A/N: Thanks again for the reviews. You guys seriously don't know how happy it makes me to read what you write.
A/N 2: I'm glad everyone likes the second version of the story with Parker changed a little bit. I like it a lot more too. It gives me so much more to work with.
A/N 3: Real quickly, someone wrote about not liking the script style of the story. I'm sorry, that's the only way I've ever written fanfics. All my General Hospital ones were script style too. I've practiced writing book style, but I haven't mastered it yet. Maybe someday...
Disclaimer: These characters still don't belong to me, but it's only October. Christmas hasn't arrived yet.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Mothers and Daughters
Chapter 3: Oh, Mother
Mac arrived at the Neptune Grand's Presidential suite at 6:46. Not because she wasn't a super punctual person but because she wanted to give herself time to strengthen her resolve just in case Dick's promise to keep it 'friends only' was total crap. The last time she came for a game night, the suite door was cracked open and Dick had yelled for her to come in from inside. When she walked into the room, there were candles lit everywhere and Dick was posed on the couch wearing a pair of silk boxers with hearts all over them. It was two days after they had had sex the first time. Panic and anger warred for dominance in Mac's mind and she did the only thing the two emotions agreed on – ran away from the scene as fast as humanly possible. Later, when she had gotten her stomach to stop clenching and her mind to stop buzzing, she emailed, texted, facebooked, and myspaced him with the same message: No means No A-hole!. He emailed, texted, facebooked, and myspaced back several times to apologize over a three day period. Mac ignored all attempts. She wasn't ready to face him or their murky situation yet. Finally, around midnight of the third night, her phone rang the ringtone she had given him recently,"Never Gonna Get it" by En Vogue, and she finally answered it. He apologized for the candles and boxers stunt and she apologized for freaking out on him. They agreed to a real game night the next evening and both went to sleep feeling better. The evening started out PG but ended with them giving Veronica and Logan a rated R show.
**FLASHBACK**
Dick: Dude, if you two are gonna stand there, be useful and hold a camera.
Dick's voice brought Mac out of her lust-induced haze. She lifted her head from where she was kissing on Dick's neck and looked at him in confusion.
Mac: What?
Dick: I was talking to Logan and Ronnie. You can carry on with what you were just doing.
Mac: Logan and Veronica?!?
Mac whipped her head around to look behind her . Her face and entire body flushed deep pink when she took in the sight of Veronica and Logan staring open-mouthed at her and Dick. With her mind reeling with embarrasment, it took her a few moments to see the precarious situation the staring couple was in, themselves. Veronica's shirt was on the floor at her feet and her bra was unclasped but still on. Her hand was completely gone inside of Logan's pants. Logan, who was still fully clothed, had one hand under Veronica's bra cup and the other had a very large, firm grip on one of Veronica's butt cheeks under the hem of her shorts. Veronica and Mac were both frozen, from shock at what they were looking at and embarrassment at what they were doing. Logan was also surprised, but he wasn't frozen because both of his hands continued to knead the flesh he was holding on to. Amusement also flickered across his face. The only emotion coming of Dick was complete frustration. Veronica broke out of her haze first and mumbled something close to 'oh dear God' and excused herself and Logan. They started to make their way to Logan's room and his hands were STILL MOVING. Veronica tried to dislodge them so their walk would be less awkward, but he refused to let go of his death grip on her body. Finally, he used the hand on her butt to lift her up and carry her into his room. Once the door slammed closed, Mac yanked the throw blanket that was on the couch, wrapped it around herself, and ran into Dick's room without so much as a backwards glance.
Mac changed Dick's ringtone to a generic one that night.
**END FLASHBACK**
Mac shuddered at the memory, but it was a necessary tool in reminding her what could not happen this evening. Mac raised her hand to knock, but didn't actually tap her knuckles on the door until she whispered to herself 'I will not have sex with Dick. I will not have sex with Dick. If I see one candle lit, I'm so out of here'. Satisfied that she had properly shielded herself from any potential advances, she knocked on the door and waited. Dick opened the door and when Mac realized he was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, she breathed a sigh of relief and followed him into the suite.
Dick: Hey, Macster. You ready for some wild fun?
Mac: That depends. What kind of fun are we talking?
Dick: I was thinking we start with Grand Theft Auto, a classic. Then move on to killing some aliens in a couple of rounds of Halo. Then we end the night with a little Mario Golf for the kid in all of us.
Mac: Sounds good. When do we eat? I'm starving.
Dick: I am way ahead of you. Pizza is already here and drinks are in the fridge.
Mac narrows her eyes and takes a peek inside the pizza box. She huffs in annoyance and turns to Dick, who had gone to retrieve the drinks.
