FIC: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (8/?)
Title: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (8/?)
Author: invida
Characters: Veronica, Logan, Ensemble
Word Count: 5271
Rating: R
Spoilers: knowledge up to 2x22
Timeline: goes AU from the Pomroy party, and a few liberties are taken with the timing of certain events. See Author's Notes for more details.
Disclaimer: I know the law, and the law would win.
Summary: if Logan hadn't left with the easy freshman that night.
Acknowledgement: Thank you to Rain who let me bounce some ideas off her for this part. She rocks like nobody's business.
Previous Parts
"Veronica? Honey?"
"Yeah?" Veronica yelled from her desk.
After a moment, Keith appeared at the doorway of his office with a scowl on his face. "Hey, I'm in boss mode here! I yell, and you come a-runnin' with a steno pad and an eager disposition."
"Riiiiight." Veronica nodded. "And do bosses usually call their assistants 'honey'?"
"Okay, well, I'm still the Dad, so you still come a-runnin'."
Veronica shrugged. "But you're here now. And, you know, in the time you've spent arguing, you could've saved us both the trouble and told me whatever it is you want."
Keith rolled his eyes. "Huh. I wonder whatever your guidance counsellor could be talking about when she says 'bad attitude'."
He walked over and sat down on the couch in the waiting area. He patted the seat beside him.
"So what else did Ms James have to say? Must be bad if she called during the Christmas break," Veronica said, as she took a seat with reluctance.
Keith waved his hand dismissively. "Enh, not important. You're still on the honour roll. The rest will work itself out, right?"
Veronica narrowed her eyes at her father. "Okay, so what do you really want to lecture me about? It's gotta be worse if you're willing to let a call from school go that easily."
"Can't we just have some nice father-daughter-quality-bonding time?"
"Father-daughter-bonding time is building a stable together for the pony you're buying me. We're at work and I don't see any carpentry equipment or bales of hay."
Keith sighed. "You used to play this game a lot more willingly."
"The 'trying to be nosy by beating around the bush until we get to the real issue' game? When we've got bad guys to catch and cheatin' spouses to spy on? C'mon, Dad, spill already so we can get back to doing other people's dirty work."
"Okay. You know I don't like prying --"
Veronica snorted.
Keith frowned at her with exaggeration, but continued, "Fine. I'm just going to come right out and ask you then. Are you dating Logan Echolls?"
Veronica's eyes widened at her father's question. She turned away, shaking her head and muttering, "I don't believe this."
"Well, honey, you know I've gotta ask. I've been so busy trying to get the business off the ground. I'm just worried that I'm not hearing everything I should."
"And what are you hearing that makes you think I'm dating him?"
Keith shrugged. "Your mom said he was at the house helping you pack. He showed up at our apartment Christmas with a present for you. Lynn Echolls says you've been at their house and that you're going to a New Year's Eve party with them. Now I fancy myself a detective, and to me that sounds like something's going on, doesn't it?"
"First of all, I've been tutoring him so helping me and getting me a present were thank yous. We're -- I don't know -- friends, kinda. I guess. Okay?" Veronica stammered with embarrassment.
"Sweetie, of course it's okay," Keith said with a laugh, clapping his hand on her knee. "I'm just relieved you're friends with anyone. It's even okay if you like him, you know, that way. Of course, I'd prefer it to be someone with a better track record than Logan --"
Mortified, Veronica covered her face and spoke through her fingers, "Oh God. This conversation so has to end right now."
Keith patted his daughter on the shoulder. "Look, Veronica, I know things have been tense with you and your mom these days. I just want you to know that you can come to either of us if you want to talk. I'm not averse to a little girl talk, especially when it's with my best girl."
"Aw Dad --" Veronica said, putting her hands down and leaning into him as wrapped an arm around her shoulder for a brief hug.
Keith pulled away to look at her. "So you wanna tell me about this party now?"
She shrugged. "I haven't even decided if I'm going yet."
"Why not?"
"Well, for one thing, it's the Kanes' party."
"Ah. Well, you know, some time has passed and all that stuff had nothing to do with you. They remember that you were Lilly's best friend. Besides, you'll be with the Echollses. Lynn'll make sure nothing happens to you."
Veronica looked at him suspiciously. "You seem to have an investment in me going to this party."
Keith barked out a laugh. "Can't get anything past you, can I? Nosireebob, you didn't fall far from this tree. You know, I always wanted a business with 'Mars & Son' on the sign. But 'Mars & Daughter' will do --"
Veronica swatted him. "Stop trying to change the subject."
Keith sighed. "I'm going to be at the Echolls Estate that night and I need to make sure Logan stays out of the house. Aaron and Lynn will be at that party until pretty late, but Logan is...less predictable."
"Have you got a case?" Veronica asked with an exaggerated gasp.
Keith nodded, unable to contain his proud smile. "A big one. This could be our break, kiddo."
Realization dawned on Veronica and she asked with unease, "Is it Mrs Echolls?"
"Uh-uh." Keith said, shaking his head. "This is one you're gonna stay completely out of."
"Well, except for the part where you're willing to sacrifice my virtue to keep Logan from going home."
Keith's head snapped up, eyes widened. "Hey! HEY! Who said anything about your virtue getting involved?!"
Veronica shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno, Dad. You want me to keep a sixteen year old boy preoccupied without booze or video games. I gotta use whats I got." She pointed to herself with both thumbs.
"Okay, forget what I said about you liking him that way. Just because I'll do the girl talk thing does not mean that I won't do the stern dad lecture thing." Keith wagged his finger in her face.
Veronica broke into a smile. "Man, you are such a mark."
"There's no kidding around when it comes to your virtue. And I'm still going to have a talk with that boy before you go out."
"Oh for -- Dad! There's nothing going on between us! This is a pity date. He just feels bad --"
"He should."
Veronica couldn't argue with him. She knew that Keith was well aware of her situation at school since Lilly died and he took a stance against the Kanes. Keith probably had to deal with his fair share of Logan's venom and lashing out while he was still sheriff.
"Yeah, well, you still don't have anything to worry about. You seem to forget that I'm not stupid. Speaking of which, obviously Mrs Echolls has hired us to check up on Mr Echolls. Why don't you want me involved?"
"I didn't tell you that. And you're not involved because you have a conflict of interest with your renewed friendship."
"Okay. So don't tell Logan."
"There's nothing to tell Logan."
"But shouldn't --?"
