Fic: Some Truths Hurt (V/Logan, all) R [25of ?]
Title: Some Truths Hurt
Author: jenwin23
Pairing/Character: all, LoVe
Word Count: 16,706
Rating: R
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Slight violence, cussing, discussions about rape and possible incest.
This story so far recaplet: Cannon up until Echolls Family Christmas. Veronica copied Duncan’s laptop hard drive to get his journal. Connor and Veronica were dating for awhile, until she and Logan finally managed to work through their issues enough to get together. Veronica took a paternity test and is a Mars, Duncan wants to date her again, awkwardness ensues. LoVe investigates the rape and the truth is revealed (but is it the whole truth?). Lynn tried to commit suicide but Logan found her and got her to the hospital in time. Veronica is at Logan’s side, but he breaks up with her convinced that she would be better off away from him. Logan’s friends have a surprising response to the breakup, and stand by Veronica until LoVe gets back together. Lynn disappears and Logan asks V to find her, they track her to a rehab facility in Santa Barbara and have sex, but all is not well between them. Logan’s grandma is in town and tells him about his trust funds. Logan finally removes his head from his ass, but she holds out until she admits she loves him and wants to be together. Unable to just say it she acts out at a party until Logan throws her over his shoulder and kidnaps her until they work through their issues. Mac is going strong with Enbom and Casey has hooked up with the new girl, Nadia. Caitlyn and Madison had a sex tape of Logan until V conspired with Logan’s friends to get it back. V gets her revenge on Dick, Logan get’s his on Madison. LoVe starts dating again after they make up and trying to go slow isn’t working out so well. Duncan is revealed as Meg’s secret admirer and Veronica is worried. Veronica finally tells Logan about the paternity issue with Duncan.
Last bit of Hot Dogs, first part of Weapons of Mass Destruction. We’re heading into more of the Leanne storyline now, and will get more Lynn in the next few chapters. Leanne’s info will jumpstart Veronica on Lilly’s case.
Chapter 25
(Saturday)
Scene opens on a small rickety rollercoaster. Night is falling as the sun sinks into the ocean just beyond the boardwalk. Laughter and excited screams fill the night air. Logan and Veronica walk along, his arm wrapped around her, her hand reaching up to clasp his hand hanging over her shoulder.
Veronica: So this is your date? Belmont Park?
Logan: Well I seem to remember a conversation once…
He takes her hand and leads her through several game booths, avoiding the cell phone sales people and crowds of younger teens. He stops at a ring tossing booth.
Veronica: Ring tossing? Really?
Her tone affects disinterest, but her eyes are shinning.
Veronica: What’s next, milk shakes?
Logan: Like you’d ever turn down a milkshake. Don’t try to be cynical and jaded. You know you love it.
Veronica: That depends on whether or not you can win me a stuffed animal.
Logan kisses her cheek and hands his money to the carney. He takes the rings and throws them in rapid succession. His first overshoots and flies out of the pool of water bouncing off a floating rubber duck’s head. The second lands around one in the somewhere in the middle, and the third successfully falls over the higher rated target duck’s in the middle, differentiated from the regular ducks by their color and devil horns.
Veronica: Aw, honey you roped us a devil ducky. How apropos.
Logan smirks at her, then turns to the carney.
Logan: What’d we win?
The carney points of a row of cheesy stuffed cartoon characters and the standard bears and bunnies and Veronica is seriously inspecting them for which to select when the carney reaches under the counter and pulls out one more. It’s a small dark brown bear with a t-shirt that says “I wuv you beary much!” and Hawaiian board shorts. Veronica’s eyes widen and Logan’s smile grows.
Carney: (smiling) Which one you want girlie?
Veronica: (pointing at the bear) That one.
She takes it and holds it closely to her chest as she and Logan stroll away.
Veronica: You planned that.
Logan: (kissing her temple) Humm.
They walk along hand in hand looking at the various vender booths, games and rides.
Logan: I don’t think we do enough of this.
Veronica: Ring tossing?
Logan: Dates. Just you and me, some simple fun.
Veronica: There does always seem to be something we have to do or can’t get out of.
Logan: I think it’s time for a new rule.
Veronica: Another one? For someone who seems to enjoy breaking every rule that he’s ever come across, you’re oddly eager to add rules to our relationship.
Logan: Some rules are good. Maybe. Could be.
His face screws up in a frown.