Mac: I can't eat that.
Dick: Of course you can. It's like, the best pizza in Neptune. What's the problem?
Mac groans and slaps her hand on her forehead. She can't believe she is about to have this conversation with Dick AGAIN. She's had it with him dozens of times over the summer.
Mac: For the millionth time, I don't eat pizza because I'm a vegan.
Dick: Bull. You're just busting my balls. I've seen you eat pizza before.
Mac: Yes, Vegan pizza. I don't eat regular pizza.
Dick: This isn't regular pizza. It's veggie pizza. No meat in sight.
Mac: It's not just the meat that's a problem, Dick. I don't eat cheese, either.
Dick: Why not? Cheese isn't a meat.
Mac: But it comes from an animal.
Dick: So? It's not like it hurts them. In fact, it's good for them. Cows NEED to give milk or their boobs hurt.
Mac: Who told you that?
Dick: I don't know, I think I read it somewhere.
Mac: That's ridiculous. First off, cows don't have boobs, they have teats.
Dick snickers, unable to keep it in. Mac just glares at him and keeps talking.
Mac: And second, cows don't NEED to be milked. They'd do just fine without human interaction.
Dick: How do you know? Are you, like, a cow expert?
Mac: You know what, I'm not having this conversation with you AGAIN. The point is, I don't eat pizza with cow's cheese on it.
Dick: Well why didn't you say something when I said I'd get some for tonight when we were in the cafeteria?
Mac: I don't know. Probably because I was too busy rolling my eyes at your "nimble fingers" comment.
Dick: What's wrong with saying "nimble fingers"? It's not like it's a lie. You're a beast at playing video games.
Mac takes a break from snarling and smiles with pride at the compliment.
Mac: Yes, I am.
Dick: So we agree. You've got awesome fingers. And, naturally, I admire those awesome fingers. Just because I'd admire them even more if they were wrapped around my joystick doesn't mean anything.
Mac: You just couldn't stop yourself, could you?
Dick: I don't know. I didn't try.
Mac: You know what? I'm gonna go. I'll see you later, Dick.
Dick panics, and jumps up to grab her hand.
Dick: Wait. Look, I'm sorry. I was just joking with you. You said 'just friends' and I can dig that. Just because I want more than that doesn't mean I'm gonna try to force you or anything. Stay and I'll order you some weirdo cheese-free food and we'll chill. Please?
Mac: If I stay, will you stop saying inappropriate crap?
Dick: Do I have to? Cuz I just wouldn't be me without it.
Mac: Sadly enough, that's true. Will you at least keep it to a minimum?
Dick: How minimum?
Mac: Minimum enough so I don't feel the urge to slap you.
Dick: I don't know. I might enjoy that.
Mac glares at him again.
Dick: Ok. That was my last one today. I swear.
Mac still doesn't say anything, but her glare turns into a look of utter disbelief.
Dick: Ok, that was a lie. That was my last one until your food comes. After that, I make no promises.
Mac: If that's the best I can get, I'll take it.
Dick leaves the room to get the phone book so they can find a nice Vegan-friendly restaurant and Mac settles into the couch sipping on her soda.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
In another hotel room across town, things aren't quite so comfortable and casual.
Veronica: Hi, Mom.
Lianne: Hi, baby. I'm home.
Lianne steps forward to give Veronica a hug but her body tenses up as soon as Lianne makes contact. Lianne's hopeful face crumbles while she struggles while she has Veronica in her arms, but she clears her face when the tentative hug ends. She tries to keep a brave face on as she gestures for Veronica and Logan to sit down. The couple sits on the couch together and Lianne sits in the chair next to the couch. Logan immediately starts rubbing Veronica's knee in an attempt to ease the tension out of her body.
Lianne: So, Veronica. How have you been?
Veronica: I've been fine.
Lianne: Yea? How is school? I heard through the grapevine that you were attending Hearst.
Veronica Voice Over: The grapevine? The only person I can think of who would still be in contact with my mom and who knows where I've been is Jake Kane. Great.
Veronica: I am. Stanford just didn't...work out.
Lianne: I'm sorry to hear that.
Veronica: I'm not. Not really. Hearst isn't so bad. Everyone I care about is there. Mac and Wallace.
Logan: Hey!
Veronica: (smiling slightly) Oh, yea. Logan's there too.
Logan smiles and drapes his arm around Veronica, which causes Lianne to smile. The warm smile on Veronica's face while she's looking at Logan cools and becomes a friendly, polite, impersonal smile when she turns back to her mother.
Lianne: So you two are together. I've gotta say, I'm not surprised. I always thought there was a spark between you two, even back when you were young.
