This is the sequel I promised you for "Ricochet." If you hadn't read it, please read it BEFORE you attempt to read this. This story picks up pretty much where "Ricochet" ended. A week or so later in the summer before their senior year begins. I had meant to start it over Christmas break, but I started a new job and my break was cut short. I am in the middle of two other stories, so I will not update this story weekly like I do my others. However, I will update it bi-weekly at the latest. Once I finished "LoVe Forged in Fire" I am sure the updates will be sooner. I am still leery of the P.I. angle for the senior year with Veronica, but I decided to not let it keep me from starting this story since I know so many of you loved it. This story is for all of you.
A short recap: When the PCHer shot out Logan's car during the summer before their senior year, Veronica was shot. This change in the storyline created a ricochet effect, making many changes in the season 2 we know. In my story, Veronica being shot scared Logan into backing off the war with the PCHers, so Logan and Veronica do not break up. Instead, Weevil and Logan work together to find out who killed Felix. They become unlikely allies and then housemates when Logan is severely injured and almost killed when Thumper burns down his house. Leticia Navarro, Weevil's grandmother, insists that Logan stay with them until he is healed and then doesn't want him to leave. Duncan and Meg try to find a way to come together for their unborn baby. Wallace and Hannah begin to date as does Cassidy and Mac. However, a kiss at a party with Weevil changes things for Mac. The two form an unlikely bond and begin dating. Mac becomes friends with Dick and together they uncover the disturbing truth about Cassidy. The truth about Veronica's rape and his plans to blow up the bus are discovered at his birthday party. When confronted, Cassidy almost shoots himself but is talked down by Dick, Keith, and Veronica. He is arrested and Dick Sr. shoots Woody Goodman and then flees the country. Veronica and Logan have grown closer than ever. However, finding out the truth about Cassidy brings up a lot of feelings and turmoil in Veronica, and she asks Logan for some space to work through it. Weevil trades his bike in for a broken down classic muscle car. He is teaching Logan how to work on cars as they prepare for their senior year of school to begin.
Chapter 1: The Ricochet Continues
******Sunday Before Senior Year Begins******
Logan and Weevil walked into the San Diego Correctional Facility Sunday afternoon. Logan had taken Weevil's advice and gotten an architecture to draw up some plans for his recently burned to the ground house. However, he couldn't begin any work until his father signed off on the plans. This meant he had to go see his father. It was the first time he'd see his father since he was jailed and denied bail. After they went through security, Weevil sat down in a chair in the lobby. Only Logan and Trina were on Aaron's approved guest list, and Weevil couldn't go any further.
Logan was dreading this showdown. He had hated his father before he found out that he was the one who killed Lilly and then tried to kill Veronica. Now he struggled with his growing desire to commit patricide. His father came and sat down on the chair on the other side of the glass. Aaron was smiling when he saw his son.
"Logan! I'm so glad you finally came to see me!" Aaron said happily.
Logan worked hard to contain both his rage and his hatred. His father would work against him if Logan pushed him. He'd learned from an early age what response to get out of his father. Many beatings he'd received at his father's hand were because Logan wanted the outcome more than he wanted to avoid the beating. Now he wanted something from his father, so he'd play the game.
"Dad. You're looking fit," he said diplomatically. And it was true. His father must be spending a lot of quality time bulking up. He was fitter than ever.
"Well, there's not a lot to do in here but read and work out," Aaron said.
"So did your attorney let you know about what happened to our house?" Logan asked, not wanting anymore small talk.
Aaron grimaced. "I can't believe you let that happen, Logan!" Aaron exclaimed.
"It's not like I invited them in, Dad. I almost died," Logan said.
Aaron looked a bit concerned. "I heard you were in the hospital. You didn't call me," Aaron said disapprovingly.
"Yeah, well, you aren't exactly father of the year," Logan said sarcastically. "Luckily for you the family name will live on. Or should I say, thanks to Weevil."
"Weevil?" Aaron asked in confusion.
"Weevil Navarro, our housekeeper's grandson, pulled me out of the house before I died of smoke inhalation," Logan shared.
"Eli? I think I read that. Isn't he a PCHer? How do you know he didn't set the house on fire himself?" Aaron said suspiciously.
"Because I was beaten unconscious by several guys and he wasn't one of them. Also, he called Veronica and warned her," Logan supplied.
"Veronica Mars!" Aaron said with loathing. If only that little girl had kept her too smart nose out of his business. She was the reason he was there. One day, she'd get what was coming to her. "Please tell me that you aren't still dating that girl!"
"Okay, I won't," Logan said. "I'm not here to talk to you about her but about rebuilding the house."
