FIC: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (9/?)
Title: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (9/?)
Author: invida
Characters: Veronica, Logan, Ensemble
Word Count: 7758 (a big 'un)
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: Thanks to
aud_woman_in for your help with this part! You rock. Hard. I hope I fulfilled your request to your satisfaction.
Previous Parts
"Please, don't even look at me." Veronica covered her face with her hands.
Logan shook his head at her. "Get over yourself, Veronica. It wasn't that bad."
"I don't even know how I'm going to show my face at school on Monday," she whined through her fingers.
"C'mon. You've been through worse. Shelly's party was worse. You lived through the aftermath of that."
He knew it was the wrong thing to say the instant it was out of his mouth, and the glare it earned him confirmed it. She answered him anyway. "The one and only blessing from Shelly's party is that I don't remember any of it. I remember this."
"Well, so do I. And I’m telling you, last night wasn't as bad as you think you remember. At least not the first part of the evening."
----------
Two days prior, Logan still hadn't heard from Veronica and thought it was pretty safe to assume he'd be going stag to the Kanes' New Year's Eve party. So when Caitlin sidled up to him at Starbucks and demurely asked if he was going to Dick's party, he had no reason to tell her he wouldn't be there. And when she dipped her finger in the whipped cream of his drink and languidly licked it off while suggesting that they'd catch up then, he thought he might just be ringing in the New Year with a lot more noise making than he'd originally thought.
Not that he was disappointed when Veronica finally did accept his invitation. It just meant he'd have to do some clever juggling. She had a curfew and he knew she wouldn't want to be at an 09er party any time soon. Maybe a kiss on the cheek at midnight, then send her back in the limo to his house where her car would be, and he'd be free to head over to the Casablancas'. He'd probably have Caitlin's bra off by half past if he timed everything right.
What he hadn't counted on was that Veronica would show up at his house looking like she was about to redefine the phrase 'little black dress' so that her picture would be beside every entry in every dictionary and phrasebook from now on. He'd been expecting the formal pink princess he'd teased on a beach only three months prior. Logan watched her as she greeted and wished his surprised but appreciative housekeeper a happy new year, and wondered why he hadn't noticed the effect of all the changes in Veronica Mars until now.
Then she turned to face him, and he felt like a complete dork when he involuntarily gulped. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, held in place with a clip that matched the sparkly pendant that Lilly gave her. Her dress was cut to dip, flow and hug in all the right places and ended at her knees, leaving him wondering if the last time he'd noticed them was the day they met. He couldn't even begin to describe any of what she was wearing or how she looked in it except for the word 'awesome'.
He was staring at her, rethinking his cheek kiss strategy as she stood in front of him, frowning. "What?" she asked, looking around herself to see what was out of place.
He shrugged, trying to recover. "Nothing. You look nice is all."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That's what a nearly unlimited gift certificate at the best store in Neptune will get you -- me looking nice. Sorry I couldn't do any better than this. You can take the girl out of the slums, but --"
"No," he cut her off, annoyed that he actually had to explain himself. "You're --"
"Veronica!" his mother cried out, interrupting him as she descended the staircase. "Let me see you! Twirl for me."
Veronica flushed and stammered, "Sorry, it's not one of the ones you put aside, Mrs Echolls--"
She did a small spin as Lynn appraised her. "Veronica, if I'd seen this one, I would have saved it too. I wouldn't change a thing!" she exclaimed when Veronica faced her again.
Lynn turned to her son. "Logan, did you tell Veronica how lovely she looks tonight?"
Veronica, mischievously grinning at him, said, "Oh yes. He said I looked 'nice'."
Lynn shook her head at Logan, then turned to Veronica and said with an exaggerated sigh, "Boys." Veronica nodded.
Lynn walked towards Aaron's den. "I'll tell your father we're ready."
Logan turned to Veronica once she was gone. "Thanks for making me look like a jackass."
"No need to thank me. You made it easy and I enjoyed it." She grinned.
An awkward quiet fell on them. Just how were you supposed to entertain a girl that you've been friends with since forever but recently hated with everything you had in you? Fortunately, she broke the silence, "Sooooo, Mrs Navarro, huh?"
"What about her?"
"Thought you fired her. What happened?"
Logan shrugged. "Turns out she knows what the 'confidentiality clause' in her contract means. Her replacement sold pictures and stories from my parents' Christmas party to the tabloids."
"But you didn't have to hire her back. Weevil told me you said I was to thank for that."
"Yeah, well, you went all Cindy-Lou Who on me. She seemed like the obvious choice after that."
"Right. And I'm supposed to believe that your heart grew three sizes since then?"
"Whatever. You were mad about it and Mrs Navarro was easy to get on short notice over the holidays. Mom agreed after I made a case for her cooking." Logan waved his hand dismissively. "You know I'm not gonna let it go with Weevil just because no one makes crepes like his grandma."
She looked like she was about to launch into a tirade when his parents walked into the room and her mood shifted abruptly. Aaron walked up to them, "Veronica! Aren't you a vision!" As Aaron grasped her hand and brought it up to his lips, Logan felt Veronica's other hand wind around his, clutching him.
She gave Aaron a nervous smile. "Thank you, Mr Echolls."
"It's Aaron, please, I've told you that before." His father was still holding onto Veronica's hand, and turned back to Lynn who wore a tight smile. "Well, with two gorgeous ladies accompanying me tonight, I don't know who I'll want on my arm more."
Veronica looked up at Logan pleadingly. Logan piped up, "Well, good thing this one's with me then, huh Dad?"
Aaron's eyes narrowed at Logan momentarily, before he said, "You're one lucky man tonight, son." Aaron finally released Veronica's hand and clapped his own on Logan's shoulder. Logan stilled a flinch by squeezing Veronica's hand. He was surprised by the relief he felt when she squeezed back.
----------
Logan nudged her knee. "So you're feeling pretty rough, huh?"
Veronica rubbed her temples. "My head is pounding."
"Yeah, it would be." He pulled out a bottle of aspirin from his robe pocket and rattled it loudly in front of her until she swiped it from him irritably. "At least you've already puked your guts out."
"Thanks for reminding me," she said, shaking out a couple of tablets.
"Any time," he said, smirking. He got up to go refill her glass and from the bathroom, said, "You know, my parents thought you were amazing."
"Yeah, your dad especially," she muttered. "And by the way, eeeeeew."
Logan snorted. "Trust me. You weren't the only one that caught his eye."
----------
As they emerged from the car and walked up to the Kane mansion, Lynn turned back and asked, "Veronica, you know that you're welcome to stay with us tonight, right? The party might go fairly late. Any of the guest rooms are at your disposal. I can call Leticia right now and get one freshened up."
"Mom, you let Mrs Navarro have the rest of the night off. Remember? 'Cause it's New Year's Eve."
"I'll just call her to come back, Logan," Lynn replied matter-of-factly, pulling out her cell phone.
"No, please don't!" Veronica interjected. "Thanks Mrs Echolls, but I've got a curfew and I've gotta be up in the morning. Watching the Rose Parade with my dad. It's our New Year's tradition."
"Oh, that's so sweet! We'll have to start a New Year's tradition like that, Logan."
Apparently, tiptoeing around the house so you didn't aggravate your mother's hangover or become the target of your father's rage over her drunken antics the previous night wasn't enough of a tradition, but Logan kept his mouth shut.
They made their way through the front doors into the foyer where Celeste and Jake were receiving their guests with about as much warmth as undertakers. Jake looked like he wanted to be anywhere but at his own party, and Celeste looked like she couldn't believe she called all these people coming in her door her friends. Logan watched Celeste with amusement when she leaned in for a cheek kiss with Lynn and she spotted Veronica behind her. If her face had fallen any further, it would have registered on the Richter scale. Jake actually sputtered at the sight of her.
"You remember Veronica, don't you?" Lynn asked obliviously, with a proud smile. Sometimes Logan found his mother's thoughtlessness, whether feigned or genuine, annoying, but tonight he revelled in it.
"How could I forget?" Celeste replied icily.
Jake cut in before Celeste could say anything else, "It's nice to see you again, Logan, Veronica. Please go on in. There are some other kids from school around here somewhere."
Logan pulled Veronica away until they were out of earshot of the foyer and turned to her with a huge grin. "So what do you think? Was it worth getting dolled up and being seen with me for that?"
She was unable to hide her smile any longer. "Soooo worth it."
They dissolved into infectious giggles, which earned them stares and glares from the other guests around them. He herded her in closer to him, protecting her from the grumblings, and still laughing, she let him, letting her head bow until she nearly touched his chest. He could get used to this, he thought, trying to make her laugh instead of cry.
When they both composed themselves, he led her to the food and then teased her about the pile she'd amassed on her plate. After finding a place to sit and enjoy their spoils, they fell into a running commentary on all the guests -- Logan with the gossip he knew from running in the right circles, and Veronica with what she'd learned from running in the wrong ones.
She was in the middle of an elaborate story about driving the getaway car while her dad got the money shot on a cheating husband, when they were interrupted.
"Veronica?"
Logan and Veronica both looked up to see a surprised Meg Manning. "Oh my God! It is you! I told Cole, but he didn't believe me." Meg turned around and nodded at her boyfriend and the group he was with. She turned back. "You look great, Veronica! Hi Logan."
