frowned at him in confusion.
“You don’t really expect me to let you go out in public wearing that?”
She rolled her eyes. “Just get in the car, Logan.” Sitting behind the steering wheel, she waited patiently for him to get into the car. “Are you coming?” Seeing him stand there petulantly, she added, “I’m going whether you come or not.”
Muttering under his breath, he got into the passenger seat.
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” Veronica asked when they got to Dick’s.
“You’re half naked.”
“I’m not half naked.” Veronica pushed her way into the mansion.
Logan grabbed her. “Stay in front of me.”
“Logan, you’re overreacting.”
“Did Duncan see you tonight? There’s no way he would let you out wearing that shirt. If you can even call it a shirt.”
“Duncan doesn’t tell me what I can or can’t wear.”
“He should,” he grumbled.
“Go have fun with your friends.” Veronica pushed him away. “Go, shoo.”
“I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Logan, just go.” She walked away.
He followed her, grabbing a cup of beer from Dick as he passed the keg. He felt slightly relieved when he saw Veronica taking a seat on the couch with Meg. Collapsing on the sofa beside her, he gulped down his beer as Dick sat on the ottoman in front of him.
“Hey, Ronnie,” Dick leered. “Where’s DK tonight?”
“Dinner with the family.” She knocked Logan’s hand away from her French braids.
“So you came to spend your lonely night here?” Dick grinned. “Excellent.”
Logan rolled his eyes. “Hey, Dick, where’s Madison?”
“Around somewhere,” Dick shrugged.
Veronica turned back to her conversation with Meg as Logan and Dick set up shots.
“So Lilly’s at the family thing too?” Dick asked.
“She is part of Duncan’s family.” Logan downed his shot. “She sent Veronica as my designated driver.”
“How considerate of her.” Dick topped off their glasses. “So I’m planning a trip down to TJ. Interested?”
“When?”
“Two weeks.”
“I’ll have to get back to you.”
Dick nodded.
“Party next week. My place.”
“Yeah?”
“My parents are going out of town.”
“Where to?”
“Nepal.”
“I’ll bring the kegs.”
They tapped their glasses before tipping them back.
Logan spent the next few hours knocking back shots with Dick and whoever else stopped by to chat. He was beyond drunk by the time he realized that he hadn’t checked on Veronica since they’d arrived.
Logan turned his head to look at her. His back went ramrod straight when he didn’t see her beside him. “Where’d she go?”
“Where’d who go?”
“Veronica.” He shot to his feet as he began scanning the room. “Where the hell did she go?”
“What do you care?”
“Did you see what she was wearing?”
“She looks hot.”
“Exactly.” Logan stumbled his way, pushing through the crowd as he looked for the wayward blond. He finally spotted her standing by the stairs with some guys that he couldn’t quite recognize in his inebriated state. “Ronnie?” he giggled. “Where’d you go?”
“I’ve been right here,” she answered, looking him over.
“I didn’t see you.”
“Could that be because you’re drunk?” she asked dryly. Wrapping her arm around his waist, she guided him toward the door. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
“But the party’s just getting started,” he yelled.
Dick hooted his agreement from across the room, before bursting into a fit of giggles and collapsing back on the sofa.
“The party started four hours ago and you’ve been drinking nonstop for more than half that time.” Veronica tugged on him. “Come on, Logan.”
“I don’t want to leave.” He pulled away from her.
Cassidy joined her. “Why don’t you get him upstairs? He usually passes out in the guest room with Lilly by this time of night.”
Nodding, she grabbed Logan’s arm, before asking Cassidy, “Help me?”
The two managed to get Logan upstairs before he lost his balance and ended up on his ass. Luckily he was already by the bed, so he didn’t have far to fall.
Veronica and Cassidy drag him to the middle of the bed, before dusting their hands off.
She turned to him, “Why don’t you head back to the party? I’ll make sure he doesn’t chock on his own vomit.”
“You sure?”
Veronica nodded. “Go have fun.”
Cassidy closed the door behind him as he left.
Climbing on the bed beside Logan, Veronica grabbed the remote to turn the television on. With the volume on low, she watched old reruns.
