Disclaimers: some recreational drug use and mature language. Enjoy and do please review.

My Life-Changing Weekend With Logan Echolls

PART TWO, CHAPTER ONE

As I reluctantly stepped back, still grinning like a besotted fool and feeling as if I were floating, I realized, somewhat belatedly, that I would have quite a bit of splainin' to do. I glanced at Janey. She was still speechless. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound escaped. Eyeing her balefully, Tom said, "Well! I guess we can skip the introductions since everybody seems to know everybody else…fairly well. He paused, his gaze darting from Janey to me and Logan, and back to Janey again. "So…how do you two know each other?"

Standing behind me, Logan's hands began to slide down towards my derriere. Good to know some things never change. Reaching behind, I claimed his hands with mine and brought them around my waist. He clasped them together and drew me closer to him, placing his chin directly on top of my head.
"We went to school together." I replied since Logan did not seem to have heard the question. Watching Janey closely, I was a bit startled by her reaction. She was staring at Logan like he had something growing out of his head. Knowing how gifted Logan was at pushing buttons without even trying, I added, "He was a freshman during my senior year at Neptune."

Tom was clearly surprised to hear this. Eyebrows skyward, he said. "Wow. It really is a small world."

Suddenly I was anxious to get on the road as quickly as possible. Unwinding Logan's arms from around my waist, I said, "Okay, let's do this. Tom, if you and Logan can start packing up the car – are you driving?" He nodded. "Excellent. Our bags are packed and right there by the door. The food is on the counter in the kitchen. There's also a soft cooler ready to go in the refrig. Janey, if you can wrap up the entertainment bag, I'll do a quick final check and then we can get going." As I said this, I crossed over to a still non-verbal Janey and took her by the hand, drawing her along with me back toward the media room. Just before the door closed, I took one final glance at the two men. Logan was watching me with a wide grin, and Tom was watching him, shaking his head, with an expression that can only be described as comically perplexed, but in no way surprised to be so.

I turned around and fell against the door, taking a moment to consider how different everything was now, how much everything had changed in the last ten minutes. When I looked up, Janey was standing a few feet away, her arms crossed in front of her, eyebrows raised in askance. I grinned at her, waiting for the onslaught. This seemed to upset her more.

"Aunt Lizzy!"

"What? You invited him," I reminded her. She had no immediate response. Smiling broadly, I added "And I sure am glad you did." I closed the small gap between us and clapped my hands on her arms. "Thanks sweetie!" When she just stared at me, I continued. "Okay, you finish up in here and I'm gonna grab a couple more things from upstairs.

I started to move away but did not get far before she found her voice again. She would not be put off so easily. "Oh, no! We're not going anywhere until you tell me what all….that was." She waved her hand in the general direction of the front door, apparently to indicate the reunion that had taken place minutes earlier.

I looked back at her. "Wasn't it obvious?"

She gave me back my own. "Well it obviously wasn't a typical reunion between two people who simply shared one year of high school a million years ago." Janey could, at times, be kind of meanish when provoked. "What exactly were you to each other?"

How to respond without really answering that question? "Honestly honey, Logan and I didn't travel in the same circles, so to speak. You know, his dad was a big movie star back then."

I knew this would not distract her. "Stop trying to change the subject." Her expression indicated that she was not satisfied.

"Okay, I can see that this is all a bit surprising and confusing for you, sweetie, but really, we don't have time to discuss it now. We've got to get on the road soon or we won't get there much before midnight. And I still want to stop for a few more things." I had an idea. "Maybe we can get into it a little on the drive." She still did not seem too happy with the direction the day was now taking, but realizing she had little choice, relented. "Well…"

I pounced on this opening. "It's okay honey, there's nothing to worry about. We'll behave ourselves. And look at the bright side." As curiosity crept into her eyes, I volunteered, "At least now you're completely off the hook for inviting a complete stranger to The Cabin without asking." I wasn't trying to be a dick about it, but I was enjoying the way everything had worked out. Taking advantage of her silent contrition, I added, "Now let's get crackin! Daylight's burning."

We got on the road about 20 minutes later. Tom drove and Janey sat up front on the passenger side, which left the back for Logan and me. The atmosphere was a tiny bit awkward at first. Logan predictably was at ease and had a cat-that-ate-the-canary look on his face by which Janey was clearly annoyed. Tom, although sympathizing with his love's feelings, took a more worldly view. We were all adults and more than capable of handling our business. And I was just happy.

I knew that Tom had taken a few minutes to pull Janey aside before we started out. Whatever he said must have made her feel a least a little bit better about the shock she had just experienced. Standing just out of their view, I caught Logan's eye and nodded at him meaningfully. Joining me, he saw what I held out to him and took it, gratefully. Exhaling appreciatively several seconds later, he breathed, "This day just keeps getting better and better," as he passed the joint back to me.