Logan gave her a small wave and Meg turned back and started gushing to Veronica again. He wasn't worried about Meg bothering them because she always had a soft spot for Veronica -- hell, the girl had a soft spot for everyone, probably even the PCHers. But he watched with concern as John Enbom and Cole left the group and made their way over.
The boys exchanged "heys" with Logan and awkwardly nodded at Veronica. They all listened in as Meg cheerily told them all how wonderful the party was and how marvellous all the guests looked.
Enbom leered towards Logan. "Speaking of marvellous, did you check out Trudy Shantz's rack in that dress?"
"God, John, she's old enough to be your mom!" Meg replied, scandalized. She hooked her arm in Veronica's. "C'mon Veronica. If they're gonna be gross, let's go mingle with some civilized people."
Veronica turned back as Meg dragged her away and helplessly shrugged to Logan. He gave her a smirk knowing that no one would say anything inappropriate to Veronica while Meg was beside her. No one said anything bad in front of Meg.
Once the girls were gone, the two boys let go on Logan.
"Veronica Mars, dude? Either you're really gutsy or really stupid."
"No kidding, man. You bring a girl like her to a thing like this and what are you saying?"
"I'll be the first to admit that she's really hot, but dude, she's so not worth the hassle."
"Yeah, are you, like, helping her stalk Duncan now?"
Logan replied sarcastically, "Actually she's helping me stalk him. So how about you guys fuck off before you get put on the restraining order too?"
Cole held up his hands in mock surrender. "Whatever, man."
Enbom changed the subject. "So are you going to Dick's party tonight or what?"
Logan had forgotten about that plan. He'd been distracted -- well, by Veronica. "Yeah. Are you guys?"
John nodded, but Cole rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, but if Meg has her way, we'll be home and nestled in our respective beds before the countdown." John laughed at Cole and punched him in the arm.
Logan anxiously asked, "Hey, if you guys get there before me, don't tell anyone I was here with Veronica, okay? Especially Caitlin. Tell Meg not to say anything either."
John and Cole exchanged confused glances, but said, "Sure man, no problem."
Logan was somewhat relieved until he glanced over to where Meg had taken Veronica. He scanned the group but couldn't find her anywhere amongst them. He unceremoniously walked away from the other two boys towards Meg.
"Hey Meg, where's Veronica?"
Meg turned and looked around the room. "Oh, she said she thought she saw someone she knew and went to say hi to them." Meg pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
Who the hell would Veronica know here that would say hi back to her? Logan mumbled thanks to Meg and walked towards the kitchen, keeping an eye out for Veronica. He spotted his mother on his way. And he knew right away how far gone she was by how animated she was as the centre of attention for a large group including Celeste. His father and Jake were nowhere to be seen.
The only people in the kitchen were the wait staff and the caterers putting final touches on trays of canapés. He strode past to the staircase to the bedrooms. He'd promised Veronica that they weren't there tonight for any investigating, but since getting reacquainted with her, he knew enough that she might not be able to resist.
He hadn't been up in here in well over a month and he hadn't been in this room -- Lilly's room -- in even longer. In the month after Lilly died, whenever he was over to see Duncan, he'd steal away up here and just sit and breathe. He'd try to bring back every memory he could, afraid he'd forget something vital. As he opened the door, he didn't know if he was relieved or heartbroken that the room still smelled like her.
Now as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he tried to reconcile all he'd learned in the last few weeks with the girl he'd loved and lost. He couldn't remember sitting down on her bed and he didn't realize exactly how much time had passed when the door opened and light streamed in from behind a silhouetted figure. Then the overhead light switched on and Logan squinted at the sudden brightness.
"Logan?"
"Dad? What are you doing up here?"
"I, uh, saw you come up here. I was, um, worried." Aaron looked around the room and sheepishly back to the door before asking, "Are you all right, son?"
For all the accolades that had been heaped on his father for his acting ability, he wasn't much of a liar when it really came down to it. Logan had enough bearings to know that too much time had passed for his father to have seen him come up to the bedrooms and follow out of concern. He could guess Aaron's real intentions for finding a secluded bedroom far from the party and his mother below.
"I'm fine. I just needed a minute."
"In Lilly's room." His father sighed as though he'd always taken an interest in Logan's grief and they'd had heartfelt chats before.
"I was looking for Veronica --" Logan tried to deflect Aaron.
Aaron stood before him and looked down at him with something that could have passed for tenderness. "You don't have to explain it to me, son. I understand. You might not think I do, but I know you miss her. I know it's been hard on you, but --"
Aaron continued with his speech and Logan wondered from which of the screenplays on his father's desk he'd memorized these lines for this Hallmark moment. But Logan stopped himself from rolling his eyes and bit back the hundreds of sarcastic comments he could have made. He wasn't going to desecrate Lilly's room by having a scene or worse with Aaron -- not here.
"-- I just want you to find some happiness, son," Aaron said, wrapping up his sermon with a squeeze of Logan's shoulder.
"Yeah. Thanks, Dad." Logan tried to sound sincere; anything to stop this charade.
"Are you going back down now?"
Logan nodded. "In a bit. I just want a minute alone in here if you don't mind."
"Oh. Of course," his father said, unable to hide his disappointment. Logan relished in the thought that he'd thrown a wrench into any rendezvous plans Aaron might have had.
As Aaron walked back to the door, he turned back and said, "You said you were looking for Veronica? I saw her a few minutes ago outside the library."
Logan nodded, but didn't move, letting his father walk out of the room. He didn't get up to leave until well after he heard Aaron stop shuffling around outside the door and head back down the stairs.
----------
"You really think your dad's cheating on your mom?" Veronica asked.
"No, I know my dad is cheating on my mom. And she does too."
"Then why is she still with him?" she threw the covers off herself, revealing her bare legs. She modestly pulled down the hem of the T-shirt she wore as far down her legs as she could. He'd given her his old PE shorts and a faded T-shirt he rarely wore anymore to sleep in the night before and he was trying not to think about how much he liked them on her, as he turned away in an effort to give her some modicum of decency.
"You can tell yourself anything when you've got enough booze and pills in your system. Besides, everything wouldn't be cut and dried if she left him," he replied, watching her get up and rifle through the pile of clothes she wore the night before.
She turned back, frowning. "But the law's on her side --"
"Veronica, can we not talk about this?" He knew she was just going to circle back to a topic that was way too volatile and that he was not ready to deal with -- not with her. She looked like she was going to argue. "If you're gonna keep talking about my parents, then I'm going to talk about yours."
----------
Logan headed for the library and was passing through a small crowd, when he looked out the large bank of windows and spotted Veronica sitting by the pool on a lounge chair. He felt his chest tighten as he watched her stare at the corner of the pool, at the spot where he knew she saw Lilly's body and he remembered that this was probably the first time she'd been back since that day.
He steeled his nerve before he went out the patio door. He sat down wordlessly beside Veronica on the lounge, but she didn't look up at him or acknowledge that he was even there.
He took off his suit jacket and slid it around her shoulders. It wasn't terribly cold out, but her dress couldn't be providing her with much protection from the evening chill. Her hand came up and pulled the jacket closed, concealing herself and making Logan instantly regret his chivalry.
"Do you ever see her?"
The question didn't really catch him off guard. "You mean like her ghost?"
She shrugged but still stared at the spot. "No. I dunno. Maybe."
"I dream about her still. I want to see her."
"Does she ever say anything to you when you dream about her?"
Logan shook his head. "Mostly she just laughs and runs away from me." He took a moment to see if she'd ask anything else before he asked, "Do you see her?"
"Sometimes I think I do. I imagine what she'd say to me if she was here right now."
"And does she say anything?"
Veronica gave a soft laugh. "Mostly fashion tips."
She'd approve tonight, he thought, glancing at her again, but frowned when he saw tears welling in her eyes. "Hey, you okay? You wanna go back in?" Veronica shook her head.
He couldn't hide the growing concern in his voice "What's wrong? Did something happen?" She nodded.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not really," she said. He heard a metallic squeak and saw that she'd pulled his flask out from his inside jacket pocket and was undoing the cap. She took a swig before he could stop her. She coughed from the strength of the liquor.
"Jesus, Veronica!" Logan grabbed the flask from her. She made a weak attempt at scrambling to get it back from him.
Logan took a mouthful to keep her at bay, then said, "Tell me what happened and you can have another sip."
She looked at him for the first time since he'd come out to the pool. She still looked like she was on the verge of tears and turned away before he could see any of them fall. Finally, she spoke just barely above a whisper, "I saw my mom here sneaking around in the yard. She came in through the kitchen. I followed her. She went into Jake's office. I went around to the other door -- you know, the one through the library -- and listened. She told Jake my dad's definitely not investigating any more and Celeste knows she and Jake had broken it off for good so why is she getting all these threats -- in the mail, over the phone. Jake said they weren't from him, that she knows he'd never do that. She said he'd better find a way for them to stop or she'd follow through on her own threat -- a paternity suit. He said if she did that, he'd get custody of me and he'd send me away and she and my dad would never see me again."
