WIP: Alive - Redux, 13/? (R) Logan/Veronica
Title: Alive - Redux, Part 13
Author: queen_haq
Pairing: Logan/Veronica
Spoilers: None.
Rating: R for violence
Summary: Completely AU. Lilly is not dead.
A/N: This is being written for the vmwhat_if challenge where we were given prompts (for completed fics) that would change certain aspects of the story. jaggedreality and mutinousmuse rock for the quick beta job and carminaburana just plain rocks.
A brief summary
Just a word of warning. The first few chapters of this fic SUCKS. I know it, my neighbour knows it, my aunt's sister-in-law's-fucking dog breeder knows it... It was the first fic I wrote and I like to think I've improved somewhat since then. Anyway, I haven't had time to go back and edit it... so for now, the suckage will remain the way it is. In case people don't want to go back and read the first few chapters (and I'm hoping they won't), here's a small summary of it:
-Veronica is the illegitimate child of Jake Kane and Lianne Mars.
-She grew up in an abusive household (thanks to Lianne's husband Bill Mars) but managed to blackmail Jake into adopting her once she found out Bill wasn't her biological father.
-Lilly and Celeste are not big fans of her.
-Lilly and Logan have a on-again, off-again relationship.
-Eventually, Logan and Veronica do get together but they keep their relationship a secret. Yaddi yaddi yadda, things happen and Logan ends up cheating on Veronica with Lilly.
As of chapter 12, they are officially broken up.
If you do want to read the chapters, they can be found here!
The original Alive (completed) can be found here!
Alive - Redux, Part 13
Veronica was waiting anxiously for the right time to return his things. She didn’t want to meet him alone and she knew she couldn’t do anything with Lilly around. When she found out that Duncan, Lilly and Logan were going to Tijuana for the weekend, she decided that would be the perfect time. The night before they left, Veronica spoke to Mrs. Navarro and made arrangements to return his possessions the following day. The housekeeper was hesitant at first, but Veronica worked her charm and she finally relented.
When the day arrived, Veronica gathered all of his things into a cardboard box and dropped it on the passenger seat of her car. She couldn’t wait to be rid of them; she knew - she believed - that the pain would lessen if she didn’t have to constantly look at his stuff.
She was supposed to meet Mrs. Navarro at the Echolls’ house at four. Logan’s parents were away for a few hours, and thankfully, no one would be home.
When Veronica drove up the driveway, she saw Mrs. Navarro waiting for her outside, looking anxious. “I’m sorry, am I late?” she asked getting out of the car.
“Oh no, honey, you’re not. I just got a phone call from Miguel’s school. He’s gotten into another fight and the principal wants to see me immediately,” Mrs. Navarro replied. Miguel was one of her grandchildren and she was obviously concerned.
Veronica knew she didn’t have the strength to return here another day. She wanted to be rid of his things as soon as possible.
“Mrs. Navarro, can I just drop off his things now? He’s been asking me to return them for a while,” she lied.
Mrs. Navarro paused for a few seconds before relenting. “I have to leave right away. Go on up to his room now and I should be back in an hour.”
Veronica nodded, grabbed the box and walked towards his door, her stomach clenching with anxiety. There were too many memories attached to this place and she didn’t want to be here at all but she needed to do this. Taking a deep breath, Veronica willed herself to be strong.
Dropping the box on his bed, she looked around and spotted one of her CD’s on the table; it was one of many she’d lent him and there was no way in hell she was going to let him keep them. She searched his room thoroughly, looking for the rest of her stuff, but was unable to find anything else. Realizing he might have stashed them in the pool house where they spent a lot of time together, she stepped outside and walked past the pristine pool.
A few seconds later, she was inside, busy rummaging through the stack of CD’s when someone startled her from behind. Turning around, she found Aaron Echolls standing in front of her, looking at her curiously. This was the first time she actually saw him in person and instantly, she felt rage sweep through her; she knew all too well how revolting Logan’s father really was.
“Hi. Can I help you?” he asked, flashing a smug smile.