Veronica: Take a deep breath. It’s ok. Your existential crisis will pass.
Smirking at her teasing he spins her around into his arms, hugging her.
Logan: Back to the new rule.
Veronica: (tilting her head to one side) Should we start writing these down? If you’re going to add a new rule each week, we might need a record.
Logan: (smiling indulgently) Date night.
Veronica: Date night?
Logan: Every week we have at least one date, just us.
Veronica: I think date night usually implies the reserving of one night per week for said date. Like Thursdays are my dad’s bowling night. When he’s in town.
Logan: And while I would support the one night idea fully, there in lies part of the problem. I think our schedules make that a goal we’d inevitably fail to meet. So if you’re busy on Friday, then we go on Saturday.
Veronica: And if I’m busy Friday and Saturday?
Logan: Then we cut school on Monday and I kidnap you to Catalina again.
Veronica: Date night with a flexible schedule. You know, you’re smarter than you look.
Logan: I can’t help it that people assume that someone as good looking as me couldn’t possibly be smart too.
Veronica sputters in laughter.
Logan: This rule is a good one.
Veronica: (teasing) I don’t know. If we need a rule to force us to spend time together…
Logan: Descartes said that each problem he solved became a rule which helped to solve other problems. Our rules are like that.
Veronica: He also said that he was amazed at how weak his mind was and how prone to error.
Logan: All minds are prone to error.
Veronica: I know. (cheeky smile) I’m dating you, aren’t I?
He smirks in appreciation of their war of words. He leans in to kiss her, their lips taking small tugs and caresses over each others, nibbling softly before settling into a deeper kiss. When they finally break apart, Logan releases her from his arms only to take her hand again walking further into the park.
Logan: A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed.
Veronica: Benjamin Franklin?
Logan: Descartes.
Veronica: Again? (eyes rolling) God Logan, get some new material.
Logan: (affecting deep thought) Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
Veronica: George Bush?
Logan: Benjamin Franklin.
Veronica: Really?
Logan: Of course.
Veronica: How do you know this stuff? Witticisms on tape?
Logan: (offended, snooty) I read.
Veronica: When? Cause I’ve never seen you crack a book and I’ve known you for 5 years.
Logan: Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Veronica: Are you calling me a fool?
Logan: (lofty) Beauty and folly are old companions.
She looks indignant.
Logan: Don’t worry Veronica. You’re pretty too. (smirk) I mean not as pretty as me, but….
Veronica: Your attempts at being humble are overplayed, you are so not that great.
Logan: That’s not what you said this morning.
A slight flush stains her cheeks and she stops walking.
Veronica: (eyes narrowed in challenge) What do you say we cut the chit chat and get physical?
Logan: You have to ask?
He moves in for a kiss, but she side steps.
Veronica: (pointing at the bumper cars ride behind him) I meant the bumper cars.
Logan: Tease.
The pass the night with childish games and good old fashioned fun, including milk shakes and a moon lit stroll on the beach. They talk and tease and while everything appears to be fine, Logan can still sense a distance in Veronica. A part of her that she’s holding back. His instinct is to batter against her walls until they fall or he falls, but he had agreed to go slow. And while their physical relationship had resumed more or less full force, she was not quite as open with her thoughts and emotions as before. Being on opposite sides of the Meg/Duncan fence didn’t help. Seeing his happy smile fall into an expression of tense preoccupation, Veronica turns to face him.
Veronica: What’s wrong?
Her face turns to his, seemingly open and full of concern. She had tucked the small bear into her messenger bag and her face was pale in the moonlight.
Logan: Nothing. We should be getting you home though.
(Sunday)
The next morning Veronica takes Backup to the beach to play, but ends up throwing the ball absently as her mind drifts to her most recent problem. Meg and Duncan. Her stomach churns at the thought of her sweet friend walking into a relationship with someone that she didn’t know at all. Duncan’s image was one of the good guy. Everybody’s friend. Smart, kind, fair, and steadfast. But with what Veronica knew now, the person behind the image was much more damaged, and damaging. Sensing her dark mood, Backup leans against her and licks her with a wet tongue. She hugs him closer then throws the ball sending him crashing into the waves again.
Veronica Voiceover: Maybe there’s no need to panic. They might not have hit it off. Maybe Meg is a better judge of character than I was back then.