--
The solid warm weight across her stomach was the first thing she noticed when she woke up. The second thing she noticed was the heavy arm lying across her stomach. Shifting slightly, she felt the body pressed against her back. “Logan?” she asked softly.
Hearing a short groan and feeling the arms tighten around her, Veronica tried a different approach. Grabbing his hand, she tried to move it away from her, but she achieved the opposite effect. His hold tightened further.
“Logan?” she gasped as his lips touched her bare back.
He hummed, barely acknowledging her, as he pressed kisses across her shoulders.
“Logan!” she said sharply.
“Veronica,” he complained. Logan had had this dream many times. Usually he’d be startled awake after he’d gotten her naked. Tonight’s dream was going a little differently.
“Would you please let go of me?”
Her hands felt so real on his skin; her body warm against his. It was slowly getting through to Logan’s sleep fogged brain that this wasn’t a dream. Not wanting her to realize his mistake, he smirked against the back of her neck. “Come on, Ronnie, how many times will I get to wake up in bed with you? You didn’t expect me not to take advantage of this delightful opportunity.”
Elbowing him in the stomach, she turned around once he’d loosened his grip. “Behave. I’m sure Lilly wouldn’t appreciate you feeling up another girl.”
“I’m sure she would when she finds out it's you.” Logan hugged her close. “Lilly would probably congratulate me.” He squeezed her tight, tickling her sides.
Giggling, she pushed him away. “Lilly might, but Duncan definitely wouldn’t.”
He dropped his arms and slumped back on his back.
Veronica rolled off the bed, careful to make sure that her top was held against her because she was pretty sure that Logan had pulled the ribbon loose. She kept her back to him as she tied her shirt back into place. Walking over to the mirror, she got a look at her sleep frazzled hair. Sighing, she pulled out the ties and began to undo her braids.
Logan watched as she pulled her fingers through her long hair. When she was done, her hair fell around her shoulders in loose waves.
“Come on,” Veronica nudged his feet, “we should get out of here.”
“What time is it?” he groaned.
“Seven.”
“In the morning?” He turned over to bury his face in the pillow. “Wait, it’s seven?” He jumped to his feet. “I have to get you home. Your father is going to kill me.”
“It’s fine.” Veronica followed after him. “I called him last night.”
He slowed. “What’d you tell him?”
“I told him that you got drunk off your ass and I had to stay with you.” She laughed when he stared at her, mouth gapping. “I’m kidding. I told him I’d be staying over at Lilly’s.” Looping her arm through his, she walked down the stairs with him. “You can treat me to some breakfast before I drive your hung-over self home.”
“Why should I?”
“To make up for groping me.”
--
Veronica skipped with Logan into his house. They were greeted by Logan’s father.
“Logan,” Aaron plastered a smile on his face, “where’ve you been all night?”
Veronica smiled sweetly at him. “Mr. Echolls, I had car trouble last night on our way home. Logan offered to stay with me while I waited for the tow truck. I took him to breakfast as a ‘thank you’ before driving him home.”
Aaron patted Logan’s shoulder. “You should have called to let me know. Your mother and I were worried.”
Logan scratched his ear sheepishly. “I was too busy distracting Veronica. She doesn’t like to be out so late at night.”
“I’m sorry I kept Logan with me,” she apologized. “I would have called my dad, but this is his first night off in weeks. I didn’t want to bother him.”
“Don’t worry about it, Veronica. I’m glad Logan could help.” He patted Logan’s shoulder again. “Go say ‘hello’ to your mother.” He waved at Veronica, “I have a meeting with my agent. Veronica.” Making his way out of the house, he made sure to throw Logan a glare before shutting the front door.
Veronica looked up at Logan worriedly. “He seemed mad.”
“Don’t worry about it,” he smirked. “He’ll forget by the time he gets home.”
Seeing that he didn’t want to discuss it further, she pulled on his arm. “Let’s go say ‘hi’ to your mom.”
--
Logan let out an oomph as Lilly landed on top him.
“Hey, how was Dick’s party?” She asked, straddling his thighs.
“Stressful.”
“How?” She lent her elbows on his chest so that she could prop up her chin.