"You want to rebuild?" Aaron asked in surprise.
"Well, Weevil convinced me it's what my mom would've wanted. I'm living with him and his grandmother right now," Logan said.
"You're living with my housekeeper? Are you trying to punish me?" Aaron asked in disapproval.
"Yes, I chose to have my house burned down and to move in to our housekeeper's home as a way to get back at you," Logan said sourly. He opened up the round container that held the new plans. "I brought these for you to see, but I didn't think about the glass." They wouldn't fit in the small hole at the bottom of the glass.
"You can give them to my attorney. He can give them to me," Aaron said.
Logan folded up the contract he'd also brought and slip it in the hole. His dad pulled it out and read it.
"You want to start right away?" Aaron asked.
"The house is a burned out shell. Only the pool house is basically in tact," Logan said. "It'll take some time to clean up the current mess, so I figure we should get started right away. Maybe it can be done by the time I graduate."
"With enough money, you can get it done in six months," Aaron said smugly.
"I don't want it to be as big. Mom's gone, and Trina is rarely around. I was thinking only five or six bedrooms," Logan said.
Aaron frowned. "That's too small. I have a reputation to uphold," Aaron said.
"Your reputation? Are you f***ing kidding me? You're in jail for murder and attempted murder! I think your reputation is as low as it could go!" Logan said angrily.
Aaron knew Logan had a point. If he beat this rap, a small modest home would be a good tool for his comeback. "Fine. Do whatever you want. You need more money just contact my attorney. Whatever you want, son," Aaron said in resignation.
"I just want a home, not a mausoleum. It'll be big enough to satisfy your ego," Logan said dryly. "I'll even let Trina decorate half the rooms."
"You know your sister visits me once a month," Aaron said pointedly.
"Well, bully for you. She sent me flowers when I almost died, but I didn't warrant a visit," Logan said sourly.
Aaron looked at his son with a touch of regret. "I'll sign the papers," he said sorrowfully.
Logan didn't buy it, and it didn't serve to ease his hatred or his anger. He knew his dad could manufacturer any emotion he wanted. A true sociopath, his father didn't have emotions like a normal person. Logan knew that Aaron saw him as an extension of himself, proof that the family line would continue. Trina was the only one Logan ever felt his father genuinely loved. He used to care about that. Jealousy for his father's love had kept him awake at night when he was much younger and still cared. Now it didn't bother him at all. His father had driven his mother to suicide, and the last thing he wanted from the man was love.
"Thanks," Logan said.
"I'll sign them and give them to my lawyer tomorrow," Aaron said.
Logan got up. He had nothing else to say to the man. "Okay, then. I'll send you some pictures of the charred shell of the house and the after shot when they clear it up," Logan found himself offering.
Aaron got up and nodded. He gave his son a grateful smile and then was led away.
Logan took the plans and put them back in the long cylinder. Then he headed back to the lobby.
Weevil looked up from his phone when Logan appeared. He had been trading witty texts with Mac. The woman was funny as hell. It always surprised him. She had so many hidden depths.
"How'd it go?" he asked Logan, getting to his feet.
"Okay. He said he'd sign the papers," Logan said.
"That's good," Weevil said as they walked out of the facility.
Logan was silent until they got into the truck. "Glad that's over," he said.
"What did he say?" Weevil couldn't help asking.
"Nothing surprising. The house being burned down was my fault or your fault. I'm a bad son for not visiting him. Trina visits monthly. Yada, yada," Logan said in annoyance.
Weevil looked disgusted. "He's a piece of work," Weevil said.
"You don't know the half of it," Logan said.
"Well, at least he's good for something. They can get started on the house," Weevil said.
"Very true. The money will come pouring in," Logan said grimly. They drove the rest of the way back to Neptune in mostly silence. Weevil wasn't one of those guys who was uncomfortable with silence. Unlike Dick, Weevil didn't feel the need to fill up the silence with pointless chatter. He only spoke when he had something to say. Logan found himself really appreciating this quality in Weevil.
When he was back in his room, he pulled at his cell to call Veronica. He hadn't seen her since she told him she needed space. It had only been a week, but the distance between them was killing him. He wanted to see her. After his visit with his father, he needed to see her. Instead, he had to settle for a phone call.
"Hello," she said.
"Hey," he said.
Veronica could tell from the tone of his voice that he wasn't okay. "How did it go?" she asked. She knew that he had seen his father today for the first time since his arrest.
"About what you'd expect. He signed the papers," Logan shared.
"That's good. We can start picking out furniture," she said lightly.
"Something to look forward to. We can get on our computers at the same time and look at pictures," he said in annoyance.
