A/N: Wooohooo. I'm SOOOOO excited about all the reviews. I'm glad you guys are liking the story. I've been toying around with the idea for awhile and have only recently gotten the courage to post it.
A/N 2: Just a disclaimer/warning. I can't write a love scene to save my life. If you don't believe me, I'll forward you all the General Hospital fanfics I've written in the past to prove it. Sadly, hints and suggestions are the best I can do.
Disclaimer: I'm still not the proud owner of anything remotely close to Veronica Mars.
Mothers and Daughters
Chapter 2: Home Is Where the Heart Is
Cliff: According to her, someone's trying to kill her.
Veronica Voice Over: There it is, Veronica. You know that sound well. That thump you hear is the other shoe dropping. It had to happen sometime.
Veronica was stunned speechless. She was torn between dread and disbelief. She made her way over to the couch that Logan was sitting on and dropped down beside him. Logan slipped his hand in hers and she squeezed it in acknowledgement and to draw some strength from it before she looked back at Cliff.
Veronica: Someone's trying to kill her?
Cliff: That's what she said.
Veronica: How did she seem?
Cliff: Scared. Tired. Worried.
Veronica: Sober?
Cliff: I don't really know.
Veronica: Come on, Cliff. You're a public defender. And despite what you want people to think, you're a good one. You can probably tell what someone is tripping off of based on the size of their pupils and how fast they're talking. Just give it to me straight. Did she seem sober?
Cliff: Honestly? She seemed like she'd had a few drinks, but she still had her wits about her. She wasn't slurring her words or stumbling around.
Veronica: Was she sober enough that you believed she was really in danger?
Cliff: She seemed sincerely afraid.
Logan: Why did she come to you in the first place? Why not go to Keith?
Veronica: Dad's still out of town. He wanted to wrap up all his open cases before starting at the Sheriff's office again.
Logan: Yea, but she doesn't know that.
Cliff: No, she doesn't. When I asked her why she didn't go straight to Keith, she said she went to the apartment, but no one was there. She didn't know where to find you, but she figured I did.
Veronica: You say that like you don't believe her.
Cliff: I'm just going off my gut, V. I don't think she wants your dad to know about this. She seemed relieved when I told her that Keith was out of town for the next few weeks.
Logan: I don't like the sound of that.
Veronica: Believe it or not, neither do I.
Cliff: So, how do you want me to handle this?
Veronica: Where is she staying right now?
Cliff: The Camelot.
Veronica: Of course she is. Could you do me a favor and put her up at a different hotel. Not here, but somewhere in Neptune. I'm gonna talk to her, I just need to prepare myself first.
Cliff: Sure. There's a new Extended Stay right outside of town. Will that work?
Veronica seems lost in thought again, so Logan speaks for her.
Logan: That'll work fine. Just charge it to Veronica's credit card.
Logan pulls his wallet out and hands Cliff a Black Amex with the name Veronica Echolls on the front. Veronica, who has come out of her haze, quirks and eyebrow at him. He just grins.
Logan: Told you it would come in handy.
Cliff: Well, if that's all you need, I'll be on my way. I'll get this back to you as soon as possible.
Veronica: Thanks Cliff. Go ahead and charge a couple of those Thai massages you like so much to the card for your trouble.
Cliff: I hope that wasn't meant as an insult, because I'm really going to take you up on that offer.
Veronica: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Cliff: Later, V.
Veronica fiddles with her fingers, lost in thought again as Logan walks Cliff to the door. Logan closes the door behind Cliff and turns back to Veronica, who is still staring off into space. He sits back down next her on the couch facing her and takes both of her hands in his so she has to face him too.
Logan: Ronnie? Talk to me. Are you ok?
Logan's voice jolts her out of her reverie and she turns to him with a huge but forced smile.
Veronica: Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? My alcoholic mother who abandoned me twice has popped back up like a bad penny claiming that someone is trying to kill her. Just another case to solve. More of the same, really.
Logan: But, it's your mother.
Veronica: Well, yea. And that obviously makes the case more personal, but it IS still just another case. I'll find the bad guy, help Lianne, and that will be that.
