A/N: This is my continuation to One for the Road. In this story, MaDi are an established couple, as are LoVe of course. It takes place during Spring semester of their sophomore year at Hearst. This is billed as MaDi, but it's also very much a LoVe story too. The story starts off for the first several chapters as a road trip story but it continues on after they get back from their Spring Break trip. The first 5 chapters or so are mainly fluff, but there's a little bit of drama after that, then I'll end it with more fluff. I Promise!
If you haven't already read One for the Road, I recommend doing that first. Things will make a little bit more sense if you do. (Okay, I admit it, that was my shameless plug for my other chapter story within this after 3rd season world)
Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own Veronica Mars, Halo 3, Mr. Roger's Neighborhood, Phineas & Ferb or anything else Pop Culture-esque mentioned within...
Chapter 1—Leaving Neptune
Mac was beating Dick at Halo 3 by a very narrow margin when the slamming of the door made her lose her concentration and Dick lobbed a grenade at her onscreen avatar.
"Gotcha, Macster!" Dick gloated. He laughed as Mac gave him a less than polite finger gesture. "Sore loser."
"Hi honey, we're home," Logan announced as he and Ronnie entered the living area of the penthouse suite of the Neptune Grand that he and Dick still shared.
"Is it safe? Remember last time we did this? My eyeballs are still recovering. The nightmares have started subsiding though." Veronica snarked to Logan.
"Yes, sugarpuss. Your innocence can remain intact. Little Dick is properly holstered."
"I call Bullshit, man. How many times did I walk in on you guys? Five zillion, I think. I can't count that high."
"You can barely count to 500 there, Dickie," Veronica said.
"So Bond, you packed yet? What all are you bringing?" Mac asked, changing the subject.
"Aw, girl talk, Dick. Let's see, I'm bringing my best pair of shoes. The wingtips. My button down sweater, a windbreaker," Logan said.
"Dude, Mr. Rogers called, he wants his wardrobe back."
"Actually Q, I did pack a little black dress. I was thinking we need to go out somewhere nice at least one night. Even if it's just the hotel restaurant."
"Good idea, Bond. I was thinking the same thing myself. I still have that dress I borrowed from Parker several months back. I'm bringing it with me." It was the black satin dress that she'd worn on her first date with Dick back in October.
"You little thief. I'm glad you stole it though. I still have fantasies of you in that dress. Or more accurately, I have fantasies of me ripping it off of you."
"Stop! My virgin ears." Veronica yelled, lobbing Dick with a pillow.
"I'm not stealing it, Dick. Actually, I tried to give it back after our date and she said I looked so good in it, that I could keep it."
"I didn't think there was any virginal piece of you left, Ronnie. Can I get in on the wardrobe talk? Logan, I'm bringing my favorite tee shirt. The one that says Freelance Gynecologist. My blood finally came out of it."
It was the shirt that Mac had used to staunch his blood when a gunman had broke into the suite last semester after a case V and Mac had been working on went awry. It was a brown shirt, and the blood really hadn't been visible anyway, but Dick still couldn't get over the idea that his precious shirt might be stained.
"I hate to interrupt all this girly talk about clothes and Dick's slutty fantasies, but I'm starving here," Veronica said. "You guys up for Luigi's?"
"We could order in," Logan said.
"I'm with the pixie spy, let's go out," Dick seconded.
"Luigi's. Sorry Logan, you're outvoted," Mac said.
Twenty minutes later the 2 couples walked into the popular Italian restaurant in downtown Neptune.
"Welcome to Luigi's. Your usual table?" The bubbly redheaded hostess greeted them. She smiled at all of them, but her gaze seemed to linger longer on Dick. That didn't go unnoticed by Mac, though she didn't comment.
"Thanks Meredith. Yes, the usual table." Dick replied. They followed her to a 4 top by the window. Veronica and Mac took the inside seats closest to the street facing window while Logan and Dick took the chairs next to their respective girlfriends.
Once they had placed their orders with the waiter the talk turned to their Spring Break road trip. The plan was to leave at 10 AM the next day.
"Any idea how long it takes to get to Reno?" Dick asked.
"It's 600 miles or so," Logan said. "So I guess almost 9 hours."
"That's an easy drive," Dick said.