"No, honey. If anything was going on, it's his parents' place to tell him. What if I don't find anything and you tell him?"
"But what if --"
"No. We're done with this topic, Veronica. Now if you're going to the party, Lynn had some suggestions for what you could wear." He pulled out a note from his breast pocket. "Seems like she really wants you to go."
Veronica took the scented paper with Lynn's scrawl across it. Lynn used to give Lilly suggestions too. Lynn always meant well, but Lilly took it as criticism and would do the exact opposite. She read Lynn's note that said she'd put aside a few selections for Veronica at the store from which Logan had given her a gift certificate.
So he'd told his mother she was going with them. Interesting strategy to think she wouldn't want to disappoint Lynn. Especially after she'd made him no promises on Christmas when he showed up insisting she be his date for the Kanes' party mostly because she was flabbergasted that he'd even asked. Logan had cockily predicted that she'd capitulate and left.
After an evening to think about it and get angrier about it, she showed up the next day at his house ready for confrontation, ready to tell him she hadn't lost enough of her mind or dignity to be seen anywhere with him let alone at her ex-boyfriend's parents' party.
Veronica pulled up to the house, spotted Logan's SUV beside a beater and was about to make her way over to front door when a voice called out.
"Hey Blondie."
Veronica turned to see Eli Navarro walking up to the jalopy in the driveway. Veronica pointed to herself questioningly.
"You see anybody else here fittin' that description?"
She stepped over to him. "I prefer 'Veronica'. I've even been known to answer to it."
Weevil shrugged. "Just consider yourself lucky I'm not using any of the colourful nicknames the Neptune High rumour mill has for ya."
"Now which rumour mill do you subscribe to? The one where I'm up for a good time with everybody or the one where I'm Logan's exclusive booty buddy?"
"Baby, I'll show you a better time than all of them combined."
Veronica rolled her eyes and laughed. "You ought to write Hallmark cards." She turned to start back to the house.
"Hang on. I got somethin' to say."
"If it's got anything to do with my reputation, I've heard it all."
"Nah." Weevil waved a dismissive hand. "Your boy in there says I got you to thank for my grandmother gettin' her job back."
"Your grandma's working for them again?"
Weevil nodded, unable to keep from breaking into a proud grin. "As of Christmas Eve with a big Christmas bonus. Just dropping her off for her first day back. So, you know, thanks."
"I really didn't do anything."
"Look, it really meant a lot to my little cousins to have a decent Christmas, so whether you did or said somethin', I'm still thanking you. I don't do this often, so you should really accept it. I owe you one, Veronica."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He jerked his head towards the side of the house. "Your boy's back in the pool house."
Veronica shook her head. "Thanks. But he's not my boy."
Weevil laughed. "Whatever you say, girl. But you oughta know you could do a lot better." He got in the car and drove off before she could think of another argument.
Veronica bypassed the front door and made her way back to the pool house. She found Logan perched on end of the bed, engrossed in a video golf game and swearing a blue streak.
Veronica cleared her throat. "You know, my dad likes to say it's called 'golf' because all the other four-letter words were taken. You're proving him right."
Logan whipped his head up in surprise, but gave her a genuine grin when he saw her. It almost unnerved her considering what she'd come here to do. He paused the game, tossed the controller on the bed, and said, "Come to help me celebrate the Feast of Stephen? Did you bring flesh or wine? I could go for both."
"Why? Because I'm the school whore and my mother's a drunk?" she asked more bitterly than she'd intended.
He frowned. "Hey, that's not how I meant it. You know that's not how I meant it. I was just -- you know, the song -- I was just trying to--"
He was trying to flirt with her. The sly, cocky grin, the smooth innuendo. She'd seen him do it with countless girls. He'd done it with her before everything went to hell, and she'd been a willing partner in crime just to goad their significant others. But she didn't have time for banter today. She was here for a showdown of righteous indignation.
Veronica interrupted his stammering by holding out the gift certificate to him. "I can't accept this."
He stood and faced her, but didn't move to take it from her hands. "Why the hell not?"
"You're joking, right?" she asked.
"That's a lot to spend on a joke."
"You can afford it," she said as she put the gift certificate down on the bar. "Why do you want to go to the Kanes' party anyway? Don't you have some other less boring party to go to?"
Logan shrugged. "Dick's having a party, but I didn't think you'd be, you know, comfortable at another 09er party. Besides, my parents want me to go to this one because Duncan came to theirs."
"So if this isn't about saving your ass and finding Lilly's murderer, then why do you want me there?"
Logan threw his hands up. "Because it's New Year's Eve! Because you should be out at a party and not stuck home watching an anticlimactic ball of lights drop by yourself because your parents already went to bed hours before that. Give me one reason why you won't go to this party with me."
"I'll give you three. I'm Veronica Mars. You're Logan Echolls. It's the Kanes' party." She started singing, "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong --"
He cut her off. "Is it because of Duncan?"
"He's among the reasons. I'm not exactly anxious for a repeat of what happened at your house."
"Well, you don't have to worry about him being there. Celeste sent him to Napa with his grandparents to 'recuperate'. She told my mom the holidays were too stressful on him," he said as he walked around the bar and pulled out two cans of soda from the mini-fridge.
"Do you think it's because of the fight we all had?" she asked.
Logan shook his head. "I don't know. Did you talk to your mom? About what happened?" He walked around the other side and offered her one of the sodas, but she refused.
"Right." Veronica snorted. "How exactly do you think I should broach that subject? 'Great pot roast, Mom. By the way, why is Jake Kane calling you about covering up Lilly's murder?' or 'Oh Mom, funny story! Duncan seems to think I'm his sister. You don't know anything about that do you?'"
Two thuds echoed in the room as the soda cans dropped to the floor and rolled off, ignored, while Logan stared at Veronica with widening eyes. "What did you just say?"
"Oh come on, Logan! Give me some credit. You think I'm this pissed off with you because of the salt lick? I've seen you do that to every smashed-off-her-ass girl at every party we've ever been to. Why should I be any different? Especially when you hate me. No, I'm pissed because you've been lying to me."
"How -- how did you find out?"
Veronica shrugged. "There might be a listening device somewhere on your dresser."
It took a moment for Veronica's statement to sink in. "You've been spying on me?!" Logan asked incredulously, pointing at himself.
"And you've been keeping vital information from me. I'd say we're almost even."
"You bugged my room and you think we're almost even? What else have you heard?"