“Did you see what Veronica was wearing yesterday?”
“No, why? What was she wearing?”
Logan sighed, “Forget about it.”
“Tell me. You can’t peak my curiosity and then leave me hanging. What was V wearing? Was it pink?”
“Green.”
“And what was so special about what she was wearing that made you stressed?”
“She looked…”
“Looked?” she prodded, “Cute? Prim? Sexy?” She laughed as if that weren’t a possibility.
“Hot,” Logan finally admitted.
“Really?” she said, intrigued. “And this made you stressed because?”
“Everyone was looking at her,” he muttered.
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Lilly sat up straight. “Veronica Mars is hot. I’ve been trying to get her to flaunt it.”
“She doesn’t want the attention like you do.”
“But she does get it.”
Logan placed his hands firmly at her waist and rolled her off him onto the bed beside him as he shot to his feet.
“Oh,” she smiled like a Cheshire cat, “seems Veronica gets your attention too.”
He smirked. “I do have eyes.”
“It’s more than that.” She tilted her head, studying him.
“Think what you want,” he scoffed. “You always have.”
--
Lilly bounced on to Veronica’s bed. “You have to show me what you wore to Dick’s party.”
Veronica frowned, “You’ve never wanted to see my clothes before.”
“No,” she agreed, “but I’ve been hearing how hot you looked from everybody.” Lilly grinned, “Maybe I’ll borrow it from you sometime.”
Sifting through her closet, Veronica tossed her jeans at Lilly before pulling her top out.
Lilly pouted as Veronica held the top against her. She’d expected something more than a strapless top made of lace. Hopping off the bed, she took the top from Veronica. That’s when she noticed the lack of a back. A smirk stretched across her lips. “Veronica, how hot is this?”
“You think?” Veronica asked. “I liked the lace.”
“And the green goes perfectly with your eyes.” Lilly held the top to herself, “I think I’m a little too busty for this top.” She pouted a little before turning wicked eyes on Veronica. “Your swimsuit covers more of your back than this does. I’m surprised you voluntarily wore this.”
“You make me sound like a prude.” Veronica took the top back and put it back in her closet.
Lilly tapped her lower lip. “What made you decide to wear this to Dick’s?”
She shrugged, “I got it a couple weeks ago. Dick’s was the first party I’ve been to since then.”
“You could have worn it on a date with Donut,” Lilly pointed out.
“Not exactly something I’d wear to a fancy restaurant and it seemed a waste to wear it to the movies.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Are you sure it wasn’t because you were going out with Logan?”
“You’re not serious,” Veronica said in disbelief. “You think that I like Logan?”
Lilly shrugged, “You wouldn’t be the first.”
“Lilly, I would never go after your boyfriend.”
“That doesn’t stop you from liking him.”
Veronica studied her friend for a moment, gauging whether she really wanted the truth. "Honestly? If you never dated him and if I never dated Duncan, I would probably have a crush on him.”
“So even if I broke up with him now, you wouldn’t date him?”
“Friends don’t date their best friends’ exes.”
“Even if the best friend gave permission to?”
“Lilly, where are you going with this?”
She shrugged, “Just curious.”
--
“You guys prepared for the biggest blow-out of all time?” Logan grinned.
“Where are your parents going this time?” Duncan asked.
“Nepal.” He reached over and pulled a rubber band off Lilly’s wrist, causing her to throw down her chopsticks. “Sherpas lug their crap up and down a mountain for two weeks so they can take pictures of a yak,” he commented as he stretched the rubber band and took aim at Duncan who was trying to dodge the attack.
Duncan smiled as he was hit on the forehead.
“While I take pictures of you yakking in the comfort of your living room,” Veronica stated happily as she took a bite of her lunch.
“Happens twice a year,” Lilly informed Yolanda, the new girl. “His parents leave town. He throws a big party and he gets busted. You must be there.”
Veronica agreed. “You must.”
Yolanda smiled, “I guess I must.”
--
“You’re really not going?” Veronica asked Lilly as she dressed for Logan’s party.
Lilly leaned back against the pile of pillows on her bed. “Like I said. He’s insanely jealous all the time.”