"Yes, it is. But getting there is half the fun. I say we break into 2 days at least, stop and see sights along the way. We can check some of those roadside attractions, like the biggest ball of yarn." Veronica said. "Don't you agree, Mac? Mac? Macster. Earth to Macattack."
"What?" Mac turned her head back to the table. She had been focusing her gaze on a table on the other side of the room.
"I said, I think we should take our time driving up to Lake Tahoe. See the sights along the way. Hey. Are you okay?"
"Sure, why not. Yeah, I'm okay. Just thinking about stuff. No big deal. Oh, and it's the worlds largest ball of twine and it's in Kansas, not California. And yes, I've been there. Mackenzie family road trip. I'll be right back guys."
"Where ya going, Mackie?"
"The restroom. That work for you, Dickie?"
"Dropping the kids off at the pool?"
"Gross," Veronica chastised as Logan gave Dick a high five.
"No, not that that's anyone's business." Mac punched his arm before rising from her chair.
Upon seeing the pointed look Dick threw her way, Veronica immediately jumped up to follow her to the ladies room.
Mac heard someone enter the restroom right behind her. She turned around and saw V.
"Q! Fancy meeting you here."
"Bond, we must stop meeting like this," Mac replied walking into the middle stall.
"Well, we're girls. Aren't we supposed to go to the restroom in packs?" Veronica took the stall on Mac's left.
"Is that in the rulebook? I lost my copy."
"Maybe Dick has one you could borrow."
"Funny."
"I thought so. What's up?"
"I just had an ex sighting. Max is here. Didn't you see him come in?"
"No! The nerve of that little fucker coming here." Veronica paused as Mac flushed. "His hooker ex girlfriend, current girlfriend, whatever she is, wasn't with him, right?"
"No. V, calm down. It's no big deal. We broke up almost a year ago now."
"I know. You're not still attracted to him are you?" Veronica shouted to be heard over the running water as she flushed. She came out of the stall and joined Mac at the sink. "Because I'm not really seeing the problem."
"Hell no. I..." Mac waited a second, gathering her thoughts. Then began again. "I'm probably being paranoid, after what went down last semester. But he was just staring at me. It was creepy."
Right after the fall semester of their Sophomore year began Mac was hit crossing the street in front of Mars Investigations. The driver took off without stopping. The perp ended up being a guy she and Veronica had been investigating. What had started out as a basic cheating boyfriend case quickly morphed into an embezzling case, where Kane Software had been bilked out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. As a result of the hit and run, Mac had ended up with a concussion, cracked rib and dislocated knee. She was as surprised as anyone though when Dick took an interest in her recovery.
"I can acquaint him with Mr. Sparky if you want. I've always wanted them to meet."
"Ah, no, thanks V. That's okay. But let's keep this little chat between us."
"Of course. And for what's it's worth, I think you've earned that little bit of paranoia. But Max is a dweeb. A harmless, wimpy little dweeb."
"That's true."
"But you can always make out with Dick at the table. You know, really throw Max off his game. Show him you're not available any more."
Mac laughed. "I thought PDA was more your and Logan's thing."
"Ms. Mackenzie, perhaps you're the one who needs to get acquainted with Mr. Sparky."
"Aw, you love my sparkling wit, otherwise you wouldn't keep me around. That and my computer mojo."
"Perhaps you speak truth, Q. Perhaps. Let's get back to our guys. I shudder to think of the hi jinx those 2 are plotting."
All fears were assuaged though when Mac and Veronica returned to find Logan and Dick deep in conversation about the road trip. They were going to spend a couple of days in Reno, their hotel had a casino on site. Then they were going to spend a day or so near Area 51, Logan's contribution to their itinerary. Finally, they'd spend 1 night camping on the way back to Neptune. Dick had lobbied hard for that, and finally in a bid to get him to shut up everyone agreed one night at a campground wouldn't be that bad.
Not long after the girls returned from the restroom their dinner arrived.
Logan and Veronica both had lasagna, Dick had Veal Marsala, and Mac had garlic sauteed spinach and a salad.
"I have some news," Veronica said, pausing in her enthusiastic eating of the lasagna. "Dad proposed to Alicia last weekend. I don't know when they're getting married, but I think it'll be in a couple of months. Neither of them want to wait that long. I guess dad is afraid she'll wise up."
"I bet Keith knocked her up." Dick suggested earning a glare from Ronnie and Mac. Logan, on the other hand, just smirked.