Logan isn't really sure how to handle Veronica's nonchalant attitude towards the situation. He doesn't know if it just hasn't sunk in yet or if she is avoiding.
Logan: Babe, this isn't just another case.
Veronica: Yes, it is. But I don't want to think about it anymore. Not tonight. Tonight, I want to keep my promise from earlier. Now, where are those supplies you mentioned on the phone?
Logan now knows for sure that she is just avoiding. It worries him more than a little. When he doesn't respond to her flirting right away, Veronica gets annoyed. She decides to step up her seduction just a little bit.
Veronica: Unless, you think we won't need them until later? What was it you said earlier? They were to make sure we lasted? So, I guess that means the first few rounds are up to us?
Veronica quirks her eyebrow at Logan. He still looks extremely undecided about what to do, so she takes the decision out of his hands. She closes the space between him and straddles his lap, grabbing hold of his shoulders. She trails kisses down his neck, starting at the spot below his earlobe and ending at his Adam's apple. His hands instinctively grip her hips like she knew they would. At the same time, he tilts his head to give her better access to his throat. She smiles against his skin and he curses himself for his weakness even as he tightens his hold on her. Veronica breaks the kiss and moves back just enough to rip her shirt off of her and throw it somewhere behind her. The loss of contact helps Logan rein in his desire for her and he finds his words again.
Logan: Veronica, come on. We need to talk about what's happened. We can do this later.
Instead of responding, Veronica reaches behind her back and unclasps her bra. She tosses it somewhere in the same vicinity as her shirt without breaking eye contact with Logan. Logan tries his hardest to keep looking into her eyes, but he can't help himself. His gaze lowers to her beautiful half-naked form and he knows he's lost.
Logan: Damn it.
Veronica smirks again and Logan doesn't miss her triumphant giggle when he lifts her up and runs into the bedroom with her. He'll give her this win...for now. He promises himself that they'll talk later. He watches her as she bounces when he drops her on the bed. Scratch that. He promises himself that they'll talk much later.
Three rounds later, Much Later has arrived. Logan is lying on his back and Veronica is on her side facing away from him.
Logan: Babe? Are you awake?
Veronica: You know I am.
Logan chuckles to himself. He knows she is awake because Veronica was one of the few people who gets a big burst of energy right after sex. He rolls over on his side to face her, but her back is still to him. He places his hand on her hip to pull her onto her back so he can see her face. She rolls onto her side and rests her head on her pillow when he starts to rub patterns into her hip and side.
Logan: Are you ready to talk now?
Veronica: If I say no, will you drop this?
Logan: Not likely.
Veronica gets a wicked glint in her eye and sidles closer to Logan.
Veronica: Later, Logan. Wouldn't you much rather get round four started now?
She reaches to kiss him and he kisses her back, but breaks it before it gets too heated.
Logan: I'd rather keep my promise.
Veronica: What promise?
Logan: I made a promise to you and your dad that I would take care of you.
Veronica: And that includes making me talk when I don't want to?
Logan: Right now, yes.
Veronica throws herself onto her back and stares at the ceiling.
Veronica: God. Are you are gonna pull the "I'm just taking care of you like I promised" card every time I don't want to do what you say? Because if that's what married life means to you...
Logan: Don't even go there. Don't try to start a fight about marriage where there isn't one. This isn't about me controlling you and you know it. Come on. I thought we dealt with that issue in Virginia during our three month probationary period.
Veronica: We did deal with it. That doesn't mean it totally went away. Even though I'm working on it every day, It's still there and very real, Logan.
Logan: That may be and we'll continue to work on it together, but that doesn't change the fact that we still have to talk about this.
Veronica doesn't respond. Logan sighs and starts rubbing her stomach.
Logan: Fine, lets take this one step at a time, just like we did over the summer. You know I love you, right?
Veronica sighs and waits a few beats. She realizes that Logan actually wants her to answer and is willing to wait all night for it, just like over the summer. She sighs again.
Veronica: Yes.
Logan: You know that I love that you're so independent and don't want to control you, right?
Veronica: Yes
Logan: Do you know that I want to take care of you in every possible way?
Veronica: Yes.
