Chapter 7: Duncan's Folly

******The Next Day******

Hector was coming out of the grocery store with a bag of things his mom had sent him to get when he noticed Thumper across the street in the corner alley talking to a white guy. Curious, Hector made his way closer and realized that Thumper was talking to one of the many Fitzpatricks. It looked like Thumper was giving the guy some money. When the guy took off, Hector approached Thumper.

"Yo! Thumper!" Hector hollered from across the road. Thumper looked up and crossed the road to him.

"Hola! Your mom got you running errands again?" Thumper asked with a grin. Hector's mom was always sending him to the store for one thing or another. If he couldn't be found, everyone knew to go to the local grocery store and there Hector would probably be.

"Yeah. Always, man. So why were you giving money to the Fitzpatricks?" Hector asked, giving him a penetrating gaze.

Thumper seemed surprised at the question but quickly replied. "The gringo spotted me some money on a pool game at the Styx the other day. I promised to meet him today and pay up. I'm no Welch. I always pay my debts."

"Since when do you hang out at the Styx?" Hector questioned.

"What's the big deal? I like to play pool," Thumper said, defensively.

"You know there's bad blood between us and the Fitzpatricks," Hector reminded him.

"There's no bad blood between me and them. They hadn't done nothin' to me," Thumper said.

"They killed our old leader," Hector said.

"Not my old leader," Thumper declared sullenly.

Hector didn't want to get into it with Thumper, so he decided to back down. "Okay, whatever. Be careful, mi amigo. Those gringos can't be trusted. They have no problem shooting a man in the back," Hector warned.

"Don't worry, Hec, I can take care of myself," Thumper said with a confident smile. He said goodbye and went back across the street to his bike.

Hector found Thumper's actions and explanation highly suspect. He walked to his bike and strapped the bag down on the back. Weevil needed to know about this.

An hour later, he found Weevil working at his uncle's shop. Weevil got out from under the car he was working on when Hector called his name. "Hector. What brings you by?" Weevil asked, getting to his feet.

"I thought you should know about the scene I witnessed with Thumper," Hector said. Then he told Weevil what went down.

"Did you buy Thumper's explanation?" Weevil asked.

"No. Since when does a Fitzpatrick spot one of us money? Something's going on," Hector said.

Weevil knew he was right. He thought about it a moment. Then he said, "I want you to get close to Thumper. Hang out more with him. Get him to trust you and find out what he's up to."

Hector grinned. "Good idea!" he enthused.

"Don't tell anyone else what you saw. If Thumper wants to challenge me, we need to know who's loyal to him. I don't want to be caught unaware. Everyone knows to stay away from the Fitzpatricks. For him to even hang out at the Styx is a violation of our ranks. I doubt pool is the draw. There's gotta be more to it," Weevil said.

"Yeah and giving the gringo money is muy mal," Hector pointed out. "I'll keep my eye on him and let you know." He waved goodbye.

Weevil watched him go, thinking about what Hector had discovered. Felix hated the Fitzpatricks more than anyone. It had been his brother that they had killed. If Felix had discovered Thumper was somehow in bed with the Fitzpatricks or even hanging out at the Styx, he would have flipped his lid. To Weevil, that sounded like a possible motive for murder. Maybe Thumper needed to be moved up the list of suspects.

******The Mars Residence******

Veronica opened the door and let Meg in. "Come on in. Don't worry. My dad already left for work," Veronica said.

"That's good. I couldn't leave until my parents left, and Lizzie agreed to watch our sister," Meg said. "Thanks so much for doing this."

"Well, you can't exist in limbo like this. You need to know for sure if you're pregnant. I bought two pregnancy tests at the Wal-Mart pharmacy. No one that works there knows me," Veronica said.

"My parents know so many people. I just couldn't bring myself to buy one," Meg said glumly.

"It's better to know one way or another," Veronica told her. They went to her bedroom. Veronica opened up her top dresser drawer and pulled out a bag. "I got two different brands. One will give you a plus sign if you're pregnant, and the other will turn the color it shows on the back of the box."

"I drunk a lot of juice this morning, so I should be able to do the dirty work," Meg said with a nervous smile.

Veronica grabbed her hands. "Hey, you're not alone. Regardless of how your parents react or Duncan, Logan and I will be there for you and so will my dad," Veronica assured her.

"You didn't tell them, did you?" Meg asked, a hint of panic in her voice.

"No. I'm not telling anyone until you're ready. Of course, you may not be pregnant. So go take the tests and find out. Do them both, so we only have to wait once," Veronica advised.