Veronica: That's because Logan's pervy 12 year old mind had a penchant for knee socks.
Logan: You have no idea what you're talking about. I still have a thing for you in knee socks.
Lianne: Is it serious between you two?
Veronica: I'd say so. We got married a few months ago.
The playful smile that had been gracing Lianne's face slides off and she looks back and forth between them surprised. Logan wants to groan at Veronica's nonchalant delivery of the news to her mother, but he holds it in. The entire conversation sounds like small talk between strangers and Logan recognizes it as both Veronica and Lianne's way of dealing with each other after so long apart and so many issues between them. Veronica puts her poker face to good use and continues looking at her mother as if she had just told her that it was a nice day outside.
Lianne: You did what? Are you serious? How did...What happened?
Veronica: It's a very long story but it ends with us in a chapel in Vegas tying the knot.
Lianne: Wow. How did Keith take the news? I can't imagine he was thrilled.
Logan: Definitely not at first. But he knows how much I love Veronica and how committed we are to each other. Plus, he gave me an extensive look at his gun collection, so he knows I'm adequately afraid of him.
Lianne takes in what is being said, but is still dumbfounded.
Lianne: I just can't believe it. I mean, if you're happy, I'm happy for you. I'm just really....surprised.
Veronica Voice Over: I'll bet. It's amazing how much you miss when you disappear for 2 years with $50,000 of your family's money. Speaking of...lets get this puppy back on track.
Veronica: So Mom, where have you been for the last two years?
Lianne: Oh, I've been a few places. I went up to Washington for a little while. I've got some cousins up there. It was a little too cold for my tastes so I went back to my friend's house in Arizona for a few months. When I got back on my feet, I got a little apartment out there and I've been there ever since.
Veronica: Is that where you got involved in whatever you're running from now?
Lianne: Yes, but not in the way you think.
Veronica: Than in what way, mom? When I talked to Cliff, he said you told him someone was trying to kill you. What are you involved in and who is trying to kill you?
Lianne: Please believe me, I didn't get involved with anything. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Veronica: I'm gonna need more details, mom.
Lianne walks over to the mini fridge in the corner and pulls out a half-full bottle of Coke. Veronica resists the urge to ask if there's anything other than soda in the bottle. Lianne takes a swig from the bottle before returning to her chair and settling back down.
Lianne: There's this bar near my apartment that I go to a lot.
Shame washes over Lianne as she watches the crestfallen look of disappointment that falls over Veronica's face at the confirmation that she is still drinking.
Lianne: I know what you're thinking, honey. And I wish I was stronger. But I'm not. I just...
Veronica: Don't mom. We don't need to talk about this now. Just, finish your story.
Lianne: This bar that I go to, I'm a regular at. It's a pretty decent place. Anyway, one night I was leaving and I saw a commotion in the alley next to the building. I looked over and saw what seemed like two or three guys beating up someone. I must've made a noise when I realized what was going on because one of the guys looked up at me. I saw his face pretty clear.
Veronica: Which means he saw yours clearly too. Go on.
Lianne: After our eyes met, I looked down and hurried home. The next morning, there was a report on the news about a dead body found in the dumpster about a mile from the bar. Anyone with information was asked to contact the police.
Veronica: Did you go to the police?
Lianne: No. I never got the chance to. I went out that morning to run a few errands and when I got back, my apartment had been ransacked. There were clothes everywhere, my furniture had been cut up and tables were flipped over. I figured the guys in the alley somehow found where I lived and went there to make sure I didn't go to the police.
Veronica: How would they have found you? If they had followed you home the night before, they would've confronted you then.
Lianne: It would've been easy to find out about me from the bartender. I told you, I'm a regular there. Anyways, when I saw my apartment, I panicked, grabbed some clothes and hopped on the first bus to Neptune.
Veronica: Do yo think they followed you here?
Lianne: I don't think so. I haven't noticed anything suspicious or weird. Then again, I haven't been outside since I checked in.
Veronica: That's good. Maybe they don't know where you are yet. It doesn't mean they can't find you, but this gives us a little bit of wiggle room. Is there anything else you can think of at the moment?
Lianne: No. Not unless you want the description of the guy I saw.
Veronica: Not yet. I'm gonna have to see if I can get you a sit-down with a sketch artist for that.
Lianne: Oh, ok.
Veronica: Well, I think I've got all the information I need for now.
Lianne: Ok. What are you going to do first?
Veronica: First I want to find the name of the officers heading up the investigation. Then..
Lianne: I have that.
Veronica and Logan both give Lianne puzzled looks and she scrambles to explain.
Lianne: I wrote the name and number down from the news report just in case I got a chance go to talk to him.