“And it’s getting on your nerves,” she finished, rolling her eyes. She sighed, “If he bothers you that much I’m surprised you got back together with him in the first place. Why don’t you just break up with him again?”
“I’ve considered it,” Lilly responded, “but I love the poor boy. Why else do you think I keep getting back together with him? Two years, you know?” She smirked, “Plus we’ve only been together for a couple weeks this time. I wouldn’t want to be mean.”
“Have you talked to him?”
She smirked, “Can’t say I have. I admit it, V, Logan and I don’t do the rational talking thing.”
“I guess not.” Veronica had been witness to their relationship since the moment of its conception. She knew that they were more likely to break up after a fight rather than try to get through it. Looking at her best friend now, she said, “Maybe it’s time you start.”
Lilly shook her head. “Logan and I aren’t like you and Duncan. We aren’t the goopy, sweet and sugary type.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t talk. And no, shouting at the top of your lungs doesn’t count.”
“Don’t worry about us, V. Things will work themselves out… eventually.”
Checking her hair one last time, she turned back to Lilly. “You’re sure you won’t come?”
“Next time. I need a break.”
“Alright.” Veronica grabbed her hands. “I’ll walk you out. Unless you want to spend the night with my parents?”
Lilly smirked, “I’m sure your mother would be tons of fun, but I doubt your dad would be happy with underage drinking.”
Veronica shook her head, a smile on her face. “You’re such a bitch, Lilly.”
“But you love me anyway.” She looped her arm around Veronica’s. “Why isn’t Donut picking you up again?”
“Soccer practice.”
--
Logan was half drunk and he was still drinking. He laughed as Yolanda flicked another quarter into his shot glass. “Girl is deadly at this.”
“You’re letting her win,” Duncan commented.
“Yep, or maybe it’s to let her get me drunk and she’ll take advantage of me.”
“Dream on,” Yolanda scoffed.
Logan tossed back his shot.
Veronica shook her head from her position sitting on Duncan’s lap. “Careful, Logan. Lilly’s just sick. She’s not dead.”
He spat the quarter out. “Sick, my ass! She’s jerking me around. She look sick to you earlier, D?”
Duncan shook his head, “Hey, leave me out of this.”
Logan mocked, “Status quo.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Duncan laughed, confused.
Wanting to avoid an argument, Veronica touched her boyfriend’s face. “Duncan, we should get going. You have practice early tomorrow and I need to get home before my dad decides to have you killed.”
“Right.” He stood once Veronica slid off his lap.
Veronica exchanged air kisses with Yolanda. “Got to go, Yo.”
Logan stood with them. “Uh, Veronica, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” She went to follow him into another room. “Duncan, why don’t you go ahead? We came separately anyway.” She didn’t hear his response since she’d already left the room. Turning to Logan, she asked, “So, what’s up?”
He looked at her from beneath his lowered lashes. “I wanted to ask you… why didn’t Lilly come tonight?”
Looking up at him with sad eyes, she sighed, “Oh, Logan.”
“She’s going to break up with me, isn’t she?”
“I don’t know. I did ask her though.”
“What did she say?”
“Logan-”
“Just tell me. I can handle it.”
She swallowed. “She said that she considered it… but she loves you… so she hasn’t really decided yet.”
He snorted, “If she really loved me, she wouldn’t be considering it.”
“You have to admit that the two of you haven’t really been happy lately.”
Glaring at her, he kicked at the ground.
“You get jealous when she talks to other guys-”
“‘Talks to’? You mean ‘flirts with,’” he muttered.
“And she gets annoyed by your possessiveness.”
“You make it sound like it’s all my fault.”
“It’s not. It’s both of you. If you could just sit down and talk, you could work through all your problems. You’re both just too pigheaded to admit that you’re wrong.” She shook her head. “What I don’t understand is that neither of you seem to have any difficulty talking to me. Why can’t you talk to each other?” Sighing, she leant up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “Get some rest, Logan. You know as well as I do that there’s no use worrying about it. Lilly is going to do whatever she wants… and nothing you or I do is going to change her mind.”