“No, it’s fine. I’m just taking some of my stuff back from Logan,” she replied with hostility, turning her back on him.
“You’re a friend of Logan’s then?” he prodded. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. I would have definitely remembered.”
She didn’t respond, focusing on looking busy so he’d leave.
“You know, it’s very rude to not respond to someone when they’re asking you a question. Especially, when you’re sneaking around their house,” Aaron continued, his voice slightly menacing. “And here I always thought Logan’s friends had good manners.”
Unable to stop herself, Veronica laughed bitterly, meeting his eyes again. “And you know, it’s inhumane to beat your son. In this country, it’s even considered illegal. Yet that hasn’t stopped you,” she taunted, crossing her arms.
Aaron’s eyes turned cold, his jaw clenched with anger and there was no longer any amusement reflected on his face. Veronica fixed him with an intent stare, hoping he would recognize she wasn’t going to back down. Unlike his wife, he couldn’t charm, threaten or bribe Veronica into keeping quiet.
“What lies has Logan been telling you?” Aaron demanded quietly as he approached her. “My son has a very active imagination. He’s been full of stories ever since he was a kid.”
“Your son didn’t need to lie about anything. The scars you left on him were evidence enough,” Veronica retorted. “I wonder what the paparazzi will do once they find out that Aaron Echolls likes to whip his son with belts. What do you think your fans will do, Aaron? Think they’ll still line up around the block to visit you in prison? Think about the publicity. Access Hollywood, ET…they’ll be swimming around like sharks to get a shot of you. Aaron Echolls, the child-beater.”
It happened quickly; Aaron grabbed her wrist and even though she tried to push him off, she was unable to. She saw the satisfied glint in his eye and it fueled her anger even more. “Are you going to hit me now too, Aaron? Is that how you’re going to deal with all the reporters?” Veronica asked in a mocking tone.
“Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” Aaron’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“A two-bit asshole who gets off on hitting his son? Does beating Logan make you feel like a man, Aaron?” Veronica bit back, now past the point of return. She tried to push past him and walk away but he stood in her way and this time, he shoved back, causing her to propel back and hit her head against the table. She felt the blood gushing out but she was too dizzy to stand up.
“You fucking cunt, you think you can talk to me like that?” Aaron demanded, kicking her in the stomach.
She struggled, she fought, she screamed - she tried to do everything to make him stop from picking her up and throwing her on the bed. Nothing worked. She saw an opportunity to roll away and escape him but he was too quick for her; Aaron grabbed her hair and pulled her back hard against him. She tried to kick him between his legs but he knew how to protect himself.
Veronica was used to escaping blows from Bill but she wasn’t used to fighting with someone who worked out everyday. Whereas Bill had been slow and weak, Aaron was quick and incredibly strong.
He thwarted all her attempts, settling himself on top of her and ripping her panties off from underneath her skirt. Pinning her under him, he smiled down. “No more threats?”
She screamed as he pushed himself inside of her, pounding harder and harder each time, the pain becoming unbearable.
She swore at him, tried to bite him and when he was finally sick of her fighting hard, he punched her in the face and knocked her unconscious.
* * * * *
She didn’t remember driving home. Logically, she knew she woke up in the pool house and must have walked over to her car and driven home, but she didn’t remember it. She knew she must have stayed in the shower for a long time after, washing herself over and over and over again with the hot water because now she was clean and her clothes were soaking in the bathtub but she didn’t remember it.
What she did remember was his face. The way he smelled, how he smiled just before he hit her, the look on his face before he-
She didn’t want to remember that.
She was under two duvets now, completely hidden underneath them yet she was still cold.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him. When she finally fell asleep, she dreamt about him.
She made sure she stayed awake the whole night, staring blankly at the TV screen.
* * * * *
“Do you have any idea where you want to go?” Jake asked, looking up at her from the newspaper he was reading.
She stood stiffly, her face devoid of any emotion. “I don’t care. I realize money-”
“Trust me; I’m not worried about the expenses,” Jake reassured, fixing her with a stare. “If there’s anywhere specific you’d like to go-”
“I don’t. I just need some time alone away from here.”