Lianne grabs her purse off of the table and fishes around in it for a few seconds. She pulls out a neatly folded sheet of notebook paper with a name 'Officer Benjamin Stolley' neatly written across the top. Veronica takes the paper and puts it in her messenger bag. When she pulls her hand back out of the bag, a cell phone is in it.
Veronica: That will definitely save me some time. I'm gonna do a little more background digging. Once I have a lead or need you for something else, I'll call you. Take this cell phone. It's untraceable. We don't know how much or how little these guys know about you, so you shouldn't use your own. If you have to call your friends or your job or something, keep it short and don't tell them where you are.
Lianne: Wow. So serious. Untraceable cell phones and short phone calls.
Veronica: I always keep at least two untraceable cell phones with me. You never know when they'll come in handy. And this is serious. We're trying to save your life here.
Lianne: I know. And, trust me, I really appreciate you being willing to help me after everything.
Veronica: Yea, well.
Veronica can think of nothing else to add, so she doesn't bother trying. Lianne looks as if she wants to say something, but is unsure of how to do it. Veronica waits her out patiently knowing that if Lianne is this hesitant to say something, it must be bad.
Lianne: I know Cliff said your dad was out of town for awhile. When do you think he'll be back?
Veronica: I'm not sure exactly. The last time I spoke to him, he had wrapped almost all of his cases up. He should be rolling back into town in about a week.
Lianne: Oh. Are you going to tell him about this?
Veronica: I don't know. Hopefully, we'll have this thing taken care of before he gets back into town.
Lianne: Oh, good.
The relief on Lianne's face confirms Cliff's suspicions that she doesn't want Keith to know she's in town asking for Veronica's help. That makes Veronica more suspicious of her and makes Logan more worried than ever.
Veronica: Ok. We're gonna go now, but we'll be in touch.
Logan: Actually, Lianne, could I use your bathroom before we go?
Lianne: Sure.
Logan: Thank. Ronnie, you can go wait in the car. I'll be down in a second.
Veronica looks at Logan, then nods and takes the keys he's holding in his hands. The only thing she does know is that she doesn't want to have to stay in the room alone with her mother, so she waves a quick good-bye before Lianne can try to hug her again and hightails it out of the room. The second the door closes behind her, she takes a deep breath and eases out the tension that has been in her body since she first laid eyes on her mother. Inside the hotel room, Logan and Lianne are facing each other. Logan's earlier friendly demeanor has turned serious.
Lianne: The bathroom is just that way, Logan.
Logan: I don't need to use the bathroom, Lianne.
Lianne: Oh. Then what do you need?
Logan: I just needed a few moments alone with you to get some things straight.
Lianne: (warily) Ok.
Logan: You haven't been around in awhile. I don't think Veronica and I were together any of the times you were in Neptune after your first exodus. You probably remember me as that wild, reckless, jack-assy teenager that was either pulling Veronica's pigtails or taunting her and calling her names.
Lianne: You want me to know that you've changed?
Logan: No, I want you to know that I haven't changed. Not really. I've gotten older and a little more mature, but believe me, that wild, reckless, jack-assy guy is still in there. But that side only comes out when I feel like someone I love is in danger or being taken advantage of.
Lianne's eyes grow wide with fear at how menacing Logan has become before her very eyes.
Logan: I just want you to remember three things. One, Veronica is the ONLY someone I love. Two, I will do anything and everything to protect her and keep her safe. And three, if I think you are setting her up or putting her in unnecessary danger in any way, I will show you and all of Neptune the true meaning of being Aaron Echolls son. Do we understand each other?
Lianne can't form words, so she merely nods. Logan's grimace turns back into a casual smile.
Logan: Good. We're paying for your stay here, so if you need anything, just charge it to the room. I hear this place has a pretty decent room service menu and a little market in the lobby. If you need something you can't buy here, call me, not Veronica, and I'll take care of it. Here's my cell phone number.
Logan gives Lianne a ripped piece of paper with his name and number scrawled across it. He nods one last time and leaves the room. The door closes behind him and a very shaken Lianne drops onto the couch and buries her head in her hands. Satisfied that he scared Lianne enough, he whistles on his way to the car. Inside, he can see Veronica playing with the radio. He slides into his seat and turns to her.
Veronica: Everything ok?
Logan: Absolutely.
Veronica: Did you wash your hands like a good boy?
Logan shakes his head and chuckles. He lifts his hands so she can inspect them.
Logan: Squeaky clean. So, how do you feel?
Veronica: I feel fine. I think things went well, don't you?
Logan: Yea, I guess. But are you sure you're ok?
Veronica: Yes. Why do you keep asking?