Stopping to shower the sand and salt off of Backup before taking him home, Veronica avoids the spray when Backup shakes off the water by hiding behind the shower enclosure wall. She wishes she could talk to Logan about this, but he had made his feelings clear. He was giving Duncan the benefit of the doubt, and would undoubtedly be upset if Veronica made any serious attempts to derail the potential relationship between their friends.
Back at the apartment, she quickly runs some reports for the Get the Dirt site and sits down to watch TV. Her Dad bustles in and from his happy smile, he either just finished a case, had a date with Alicia the night before, or planned to see her tonight.
Keith: Who’s your daddy?
A case then.
Veronica: If I say you, will you stop asking? It’s disturbing.
Keith: I won’t let your grumpiness get me down. I caught the bad guy, got paid, and got the girl and it’s not even noon yet.
Veronica: Plans with Alicia tonight?
Keith: This evening. With all of us.
Veronica: Another family dinner?
Keith: (cheerful) Yep.
Veronica’s silence draws Keith’s attention.
Keith: I thought you were ok with this?
Veronica: I am. Really. Alicia is great. And you know I love Wallace and Daryl. But…
Keith: But you still miss your mom.
Veronica: With Logan, helping him find Lynn…I guess I just want to know where she is. That she’s ok.
Keith: (long pause) I have looked Veronica.
Veronica: (surprised) You have?
Keith: She’s your mother. Of course I have.
Veronica: But…
Keith: I don’t know how she’s doing it but she’s off the grid. No credit cards, no bank accounts in her name, no job applications.
Veronica: Cell phones?
Keith: If she does they’re the disposable ones that don’t record who bought them.
Veronica: (glum) I guess she really doesn’t want to be found.
Her mind flashes back to the pictures of her in the sniper sight, but this new information changes the picture. No credit cards or bank accounts? No means of income, unless she was working under the table. Either she had planned it well in advance and bought herself a new identity or she had money in an account that couldn’t be traced back to Leanne Mars.
Flashback
A long haired Veronica laughs and moves through the mall with Leanne. Leanne stops outside of a high end boutique store that sells formal wear.
Leanne: Let’s try this one.
Veronica: No, Mom. We can’t afford it. Dad said a max of $200 for the dress.
They were dress shopping for the spring formal. Lilly had gotten her dress at the New York fashion shows, so Veronica was left on her own to find hers.
Leanne: Come on. It’s the spring dance. We can splurge a little. (winks) Your father will never know.
In the end Veronica had fallen in love with a light blue dress that was way out of her price range, but Leanne had insisted, and when the dance came around Veronica had the dress, new shoes, and matching jewelry.
End Flashback
Veronica Voiceover: I never asked where the money came from. And there were lots of times she had extra cash to give me for clothes or going out. But she never gave it to me in front of Dad.
---------------------------
Fennel’s house. Keith and Wallace are watching baseball on TV. Veronica is in the kitchen with Alicia who is trying to teach her how to cook steak.
Veronica: Sure, you make it look effortless, but when I try it…
Alicia: You just have to practice Veronica. I’m sure you didn’t just pick up a camera one day and know exactly what to do.
Veronica: You know about my photography?
Alicia: Your Dad is very proud of most of the things you do. Like a normal parent I suppose.
Veronica: What, you weren’t a natural born basketball fan?
Alicia: No. And I still don’t like sitting on the hard bleachers. But Wallace loves it.
They share a smile and Alicia grimaces when the au juis Veronica is making begins to boil over. She rushes over and adjusts the heat.
Veronica: Sorry.
Alicia: Maybe we should start from the basics. Same time next week?
Veronica: How come Wallace gets to be out there, watching TV, while I have to cook? I thought you were a modern woman, Alicia. I am woman hear me roar. (accompanying hand claw gesture)
Alicia: (smiling) I make Wallace cook too. I just thought this could be something we do together. Just you and me.
Veronica’s face reveals her surprise, uncertainty and then happiness.
-------------------------------
Cut to the Echolls home as Logan enters. Aaron is in light mood, cooking in the kitchen.
Aaron: (In French accent) Ah! Especially for you tonight, I am making what will be known from now on as "Aaron's Extra Special Crab Cakes." Ha ha!
Logan: (walking up to the counter) I'm sure I'll thoroughly enjoy them. Right up until my esophagus closes up, cuts off my air supply, and I shuffle off this mortal coil.
Aaron pauses, confused.