"Yeah, right. I spent my entire week listening to you playing video games and masturbating. Please." When she was finished rolling her eyes, she was amazed to find Logan, head bowed and possibly blushing.
She added, "I have to be within the vicinity with a radio receiver. I stopped listening when you told Duncan off and walked out of the room. Your pastimes and nocturnal habits are still your secrets."
"You're unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head.
"Oh, that's rich coming from you. How long have you known?!"
Still unable to look her in the eye, he walked back to the bed and sank down as he muttered, "Since Shelly's party."
She glared at him. "And you didn't tell me? Even after I asked you why he broke up with me?"
"I didn't know if it was true! I still don't know if it is. Did you expect me to ruin your life over something Duncan said while he was wasted?"
She laughed mirthlessly. "Look at me, Logan. My life is already ruined. Seriously, what's one more thing?"
He guiltily looked away. When he didn't reply, she asked, "This is the secret, isn't it? The family secret you said Duncan was blabbing while he was drugged."
Logan replied with a defeated voice, "Yeah. But it didn't make sense. It just sounded like drunk talk, you know? I've been trying to find out what he meant ever since. I swear I was going to tell you the night of my parents' party when you told me Jake called your mom, but Duncan walked in."
Veronica walked up to him and stood before him, crossing her arms. "What else don't I know, Logan? What am I going to find out when I go to this party? What else are you keeping from me?" She hated how crushed she sounded, as though the last few weeks had given her the right to not be disappointed in him again. Like she had something to lose again. Like the last few weeks should have meant something to him, too.
Logan shook his head. "Fuck! It's not like that, Veronica. This --" He pulled a hand roughly through his hair and left it clutching the back of his head. "This was supposed to be about you just having a good time. After everything, I just -- you deserve it, you know? And yeah, the Kanes' party isn't exactly the ideal place for it, but I thought -- I wanted you to show them. Show all of them that none of their bullshit was gonna hurt you anymore."
He sighed heavily, letting his arm flop back down on his lap. She stared at him as he started fiddling with the game controller, unsure if she should be stunned or outraged with him.
She sat down beside him, careful to leave some distance between them. "I don't need you to do that for me."
He looked up at her. "Yeah, you do. Especially now that you know." He started fiddling again, inspecting the buttons very carefully and asked, "Do you think it's true?"
Veronica shrugged. "Dunno. But I did find out that Jake Kane and my mother were high school sweethearts all ready to skip down the aisle after graduation until one Celeste Conothan got her claws into him."
Logan blinked at her. "You're fucking kidding! I thought you didn't ask your mom."
Veronica shook her head. "I didn't. But my Grandma Reynolds sure likes to talk after you put some Schnapps in her tea."
"God, Veronica --" Logan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
She stopped herself from leaning into him. "I just don't get why no one's ever told me. I mean, if they even suspect I'm -- you know -- why wouldn't my mom say something instead of letting me date someone who could be my brother for months?"
"Then maybe it's not true. I mean, she's your mom, right? She'd know."
"Or maybe she's in denial and telling me I couldn't date Duncan would mean her secret would come out. Sure explains a whole hell of a lot, doesn't it? The drinking, staying out all night, fighting with us."
She hadn't noticed Logan's hand had gradually moved down and was absent-mindedly rubbing circles into the centre of her back. It wasn't until she closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch that she realized his proximity. She suddenly and awkwardly stood up.
She recovered and faced him. "I'm going to ask you something and I want the truth."
Logan swallowed and nodded.
"You asked Duncan if he was going to tell me what else happened at Shelly's. What was it?"
"Veronica, no. Don't --"
"C'mon, Logan. Just tell me. I need to know. Did he see who it was?"
Logan shook his head, closing his eyes.
Her hands came up to her face. "Was it -- oh my God -- was it him?" Logan shot her a look of panic and she figured she knew what it meant. "Oh shit! Oh God! I -- I can't --" She started breathing raggedly, and crossed her arms over her middle.
Logan jumped up, reaching out to try to calm her. "No! Veronica, it wasn't him! Not like that!"
She wrenched away from him. "Not like that? Like how then?"
"He was beyond smashed, Veronica! He walked into the room after I found you and got you dressed. Okay? He saw you and started talking about how much he loved you and that he couldn't be with you anymore. He was with you on the bed and -- Look, I was in the room the whole time, okay? Nothing happened!"
"But you're saying something would have?" she shot accusingly.
"I don't know! But something didn't, okay? I stopped him."
"And just how far did you let him get before you stopped him?" she yelled.
"Fuck, Veronica! How about you give me some credit now?" he yelled back.
She turned away from him, tears openly streaming down her face. She felt him tentatively touch her shoulder. "Veronica?" he asked, cautiously. She didn't shrug him away. Encouraged, he tried to tug her around to face him.
"How was I supposed to tell you that? After everything else, I just -- I didn't want you to get hurt anymore."
She clenched her eyes shut, but let him pull her into his arms.
"I'm so fucking tired of crying," she whispered. She still had her arms around herself, but had relaxed into his embrace as his arms tightened around her back.
"Yeah, well, I'm tired of seeing you cry," he said into her hair. "Who came up with the brilliant idea of 'a good cry'? You just get wet and puffy, and turn into a big snotball. And no one wants to deal with that kind of mess."
She sniffled pointedly. "Thanks. Nothing like being called a snotball to boost one's self esteem."
"Anytime," he said with a chuckle. She could almost feel him grinning on top of her head.
"I don't get you, Logan. I don't understand this crazy game you're playing with me, with everybody."
Logan stiffened. "Maybe you could just trust me."
Veronica suddenly slapped a hand against Logan's chest and burst out laughing. He released her as her giggles turned to raucous exaggerated guffaws. She clutched her sides and waved him off.
"Good one!" she exclaimed between sarcastic sniggers.
He grimaced at her in mild annoyance. "At least I still know how to make you laugh."
Veronica inhaled a deep shuddering breath, and wiped at her face. "Yeah."
"Look, Veronica. No tricks. I want you to go. And you know what? Lilly would have wanted you there, too. She would have wanted us both there. Just to remind them all that their cozy life is on shaky ground. 'Cause that's what she was to them. She was a tremor right on their fault line. And I'm sure whenever Jake and Celeste see you, that you must have the same effect on them."
Logan's imploring sobered Veronica. "Don't use Lilly to guilt me into this, Logan. She knew, you know? And she didn't tell me either. One day she said she'd talk to Duncan and get us back together and then the next day she told me it was for the best that we broke up. She was supposed to be my best friend and she didn't even have the decency to tell me. I don't know what I'm supposed to make of that."
