Life Sentences
Title: Life Sentences
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: Rob Thomas owns them. I sadly do not.
Rating: PG
Pairing: LoVe
Spoilers: up to the end of season one
Summary: Set during (122) Leave it to Beaver. What if Keith didn’t get to Veronica quickly enough?
Author’s Note: Tried the angst thing, but I always end up with a cutesy ending.
--
Wallace stopped the car just behind the PCH bikers. “Weevil! Logan! Stop!”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Weevil demanded.
He looked at the two boys seriously. “Mr. Mars sent me.”
Logan had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as he hopped down off the ledge.
Weevil was also suspicious, “Why didn’t he come himself?”
Wallace took a deep breath, looking squarely at Logan. “Mr. Mars sent me to find you. Veronica’s in the hospital.”
--
Logan stormed into the hospital. “What room is Veronica Mars in?”
Logan had jumped into his car and sped all the way to the hospital the second the words had left Wallace’s lips. Wallace and Weevil had managed to catch up to him, Wallace telling the nurse that he’d take care of Logan.
Wallace told them to follow him. “Come on, I’ll take you to her.”
They went up a few floors and met Keith Mars in a waiting room.
“How is she?” Logan asked, “What happened?”
They all noticed the bruises on Keith’s face.
“Sit down,” Keith said softly. He gestured for all the boys to take their seats. It was going to be a long story. “Veronica’s going to be fine. She’s resting.”
“What happened?” Wallace questioned, “You never gave me the full story.”
“Just sit and listen. Don’t interrupt.” Keith sat down facing them. “Veronica discovered evidence tonight that revealed Lilly Kane’s real murderer. She called to tell me that she was bringing everything home. I was worried because she was taking longer to get home than I expected. I went looking for her. I don’t know all the details between her leaving the Kane mansion and ending up where she did, but it looks like she was attacked in her car. It was slammed into a tree a few miles down the road from the Kanes’.
“I came upon her attacker setting a fire and leaving the scene of another crime. I managed to subdue him.”
“What did he do to Veronica?” Logan asked softly, imagining the worst.
“Knocked her out. He trapped her inside a refrigerator,” Keith took a deep breath, “and he set it on fire.”
“With Veronica inside?” Wallace said in disbelief.
“I’m assuming that he needed to get rid of all the witnesses.”
Weevil had his fists clenched. “Who was it? Who attacked Veronica? Who killed Lilly?”
Keith looked sadly at Logan. “Logan, it was your father.”
“What?” He felt like he was punched in the gut. “Why?”
“The evidence that Veronica found? They were tapes of Lilly and Aaron together.” Keith knew that Logan needed to know the rest, “They were having an affair.”
Logan shot up suddenly, running around a corner. He found the nearest garbage can and he threw up the entire contents of his stomach. By the time Keith walked up behind him, he was dry heaving.
Keith handed him a napkin and a bottle of water.
Logan slumped to the ground, burying his face against his raised knees.
“Logan? Are you alright?”
“Why should you care? My father almost killed Veronica tonight? You shouldn’t care about me.”
“Logan, listen to me. What Aaron did tonight was not your fault. You’re not responsible for his actions.”
“I should have known.”
“How could you possibly have known?” Keith studied Logan and then he was hit by a sudden realization. “Does Aaron beat you?”
His shuddering frame abruptly stilled.
“Logan?”
In response, Logan stood, turned and pulled the back of his shirt up.
Keith was greeted with the sight of lash marks all over Logan’s lower back. Dozens of scars, all easily hidden by Logan’s clothes. He could tell that some were very old, but he was pretty sure that some of them were still very recent. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Logan dropped his shirt, shaking his head as he said bitterly, “Who would believe that the great family man, Aaron Echolls, beat his own son?”
“I would.”
He braced his arm against the wall, his forehead touching the cool surface. “My sister didn’t even believe me. She thought it was all stories. I’d break my arm… my nose… burn cigarettes on my back all on my own.”
Keith grabbed Logan’s shoulder, turning him so that he would look into his eyes and know that he was telling the truth. “I would have believed you. I do believe you.”
Seeing the honesty in his eyes, Logan broke. He clutched his stomach and fell to his knees in tears.
All Keith could do was kneel down beside the broken boy and try to comfort him.
--
Keith and Logan remained in their position for nearly an hour before Logan was able to gather himself together.
He turned sad eyes to Keith. “How is Veronica really?”
“Physically, she wasn’t hurt very badly. She has a bruise on her cheek where Aaron hit her, her hands are scraped up. They’re treating her for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. The doctors are going to release her tomorrow.” Keith sighed, “Mentally, I think she’s a little traumatized. She was trapped inside a burning refrigerator, rapidly losing oxygen. If I can convince her, I want her to see a therapist for a little while. Not just because of what Aaron did to her, but because I don’t think she’s ever really dealt with Lilly’s death. They were best friends… closer than sisters. It wasn’t easy for her… especially after seeing Lilly’s body.” He leant his head back against the wall. “It wasn’t easy for any of you. I know you weren’t as close as you used to be.”
“We weren’t friends long before Lilly died. Things began to fall apart between us way before that.” Logan dropped his head. “Duncan broke up with Veronica. Lilly and I were on the outs for probably the last time. I had feelings for someone new… The only one that was really the same was Veronica, but that changed after Lilly was killed.” His voice cracked. “I felt so guilty after… after. I did everything I could to stop feeling it, I ended up blaming the only one I could without feeling even worse about myself.”
“You blamed Veronica,” Keith said in understanding. “That’s not an unusual response.”
“It was because she did nothing wrong. The only thing she did was be your daughter, who stuck by you like she should have.” He shook his head, “She was right all along.” He snorted in disgust. “She was right to tell Lilly when I got drunk off my ass and kissed another girl. She was right to stand on your side when everyone else persecuted you. She was right to turn me in.”
Keith felt that he needed to clarify something. “Veronica didn’t turn you in, Logan. I did.”
Logan looked up in surprise. “Lamb said-”
“I know what Lamb said. I told him that Veronica discovered the hole in your story, but it was me. I was the one that brought the information to him.”
“She didn’t turn me in.” His mind was slowly processing the information. His heart slowly warming and gaining hope.
“She didn’t turn you in. Truth? I don’t think she ever believed that you could have done it.”
“She believed me. Why didn’t she say anything?”
“Because she stands by her dad,” Keith said simply.
Logan started shaking with barely contained laughter. “I wish someone would support me like that.”
“I think you’ve found her.”
Startled eyes turned on Keith.
“She was barely conscious when the firefighters got her out from under the refrigerator. Do you the last thing she asked me?”
Logan shook his head.
“She asked me to find you.”
--
Keith stood outside his daughter’s hospital room. He looked in the window at the sight of Logan curled up around her as she slept. A smile graced his face at the memory of the nurses trying to stop Logan.
The instant Logan had seen her lying on the bed, he had walked up beside her. Brushing her hair off her face, he leant down and kissed her forehead. Instead of sitting in the chair set beside her bed, he had climbed in with her careful not to disturb any of the tubes that were connected to her.
He’d been lying there ever since.
Keith had managed to convince the nurses to leave Logan alone. He knew that both of them needed the comfort of each others’ presence. Keith simply stood outside, watching over them both.
That was how Sheriff Lamb found him.
“Keith.”
“Don.”
“Is she awake yet?”
“No. The doctor is keeping her sedated.”
Lamb looked in on the girl in question. “You do know the Echolls kid is sleeping with her.”
“I know. He’s taking the news that his father tried to kill her really hard.” Keith looked at the Sheriff, “Has Aaron confessed?”
“He lawyered up. Claiming it’s all a misunderstanding.” Lamb scoffed, “A little hard to misunderstand his prints on the refrigerator, the lighter, the contain of gas and in Veronica’s car. We’re waiting for her statement.”
“Did you watch the tapes?”
Lamb nodded. “It’s enough to charge him. I’m pretty sure his lawyers will say that just because he was sleeping with her, didn’t mean he killed her. Going to jail for statutory rape is a lighter sentence than murder one.”
“Bring in character witnesses,” Keith said.
“Who are we going to find that will speak against the famous Aaron Echolls?”
“His son.”
--
It was around noon when Veronica began to stir. Her eyes blinked open as she tried to remember where she was. It didn’t take her long to realize that she was in the hospital with all the medical equipment surrounding her. Lifting her head a little, she saw noticed the head that was resting on her stomach. Upon further reflection, she felt a body curled against her legs, arm around her waist. She brushed her hand through the hair on the head.
Logan looked up at her. “You’re awake.”
Trying to speak, she was deterred by the chest tube that was down her throat.
“Don’t try to speak. I’ll get the doctor.” He rolled off her bed and reached above her to press the call button for the nurse. He took her hand in his as he sat down on the chair. “You’re going to be okay. They just put the tube in to help you breath.”
The doctor came and checked her out. Removing the chest tube, they replaced it with a nose tube for oxygen. Clearing her of any adverse effects from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, they would release her later that day.
Logan and Keith hovered over her while the doctor examined her and the nurses handed her water.
When they were alone, Keith and Logan each took a hand gently sitting on both sides of her.
She frowned at her father, and said sympathetically, “Look at you.”
“I’m fine. Just a few bruises, but they’ll be ok. Are you alright, honey?” Keith asked.
She nodded. Clearing her throat a little, she said hoarsely, “I’m fine.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
“You saved me,” she whispered. “That’s all that matters.” She looked behind him, “Is mom here?”
Keith gapped and shook his head in disbelief of himself. “I forgot to call her.”
That made Veronica laugh a little. She clutched his hand as tightly as she could without hurting herself. “Tell her to leave.”
“Veronica-”
“She’s still drinking,” she said sadly. “Tell her to leave.”
Keith knew that she was serious, but he’d defer the conversation until she was better. “We’ll discuss it later.” His fingers grazed the bruise on her cheek softly, “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
She shook her head.
Brushing her hair, he added, “When you’re ready, Lamb wants to take your statement. You don’t have to do it right away. Just… whenever you’re ready.”
“Did you get him?”
“Yeah. We got him.”
“Tell Lamb to come.”
“Veronica, rest a little more first.”
“I want to get it over with.” She said strongly, “Finally put Lilly’s murderer in prison where he belongs.”
Relenting, Keith left to find the Sheriff.
She turned her head to Logan. “Hey,” she said with a soft smile.
“Hey.”
“Did dad tell you?” she asked tentatively.
He nodded. “I already had my own crying-jag.”
She brushed his face with her fingertips. “Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about me. Worry about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not. You’ll be fine when you stop sounding like a little old lady.”
“My throat’s just dry,” she pouted.
He reached over and poured her some more water. “Here.”
She drank it gladly. When she cleared her throat again, she asked, “Better?”
He smiled, “A little.”
Veronica sobered again. “I’m sorry.”
Shaking his head, he took both her hands in his. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“But-”
“No buts. You’ll only make me feel guiltier than I already do.”
“What do you have to feel guilty for?”
“My father did this to you.”
“That’s right. Aaron did it. Not you. So unless you have a remote control for him, you had nothing to do with this. You have nothing to feel guilty for.”