Jake observed her, noting her clenched jaw, her stiff posture. “Is everything okay, Veronica?”
She nodded her head ‘yes’.
“If you need to talk-”
“I don’t.”
There was a brief moment of silence between them and Jake realized she was waiting for his answer. “I know Lawrence Vandergraff is looking for an intern for his office in New York over summer. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see if I can arrange something with Lawrence.”
Veronica gave him a tight smile and walked away.
* * * * *
Logan stepped inside the Kane residence, instantly heading towards Duncan’s room. As usual, his eyes automatically landed on Veronica’s door and he wondered if she would come out. He hadn’t seen her in two days and every time he thought he would catch a brief glimpse of her, he was disappointed.
He found Lilly lying on Duncan’s bed, looking completely bored while Duncan sat on the floor, playing video games.
“Did you bring the liquor?” Lilly asked, glaring at him when she realized he came empty-handed.
“Am I your fucking errand-boy?”
“Clearly not since I haven’t been getting the ‘fucking’ part lately.”
Duncan scowled, uncomfortable with the conversation taking place around him. He had to put up with Logan and Lilly fighting the whole weekend in Tijuana and it looked like they were about to start again.
“I thought the whole point of getting you a vibrator was so I wouldn’t have to listen to you bitch all the time.”
“You guys,” Duncan interjected, looking frustrated at both of them.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, Duncan,” Lilly sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Logan’s just going through his time of the month.”
“Which explains why I’m acting so much like your sister,” Logan responded, taking a seat next to Duncan.
A few minutes later, Lilly finished her cigarette while Duncan and Logan sat there, listening half-heartedly as she complained.
“I can’t believe Dad let her go to New York alone.”
“Lilly, you’re leaving for school in a few months. What difference does it make where she is now? I thought you’d be happy she was gone,” Duncan reminded her.
“What are you guys talking about?” Logan asked, confused.
“Veronica,” Lilly muttered the name distastefully, “is staying in New York for the summer. Can you believe that?”
“She’s going to be working,” Duncan defended.
“Whatever. As if anyone goes to New York to work. Then again it’s Veronica, so she just might. She wouldn’t know a good time unless it involved a trailer and white trash.”
“When is she leaving?” Logan asked, forcing his attention back on the screen. He wasn’t expecting this. Somehow the idea she might go away never crossed his mind and now the thought of not seeing her was making his head spin.
“She’s already gone. Left this morning.”
Logan stood up, his insides twisting with pain. He left the room, ignoring Lilly as she asked him to bring her a glass of water.
It took a few seconds to reach Veronica’s room and when he stepped inside, the usual wave of pain surged through him.
Everything was as it always was and yet, nothing was the same. Her room was spotless, completely clean. It wasn’t that she had been exceptionally messy before, but she loved to clutter her room with all the things she loved. Now, it didn’t feel like she’d been living here at all.
Her books and magazines were completely organized, which was unlike her. Kneeling down, Logan started to search through her bottom drawer; looking for the pictures of them he knew she kept hidden in there. There was nothing.
“Dude, what are you doing here?” Duncan stood at the door, giving him an inquisitive look.
Logan contemplated his options; he could either lie to his best friend or tell him the truth.
“Whatever it is, you better hurry up because Lilly’s looking for you.”
Logan stood up and walked towards the door. For a brief moment, they both exchanged a knowing look and Logan pondered if Duncan suspected the truth. “I was just-”
“Yeah, I figured.”
Duncan closed the door behind them and they both headed for the kitchen.
As they sat around the table a few minutes later, eating dinner, Logan wondered how he was supposed to last a fucking week, let alone months without seeing Veronica.
He didn’t think he could but he knew he had to. She hadn’t left him a choice.
To be continued...
My prompt will become more obvious as the story goes on. Alive - Redux is definitely going to be very, very different than the original Alive.
My other fics can be found at queen_haq_fics
Author: queen_haq
Pairing: Logan/Veronica
Spoilers: None.