"She was probably trying to protect you."
"I guess we'll never know." She sniffled before adding, "I've gotta go."
"Wait." Logan walked over to the bar and retrieved the gift certificate. "Veronica, take the damn gift certificate. Even if you don't go. Use it for the Spring Formal, okay?"
Veronica took it from him, rolling her eyes. "Like anyone's gonna ask me."
"You know better than to dare me," he said, with a flirtatious grin breaking across his face again. She shook her head with a grin of her own, as she left.
If Logan had only known that the way to get her to go was to go through her father, he'd have saved himself a lot of grief. Veronica got up from the couch and popped her head in Keith's office. "So New Year's Eve -- what's my curfew?"
----------
The door to Mars Investigation swung open.
"You know, when you said you might need my computer expertise, I thought, yeah, there might be some less than honest activities I might have to perform, but I never thought it might get me a trespassing violation on my record!" Mac flopped down on the reception area couch.
Veronica stood in surprise. "Oh my God, Mac! Don't tell me you were arrested!"
"No, but I got a harsh lecture from Kane Software's head of security about what kind of trouble sneaking around in the wrong places could land me in and blah blah blah my record and yadda yadda yadda my future," Mac said as Veronica joined her on the couch.
"I'm so sorry." Veronica let a moment pass for Mac to calm down before she squinted at her and asked, "So did you find anything out?"
"You mean before I got hauled off by security for leaving the tour? And before I got detained in a barren room for twenty minutes? And before the scariest man I've ever met reprimanded me for another thirty minutes?"
"Yes?" Veronica squeaked out hopefully.
Mac rolled her eyes. "Yeah. There's no way I'm going to be able to hack into their databases. They've got encryption --"
Veronica cut her off with a wave of her hand. "You're the expert. I believe you. No need getting into the nitty gritty."
"What were you hoping to get out of Kane Software anyway?"
Veronica got up and pulled a file off her desk hidden by a stack of papers so her father wouldn't come across it. "Security badge logs and personnel files. I took five photos of employees, entering the building on a certain day at a certain time and I just want to narrow down their identities." She passed the folder to Mac and sat back down.
"Did one of them do something?"
Veronica nodded. "One of them had a meeting with Jake Kane."
Mac's eyebrow rose, as she opened up the folder. "A clandestine meeting?"
Veronica smirked. "Are there any other kinds?"
Mac scanned each photo and said, "Well if it was clandestine and nefarious, I'd say that this is your guy, for sure." She pulled out the photo of a tall, Black man in a fedora.
Veronica took all the photos and reassessed them. "Yeah, I can see why now. All these other guys are just computer geeks, but him --" she pointed to the photo Mac selected. "There's nothing that suggests programmer or engineer. Good eye."
Mac looked at her skeptically. "Yeah, there's that and he's also head of security, Veronica. He's the guy who questioned me. Mr Wiedman."
Veronica flushed. "Ah. Well, that solves that then."
"So in exchange for me getting bounced out of Kane Software, what did you find out?" Mac asked, changing subjects.
"Just that your birth records aren't sealed, so you weren't officially adopted. According to all the records I can get a hold of, Natalie Mackenzie definitely gave birth to a girl named Cindy Mackenzie on your birthday. Oh, happy belated birthday, by the way."
"Thanks. What do you mean by 'officially'?"
"I mean through official channels. There are lots of ways to get a baby when you really want one and you have the money."
Mac shook her head. "My parents don't have that kind of money. Besides, I remember my brother being born which means that they can have kids."
"Well, just because both your parents raised you doesn't necessarily mean that they are both your parents."
"Are you suggesting that maybe my dad isn't my dad?"
"It happens more often than you think," Veronica said with feigned nonchalance, but her chest tightened with guilt.
"Well, how could I find that out? I mean, aside from asking my mother if she had an affair sixteen years and nine months ago, which one, eeew, and two, not gonna happen."
"DNA test? You can buy kits off the internet if you've got enough cash. You'd just have to get a sample of both your parents' DNA to compare yours to. But think about it, Mac, do you really need to know? I mean, you said yourself that they are good parents."
Mac shrugged. "What if it were you? Could you live without knowing?"
That really was the million dollar question. "I have no idea," she replied distractedly.
"Well, I'll definitely think about it."
Veronica turned to her and eyed her suspiciously. "Does that just mean you don't have the cash right now?"
"It's eerie how well you already know me."
"Hmmm. How's this for eerie?" Veronica held her fingertips to her temples as though she was summoning deep thoughts. "Something tells me that you would love to go shopping right now!"
"Wow! Just about less than anything else I could think of!" Mac chirped mockingly.
"Me too!" Veronica clapped her hands sprightly, before her face fell and she added, "But I gotta go spend a ridiculous amount of someone else's money on a froufrou dress and I could use the opinion of someone I respect. Wanna come with?" Veronica stood and started for the door.
"Well, I do like other people's money," Mac said as she followed her out.
----------
"Hey," Logan answered his phone, clearly having checked the callerID.
Veronica didn't bother with a greeting. "So this thing tomorrow, are you picking me up or should I come to your house first?"
A moment passed before Logan squeakily asked, "Really?"
Veronica was glad he couldn't see how big her smile was at his reaction.
----------
Veronica tried to open an eye, but was greeted with a blinding pain behind her eyeball. Groaning, she tried to burrow deeper into the covers of the bed. The unfamiliarity of their texture and scent started to twig her consciousness.
Before she could process it all, something cold and wet nudged her forehead. "Here. You're gonna need this."
Reluctantly, she pried open an eye to see Logan standing by the bed wearing a robe over pyjamas holding a glass of water out to her. Déjà vu would have set in if she hadn't been in a totally different room.
She woozily sat up and took the glass from Logan, who sat on the edge of the bed next to her and watched her with amusement as she drank and took in her surroundings. She sorted out that she was in a guest bedroom at the Echolls' house. She was wearing a huge old T-shirt that wasn't hers but that she vaguely recognized. And she felt like death.
When she handed Logan back the empty glass, he asked, "What do you remember, Veronica?"
She closed her eyes momentarily as a flood of garish images and riotous sounds from the previous evening crashed through her mind. "Oh God," she groaned and flopped backwards onto the bed, throwing her arm back over her eyes. "Everything."