“That’s what Keith said.”
“Of course he’d say it, because it’s the truth.”
“My head knows that, but my heart doesn’t.”
“Well hurry up and catch your heart back up with your head. There’s no reason for you to feel guilty, anymore than my father has to feel guilty for not finding me earlier. You did nothing wrong. There’s no way you could have known what Aaron did. No way that you could have stopped him.”
Logan dropped his forehead to the bed. “If I had reported him, maybe he would have gone to jail a long time ago.”
“You could report him now,” she said softly.
He lifted shocked eyes on her.
“You can report him now,” she repeated. “It would help make sure that he stays in jail.”
“I don’t know if I can,” he said in fear.
“Think about it… and if you decide to do it, know that I’ll be with you through all of it.”
--
Sheriff Lamb and Deputy Leo stood across from Veronica in the hospital room. Keith sat in a chair beside her. The bed had been shifted so that Veronica was in a sitting position, a tape recorder placed on the table that stretched across her lap.
Veronica spoke calmly. “When Duncan and I saw who was on the tapes, we realized who had killed Lilly. I grabbed the tapes, asked Duncan to keep an eye on Aaron and I headed home to give them to my dad. I called dad while I was leaving to let him know what I had found and that I was on my way. After that call, I tried to call Logan. He didn’t pick up.
“I was driving for about five minutes when Duncan called and said he couldn’t find Aaron at the party. I hung up the phone and checked my rearview to make sure no one was following me. That was when I saw Aaron sitting up in the backseat.
“I think I screamed. He asked for the tapes. I gave them to him. He put them in his pocket. I had to get away from him, so I did the only thing I could think of. I floored it and rammed my car into a tree. I guess I was out for awhile, but when I was aware, I saw Aaron sprawled unconscious over the passenger seat - he wasn’t wearing a seat belt - and I reached over him to get the tapes back. I tried to reach my phone, but he was starting to wake up.” She took a deep breath. “I ran. I pounded on the door of the nearest house. No one answered, so I kept moving. I knew Aaron would catch up with me, so I hid the tapes.”
“Where?” Lamb asked.
“I threw them on to the roof of the house.” She studied her hands. “It was around that time when the lights went on in the house. The guy was opening the sliding door for me when he fell over.”
Frowning, Lamb asked, “Why?”
“Aaron hit him over the head. He threw the door open and before I could run, he punched me in the face.” She brought her hand up to her bruised cheek. “That knocked me out. When I was conscious again, it was dark. I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear him. He left a walkie-talkie in my hand so that we could talk.”
“Where did he get the walkie-talkies?” Leo asked.
“They were in the trunk of my car,” she answered. “Aaron kept asking me where the tapes were. He said that if he told me where they were, he’d let me out. I felt safer inside the box. He told me that Lilly wouldn’t give him the tapes either and look what happened to her. The entire time he was hitting the sides of the box to scare me.” She closed her eyes at the memory. “It was when I smelt the gasoline that I finally told him where the tapes were.”
“What happened next?” Lamb asked quietly.
She shrugged. “I guess he went up to get the tapes. I couldn’t hear anything for awhile. He came back though. He thanked me for the tapes and then asked, ‘Did you really think I could let you live?’ He set the fire then.” Her eyes glazed over. “I tried to get out. I kept hitting the side of the box. The air was getting thicker. It was getting hard to breath.” She shook her head. “The next thing I remember was seeing dad. He was telling me I was safe. After that… nothing until I woke up here in the hospital.”
Lamb asked quietly, “Why did seeing the tapes make you believe that Aaron killed Lilly?”
Veronica cleared her throat. “He’s psychotic. I once saw him beat a guy into a bloody mess and then ask Logan how his day way.” She glanced at her father, before she revealed, “He beats Logan.” She added with conviction, “He would’ve gone after Lilly for tapes. She wouldn’t have given them to him. My guess is that she would have sold her story so that the world would know that she was sleeping with the great Aaron Echolls. She would have done it just to piss Celeste off.”
“Celeste Kane, her mother?” Lamb clarified.
“Yeah. Aaron would have done anything to keep the story from getting out. Public image, you know?”
“Do you know where the tapes were taken?”
“In the guest house… at the Echolls mansion,” Veronica answered bluntly. “The cameras are in the ceiling fan and the headboard. The monitors and the recorder are behind the bookshelf.”
“And how do you know this?”
“I found them when I was there with Logan a week ago. I don’t think he knows that they’re there.”
“How did you happen to find them?”
“Logan went to get a drink. I was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling when I saw the light glint off the camera lens. I saw the wiring leading to the bookshelves.” She shrugged, “I was curious.”
“Lilly Kane never told you about the cameras?”
“No. She didn’t even tell me she was sleeping with Aaron. I always thought that Logan was the only one she was seeing. Apparently I was wrong.” Veronica had ducked her head and was fiddling with her bed sheets.
“Did Eli Navarro tell you about the cameras?”
She looked up with a frown on her face. “Why would Weevil know about the cameras?”
“Did Weevil tell you about the cameras?” Lamb repeated his question.
“No.”
“And Logan Echolls didn’t know about them either.”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“How did Aaron know that you had the tapes?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think Duncan would have told him?”
“No,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Do you think Celeste or Jake Kane knew that these tapes existed?”
“No.”
“Do you think they would have warned Aaron about them?”
“No. He killed their daughter, why would they protect him?”
“They were protecting someone.”
“Honey,” Keith decided to intervene. “Jake and Celeste were arrested for obstruction of justice. They paid off Abel Koontz to protect someone. Lamb just wants to know who you think they were protecting.”
Veronica searched her father’s face for advice. She sighed, “Duncan. They were protecting Duncan.”
“Why would they need to protect Duncan?” Lamb asked.
“They found him catatonic with Lilly’s body. They thought he killed Lilly. Up until last night, the Kanes thought that their son killed Lilly.”
“Could Duncan have killed his sister?”
“He loved Lilly. He never would have hurt her. Why are you asking me this? You have her murderer in jail.”
Leo replied, “It’s routine.”
Lamb continued his questioning. “Is there a reason you didn’t mention Lilly’s hiding place earlier?”
“I didn’t remember until recently.”
“What made you look last night?”
She bit her lip. “Logan told me that he wrote Lilly a letter. I was looking for it.”
“You didn’t think to tell the Sheriff’s department this information?”
“I was looking for a ‘Dear John’ letter. Would you have really cared?”
“So instead you decided to break into the Kane estate?”
“I didn’t break in. I was allowed in with the caterers,” she muttered.
“Right. I’d like you to go over with me again what happened from the time you found the tapes.”
--
Veronica wanted to scream. She’d recapped her story so many times she thought she’d explode. Lamb kept asking her the same questions over and over again.
“God, I wish I could punch him in the face,” she pulled her hair back into a pony tail as she prepared to leave the hospital.
“He’s just doing his job,” Keith sighed.
“He treated me like a suspect. I’m the victim here.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “He was a little… indelicate, but he needed to ask you those questions. To help jog your memory, gather the details. I would have done the same, if only to prepare you for how Aaron’s lawyers are going to treat you.”
Veronica frowned, “I’m going to have to testify against him, aren’t I?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“I don’t know if I can handle that.” Her eyes got watery.
Keith pulled her into a hug. “I’ll be there with you.”
“You think they’d let me hold your hand while I’m on the stand?” she asked weakly.
He chucked her chin. “Hey, what happened to my bad ass daughter?” he teased.
She collapsed against him and cried. “I was so scared.”
“I know, honey.” He held her tightly as she broke down. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”
--
Keith ushered Veronica into the house and told her to rest. They were home all of two minutes before Logan arrived outside their door. Keith gestured him in and towards Veronica’s room.
Sighing gratefully, the teenager made his way to the back of the apartment.
Lianne watched all this and turned to her husband. “Please tell me what happened. All you said was that Veronica would be fine. What happened?”
“Lianne, she’s fine. Right now, I need you to pack your bags and leave.”
“What?”
“Veronica told me everything. She told me that she spent her college money on your rehab. She told me that you didn’t even finish it. She told me that you’re still drinking. We don’t want you here anymore. So pack your bags and leave.”
“Keith-”
“I don’t want to hear your explanations. I don’t want you to say how hard it is for you. I thought that I would try to make things work between us for Veronica. It’s no use though. Your daughter used all her savings to get you help and you wasted it. You’ve disappointed us both for the last time. Leave, Lianne.” Keith turned his back on her, heading to the fridge. “Our divorce will go through in a couple months.”
“You don’t need me to sign anything?” she asked hopefully.
“I’m filing on the grounds of abandonment.”
“But I’m here,” she said desperately.
“You were gone for more than a year. Coming back now doesn’t make up for that. Just go, Lianne.” He leant against the fridge as he listened to her storm into his bedroom to pack her things. Pushing away from the appliance, he grabbed his briefcase and headed to Veronica’s room. Peeking in, he saw Logan and Veronica both asleep on her bed. He left a note on the counter and headed to the bank with his check.
--
Veronica was awakened when she heard a knock. Turning her head, she smiled and brush the hair on Logan’s head. Careful not to disturb him, she climbed out of bed and went to answer the door.
She smiled softly, “I was hoping it would be you.”
Duncan smiled sheepishly, “Sorry I didn’t visit you sooner.”
“It’s alright. You had things to do. How are your parents?”
“The charges were dropped. They’re at home now speaking with their lawyers trying to find out how they can get the death penalty for Mr. Echolls.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.” He snorted softly, “You know what the funny thing is? We have the same lawyers.”
“You’re not serious.”
“My parents and the Echolls’ were friends. They used the same law firm.”
Veronica gestured him in. “I’m pretty sure that Aaron will want to hire a criminal attorney - the best that his money can pay for.”
“Maybe.”
“How are you doing?”
“Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
“I’m fine. A little hoarse still, but I’m fine.”
“Do you know if Logan knows?”
She nodded. “He was at the hospital when I woke up.” She added hesitantly, “He’s sleeping in my room right now.”
“Oh.” Duncan looked down at his hands, “He’s not taking it very well, is he?”
“No. He’s scared,” she answered honestly. “Especially since he may have to testify against Aaron.”
“Testify?”
“Character witness. To establish that Aaron has a history of violent tendencies.”
“Do you think he’ll actually do it?”
“He’s terrified right now, but I think eventually he’ll move passed his fear and his guilt, and then he’ll be angry and bitter… and vindictive.”
Duncan nodded. He was surprised that Veronica seemed to understand Logan so well. He glanced at her, “Will you have to testify?”
She shuddered, “Yeah.”
He hugged her. “You’ll be alright. You’re the strongest person I know.”
She smiled weakly. “Not feeling so strong right now.”
“Rest. I’ll come by and see you and Logan tomorrow.”
She released him. “Thanks for stopping by.”
He shrugged. “What are friends for?”
--
Logan had woken the instant that Veronica had left the bed. He laid there quietly trying to hear what she was doing. When he heard the muffled voices, he knew that someone had come over.
“Probably Duncan,” he muttered to himself.