Logan: Do you agree that it is better for you to talk this out with me so I can help you in whatever you need?
Veronica: I guess.
Logan: Do you know that I'm willing to make a huge, painful sacrifice of turning down round four of hot, wild sex if it means that you are getting what you need, which is a listening ear and my support?
Veronica smiles and she turns back to facing Logan.
Veronica: Yes.
Logan: Good. Now, talk to me. Tell me how you feel. I know you. You need to work this thing out in your head before you can go attack it. But you don't have to work this thing out alone. I'm here.
Veronica: I don't know what you want me to say.
Logan: Say whatever is in your head.
Veronica: Even if it's bad? Even if it makes me a selfish, horrible daughter?
Logan: What do you mean?
Veronica takes a deep breath and tries to sort her words out before she speaks them.
Veronica: The whole time Cliff was sitting there talking, all I could think was "There it is, Veronica. The other shoe dropping". I mean, you and I are together and happy. And yea, we're married and that still scares the crap out of me, but we're making it work so far. My dad is back where he belongs as sheriff and on his way to being happy, just as soon as Wallace and I work our magic. And here she comes, ruining it all. She abandoned me. She left me when I needed her the most. And then she pops back up the first time and I spend my life savings on her rehab. Then she pops back up again after NOT finishing rehab and she steals $50,000 from my dad and almost ruins his relationship with Alicia. And here she is again bringing more destruction and danger than ever before.
Logan: It's perfectly normal to feel that way, Veronica. It doesn't make you a bad person.
Veronica: But she's my mother. No matter what she's done, she's my mother. How can I not want to help her? What kind of person would I be if I turned my back on her and just let the police handle it? I can't do that, Logan. I just can't. No matter how much I want to.
Logan: Then don't. Help her, if you want. Or if you don't want to help her, leave it to your dad to handle. Do what you want. Whatever you decide, I'll support you 100%. I'm here for whatever you need.
Veronica doesn't say anything for a few minutes. She really gives some thought to what she wants to do. Finally, she looks back into Logan's eyes.
Veronica: I think I want to help her. I at least have to hear from her what's going on.
Logan: Ok. How about we go see her tomorrow after class? Maybe bring her some dinner and talk to her to find out what's going on? You can decide after that if you want to get your dad involved or not.
Veronica: That sounds good to me.
Logan: Just promise me one thing.
Veronica: What's that?
Logan: Keep me informed. My number one priority is keeping you safe and being there when you need me. I can't do that if you don't let me know what's going on. I'll let you do this your way, but I need to know what's going on.
Veronica: I think I can do that. Are we done now?
Logan: I think so.
Veronica: Can we get round four started? Because if not, I'm going to sleep.
Logan: Don't you dare. I haven't even pulled out my supplies yet.
Veronica: What are these infamous "supplies" that you keep referring to?
Logan shifts slightly so he can reach the drawer under the nightstand. He pulls out a bag and lays it between them. He begins pulling out the items one by one.
Logan: For starters, we have warming massage oil. Next we have candles, bath oil and bubble bath for when we move our party into the tub. And lastly, we have this body wash that you love so much for when we move our party to the shower.
Veronica: Wait, a shower after a bath?
Logan: How else are we gonna rinse the bubbles off? Plus, I want you at least once standing up.
Veronica: Sounds like a good plan to me. Lets get started.
Veronica leans in to kiss him, but Logan shifts back a little looking confused. He begins rifling through the bag again.
Veronica: Logan?
Logan: I'm missing something.
Logan turns around and starts rifling through the nightstand drawer again. He pulls something out and turns back to Veronica.
Logan: Aha! Found it.
Veronica: Chocolate syrup?
Logan: Our reason for needing the bath in the first place. Now we can get started.
Veronica smiles, then giggles when the first drop of chocolate starts sliding down her exposed shoulder.
*********************************************************************************
Veronica and Logan are lounging on the couch finishing up their breakfast the next morning before heading to campus when Dick walks out of his room. He walks over to the room service food cart and grabs a banana, then smirks at Veronica.
Dick: Morning Ronnie. Morning Logan. Or should I call you "Oh GOD" like Ronnie does?