Part 9
Author: invida
Characters: Veronica, Logan, Ensemble
Word Count: 5271
Rating: R
Spoilers: knowledge up to 2x22
Timeline: goes AU from the Pomroy party, and a few liberties are taken with the timing of certain events. See Author's Notes for more details.
Disclaimer: I know the law, and the law would win.
Summary: if Logan hadn't left with the easy freshman that night.
Acknowledgement: Thank you to Rain who let me bounce some ideas off her for this part. She rocks like nobody's business.
Previous Parts
"Veronica? Honey?"
"Yeah?" Veronica yelled from her desk.
After a moment, Keith appeared at the doorway of his office with a scowl on his face. "Hey, I'm in boss mode here! I yell, and you come a-runnin' with a steno pad and an eager disposition."
"Riiiiight." Veronica nodded. "And do bosses usually call their assistants 'honey'?"
"Okay, well, I'm still the Dad, so you still come a-runnin'."
Veronica shrugged. "But you're here now. And, you know, in the time you've spent arguing, you could've saved us both the trouble and told me whatever it is you want."
Keith rolled his eyes. "Huh. I wonder whatever your guidance counsellor could be talking about when she says 'bad attitude'."
He walked over and sat down on the couch in the waiting area. He patted the seat beside him.
"So what else did Ms James have to say? Must be bad if she called during the Christmas break," Veronica said, as she took a seat with reluctance.
Keith waved his hand dismissively. "Enh, not important. You're still on the honour roll. The rest will work itself out, right?"
Veronica narrowed her eyes at her father. "Okay, so what do you really want to lecture me about? It's gotta be worse if you're willing to let a call from school go that easily."
"Can't we just have some nice father-daughter-quality-bonding time?"
"Father-daughter-bonding time is building a stable together for the pony you're buying me. We're at work and I don't see any carpentry equipment or bales of hay."
Keith sighed. "You used to play this game a lot more willingly."
"The 'trying to be nosy by beating around the bush until we get to the real issue' game? When we've got bad guys to catch and cheatin' spouses to spy on? C'mon, Dad, spill already so we can get back to doing other people's dirty work."
"Okay. You know I don't like prying --"
Veronica snorted.
Keith frowned at her with exaggeration, but continued, "Fine. I'm just going to come right out and ask you then. Are you dating Logan Echolls?"
Veronica's eyes widened at her father's question. She turned away, shaking her head and muttering, "I don't believe this."
"Well, honey, you know I've gotta ask. I've been so busy trying to get the business off the ground. I'm just worried that I'm not hearing everything I should."
"And what are you hearing that makes you think I'm dating him?"
Keith shrugged. "Your mom said he was at the house helping you pack. He showed up at our apartment Christmas with a present for you. Lynn Echolls says you've been at their house and that you're going to a New Year's Eve party with them. Now I fancy myself a detective, and to me that sounds like something's going on, doesn't it?"
"First of all, I've been tutoring him so helping me and getting me a present were thank yous. We're -- I don't know -- friends, kinda. I guess. Okay?" Veronica stammered with embarrassment.
"Sweetie, of course it's okay," Keith said with a laugh, clapping his hand on her knee. "I'm just relieved you're friends with anyone. It's even okay if you like him, you know, that way. Of course, I'd prefer it to be someone with a better track record than Logan --"
Mortified, Veronica covered her face and spoke through her fingers, "Oh God. This conversation so has to end right now."
Keith patted his daughter on the shoulder. "Look, Veronica, I know things have been tense with you and your mom these days. I just want you to know that you can come to either of us if you want to talk. I'm not averse to a little girl talk, especially when it's with my best girl."
"Aw Dad --" Veronica said, putting her hands down and leaning into him as wrapped an arm around her shoulder for a brief hug.
Keith pulled away to look at her. "So you wanna tell me about this party now?"
She shrugged. "I haven't even decided if I'm going yet."
"Why not?"
"Well, for one thing, it's the Kanes' party."
"Ah. Well, you know, some time has passed and all that stuff had nothing to do with you. They remember that you were Lilly's best friend. Besides, you'll be with the Echollses. Lynn'll make sure nothing happens to you."
Veronica looked at him suspiciously. "You seem to have an investment in me going to this party."
Keith barked out a laugh. "Can't get anything past you, can I? Nosireebob, you didn't fall far from this tree. You know, I always wanted a business with 'Mars & Son' on the sign. But 'Mars & Daughter' will do --"
Veronica swatted him. "Stop trying to change the subject."
Keith sighed. "I'm going to be at the Echolls Estate that night and I need to make sure Logan stays out of the house. Aaron and Lynn will be at that party until pretty late, but Logan is...less predictable."
"Have you got a case?" Veronica asked with an exaggerated gasp.
Keith nodded, unable to contain his proud smile. "A big one. This could be our break, kiddo."
Realization dawned on Veronica and she asked with unease, "Is it Mrs Echolls?"
"Uh-uh." Keith said, shaking his head. "This is one you're gonna stay completely out of."
"Well, except for the part where you're willing to sacrifice my virtue to keep Logan from going home."
Keith's head snapped up, eyes widened. "Hey! HEY! Who said anything about your virtue getting involved?!"
Veronica shrugged nonchalantly. "I dunno, Dad. You want me to keep a sixteen year old boy preoccupied without booze or video games. I gotta use whats I got." She pointed to herself with both thumbs.
"Okay, forget what I said about you liking him that way. Just because I'll do the girl talk thing does not mean that I won't do the stern dad lecture thing." Keith wagged his finger in her face.
Veronica broke into a smile. "Man, you are such a mark."
"There's no kidding around when it comes to your virtue. And I'm still going to have a talk with that boy before you go out."
"Oh for -- Dad! There's nothing going on between us! This is a pity date. He just feels bad --"
"He should."
Veronica couldn't argue with him. She knew that Keith was well aware of her situation at school since Lilly died and he took a stance against the Kanes. Keith probably had to deal with his fair share of Logan's venom and lashing out while he was still sheriff.
"Yeah, well, you still don't have anything to worry about. You seem to forget that I'm not stupid. Speaking of which, obviously Mrs Echolls has hired us to check up on Mr Echolls. Why don't you want me involved?"
"I didn't tell you that. And you're not involved because you have a conflict of interest with your renewed friendship."
"Okay. So don't tell Logan."
"There's nothing to tell Logan."
"But shouldn't --?"
"No, honey. If anything was going on, it's his parents' place to tell him. What if I don't find anything and you tell him?"