Logan laid there simply waiting for her to return. He turned his head toward her when she crept back into the room. “Hey.”
She had an apologetic look. “Sorry. Did we wake you?”
“I woke when you left.”
She knelt on the bed beside him. She reached out to brush the hair off his forehead. “Duncan came by to see how I was. He couldn’t before because his parents were in jail.”
“Celeste and Jake Kane in matching jail cells. I wonder if there are pictures,” he said sarcastically.
She smiled that his snarky personality was coming back. “The charges against them were dropped.”
“Do you think I could get a copy of their mug shots?”
“Let me see what I can do.”
Their moment of levity passed and Logan reached up and pulled her down to lie beside him.
“When I heard that you were in the hospital, I just got in my car and drove. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know why or that I was half drunk. I knew that I needed to get to you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad I came too.”
Veronica looked up at him, confused.
“I had a talk with your dad. It helped.”
“What did you talk about?”
“Just some things that were bothering me… ever since Lilly died. It was nice to get it off my chest.” He took a deep breath. “It was also nice to hear someone say that they believed me.”
“Believed you?”
“I showed him my scars.”
She turned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I believe you, Logan. It’s why I was so afraid of Aaron. I knew what he could do.”
“You mean trapping you in a burning box, didn’t clue you in?” he joked.
She smacked his shoulder, laughing.
His arms pulled her close. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.”
“Ditto.”
--
Logan shifted the gear into ‘Park’ and his left hand still clutching the wheel. He sat there for a moment before asking, “Why are we here?”
“Because we still have a month of classes and then finals,” Veronica reminded.
“You should have stayed home for another day.”
“I’m fine. All I did was sleep and eat for the passed three days. I’m rested enough.” She moved to open the door.
“Stay there.” Logan hopped out the door, jogged around the front of his car to open her door for her. He stood with his back facing her.
“I don’t need you to carry me.”
“The fact that your legs gave out this morning tells me differently.”
“I had a cramp.”
“Just hop on.”
Relenting, Veronica climbed on to his back so that he could piggy-back her to her classes. “You would push me around in a wheelchair if I let you.”
“I told your dad that it was too soon to let you come back.” He kicked the car door closed and carried her to school.
She rested her chin on his shoulder. “What do you think people are saying about us?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“You’re not the least bit curious?”
He rolled his eyes.
“You are, aren’t you?” she laughed. “Don’t worry. Wallace will fill us in. See, he’s heading over.” She raised her arm and waved at him. “Hey, Wallace!”
“Veronica. What are you doing back at school so soon?” he demanded as soon as he was in speaking distance.
“I told you,” Logan muttered.
She sighed, “I’m fine.”
“Then why is Logan carrying you?”
“Because he’s a worrywart.” She clutched Logan tightly, “Plus it’s fun.”
“Right,” Wallace shook his head and smiled, “I’m surprised you didn’t milk it and stay at home another day.”
“I would have, but I was getting bored. I’m not allowed to do anything if dad thinks I still need rest. He makes me sleep and nothing else. I can’t do sleep anymore.”
“Your locker,” Logan set her gently on her feet.
“Plus I figured if I don’t come to school, Logan won’t come and he doesn’t need to miss more school.”
“If that’s all it took for you to stay home and rest, you could have told me,” Logan muttered.
Veronica sighed, “Don’t worry so much.”
“I can’t help it.”
“How about this? I promise that if I get too tired, I’ll come get you and you can drive me home and gloat about the fact that you were right.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you at lunch. Don’t do anything too strenuous. I’m watching you.”
Wallace grinned as Logan walked away.
“What?” she asked him.
“I never would have figured that Logan was so…” he trailed off not finding the right adjective.
“Sweet? Mommy-ish? Thorn in my side?” she joked.
“Protective and caring.”
She sighed, “Yeah. The snarky-mouthy teen thing is just one side of him.”
“The ass side?”
“Basically.”
“He’s turning out to be a good guy.”
“So you approve, pa?” she asked jokingly in a country accent.
Wallace laughed. “Yeah, I approve.” He closed his locker. “Take it easy, V. I’ll catch you later.”
“Later.” She headed to her own class amid the multitude of stares and whispers. She sighed, “Just another day for Veronica Mars at Neptune High.”
--
Clemmons stared down the teenager that was seated in the chair across from him. “Would you please explain why you felt the need to punch Dick Casablancas in the nose?”
Veronica slouched in her chair. “He started it.”
“Veronica, I’m going to need a better explanation.”
Crossing her arms, she answered, “He said some inappropriate things and I took issue with them.”
“What did Mr. Casablancas say?”
She sighed, “He might have made some remarks about Lilly.”
He waited until she elaborated.
Pouting, she expanded, “He called her a slut and was like ‘who didn’t Lilly-’” she paused and adlibbed, “ ‘f-word?’ He went on to make comments about how much of a… coward… Logan was for not knowing that his own father was sleeping with his girlfriend.” She sighed, “The last few days have been very stressful for me. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for me to come back to school so soon.”
“Maybe,” Clemmons agreed. “We might have avoided this unfortunate incident.”
“I honestly didn’t mean to break his nose. I didn’t even think that I punched him that hard.”
He sighed and stood. “I understand that the passed few days have been an ordeal for you. Taking that into account, you will not be punished for your actions against Mr. Casablancas. I suggest that you take a couple days more to gather yourself before you return to school.”
“So I’m suspended?”
“No. This is just a… friendly suggestion. When you return, you will be required to speak with Ms. James once a week to help you deal with your issues.”
“Right.”
“Good day, Veronica.” Clemmons added as she stood, “The next time you show such lack of restraint it will not go unpunished.”
“Right,” she nodded. She closed his office door behind her.
Wallace was waiting for her with her school bag. “So, how’d it go?”
“Mr. Clemmons suggested that I take a few more days to rest before I return.”
“That’s it?”
She nodded.
“Girl, you’re lucky he didn’t suspend you.”
“Unofficially, he did. Everyone will think I’ve been suspended when I don’t show up for school tomorrow.”
“See you later, Rocky,” Wallace pushed her out of the office. “Logan’s waiting for you by your locker.”
“Later, Fennel.” She made her way to down the hall. Approaching her locker, she found Logan leaning against it, his arms crossed.
He grinned and straightened when he saw her. “So I guess you are better.”
“Ha ha,” she said dryly as she opened her locker. “Well, you’ve got your wish. I’ve been told not to return to school for a couple days.”
“That’s it? I thought maybe he would have expelled you. You are quite the troublemaker.”
“I think Clemmons feels sorry for me. You know, on account of the fact that I was attacked a few days ago. He let me off easy.”
Logan shook his head still grinning. “I can’t believe I missed it.”
She smirked, “Next time I punch Dick in the face, I’ll video it.”
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand, “let’s blow this joint.”
--
Keith shook his head, smiling, “You didn’t even last until third period.”
“That’s your response?” she laughed. “I tell you that I broke a boy’s nose and was basically suspended and that’s your response?”
“Right,” he dropped his smile and said soberly, “Veronica, violence is never the answer.”
“Uh huh,” she smirked.
“I wish I’d seen it,” Keith said in delight. “My petite daughter punching out a boy twice her size.”
Logan nodded, grinning, “They say you could hear his nose breaking from all the way down the hall.”
“Is your hand okay?” He reached for her left hand.
She fisted it loosely. “It’s a little sore.” She touched her bandages, “I think I might have broke open one of my cuts.”
“Let’s go change the bandages and see.” Keith led her into his office.
She slumped down in a chair. She stretched her hand across the table so that her dad could tend it from his seat. Propping her head on her elbow, she asked, “You’re really not mad?”
He shook his head. “You’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I’m not surprised that you lost control. You were going to burst eventually.”
“But I hit someone.”
“I know that. I also know that I’ve raised you better than that. You know what you did was wrong and I know that under normal circumstances you would have never resorted to violence.”
“You would have destroyed him with your sharp tongue and your vast knowledge of 09er scandal,” Logan interjected, leaning against the door frame. “If you ask me, Dick got off easy with just a broken nose.”
“You mean the humiliation of a girl breaking his nose isn’t punishment enough?” Veronica asked.
“Compared to what you would have done to him if you’re brain was fully functional? Not really.”
“My brain is fully functional,” she said in offense.
Keith set the last bandage. “If it was, you wouldn’t have punched him. Physically, I agree that you’re rested, but emotionally, I think you’re still strung out.”
She sighed wearily, “I realize that… and Clemmons realized that too, which is why I now have a weekly appointment with Ms. James to deal with my issues.”
“Good. Maybe she’ll give you some good advice.” Keith kissed her hand. “Now, go. I have work to do.”
“I’ll handle the phones,” Veronica said as she stood.
“Veronica.”
“Well, I have nothing else to do. I can rest emotionally in the office just fine.” She pushed Logan out, closing the door behind her.
--
Veronica had fallen asleep on the office sofa, leaving Logan to handle the phones. Keith had kicked him out given his inappropriate phone manner. Logan had simply smirked, bent down to pick Veronica up and headed out the door.
She slept the entire way home, not even stirring when Logan accidentally let the front door slam open. Logan set her on her bed, where she simply rolled over, grabbing her pillow. He laid down beside her, falling asleep himself.
--
The rest of the school year was uneventful. Veronica and Logan were both idolized and ostracized. Duncan had kept his head low, ignoring all the gossip about Lilly as best he could. As for Dick, he steered clear of Veronica and Logan knowing full well that Logan still had in out for him.
School had ended without incident, but the summer hadn’t.
The Kanes had enough political influence to have Aaron Echolls’ trial moved up to late June, so Veronica and Logan were out of school for a day before they were thrown into the world of court. They were forced to sit through all the opening statements and legal jargon, waiting for their turn to testify. They sat huddled together everyday, sitting in the far corner of the courtroom as far away from Aaron as possible.
The grueling courtroom drama was fortunately not broadcasted on live television since several minors were involved in the case. Aaron’s fans had to appease themselves with the courtroom re-enactments and sketches, and their daily protests outside the courthouse as well as at the Echolls’ estate. It didn’t take long before the fan club lost their steam when they found out about Aaron’s long term abusiveness. If Aaron’s own son testified against him it must be true.
Logan had felt a sense of relief when his turn on the witness stand had ended. He had been called up early on in the trial as a character witness to establish Aaron’s mindset and personality. He barely flinched when his testimony caused Aaron to shoot to his feet yelling obscenities and calling his son a worthless piece of trash. When Logan stepped off the stand he made sure to keep eye contact with his father, sending the message that he was responsible for putting Aaron away for life. He retook his place beside Veronica, instantly taking her hand, seeking comfort in the small touch. Duncan had sat on the other side of him, offering his support and thanks because he understood what it took for Logan to reveal so much of himself to strangers.