Stunned, Logan took another drink and passed her the flask without a word. She took another pull. This time it went down smoothly. "Then my mom was leaving and that security guy, Wiedman, was waiting for her outside Jake's den. He escorted her out back through here away from the party. I followed and tried to listen, but they were moving too quickly." She drank again, taking a longer sip, and passed the flask back to Logan.
"Veronica, I think we've gotta stop investigating."
She frowned in confusion. "But your alibi --"
He interrupted her. "Do you know who that Wiedman guy is?"
"I did a little research: Military intelligence, FBI, did a stint with the Marines."
"Yeah, what it doesn't say is that he was in the Gulf War with Jake Kane's younger brother who died saving Wiedman. So he feels like he has a life debt to the Kanes. Duncan bragged once that the dude will do anything for them."
"How far do you think he'd go?"
"Do you really want to find out?"
She shrugged and held her hand out. He passed the flask back to her and she downed another gulp. He didn't know what to make of her lack of reaction, but maybe the alcohol was starting to affect her.
"C'mon." He nudged her shoulder with his. "Let's go back inside."
"No." She pulled his jacket tighter around herself. "Can we just go?"
"Go? Veronica --"
"I don't wanna be here anymore. I can't -- Can we just go somewhere else? Please?" There was desperation in her voice and he couldn't help being moved by it.
He nodded and said, "Okay. Uh, where do you wanna go? We could go back to my house -- we'd have it to ourselves. We'll watch some movies till you have to go."
That idea seemed to appeal to her at first, but suddenly she looked like she remembered something and shook her head.
"All right. Do you want to go to your place?"
"Uh-uh. I really don't wanna see my mom. I can't even look at her right now." She waved her hand to emphasize her point, causing her to sway. When she bumped into his arm, she leaned into him and stayed there.
He was running out of options, when she asked, "Didn't you say Dick was having a party tonight?"
He looked down at her curiously. "You don't want to go to that, do you? It'll all be 09ers."
She shrugged against him. "You promised me a good time tonight. And I was having fun before. You know?"
Yeah, he knew because he'd been enjoying himself too. It was surprisingly easy to forget themselves and remember that this girl was once one of his closest friends and someone he could have never imagined giving up.
She went on, "Meg said she was going. We can just hang out with them till I have to go or till things get too intense. I can get a ride with Meg or you could send the car. Then you can stay and hang with your friends."
"You really sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah. It'll be okay. I'll be with you. What could go wrong?"
----------
"It's like a hotel room in here," Veronica marvelled, looking through the array of miniature toiletries in the guest bathroom as Logan walked back in and threw a towel at her.
She caught it and looked at him sombrely. "You know, you could have just told me that you already had plans to go to Dick's alone."
"What was I supposed to say, Veronica? You'd just been through the wringer. You said you wanted to go. You said you wanted to have fun."
"Yeah, well, obviously I was wrong. And I didn't think you were gonna ditch me."
"I didn't ditch you. I was only gone for a few minutes --"
"Yeah, but if Caitlin had said yes, you would've ditched me."
"You saw --"
"I saw, I heard. Yeah."
"Well, you've got no reason to get all huffy. I did come find you. You and the pile of bodies you left in your wake."
----------
Dick, being Dick, was the first to make a comment as Logan led Veronica through the party to get some drinks. "Dude, this isn't a costume party. You didn't have to come as a pimp and bring your ho."
Logan was about to tell him to shut up, when Veronica interjected, "Huh. But you're here as a horse's ass." She looked around the room. "Now who's playing your head?"
"Hey Ronnie! Did you say you're looking for head? So you came to give us a repeat of Shelly's party?"
"Why Dick? Are you drugging the drinks again?"
Logan stepped between them before it got any uglier, handing Veronica her drink at the same time. "Leave her alone, Dick."
"But --"
"She's here with me. That means you leave her alone."
Dick stalked off and Logan turned back to Veronica. "See?" she said brightly, "Fun!"
"Don't expect me to run interference if you're going to be picking fights."
Veronica's jaw dropped in mock resentment. "Hey, he started it! And I was doing fine!"
"Uh-huh. Look, don't drink anything tonight unless it's sealed before you drink it, or you pour it, or I pour it, okay?"
Veronica smirked and saluted him. "Sure thing, Dad."
That was about the last thing he wanted her to call him, while she was wearing that dress and wrapped in his jacket, but he couldn't help smiling back at her, until he could see Caitlin openly glaring at them over her head.
"Hey, I'm gonna go say hi to some people. You gonna be okay for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll see if I can find Meg." She looked a little disappointed.
"I'll find you, okay?" He squeezed her arm, and then turned and started saying 'hey' to the groups of people around him.
He waited until Veronica was out of the room before he headed over to Caitlin. She was still glaring at him. He decided to act like nothing was wrong.
He moved in closely and spoke into her ear. "Been waiting for me?"
Caitlin leaned her head away. "Till I saw you brought her here."
"She's not staying long. It doesn't have to get in our way." He tried to put his arm around her waist, but she slid out of his reach.
"I don't play second fiddle to back-stabbing trash like Veronica Mars."
People were starting to stare. "Caitlin, you don't have to be such a --"
"What? A bitch? She's the bitch! Remember? You used to think so. You said worse things about her than anybody." Caitlin turned to the crowd assembling around them. "Hey! Madison! Pam! What was it that Logan used to say about Veronica? That she was so frigid, if anyone managed to get his dick in her, it would freeze off. Wasn't that it?"
The girls giggled in response and nodded. Caitlin turned back to Logan. "So how about it, Logan? Did it fall off? Or did the football team warm her up enough for you?"
Logan grabbed her and pulled her to him so that his face was right in hers and maliciously spat, "You're a real cunt, you know that?" Then he let go of her roughly, downed his drink, and pushed his way through the crowd to try to find Veronica again.
As he walked down a hallway, an arm reached out from a door slightly ajar and pulled him into a guest bedroom.
"Are you retarded?"
"Happy New Year to you, Beav. Hey, have you picked out an unconscious girl yet to neck with at midnight?"
Beaver ignored the comment and paced the room nervously. "You brought her to my house?! How stupid can you be?"
Not stupid, just forgetful. He'd been avoiding Beaver so successfully that Logan hadn't given him much thought lately. "Just calm down. She's not going to be here that long."
Beaver gestured at him wildly. "You were supposed to keep her from finding out! She's been going around asking questions at school, you know? Questions about Shelly's party."
Fuck, no, he didn't know. But he should have. Veronica was getting snoopier and he only had himself to blame for that. "Well, if she's asking that means she doesn't know, right?"
"I told you to stop hanging around her!"
He was getting pretty sick of everybody telling him that. "Well, I'm not going to. You know what? Maybe I like her. Isn't that ironic? That I have you to thank for that? So you're just gonna have to find a way to deal with it. And, you know, if you think about it, why would I tell her anything now and ruin it? So maybe if you fucking relaxed whenever she's around no one would have anything to suspect."
Beaver sneered. "You think she's interested in you? That's funny. Just to warn you, when you start taking her clothes off, she's gonna moan Duncan's name."
Logan's fist connected with Beaver's face twice before the kid fell down. He loomed over Beaver, punched him in the jaw again for good measure, then walked out.
He passed by the bar again and grabbed the first bottle he could find, twisted off the cap and let the liquid burn its way down his throat. Rye, he guessed before he looked at the label. He rewarded himself with another swig, seeing he'd deduced correctly. Then another to numb the pain starting to swell in his hand.
His imbibing came to a quick end when he heard Veronica scream, "Let me go!"
He ran out in the direction of the gasps and shrieks that followed. She was by the pool. The other kids were in a circle around her, whispering and staring at her in disbelief, as Veronica stood, her arm out, holding something, and warding them off with it. When Logan walked up, he found Sean and Dick on the ground, unconscious and saw that Veronica was holding a stun gun.
As Logan pushed his way through the crowd to her, she spun around, pointing the taser at him, instinctively defending herself. When she saw it was him, she dropped her arm and let him pull her to him.
"What happened?"
"They grabbed me. Said you weren't around so I was fair game. They tried to throw me in the pool," she replied, breathing heavily. "I -- I didn't want them to ruin my dress."
"Where did this come from?" He pointed to the taser.
"My dad gave it to me for Christmas. I had it in my purse." She pointed to her discarded clutch and his jacket on the ground. He went over to grab them, yelling at the crowd that the show was over and to disperse. Luke and some other boys picked up Dick and Sean and walked them back into the house. Logan handed her the bag and dusted off his jacket and put it around her again.
"I'm sorry. They ripped the jacket off me. I think it might have torn."
"Don't worry about it. You're okay, right?"
She nodded, but she swayed and he grabbed her arm to steady her. He sat her down beside him on a lounge chair and asked, "How much did you have to drink?"
"The one you gave me, maybe another. And I finished your flask."
"Christ, Veronica --"
The rest of his reprimand was drowned out by the start of a raucous countdown to midnight. The hoots and cheers began before the partygoers even reached one. Then lame drunken attempts at singing 'Auld Lang Syne' started up, consisting mostly of repeating the first line of the song over and over because no one could remember the rest of the words.