--
Veronica spun around hoping to see her boyfriend after being away for a weekend with her best friend. She smiled at him about to greet him when he just walked passed without a word or a single glance. Her smile fell in confusion.
Noticing this, Logan nudged Duncan’s elbow. “What was that?”
Frowning, Duncan looked at him. “What?”
“You just snubbed your girlfriend, man.”
He shrugged in response.
“What the hell is going on? Did you two break up or something?” Not getting any kind of response, let alone the one he was expecting, Logan grabbed Duncan’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Duncan pulled his arm from Logan’s grip. “Veronica and I… we can’t be together anymore.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“We’re not together anymore… Just leave it alone,” Duncan said in frustration.
“Fine,” Logan said petulantly, “but did you let her in on this little detail?” He glared at Duncan for a minute before he stormed off.
--
“He’s an idiot,” Lilly said idly as she lay on her side.
“I don’t understand. He’s in love with her,” Logan said, “why is he dropping her?”
“You’d know better than me.”
“You’re his sister.”
“You’re his best friend.”
“This just doesn’t make sense.” Logan shook his head. He knew that Duncan was head over heals in love with Veronica. He would have bet his right hand that Duncan would do anything for her. Now suddenly Duncan was breaking up with her.
“You’re telling me. Breaking up with her is one thing, but to not even say so to her face,” Lilly scoffed. “I always knew my brother was never the confrontational type, but I didn’t think he was such a coward.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“He wouldn’t say.”
“How is she doing?”
“She doesn’t even know what’s going on.” Lilly sighed and rolled on to her back. “I promised her I’d talk to him.”
Logan crawled on top of her. “I guess it will be your job to help get her over this.” He leant down and started kissing her cheek.
“Our job,” she giggled before wrapping an arm around his neck, pulling him down on top of her.
--
It broke Lilly’s heart to see her best friend so sad. She watched as Veronica tried to cover her tears as she went to hide in the girls’ bathroom. She leaned back against Logan when he walked up behind her. “She’s so sad.”
“I know,” Logan kissed her cheek, “but we’ll make it better.”
“Go talk to her.”
“What? Why me?” he protested. “You’re the girl. Shouldn’t you be the one that goes into the girls’ bathroom to comfort her?”
“Just go already!” she shoved him in.
He stumbled in before he could regain his balance. Landing against the wall opposite the door, he righted himself before peeking around to look in on Veronica. Not seeing her, he asked softly, “Veronica?” He heard sniffles coming from one of the stalls. “Veronica?”
“Go away, Logan.” Her voice was muffled. “What are you doing in the girls’ bathroom, anyway?”
“Ask your best friend. She’s the one that pushed me in here.” He looked around the forbidden room curiously. “I’ve never been in here before.”
“That’s because you have that extra appendage that girls don’t have,” she sniffled.
“True, but it provides so much entertainment.” His smirk widened when he heard her small snort. “Come on, Ronnie, get out of there. I promise not to laugh at your puffy eyes and drippy nose.”
“My eyes are not puffy,” she said indignantly, before softly blowing her nose.
“Just come out here.” He listened as the lock unlatched. Standing with his arms spread, he engulfed her in a hug when she walked into his embrace. “It’s going to be alright.”
She shook her head. “No, it’s not.”
“Of course it is. Duncan’s not god’s gift. You’ll find hundreds of other guys just like him.”
“I don’t want a hundred guys.” She pressed her face against his shoulder.
“I know,” he rolled his eyes, “you want the perfect guy… with the perfect hair… so that you’ll have a perfect marriage, with a perfect house and the perfect two point five kids... and a perfect dog.”
She shoved his shoulder. “I thought he loved me.”
“I thought he did too.” Logan sighed, trying to reassure her, “D’s probably just going through something.”
“That’s what Lilly said,” she muttered. “What does that even mean? ‘He’s going through something.’ He’s an ass. He didn’t even have the guts to break up with me.”
Changing tactics, he agreed, “That’s exactly right. Duncan’s an ass. You deserve better than him.” Insult the boy, so that maybe she’ll stop crying over him.
“At least when Lilly breaks up with you, she tells you you’re broken up.”