It was near the end of the trial when Veronica was called to the witness stand. Both the defense and the prosecution grilled her over her ordeal not only involving Aaron, but what she went through for the passed two years since Lilly died. The defense bashed her character, bringing up her school records, insinuating that she was not an innocent young woman because of her involvement with her father’s business, they even mentioned her rape. All through their word twisting and manipulation, Veronica had managed to keep a stoic face, denying most of it, ignoring the rest. She’d expected most of what Aaron’s lawyers would bring up and she kept her head clear and answered all the questions that she asked as clearly and succinctly as possible. Veronica had stayed strong. It was when the prosecution cross-examined her that she broke. They had noticed that she had looked everywhere but at the accused, and they asked her to look at him, really look at him and describe what she felt.
The entire courtroom witnessed the strong young woman begin to shake as she stuttered words of fear and disgust, and then burst into uncontrollable sobbing. When she was dismissed, she stepped off the stand as quickly as possible, running out of the courtroom. Alicia caught up with her throwing up in the women’s restroom. Alicia crouched down beside her and rubbed her back soothingly. They were there for almost half an hour while Veronica gathered herself. When she rejoined the men, she sat tucked against her father’s side, clutching Logan’s hand.
The jury was sent to deliberate and a lull in all the lives involved occurred. It was a relief not having to trek to the courthouse everyday. During this down time, Veronica and Logan spent time trying to be regular teenagers. They’d go to the beach, see movies, play at the carnival on the boardwalk. It helped them relax and regain a semblance of peace in their lives. They’d expected to have at least two weeks before being called back to court, but the jury had reached a verdict after only five days of being sequestered.
The prosecution had asked that Logan and Veronica sit directly behind them so that the jury could see them clearly as a last reminder of what Aaron Echolls had been responsible for.
They waited patiently as the judge made his final speech and then asked the jury foreman for the verdict.
Breathes held all over the courtroom. Every crime was read aloud one at a time, each verdict read clearly and succinctly.
Assault - Guilty.
Assault - Guilty.
Arson - Guilty.
Statutory rape - Guilty.
Kidnapping - Guilty.
Attempted murder - Guilty.
Murder one - Guilty.
Aaron stood in disbelief as he was found guilty for every charge against him. The smile that he’d kept on his face to appear sweet and innocent fell with each announcement of ‘Guilty.’
The sentencing trial would begin the next day.
As Aaron was being led back to his jail cell, in his anger, he body checked a guard and stole his gun. He shouted, “It’s all your fault, bitch!” as he aimed and fired.
People barely had time to duck as the bullet was propelled from the gun chamber. Screams rung out and the bailiffs jumped Aaron Echolls, subduing him before he had the chance to fire another shot.
Shouts were heard as people scrambled to make sure that no one was hurt.
But someone was.
Logan had reacted quickly to pull Veronica down when he saw Aaron pull the gun, but he wasn’t fast enough. Moving to his knees, he saw her beneath him bleeding from a bullet wound near her heart. He pressed his hands against the pulsing wound as he screamed, “Ambulance! I need an ambulance!”
--
Keith walked up behind Logan placing his hand gently on his shoulder. “Logan?”
“Yeah?” he asked lifelessly.
“It’s time to go.”
Logan had just watched the life drain from someone’s eyes. He wasn’t sure yet how to react. Standing, he followed Keith out to the parking lot.
Keith looked at Logan before unlocking the car doors. “Are you alright?”
“Are you?”
“I didn’t see it like you did.”
Logan shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Come on. Let’s go home.”
Logan stared out the window the entire way back to the Mars residence. The passing scenery did nothing to gain his interest. He trudged beside Keith into the tiny apartment and the first tiny spark of life re-entered him.
Veronica met him at the door and wrapped her good arm around him.
He hugged her as tightly as possible, always careful of the sling she wore for the healing bullet wound in her shoulder.
“Was it bad?” she asked, clutching him tightly with her free arm.
“Better now that I’m with you,” he whispered against her hair.
She nuzzled up against his neck. “Tell me?”
“He’s dead.”
“What? What happened?” Veronica asked in surprise. It was supposed to be a simple jail visit. Aaron had been pestering Logan for weeks to go see him. Logan had finally relented and had gone today to see him.
Logan pulled away to take her hand. “He said that he wanted to make amends. He wanted me to know that he was sorry for everything and that he made it up to me in the only way he knew how.”
She waited silently for him to continue.
He took a deep breath. “He left me everything.”
“Everything? As in…”
“As in everything. All his money, his houses, his cars… everything.”
“Oh.”
“And after he made his grand speech he started to convulse.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand either.” Logan shook his head, trying to shake the memory from his head.
Keith gave a small explanation. “The paramedics think that he was poisoned.”
“Someone killed him?” she frowned, “But he was already on death row.”
Keith shook his head, “They suspect that he poisoned himself.”
As everything sunk in, all she could say was, “That’s unbelievable.”
“There’s going to be an investigation. The warden wants to know how Aaron got the poison. What it was and who supplied it. How it was missed during Aaron’s numerous searches.”
“Logan?” she gripped his hand. “Are you alright?”
“I don’t know yet.” He gave her a small smile. “I’ll get back to you.”
“Go lie down,” she ordered.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Logan kissed her softly and then walked woodenly into her room.
Veronica studied her father. “Was it a coincidence that he happened to die right while Logan was visiting him?”
“They don’t know yet. They’re still doing tests to find out what he used.”
“Why did he do it?” she asked softly.
Keith wrapped an arm around her. “I don’t know, honey. Maybe he wanted his death to be on his terms… or maybe he just wanted to get it over with. None of his appeals really stood a chance. Not after-”
“Not after he tried to kill me.”
“He sealed his own fate when he drew that gun.”
“So I guess it’s all over.”
--
Logan stood in the middle of the empty house staring at the bare walls. The movers had finally packed everything up and put it into storage. He turned around flipping the cap on and off the lighter in his hands.
Veronica joined him carrying a box from the pool house. “Guess what I found?”
“Hey, you shouldn’t be carrying that.” Logan shoved the lighter in his pocket and took the box from her.
“I’m fine. My physical therapist says I’m almost fully functional again. Anyway, the box is light.”
He looked inside it and a grin spread across his face. “Where did you get this?”
“It was shoved in one of the cupboards in the pool house.” She reached into the box and pulled out a Wonder Woman costume. “I can’t believe that Lilly actually wore this.”
“I can’t believe you wore that black cat suit. You looked hot.”
“Well, James, you looked pretty hot yourself in the tux of yours.” She smiled, “That Halloween was great.”
“Duncan got conned into being Superman,” he snorted. “Tights and all.”
“You were the only one that Lilly couldn’t convince to be a superhero.”
“Hey, I was James Bond. He is a superhero.”
“You were just too lazy to get a costume.”
He smirked, “Yeah. I just grabbed a tux from my dad’s closet.”
“Who were you supposed to be again?”
He grimaced. “She wanted me to be Captain America.”
“That’s right,” Veronica remembered, “and I tried to convince you to be Batman. When we saw you in your tux, Lilly was so angry with you.”
“I remember. The two of you bet on which costume I would end up wearing.”
“And I won, because you said you could easily be Bruce Wayne in your tux.” She laughed at the silliness that was their youth.
“You know,” Logan smiled, “Bruce Wayne was in love with Cat Woman. Is that why you wanted me to be the Dark Crusader?”
She blushed. “No, I just like Batman.”
“Sure, you do.” He looked at the black cat suit that was in the box and then back at Veronica. “Do you think it still fits?”
Throwing the Wonder Woman costume back in the box, she shook her head. “No way. I’m not putting that on for you.”
“But you’d look so cute.”
“It probably won’t fit anymore.” She started walking away.
“Come on, for me?” He chased after her.
She changed the subject. “So now that your house is a blank canvas, how do you plan on decorating?”
Logan set the box down, catching her unawares when he jogged up behind her and picked her up off her feet.
Shrieking, she demanded, “Put me down, Logan.”
He simply looked at her with sparkling eyes.
“Uh uh. No way.” At his steady gaze, she knew that he wouldn’t put her down unless she agreed to try on the costume. She sighed, “Fine, hand it over.”
Logan was drooling when she stepped out of the bathroom. “You look hot.”
She smirked, “Considering I can’t zip the front closed and the outfit is skintight, I’m not surprised.”
“You’ve certainly grown in all the right areas,” he leered.
She punched him in the shoulder. “I was thirteen when I wore this.”
“You definitely haven’t grown any taller.” He cupped her hips and pulled her to him.
“Not a chance, Mr. Bond,” she pulled away from his grasp. She returned to the bathroom, “Get the rest of your stuff. We have some shopping to do.”
--
“I like what you’ve done to the place,” Duncan said as he entered Logan’s home for the first time in months.
Logan was holding a house warming party of sorts during Christmas break. Showing off his newly redecorated home to all of his friends. “I did it all by myself.”
Veronica laughed, joining them. “Not likely. If it was up to Logan, everything would’ve been beige. Boys have no sense of color.”
Meg smiled looking around the main room, “I like the green.”
“You should see the rest of the house,” Veronica smiled.
“Every color of the fricking rainbow,” Logan complained. “We spent days picking paint colors.”
“Be quiet,” she ordered, “you like it.”
Everyone laughed at his smirk of concession.
“Whipped,” Duncan coughed.
Logan glared, “At least I managed to keep her from choosing all pink.”
Veronica pouted, “I only got one pink room.”
“Her crazy rocker chick room,” Logan muttered. “At least I got one room exactly the way I wanted.”
“His bedroom,” she stated, “Blue walls, black furniture.” She whispered to Meg, “I snuck some orange in? He didn’t notice.”
Wallace interrupted all the decorating talk. “You do realize that the two of you act like you’re married.”
Veronica and Logan looked at each other. “No, we don’t.”
“Choosing paint colors? Arguing about home decorating? Yeah, you do.”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“So, when’s the big day?” Duncan teased.
The couple flushed in embarrassment.
Meg beamed, “They’re so cute.”
--
Later into the evening, Veronica and Logan were cuddling on the couch. They’d settled there as everyone around them chattered and drank.
Logan was making circles with his thumb on the back of the hand he was holding.
“Hey?” Veronica touched his hand to gain his attention. “What are you thinking about?” She was surprised when Logan suddenly went shy. “What is it?”
“I was thinking about what Wallace said.”
“About us acting like a married couple?”
“Yeah.”
“They were just teasing us,” she smiled, amused that he was worried.
“I know… but I think about it.”
That startled her. She moved so that her legs laid across his lap and she was facing him. “You think about us being married?”
“Sometimes,” he said meekly. His eyes darted a quick look into hers and then amended, “Everyday.”
“You want to marry me?”
“Someday,” he admitted.
She knew he was serious with his steady, piercing gaze met her eyes. She curled up into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I do too.”
He snorted a short laugh of delight and relief. “I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re everything to me. My life. My love. My family.”
“You’re all of those to me too.”
They kissed gently.
“So what does this mean?”
“What?” he grinned. “Like are we engaged or something?”
“Well, yeah,” she said shyly.
He looked at her seriously, “Do you want to be?”
“Someday.”
“Well then I guess you’re stuck with me.”
“For life.”
--
The End
Author: Snuffybaby
Disclaimer: Rob Thomas owns them. I sadly do not.
Rating: PG
Pairing: LoVe
Spoilers: up to the end of season one
Summary: Set during (122) Leave it to Beaver. What if Keith didn’t get to Veronica quickly enough?