Veronica's head whips around and she looks from Dick to Logan with cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Logan is more annoyed than embarrassed and stands to slap Dick on the back of the head.
Logan: Dude, watch your mouth.
Dick: What? It's not my fault the walls aren't thick enough to drown out Veronica's cries of ecstasy. You should be happy, dude. From what I heard last night and this morning, you're one lucky guy. Who knew that under all that angry, rude, bitchiness was a firecracker in the sack? Woohoo.
Logan punches Dick in the arm, then walks back over to where Veronica is to start cleaning up. Veronica is still too embarrassed to do anything but glare at Dick. Dick is still smiling as he picks up some books off of the end table then walks towards the door of the suite.
Dick: Later, guys. I would say don't do anything I wouldn't do, but from what I heard, there isn't much you haven't done already.
The door slams behind Dick and Logan braces himself for what he knows is coming. Veronica turns her glare from the suite's door to Logan.
Veronica: So, when exactly are we moving? Because as long as he's next door and LISTENING, you won't be getting ANY.
Logan: Yea, that's not happening. I'll call my mom's old Realtor, Diane, and get some listings faxed over pronto.
Veronica: And in the mean time?
Logan: In the mean time, we'll just lock him out when we need to.
Veronica: Can you do that?
Logan: I'll find a way. There's no way I'm getting cut off because Dick is an ass.
Veronica: Whatever. Just get me the listings as soon as possible.
Logan doesn't respond because he is already on his cell phone trying to get in contact with Diane
*********************************************************************************
Later that day, Parker is standing around in the student center on campus with some of the girls from the sorority she plans on pledging when she spots Logan across the way talking with someone from his class. Her friends notice that she isn't talking to them anymore and is instead looking longingly at something else.
Tara: Parker? Parker? What are you staring at?
Kelly: Not what. Who. That's Logan Echolls. The ex.
Tara: That's him? He's hot. Why did you break up with him again?
Parker sighs with a sad frown on her face, still staring at Logan.
Parker: Temporary Insanity? I don't know. I freaked out about him getting in a fight over his ex.
Tara: That Veronica Mars chick, right? The one from the sex video?
Parker: The one and only. He beat up the her boyfriend, the guy in the video.
Kelly: Because he was jealous?
Parker: He said he was just being a friend. He thought her boyfriend was responsible the taping them together.
Tara: You didn't believe him?
Parker: Not at the time. I was just so mad I couldn't think straight. All I knew is that my boyfriend had beat up his ex girlfriend's new boyfriend. Who wouldn't freak out? When I went to confront him about the fight, I accused him of still loving her.
Kelly: What did he say?
Parker: Nothing. He didn't confirm or deny it. He just talked about how upset we should all be by what happened to her as her friends. So, I ended it.
Kelly: By the looks you're giving him, I'd say you're regretting that.
Parker: Am I that obvious?
Kelly and Tara both nod in answer to Parker's question, which seems to frustrate her.
Parker: God. I don't know what's wrong with me. At the time, I was so sure that ending it was the right thing to do. But after we were over, I don't know. I just missed him. I realized how much I cared about him. I kept having all these second thoughts like maybe I was too quick to break things off or maybe I overreacted over nothing.
Tara: Did you tell him?
Parker: I was going to. After a week of arguing with myself over it, I decided to try to talk things out. But when I finally went to see him again, he was already gone.
Tara: Well, he's here now.
Parker: And he's back with Veronica. I saw them making out in the cafeteria yesterday.
Kelly: Maybe it's just a rebound thing. Because he was so upset over you.
Tara: That or he was so lonely he just went back to what was familiar. Guys do it all the time.
Parker: You think?.
Kelly: There's only one way to find out.
Parker looks unsure.
Tara: Be honest with yourself, Parker. You said you missed him. Do you want him back?
Parker: I would love nothing more than to have another chance with him.
Kelly: Then go for it. Just talk to him.
Parker thinks about it for a few minutes, then makes up her mind to talk to Logan. She watches him for a few more minutes and waits for his friend to leave. When she catches his eye, she a huge smile on her face and waves at him. He gets a nervous smile on his face and waves back. When he doesn't move, Parker playfully rolls her eyes and waves him over. Logan looks like a deer in headlights for about two seconds, then takes a deep breath and walks over to his ex, unsure of what to expect. Tara and Kelly step back a few paces so that they aren't a part of the conversation but still close enough to hear everything that is said.