"That's great, V" Mac said. "Tell your dad and Alicia congrats."
"Hey, that means you and Wallace will be brother and sister now."
"Yes, good deduction Dick. And dad says we can get bunk beds now, too."
"So, when is this triple date going to happen?"
"The 15th of not in this lifetime, Mac."
"Oh come on, Logan. You had so much fun the last time you guys doubled with Mr. Mars and Alicia."
"So much fun it took me many months of recovery."
"I don't think the nightmares ever fully went away," Veronica interjected.
They finished their dinners and Veronica ordered Tiramisu, and everyone else just ordered coffee.
As they left the restaurant a short time later, they had to pass by Max's table.
"Mac, hey," Max said quietly, reaching out to grab her arm as she passed by. Dick was in front of her laughing at something Logan said, and didn't see Max grab his girlfriend.
"What?" Mac asked, sighing as she extricated herself from his grasp. She motioned to Dick to keep going after he'd noticed she was no longer behind him. Dick gave her a what the hell gesture but followed Logan and Veronica out of the restaurant and on to the sidewalk. He parked himself by the window and pretended he wasn't watching Mac. She saw Veronica sidle up to Dick, doing an even more obvious job of spying on her.
"I just wanted to see how you are. I still miss you. I wanted you to know I've changed. I'm in school again. Just 2 classes this semester, but it's a start. I've also quit the exam business."
"You were expelled."
"Well, it took a little convincing and perhaps a missing record or three, but the new interim dean agreed to reinstate me."
"Changed, huh? Really?!"
"Baby steps."
"I'm seeing someone now."
"I got that. I noticed you and that dumb toolbag you always hated."
"Dick. His name is Dick. And I don't hate him anymore. He's changed a lot, too."
"Anyway, sorry to interrupt your date. I just wanted to say you were right. I was wasting my potential. So, ah, thank you for the wake up call."
"You're welcome. It was nice seeing you? I've got to go, everyone's waiting for me. Take care."
"Bye, Mac."
Mac left the restaurant and joined her friends outside.
"Well?" Dick asked.
"Remember Max? He grabbed me as I was leaving. I had to say hi to him."
"Where was his ex-pro girlfriend?"
"I didn't ask and he didn't say."
Fifteen minutes later the 2 couples were back the Neptune Grand. Dick had stopped at the front desk to pick up the mail. In the elevator ride up he had quickly scanned the letter that had been addressed to him. Guilt! He crumpled it up into a ball. Lies, he thought to himself, just a guilt trip and lies.
Once back in the suite Mac and Veronica immediately flopped on the big leather couch, while Logan and Dick made a beeline for the bar. Dick threw the letter out in the trash can and then set to work making drinks for himself and Mackie. He went over to the couch with 2 rum and cokes, handing the one with more coke and less rum to Mac before settling in beside her. Logan soon joined them on the couch cuddling up beside Ronnie. He kept the beer for himself, handing her a soda can. Since they were going in her Saturn SUV, she was taking the first driving shift.
Mac got up to put Pretty in Pink in the DVD player, then sat back down. Dick opened his mouth to complain but quickly shut it upon seeing Mac's glare. Logan noticed the whole exchange.
"Dude, you are so whipped." Logan smirked, making a whipping noise. "Mac's got you by your ball sac."
Dick reached around Mac and shoved Logan's head.
"Ouch, dude. What the hell?"
Mac quickly ducked as Logan reached back to punch Dick.
"You almost smacked the shit out of Mackie."
"Not who I was trying to smack the shit out of, Dick. What the hell is your problem. I'm just sitting here, minding my own business."
"You know what Logan, sometimes a random ass-kicking's a good thing. Keeps everyone else in line."
Mac went over to the far end of the couch where Veronica had settled on after the guy's started sparring. It was far enough removed from the action but still provided a good view of the movie. Duckie had just gotten shoved into the girls' restroom.
"This he-man macho crap doesn't bother you, V?"
"I say they get it out of their system now, because we're going to be cooped up in a small space together for a week."
"That's true. If they don't get all this aggression out now though, they're both riding on the roof."
"It's a plan!" V clanked her can against Mac's glass.
Just as quickly as the guys started scrapping they both settled down. Dick mumbled an apology to Logan who muttered that it was okay. Then they both sheepishly sat down next to their respective girlfriends.