Logan sighed wistfully. "Well, there goes the elusive New Year's Eve kiss yet a--"
He was cut off by Veronica, yanking him around, and mashing her lips against his. Shock wore off and he was ready to turn it into something a little more than cordial when she pulled away with a smacking sound, and he watched her intently with confusion. She looked back up at him timidly.
He was the first to break their silence. "Happy New Year, Veronica."
"Hap--" The salutation died on her lips as she grimaced and went pale. Then she turned away from him and threw up the hors d'oeuvres Celeste Kane had paid top dollar for into the pool.
----------
"Up until the vomiting, it was a real nice party," Logan joked as he dropped a pile of clothes on the bed beside her. She was fresh from the shower in a robe with a towel wrapped around her head.
He'd left out his altercation with Beaver. He didn't even know how he was going to ask her about why she was asking about Shelly's party.
"Oh God," Veronica groaned, holding her head in her hands, recalling the night before. "All of that actually happened. It wasn't just some messed up dream."
"Yeah, but some of it was pretty hilarious. And some of it was -- hmm, what's a good word? Ardent?" he teased.
She looked up at him briefly and said matter-of-factly, "I threw myself at you."
He rolled his eyes at her. "You didn't throw yourself at me. You just kissed me. And believe me, there's a difference. You were drunk, it was midnight, and you kissed me. I'd been drinking, and I let you." He was rambling and, he believed, starting to look like an idiot, so he added, "And let me tell you how flattering it is when a girl immediately barfs right after."
"God! Could you please shut up? I'm embarrassed enough as it is. I can barely look you in the eye right now." She pouted and covered her face with her hands.
He walked over to her and pulled her hands away from face, crooked a finger under her jaw and tilted her chin up. "Stop it." He realized he lingered a little too long when she her expression went from mortified to one of bewilderment.
He let go of her and said as nonchalantly as possible, "C'mon, get dressed. You probably missed your Rose Parade thingy. But if you quit sulking and get a move on, you might make it home for when they re-play it tonight." He pushed the pile of clothes over to her.
"What's this?"
"Some of Trina's clothes you can borrow. Somehow I think you'll be in more trouble with your dad if you go home in the dress you wore last night."
"More trouble? You said my dad was okay with me staying here."
"I may have exaggerated a little."
----------
"Hello?" Keith Mars answered the phone with clear exasperation.
"Mr Mars? It's Logan Echolls --"
Keith cut him off. "Logan? Veronica was supposed to be home fifty minutes ago. Where is she?"
"Uh, we're at my house --"
"Put her on the phone right now."
"Mr Mars, she's kinda not feeling well right now. I was wondering if she could stay here tonight--"
"No."
"But my mom says it's okay and --"
"No."
"I can assure you that she'll be --"
"No! Look, just let me talk to my daughter, Logan! Or explain to me what's going on here!"
Logan inhaled deeply before launching into his explanation. "Veronica may have dipped into the wrong punch bowl at the party." He leaned against the door to the guest bedroom. He could hear Veronica's wretches in the bathroom through the closed door.
"Okay." Keith said in a clipped tone. "So why can't you drive her home?"
"I -- uh -- may have dipped into the same punch bowl."
Keith exhaled loudly. "I gotta say, Logan, this isn't exactly endearing you to me right now. Tell Veronica I'll pick her up in ten minutes --"
"No! Wait! Look, I'm gonna be honest with you, Mr Mars --"
"I'd really appreciate that, Logan."
"Veronica's really upset. She's been crying and she says she doesn't want to go home tonight."
"Did the Kanes say something to her?! I swear to --"
"No, it wasn't them. It was -- God, she's gonna kill me -- it was her mom."
The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds. "Lianne was at the Kanes' party?"
"Yeah. I really wasn't supposed to tell you that."
"No, no. It's good you did. I understand a bit better now. But I can't let her stay there. It's totally inappropriate. You don't exactly have a good reputation, Logan, and you're both --"
There was a crash in the background and then Logan heard muttering. He surmised that Keith had put his hand over the mouthpiece so he couldn't hear.
There were a few more murmurs before Keith spoke again, "Logan? Are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Okay, listen to me carefully. Lianne just walked in the door. So I'm gonna let this go. But just for tonight. And just so I'm totally clear, I'm not very happy about this. So Veronica can stay, but you are to treat her like a perfect gentleman. Is that understood?"
"Absolutely, sir."
"If I find out otherwise, and mark my words, son, I will find out --"
Logan cut him off before Keith could utter a threat. "You have my word, Mr Mars."
"One more thing, Logan, and I don't want you to question me on this at all. Veronica is not to stay in your pool house. You got that?"
"Yeah," Logan replied with confusion. "Not a problem. She's gonna stay in one of the guest bedrooms."
"Good. Tell her to be home as soon as she can in the morning."
Logan flipped his phone shut when he heard the click on Keith's end. He opened the door to the bedroom and found Veronica, stumbling out of the bathroom already wearing the clothes he'd given her. She was pressing a washcloth to her face and neck as she sat down on the bed.
"Your dad says it's okay." He sat down on the bed beside her.
"Really? Wow. You must've really smooth talked him." She slurred her words a bit. Her eyes were already half-shut and she let the cloth drop to the floor.
"Something like that." He tugged on her arm. "Hey, c'mon, get under the covers and try to sleep, 'kay? Your dad wants you home first thing tomorrow."
She swayed when he tugged her so she put her hand on his arm to steady herself. She opened one eye and smiled at him. "I like your jammies. They're soft."
"And you're still drunk."
"Yeah?" She raised her eyebrows. "What kind of drunk am I?"
"Giggly and kinda cute when you're not barfing."
She chuckled and leaned into him, looking down at the floor. "This is so pathetic."
"What is?"
"Me. You're like the closest thing I have to a friend right now and you hate me."
He turned to face her and gripped her shoulders forcing her to look at him as he spoke. "Veronica, I don't hate you."
"See, and that's the nicest thing anybody's said to me in months. Pathetic."
"C'mon," he said, laughing, "get your ass into bed and go to sleep. Then you'll wake up in the morning and remember what a jackass I am and realize you're not exactly that pathetic."
Veronica stuck her tongue out at him, but then turned and crawled up the bed. He watched, transfixed by her wriggling butt as she worked to get up the bed and under the blankets. He blinked and swallowed once she'd settled down. He got up and said, "You'd better have a glass of water before you go to sleep. It'll help with your hangover tomorrow."
He bolted for the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and silently asked his reflection what the hell was the matter with him. He filled a glass and carried it back to the bed only to find Veronica already fast asleep.
----------
"What's the big deal about the pool house?"
"I don't know." She wouldn't meet his eye.
"You're lying."
"No, I honestly don't know what's wrong with the pool house. And so what? You told my dad it was my mom?! You told him I was drinking?! Are you nuts?" Veronica yelled as she angrily rummaged around the room for her shoes.
"Keep it down!" Logan hissed. "What was I supposed to tell him Veronica? You didn't want to go home. I had to give him a reason."
She found the right one and pointed at him as she said, "You lied to me last night!"
"I didn't lie! I just -- You needed to go to sleep and you weren't going to if you were worrying about being in trouble with your dad. Look, he sounded madder about your mom than about you. Maybe that's a good thing."
"A good thing? How is my parents fighting again is a good thing?" She found the other shoe and slipped both on, doing up the straps.
All Logan could do was shrug.
Veronica stopped suddenly with a small gasp and asked, "Do you think my dad knows? About my mom and Jake? That I might be --"
Logan shook his head. "I don't know." All he knew was that Keith adored Veronica to the point of irrationality. "Does it matter if he does?"
"Then everybody's been lying to me," she said softly. She squeezed her eyes shut briefly and took a deep breath, collecting herself. She walked over to the pile of her things and picked them up, jostling them around to make them wieldlier.
"Hey, just leave them. I'll get the dress cleaned and delivered to you, okay?"
She thought about it for a moment before she put everything back down. "I gotta go."
"Yeah. Call me okay? And let me know how grounded you are."
She rolled her eyes at him, but nodded, and headed for the door.
He called her back. "Hey, Veronica."
She turned, "Yeah?"
"For what it's worth, you really did look awesome last night."
She was taken aback momentarily, but then the corners of her mouth twitched into a modest grin. She walked out the door saying, "Happy New Year, Logan."
----------
"Was that Veronica I saw leaving?" his mother asked when Logan came down to the kitchen.
"Yeah, she came back this morning to get her purse," he lied, knowing Lynn had come home too late and had been too blitzed the night before to know Veronica had stayed. He didn't want to give her any ideas.
His mother merely nodded. She was clearly hung-over and not willing to get into any in-depth conversations.
Logan poured himself some juice and grabbed an apple before sitting down at the breakfast bar. His father strode into the room whistling cheerfully, holding the newspaper.
"Well, son, what's the best news you could hear today?"
Please say you have an agonizing terminal disease, Logan thought, but shrugged in response instead.
Aaron threw the paper down triumphantly on the bar in front of him. Logan's eyes widened in disbelief at the headline announcing that Lilly Kane's murderer had been caught.