Author’s Note: Tried the angst thing, but I always end up with a cutesy ending.
--
Wallace stopped the car just behind the PCH bikers. “Weevil! Logan! Stop!”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Weevil demanded.
He looked at the two boys seriously. “Mr. Mars sent me.”
Logan had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach as he hopped down off the ledge.
Weevil was also suspicious, “Why didn’t he come himself?”
Wallace took a deep breath, looking squarely at Logan. “Mr. Mars sent me to find you. Veronica’s in the hospital.”
--
Logan stormed into the hospital. “What room is Veronica Mars in?”
Logan had jumped into his car and sped all the way to the hospital the second the words had left Wallace’s lips. Wallace and Weevil had managed to catch up to him, Wallace telling the nurse that he’d take care of Logan.
Wallace told them to follow him. “Come on, I’ll take you to her.”
They went up a few floors and met Keith Mars in a waiting room.
“How is she?” Logan asked, “What happened?”
They all noticed the bruises on Keith’s face.
“Sit down,” Keith said softly. He gestured for all the boys to take their seats. It was going to be a long story. “Veronica’s going to be fine. She’s resting.”
“What happened?” Wallace questioned, “You never gave me the full story.”
“Just sit and listen. Don’t interrupt.” Keith sat down facing them. “Veronica discovered evidence tonight that revealed Lilly Kane’s real murderer. She called to tell me that she was bringing everything home. I was worried because she was taking longer to get home than I expected. I went looking for her. I don’t know all the details between her leaving the Kane mansion and ending up where she did, but it looks like she was attacked in her car. It was slammed into a tree a few miles down the road from the Kanes’.
“I came upon her attacker setting a fire and leaving the scene of another crime. I managed to subdue him.”
“What did he do to Veronica?” Logan asked softly, imagining the worst.
“Knocked her out. He trapped her inside a refrigerator,” Keith took a deep breath, “and he set it on fire.”
“With Veronica inside?” Wallace said in disbelief.
“I’m assuming that he needed to get rid of all the witnesses.”
Weevil had his fists clenched. “Who was it? Who attacked Veronica? Who killed Lilly?”
Keith looked sadly at Logan. “Logan, it was your father.”
“What?” He felt like he was punched in the gut. “Why?”
“The evidence that Veronica found? They were tapes of Lilly and Aaron together.” Keith knew that Logan needed to know the rest, “They were having an affair.”
Logan shot up suddenly, running around a corner. He found the nearest garbage can and he threw up the entire contents of his stomach. By the time Keith walked up behind him, he was dry heaving.
Keith handed him a napkin and a bottle of water.
Logan slumped to the ground, burying his face against his raised knees.
“Logan? Are you alright?”
“Why should you care? My father almost killed Veronica tonight? You shouldn’t care about me.”
“Logan, listen to me. What Aaron did tonight was not your fault. You’re not responsible for his actions.”
“I should have known.”
“How could you possibly have known?” Keith studied Logan and then he was hit by a sudden realization. “Does Aaron beat you?”
His shuddering frame abruptly stilled.
“Logan?”
In response, Logan stood, turned and pulled the back of his shirt up.
Keith was greeted with the sight of lash marks all over Logan’s lower back. Dozens of scars, all easily hidden by Logan’s clothes. He could tell that some were very old, but he was pretty sure that some of them were still very recent. “Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
Logan dropped his shirt, shaking his head as he said bitterly, “Who would believe that the great family man, Aaron Echolls, beat his own son?”
“I would.”
He braced his arm against the wall, his forehead touching the cool surface. “My sister didn’t even believe me. She thought it was all stories. I’d break my arm… my nose… burn cigarettes on my back all on my own.”
Keith grabbed Logan’s shoulder, turning him so that he would look into his eyes and know that he was telling the truth. “I would have believed you. I do believe you.”
Seeing the honesty in his eyes, Logan broke. He clutched his stomach and fell to his knees in tears.
All Keith could do was kneel down beside the broken boy and try to comfort him.
--
Keith and Logan remained in their position for nearly an hour before Logan was able to gather himself together.
He turned sad eyes to Keith. “How is Veronica really?”
“Physically, she wasn’t hurt very badly. She has a bruise on her cheek where Aaron hit her, her hands are scraped up. They’re treating her for smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning. The doctors are going to release her tomorrow.” Keith sighed, “Mentally, I think she’s a little traumatized. She was trapped inside a burning refrigerator, rapidly losing oxygen. If I can convince her, I want her to see a therapist for a little while. Not just because of what Aaron did to her, but because I don’t think she’s ever really dealt with Lilly’s death. They were best friends… closer than sisters. It wasn’t easy for her… especially after seeing Lilly’s body.” He leant his head back against the wall. “It wasn’t easy for any of you. I know you weren’t as close as you used to be.”
“We weren’t friends long before Lilly died. Things began to fall apart between us way before that.” Logan dropped his head. “Duncan broke up with Veronica. Lilly and I were on the outs for probably the last time. I had feelings for someone new… The only one that was really the same was Veronica, but that changed after Lilly was killed.” His voice cracked. “I felt so guilty after… after. I did everything I could to stop feeling it, I ended up blaming the only one I could without feeling even worse about myself.”
“You blamed Veronica,” Keith said in understanding. “That’s not an unusual response.”
“It was because she did nothing wrong. The only thing she did was be your daughter, who stuck by you like she should have.” He shook his head, “She was right all along.” He snorted in disgust. “She was right to tell Lilly when I got drunk off my ass and kissed another girl. She was right to stand on your side when everyone else persecuted you. She was right to turn me in.”
Keith felt that he needed to clarify something. “Veronica didn’t turn you in, Logan. I did.”
Logan looked up in surprise. “Lamb said-”
“I know what Lamb said. I told him that Veronica discovered the hole in your story, but it was me. I was the one that brought the information to him.”
“She didn’t turn me in.” His mind was slowly processing the information. His heart slowly warming and gaining hope.
“She didn’t turn you in. Truth? I don’t think she ever believed that you could have done it.”
“She believed me. Why didn’t she say anything?”
“Because she stands by her dad,” Keith said simply.
Logan started shaking with barely contained laughter. “I wish someone would support me like that.”
“I think you’ve found her.”
Startled eyes turned on Keith.
“She was barely conscious when the firefighters got her out from under the refrigerator. Do you the last thing she asked me?”
Logan shook his head.
“She asked me to find you.”
--
Keith stood outside his daughter’s hospital room. He looked in the window at the sight of Logan curled up around her as she slept. A smile graced his face at the memory of the nurses trying to stop Logan.
The instant Logan had seen her lying on the bed, he had walked up beside her. Brushing her hair off her face, he leant down and kissed her forehead. Instead of sitting in the chair set beside her bed, he had climbed in with her careful not to disturb any of the tubes that were connected to her.
He’d been lying there ever since.
Keith had managed to convince the nurses to leave Logan alone. He knew that both of them needed the comfort of each others’ presence. Keith simply stood outside, watching over them both.
That was how Sheriff Lamb found him.
“Keith.”
“Don.”
“Is she awake yet?”
“No. The doctor is keeping her sedated.”
Lamb looked in on the girl in question. “You do know the Echolls kid is sleeping with her.”
“I know. He’s taking the news that his father tried to kill her really hard.” Keith looked at the Sheriff, “Has Aaron confessed?”
“He lawyered up. Claiming it’s all a misunderstanding.” Lamb scoffed, “A little hard to misunderstand his prints on the refrigerator, the lighter, the contain of gas and in Veronica’s car. We’re waiting for her statement.”
“Did you watch the tapes?”
Lamb nodded. “It’s enough to charge him. I’m pretty sure his lawyers will say that just because he was sleeping with her, didn’t mean he killed her. Going to jail for statutory rape is a lighter sentence than murder one.”
“Bring in character witnesses,” Keith said.
“Who are we going to find that will speak against the famous Aaron Echolls?”
“His son.”
--
It was around noon when Veronica began to stir. Her eyes blinked open as she tried to remember where she was. It didn’t take her long to realize that she was in the hospital with all the medical equipment surrounding her. Lifting her head a little, she saw noticed the head that was resting on her stomach. Upon further reflection, she felt a body curled against her legs, arm around her waist. She brushed her hand through the hair on the head.
Logan looked up at her. “You’re awake.”
Trying to speak, she was deterred by the chest tube that was down her throat.
“Don’t try to speak. I’ll get the doctor.” He rolled off her bed and reached above her to press the call button for the nurse. He took her hand in his as he sat down on the chair. “You’re going to be okay. They just put the tube in to help you breath.”
The doctor came and checked her out. Removing the chest tube, they replaced it with a nose tube for oxygen. Clearing her of any adverse effects from smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide poisoning, they would release her later that day.
Logan and Keith hovered over her while the doctor examined her and the nurses handed her water.
When they were alone, Keith and Logan each took a hand gently sitting on both sides of her.
She frowned at her father, and said sympathetically, “Look at you.”
“I’m fine. Just a few bruises, but they’ll be ok. Are you alright, honey?” Keith asked.
She nodded. Clearing her throat a little, she said hoarsely, “I’m fine.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner.”
“You saved me,” she whispered. “That’s all that matters.” She looked behind him, “Is mom here?”
Keith gapped and shook his head in disbelief of himself. “I forgot to call her.”
That made Veronica laugh a little. She clutched his hand as tightly as she could without hurting herself. “Tell her to leave.”
“Veronica-”
“She’s still drinking,” she said sadly. “Tell her to leave.”
Keith knew that she was serious, but he’d defer the conversation until she was better. “We’ll discuss it later.” His fingers grazed the bruise on her cheek softly, “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
She shook her head.
Brushing her hair, he added, “When you’re ready, Lamb wants to take your statement. You don’t have to do it right away. Just… whenever you’re ready.”
“Did you get him?”
“Yeah. We got him.”
“Tell Lamb to come.”
“Veronica, rest a little more first.”
“I want to get it over with.” She said strongly, “Finally put Lilly’s murderer in prison where he belongs.”
Relenting, Keith left to find the Sheriff.
She turned her head to Logan. “Hey,” she said with a soft smile.
“Hey.”
“Did dad tell you?” she asked tentatively.
He nodded. “I already had my own crying-jag.”
She brushed his face with her fingertips. “Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about me. Worry about you.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not. You’ll be fine when you stop sounding like a little old lady.”
“My throat’s just dry,” she pouted.
He reached over and poured her some more water. “Here.”
She drank it gladly. When she cleared her throat again, she asked, “Better?”
He smiled, “A little.”
Veronica sobered again. “I’m sorry.”
Shaking his head, he took both her hands in his. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“But-”
“No buts. You’ll only make me feel guiltier than I already do.”
“What do you have to feel guilty for?”
“My father did this to you.”
“That’s right. Aaron did it. Not you. So unless you have a remote control for him, you had nothing to do with this. You have nothing to feel guilty for.”
“That’s what Keith said.”
“Of course he’d say it, because it’s the truth.”
“My head knows that, but my heart doesn’t.”