Logan: Hey Parker. I almost didn't recognize you. How are you?
Parker's smile is unwavering as she thrusts herself at him for a full-body hug. Logan is reluctant to return the embrace and tries to hug her as loosely as possible. Parker pretends not to notice.
Parker: I'm doing ok.
Logan: Good. So, how was your summer? Was Denver all that you remembered it would be?
Parker: Boring and cold? Yea. I definitely missed this place.
Logan: That's Neptune for you. It's hell when you're here, but for some strange reason, you miss it when you're gone. That's actually the town slogan.
Parker lets out a giggly but loud laugh at the joke, which confuses Logan. Even he didn't think it was that funny.
Parker: Well, to be honest, I didn't really miss all of Neptune. Just the people. Well, person to be exact.
Logan: Really? You and Mac didn't email back and forth? Didn't check each other's Twitter pages obsessively? If you get a chance, go back and check what she tweeted about a week ago. If that's not enough to make another "I know what you did last summer" movie...
Parker giggles again and places her hand on Logan's arm, the rubs it gently. Logan swallow uncomfortably.
Parker: I'm not talking about Mac. I'm talking about you. I really missed you this summer, Logan. To be honest, I started missing you the moment I left your suite after breaking up with you, which I regret, by the way.
Logan: Parker...
Parker: Wait, Logan. Just let me get this out. I'm really sorry for how I reacted after the whole Piz fight. I know now that you were just trying to be a good friend to Veronica. If I could rewind time and take it all back, I never would've broken up with you because of it.
Logan: It's ok, Parker. Really.
Parker: So you don't hate me?
Logan: Of course not.
Parker: Whew. Good. Because I wanted to...
Parker is interrupted as she and Logan hear quick footsteps and a voice they both recognize speaking to him. Veronica, who had spotted Logan from across the room, doesn't notice that he's talking to Parker. As Parker slowly identifies the person who has snatched Logan's attention away, the smile on her face falls and turns into a grimace. Veronica, still oblivious to Parker's presence, is waving a stapled stack of papers in her hand. She manages to give Logan a quick kiss on the lips, even while talking.
Veronica: There you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. Here's the list from the Realtor. I circled all the houses I liked. Look over it and circle the ones you like so we can start looking at them...
Veronica stops talking abruptly when she finally notices Parker. After yesterday's less than friendly conversation, the last thing she wants to do is discuss real estate with Parker nearby. The fates, however, aren't on her side because Parker heard what she had said. Still, she crosses her fingers behind her back for good luck and hopes to be able to slide out of another sticky confrontation with minimal damage. She puts a half cheerful / half sheepish smile on her face and addresses Parker.
Veronica: Parker! I didn't even see you there. Hi.
Parker doesn't reply to Veronica's greeting because she is still stuck on what Veronica had said a few moments earlier.
Parker: House? You're buying a house? You two are moving in together?
Logan: (slightly confused) Yes, we are buying a house and moving out of the Grand.
Parker: Don't you think that's kind of...sudden. You two just got back together.
Veronica: Technically we got back together before my internship, so it isn't that sudden.
Veronica Voice Over Please, Logan, don't mention the M word. Not now. Please.
Logan: (snickering) Besides, what kind of lame ass marriage would we have if we shared a hotel suite with Dick?
Parker, Kelly and Tara all stare open-mouthed at Veronica with the eyes the size of saucers.
Parker: MARRIAGE?!? You two got MARRIED?
Veronica Voice Over Damn it.
Logan: Yea. We hopped in the car and got hitched Vegas Style. We're now officially stuck with each other for life. I thought you knew.
Logan looks at Veronica, accusingly. Veronica shrugs her shoulders at him as if to say "oops". Guilt is written all over her face. Parker is looking at neither one of them, trying to digest the news. She looks like she is going to throw up.
Veronica: That's my fault. When Mac and I ran into Parker yesterday, I didn't get a chance to tell her the news.