Part 10
Author: invida
Characters: Veronica, Logan, Ensemble
Word Count: 7758 (a big 'un)
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: Thanks to
aud_woman_in for your help with this part! You rock. Hard. I hope I fulfilled your request to your satisfaction.
Previous Parts
"Please, don't even look at me." Veronica covered her face with her hands.
Logan shook his head at her. "Get over yourself, Veronica. It wasn't that bad."
"I don't even know how I'm going to show my face at school on Monday," she whined through her fingers.
"C'mon. You've been through worse. Shelly's party was worse. You lived through the aftermath of that."
He knew it was the wrong thing to say the instant it was out of his mouth, and the glare it earned him confirmed it. She answered him anyway. "The one and only blessing from Shelly's party is that I don't remember any of it. I remember this."
"Well, so do I. And I’m telling you, last night wasn't as bad as you think you remember. At least not the first part of the evening."
----------
Two days prior, Logan still hadn't heard from Veronica and thought it was pretty safe to assume he'd be going stag to the Kanes' New Year's Eve party. So when Caitlin sidled up to him at Starbucks and demurely asked if he was going to Dick's party, he had no reason to tell her he wouldn't be there. And when she dipped her finger in the whipped cream of his drink and languidly licked it off while suggesting that they'd catch up then, he thought he might just be ringing in the New Year with a lot more noise making than he'd originally thought.
Not that he was disappointed when Veronica finally did accept his invitation. It just meant he'd have to do some clever juggling. She had a curfew and he knew she wouldn't want to be at an 09er party any time soon. Maybe a kiss on the cheek at midnight, then send her back in the limo to his house where her car would be, and he'd be free to head over to the Casablancas'. He'd probably have Caitlin's bra off by half past if he timed everything right.
What he hadn't counted on was that Veronica would show up at his house looking like she was about to redefine the phrase 'little black dress' so that her picture would be beside every entry in every dictionary and phrasebook from now on. He'd been expecting the formal pink princess he'd teased on a beach only three months prior. Logan watched her as she greeted and wished his surprised but appreciative housekeeper a happy new year, and wondered why he hadn't noticed the effect of all the changes in Veronica Mars until now.
Then she turned to face him, and he felt like a complete dork when he involuntarily gulped. Her hair framed her face in soft waves, held in place with a clip that matched the sparkly pendant that Lilly gave her. Her dress was cut to dip, flow and hug in all the right places and ended at her knees, leaving him wondering if the last time he'd noticed them was the day they met. He couldn't even begin to describe any of what she was wearing or how she looked in it except for the word 'awesome'.
He was staring at her, rethinking his cheek kiss strategy as she stood in front of him, frowning. "What?" she asked, looking around herself to see what was out of place.
He shrugged, trying to recover. "Nothing. You look nice is all."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That's what a nearly unlimited gift certificate at the best store in Neptune will get you -- me looking nice. Sorry I couldn't do any better than this. You can take the girl out of the slums, but --"
"No," he cut her off, annoyed that he actually had to explain himself. "You're --"
"Veronica!" his mother cried out, interrupting him as she descended the staircase. "Let me see you! Twirl for me."
Veronica flushed and stammered, "Sorry, it's not one of the ones you put aside, Mrs Echolls--"
She did a small spin as Lynn appraised her. "Veronica, if I'd seen this one, I would have saved it too. I wouldn't change a thing!" she exclaimed when Veronica faced her again.
Lynn turned to her son. "Logan, did you tell Veronica how lovely she looks tonight?"
Veronica, mischievously grinning at him, said, "Oh yes. He said I looked 'nice'."
Lynn shook her head at Logan, then turned to Veronica and said with an exaggerated sigh, "Boys." Veronica nodded.
Lynn walked towards Aaron's den. "I'll tell your father we're ready."
Logan turned to Veronica once she was gone. "Thanks for making me look like a jackass."
"No need to thank me. You made it easy and I enjoyed it." She grinned.
An awkward quiet fell on them. Just how were you supposed to entertain a girl that you've been friends with since forever but recently hated with everything you had in you? Fortunately, she broke the silence, "Sooooo, Mrs Navarro, huh?"
"What about her?"
"Thought you fired her. What happened?"
Logan shrugged. "Turns out she knows what the 'confidentiality clause' in her contract means. Her replacement sold pictures and stories from my parents' Christmas party to the tabloids."
"But you didn't have to hire her back. Weevil told me you said I was to thank for that."
"Yeah, well, you went all Cindy-Lou Who on me. She seemed like the obvious choice after that."
"Right. And I'm supposed to believe that your heart grew three sizes since then?"
"Whatever. You were mad about it and Mrs Navarro was easy to get on short notice over the holidays. Mom agreed after I made a case for her cooking." Logan waved his hand dismissively. "You know I'm not gonna let it go with Weevil just because no one makes crepes like his grandma."
She looked like she was about to launch into a tirade when his parents walked into the room and her mood shifted abruptly. Aaron walked up to them, "Veronica! Aren't you a vision!" As Aaron grasped her hand and brought it up to his lips, Logan felt Veronica's other hand wind around his, clutching him.
She gave Aaron a nervous smile. "Thank you, Mr Echolls."
"It's Aaron, please, I've told you that before." His father was still holding onto Veronica's hand, and turned back to Lynn who wore a tight smile. "Well, with two gorgeous ladies accompanying me tonight, I don't know who I'll want on my arm more."
Veronica looked up at Logan pleadingly. Logan piped up, "Well, good thing this one's with me then, huh Dad?"
Aaron's eyes narrowed at Logan momentarily, before he said, "You're one lucky man tonight, son." Aaron finally released Veronica's hand and clapped his own on Logan's shoulder. Logan stilled a flinch by squeezing Veronica's hand. He was surprised by the relief he felt when she squeezed back.
----------
Logan nudged her knee. "So you're feeling pretty rough, huh?"
Veronica rubbed her temples. "My head is pounding."
"Yeah, it would be." He pulled out a bottle of aspirin from his robe pocket and rattled it loudly in front of her until she swiped it from him irritably. "At least you've already puked your guts out."
"Thanks for reminding me," she said, shaking out a couple of tablets.
"Any time," he said, smirking. He got up to go refill her glass and from the bathroom, said, "You know, my parents thought you were amazing."
"Yeah, your dad especially," she muttered. "And by the way, eeeeeew."
Logan snorted. "Trust me. You weren't the only one that caught his eye."
----------
As they emerged from the car and walked up to the Kane mansion, Lynn turned back and asked, "Veronica, you know that you're welcome to stay with us tonight, right? The party might go fairly late. Any of the guest rooms are at your disposal. I can call Leticia right now and get one freshened up."
"Mom, you let Mrs Navarro have the rest of the night off. Remember? 'Cause it's New Year's Eve."
"I'll just call her to come back, Logan," Lynn replied matter-of-factly, pulling out her cell phone.
"No, please don't!" Veronica interjected. "Thanks Mrs Echolls, but I've got a curfew and I've gotta be up in the morning. Watching the Rose Parade with my dad. It's our New Year's tradition."
"Oh, that's so sweet! We'll have to start a New Year's tradition like that, Logan."
Apparently, tiptoeing around the house so you didn't aggravate your mother's hangover or become the target of your father's rage over her drunken antics the previous night wasn't enough of a tradition, but Logan kept his mouth shut.
They made their way through the front doors into the foyer where Celeste and Jake were receiving their guests with about as much warmth as undertakers. Jake looked like he wanted to be anywhere but at his own party, and Celeste looked like she couldn't believe she called all these people coming in her door her friends. Logan watched Celeste with amusement when she leaned in for a cheek kiss with Lynn and she spotted Veronica behind her. If her face had fallen any further, it would have registered on the Richter scale. Jake actually sputtered at the sight of her.
"You remember Veronica, don't you?" Lynn asked obliviously, with a proud smile. Sometimes Logan found his mother's thoughtlessness, whether feigned or genuine, annoying, but tonight he revelled in it.
"How could I forget?" Celeste replied icily.
Jake cut in before Celeste could say anything else, "It's nice to see you again, Logan, Veronica. Please go on in. There are some other kids from school around here somewhere."
Logan pulled Veronica away until they were out of earshot of the foyer and turned to her with a huge grin. "So what do you think? Was it worth getting dolled up and being seen with me for that?"
She was unable to hide her smile any longer. "Soooo worth it."
They dissolved into infectious giggles, which earned them stares and glares from the other guests around them. He herded her in closer to him, protecting her from the grumblings, and still laughing, she let him, letting her head bow until she nearly touched his chest. He could get used to this, he thought, trying to make her laugh instead of cry.
When they both composed themselves, he led her to the food and then teased her about the pile she'd amassed on her plate. After finding a place to sit and enjoy their spoils, they fell into a running commentary on all the guests -- Logan with the gossip he knew from running in the right circles, and Veronica with what she'd learned from running in the wrong ones.
She was in the middle of an elaborate story about driving the getaway car while her dad got the money shot on a cheating husband, when they were interrupted.
"Veronica?"
Logan and Veronica both looked up to see a surprised Meg Manning. "Oh my God! It is you! I told Cole, but he didn't believe me." Meg turned around and nodded at her boyfriend and the group he was with. She turned back. "You look great, Veronica! Hi Logan."