“Well hurry up and catch your heart back up with your head. There’s no reason for you to feel guilty, anymore than my father has to feel guilty for not finding me earlier. You did nothing wrong. There’s no way you could have known what Aaron did. No way that you could have stopped him.”
Logan dropped his forehead to the bed. “If I had reported him, maybe he would have gone to jail a long time ago.”
“You could report him now,” she said softly.
He lifted shocked eyes on her.
“You can report him now,” she repeated. “It would help make sure that he stays in jail.”
“I don’t know if I can,” he said in fear.
“Think about it… and if you decide to do it, know that I’ll be with you through all of it.”
--
Sheriff Lamb and Deputy Leo stood across from Veronica in the hospital room. Keith sat in a chair beside her. The bed had been shifted so that Veronica was in a sitting position, a tape recorder placed on the table that stretched across her lap.
Veronica spoke calmly. “When Duncan and I saw who was on the tapes, we realized who had killed Lilly. I grabbed the tapes, asked Duncan to keep an eye on Aaron and I headed home to give them to my dad. I called dad while I was leaving to let him know what I had found and that I was on my way. After that call, I tried to call Logan. He didn’t pick up.
“I was driving for about five minutes when Duncan called and said he couldn’t find Aaron at the party. I hung up the phone and checked my rearview to make sure no one was following me. That was when I saw Aaron sitting up in the backseat.
“I think I screamed. He asked for the tapes. I gave them to him. He put them in his pocket. I had to get away from him, so I did the only thing I could think of. I floored it and rammed my car into a tree. I guess I was out for awhile, but when I was aware, I saw Aaron sprawled unconscious over the passenger seat - he wasn’t wearing a seat belt - and I reached over him to get the tapes back. I tried to reach my phone, but he was starting to wake up.” She took a deep breath. “I ran. I pounded on the door of the nearest house. No one answered, so I kept moving. I knew Aaron would catch up with me, so I hid the tapes.”
“Where?” Lamb asked.
“I threw them on to the roof of the house.” She studied her hands. “It was around that time when the lights went on in the house. The guy was opening the sliding door for me when he fell over.”
Frowning, Lamb asked, “Why?”
“Aaron hit him over the head. He threw the door open and before I could run, he punched me in the face.” She brought her hand up to her bruised cheek. “That knocked me out. When I was conscious again, it was dark. I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear him. He left a walkie-talkie in my hand so that we could talk.”
“Where did he get the walkie-talkies?” Leo asked.
“They were in the trunk of my car,” she answered. “Aaron kept asking me where the tapes were. He said that if he told me where they were, he’d let me out. I felt safer inside the box. He told me that Lilly wouldn’t give him the tapes either and look what happened to her. The entire time he was hitting the sides of the box to scare me.” She closed her eyes at the memory. “It was when I smelt the gasoline that I finally told him where the tapes were.”
“What happened next?” Lamb asked quietly.
She shrugged. “I guess he went up to get the tapes. I couldn’t hear anything for awhile. He came back though. He thanked me for the tapes and then asked, ‘Did you really think I could let you live?’ He set the fire then.” Her eyes glazed over. “I tried to get out. I kept hitting the side of the box. The air was getting thicker. It was getting hard to breath.” She shook her head. “The next thing I remember was seeing dad. He was telling me I was safe. After that… nothing until I woke up here in the hospital.”
Lamb asked quietly, “Why did seeing the tapes make you believe that Aaron killed Lilly?”
Veronica cleared her throat. “He’s psychotic. I once saw him beat a guy into a bloody mess and then ask Logan how his day way.” She glanced at her father, before she revealed, “He beats Logan.” She added with conviction, “He would’ve gone after Lilly for tapes. She wouldn’t have given them to him. My guess is that she would have sold her story so that the world would know that she was sleeping with the great Aaron Echolls. She would have done it just to piss Celeste off.”
“Celeste Kane, her mother?” Lamb clarified.
“Yeah. Aaron would have done anything to keep the story from getting out. Public image, you know?”
“Do you know where the tapes were taken?”
“In the guest house… at the Echolls mansion,” Veronica answered bluntly. “The cameras are in the ceiling fan and the headboard. The monitors and the recorder are behind the bookshelf.”
“And how do you know this?”
“I found them when I was there with Logan a week ago. I don’t think he knows that they’re there.”
“How did you happen to find them?”
“Logan went to get a drink. I was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling when I saw the light glint off the camera lens. I saw the wiring leading to the bookshelves.” She shrugged, “I was curious.”
“Lilly Kane never told you about the cameras?”
“No. She didn’t even tell me she was sleeping with Aaron. I always thought that Logan was the only one she was seeing. Apparently I was wrong.” Veronica had ducked her head and was fiddling with her bed sheets.
“Did Eli Navarro tell you about the cameras?”
She looked up with a frown on her face. “Why would Weevil know about the cameras?”
“Did Weevil tell you about the cameras?” Lamb repeated his question.
“No.”
“And Logan Echolls didn’t know about them either.”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“How did Aaron know that you had the tapes?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you think Duncan would have told him?”
“No,” she said through gritted teeth.
“Do you think Celeste or Jake Kane knew that these tapes existed?”
“No.”
“Do you think they would have warned Aaron about them?”
“No. He killed their daughter, why would they protect him?”
“They were protecting someone.”
“Honey,” Keith decided to intervene. “Jake and Celeste were arrested for obstruction of justice. They paid off Abel Koontz to protect someone. Lamb just wants to know who you think they were protecting.”
Veronica searched her father’s face for advice. She sighed, “Duncan. They were protecting Duncan.”
“Why would they need to protect Duncan?” Lamb asked.
“They found him catatonic with Lilly’s body. They thought he killed Lilly. Up until last night, the Kanes thought that their son killed Lilly.”
“Could Duncan have killed his sister?”
“He loved Lilly. He never would have hurt her. Why are you asking me this? You have her murderer in jail.”
Leo replied, “It’s routine.”
Lamb continued his questioning. “Is there a reason you didn’t mention Lilly’s hiding place earlier?”
“I didn’t remember until recently.”
“What made you look last night?”
She bit her lip. “Logan told me that he wrote Lilly a letter. I was looking for it.”
“You didn’t think to tell the Sheriff’s department this information?”
“I was looking for a ‘Dear John’ letter. Would you have really cared?”
“So instead you decided to break into the Kane estate?”
“I didn’t break in. I was allowed in with the caterers,” she muttered.
“Right. I’d like you to go over with me again what happened from the time you found the tapes.”
--
Veronica wanted to scream. She’d recapped her story so many times she thought she’d explode. Lamb kept asking her the same questions over and over again.
“God, I wish I could punch him in the face,” she pulled her hair back into a pony tail as she prepared to leave the hospital.
“He’s just doing his job,” Keith sighed.
“He treated me like a suspect. I’m the victim here.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “He was a little… indelicate, but he needed to ask you those questions. To help jog your memory, gather the details. I would have done the same, if only to prepare you for how Aaron’s lawyers are going to treat you.”
Veronica frowned, “I’m going to have to testify against him, aren’t I?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“I don’t know if I can handle that.” Her eyes got watery.
Keith pulled her into a hug. “I’ll be there with you.”
“You think they’d let me hold your hand while I’m on the stand?” she asked weakly.
He chucked her chin. “Hey, what happened to my bad ass daughter?” he teased.
She collapsed against him and cried. “I was so scared.”
“I know, honey.” He held her tightly as she broke down. “It’s over now. You’re safe.”
--
Keith ushered Veronica into the house and told her to rest. They were home all of two minutes before Logan arrived outside their door. Keith gestured him in and towards Veronica’s room.
Sighing gratefully, the teenager made his way to the back of the apartment.
Lianne watched all this and turned to her husband. “Please tell me what happened. All you said was that Veronica would be fine. What happened?”
“Lianne, she’s fine. Right now, I need you to pack your bags and leave.”
“What?”
“Veronica told me everything. She told me that she spent her college money on your rehab. She told me that you didn’t even finish it. She told me that you’re still drinking. We don’t want you here anymore. So pack your bags and leave.”
“Keith-”
“I don’t want to hear your explanations. I don’t want you to say how hard it is for you. I thought that I would try to make things work between us for Veronica. It’s no use though. Your daughter used all her savings to get you help and you wasted it. You’ve disappointed us both for the last time. Leave, Lianne.” Keith turned his back on her, heading to the fridge. “Our divorce will go through in a couple months.”
“You don’t need me to sign anything?” she asked hopefully.
“I’m filing on the grounds of abandonment.”
“But I’m here,” she said desperately.
“You were gone for more than a year. Coming back now doesn’t make up for that. Just go, Lianne.” He leant against the fridge as he listened to her storm into his bedroom to pack her things. Pushing away from the appliance, he grabbed his briefcase and headed to Veronica’s room. Peeking in, he saw Logan and Veronica both asleep on her bed. He left a note on the counter and headed to the bank with his check.
--
Veronica was awakened when she heard a knock. Turning her head, she smiled and brush the hair on Logan’s head. Careful not to disturb him, she climbed out of bed and went to answer the door.
She smiled softly, “I was hoping it would be you.”
Duncan smiled sheepishly, “Sorry I didn’t visit you sooner.”
“It’s alright. You had things to do. How are your parents?”
“The charges were dropped. They’re at home now speaking with their lawyers trying to find out how they can get the death penalty for Mr. Echolls.”
“Wow.”
“Yeah.” He snorted softly, “You know what the funny thing is? We have the same lawyers.”
“You’re not serious.”
“My parents and the Echolls’ were friends. They used the same law firm.”
Veronica gestured him in. “I’m pretty sure that Aaron will want to hire a criminal attorney - the best that his money can pay for.”
“Maybe.”
“How are you doing?”
“Shouldn’t I be the one asking you that?”
“I’m fine. A little hoarse still, but I’m fine.”
“Do you know if Logan knows?”
She nodded. “He was at the hospital when I woke up.” She added hesitantly, “He’s sleeping in my room right now.”
“Oh.” Duncan looked down at his hands, “He’s not taking it very well, is he?”
“No. He’s scared,” she answered honestly. “Especially since he may have to testify against Aaron.”
“Testify?”
“Character witness. To establish that Aaron has a history of violent tendencies.”
“Do you think he’ll actually do it?”
“He’s terrified right now, but I think eventually he’ll move passed his fear and his guilt, and then he’ll be angry and bitter… and vindictive.”
Duncan nodded. He was surprised that Veronica seemed to understand Logan so well. He glanced at her, “Will you have to testify?”
She shuddered, “Yeah.”
He hugged her. “You’ll be alright. You’re the strongest person I know.”
She smiled weakly. “Not feeling so strong right now.”
“Rest. I’ll come by and see you and Logan tomorrow.”
She released him. “Thanks for stopping by.”
He shrugged. “What are friends for?”
--
Logan had woken the instant that Veronica had left the bed. He laid there quietly trying to hear what she was doing. When he heard the muffled voices, he knew that someone had come over.
“Probably Duncan,” he muttered to himself.