Mac rebuffed Dick's attempt to cuddle with her though, which did nothing to improve his grumpy mood. And his mood got even worse with each additional drink. Finally after his 4th drink Mac not so gently shoved Dick towards the bedroom. She said good night to V and Logan who were both giving her inquiring looks, but Mac just shrugged. She didn't know what was up with him either. It seemed more than just jealousy, after all things with her and Max had been over for several months before they got together. Plus it wasn't like Max had ever been the great love of her life.
Anyway, with the many moods of Dick Casablancas, sometimes Mac thought he was the girl in their relationship. Maybe it was his male time of the month. She believed in the existence of male PMS, hell, he could be the poster boy for it.
Dick was stretched out on his massive king bed, his arms locked behind his head. He was trying to look nonchalant, though imagined he was failing massively at it. He knew he was in the shitter with Mackie, but no one could put him the shitty ass mood like Dick Sr. The asshole.
Mac let the door slam behind her. "What is your deal, Dick? You're one bitchy little boy tonight. You were fine at the restaurant. What changed between now and then? Max?!"
"Who? Oh, the dork at the restaurant? No. That little dweeb barely registers."
"Then what is it?"
"I'll show you." Dick got up from the bed and went back out to the living room. He averted his eyes so he wouldn't see Ronnie straddling Logan. He cleared his throat. "Don't stop on my account." He laughed when Logan muttered something that resembled no worries. But it was hard to talk with your girlfriend's tongue down your throat. Dick was pretty sure he wasn't getting any tonight, so at least Logan seemed to be having better luck.
In the trash can tucked in next to the suite's kitchenette was a crumbled up letter. Dick bent over and retrieved it. As he walked back into his bedroom he smoothed it out. Silently he handed it to Mackie, who was now in the boy shorts and oversized tee shirt ensemble she slept in.
Mac quickly skimmed it over. When she was done, she just reached over and hugged Dick who had joined her in the bed. "Oh, babe."
"Yeah. I stopped to get the mail from the front desk, and a letter from one of California's finest country club prisons awaited me. Dear old dad has a zillion excuses for being a shitty dad and why I have no excuse for being a neglectful son who won't come see him."
Mac started to say something, anything really to deflect some of the damage the senior Dick caused to his namesake. But Dick stopped her.
"It would be a shame to waste my buzz on talking about feelings and shit."
So instead they just cuddled, drifting off to sleep.
After pushing the snooze button 3 times the next morning, both Mac and Dick fell back asleep. It was well after 11 before they both walked out of the bedroom.
"Morning sunshine," Veronica said too cheerfully from the couch where she was tucked under a blanket eating cereal and watching Phineas and Ferb on TV. "Make that morning sunshines, plural."
"Frakin morning people," Mac mumbled as Dick grumbled something even more unintelligible. He stumbled into the kitchenette to grab some Advil and some Gatorade to wash it down with. Mac sat down beside V. "So I guess we missed our planned departure time of 10 AM."
"Looks like it. Plus, sleeping beauty was snoring soundly last time I check in on him. Maybe Dick can save him a little of the magic hang over cure."
"I think after their little testosterone fueled display last night Dick will share his toys, like a good little boy."
"Or they're both riding on the roof."
"That's the plan!"
Dick came over and sat down on the couch next to the girls. He handed a couple Advil and the Gatorade bottle to Mac, who gratefully partook of Dick and Logan's trademarked hangover cure. She handed the drink back to him, and he quickly chugged the rest of the contents.
"Hey, Dick, before you get too comfy there, I brought over a bag of my homemade vegan blueberry muffins. I stashed them by the microwave. If you could get it and bring it over here that would be great. Thanks!"
"Get it yourself. I'm not your bitch." Dick smirked until he saw the look both Mackie and Ronnie gave him. "Um, on second thought, I am your bitch. And I live to serve." He got up to retrieve the muffins and missed the triumphant look on his girlfriend's face and the thumb's up V gave her in return.
Just then Logan shuffled in, his hair disheveled. He just grinned at Dick and gave him a grin and made a whipping sound effect.
Less than fifteen minutes later all the bags were packed up and they all loaded into the Saturn. Veronica took her place behind the wheel.
They followed the PCH north, leaving Neptune behind.
TBC...
Like it? Love it? Hate it? I'd love it if you'd leave a review. I'll have chapter 2 up early next week. Thank you for reading!