"But what if --"
"No. We're done with this topic, Veronica. Now if you're going to the party, Lynn had some suggestions for what you could wear." He pulled out a note from his breast pocket. "Seems like she really wants you to go."
Veronica took the scented paper with Lynn's scrawl across it. Lynn used to give Lilly suggestions too. Lynn always meant well, but Lilly took it as criticism and would do the exact opposite. She read Lynn's note that said she'd put aside a few selections for Veronica at the store from which Logan had given her a gift certificate.
So he'd told his mother she was going with them. Interesting strategy to think she wouldn't want to disappoint Lynn. Especially after she'd made him no promises on Christmas when he showed up insisting she be his date for the Kanes' party mostly because she was flabbergasted that he'd even asked. Logan had cockily predicted that she'd capitulate and left.
After an evening to think about it and get angrier about it, she showed up the next day at his house ready for confrontation, ready to tell him she hadn't lost enough of her mind or dignity to be seen anywhere with him let alone at her ex-boyfriend's parents' party.
Veronica pulled up to the house, spotted Logan's SUV beside a beater and was about to make her way over to front door when a voice called out.
"Hey Blondie."
Veronica turned to see Eli Navarro walking up to the jalopy in the driveway. Veronica pointed to herself questioningly.
"You see anybody else here fittin' that description?"
She stepped over to him. "I prefer 'Veronica'. I've even been known to answer to it."
Weevil shrugged. "Just consider yourself lucky I'm not using any of the colourful nicknames the Neptune High rumour mill has for ya."
"Now which rumour mill do you subscribe to? The one where I'm up for a good time with everybody or the one where I'm Logan's exclusive booty buddy?"
"Baby, I'll show you a better time than all of them combined."
Veronica rolled her eyes and laughed. "You ought to write Hallmark cards." She turned to start back to the house.
"Hang on. I got somethin' to say."
"If it's got anything to do with my reputation, I've heard it all."
"Nah." Weevil waved a dismissive hand. "Your boy in there says I got you to thank for my grandmother gettin' her job back."
"Your grandma's working for them again?"
Weevil nodded, unable to keep from breaking into a proud grin. "As of Christmas Eve with a big Christmas bonus. Just dropping her off for her first day back. So, you know, thanks."
"I really didn't do anything."
"Look, it really meant a lot to my little cousins to have a decent Christmas, so whether you did or said somethin', I'm still thanking you. I don't do this often, so you should really accept it. I owe you one, Veronica."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He jerked his head towards the side of the house. "Your boy's back in the pool house."
Veronica shook her head. "Thanks. But he's not my boy."
Weevil laughed. "Whatever you say, girl. But you oughta know you could do a lot better." He got in the car and drove off before she could think of another argument.
Veronica bypassed the front door and made her way back to the pool house. She found Logan perched on end of the bed, engrossed in a video golf game and swearing a blue streak.
Veronica cleared her throat. "You know, my dad likes to say it's called 'golf' because all the other four-letter words were taken. You're proving him right."
Logan whipped his head up in surprise, but gave her a genuine grin when he saw her. It almost unnerved her considering what she'd come here to do. He paused the game, tossed the controller on the bed, and said, "Come to help me celebrate the Feast of Stephen? Did you bring flesh or wine? I could go for both."
"Why? Because I'm the school whore and my mother's a drunk?" she asked more bitterly than she'd intended.
He frowned. "Hey, that's not how I meant it. You know that's not how I meant it. I was just -- you know, the song -- I was just trying to--"
He was trying to flirt with her. The sly, cocky grin, the smooth innuendo. She'd seen him do it with countless girls. He'd done it with her before everything went to hell, and she'd been a willing partner in crime just to goad their significant others. But she didn't have time for banter today. She was here for a showdown of righteous indignation.
Veronica interrupted his stammering by holding out the gift certificate to him. "I can't accept this."
He stood and faced her, but didn't move to take it from her hands. "Why the hell not?"
"You're joking, right?" she asked.
"That's a lot to spend on a joke."
"You can afford it," she said as she put the gift certificate down on the bar. "Why do you want to go to the Kanes' party anyway? Don't you have some other less boring party to go to?"
Logan shrugged. "Dick's having a party, but I didn't think you'd be, you know, comfortable at another 09er party. Besides, my parents want me to go to this one because Duncan came to theirs."
"So if this isn't about saving your ass and finding Lilly's murderer, then why do you want me there?"
Logan threw his hands up. "Because it's New Year's Eve! Because you should be out at a party and not stuck home watching an anticlimactic ball of lights drop by yourself because your parents already went to bed hours before that. Give me one reason why you won't go to this party with me."
"I'll give you three. I'm Veronica Mars. You're Logan Echolls. It's the Kanes' party." She started singing, "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong --"
He cut her off. "Is it because of Duncan?"
"He's among the reasons. I'm not exactly anxious for a repeat of what happened at your house."
"Well, you don't have to worry about him being there. Celeste sent him to Napa with his grandparents to 'recuperate'. She told my mom the holidays were too stressful on him," he said as he walked around the bar and pulled out two cans of soda from the mini-fridge.
"Do you think it's because of the fight we all had?" she asked.
Logan shook his head. "I don't know. Did you talk to your mom? About what happened?" He walked around the other side and offered her one of the sodas, but she refused.
"Right." Veronica snorted. "How exactly do you think I should broach that subject? 'Great pot roast, Mom. By the way, why is Jake Kane calling you about covering up Lilly's murder?' or 'Oh Mom, funny story! Duncan seems to think I'm his sister. You don't know anything about that do you?'"
Two thuds echoed in the room as the soda cans dropped to the floor and rolled off, ignored, while Logan stared at Veronica with widening eyes. "What did you just say?"
"Oh come on, Logan! Give me some credit. You think I'm this pissed off with you because of the salt lick? I've seen you do that to every smashed-off-her-ass girl at every party we've ever been to. Why should I be any different? Especially when you hate me. No, I'm pissed because you've been lying to me."
"How -- how did you find out?"
Veronica shrugged. "There might be a listening device somewhere on your dresser."
It took a moment for Veronica's statement to sink in. "You've been spying on me?!" Logan asked incredulously, pointing at himself.
"And you've been keeping vital information from me. I'd say we're almost even."
"You bugged my room and you think we're almost even? What else have you heard?"
"Yeah, right. I spent my entire week listening to you playing video games and masturbating. Please." When she was finished rolling her eyes, she was amazed to find Logan, head bowed and possibly blushing.