Meg gave her one last scared look before taking the boxes with her in the bedroom. Veronica couldn't believe that Duncan had possibly knocked up Meg, the sweetest and kindest girl in Neptune high. If she was pregnant, Veronica knew that she wouldn't choose abortion because of how religious her and her family was. That meant she'd have the stigma of being the first 09er in their class to have a baby. Veronica knew firsthand how cruel Meg's friends and the rest of the 09ers could be. If Duncan didn't step up, things would be very difficult for her.

Meg told her that she could come in. Veronica went into the bathroom as Meg was washing her hands.

"Did you look at the clock?" Veronica asked.

"Yes. We have two more minutes," Meg said.

"So if it's positive, do you plan on telling your parents or Duncan first?" Veronica asked.

Meg looked a bit ill just thinking of the two choices. "Probably Duncan. If he comes with me to tell my parents, they may not go as crazy," Meg said.

"Maybe you could get his parents to go with you, too," Veronica suggested.

"Oh great! I didn't even think about his parents!" Meg moaned. "His mom thinks he's perfect. She'll blame me!"

"Well, you didn't get pregnant on your own. She got pregnant in high school herself. Or at least that's what she told Jake," Veronica revealed.

"Really? Lilly?" Meg asked in surprise.

"Actually, she knew Jake was in love with my mom and faked a pregnancy to get him to marry her," Veronica shared. With what Meg was going through, she felt no compulsion to protect the Kanes' privacy.

"Wow! You are a fountain of information, aren't you?" Meg teased. Then she looked at the time. "It's time." She looked at the two tests. They told her what she already knew. She was pregnant. She sat down on the toilet and covered her face with her hands and cried.

Veronica looked at the test and knew that those were not tears of relief that Meg was crying. From here on out, it would be an uphill battle. Veronica just hoped that for once Duncan would show a glimmer of the man she used to love and do the right thing.

*****The Next Day*****

Veronica was getting ready for work the next morning when Logan called her.

"Good morning, Snookums," Logan said.

Hearing his voice made Veronica smile. "Good morning yourself, Sugarpants," Veronica retorted.

"Sugarpants? What kind of endearment is that?" Logan complained.

"What kind of endearment is 'snookums'"? Veronica replied dryly.

Logan's voice chuckled low in her ear. "Okay, we'll stick with Sugarpuss," Logan said.

Veronica rolled her eyes even though she knew he couldn't see her. "If you must," she said, unable to disguise the smile in her voice.

"I must. So what are you up to today? I miss you. I didn't get to see you yesterday," Logan told her.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to call you. But Meg came over, and we had a lot of things to talk about. She's having a rough time," Veronica explained.

"I'm glad she's talking to you again," Logan said.

"I get off at two. Do you want to meet me at work? We can spend the rest of the day together," Veronica suggested.

"That's the best offer I've had all day," Logan said.

"It better be the only offer you've had all day," Veronica warned.

"Well, it's still early," Logan teased.

"Wrong answer," she said, trying and failing to sound stern.

"How about this: that's the only offer I want to have all day," Logan assured her.

"Better," Veronica said.

"Or you're the only woman that even registers?" he continued.

Veronica's heart warmed at his words. "I knew there was a reason I kept you around," she said.

"When I see you today, I'll give you a few other reasons," Logan said.

Veronica laughed. "Okay, I'll hold you to that. But I gotta get going. I'll see you later," she said.

"I'll be there. Bye," Logan said.

Veronica hung up the phone with a smile on her face. Logan always knew how to make her laugh.

******Later that Afternoon at the Java Hut*******

Slightly after noon, Duncan came into the Hut and sat in Veronica's section. He had a book with him and ordered lunch. Veronica was cordial but not overly friendly. Seeing him brought her mix feelings. Between her talk with Logan and what was going on with Meg, she could no longer look at Duncan the same way she once had.

When his order arrived, she sat it down in front of him without saying anything. Duncan opened his mouth to say something to her, but she turned and went to the front to seat another customer. He stared morosely at her. His talk with Logan was still ringing in his ear. However, he couldn't help but stare longingly at Veronica. She must have caught his look because she marched over to him with that determined look on her face.

"What are you doing?" Veronica demanded.

"Eating a sandwich," Duncan replied, picking it up.

"That's not want I mean. What's with that look you were giving me?" she asked suspiciously.

"You aren't talking to me," Duncan said.

Veronica shrugged. "What do you want me to say?" Veronica asked.

"I don't know, but we used to be friends," Duncan replied.

"We used to be a lot of things," Veronica said grimly.

"I'd like for us to be at least be friends again," Duncan said.

"You don't need to worry about making friends with me. What you need to be doing is worry about the way you've hurt Meg," Veronica said pointedly.