Logan: I don't know. You were just really...cold with Lianne.
Veronica: What? I wasn't cold. I was perfectly polite. I smiled and everything.
Logan: I don't mean cold like mean. Just cold like...formal and impersonal. Like you were talking to a stranger.
Veronica: That's what I was doing, isn't it? I haven't seen or spoken to my mother in years. I don't know her anymore than she knows me. Besides, If I wasn't polite and formal with her, I would've been screaming and crying and we wouldn't have gotten anything useful out of it. At least this way, we got the information we need to help her.
Logan: So you are gonna help her?
Veronica: Yea. I mean, stranger or not, she's still my mother. And it seems like a pretty simple case. We just find the guy who she saw and turn the info to the police. They arrest him and mom can go back to wherever she's been and we can get back to our lives.
Logan: Are you really not gonna tell your dad?
Veronica: I don't know. I mean, he's got the sheriff thing now and soon he'll have....OH NO!
Logan: What?
Veronica: Do you mind if we make one more stop before we head home?
Logan: Of course not. Where to?
Veronica: The dorms. I need to talk to Wallace. Lianne could really put a damper on our Parent Trap plan.
Logan: Is he even home? Didn't he say something about a study group?
Veronica: Yea, but he should be done by now. He's probably just getting back to the dorms as we speak.
Logan: You should call him to make sure. Just because you want him to be home already doesn't mean he is.
Veronica pulls out her cell phone to call Wallace. She puts it on speakerphone so Logan can hear.
Wallace: Hey V.
Veronica: Hey, Wallace. Whatcha doing?
Wallace: Nothing. I just got home from my study group, actually.
Veronica throws a smug look over to Logan, who knows she'll be gloating about this for awhile.
Veronica: Do you mind of Logan and I stop by for a second? I need to talk to you about something.
Wallace: Sure. The coast should be clear for awhile, too.
Veronica: Perfect. I'll see ya in a few.
Veronica hangs up the phone and settles back into her seat.
Logan: Be honest. Did you lojack Wallace?
Veronica: No Snookums. That's something special I only do to you.
Logan doesn't to know whether he should be relieved or annoyed, so he doesn't say anything about it. He changes the subject to ask another question.
Logan: What did Wallace mean when he said the coast would be clear?
Veronica casts a quick glance at Logan before she answers. She was hoping to avoid this subject for as long as possible.
Veronica: He just meant his roommate wasn't home.
Logan: Why would you care...his roommate is Piz again, isn't it?
Veronica: They signed on to be roommates again before he and I broke up.
Logan: Were you ever gonna tell me? Or were you planning on keeping that to yourself?
Veronica: I was gonna tell you if it became an issue.
Logan: What, like if I'm looking for you and your dad tells me that you've been staying with Wallace, only Wallace is at a hotel somewhere meaning you've been staying in his room alone with him? An issue like that?
Veronica: No, an issue like I only go to Wallace's room when I know Piz is gone, but somehow I run into him in the room by accident and he throws himself at my feet pledging his undying love and begging me to come back to him.
The last bit was thrown in there just to show Logan how ridiculous their argument was, but one look at his face shows that her statement is very close to what has already run through his mind. He looks tormented by the thought of Piz trying to get Veronica back.
Veronica: Logan?
Logan doesn't say anything and doesn't look at Veronica. His jaw is clenched and his hands are wrapped so tightly around the steering wheel that his knuckles are white.
Veronica: Pull over.
Logan remains silent, but speeds up in defiance.
Veronica: Logan! Pull over. Now.
Logan sighs and pulls onto the side of the road. Veronica briefly notes that they are about five minutes away from the campus. Logan still hasn't looked at her, so Veronica frames his face with both hands and turns his head to look at her. The intensity of the insecurity she sees in his eyes breaks her heart. She pulls him in for a rough, hot, possessive kiss and doesn't let go until she feels the tension leave his body. Her hands leave his face and thread through his hair when she feels him return the kiss with passion and possession that matches her own. When the need for air becomes greater than the need to feel each other, they break apart and Veronica's hands return to Logan's face.
Veronica: I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to be taken seriously.
Veronica pulls her left hand off of his face and raises it so he can see her ring.
Veronica: This ring and what it represents, mean something to me. Despite everything we've seen, it means something. Scratch that. Because of everything we've seen, it means something. I know I don't say it a lot, but Logan, I love you. You. Not anyone else. Ok?
Logan nods his head and gives her one last, short kiss before facing forward again. He eases back on the road and continues on to Hearst. When they finally reach the parking lot outside of Wallace's dorm, he parks the car and takes the keys out. Before either of them exit the car, he turns to Veronica.