She added, "I have to be within the vicinity with a radio receiver. I stopped listening when you told Duncan off and walked out of the room. Your pastimes and nocturnal habits are still your secrets."
"You're unbelievable," he muttered, shaking his head.
"Oh, that's rich coming from you. How long have you known?!"
Still unable to look her in the eye, he walked back to the bed and sank down as he muttered, "Since Shelly's party."
She glared at him. "And you didn't tell me? Even after I asked you why he broke up with me?"
"I didn't know if it was true! I still don't know if it is. Did you expect me to ruin your life over something Duncan said while he was wasted?"
She laughed mirthlessly. "Look at me, Logan. My life is already ruined. Seriously, what's one more thing?"
He guiltily looked away. When he didn't reply, she asked, "This is the secret, isn't it? The family secret you said Duncan was blabbing while he was drugged."
Logan replied with a defeated voice, "Yeah. But it didn't make sense. It just sounded like drunk talk, you know? I've been trying to find out what he meant ever since. I swear I was going to tell you the night of my parents' party when you told me Jake called your mom, but Duncan walked in."
Veronica walked up to him and stood before him, crossing her arms. "What else don't I know, Logan? What am I going to find out when I go to this party? What else are you keeping from me?" She hated how crushed she sounded, as though the last few weeks had given her the right to not be disappointed in him again. Like she had something to lose again. Like the last few weeks should have meant something to him, too.
Logan shook his head. "Fuck! It's not like that, Veronica. This --" He pulled a hand roughly through his hair and left it clutching the back of his head. "This was supposed to be about you just having a good time. After everything, I just -- you deserve it, you know? And yeah, the Kanes' party isn't exactly the ideal place for it, but I thought -- I wanted you to show them. Show all of them that none of their bullshit was gonna hurt you anymore."
He sighed heavily, letting his arm flop back down on his lap. She stared at him as he started fiddling with the game controller, unsure if she should be stunned or outraged with him.
She sat down beside him, careful to leave some distance between them. "I don't need you to do that for me."
He looked up at her. "Yeah, you do. Especially now that you know." He started fiddling again, inspecting the buttons very carefully and asked, "Do you think it's true?"
Veronica shrugged. "Dunno. But I did find out that Jake Kane and my mother were high school sweethearts all ready to skip down the aisle after graduation until one Celeste Conothan got her claws into him."
Logan blinked at her. "You're fucking kidding! I thought you didn't ask your mom."
Veronica shook her head. "I didn't. But my Grandma Reynolds sure likes to talk after you put some Schnapps in her tea."
"God, Veronica --" Logan put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.
She stopped herself from leaning into him. "I just don't get why no one's ever told me. I mean, if they even suspect I'm -- you know -- why wouldn't my mom say something instead of letting me date someone who could be my brother for months?"
"Then maybe it's not true. I mean, she's your mom, right? She'd know."
"Or maybe she's in denial and telling me I couldn't date Duncan would mean her secret would come out. Sure explains a whole hell of a lot, doesn't it? The drinking, staying out all night, fighting with us."
She hadn't noticed Logan's hand had gradually moved down and was absent-mindedly rubbing circles into the centre of her back. It wasn't until she closed her eyes and relaxed into his touch that she realized his proximity. She suddenly and awkwardly stood up.
She recovered and faced him. "I'm going to ask you something and I want the truth."
Logan swallowed and nodded.
"You asked Duncan if he was going to tell me what else happened at Shelly's. What was it?"
"Veronica, no. Don't --"
"C'mon, Logan. Just tell me. I need to know. Did he see who it was?"
Logan shook his head, closing his eyes.
Her hands came up to her face. "Was it -- oh my God -- was it him?" Logan shot her a look of panic and she figured she knew what it meant. "Oh shit! Oh God! I -- I can't --" She started breathing raggedly, and crossed her arms over her middle.
Logan jumped up, reaching out to try to calm her. "No! Veronica, it wasn't him! Not like that!"
She wrenched away from him. "Not like that? Like how then?"
"He was beyond smashed, Veronica! He walked into the room after I found you and got you dressed. Okay? He saw you and started talking about how much he loved you and that he couldn't be with you anymore. He was with you on the bed and -- Look, I was in the room the whole time, okay? Nothing happened!"
"But you're saying something would have?" she shot accusingly.
"I don't know! But something didn't, okay? I stopped him."
"And just how far did you let him get before you stopped him?" she yelled.
"Fuck, Veronica! How about you give me some credit now?" he yelled back.
She turned away from him, tears openly streaming down her face. She felt him tentatively touch her shoulder. "Veronica?" he asked, cautiously. She didn't shrug him away. Encouraged, he tried to tug her around to face him.
"How was I supposed to tell you that? After everything else, I just -- I didn't want you to get hurt anymore."
She clenched her eyes shut, but let him pull her into his arms.
"I'm so fucking tired of crying," she whispered. She still had her arms around herself, but had relaxed into his embrace as his arms tightened around her back.
"Yeah, well, I'm tired of seeing you cry," he said into her hair. "Who came up with the brilliant idea of 'a good cry'? You just get wet and puffy, and turn into a big snotball. And no one wants to deal with that kind of mess."
She sniffled pointedly. "Thanks. Nothing like being called a snotball to boost one's self esteem."
"Anytime," he said with a chuckle. She could almost feel him grinning on top of her head.
"I don't get you, Logan. I don't understand this crazy game you're playing with me, with everybody."
Logan stiffened. "Maybe you could just trust me."
Veronica suddenly slapped a hand against Logan's chest and burst out laughing. He released her as her giggles turned to raucous exaggerated guffaws. She clutched her sides and waved him off.
"Good one!" she exclaimed between sarcastic sniggers.
He grimaced at her in mild annoyance. "At least I still know how to make you laugh."
Veronica inhaled a deep shuddering breath, and wiped at her face. "Yeah."
"Look, Veronica. No tricks. I want you to go. And you know what? Lilly would have wanted you there, too. She would have wanted us both there. Just to remind them all that their cozy life is on shaky ground. 'Cause that's what she was to them. She was a tremor right on their fault line. And I'm sure whenever Jake and Celeste see you, that you must have the same effect on them."
Logan's imploring sobered Veronica. "Don't use Lilly to guilt me into this, Logan. She knew, you know? And she didn't tell me either. One day she said she'd talk to Duncan and get us back together and then the next day she told me it was for the best that we broke up. She was supposed to be my best friend and she didn't even have the decency to tell me. I don't know what I'm supposed to make of that."