“Well, D and Lilly never did have the same interests. She likes to see herself ripping out my heart. Duncan’s more sensitive that way,” he said snidely.
“You mean he’s more delusional that way,” Veronica said bitterly. “He doesn’t want anything to mar the image of his happy world… so he avoids it. Ignores it, so that maybe it will just go away.” She whispered, “And it usually does.”
Logan was surprised that she was able to say such harsh things about her boy… well, ex-boyfriend. He didn’t think that she had noticed any flaws in his best friend. “You’re not planning on going away, are you?” he teased, trying to make her laugh. “I can’t have that. Especially since you help me amuse Lilly. I’d have to deal with her pouting twenty-four seven if you went away.”
“I’m sure you could handle it,” she said dryly.
“She’ll want to start braiding my hair,” he said with mock horror.
Giggling, she gripped his shirt in her hands, “I can just imagine you with cornrows.”
Logan grimaced, “Not likely.” Seeing her small smile, he tilted her chin up so that she was looking at him. “Don’t cry for him anymore. He’s not worth it.” He ran his thumbs under her eyes to wipe away her tears. “You don’t need D.”
“It feels like I do.”
“It’ll go away,” he whispered softly. “Trust me. I’ve been dumped by a Kane dozens of times.”
--
“What?” Lilly said in surprise.
“It’s true,” Madison simpered. “Carrie saw them coming out of the girls’ bathroom this morning. They weren’t even trying to hide it. He was all over her.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Wait. This morning?”
“Yeah, right before first period.”
Lilly waved it off. “That was nothing.”
Madison was confused. “Your boyfriend is cheating on you and you don’t care?”
“They weren’t cheating. They would never cheat… well, at least Veronica wouldn’t.” Lilly pouted as she continued on her way to her class.
“I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to.”
--
“What’s wrong with you?” Dick frowned at his girlfriend when she slammed her locker shut.
“Lilly and her trailer trash friend.”
He looked around, making sure no one heard her. “Don’t talk about Veronica that way. Do you want Logan to hear about it?”
Ignoring him, she ranted, “I tell Lilly that Logan was probably cheating on her with that trailer park girl and she doesn’t even blink an eye. It was like she wanted them to be together.”
Dick laughed at that. “Veronica would never hone in on Logan.”
“Carrie saw them all over each other.”
“So what? Carrie’s a gossip and a liar.”
“Whatever. Doesn’t matter. If it were any other girl, Lilly would have kicked her ass to the curb by now.”
“Veronica’s her best friend,” he shrugged.
“And the weird thing is that it seemed like Lilly wanted Logan and Veronica to be cheating on her.”
“Maybe they have a threesome now that Duncan’s out of the way,” he joked.
“That’s sick, Dick.” She thought for a moment. “I wouldn’t put it passed them.”
“The only reason you hate Veronica is because she’s Lilly’s best friend… and she’s actually nice. Stop obsessing about Veronica Mars.” Dick started heading for class.
“I don’t understand why we even have to put up with her anymore anyway. It’s not like she’s dating Duncan now. He finally grew a brain.”
--
Logan had made his way into the Kane manor in search of Duncan. No matter what the situation between Duncan and Veronica, Duncan was still Logan’s best friend.
“Hey, man,” Duncan greeted with a smile.
They headed up to his room where they settled in to play video games.
“Dick, Beaver and I are making a trip to Tijuana. Want to join?” Logan asked.
“Can’t. My parents would kill me if I missed two days of school to go carousing and drinking.”
“You mean your mom would.” Logan smirked, “I can just picture Celeste’s face frozen in her regal ice queen glare now.”
Duncan chuckled, “Not exactly something that I want to come home to.”
“And yet your dad does it everyday.” Logan fell back, as Duncan playfully socked him in the shoulder before rising.
“More popcorn?”
“Sure.” His attention became focused on the game in front of him. Logan was so absorbed in the game, he didn’t noticed how long Duncan was gone until he heard screaming coming from the other room. Jumping to his feet, he went to investigate.
He heard Duncan saying, “You took everything. Go away.”
Quickening his pace, he reached the adjacent room to find Duncan on the floor. Moving closer, he was shocked to find that Duncan was choking his own father.