Rating: R for violence
Summary: Completely AU. Lilly is not dead.
A/N: This is being written for the vmwhat_if challenge where we were given prompts (for completed fics) that would change certain aspects of the story. jaggedreality and mutinousmuse rock for the quick beta job and carminaburana just plain rocks.
A brief summary
Just a word of warning. The first few chapters of this fic SUCKS. I know it, my neighbour knows it, my aunt's sister-in-law's-fucking dog breeder knows it... It was the first fic I wrote and I like to think I've improved somewhat since then. Anyway, I haven't had time to go back and edit it... so for now, the suckage will remain the way it is. In case people don't want to go back and read the first few chapters (and I'm hoping they won't), here's a small summary of it:
-Veronica is the illegitimate child of Jake Kane and Lianne Mars.
-She grew up in an abusive household (thanks to Lianne's husband Bill Mars) but managed to blackmail Jake into adopting her once she found out Bill wasn't her biological father.
-Lilly and Celeste are not big fans of her.
-Lilly and Logan have a on-again, off-again relationship.
-Eventually, Logan and Veronica do get together but they keep their relationship a secret. Yaddi yaddi yadda, things happen and Logan ends up cheating on Veronica with Lilly.
As of chapter 12, they are officially broken up.
If you do want to read the chapters, they can be found here!
The original Alive (completed) can be found here!
Alive - Redux, Part 13
Veronica was waiting anxiously for the right time to return his things. She didn’t want to meet him alone and she knew she couldn’t do anything with Lilly around. When she found out that Duncan, Lilly and Logan were going to Tijuana for the weekend, she decided that would be the perfect time. The night before they left, Veronica spoke to Mrs. Navarro and made arrangements to return his possessions the following day. The housekeeper was hesitant at first, but Veronica worked her charm and she finally relented.
When the day arrived, Veronica gathered all of his things into a cardboard box and dropped it on the passenger seat of her car. She couldn’t wait to be rid of them; she knew - she believed - that the pain would lessen if she didn’t have to constantly look at his stuff.
She was supposed to meet Mrs. Navarro at the Echolls’ house at four. Logan’s parents were away for a few hours, and thankfully, no one would be home.
When Veronica drove up the driveway, she saw Mrs. Navarro waiting for her outside, looking anxious. “I’m sorry, am I late?” she asked getting out of the car.
“Oh no, honey, you’re not. I just got a phone call from Miguel’s school. He’s gotten into another fight and the principal wants to see me immediately,” Mrs. Navarro replied. Miguel was one of her grandchildren and she was obviously concerned.
Veronica knew she didn’t have the strength to return here another day. She wanted to be rid of his things as soon as possible.
“Mrs. Navarro, can I just drop off his things now? He’s been asking me to return them for a while,” she lied.
Mrs. Navarro paused for a few seconds before relenting. “I have to leave right away. Go on up to his room now and I should be back in an hour.”
Veronica nodded, grabbed the box and walked towards his door, her stomach clenching with anxiety. There were too many memories attached to this place and she didn’t want to be here at all but she needed to do this. Taking a deep breath, Veronica willed herself to be strong.
Dropping the box on his bed, she looked around and spotted one of her CD’s on the table; it was one of many she’d lent him and there was no way in hell she was going to let him keep them. She searched his room thoroughly, looking for the rest of her stuff, but was unable to find anything else. Realizing he might have stashed them in the pool house where they spent a lot of time together, she stepped outside and walked past the pristine pool.
A few seconds later, she was inside, busy rummaging through the stack of CD’s when someone startled her from behind. Turning around, she found Aaron Echolls standing in front of her, looking at her curiously. This was the first time she actually saw him in person and instantly, she felt rage sweep through her; she knew all too well how revolting Logan’s father really was.
“Hi. Can I help you?” he asked, flashing a smug smile.
“No, it’s fine. I’m just taking some of my stuff back from Logan,” she replied with hostility, turning her back on him.
“You’re a friend of Logan’s then?” he prodded. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around here before. I would have definitely remembered.”