"She was probably trying to protect you."
"I guess we'll never know." She sniffled before adding, "I've gotta go."
"Wait." Logan walked over to the bar and retrieved the gift certificate. "Veronica, take the damn gift certificate. Even if you don't go. Use it for the Spring Formal, okay?"
Veronica took it from him, rolling her eyes. "Like anyone's gonna ask me."
"You know better than to dare me," he said, with a flirtatious grin breaking across his face again. She shook her head with a grin of her own, as she left.
If Logan had only known that the way to get her to go was to go through her father, he'd have saved himself a lot of grief. Veronica got up from the couch and popped her head in Keith's office. "So New Year's Eve -- what's my curfew?"
----------
The door to Mars Investigation swung open.
"You know, when you said you might need my computer expertise, I thought, yeah, there might be some less than honest activities I might have to perform, but I never thought it might get me a trespassing violation on my record!" Mac flopped down on the reception area couch.
Veronica stood in surprise. "Oh my God, Mac! Don't tell me you were arrested!"
"No, but I got a harsh lecture from Kane Software's head of security about what kind of trouble sneaking around in the wrong places could land me in and blah blah blah my record and yadda yadda yadda my future," Mac said as Veronica joined her on the couch.
"I'm so sorry." Veronica let a moment pass for Mac to calm down before she squinted at her and asked, "So did you find anything out?"
"You mean before I got hauled off by security for leaving the tour? And before I got detained in a barren room for twenty minutes? And before the scariest man I've ever met reprimanded me for another thirty minutes?"
"Yes?" Veronica squeaked out hopefully.
Mac rolled her eyes. "Yeah. There's no way I'm going to be able to hack into their databases. They've got encryption --"
Veronica cut her off with a wave of her hand. "You're the expert. I believe you. No need getting into the nitty gritty."
"What were you hoping to get out of Kane Software anyway?"
Veronica got up and pulled a file off her desk hidden by a stack of papers so her father wouldn't come across it. "Security badge logs and personnel files. I took five photos of employees, entering the building on a certain day at a certain time and I just want to narrow down their identities." She passed the folder to Mac and sat back down.
"Did one of them do something?"
Veronica nodded. "One of them had a meeting with Jake Kane."
Mac's eyebrow rose, as she opened up the folder. "A clandestine meeting?"
Veronica smirked. "Are there any other kinds?"
Mac scanned each photo and said, "Well if it was clandestine and nefarious, I'd say that this is your guy, for sure." She pulled out the photo of a tall, Black man in a fedora.
Veronica took all the photos and reassessed them. "Yeah, I can see why now. All these other guys are just computer geeks, but him --" she pointed to the photo Mac selected. "There's nothing that suggests programmer or engineer. Good eye."
Mac looked at her skeptically. "Yeah, there's that and he's also head of security, Veronica. He's the guy who questioned me. Mr Wiedman."
Veronica flushed. "Ah. Well, that solves that then."
"So in exchange for me getting bounced out of Kane Software, what did you find out?" Mac asked, changing subjects.
"Just that your birth records aren't sealed, so you weren't officially adopted. According to all the records I can get a hold of, Natalie Mackenzie definitely gave birth to a girl named Cindy Mackenzie on your birthday. Oh, happy belated birthday, by the way."
"Thanks. What do you mean by 'officially'?"
"I mean through official channels. There are lots of ways to get a baby when you really want one and you have the money."
Mac shook her head. "My parents don't have that kind of money. Besides, I remember my brother being born which means that they can have kids."
"Well, just because both your parents raised you doesn't necessarily mean that they are both your parents."
"Are you suggesting that maybe my dad isn't my dad?"
"It happens more often than you think," Veronica said with feigned nonchalance, but her chest tightened with guilt.
"Well, how could I find that out? I mean, aside from asking my mother if she had an affair sixteen years and nine months ago, which one, eeew, and two, not gonna happen."
"DNA test? You can buy kits off the internet if you've got enough cash. You'd just have to get a sample of both your parents' DNA to compare yours to. But think about it, Mac, do you really need to know? I mean, you said yourself that they are good parents."
Mac shrugged. "What if it were you? Could you live without knowing?"
That really was the million dollar question. "I have no idea," she replied distractedly.
"Well, I'll definitely think about it."
Veronica turned to her and eyed her suspiciously. "Does that just mean you don't have the cash right now?"
"It's eerie how well you already know me."
"Hmmm. How's this for eerie?" Veronica held her fingertips to her temples as though she was summoning deep thoughts. "Something tells me that you would love to go shopping right now!"
"Wow! Just about less than anything else I could think of!" Mac chirped mockingly.
"Me too!" Veronica clapped her hands sprightly, before her face fell and she added, "But I gotta go spend a ridiculous amount of someone else's money on a froufrou dress and I could use the opinion of someone I respect. Wanna come with?" Veronica stood and started for the door.
"Well, I do like other people's money," Mac said as she followed her out.
----------
"Hey," Logan answered his phone, clearly having checked the callerID.
Veronica didn't bother with a greeting. "So this thing tomorrow, are you picking me up or should I come to your house first?"
A moment passed before Logan squeakily asked, "Really?"
Veronica was glad he couldn't see how big her smile was at his reaction.
----------
Veronica tried to open an eye, but was greeted with a blinding pain behind her eyeball. Groaning, she tried to burrow deeper into the covers of the bed. The unfamiliarity of their texture and scent started to twig her consciousness.
Before she could process it all, something cold and wet nudged her forehead. "Here. You're gonna need this."
Reluctantly, she pried open an eye to see Logan standing by the bed wearing a robe over pyjamas holding a glass of water out to her. Déjà vu would have set in if she hadn't been in a totally different room.
She woozily sat up and took the glass from Logan, who sat on the edge of the bed next to her and watched her with amusement as she drank and took in her surroundings. She sorted out that she was in a guest bedroom at the Echolls' house. She was wearing a huge old T-shirt that wasn't hers but that she vaguely recognized. And she felt like death.
When she handed Logan back the empty glass, he asked, "What do you remember, Veronica?"
She closed her eyes momentarily as a flood of garish images and riotous sounds from the previous evening crashed through her mind. "Oh God," she groaned and flopped backwards onto the bed, throwing her arm back over her eyes. "Everything."
Part 9