Duncan looked uncomfortable at the sudden direction of the conversation. "I didn't mean to hurt Meg," he said somewhat defensively.

"That's just the thing, Duncan. You never mean to hurt anyone, but you do. Actions have consequences. You can't make women believe you love them and that they're important to you, and then just walk away like they mean nothing," she informed him.

Duncan knew she wasn't just referring to Meg. "I did love you, and you were important to me," he replied. "You still are, and I still do. Our story isn't over. If I hadn't believed what my mom said, you'd still be with me."

Veronica found herself surprised at his sudden boldness. After Logan's talk with him, she hadn't really expected this. "You are unbelievable! Our story is over, especially if you're going to be this stupid!" Veronica exclaimed, genuinely upset. "At one time, I really thought you did love me, but now I know you don't know the meaning of the word! You don't treat people you love the way you treated me. Or the way you're treating Logan by having this conversation. It was bad enough that you hurt me and sat idly by while Logan turned the entire school against me. Then you had to go and pursue the sweetest girl in school and make her love you. I will never be with you again, Duncan. Understand that, accept it, and move on."

"You forgave Logan. Why can't you forgive me?" Duncan asked, doggedly.

Veronica gave him an icy look. "The difference is Logan changed. He apologized. He made amends. I know he'll never do it again. However, you're doing the same thing to Meg that you did to me. You got her to trust you and love you; then you just walked away. How can I forgive you?" Veronica asked. She didn't want to bring up what had happened at Shelley's party. Not only was her place of work not the place to have that conversation, but she couldn't stomach having that particular talk.

"Can't we at least be friends? I miss you," Duncan said.

"You miss the me I used to be. The me I am now doesn't want anything to do with you until you step up and be the man you used to be once again. And if you value your friendship with Logan, you won't talk to me like this again," Veronica warned. Then she turned to greet the new arrival. She smiled to see that it was Logan.

Logan had come in to see Veronica talking animatedly to Duncan. She seemed upset. He bent down to give her a light kiss. "You're early," Veronica said.

"I couldn't wait to see you, and I thought I'd grab some lunch and hang out until you got off," Logan replied. "So are you okay? You seem upset. What was Duncan saying?"

"I'm okay. Duncan was just annoying me. After spending the day with Meg and seeing how hurt she is because of Duncan, I find myself impatient with his platitudes," Veronica shared. She grabbed a menu and led him to a table in her section that was adjacent to Duncan. Logan gave Duncan a salute as he walked by but didn't stop to chat.

"Did you want a coke and cheeseburger?" she asked.

"How about a chocolate shake, too?" he suggested.

"Got a sweet tooth today?" Veronica asked, smiling.

"I got a craving for something, and I think the shake will have to do for now," Logan replied with a suggestive grin.

Veronica felt her face heat a bit at the look he was giving her, but she played it cool. She raised an eyebrow at his comment but didn't say anything. Instead, she turned to put in his order.

Logan looked and saw Duncan eying the two of them. His face was devoid of expression. After looking at Logan a long moment, he took out his wallet and put some bills on the table. Then he got up and left. Logan's expression tightened at Duncan's actions. Duncan didn't seem to have heard what Logan said to him the other day. As soon as he could, Duncan was back sniffing around Veronica. Logan had a feeling that if he questioned Veronica, she would give him more unsettling information.

Veronica came back with his coke. "I'll bring your shake with your burger," she said, setting it down.

"Thanks," he said. "You know if Duncan doesn't quit hanging around here, I might have to hurt him."

Veronica looked alarmed at the thought. "No, Logan you can't," she said.

"And why not?" Logan asked, annoyed.

"Because Meg needs him," Veronica said grimly.

Logan looked surprised. He opened his mouth to ask more when Veronica held up her hand. "Please, Logan, don't ask. I can't talk about it. I'll share more when Meg tells me I can. She is hurt, but she still loves Duncan. It's been hard enough on her thinking Duncan never loved her," Veronica said.

"How could he when he's still in love with you?" Logan said sourly.

"Duncan isn't in love with me. He's in love with what used to be back when his sister was alive. That's all," Veronica insisted.

"I hope you're right," Logan said. However, he didn't for one moment believe that. But he could pretend to believe it if it made Veronica happy.

*****Chapter End*****

Disclaimer: Yes, I know that Veronica didn't actually know about Celeste possibly being pregnant until season 2, but I wanted her to have some reason to reassure Meg so let's pretend, okay? Also, forgive me if I got the detail wrong about Felix's brother being the old leader. It kind of works well with my story, so I hope you'll let it go!