Logan laid there simply waiting for her to return. He turned his head toward her when she crept back into the room. “Hey.”
She had an apologetic look. “Sorry. Did we wake you?”
“I woke when you left.”
She knelt on the bed beside him. She reached out to brush the hair off his forehead. “Duncan came by to see how I was. He couldn’t before because his parents were in jail.”
“Celeste and Jake Kane in matching jail cells. I wonder if there are pictures,” he said sarcastically.
She smiled that his snarky personality was coming back. “The charges against them were dropped.”
“Do you think I could get a copy of their mug shots?”
“Let me see what I can do.”
Their moment of levity passed and Logan reached up and pulled her down to lie beside him.
“When I heard that you were in the hospital, I just got in my car and drove. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know why or that I was half drunk. I knew that I needed to get to you.”
She rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m glad you came.”
“I’m glad I came too.”
Veronica looked up at him, confused.
“I had a talk with your dad. It helped.”
“What did you talk about?”
“Just some things that were bothering me… ever since Lilly died. It was nice to get it off my chest.” He took a deep breath. “It was also nice to hear someone say that they believed me.”
“Believed you?”
“I showed him my scars.”
She turned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I believe you, Logan. It’s why I was so afraid of Aaron. I knew what he could do.”
“You mean trapping you in a burning box, didn’t clue you in?” he joked.
She smacked his shoulder, laughing.
His arms pulled her close. “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again.”
“Ditto.”
--
Logan shifted the gear into ‘Park’ and his left hand still clutching the wheel. He sat there for a moment before asking, “Why are we here?”
“Because we still have a month of classes and then finals,” Veronica reminded.
“You should have stayed home for another day.”
“I’m fine. All I did was sleep and eat for the passed three days. I’m rested enough.” She moved to open the door.
“Stay there.” Logan hopped out the door, jogged around the front of his car to open her door for her. He stood with his back facing her.
“I don’t need you to carry me.”
“The fact that your legs gave out this morning tells me differently.”
“I had a cramp.”
“Just hop on.”
Relenting, Veronica climbed on to his back so that he could piggy-back her to her classes. “You would push me around in a wheelchair if I let you.”
“I told your dad that it was too soon to let you come back.” He kicked the car door closed and carried her to school.
She rested her chin on his shoulder. “What do you think people are saying about us?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care.”
“You’re not the least bit curious?”
He rolled his eyes.
“You are, aren’t you?” she laughed. “Don’t worry. Wallace will fill us in. See, he’s heading over.” She raised her arm and waved at him. “Hey, Wallace!”
“Veronica. What are you doing back at school so soon?” he demanded as soon as he was in speaking distance.
“I told you,” Logan muttered.
She sighed, “I’m fine.”
“Then why is Logan carrying you?”
“Because he’s a worrywart.” She clutched Logan tightly, “Plus it’s fun.”
“Right,” Wallace shook his head and smiled, “I’m surprised you didn’t milk it and stay at home another day.”
“I would have, but I was getting bored. I’m not allowed to do anything if dad thinks I still need rest. He makes me sleep and nothing else. I can’t do sleep anymore.”
“Your locker,” Logan set her gently on her feet.
“Plus I figured if I don’t come to school, Logan won’t come and he doesn’t need to miss more school.”
“If that’s all it took for you to stay home and rest, you could have told me,” Logan muttered.
Veronica sighed, “Don’t worry so much.”
“I can’t help it.”
“How about this? I promise that if I get too tired, I’ll come get you and you can drive me home and gloat about the fact that you were right.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
He kissed her forehead. “I’ll see you at lunch. Don’t do anything too strenuous. I’m watching you.”
Wallace grinned as Logan walked away.
“What?” she asked him.
“I never would have figured that Logan was so…” he trailed off not finding the right adjective.
“Sweet? Mommy-ish? Thorn in my side?” she joked.
“Protective and caring.”
She sighed, “Yeah. The snarky-mouthy teen thing is just one side of him.”
“The ass side?”
“Basically.”
“He’s turning out to be a good guy.”
“So you approve, pa?” she asked jokingly in a country accent.
Wallace laughed. “Yeah, I approve.” He closed his locker. “Take it easy, V. I’ll catch you later.”
“Later.” She headed to her own class amid the multitude of stares and whispers. She sighed, “Just another day for Veronica Mars at Neptune High.”
--
Clemmons stared down the teenager that was seated in the chair across from him. “Would you please explain why you felt the need to punch Dick Casablancas in the nose?”
Veronica slouched in her chair. “He started it.”
“Veronica, I’m going to need a better explanation.”
Crossing her arms, she answered, “He said some inappropriate things and I took issue with them.”
“What did Mr. Casablancas say?”
She sighed, “He might have made some remarks about Lilly.”
He waited until she elaborated.
Pouting, she expanded, “He called her a slut and was like ‘who didn’t Lilly-’” she paused and adlibbed, “ ‘f-word?’ He went on to make comments about how much of a… coward… Logan was for not knowing that his own father was sleeping with his girlfriend.” She sighed, “The last few days have been very stressful for me. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for me to come back to school so soon.”
“Maybe,” Clemmons agreed. “We might have avoided this unfortunate incident.”
“I honestly didn’t mean to break his nose. I didn’t even think that I punched him that hard.”
He sighed and stood. “I understand that the passed few days have been an ordeal for you. Taking that into account, you will not be punished for your actions against Mr. Casablancas. I suggest that you take a couple days more to gather yourself before you return to school.”
“So I’m suspended?”
“No. This is just a… friendly suggestion. When you return, you will be required to speak with Ms. James once a week to help you deal with your issues.”
“Right.”
“Good day, Veronica.” Clemmons added as she stood, “The next time you show such lack of restraint it will not go unpunished.”
“Right,” she nodded. She closed his office door behind her.
Wallace was waiting for her with her school bag. “So, how’d it go?”
“Mr. Clemmons suggested that I take a few more days to rest before I return.”
“That’s it?”
She nodded.
“Girl, you’re lucky he didn’t suspend you.”
“Unofficially, he did. Everyone will think I’ve been suspended when I don’t show up for school tomorrow.”
“See you later, Rocky,” Wallace pushed her out of the office. “Logan’s waiting for you by your locker.”
“Later, Fennel.” She made her way to down the hall. Approaching her locker, she found Logan leaning against it, his arms crossed.
He grinned and straightened when he saw her. “So I guess you are better.”
“Ha ha,” she said dryly as she opened her locker. “Well, you’ve got your wish. I’ve been told not to return to school for a couple days.”
“That’s it? I thought maybe he would have expelled you. You are quite the troublemaker.”
“I think Clemmons feels sorry for me. You know, on account of the fact that I was attacked a few days ago. He let me off easy.”
Logan shook his head still grinning. “I can’t believe I missed it.”
She smirked, “Next time I punch Dick in the face, I’ll video it.”
“Come on,” he said, taking her hand, “let’s blow this joint.”
--
Keith shook his head, smiling, “You didn’t even last until third period.”
“That’s your response?” she laughed. “I tell you that I broke a boy’s nose and was basically suspended and that’s your response?”
“Right,” he dropped his smile and said soberly, “Veronica, violence is never the answer.”
“Uh huh,” she smirked.
“I wish I’d seen it,” Keith said in delight. “My petite daughter punching out a boy twice her size.”
Logan nodded, grinning, “They say you could hear his nose breaking from all the way down the hall.”
“Is your hand okay?” He reached for her left hand.
She fisted it loosely. “It’s a little sore.” She touched her bandages, “I think I might have broke open one of my cuts.”
“Let’s go change the bandages and see.” Keith led her into his office.
She slumped down in a chair. She stretched her hand across the table so that her dad could tend it from his seat. Propping her head on her elbow, she asked, “You’re really not mad?”
He shook his head. “You’ve been under a lot of stress lately. I’m not surprised that you lost control. You were going to burst eventually.”
“But I hit someone.”
“I know that. I also know that I’ve raised you better than that. You know what you did was wrong and I know that under normal circumstances you would have never resorted to violence.”
“You would have destroyed him with your sharp tongue and your vast knowledge of 09er scandal,” Logan interjected, leaning against the door frame. “If you ask me, Dick got off easy with just a broken nose.”
“You mean the humiliation of a girl breaking his nose isn’t punishment enough?” Veronica asked.
“Compared to what you would have done to him if you’re brain was fully functional? Not really.”
“My brain is fully functional,” she said in offense.
Keith set the last bandage. “If it was, you wouldn’t have punched him. Physically, I agree that you’re rested, but emotionally, I think you’re still strung out.”
She sighed wearily, “I realize that… and Clemmons realized that too, which is why I now have a weekly appointment with Ms. James to deal with my issues.”
“Good. Maybe she’ll give you some good advice.” Keith kissed her hand. “Now, go. I have work to do.”
“I’ll handle the phones,” Veronica said as she stood.
“Veronica.”
“Well, I have nothing else to do. I can rest emotionally in the office just fine.” She pushed Logan out, closing the door behind her.
--
Veronica had fallen asleep on the office sofa, leaving Logan to handle the phones. Keith had kicked him out given his inappropriate phone manner. Logan had simply smirked, bent down to pick Veronica up and headed out the door.
She slept the entire way home, not even stirring when Logan accidentally let the front door slam open. Logan set her on her bed, where she simply rolled over, grabbing her pillow. He laid down beside her, falling asleep himself.
--
The rest of the school year was uneventful. Veronica and Logan were both idolized and ostracized. Duncan had kept his head low, ignoring all the gossip about Lilly as best he could. As for Dick, he steered clear of Veronica and Logan knowing full well that Logan still had in out for him.
School had ended without incident, but the summer hadn’t.
The Kanes had enough political influence to have Aaron Echolls’ trial moved up to late June, so Veronica and Logan were out of school for a day before they were thrown into the world of court. They were forced to sit through all the opening statements and legal jargon, waiting for their turn to testify. They sat huddled together everyday, sitting in the far corner of the courtroom as far away from Aaron as possible.
The grueling courtroom drama was fortunately not broadcasted on live television since several minors were involved in the case. Aaron’s fans had to appease themselves with the courtroom re-enactments and sketches, and their daily protests outside the courthouse as well as at the Echolls’ estate. It didn’t take long before the fan club lost their steam when they found out about Aaron’s long term abusiveness. If Aaron’s own son testified against him it must be true.
Logan had felt a sense of relief when his turn on the witness stand had ended. He had been called up early on in the trial as a character witness to establish Aaron’s mindset and personality. He barely flinched when his testimony caused Aaron to shoot to his feet yelling obscenities and calling his son a worthless piece of trash. When Logan stepped off the stand he made sure to keep eye contact with his father, sending the message that he was responsible for putting Aaron away for life. He retook his place beside Veronica, instantly taking her hand, seeking comfort in the small touch. Duncan had sat on the other side of him, offering his support and thanks because he understood what it took for Logan to reveal so much of himself to strangers.