Grabbing Duncan’s wrists, Logan tried to pull his hands off of Jake.
He was further confused when Duncan sudden collapsed.
Jake scrambled to his feet and moved to help Duncan up.
Not understanding, Logan simply assisted Jake in carrying Duncan to his room.
Settling Duncan on to his bed, Jake turned to Logan. “Why don’t you head home? I have this under control.”
Helplessly, Logan looked over at Duncan before leaving.
--
Veronica stabbed listlessly at her lunch.
“Here.”
She looked up and saw that Logan had placed a carton of egg rolls in front of her. She gave him a small smile. “My favorite.”
“I know. You tried to bite my hand off for the last one the last time we ordered take out.”
“Thank you.”
He dropped his own lunch down on the table before sitting down beside her. “Where’s Lilly?”
“I don’t know.”
“Feel like going to Tijuana this week?”
“And interrupt your guy bonding?”
“You can drink and look at naked women with us,” he teased. “Maybe you’ll see something you like.”
She rolled her eyes, “No, thank you. Lilly and I have to go to the car wash for pep squad.”
“Hm,” he said, intrigued, “wet t-shirts.”
“Pervert.”
“It’s a known fact,” he said proudly.
She laughed at his absurdity. Taking a moment, she added softly, “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me twice for egg rolls.”
“No, not for that… for helping me forget.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
“But you’re his friend.”
“I’m your friend too. And quite frankly, he’s being a jackass.”
“Mad that he’s taken your role?” she smirked.
He grinned, “I do play it best.”
--
“Hey, Duncan. You okay?” Logan asked in concern when he saw Duncan for the first time since the incident at the Kanes’.
Looking at him, slightly confused, Duncan shrugged, “I’m fine. Everything’s cool.”
Logan was baffled by Duncan’s reaction, as if he didn’t know what Logan was asking him about.
Duncan smiled, “So you guys are leaving today?”
“After school,” he responded slowly.
“Have a good time. I’ll see you when you get back on Sunday.” Duncan waved before leaving for his next class, leaving Logan to stare after him in dismay.
--
Seeing her best friend so happy and bouncy, Veronica commented, “God, Lilly, I see the Prozac’s working.”
“High on life, Veronica Mars. I’ve got a secret… a good one,” Lilly announced conspiratorially.
“Girls, less talk, more scrub.” They heard from behind them.
“Later.” Lilly dragged the soapy sponge across the car as she bounced away.
Veronica continued to soap up the car when suddenly she was sprayed full on by the hose. She shrieked while trying to run away and get a look at the culprit. “Logan!”
Laughing, he released the handle and passed the hose back to the girl he had borrowed it from. He gave Veronica a playful leer. “Is that a bikini I see under that top of yours?”
“I probably look like a drowned rat and that’s what your focus is on?” She pulled her wet hair out of her face, pulling out her hairclips. Gathering her hair back, she wrung out the water before putting it up in a messy pony tail. “What are you doing here anyway?”
“I was worried about you, so I drove back this morning. I was also tired of watching Dick and Beaver taking turns heaving.” He looked her up and down. “Don’t you think you should take off your shirt? It’ll dry faster.”
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Veronica huffed as she pulled off her clinging uniform top.
“I’m a master at getting girls to remove their clothes for me.”
“Dream on.” Lilly came up, wrapping an arm around his waist. “What are you doing here?”
He kissed her cheek in greeting. “I came to see you and Veronica in wet t-shirts. You weren’t around when I had the hose.”
“Too bad. I don’t have a swimsuit under this.” She turned her eyes on Veronica, “And you. When did you buy such a hot bikini and why haven’t you worn it before today?”
Crossing her arms self-consciously around her middle, Veronica sighed, “I only wore it under my shirt in case I got wet.” She didn’t normally wear anything so revealing.
“Well, you look hot.”
“Girls!” the older pep squad member shouted. “Back to work!”
“How much longer are you here for?” Logan asked as Veronica picked her sponge back up and returned to soaping the car.
“Another hour or so,” Lilly sighed in displeasure.
“I’ll stick around. We can go for food after.”
