Title: Rules Of Engagement
Disclaimer: Sadly I am not the owner of the wonderful strike of brilliance that is Veronica Mars and its associated characters. All the credit goes to the genius that is Rob Thomas.
Warning: This chapter may have some offensive words! I'm really sorry
Story: Set in an alternate version of Ruskie Business. Also Duncan never found out that Veronica might be his sister. Story picks up from where Logan views the footage of his mom's jump.
Due to popular demand this chapter will feature the dinner with Aaron.
A/N: Thanks to Red Devil for her support, and the contributions she made to this chapter!
-----------------------------------------------------
Flashback: Echoll's Mansion
Veronica and Logan walked into the Echoll's foyer, Logan's hand grasped firmly in her own. Sighing Veronica looked up as Aaron Echolls makes his way down the stairs.
"Hello Veronica," he says shaking my hand and smiling.
"Hello Mr. Echolls," said Veronica returning his smile.
"Please call me Aaron."
Nodding Veronica repeated his name before Logan dragged her up towards his bedroom.
"Come on bobcat, I've got something for you," he said waggling his eyebrows at her.
"Oh sweetie, how you dote on me."
"Nothing's too good for me girl," he said as he mock saluted Aaron.
30 minutes later:
Veronica and Logan were outstretched on Logan's bed silently staring up at the ceiling. Logan had his arms wrapped protectively around Veronica's frame as she looked at him and smiled.
"What?" asked Logan suddenly perplexed.
Smiling Veronica kissed him on the cheek rolling onto her stomach, an arm on either side of Logan.
"I love you Logan Echolls."
Placing a hand on either side of her face, Logan pulled Veronica's lips down towards his own, placing a tender kiss on her soft lips.
"I love you too Veronica. I've loved you ever since you were twelve and running around in that sexy soccer outfit of yours. I loved you when you blushed at everything me or Lilly would say and I love you even more now then I ever have. And I'll love you tomorrow, even more than I do now. I LOVE you Veronica Mars, forever and always."
A silent tear sliding down her cheek, Veronica kissed Logan, as if she could consume his from mouth down. Cherishing, every taste, every touch, everything.
Having witnessed the whole exchange Aaron Echolls quietly knocked on his son's door.
"Dinner's ready, if you guys wanna come downstairs," Aaron offered leaving the room.
LoVeLoVeLoVeLoVeLoVe
Veronica sat staring at her plate awkwardly as Aaron Echolls, Hollywood A-lister attempted to make small talk.
"So Veronica how's school?" asked Aaron just as Veronica finished her last bit of spaghetti bolognaise.
Before Veronica could answer Logan piped up.
"Veronica's brilliant at school. Did you know she's one of the forerunners for the Lilly Kane scholarship?" looking over at Veronica Logan smirked as she muttered 'it's nothing really', "Now Ronniekins don't be modest."
As the young couple laughed together Aaron decided it was now or never.
"Well Veronica I must admit, I'm glad to see you back in Logan's life. I know he won't admit it but I know he missed you and I think you're exactly what he needed. Sometimes when tragedy strikes the only thing we can do is to move on with our lives and I'm glad my son decided to move on with you. I must admit I was a little shocked when I picked up the tabloids yesterday but I want you to know that you have my blessing and I'm more then happy to pay for the wedding."
Mouth aghast Veronica attempted to correct Logan's father before she was once again interrupted by Logan.
"Gee Dad that's really generous. We'd love to stay but Veronica and I have important stuff to do. I mean weddings are a lot of hard work."
Before Veronica had the chance to castrate her Logan for his idiotic behavior she was being dragged out the door.
"Come on sweetie, don't want your dad to kill me before we even have the chance to get married," said Logan just loud enough for his infamous father to hear.
--------------------------------------
Duncan spotted Veronica leaning against Logan's locker smiling as the latter leaned down and kissed her. Veronica bowed her head coyly as Logan pressed his lips to her to the crook of her neck. Blushing slightly Veronica grabbed an "Out Of Order" sign out of her bag, leading him towards the girl's bathroom. Looking around anxiously Veronica placed the sign on the door and pushed Logan through the door.
As Veronica entered the bathroom, two strong arms pushed her against the wall as Logan's lips attacked her own. Smiling Veronica pulled Logan closer to her as Veronica's legs encircled his waist. Wrapping his arms around her legs Logan lowered Veronica onto a basin, as she used her legs to pull him closer once more.
Angrily wrenching open the door to the girl's bathroom, Duncan Kane stood rooted to the spot staring at the scene before him. Fuming Duncan approached the kissing couple anger radiate from his being.
"WHAT THE HELL MAN?!" Duncan bellowed, his voice reverberating throughout the bathroom.