Logan: Perhaps my last words will be "Great crab, Papa." (Off Aaron’s blank look) I'm allergic to shellfish.
Aaron: Of course. I forgot.
Logan: (slightly mocking) You didn’t forget. You never knew.
Aaron: I did, I-I-I just got you confused with Trina, that’s all.
Logan: I’m the one allergic to shellfish. Trina’s the one allergic to work.
Aaron: You know, somehow you got it in your head that I don't know a thing about you. Well, I got news for you: I'm your father. I raised you. I know plenty.
Logan: Well, then, round one of "How well do you know your son?" When is my birthday?
Aaron huffs derisively but has to guess.
Aaron: February.
Logan’s birthday is in October.
Logan: (deadpan) Wow. Well, you got a vowel right.
Disappointed, despite the expectation that Aaron wouldn’t know, Logan moves off. Aaron, now angry, follows him, grabs him by the upper arm and spins him round to face him.
Aaron: You know, I have been pretty tolerant of your wiseass remarks but you are pushing it.
Logan looks down at Aaron’s grip. Aaron releases him and puts a hand on is shoulder.
Aaron: Look, does it matter…that I’m trying? I mean, does that count for anything at all?
Logan: Yeah, You're accumulating points. You've almost won the wet vac.
Aaron: (severely) I’m committed to this family, Logan. I’m committed to you. You’ll see that.
Logan: Well, you’ve got limited time ‘cause let’s face it, my eighteenth birthday, whenever that is, my trust fund comes through and it’s bon voyage-y.
Logan leaves with a faux happy smile, but he rubs his sore arm, leaving Aaron thinking about that.
Exiting the main house to enter the pool house Logan flops down on the couch and turns on the TV. Channel surfing he pulls his phone out of his pocket and presses the number 2 to dial Veronica. (Voice mail is number 1). Before the call connects his phone rings and he see’s “Grandma Hatchet” on the display. He ends the call to Veronica and picks up.
Logan: Hi Grandma, tell me you have good news.
Grandma Lester: Good afternoon to you to Logan. And yes, I do have good news. We’ve located the accounts and if you will sign the necessary documents tomorrow allowing me to act on your behalf in this matter, I will have the funds moved to an account in your name only.
Logan: Just give me the information, I’ll handle the rest.
Grandma Lester: I don’t think…
Logan: Grandma. He’s my father, it’s my money. Or it will be.
Grandma Lester: As a minor…
Logan: I have a lawyer I trust.
Grandma Lester: Not one of your father’s I hope?
Logan: I’m not stupid Grandma. I’ll transfer the funds then wait the required 24 hours to transfer them again.
Grandma Lester: You’ve researched this.
Logan: Yes.
Grandma Lester: Fine. I’ll send the information via a secure currier tomorrow.
Logan: Thank you Grandma.
Grandma Lester: I would prefer…
Logan: No Grandma. We do this my way.
Grandma Lester: Fine. Now about next weekend…
Logan: (faux smile) Ah yes. Family fun weekend at rehab.
Grandma Lester: I assume you will be there.
Logan: Yes. I’m driving up Saturday morning.
Grandma Lester: I’m getting a hotel room, at the Four Seasons. If you would like, I will book you a room as well.
Logan: I’ll probably just drive home that night Grandma.
Grandma Lester: I see.
Logan: (hearing the disappointment) Visiting hours end at 7. We could get dinner.
Grandma Lester: I’d like that.
---------------------------------
Later that night Veronica is sitting in her bed talking to Logan on the phone. She is lying back on the pillows, a blanket wrapped around her legs.
Veronica: Stop laughing at me. Like you could have done any better.
Logan: You burned mashed potatoes.
Veronica: So. Like you know how to make anything besides cereal.
Logan: I beg to differ.
Veronica: Solid food Logan, not cocktails.
Logan: I’ll have you know I can make mac’n’cheese, quesadillas, and sandwiches.
Veronica: Ooh, practically a cordon bleu trained chef.
Logan: I wouldn’t starve.
Veronica: That’s good. I like you all healthy.
Cut to Logan lying back on the floor of the Echolls’ home gym. He sits up and maneuvers around so he can see the back of his shoulder in the mirror.
Logan: (smirks) Speaking of healthy, you might need to cut your nails if you want to keep me that way.
Veronica: What?
Logan: I seem to have a few claw marks on my back.