“Pick up some takeout?” Lilly asked. “I have something to do after this.”
“Then we’ll meet at my place?”
“My place. At six?”
“What about DK?”
“He’s not home. He has soccer practice.”
--
“Thanks, dad,” Veronica leaned over and kissed Keith’s cheek.
Logan nodded, sheepishly, “Yeah… uh, thanks for the ride.”
“No problem.” Keith grabbed the pizzas from Logan. “Come by the station tomorrow and I’ll drive you over to the impound lot.”
Veronica smirked, “Maybe next time you’ll remember not to park in a fire route.”
“Hey, I was only planning on stopping by to say ‘hi’,” Logan complained. “What happened to just giving parking tickets?”
Keith snorted his laughter, before nudging the two of them to the front door. “I’ll carry these in for you,” he offered, seeing that Logan was weighted down with the Chinese takeout they had also ordered.
“Lilly’s probably pissed that we’re late,” Veronica sighed.
“I wasn’t the one that took forever deciding on what to eat,” Logan remarked.
“You also weren’t the one that wanted Chinese and pizza,” Keith added, teasingly.
Veronica huffed, “I wasn’t the one that got my car towed and made us wait an extra half hour for my dad to come pick us up.”
“Children,” Keith said sternly.
“Why isn’t Lilly answering?” Logan trying to peek through the tinted windows of the front door. “She is home, isn’t she?”
“Her car’s here.” Veronica looked to the side of the house, “She’s probably out back.”
As they approached the backyard, they heard shouting.
“I want those tapes back, you little bitch!”
Logan frowned, “Dad?”
Keith handed the pizzas over to Veronica. “Stay here.”
He rounded the house quickly to see an ash tray smashing down on Lilly’s head. She fell to the ground. Pulling out his weapon, he cocked it and shouted, “Freeze!”
Aaron dropped the ash tray in stunned silence, panicked at what he had just done and that he had been caught by the Sheriff doing it. He turned around slowly, his mind working to try to find a way out of the problem. He saw his son and the cute blond directly behind Keith and knew from their expressions that they had seen him slamming the ash tray into their friend’s skull.
Dropping to his knees, he stared at his hands. Putting his acting skills into use, he wailed, “What have I done?”
Keith approached him slowly, his gun aimed at Aaron’s chest. “Don’t move.”
Logan dropped the food and ran to Lilly. Seeing her blank unseeing eyes, he knew she was dead, but he needed to confirm it. Reaching out with a shaky hand, he felt for a pulse. He found none. “She’s dead.”
“Veronica, call 911,” Keith said as calmly as possible. He was torn between wanting to comfort his daughter and keeping Aaron in his sights. He sighed internally as his duty as Sheriff prevented him from doing his duty as a father. Withdrawing his handcuffs, Keith reached for Aaron’s wrists. “Aaron Echolls, you are under arrest for the murder of Lilly Kane. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do will be used against you...” Cuffing Aaron, as he spoke, Keith kept one eye on him while he carefully guided Logan away from Lilly’s body and toward Veronica.
It wasn’t long before the sirens were heard and Keith’s backup arrived en masse.
The paramedics rushed to check on Lilly. Deputies Saks and Lamb moved to take the prisoner into custody. The rest of the deputies sealed off the perimeter, while the crime scene guys began to gather their evidence.
Keith went over to Logan and Veronica. “Why don’t we go out front?” He could tell as he guided them easily away from the scene that the pair were in shock. He asked the paramedics to make sure that they were okay before sitting down with them.
Veronica looked up at her father, eyes wide. “Lilly’s dead,” she whimpered, her voice cracking. Tears began to flow freely as she gasped in shock and pain.
Before Keith could move to her, Logan pulled Veronica into his arms and buried his face in her hair. Keith sat by helpless watching the two cry - Logan’s silent tears dripping down his face and Veronica’s loud sobs muffled by Logan’s chest. He was moved to comfort them, but was drawn away when Celeste and Jake Kane arrived with their son. Keith looked at them sadly.
It was never an easy task to tell someone that a loved one was dead, but someone had to do it.
--
To be continued
Loveathon's Epic Love Challenge