Logan: I love you, too. More than anything.
Veronica smiles softly and nods, knowing that words aren't necessary at the moment. The couple meet up in front of the truck and grab each other's hands as they walk into the building. When they reach Wallace's door, Veronica starts knocking, and keeps obnoxiously knocking until Wallace opens the door looking very annoyed. Veronica just gives him a very wide, toothy smile and pushes past him into the room. Wallace looks pointedly at Logan.
Wallace: Can't you do something about her? She's your wife now, so that means she's your responsibility.
Logan: Sorry, Wally my boy. I'm just as afraid of her as you are.
Veronica: Oh come on, boys. Don't be like that. You know you love me just the way I am. I'm just too adorable to not love.
Logan walks over to Veronica and pulls her to him so he can nuzzle and kiss her neck.
Logan: When you're right, you're right.
Wallace: No, no, no. None of that. Quit all that cute cuddly crap and tell me what's going on? What did you need to talk about?
Wallace's words are a great mood killer. Logan drops his arms from around Veronica's waist and the pair turn to face Wallace.
Veronica: We've got problems, my friend.
Wallace: We wouldn't be us if we didn't have problems. What's up this time?
Veronica: My mother is back.
Wallace: What? Since when? And why?
Veronica: According to her, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now someone's trying to kill her. She wants my help in finding the guy. Logan and I just got finished talking to her.
Wallace: Wow. That's big. What are you gonna do?
Veronica shrugs as if it isn't a big deal.
Veronica: Find the guy and hopefully get him arrested and off of my mom's back.
Wallace: What does your dad think about this?
Veronica: He doesn't know and I'm not gonna tell him, at least not yet.
Wallace: I don't think that's a good idea. This could be dangerous, V.
Veronica: I don't think it is. She just saw something that she shouldn't have seen. Once these guys are arrested, she'll be fine.
Logan: She didn't just see something, Veronica. She thinks she saw them kill someone. That's pretty big.
Wallace: She saw someone murdered? Now I really think we should tell your dad.
Veronica: Well, I disagree. At least for now. What do you think is gonna happen if he gets back to town and finds out this ex-wife is back and needs help?
Wallace: He's gonna tell you to stay away from it and he's gonna handle it himself.
Veronica: Exactly. He's gonna drop everything and everyone and take care of her. That means she interrupts his life again and our operation goes bye-bye.
Wallace: Maybe helping your mom is a little more important than our parents' social life.
Veronica: Once again, I disagree. You know how important my dad is to me. It's just been he and I since my mom took off. For the last few years, we've been all the other had sometimes. But now that Logan and I are married, I'm not around as much. I need to know that he is going to be taken care of. I need to know that he is not alone. Nothing is more important than that, not even Lianne's drama.
Both Logan and Wallace have both softened after Veronica's words, but both still don't look totally convinced.
Veronica: Listen, let's just hold off on telling my dad for now. Let me look into things and see what I can do. If things start to look too dangerous, I'll tell him everything. I promise.
Logan and Wallace both nod and agree to let Veronica do things her way for now. Veronica smiles and is about to say something when all three hear the door open and turn towards it. Piz walks through the door smiling, but stops short when he sees that his roommate is not alone. His eyes go from the trio to Veronica solely with a mixture of happiness and longing in his eyes. She smiles tentatively at him.
Veronica: Hi, Piz. You come here often?
Wallace rolls his eyes and groans at Veronica's lame joke. Piz smiles warmly and Logan doesn't do anything.
Piz: Hi Veronica. Logan.
Veronica: How was your summer and our internship?
Piz: Awesome, just like I knew it would be. How about you? How was the FBI? Did you get to do more than just serve coffee and staple papers?
Veronica: Barely. I felt like a barista most of the time. But I did learn some cool stuff, so I'm glad I went.
Piz: How about you, Logan? Did you and Dick get to go on your big surfing trip?
Logan: No. I went with Veronica to D.C. Instead.
Everyone notices Piz wince at Logan's words but only Logan is pleased by it. Veronica had hoped that by the time school started again, he would be over her. Wallace just looks away and tries to ignore the awkwardness of the conversation.
Piz: Well, I'm sure that was fun. I only stopped by to pick up some stuff. I forgot my cell phone this morning. I have to go to work. It was good seeing you, Veronica. See you guys later.
Piz makes a hasty exit and Veronica turns and glares at a smirking Logan before following Piz out.
Veronica: Piz, wait!
Piz turns around at the sound of Veronica's voice and tries to cover the sad and wistful look that he knows is on his face. He doesn't cover it fast enough for Veronica not to catch it. He can tell because of the pitying look he sees on her face.
Piz: What's up, Veronica?