It was near the end of the trial when Veronica was called to the witness stand. Both the defense and the prosecution grilled her over her ordeal not only involving Aaron, but what she went through for the passed two years since Lilly died. The defense bashed her character, bringing up her school records, insinuating that she was not an innocent young woman because of her involvement with her father’s business, they even mentioned her rape. All through their word twisting and manipulation, Veronica had managed to keep a stoic face, denying most of it, ignoring the rest. She’d expected most of what Aaron’s lawyers would bring up and she kept her head clear and answered all the questions that she asked as clearly and succinctly as possible. Veronica had stayed strong. It was when the prosecution cross-examined her that she broke. They had noticed that she had looked everywhere but at the accused, and they asked her to look at him, really look at him and describe what she felt.
The entire courtroom witnessed the strong young woman begin to shake as she stuttered words of fear and disgust, and then burst into uncontrollable sobbing. When she was dismissed, she stepped off the stand as quickly as possible, running out of the courtroom. Alicia caught up with her throwing up in the women’s restroom. Alicia crouched down beside her and rubbed her back soothingly. They were there for almost half an hour while Veronica gathered herself. When she rejoined the men, she sat tucked against her father’s side, clutching Logan’s hand.
The jury was sent to deliberate and a lull in all the lives involved occurred. It was a relief not having to trek to the courthouse everyday. During this down time, Veronica and Logan spent time trying to be regular teenagers. They’d go to the beach, see movies, play at the carnival on the boardwalk. It helped them relax and regain a semblance of peace in their lives. They’d expected to have at least two weeks before being called back to court, but the jury had reached a verdict after only five days of being sequestered.
The prosecution had asked that Logan and Veronica sit directly behind them so that the jury could see them clearly as a last reminder of what Aaron Echolls had been responsible for.
They waited patiently as the judge made his final speech and then asked the jury foreman for the verdict.
Breathes held all over the courtroom. Every crime was read aloud one at a time, each verdict read clearly and succinctly.
Assault - Guilty.
Assault - Guilty.
Arson - Guilty.
Statutory rape - Guilty.
Kidnapping - Guilty.
Attempted murder - Guilty.
Murder one - Guilty.
Aaron stood in disbelief as he was found guilty for every charge against him. The smile that he’d kept on his face to appear sweet and innocent fell with each announcement of ‘Guilty.’
The sentencing trial would begin the next day.
As Aaron was being led back to his jail cell, in his anger, he body checked a guard and stole his gun. He shouted, “It’s all your fault, bitch!” as he aimed and fired.
People barely had time to duck as the bullet was propelled from the gun chamber. Screams rung out and the bailiffs jumped Aaron Echolls, subduing him before he had the chance to fire another shot.
Shouts were heard as people scrambled to make sure that no one was hurt.
But someone was.
Logan had reacted quickly to pull Veronica down when he saw Aaron pull the gun, but he wasn’t fast enough. Moving to his knees, he saw her beneath him bleeding from a bullet wound near her heart. He pressed his hands against the pulsing wound as he screamed, “Ambulance! I need an ambulance!”
--
Keith walked up behind Logan placing his hand gently on his shoulder. “Logan?”
“Yeah?” he asked lifelessly.
“It’s time to go.”
Logan had just watched the life drain from someone’s eyes. He wasn’t sure yet how to react. Standing, he followed Keith out to the parking lot.
Keith looked at Logan before unlocking the car doors. “Are you alright?”
“Are you?”
“I didn’t see it like you did.”
Logan shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Come on. Let’s go home.”
Logan stared out the window the entire way back to the Mars residence. The passing scenery did nothing to gain his interest. He trudged beside Keith into the tiny apartment and the first tiny spark of life re-entered him.
Veronica met him at the door and wrapped her good arm around him.
He hugged her as tightly as possible, always careful of the sling she wore for the healing bullet wound in her shoulder.
“Was it bad?” she asked, clutching him tightly with her free arm.
“Better now that I’m with you,” he whispered against her hair.
She nuzzled up against his neck. “Tell me?”
“He’s dead.”
“What? What happened?” Veronica asked in surprise. It was supposed to be a simple jail visit. Aaron had been pestering Logan for weeks to go see him. Logan had finally relented and had gone today to see him.
Logan pulled away to take her hand. “He said that he wanted to make amends. He wanted me to know that he was sorry for everything and that he made it up to me in the only way he knew how.”
She waited silently for him to continue.
He took a deep breath. “He left me everything.”
“Everything? As in…”
“As in everything. All his money, his houses, his cars… everything.”
“Oh.”
“And after he made his grand speech he started to convulse.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand either.” Logan shook his head, trying to shake the memory from his head.
Keith gave a small explanation. “The paramedics think that he was poisoned.”
“Someone killed him?” she frowned, “But he was already on death row.”
Keith shook his head, “They suspect that he poisoned himself.”
As everything sunk in, all she could say was, “That’s unbelievable.”
“There’s going to be an investigation. The warden wants to know how Aaron got the poison. What it was and who supplied it. How it was missed during Aaron’s numerous searches.”
“Logan?” she gripped his hand. “Are you alright?”
“I don’t know yet.” He gave her a small smile. “I’ll get back to you.”
“Go lie down,” she ordered.
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Logan kissed her softly and then walked woodenly into her room.
Veronica studied her father. “Was it a coincidence that he happened to die right while Logan was visiting him?”
“They don’t know yet. They’re still doing tests to find out what he used.”
“Why did he do it?” she asked softly.
Keith wrapped an arm around her. “I don’t know, honey. Maybe he wanted his death to be on his terms… or maybe he just wanted to get it over with. None of his appeals really stood a chance. Not after-”
“Not after he tried to kill me.”
“He sealed his own fate when he drew that gun.”
“So I guess it’s all over.”
--
Logan stood in the middle of the empty house staring at the bare walls. The movers had finally packed everything up and put it into storage. He turned around flipping the cap on and off the lighter in his hands.
Veronica joined him carrying a box from the pool house. “Guess what I found?”
“Hey, you shouldn’t be carrying that.” Logan shoved the lighter in his pocket and took the box from her.
“I’m fine. My physical therapist says I’m almost fully functional again. Anyway, the box is light.”
He looked inside it and a grin spread across his face. “Where did you get this?”
“It was shoved in one of the cupboards in the pool house.” She reached into the box and pulled out a Wonder Woman costume. “I can’t believe that Lilly actually wore this.”
“I can’t believe you wore that black cat suit. You looked hot.”
“Well, James, you looked pretty hot yourself in the tux of yours.” She smiled, “That Halloween was great.”
“Duncan got conned into being Superman,” he snorted. “Tights and all.”
“You were the only one that Lilly couldn’t convince to be a superhero.”
“Hey, I was James Bond. He is a superhero.”
“You were just too lazy to get a costume.”
He smirked, “Yeah. I just grabbed a tux from my dad’s closet.”
“Who were you supposed to be again?”
He grimaced. “She wanted me to be Captain America.”
“That’s right,” Veronica remembered, “and I tried to convince you to be Batman. When we saw you in your tux, Lilly was so angry with you.”
“I remember. The two of you bet on which costume I would end up wearing.”
“And I won, because you said you could easily be Bruce Wayne in your tux.” She laughed at the silliness that was their youth.
“You know,” Logan smiled, “Bruce Wayne was in love with Cat Woman. Is that why you wanted me to be the Dark Crusader?”
She blushed. “No, I just like Batman.”
“Sure, you do.” He looked at the black cat suit that was in the box and then back at Veronica. “Do you think it still fits?”
Throwing the Wonder Woman costume back in the box, she shook her head. “No way. I’m not putting that on for you.”
“But you’d look so cute.”
“It probably won’t fit anymore.” She started walking away.
“Come on, for me?” He chased after her.
She changed the subject. “So now that your house is a blank canvas, how do you plan on decorating?”
Logan set the box down, catching her unawares when he jogged up behind her and picked her up off her feet.
Shrieking, she demanded, “Put me down, Logan.”
He simply looked at her with sparkling eyes.
“Uh uh. No way.” At his steady gaze, she knew that he wouldn’t put her down unless she agreed to try on the costume. She sighed, “Fine, hand it over.”
Logan was drooling when she stepped out of the bathroom. “You look hot.”
She smirked, “Considering I can’t zip the front closed and the outfit is skintight, I’m not surprised.”
“You’ve certainly grown in all the right areas,” he leered.
She punched him in the shoulder. “I was thirteen when I wore this.”
“You definitely haven’t grown any taller.” He cupped her hips and pulled her to him.
“Not a chance, Mr. Bond,” she pulled away from his grasp. She returned to the bathroom, “Get the rest of your stuff. We have some shopping to do.”
--
“I like what you’ve done to the place,” Duncan said as he entered Logan’s home for the first time in months.
Logan was holding a house warming party of sorts during Christmas break. Showing off his newly redecorated home to all of his friends. “I did it all by myself.”
Veronica laughed, joining them. “Not likely. If it was up to Logan, everything would’ve been beige. Boys have no sense of color.”
Meg smiled looking around the main room, “I like the green.”
“You should see the rest of the house,” Veronica smiled.
“Every color of the fricking rainbow,” Logan complained. “We spent days picking paint colors.”
“Be quiet,” she ordered, “you like it.”
Everyone laughed at his smirk of concession.
“Whipped,” Duncan coughed.
Logan glared, “At least I managed to keep her from choosing all pink.”
Veronica pouted, “I only got one pink room.”
“Her crazy rocker chick room,” Logan muttered. “At least I got one room exactly the way I wanted.”
“His bedroom,” she stated, “Blue walls, black furniture.” She whispered to Meg, “I snuck some orange in? He didn’t notice.”
Wallace interrupted all the decorating talk. “You do realize that the two of you act like you’re married.”
Veronica and Logan looked at each other. “No, we don’t.”
“Choosing paint colors? Arguing about home decorating? Yeah, you do.”
Everyone nodded their agreement.
“So, when’s the big day?” Duncan teased.
The couple flushed in embarrassment.
Meg beamed, “They’re so cute.”
--
Later into the evening, Veronica and Logan were cuddling on the couch. They’d settled there as everyone around them chattered and drank.
Logan was making circles with his thumb on the back of the hand he was holding.
“Hey?” Veronica touched his hand to gain his attention. “What are you thinking about?” She was surprised when Logan suddenly went shy. “What is it?”
“I was thinking about what Wallace said.”
“About us acting like a married couple?”
“Yeah.”
“They were just teasing us,” she smiled, amused that he was worried.
“I know… but I think about it.”
That startled her. She moved so that her legs laid across his lap and she was facing him. “You think about us being married?”
“Sometimes,” he said meekly. His eyes darted a quick look into hers and then amended, “Everyday.”
“You want to marry me?”
“Someday,” he admitted.
She knew he was serious with his steady, piercing gaze met her eyes. She curled up into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. “I do too.”
He snorted a short laugh of delight and relief. “I can’t imagine my life without you. You’re everything to me. My life. My love. My family.”
“You’re all of those to me too.”
They kissed gently.
“So what does this mean?”
“What?” he grinned. “Like are we engaged or something?”
“Well, yeah,” she said shyly.
He looked at her seriously, “Do you want to be?”
“Someday.”
“Well then I guess you’re stuck with me.”
“For life.”
--
The End