Parker: Yea, I guess it slipped your mind. Wow. This is really unexpected. Listen, I've got to go. It was good to see you again, Logan. Congratulations. Bye.
Parker can't help but look at Veronica's left hand and spots the diamond ring. Unable to hold off the nausea she's been fighting any longer, Parker bolts for the bathroom with her two friends close behind. Logan looks after them confused, then turns to his wife who is not only un-confused, but smug.
Logan: Um, Sugarlips?
Veronica: (guiltily) Yes, Sweetums?
Logan: What just happened? I thought you said you talked to her yesterday.
Veronica: I did.
Logan: And you didn't tell her about us?
Veronica: I told her we were back together. I just didn't tell her we got married.
Logan: Why not?
Veronica: I never got the chance. She was already angry when she walked over to us because she saw the kiss you gave me before you left. Her disposition didn't get any better when I confirmed that we were a couple again.
Logan: So she was upset?
Veronica: Understatement, thy name is Logan.
Logan: I'll take that as a yes.
Veronica: She was mad and I didn't think it was the right time to tell her. Besides, she's your ex. You should have been the one to tell her anyway. That's the rule. Each person deals with their own ex.
Logan: Does that mean I won't get to tell Piz?
Veronica: Do you really want to have to suffer through that conversation?
Logan looks at Veronica incredulously.
Logan: Dumb ass question, thy name is Veronica.
Veronica narrows her eyes and glares at Logan turning her words around on her.
Veronica: I'll take that as a yes. And no, you can't tell Piz. The last time you told Piz anything, he ended up in the hospital. I'll handle him. You just focus on finding us a house because if I have to go through another morning like this morning, there won't be anything to tell Piz.
Logan: Fine, fine fine. Give me the list.
Veronica hands the listing of houses for sale to Logan. He scans the list, then looks at Veronica with disdain clear in his eyes.
Veronica: What?
Logan: Are you serious?
Veronica: WHAT?
Logan: This isn't the list that I gave you this morning.
Veronica: I know. The list you gave me was ridiculous so I called Diane and asked her to fax over a list of more...reasonable houses.
Logan: Here we go again. This is us in June all over again.
Veronica: Whatever.
Logan: Seriously. I mean, can something be called a "deja vu" if you see it coming?
Veronica ignores Logan and instead greets Mac and Wallace, who are walking towards them. The pair reach the table and set down their books while curiously eying Logan who is clearly in distress.
Mac: Is everything ok, Logan? You look a little...
Wallace: ...disturbed.
Veronica: Leave him be. He's experiencing a minor deja vu. A house hunting deja vu to be exact.
Mac: Huh?
Veronica: We had a few issues when we were picking a place to live during my internship this summer.
Wallace: What kind of issues?
**FLASBACK**
Logan: Please tell me you're kidding. I'm not living here.
Veronica: What? Why not?
Logan: Because I don't want to live in a place where the rodents are the same size as household pets.
Veronica: Ugh. Don't be such a snob.
Logan: Veronica, the neighbor was walking a rat.
Veronica: It was a ferret.
Logan: Well, I saw a pack of "ferrets" in an alleyway about a mile back. I think they were foaming at the mouth and rummaging through the dumpster. I don't want to live attached to someone who lets rats run loose in her house.
Veronica: The ferret was on a leash.
Logan: Is it always gonna be on a leash? Can you guarantee me that it will never be loose in her house? What if it gets free and gets in the air vents and has ferret puppies that infest the walls? How am I supposed to enjoy my summer and focus on my classes and on pleasuring my hot FBI intern wife after a long hard day at the office if I'm worried about ferret puppies in the walls?
Veronica swallows down a laugh and a smile and fights to keep her stern face on.
Veronica: Ok, first off, stop saying "ferret puppies". Second, this is one of the nicer places on my list. If you're getting all whiny about this one, we might as well give up. I'm gonna have to get a whole new list together.
Logan: I'm not asking for much, V. Just a nice place in a decent neighborhood with normal pets. And a pool. Since we're nowhere near the ocean, I HAVE to have a pool.
Veronica: I have an apartment complex on my list that has a pool.