"Logan," she admonished. "Don't be like that."
"How am I supposed to be? Are you going to go out and pick out furniture with me? That'd involved us actually spending time together," Logan said bitterly. He didn't want to pick a fight with her. It was just he missed her so much. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I know this isn't easy. I'm sorry for putting you through this," she said.
"School starts on Monday. Are you going to ignore me? Can I talk to you? I need some guidelines here, Veronica. This is killing me. I miss you so much. Talking on the phone isn't enough," he said.
"I miss you, too. I really do, and I don't plan on avoiding you. We haven't broken up," she reminded him. "We talk on the phone every day."
"It's not the same," he said sourly.
She sighed. "My dad leaves tomorrow for his book tour," she said, changing the subject.
"Oh yeah? How long will he be gone?" Logan asked, letting her change the subject.
"A month. I'll be staying at Wallace's during the week. On school nights," Veronica said.
"Bunk beds?" Logan teased.
"Special ordered," she replied.
"He better not get to see you in your underwear!" Logan admonished.
He relaxed on the bed and let the tension of the day ease away as they began their normal routine of teasing and flirting.
******The Casablancas******
Saturday afternoon Dick had a surprising visitor.
"Hello, Mom," he said when she came into the house without ringing the doorbell. "So glad of you to rush home. I mean it's been two weeks since Cassidy almost killed himself and was hospitalized, a week since Dad committed murder and fled the country."
Not surprisingly, his mother didn't appreciated his sarcasm. She ignored it with a disapproving look and reached up to kiss his cheek. "You get taller every time I see you. You're all grown up now, Richard. I knew you could handle things until I was able to get here," she said.
"Gee, thanks for the that," he said sarcastically.
"I don't appreciate the attitude. I've been on a plane for sixteen hours!" she scolded.
"Yes, and I bet you rushed over here as soon as the plane landed," Dick said knowingly. When she flashed him a look of guilt, he said, "That's what I figured. When did you get in?"
"Yesterday. I needed to rest up and meet with the attorneys this morning," she said. "I got your trust fund released. Your brother's won't be released until he's eighteen if he passes a mental evaluation at that time. If not, we'll try again at twenty-one. A monthly stipend will be in an account I set up for him this morning."
"That's so generous of you," Dick said with uncharacteristic bitterness.
His mother was unprepared for this change in Dick. Her oldest had always been happy-go-lucky. Fun and unflappable were qualities she would have used to describe him. This change in attitude had caught her off guard. "Dick, I'm sorry I wasn't here. What do you want from me?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said flatly and he turned away from her. There was silent between them a few minutes. Then Dick realized something and turned to face her. "On the other hand, I do want something from you. I want you to go see Cassidy," he ordered.
"Of course! I was planning to," she said defensively. "He's my son, and I love him."
"Do you? Because from where I'm sitting there's no 'of course' about it!" Dick said angrily. "You abandoned him to be abused and now he's a rapist and almost mass murderer!"
She blinked at the sudden attack. For some reason, she hadn't expected it even though deep down she knew her son wasn't completely wrong. She had been clueless and too caught up in her happy second marriage to give much though to her own children. "I refuse to believe that my sweet, sensitive Cassidy was going to hurt anyone!" she defended. "And don't try to convince me otherwise!"
Dick realized there wasn't much point in arguing. All that mattered was she go see his brother. "Fine," he said in resignation.
"I'm going to come back home more. I promise. I can't believe your father! Skips town at a time like this! What was he thinking?" she demanded.
Dick found it amusing that it never occurred to her his father was the one who killed Woody Goodman. He saw no reason to shatter her delusion. "Who cares? It's not like he was any better with Cassidy than you. Actually, he was much worse. Cassidy's better off with him gone," Dick said darkly.
"When he gets out of the hospital, I'll take him home with me," she said.
"No, you won't take my brother to another country where I'll never get to see him!" Dick said hotly.
"Maybe it's what he needs, Richard," she said softly.
Dick looked at him mother with an edge of panic. It was bad enough his brother went off the deep end. He hadn't even begun to come to terms with all that had occurred, but what would he do without his brother? It had always been the two of them. Dick and Beaver. Cassidy and Dick. Rarely did one see one without the other for long. As different as night and day, he was still Dick's shadow, his best friend. He followed Dick everywhere. How would Dick manage if she took him across the world? Who would he have then? Logan had always had Duncan. They were good friends, but Logan wasn't his brother. Logan didn't need him. He had Veronica and now even Weevil. Dick's only real place was with his brother. Without him, he was all alone.