"It's so good to see you Logan." I could feel myself beginning to drown in his gaze, mesmerized by the twinkle there. I had to look away to maintain my equanimity. We continued to pass the dutchie in companionable silence for another minute or so until I remembered something. Looking up at him, a bit shame-faced for not having said something sooner, I said, softly, "I'm so sorry about your mom."

It caught him off guard. His brows snapped together and he stared at his shoes, his eyes dulled a little by the painful memories. After regaining his composure, he mumbled, "That was a long time ago."

Nodding, I added, "I wanted to come back. It was…next to impossible."

Logan looked at me. "It's better that you didn't. I was pretty messed up back then. I'm glad you weren't around to witness any of it." After a moment, he added, "I did get your telegram. It really meant a lot to me. It still does."

I placed a hand on his arm. "I hope you had someone close to help you through it. I hated thinking of you going through all that alone."

A light came in to his eyes then. "Yeah," he breathed, and a little smile played on his lips. "There were a few friends who made it a bit more…bearable." I could tell he was thinking about going into a little more detail, but he hesitated and his expression became a bit more guarded.

A moment later, Tom popped his head around the corner of the porch. "How we doin? You guys ready to get this show on the road. Tom's expression revealed his continued curiosity about our friendship. Logan twisted around a little to respond, his wide smile ready. "Yup! Let's do this." He casually took my hand and led me around to where Janey waited in the car. He made a little show of opening the door on the driver's side with a flourish. He may have been a little older and a little wiser, but he was still the same Logan Echolls I'd loved since I was a child.

As we each settled ourselves and Tom got us on the road, my thoughts drifted back to that one magical night Logan and I had shared together.

Continue Flashback: Logan scooped up the case of champagne. "Come on, everyone's waiting." I opened the door. The cousins were waiting close by. Graham came over directly and took the champagne from Logan. "You two were in there for a long time." Logan met his gaze without pause. He knew he was golden.

My focus was on Patrick, who approached more reservedly from the side. His eyes were locked on mine. "Everything intact- I mean, in order?" I knew exactly what he meant.

"Shipshape. Dad changed the keycode again. Took a while to crack it." I looked at him squarely, knowing that what was not being said was more important than what was.

After a few tense moments Patrick smiled broadly. "Well okay then, let's pops some corks and toast this little firecracker!" Graham had two bottles in hand waiting for his cue. He handed one to Patrick and a moment later I was in a shower of champagne as the cheering and toasting began. A third bottle was shoved in my hand and I was encouraged to chug as much as I could handle. It was good stuff and it went straight to my head. I turned to hand the bottle to Logan so he could partake as well. He grinned at me and said, "Congratulations graduate." Before I knew it he had covered my lips with his in a celebratory kiss. Between Logan and the bubbly I felt like I was flying. He straightened a few moments later and drank a healthy swig of the stuff before placing the bottle at my lips and tilting it up to pour more down my throat. The crowd cheered louder. When I could not drink any more I pushed the bottle away, laughing uncontrollably. Logan's face was alight with laughter and happiness. I flung myself at him and kissed him passionately, laughing against his lips. He deepened the kiss, pulling me closer with his free arm until Graham pulled the two of us apart. "Okay loverboy, let the family get in there," he said as he pushed Logan back, swept me up in a boisterous hug and spun me around a few too many times. My head spinning, I was passed to Patrick who repeated the process. I was glad when he passed me back to Logan because I could not have remained upright on my own. He remained by my side as the other party goers each came up to hug me, wish me well and share a toast. By the time everyone had come up, I was completely loaded. (End flashback)

"Earth to Lizzy! Hello?" Janey had twisted around to face the back and was waving a hand in front of my face.

"Yes dear?" I enquired serenely.

"Where were you? I've been trying to get your attention for over a minute.

Smiling, I replied, "I was at a party. Within a party."

Janey stared at me as if she thought I was crazy. "Okaaaaaay," she said, drawing it out. I could feel Logan grinning. Janey continued. "You said you wanted to make a stop?"

"Oh right, thanks for reminding me sweetie. Tom, can you turn in to the next big shopping center on the right?"

"Sure thing Liz." I had Tom drive over to the liquor store. I had planned to zip in, pick up a few bottles of champers and zip out. When Logan decided to join me, Janey followed suit, dragging Tom along. Logan selected several very nice bottles of wine, as Janey stocked up on non-alcoholic choices. A few minutes later the four of us exited the store with Logan carrying a box full of a wide variety of beverages. Words cannot describe how much I was looking forward to this weekend.

A/N: I know this one is a slow build, but it will be worth it in the end. Many other characters (Veronica, Mac, Dick, Wallace, Eli) will be worked into the story eventually. Also, no copyright infringement intended.