Logan: Uh, no. I don't do community pools.
Veronica: Since when?
Logan: Since ever. People pee in those.
Veronica: (scolding) Logan...
Logan: I'm serious. Sorry, but I'm not sticking my head in a vat of other people's pee. I need my own pool.
Veronica: You surf on a regular basis. You don't think people pee in the ocean?
Logan: I know people pee in the ocean. Hell, I pee in the ocean. But that's different.
Veronica: Why?
Logan: Because it's the ocean.
Veronica: Oh, well when you put it like that, of course you need your own pool. The problem with that is there aren't many two bedroom houses that have pools in the backyard.
Logan: So we'll get a four or five bedroom house. Problem solved.
Veronica: There's only two of us. We don't NEED a five bedroom house.
Logan: But we do NEED a pool, so we'll just have some extra space. I just really don't want to live in the hood.
Veronica: Well, I really don't want to live in 09er hell where they'll call the neighborhood authorities if you don't cut your grass the right height. Plus, I've seen your version of 'Desperate Housewives' and I'm not eager to repeat that.
Logan doesn't miss the thinly veiled reference to his affair with Kendall but decides that the safest thing to do is sidestep it.
Logan: Ok. So we won't live in mansion. I'm sure there are plenty of nice sized houses with pools in a nice, quiet, cougar-free suburban neighborhood. I'll find us one. Please???
Logan hits her with the puppy dog eyes and as much as she wants to stay annoyed with him, she can't.
Veronica: Fine, we can get a place with a pool. But if I so much as smell an East Coast's version of a Madison Sinclair or Shelley Pomroy, we're out of there. Got it?
**END FLASHBACK**
Logan and Veronica look up to see Mac and Wallace trying not to laugh.
Logan: What?
Wallace: Ferret puppies? Really?
Logan just rolls his eyes.
Logan: Ha ha ha. Laugh it up. Meanwhile, she's doing it to me again.
Veronica: Doing what? These are all nice-sized houses. Four of them even have pools.
Logan: They're all way smaller than the houses on my list.
Veronica: I know. There's still just the two of us.
For now. That's what Logan wants to say. There's just the two of us for now. Logan has been thinking more and more lately about children. He was always terrified to have kids, but recently, the possibility has seemed almost promising. He knows they're not ready now, but he thinks that someday, they could have a nice family. He also knows how much a talk about that would terrify his wife. The only thing that scares her more than marriage is marriage and kids. Since he considers it a miracle that she hasn't freaked out and bolted on him already, he figures it's best to give it some time before daring to broach the subject of kids. So, instead of voicing his true heart's desires, he tries to find a compromise.
Logan: Listen, I'm sure we can find a nice median between the more-than-humble shacks on your list...
Veronica: And the pretentious overpriced castles on your list.
Logan: Exactly.
Logan leans over and gives her a gentle kiss just to make sure they end on a good note. Just then, Dick walks up to the table, turns a chair around and straddles it next to Mac.
Dick: Greetings, everybody. What're you all yakking about?
Mac: We're just listening to Logan and Veronica argue about potential houses.
Dick: Dude, that reminds me. Make sure your place has a pool house. I'm gonna need somewhere to live. I'm not living in the frat house. I love my bros, but that many dongs in one place is unnatural.
Logan stuffs a handful of his fries in Veronica's mouth before she can make a comment about the pool house or Dick's use of the word "dong". Veronica keeps quiet while she chews, but she still manages to throw a disgusted look Dick's way. Dick, as always, is oblivious.
Dick: So, I've been thinking. Game night at the suite tonight.
Logan: Sorry, dude. Ronnie and I have something to do.
Wallace: I'm out too. I've got my first study group for my engineering class tonight.
Dick: That's cool because I was only talk to Mac anyway. You in?
Mac: I don't know, Dick.
Dick: I promise to keep my hands to myself. Just friends, right?
Mac: Right.
Dick: Ok. So we're on?
Mac: Sure, why not.
Dick: Righteous. I'll get the pizza and beer. You just bring your hot self and your nimble fingers over at 7:00.
Mac gives him an annoyed look.
Dick: What? I never said I wouldn't make sexual innuendos at you.