******Monday Morning at Neptune High******
Logan and Weevil pulled up to school in his Xterra. They were arriving later than planned. "I wanted to spend time with Veronica before classes start. Now we have like five minutes," he said sourly as he turned off the car.
"You're the one who takes longer to get ready than my grandmother," Weevil pointed out with a grin.
"You're the one who had to be stubborn," Logan replied as they got out of his truck.
"It's not a good idea for us to show up together," Weevil said. "I have a reputation to uphold."
Logan knew that wasn't what he meant. It was Logan's reputation he was suddenly concerned with. "Listen, my mindless drones can either fall in line or get left behind," Logan said. "You don't get it, Weevil. I don't care about popularity. I mean it's always been there because of who my dad was. But now he's a murder. It didn't change anything though because we aren't bankrupt yet. Duncan is even more popular than I am. If they can handle me dating Veronica, they'll deal with you."
Weevil hadn't wanted to ride to school with Logan. Even now as they walked across the school parking lot he could feel the eyes on them, hear the whispers. He had been whispered about before, but it was always with a touch of awe and fear. Now it was different. Things were turned completely upside down. Weevil hadn't realized how loyal Logan would be once he'd put outside their animosity. Since he and V were on the outs the past week, Weevil and Logan had spent more time together than ever. Weevil had found himself laughing his ass off more than once when Logan's dry and cutting wit was on a roll. Trying to teach him to be a mechanic had been highly entertaining. However, he shouldn't have been surprised that the man's keen mind had allowed him to quickly grasp the fundamentals sooner than Weevil had expected.
The two new friends went into the school without stopping to talk to the many people who said hello to Logan. There were many odd looks, but Logan didn't care. They could all go to hell. He was interested in only one person. The sexy little blonde that had somehow become his entire world. He hadn't seen in her in way too long, but now that school was started that would end. No matter what he'd at least get to see her every day. Finally, he spotted her and Mac with Wallace by the lockers.
The student body seemed to be watching with baited breathe. The rumors had been circulating all summer. First, Veronica Mars had been shot by a PCHer that had shot up Logan's car. Logan had finally been proven innocent of the PCHer murder, but now he was suddenly living with the leader or former leader. The rumors couldn't agree. It had all seemed so improbable. However, since they all saw Logan arrive with Weevil, everyone knew that there was some truth to it. Rumors of trouble in paradise with Logan and Veronica had made the rounds when Logan hadn't been seen anywhere with the pixy blonde the past week. The student body watched eagerly to see the fireworks as Logan purposely walked toward Veronica Mars.
Logan paused a few feet in front of Veronica. She found her heart racing as she finally laid eyes on him. It had surprised her how hard it had been to not see him for more than a week. They'd been a part since her birthday. Longing to see his face and feel his arms around her had been her constant companion all week. However, she'd still been plagued by bad dreams. Reliving the scene with Cassidy at his party wasn't surprising. But the dream where he raped her while Logan looked on and laughed with Dick had broken her heart. The fear that this wasn't real between them was there. She couldn't pretend it wasn't.
Yet as the two faced each other for the first time in days, her eye brow rose in challenge. What would he do now that he had her in sight? Anticipation filled her.
For Logan, the rest of the world faded away as his eyes feasted on her. Mac, Wallace, and the school disappeared, and only she remained. Only she truly mattered. In that moment, he didn't care about her fears or her doubts. All he cared about was kissing her. He stepped forward and had her up against the lockers kissing her passionately. Their classmates and friends looked on in surprise. Wallace grimaced and turned away. Watching his best friend be practically devoured by her boyfriend was not his idea of a pleasant time.
Veronica was powerless against Logan's passion. It overwhelmed her, but she returned his kiss with equal fervor. Finally, the couple separated and their eyes locked. The look between them was so scorching that the crowd backed away-the intimacy was too much for most. Weevil rolled his eyes at their theatrics and greeted Mac with a soft kiss on her cheek. He held out his hand, and she took it, giving him a sweet smile. Their classmates watched with interest as the new couple walked down the hall.
"I'm sorry," Logan apologized. "I couldn't help it."
Veronica smiled, obviously not upset. "For some reason, I can't find it in me to be upset," she said dryly.
Logan held out his hand to her. Veronica picked up her bag that she'd dropped during the kiss. Then she laced her fingers through his. Strolling down the hall, they had eyes only for each other. For all the new changes, it was obvious to the 09ers that Veronica Mars was still very much a part of Logan Echolls' world.
*******Chapter End********
So how was it? I can't tell you where I plan to go with this because I don't know. In the previous story, I just wrote what came to me, and it seemed to work well. I'll probably do the same with this one. It may be more character driven than plot driven until I get a handle on it. I hope you liked it. Review and let me know!