Veronica: I just wanted to apologize for dropping the news on you about Logan and I being back together like that. I hope it didn't offend you or ..you know..hurt you.
Piz: It's ok, Veronica. I can't say it's totally unexpected. I'm not gonna lie, I had hoped to get back to school to find you still single and missing me, but its' ok that you're not.
Veronica: You were right when you said that Logan and and I still loved each other. I think we always will. I didn't realize it until after you'd broken up with me. I'm sorry that you got hurt in the process of me figuring it out.
Piz: Don't be. I knew from the beginning that I wouldn't be able to keep you for long. You are definitely the major leagues and I'm...not. I'm just glad I got my chance to play. Nice guys like me don't always get a shot with girls like you.
Veronica: Don't say that. I liked you because you were the nice guy. This is gonna sound so cliché, but it really was me, not you. You're a great guy, I'm just soooo not the perfect girl. Someone like me would ruin someone like you.
Piz: I don't know. I think I'd be willing to give being a bad boy a shot for you.
Veronica: It's so not worth it, trust me. I'd like to still be friends, though. If you want to.
Piz: Sure. Why not. I'll take you any way I can get you.
Veronica looks hesitant and worried by what Piz has just said.
Piz: I was kidding. I thought you bad girl types went for inappropriate humor.
Veronica smiles and punches Piz in the arm playfully.
Veronica: We don't like it, we tolerate it.
Piz: I'll keep that in mind. I've gotta go, but I'll see you around. And thanks, Veronica.
Veronica feels better about the situation as she watches Piz walk away. Piz breathes deeply as he makes his way down the hall, telling himself that everything is ok. This is what he expected. He is so busy chanting to himself that he doesn't notice his fist is clenched so tightly that one of his nails has pierced the skin of his hand and his palm is now bleeding.
Inside the dorm room, Wallace had taken advantage of Veronica's absence and took the opportunity to talk to Logan alone.
Wallace: Did you have to do that?
Logan: What? He asked.
Wallace: Nevermind. Just tell me the truth about something. Is Veronica really ok with this whole mom thing?
Logan: Honestly, I don't know.
Wallace: How did she seem when they were talking?
Logan: Weird. I mean, she wasn't mean or rude or anything. She was just the opposite, actually. She was nice and polite and casual. But she was so impersonal. It was like she was talking some new client who wanted to hire her. I'm worried about her.
Wallace: Me too. I mean, I know that's her way of dealing sometimes, but this is her mom. Veronica usually avoids talking about her mom at all costs. Now that she's forced to, I'm scared of what it will do to her. Especially since Lianne doesn't have the best track record for being honest or reliable. She's hurt Veronica so many times, I just don't know how many more Veronica can take.
Logan: We'll just have to watch her closely, at least until we bring Keith in on this.
Wallace: Watch who? Veronica or Lianne?
Logan: Both. I don't want Veronica getting involved in anything bad or getting hurt over this. And Lianne...I've got a bad feeling about her. Something about her story was just...off. I don't trust her and until we figure out exactly what's going on with her, I'm keeping my eye on her.
Wallace: You know I've got you and V's back on this. Just let me know what I can do.
Logan: Thanks, man.
Wallace and Logan bump fists to seal their deal. Veronica comes back in the room after talking to Piz just in time to see their manly fist-bump handshake.
Logan: So, how's Piz?
Veronica: Fine now, no thanks to you. Now what was all that handshaking about? What were you two talking about?
Logan: Oh, you know, just stuff.
Veronica: What kind of stuff?
Wallace: Stuff stuff. Manly stuff.
Veronica: Uh huh. You two are up to something. You know I'm gonna figure it out. You might as well just spill it now.
Logan: If you must know, Miss Nosy, Wallace and I were just talking about who was better at playing Madden.
Wallace: I told him that I could spank him at any football game in any place at any time.
Logan: And I told him that the only person spanking me for anything was you.
Wallace: Then after I gagged, he told me to put my money where my mouth was and bet me $50 that I couldn't beat him.
Veronica: Ahhh. And when is this display of finger-pressing ability gonna be given?
Logan: We were thinking we could crash Dick and Mac's game night and give it a go.
Veronica: That's fine by me as long as you feed me first. I'm starving.
Wallace: I could go for some grub myself.
Logan: Chinese food?
Veronica and Wallace both nod in agreement at Logan's dinner suggestion.
Logan: Ok. Egg rolls all around. We'll pick some up on the way home.
Veronica: Do you think maybe we should call Dick or Mac before we crash their game night? You know what we saw the last time we walked in on them unexpected.
Wallace: What did you see?
Veronica: Let's just say I saw more of Dick and Mac than I ever needed to see.