Veronica: Innuendos? Big word, Dick. Where'd you learn it. I refuse to believe it was used in one of the "articles" of this months' Maxim magazine.
Dick: I learned it from my smart, hot chick over here when she said something about how I should stop being a perv making sexual innuendos to her all the time. I didn't know what sexual innuendos were, but it sounded hot, so I looked it up.
All four people at the table either roll their eyes or shake their heads. One person, Mac, closed her eyes and massaged her temples as if soothing away a migraine.
Logan: Well, on that note, the wife and I need to be going. She's got class and I've got a Realtor to call. Later, guys.
Logan and Veronica gather up there things and head out. Mac and Wallace are still speechless, so they silently gather up their things and leave the cafeteria in opposite directions. Unaffected, Dick calls after Mac.
Dick: See ya at 7 Macalicous!
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Parker is lying down on her bed in her dorm room staring at the ceiling. Her two friends are sitting on the end of her bed watching her. The walk over to the dorms from the student center were quiet because Parker was too stunned to talk. Since arriving in the room, Parker has managed to find some of her words.
Parker: They got married. He's married. How did this happen?
Kelly: Maybe she tricked him. I saw on the news once where this girl took her boyfriend to Vegas, then got him really drunk, then got her friend to dress up like a guy and married her posing as the boyfriend. The guy woke up the next morning thinking they had gotten married.
Tara: Kelly, that wasn't the news. That was on the Young and the Restless.
Kelly: Oh. Still, maybe she did that.
Tara: Or, maybe she told him she was pregnant
Kelly: Maybe she played on his vulnerability. Got him when he was still sad about your breakup.
Parker: What does it even matter? It's not like I can do anything about it now?
Tara: What do you mean, 'you can't do anything about it'? You can get him back. You said you wanted him so go get him.
Parker: Tara, he's MARRIED. Obviously he's over me.
Tara: You don't know that. You don't know what happened over the summer. You could still have a chance.
Kelly: Are you serious? You seriously want her to try to break up their marriage?
Tara: I want her to not give up so easily. If he's the guy she wants, she shouldn't let anyone get in her way.
Parker: You really think I should do this?
Tara: I think you owe it to yourself to at least try. All's fair in love in war, Parker.
Parker turns her gaze away from her friends to stare back at the ceiling while she thinks about what Tara has said. Does she want Logan back bad enough to sabotage his marriage? Is what they had worth it?
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Later that evening, Parker Lee is the last thing on Veronica's mind. She and Logan are parked outside of the Extended Stay Hotel where Lianne is staying. They've been there for fifteen minutes.
Logan: Are you ready for this? Because we can put this off for a few more days if you want. Lianne is safely hidden away, so she'll be ok if you want to wait on this.
Veronica: No. Let's just get this over with. The sooner I see her, the sooner we can fix whatever is wrong and get back to our own life.
Logan: Whatever you want. Just remember: I'll be with you every step of the way.
Veronica: Yea, about that. Maybe you shouldn't come in.
Logan: What?
Veronica: I don't know what kind of condition she'll be in. I don't want you to have to deal with this mess if you don't have to. You've lived through enough of parents being disappointments. You shouldn't have to deal with mine too.
Logan: Veronica, if this is your problem, this is my problem. End of story. Are you ready?
Veronica looks out the windshield at the hotel in front of them and takes a deep breath.
Veronica: Let's go.
Logan and Veronica put hats and sunglasses on and exit the car. They casually walk past the front desk to the elevators trying to draw as little attention as possible. When they get to Lianne's door, Logan waits for Veronica to knock on the door when she's ready. Lianne opens the door immediately as if she was sitting by the door waiting. She smiles nervously at Veronica and is taken aback at the unexpected presence of Logan. Her eyes dart back to Veronica for a moment before she steps back and lets them both in. Logan and Veronica stiffly walk over to the couch, but don't sit down. They both turn to face Lianne, who has closed the door and is now a few feet away.
Veronica: Hi, Mom.
Lianne: Hi, baby. I'm home.
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Reviews are ALWAYS appreciated. Like I said earlier, as long as I know someone's reading it, I'll keep writing it.