Logan gave her a small wave and Meg turned back and started gushing to Veronica again. He wasn't worried about Meg bothering them because she always had a soft spot for Veronica -- hell, the girl had a soft spot for everyone, probably even the PCHers. But he watched with concern as John Enbom and Cole left the group and made their way over.
The boys exchanged "heys" with Logan and awkwardly nodded at Veronica. They all listened in as Meg cheerily told them all how wonderful the party was and how marvellous all the guests looked.
Enbom leered towards Logan. "Speaking of marvellous, did you check out Trudy Shantz's rack in that dress?"
"God, John, she's old enough to be your mom!" Meg replied, scandalized. She hooked her arm in Veronica's. "C'mon Veronica. If they're gonna be gross, let's go mingle with some civilized people."
Veronica turned back as Meg dragged her away and helplessly shrugged to Logan. He gave her a smirk knowing that no one would say anything inappropriate to Veronica while Meg was beside her. No one said anything bad in front of Meg.
Once the girls were gone, the two boys let go on Logan.
"Veronica Mars, dude? Either you're really gutsy or really stupid."
"No kidding, man. You bring a girl like her to a thing like this and what are you saying?"
"I'll be the first to admit that she's really hot, but dude, she's so not worth the hassle."
"Yeah, are you, like, helping her stalk Duncan now?"
Logan replied sarcastically, "Actually she's helping me stalk him. So how about you guys fuck off before you get put on the restraining order too?"
Cole held up his hands in mock surrender. "Whatever, man."
Enbom changed the subject. "So are you going to Dick's party tonight or what?"
Logan had forgotten about that plan. He'd been distracted -- well, by Veronica. "Yeah. Are you guys?"
John nodded, but Cole rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, but if Meg has her way, we'll be home and nestled in our respective beds before the countdown." John laughed at Cole and punched him in the arm.
Logan anxiously asked, "Hey, if you guys get there before me, don't tell anyone I was here with Veronica, okay? Especially Caitlin. Tell Meg not to say anything either."
John and Cole exchanged confused glances, but said, "Sure man, no problem."
Logan was somewhat relieved until he glanced over to where Meg had taken Veronica. He scanned the group but couldn't find her anywhere amongst them. He unceremoniously walked away from the other two boys towards Meg.
"Hey Meg, where's Veronica?"
Meg turned and looked around the room. "Oh, she said she thought she saw someone she knew and went to say hi to them." Meg pointed in the direction of the kitchen.
Who the hell would Veronica know here that would say hi back to her? Logan mumbled thanks to Meg and walked towards the kitchen, keeping an eye out for Veronica. He spotted his mother on his way. And he knew right away how far gone she was by how animated she was as the centre of attention for a large group including Celeste. His father and Jake were nowhere to be seen.
The only people in the kitchen were the wait staff and the caterers putting final touches on trays of canapés. He strode past to the staircase to the bedrooms. He'd promised Veronica that they weren't there tonight for any investigating, but since getting reacquainted with her, he knew enough that she might not be able to resist.
He hadn't been up in here in well over a month and he hadn't been in this room -- Lilly's room -- in even longer. In the month after Lilly died, whenever he was over to see Duncan, he'd steal away up here and just sit and breathe. He'd try to bring back every memory he could, afraid he'd forget something vital. As he opened the door, he didn't know if he was relieved or heartbroken that the room still smelled like her.
Now as his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he tried to reconcile all he'd learned in the last few weeks with the girl he'd loved and lost. He couldn't remember sitting down on her bed and he didn't realize exactly how much time had passed when the door opened and light streamed in from behind a silhouetted figure. Then the overhead light switched on and Logan squinted at the sudden brightness.
"Logan?"
"Dad? What are you doing up here?"
"I, uh, saw you come up here. I was, um, worried." Aaron looked around the room and sheepishly back to the door before asking, "Are you all right, son?"
For all the accolades that had been heaped on his father for his acting ability, he wasn't much of a liar when it really came down to it. Logan had enough bearings to know that too much time had passed for his father to have seen him come up to the bedrooms and follow out of concern. He could guess Aaron's real intentions for finding a secluded bedroom far from the party and his mother below.
"I'm fine. I just needed a minute."
"In Lilly's room." His father sighed as though he'd always taken an interest in Logan's grief and they'd had heartfelt chats before.
"I was looking for Veronica --" Logan tried to deflect Aaron.
Aaron stood before him and looked down at him with something that could have passed for tenderness. "You don't have to explain it to me, son. I understand. You might not think I do, but I know you miss her. I know it's been hard on you, but --"
Aaron continued with his speech and Logan wondered from which of the screenplays on his father's desk he'd memorized these lines for this Hallmark moment. But Logan stopped himself from rolling his eyes and bit back the hundreds of sarcastic comments he could have made. He wasn't going to desecrate Lilly's room by having a scene or worse with Aaron -- not here.
"-- I just want you to find some happiness, son," Aaron said, wrapping up his sermon with a squeeze of Logan's shoulder.
"Yeah. Thanks, Dad." Logan tried to sound sincere; anything to stop this charade.
"Are you going back down now?"
Logan nodded. "In a bit. I just want a minute alone in here if you don't mind."
"Oh. Of course," his father said, unable to hide his disappointment. Logan relished in the thought that he'd thrown a wrench into any rendezvous plans Aaron might have had.
As Aaron walked back to the door, he turned back and said, "You said you were looking for Veronica? I saw her a few minutes ago outside the library."
Logan nodded, but didn't move, letting his father walk out of the room. He didn't get up to leave until well after he heard Aaron stop shuffling around outside the door and head back down the stairs.
----------
"You really think your dad's cheating on your mom?" Veronica asked.
"No, I know my dad is cheating on my mom. And she does too."
"Then why is she still with him?" she threw the covers off herself, revealing her bare legs. She modestly pulled down the hem of the T-shirt she wore as far down her legs as she could. He'd given her his old PE shorts and a faded T-shirt he rarely wore anymore to sleep in the night before and he was trying not to think about how much he liked them on her, as he turned away in an effort to give her some modicum of decency.
"You can tell yourself anything when you've got enough booze and pills in your system. Besides, everything wouldn't be cut and dried if she left him," he replied, watching her get up and rifle through the pile of clothes she wore the night before.
She turned back, frowning. "But the law's on her side --"
"Veronica, can we not talk about this?" He knew she was just going to circle back to a topic that was way too volatile and that he was not ready to deal with -- not with her. She looked like she was going to argue. "If you're gonna keep talking about my parents, then I'm going to talk about yours."
----------
Logan headed for the library and was passing through a small crowd, when he looked out the large bank of windows and spotted Veronica sitting by the pool on a lounge chair. He felt his chest tighten as he watched her stare at the corner of the pool, at the spot where he knew she saw Lilly's body and he remembered that this was probably the first time she'd been back since that day.
He steeled his nerve before he went out the patio door. He sat down wordlessly beside Veronica on the lounge, but she didn't look up at him or acknowledge that he was even there.
He took off his suit jacket and slid it around her shoulders. It wasn't terribly cold out, but her dress couldn't be providing her with much protection from the evening chill. Her hand came up and pulled the jacket closed, concealing herself and making Logan instantly regret his chivalry.
"Do you ever see her?"
The question didn't really catch him off guard. "You mean like her ghost?"
She shrugged but still stared at the spot. "No. I dunno. Maybe."
"I dream about her still. I want to see her."
"Does she ever say anything to you when you dream about her?"
Logan shook his head. "Mostly she just laughs and runs away from me." He took a moment to see if she'd ask anything else before he asked, "Do you see her?"
"Sometimes I think I do. I imagine what she'd say to me if she was here right now."
"And does she say anything?"
Veronica gave a soft laugh. "Mostly fashion tips."
She'd approve tonight, he thought, glancing at her again, but frowned when he saw tears welling in her eyes. "Hey, you okay? You wanna go back in?" Veronica shook her head.
He couldn't hide the growing concern in his voice "What's wrong? Did something happen?" She nodded.
"Do you wanna talk about it?"
"Not really," she said. He heard a metallic squeak and saw that she'd pulled his flask out from his inside jacket pocket and was undoing the cap. She took a swig before he could stop her. She coughed from the strength of the liquor.
"Jesus, Veronica!" Logan grabbed the flask from her. She made a weak attempt at scrambling to get it back from him.
Logan took a mouthful to keep her at bay, then said, "Tell me what happened and you can have another sip."
She looked at him for the first time since he'd come out to the pool. She still looked like she was on the verge of tears and turned away before he could see any of them fall. Finally, she spoke just barely above a whisper, "I saw my mom here sneaking around in the yard. She came in through the kitchen. I followed her. She went into Jake's office. I went around to the other door -- you know, the one through the library -- and listened. She told Jake my dad's definitely not investigating any more and Celeste knows she and Jake had broken it off for good so why is she getting all these threats -- in the mail, over the phone. Jake said they weren't from him, that she knows he'd never do that. She said he'd better find a way for them to stop or she'd follow through on her own threat -- a paternity suit. He said if she did that, he'd get custody of me and he'd send me away and she and my dad would never see me again."