The mirror reveals several small pink crescent cuts on Logan’s back from Veronica’s nails.
Veronica: Oh. (blushing) Sorry, I..
Logan: I’m teasing Veronica. It doesn’t hurt. Just stings when I was surfing this morning, and now.
Veronica: Why now?
Logan: I was working out. Sweat.
Veronica: Oh.
She looks thoughtful as she imagines him without his shirt, all sweaty, shorts riding low on his hips...
Logan: Veronica.
Veronica: (breathless) Yeah?
Cut to Logan, sitting up straight.
Logan: (face tightening, eyes dark) Is your dad home?
Veronica: (distracted by her fantasy) Humm, yeah, why?
Logan: Cause if he’s not I can come over.
Logan checks his watch.
Veronica: (tuning back into the conversation) Why?
Logan: Cause you’re thinking about me right now.
Veronica: I’m talking to you, of course I’m thinking about you.
Logan: No. You’re imagining me naked.
Cut back to Veronica.
Veronica: (squeaks) What? I am not.
Logan: No lying Sugarpuss.
Veronica: (pouts) You weren’t naked. Just shirtless.
Logan laughs. They continue to talk about their days, Logan’s surfing, his father’s cooking, play rehearsals, and the fact that Alicia wants to give Veronica more cooking lessons. Veronica deliberately keeps the conversation light, not bringing up her concern over Meg and Duncan again, or the paternity issue, or what happened with his father over the weekend. Logan has walked back upstairs to his room, toeing off his shoes as he enters.
Logan: She cares about you.
Veronica: She’s trying to torture me.
Logan: Trust me Veronica, she cares about you. She tried it once and saw how bad you are in the kitchen. If she’s willing to try again, she must love you.
Veronica is silent, thinking about it.
Logan: Not that I can blame her, you are pretty lovable.
Veronica: You might be biased.
Logan: Only in a good way. Hey speaking of moms. (he flops back on his bed) I have family weekend at rehab this Saturday, you up for a road trip?
Veronica: I doubt I’d be welcome. Family only.
Logan: You’re my family.
Veronica: (soft smile) Still.
Logan: Fine. If I don’t get you on Saturday, then Sunday is mine.
Some time later Keith knocks on her door before pushing it open.
Keith: Time for bed sweetie. School tomorrow. (louder) Good night Logan.
Keith leaves, pulling the door mostly closed behind him, and closing his door completely.
Logan: Is he gone?
Veronica: Yeah, but I am kinda tired.
Logan: Wait. First tell me what you’re wearing.
Veronica: (giggling) No. Pervert.
She snuggles down into her bed, pulling the blanket with her.
Logan: You were imagining me naked earlier. I’m just trying to even the playing field.
Veronica: (teasing sexy tone) You know what I’m wearing.
She sniffs at the sweatshirt of his that she usually wears to bed, currently laying on her pillow.
Logan: I do?
Veronica: I told you. I always wear your sweatshirt.
Cut to Logan who lies still as her words echo around in his head.
Logan: (husky) Oh. What else?
Veronica: Humm.
Logan: What else are you wearing?
Veronica: Shorts.
Logan: Short shorts?
Veronica: Yes.
Logan: What color underwear?
Veronica: Logan.
Logan: If I guess will you tell me?
Veronica: Ok.
Logan: White cotton.
Veronica: No.
Logan: Black lace.
Veronica: No.
Logan: (thinking) Did you do laundry today?
Veronica: Yes.
Logan: White cotton with some sort of flowers or animal characters on them.
Veronica: Nope.
Logan is silent thinking.
Veronica: You’ll never guess.
Logan: Why? (he sits up shifting his hips to accommodate his growing erection) Wait. I won’t guess cause there is nothing to guess?
Veronica: (sassy smile) Yep.
Logan: Jesus Veronica.
Veronica: You asked. Now I have to go to bed. See you tomorrow.
Logan: Wait…I could come over…
Veronica: Good night Logan.
She hangs up and he stares at the phone then down at his crotch.
Logan: Well fuck.
He strips off his shorts and walks to the bathroom naked to take a shower and imagine Veronica in her minimal sleepwear. Then removing it. Cut back to Veronica. She is crawls out of bed to turn off her bedroom light. She is wearing long pajama pants and a t-shirt. A strip of her plain white underwear is visible as she bends down to pat Backup’s head before she snuggles under her covers once and for all, a happy smile on her face.
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