She didn’t respond, focusing on looking busy so he’d leave.
“You know, it’s very rude to not respond to someone when they’re asking you a question. Especially, when you’re sneaking around their house,” Aaron continued, his voice slightly menacing. “And here I always thought Logan’s friends had good manners.”
Unable to stop herself, Veronica laughed bitterly, meeting his eyes again. “And you know, it’s inhumane to beat your son. In this country, it’s even considered illegal. Yet that hasn’t stopped you,” she taunted, crossing her arms.
Aaron’s eyes turned cold, his jaw clenched with anger and there was no longer any amusement reflected on his face. Veronica fixed him with an intent stare, hoping he would recognize she wasn’t going to back down. Unlike his wife, he couldn’t charm, threaten or bribe Veronica into keeping quiet.
“What lies has Logan been telling you?” Aaron demanded quietly as he approached her. “My son has a very active imagination. He’s been full of stories ever since he was a kid.”
“Your son didn’t need to lie about anything. The scars you left on him were evidence enough,” Veronica retorted. “I wonder what the paparazzi will do once they find out that Aaron Echolls likes to whip his son with belts. What do you think your fans will do, Aaron? Think they’ll still line up around the block to visit you in prison? Think about the publicity. Access Hollywood, ET…they’ll be swimming around like sharks to get a shot of you. Aaron Echolls, the child-beater.”
It happened quickly; Aaron grabbed her wrist and even though she tried to push him off, she was unable to. She saw the satisfied glint in his eye and it fueled her anger even more. “Are you going to hit me now too, Aaron? Is that how you’re going to deal with all the reporters?” Veronica asked in a mocking tone.
“Do you have any idea who you’re talking to?” Aaron’s voice dropped to a whisper.
“A two-bit asshole who gets off on hitting his son? Does beating Logan make you feel like a man, Aaron?” Veronica bit back, now past the point of return. She tried to push past him and walk away but he stood in her way and this time, he shoved back, causing her to propel back and hit her head against the table. She felt the blood gushing out but she was too dizzy to stand up.
“You fucking cunt, you think you can talk to me like that?” Aaron demanded, kicking her in the stomach.
She struggled, she fought, she screamed - she tried to do everything to make him stop from picking her up and throwing her on the bed. Nothing worked. She saw an opportunity to roll away and escape him but he was too quick for her; Aaron grabbed her hair and pulled her back hard against him. She tried to kick him between his legs but he knew how to protect himself.
Veronica was used to escaping blows from Bill but she wasn’t used to fighting with someone who worked out everyday. Whereas Bill had been slow and weak, Aaron was quick and incredibly strong.
He thwarted all her attempts, settling himself on top of her and ripping her panties off from underneath her skirt. Pinning her under him, he smiled down. “No more threats?”
She screamed as he pushed himself inside of her, pounding harder and harder each time, the pain becoming unbearable.
She swore at him, tried to bite him and when he was finally sick of her fighting hard, he punched her in the face and knocked her unconscious.
* * * * *
She didn’t remember driving home. Logically, she knew she woke up in the pool house and must have walked over to her car and driven home, but she didn’t remember it. She knew she must have stayed in the shower for a long time after, washing herself over and over and over again with the hot water because now she was clean and her clothes were soaking in the bathtub but she didn’t remember it.
What she did remember was his face. The way he smelled, how he smiled just before he hit her, the look on his face before he-
She didn’t want to remember that.
She was under two duvets now, completely hidden underneath them yet she was still cold.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw him. When she finally fell asleep, she dreamt about him.
She made sure she stayed awake the whole night, staring blankly at the TV screen.
* * * * *
“Do you have any idea where you want to go?” Jake asked, looking up at her from the newspaper he was reading.
She stood stiffly, her face devoid of any emotion. “I don’t care. I realize money-”
“Trust me; I’m not worried about the expenses,” Jake reassured, fixing her with a stare. “If there’s anywhere specific you’d like to go-”
“I don’t. I just need some time alone away from here.”