Stunned, Logan took another drink and passed her the flask without a word. She took another pull. This time it went down smoothly. "Then my mom was leaving and that security guy, Wiedman, was waiting for her outside Jake's den. He escorted her out back through here away from the party. I followed and tried to listen, but they were moving too quickly." She drank again, taking a longer sip, and passed the flask back to Logan.
"Veronica, I think we've gotta stop investigating."
She frowned in confusion. "But your alibi --"
He interrupted her. "Do you know who that Wiedman guy is?"
"I did a little research: Military intelligence, FBI, did a stint with the Marines."
"Yeah, what it doesn't say is that he was in the Gulf War with Jake Kane's younger brother who died saving Wiedman. So he feels like he has a life debt to the Kanes. Duncan bragged once that the dude will do anything for them."
"How far do you think he'd go?"
"Do you really want to find out?"
She shrugged and held her hand out. He passed the flask back to her and she downed another gulp. He didn't know what to make of her lack of reaction, but maybe the alcohol was starting to affect her.
"C'mon." He nudged her shoulder with his. "Let's go back inside."
"No." She pulled his jacket tighter around herself. "Can we just go?"
"Go? Veronica --"
"I don't wanna be here anymore. I can't -- Can we just go somewhere else? Please?" There was desperation in her voice and he couldn't help being moved by it.
He nodded and said, "Okay. Uh, where do you wanna go? We could go back to my house -- we'd have it to ourselves. We'll watch some movies till you have to go."
That idea seemed to appeal to her at first, but suddenly she looked like she remembered something and shook her head.
"All right. Do you want to go to your place?"
"Uh-uh. I really don't wanna see my mom. I can't even look at her right now." She waved her hand to emphasize her point, causing her to sway. When she bumped into his arm, she leaned into him and stayed there.
He was running out of options, when she asked, "Didn't you say Dick was having a party tonight?"
He looked down at her curiously. "You don't want to go to that, do you? It'll all be 09ers."
She shrugged against him. "You promised me a good time tonight. And I was having fun before. You know?"
Yeah, he knew because he'd been enjoying himself too. It was surprisingly easy to forget themselves and remember that this girl was once one of his closest friends and someone he could have never imagined giving up.
She went on, "Meg said she was going. We can just hang out with them till I have to go or till things get too intense. I can get a ride with Meg or you could send the car. Then you can stay and hang with your friends."
"You really sure you want to do this?"
"Yeah. It'll be okay. I'll be with you. What could go wrong?"
----------
"It's like a hotel room in here," Veronica marvelled, looking through the array of miniature toiletries in the guest bathroom as Logan walked back in and threw a towel at her.
She caught it and looked at him sombrely. "You know, you could have just told me that you already had plans to go to Dick's alone."
"What was I supposed to say, Veronica? You'd just been through the wringer. You said you wanted to go. You said you wanted to have fun."
"Yeah, well, obviously I was wrong. And I didn't think you were gonna ditch me."
"I didn't ditch you. I was only gone for a few minutes --"
"Yeah, but if Caitlin had said yes, you would've ditched me."
"You saw --"
"I saw, I heard. Yeah."
"Well, you've got no reason to get all huffy. I did come find you. You and the pile of bodies you left in your wake."
----------
Dick, being Dick, was the first to make a comment as Logan led Veronica through the party to get some drinks. "Dude, this isn't a costume party. You didn't have to come as a pimp and bring your ho."
Logan was about to tell him to shut up, when Veronica interjected, "Huh. But you're here as a horse's ass." She looked around the room. "Now who's playing your head?"
"Hey Ronnie! Did you say you're looking for head? So you came to give us a repeat of Shelly's party?"
"Why Dick? Are you drugging the drinks again?"
Logan stepped between them before it got any uglier, handing Veronica her drink at the same time. "Leave her alone, Dick."
"But --"
"She's here with me. That means you leave her alone."
Dick stalked off and Logan turned back to Veronica. "See?" she said brightly, "Fun!"
"Don't expect me to run interference if you're going to be picking fights."
Veronica's jaw dropped in mock resentment. "Hey, he started it! And I was doing fine!"
"Uh-huh. Look, don't drink anything tonight unless it's sealed before you drink it, or you pour it, or I pour it, okay?"
Veronica smirked and saluted him. "Sure thing, Dad."
That was about the last thing he wanted her to call him, while she was wearing that dress and wrapped in his jacket, but he couldn't help smiling back at her, until he could see Caitlin openly glaring at them over her head.
"Hey, I'm gonna go say hi to some people. You gonna be okay for a bit?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll see if I can find Meg." She looked a little disappointed.
"I'll find you, okay?" He squeezed her arm, and then turned and started saying 'hey' to the groups of people around him.
He waited until Veronica was out of the room before he headed over to Caitlin. She was still glaring at him. He decided to act like nothing was wrong.
He moved in closely and spoke into her ear. "Been waiting for me?"
Caitlin leaned her head away. "Till I saw you brought her here."
"She's not staying long. It doesn't have to get in our way." He tried to put his arm around her waist, but she slid out of his reach.
"I don't play second fiddle to back-stabbing trash like Veronica Mars."
People were starting to stare. "Caitlin, you don't have to be such a --"
"What? A bitch? She's the bitch! Remember? You used to think so. You said worse things about her than anybody." Caitlin turned to the crowd assembling around them. "Hey! Madison! Pam! What was it that Logan used to say about Veronica? That she was so frigid, if anyone managed to get his dick in her, it would freeze off. Wasn't that it?"
The girls giggled in response and nodded. Caitlin turned back to Logan. "So how about it, Logan? Did it fall off? Or did the football team warm her up enough for you?"
Logan grabbed her and pulled her to him so that his face was right in hers and maliciously spat, "You're a real cunt, you know that?" Then he let go of her roughly, downed his drink, and pushed his way through the crowd to try to find Veronica again.
As he walked down a hallway, an arm reached out from a door slightly ajar and pulled him into a guest bedroom.
"Are you retarded?"
"Happy New Year to you, Beav. Hey, have you picked out an unconscious girl yet to neck with at midnight?"
Beaver ignored the comment and paced the room nervously. "You brought her to my house?! How stupid can you be?"
Not stupid, just forgetful. He'd been avoiding Beaver so successfully that Logan hadn't given him much thought lately. "Just calm down. She's not going to be here that long."
Beaver gestured at him wildly. "You were supposed to keep her from finding out! She's been going around asking questions at school, you know? Questions about Shelly's party."
Fuck, no, he didn't know. But he should have. Veronica was getting snoopier and he only had himself to blame for that. "Well, if she's asking that means she doesn't know, right?"
"I told you to stop hanging around her!"
He was getting pretty sick of everybody telling him that. "Well, I'm not going to. You know what? Maybe I like her. Isn't that ironic? That I have you to thank for that? So you're just gonna have to find a way to deal with it. And, you know, if you think about it, why would I tell her anything now and ruin it? So maybe if you fucking relaxed whenever she's around no one would have anything to suspect."
Beaver sneered. "You think she's interested in you? That's funny. Just to warn you, when you start taking her clothes off, she's gonna moan Duncan's name."
Logan's fist connected with Beaver's face twice before the kid fell down. He loomed over Beaver, punched him in the jaw again for good measure, then walked out.
He passed by the bar again and grabbed the first bottle he could find, twisted off the cap and let the liquid burn its way down his throat. Rye, he guessed before he looked at the label. He rewarded himself with another swig, seeing he'd deduced correctly. Then another to numb the pain starting to swell in his hand.
His imbibing came to a quick end when he heard Veronica scream, "Let me go!"
He ran out in the direction of the gasps and shrieks that followed. She was by the pool. The other kids were in a circle around her, whispering and staring at her in disbelief, as Veronica stood, her arm out, holding something, and warding them off with it. When Logan walked up, he found Sean and Dick on the ground, unconscious and saw that Veronica was holding a stun gun.
As Logan pushed his way through the crowd to her, she spun around, pointing the taser at him, instinctively defending herself. When she saw it was him, she dropped her arm and let him pull her to him.
"What happened?"
"They grabbed me. Said you weren't around so I was fair game. They tried to throw me in the pool," she replied, breathing heavily. "I -- I didn't want them to ruin my dress."
"Where did this come from?" He pointed to the taser.
"My dad gave it to me for Christmas. I had it in my purse." She pointed to her discarded clutch and his jacket on the ground. He went over to grab them, yelling at the crowd that the show was over and to disperse. Luke and some other boys picked up Dick and Sean and walked them back into the house. Logan handed her the bag and dusted off his jacket and put it around her again.
"I'm sorry. They ripped the jacket off me. I think it might have torn."
"Don't worry about it. You're okay, right?"
She nodded, but she swayed and he grabbed her arm to steady her. He sat her down beside him on a lounge chair and asked, "How much did you have to drink?"
"The one you gave me, maybe another. And I finished your flask."
"Christ, Veronica --"
The rest of his reprimand was drowned out by the start of a raucous countdown to midnight. The hoots and cheers began before the partygoers even reached one. Then lame drunken attempts at singing 'Auld Lang Syne' started up, consisting mostly of repeating the first line of the song over and over because no one could remember the rest of the words.