Wallace's eyes get huge and he looks between Veronica shuddering at the memory and Logan grinning at the memory.
Wallace: Mac and DICK?
Logan: On the living room floor.
Wallace: What is this world coming to? First you two pop back into town married and now Dick and Mac are going at it on the living room floor. These are truly signs of the apocolypse.
Veronica puts her hands on Wallace's shoulders and pushes him out of his dorm room.
Veronica: Bring on the horsemen!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
At the suite, game night has gone a lot smoother after the food debacle was ironed out. They played until Mac' food arrived, then played for about an hour straight. They were in the middle taking a break to let their finger rest when Dick started trying to come up with a new nickname for Mac.
Dick: How about Macadacious? It's like Mac and bodacious all in one.
Mac: No.
Dick: Ok. What about MacTasty?
Mac: That makes me sound like a burger. And no.
Dick: MacYummy? MacSexy? Mac-a-lickin-good?
Mac: No. No. And are you kidding me?
Dick: Come on, Mackie. I gotta call you something.
Mac: So call me Mac.
Dick: No. I gotta give you a nickname. It's my thing.
Mac: Mac is a nickname.
Dick: Not one I gave you.
Mac: Well, if you can come up with one that's not stupid, degrading, or embarrassing, I'll let you call me it.
Dick: Right on. I'll find a good one, MacNasty.
Before Mac can even yell at Dick about that nickname, Veronica makes hers, Logan's, and Wallace's presence known.
Veronica: MacNasty? Really?
Mac: Veronica! What are you guys doing here?
Veronica: We were gonna hang out with you guys, but now we're gonna get in a huddle and figure out what the hell a MacNasty is.
Dick: It's my new name for Mac.
Mac: It is NOT your new name for me. If you ever call me that again, I will turn you from a MacDick to a MacGirl.
Logan: I can't decide if this is more or less entertaining than walking in on your two sans clothing.
Veronica: I vote more entertaining. Hearing someone tear into Dick never gets old.
Wallace: Well, I have nothing to compare this to, thank God. But this is pretty fun to watch.
Dick: What are you guys even doing here? I thought I told you this was a party for two.
Veronica: You should know by now that we rarely listen when you speak. Besides, Logan and Wallace have a bet to settle.
Logan: And it will be much more fun to take his money in front of an audience. If we waited for you two to finish, I wouldn't get the chance to do that.
Wallace: You just keep talking. V, you may want to prepare yourself. Your husband's ego is gonna need all kinds of stroking after I'm through with him.
Logan: Hey, whether I win or lose, I'm still getting stroked by the wife. Unlike you who will go home to a cold, empty bed. Unless you and Piz have something going on that I don't know about.
Mac: What game are you guys betting on?
Wallace: Madden.
Mac: Ooooh. Can I get in on that action? I put fifty on Wallace.
Logan: Mac, you wound me.
Mac: You'll get over it. I've seen him play Madden.
Dick: Then I have fifty on Logan. I can't let my boy go out like that. You want in on this, Ronnie?
Veronica: Nah. I'll just sit back and watch you idiots throw money away on something completely useless.
Logan: (snorts) Please. You just want to eat all the egg rolls without interruption.
Dick: Egg rolls?
Dick goes to make a grab for one and Veronica slaps his hand away.
Veronica: Touch that egg roll and it will be your last meal.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Across town at the Extended Stay, Lianne is vegged out in front of the television with a now empty coke bottle. The liquid inside had done it's job and smoothed the rough edges left by the meeting with Veronica and the conversation with Logan afterwards. Lianne is so relaxed that she doesn't realize her cell phone is ringing until the second chorus of the song plays. She hurriedly answered the phone before it went to voice mail.
Lianne: Hello?
Lianne listens to the other line.
Lianne: Yea. I saw her today. She's beautiful. Still so beautiful.
She listens again.
Lianne: No, she agreed to help. She's going to start looking into things tomorrow. Her father is still out of town, so I don't think she'll have to tell him anything. I really don't want to get him involved.
More listening
Lianne: That's what I'm hoping to. There could be a slight problem though. She didn't come alone. Logan Echolls, Aaron Echolls son, came with her. Apparently, they're married.
More listening.
Lianne: I know, but she seems serious about it. And he is definitely serious about her. He basically told me that he will do anything to protect her, so I better not be setting her up for anything.
More listening.
Lianne: No, I'm not going to worry about Logan Echolls. I'm not doing anything to put her in danger, so he won't be an issue.
More listening.
Lianne: Ok. I'll talk to you later.
Lianne listens again and her face softens.
Lianne: Always. Goodnight.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As always, Please Review!!!