Jake observed her, noting her clenched jaw, her stiff posture. “Is everything okay, Veronica?”
She nodded her head ‘yes’.
“If you need to talk-”
“I don’t.”
There was a brief moment of silence between them and Jake realized she was waiting for his answer. “I know Lawrence Vandergraff is looking for an intern for his office in New York over summer. Would that be something you’d be interested in?”
“Yes.”
“Let me see if I can arrange something with Lawrence.”
Veronica gave him a tight smile and walked away.
* * * * *
Logan stepped inside the Kane residence, instantly heading towards Duncan’s room. As usual, his eyes automatically landed on Veronica’s door and he wondered if she would come out. He hadn’t seen her in two days and every time he thought he would catch a brief glimpse of her, he was disappointed.
He found Lilly lying on Duncan’s bed, looking completely bored while Duncan sat on the floor, playing video games.
“Did you bring the liquor?” Lilly asked, glaring at him when she realized he came empty-handed.
“Am I your fucking errand-boy?”
“Clearly not since I haven’t been getting the ‘fucking’ part lately.”
Duncan scowled, uncomfortable with the conversation taking place around him. He had to put up with Logan and Lilly fighting the whole weekend in Tijuana and it looked like they were about to start again.
“I thought the whole point of getting you a vibrator was so I wouldn’t have to listen to you bitch all the time.”
“You guys,” Duncan interjected, looking frustrated at both of them.
“Don’t get your panties in a twist, Duncan,” Lilly sighed, staring up at the ceiling. “Logan’s just going through his time of the month.”
“Which explains why I’m acting so much like your sister,” Logan responded, taking a seat next to Duncan.
A few minutes later, Lilly finished her cigarette while Duncan and Logan sat there, listening half-heartedly as she complained.
“I can’t believe Dad let her go to New York alone.”
“Lilly, you’re leaving for school in a few months. What difference does it make where she is now? I thought you’d be happy she was gone,” Duncan reminded her.
“What are you guys talking about?” Logan asked, confused.
“Veronica,” Lilly muttered the name distastefully, “is staying in New York for the summer. Can you believe that?”
“She’s going to be working,” Duncan defended.
“Whatever. As if anyone goes to New York to work. Then again it’s Veronica, so she just might. She wouldn’t know a good time unless it involved a trailer and white trash.”
“When is she leaving?” Logan asked, forcing his attention back on the screen. He wasn’t expecting this. Somehow the idea she might go away never crossed his mind and now the thought of not seeing her was making his head spin.
“She’s already gone. Left this morning.”
Logan stood up, his insides twisting with pain. He left the room, ignoring Lilly as she asked him to bring her a glass of water.
It took a few seconds to reach Veronica’s room and when he stepped inside, the usual wave of pain surged through him.
Everything was as it always was and yet, nothing was the same. Her room was spotless, completely clean. It wasn’t that she had been exceptionally messy before, but she loved to clutter her room with all the things she loved. Now, it didn’t feel like she’d been living here at all.
Her books and magazines were completely organized, which was unlike her. Kneeling down, Logan started to search through her bottom drawer; looking for the pictures of them he knew she kept hidden in there. There was nothing.
“Dude, what are you doing here?” Duncan stood at the door, giving him an inquisitive look.
Logan contemplated his options; he could either lie to his best friend or tell him the truth.
“Whatever it is, you better hurry up because Lilly’s looking for you.”
Logan stood up and walked towards the door. For a brief moment, they both exchanged a knowing look and Logan pondered if Duncan suspected the truth. “I was just-”
“Yeah, I figured.”
Duncan closed the door behind them and they both headed for the kitchen.
As they sat around the table a few minutes later, eating dinner, Logan wondered how he was supposed to last a fucking week, let alone months without seeing Veronica.
He didn’t think he could but he knew he had to. She hadn’t left him a choice.
To be continued...
My prompt will become more obvious as the story goes on. Alive - Redux is definitely going to be very, very different than the original Alive.
My other fics can be found at queen_haq_fics