Logan sighed wistfully. "Well, there goes the elusive New Year's Eve kiss yet a--"
He was cut off by Veronica, yanking him around, and mashing her lips against his. Shock wore off and he was ready to turn it into something a little more than cordial when she pulled away with a smacking sound, and he watched her intently with confusion. She looked back up at him timidly.
He was the first to break their silence. "Happy New Year, Veronica."
"Hap--" The salutation died on her lips as she grimaced and went pale. Then she turned away from him and threw up the hors d'oeuvres Celeste Kane had paid top dollar for into the pool.
----------
"Up until the vomiting, it was a real nice party," Logan joked as he dropped a pile of clothes on the bed beside her. She was fresh from the shower in a robe with a towel wrapped around her head.
He'd left out his altercation with Beaver. He didn't even know how he was going to ask her about why she was asking about Shelly's party.
"Oh God," Veronica groaned, holding her head in her hands, recalling the night before. "All of that actually happened. It wasn't just some messed up dream."
"Yeah, but some of it was pretty hilarious. And some of it was -- hmm, what's a good word? Ardent?" he teased.
She looked up at him briefly and said matter-of-factly, "I threw myself at you."
He rolled his eyes at her. "You didn't throw yourself at me. You just kissed me. And believe me, there's a difference. You were drunk, it was midnight, and you kissed me. I'd been drinking, and I let you." He was rambling and, he believed, starting to look like an idiot, so he added, "And let me tell you how flattering it is when a girl immediately barfs right after."
"God! Could you please shut up? I'm embarrassed enough as it is. I can barely look you in the eye right now." She pouted and covered her face with her hands.
He walked over to her and pulled her hands away from face, crooked a finger under her jaw and tilted her chin up. "Stop it." He realized he lingered a little too long when she her expression went from mortified to one of bewilderment.
He let go of her and said as nonchalantly as possible, "C'mon, get dressed. You probably missed your Rose Parade thingy. But if you quit sulking and get a move on, you might make it home for when they re-play it tonight." He pushed the pile of clothes over to her.
"What's this?"
"Some of Trina's clothes you can borrow. Somehow I think you'll be in more trouble with your dad if you go home in the dress you wore last night."
"More trouble? You said my dad was okay with me staying here."
"I may have exaggerated a little."
----------
"Hello?" Keith Mars answered the phone with clear exasperation.
"Mr Mars? It's Logan Echolls --"
Keith cut him off. "Logan? Veronica was supposed to be home fifty minutes ago. Where is she?"
"Uh, we're at my house --"
"Put her on the phone right now."
"Mr Mars, she's kinda not feeling well right now. I was wondering if she could stay here tonight--"
"No."
"But my mom says it's okay and --"
"No."
"I can assure you that she'll be --"
"No! Look, just let me talk to my daughter, Logan! Or explain to me what's going on here!"
Logan inhaled deeply before launching into his explanation. "Veronica may have dipped into the wrong punch bowl at the party." He leaned against the door to the guest bedroom. He could hear Veronica's wretches in the bathroom through the closed door.
"Okay." Keith said in a clipped tone. "So why can't you drive her home?"
"I -- uh -- may have dipped into the same punch bowl."
Keith exhaled loudly. "I gotta say, Logan, this isn't exactly endearing you to me right now. Tell Veronica I'll pick her up in ten minutes --"
"No! Wait! Look, I'm gonna be honest with you, Mr Mars --"
"I'd really appreciate that, Logan."
"Veronica's really upset. She's been crying and she says she doesn't want to go home tonight."
"Did the Kanes say something to her?! I swear to --"
"No, it wasn't them. It was -- God, she's gonna kill me -- it was her mom."
The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds. "Lianne was at the Kanes' party?"
"Yeah. I really wasn't supposed to tell you that."
"No, no. It's good you did. I understand a bit better now. But I can't let her stay there. It's totally inappropriate. You don't exactly have a good reputation, Logan, and you're both --"
There was a crash in the background and then Logan heard muttering. He surmised that Keith had put his hand over the mouthpiece so he couldn't hear.
There were a few more murmurs before Keith spoke again, "Logan? Are you still there?"
"Yeah, I'm here."
"Okay, listen to me carefully. Lianne just walked in the door. So I'm gonna let this go. But just for tonight. And just so I'm totally clear, I'm not very happy about this. So Veronica can stay, but you are to treat her like a perfect gentleman. Is that understood?"
"Absolutely, sir."
"If I find out otherwise, and mark my words, son, I will find out --"
Logan cut him off before Keith could utter a threat. "You have my word, Mr Mars."
"One more thing, Logan, and I don't want you to question me on this at all. Veronica is not to stay in your pool house. You got that?"
"Yeah," Logan replied with confusion. "Not a problem. She's gonna stay in one of the guest bedrooms."
"Good. Tell her to be home as soon as she can in the morning."
Logan flipped his phone shut when he heard the click on Keith's end. He opened the door to the bedroom and found Veronica, stumbling out of the bathroom already wearing the clothes he'd given her. She was pressing a washcloth to her face and neck as she sat down on the bed.
"Your dad says it's okay." He sat down on the bed beside her.
"Really? Wow. You must've really smooth talked him." She slurred her words a bit. Her eyes were already half-shut and she let the cloth drop to the floor.
"Something like that." He tugged on her arm. "Hey, c'mon, get under the covers and try to sleep, 'kay? Your dad wants you home first thing tomorrow."
She swayed when he tugged her so she put her hand on his arm to steady herself. She opened one eye and smiled at him. "I like your jammies. They're soft."
"And you're still drunk."
"Yeah?" She raised her eyebrows. "What kind of drunk am I?"
"Giggly and kinda cute when you're not barfing."
She chuckled and leaned into him, looking down at the floor. "This is so pathetic."
"What is?"
"Me. You're like the closest thing I have to a friend right now and you hate me."
He turned to face her and gripped her shoulders forcing her to look at him as he spoke. "Veronica, I don't hate you."
"See, and that's the nicest thing anybody's said to me in months. Pathetic."
"C'mon," he said, laughing, "get your ass into bed and go to sleep. Then you'll wake up in the morning and remember what a jackass I am and realize you're not exactly that pathetic."
Veronica stuck her tongue out at him, but then turned and crawled up the bed. He watched, transfixed by her wriggling butt as she worked to get up the bed and under the blankets. He blinked and swallowed once she'd settled down. He got up and said, "You'd better have a glass of water before you go to sleep. It'll help with your hangover tomorrow."
He bolted for the bathroom. He looked at himself in the mirror and silently asked his reflection what the hell was the matter with him. He filled a glass and carried it back to the bed only to find Veronica already fast asleep.
----------
"What's the big deal about the pool house?"
"I don't know." She wouldn't meet his eye.
"You're lying."
"No, I honestly don't know what's wrong with the pool house. And so what? You told my dad it was my mom?! You told him I was drinking?! Are you nuts?" Veronica yelled as she angrily rummaged around the room for her shoes.
"Keep it down!" Logan hissed. "What was I supposed to tell him Veronica? You didn't want to go home. I had to give him a reason."
She found the right one and pointed at him as she said, "You lied to me last night!"
"I didn't lie! I just -- You needed to go to sleep and you weren't going to if you were worrying about being in trouble with your dad. Look, he sounded madder about your mom than about you. Maybe that's a good thing."
"A good thing? How is my parents fighting again is a good thing?" She found the other shoe and slipped both on, doing up the straps.
All Logan could do was shrug.
Veronica stopped suddenly with a small gasp and asked, "Do you think my dad knows? About my mom and Jake? That I might be --"
Logan shook his head. "I don't know." All he knew was that Keith adored Veronica to the point of irrationality. "Does it matter if he does?"
"Then everybody's been lying to me," she said softly. She squeezed her eyes shut briefly and took a deep breath, collecting herself. She walked over to the pile of her things and picked them up, jostling them around to make them wieldlier.
"Hey, just leave them. I'll get the dress cleaned and delivered to you, okay?"
She thought about it for a moment before she put everything back down. "I gotta go."
"Yeah. Call me okay? And let me know how grounded you are."
She rolled her eyes at him, but nodded, and headed for the door.
He called her back. "Hey, Veronica."
She turned, "Yeah?"
"For what it's worth, you really did look awesome last night."
She was taken aback momentarily, but then the corners of her mouth twitched into a modest grin. She walked out the door saying, "Happy New Year, Logan."
----------
"Was that Veronica I saw leaving?" his mother asked when Logan came down to the kitchen.
"Yeah, she came back this morning to get her purse," he lied, knowing Lynn had come home too late and had been too blitzed the night before to know Veronica had stayed. He didn't want to give her any ideas.
His mother merely nodded. She was clearly hung-over and not willing to get into any in-depth conversations.
Logan poured himself some juice and grabbed an apple before sitting down at the breakfast bar. His father strode into the room whistling cheerfully, holding the newspaper.
"Well, son, what's the best news you could hear today?"
Please say you have an agonizing terminal disease, Logan thought, but shrugged in response instead.
Aaron threw the paper down triumphantly on the bar in front of him. Logan's eyes widened in disbelief at the headline announcing that Lilly Kane's murderer had been caught.
Part 10