Racing toward Logan, Duncan pulled his friend away from Veronica, slamming him into a wall in the process, as his fist collided with the side of Logan's face.
Ducking under the Kane's next punch Logan shot a look at Veronica's panic stricken face, warning her with his eyes to stay away. Duncan struck again this time getting Logan square in the stomach with a sickening thud. Grunting in pain Logan shielded his head as Duncan threw him into yet another wall before pushing him to ground with a loud thud.
Looming aggressively over Logan, Duncan focused a years worth of anger and grief at his former best friend.
"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING LOGAN?!" asked Duncan, his jaw tightening as a slight tremor ran through his body.
"Well I was making out with Veronica up until a few seconds ago. What's your problem DK?" asked Logan an edge of anger beginning to creep into his voice as he picked himself up off of the floor, realizing that the physical attack was probably over.
"What's…. what's my problem?! WHAT THE FCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING WITH VERONICA, LOGAN?" bellowed Duncan as he fought to control himself.
"Gee Duncan I thought we just covered this," smirked Logan.
Angrily Duncan took another threatening step towards his 'best' friend and the love of his life, his knuckles turning white from the effort of not punching Logan.
"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO GO AFTER VERONICA! I TRUSTED YOU MAN AND YOU BETRAYED ME. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MY BEST FRIEND AND YOU TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME?! YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT HER! VERONICA'S MINE LOGAN! MINE!!!"
Growing tired and angry at Duncan's angry comments Veronica jumped down from the basin and stepped around Logan in an attempt to address Duncan. Body trembling with fear, relief washed through the tiny blonde as Logan placed his hands reassuringly on her shoulders, as he realized that this was something Veronica needed to do.
"I'm your's? Excuse me Duncan but the last time I checked I didn't belong to anyone least of all you. You left me remember? You left me friendless and alone Duncan! You humiliated me! And now you expect me to take you back!? That's so not gonna happen. You left me without giving me a reason or even bothering to tell me. I thought I'd never get over it but I did! I LOVE Logan! Please Duncan, just leave it alone," said fighting the tears that were soon to come.
Turning to walk away Veronica was stopped as Duncan's voice followed her.
"Please Veronica, I LOVE YOU!" cried Duncan frustrated and angry.
"I said leave it Duncan," said Veronica forcefully as she continued to walk away, before something stopped her. Veronica Mars wanted answer and now was the time to get them Veronica thought as she turned to face Duncan once more.
"If you loved me so much why did you walk away? Why did you leave me friendless and alone? WHY DIDN'T YOU STAY?" screamed Veronica, as her pent up emotions and unanswered questions came bubbling to the surface. An expression of steely resolve firmly planted on her face.
"THEY WERE GOING TO KILL YOU VERONICA!!! If I stayed with you, you would have ended up dead," cried Duncan, as he fought hard to gain control of his emotions sinking to the floor.
Logan's jaw dropped as Duncan's words rung through his head, dead? Seeing Veronica who was now in tears, Logan took another step closer to her, wrapping his arms around her shoulder's, holding her against him and kissing her hair gently.
"Dead?" said Veronica, voice small as a steady flow of tears streamed from her eyes.
Looking up at the woman he loved and the tears in his eyes Duncan calmed instantly, as he saw the fear and hurt behind her eyes. Realizing he had said too much Duncan looked around eyes wide as he checked to see if anyone had heard his little outburst. Seeing that no one had and realizing Veronica was no longer going to walk away he started compose himself as he picked himself up off of the floor. He was surprised when Logan's hand reached out to him and helped him up the rest of the way.
"I couldn't stay with you not after…. I got some photos Veronica, you had a target on your head and whoever sent them said I had to stay away from you or they'd kill you. I shouldn't have believed it but I just… I loved you so much. I didn't want you getting hurt. I wanted to protect you. Please Veronica you have to believe me," said Duncan falling to the ground, shoulders shaking as he sobbed silently.
Breaking away from Logan's arms, Veronica put her arms around Duncan, rubbing soothing circles on his back. All her previous anger at her ex boyfriend has disappeared and was now replaced with empathy.
Logan tensed as he let Veronica slide away from his grasp. It was the hardest thing he'd ever had to do, let her go. Logan fought the urge to call her back to him as she comforted a now sobbing Duncan Kane.
"It's okay Duncan I believe you. I really do," said Veronica crying along with her one time true love.
Logan's heart sank as his stomach dropped to the floor, fighting for his breath as he tried not to give into the sudden grief that tried to overwhelm him.
"I believe you Duncan, but it doesn't change anything. There was a time when I'd do anything just to hear you say you love me but that's not now. I'm sorry Duncan but I can't be with you. I moved on. I love Logan, I always have. I'm sorry Duncan but I can't, you're always going to be part of me. I've moved on and you should too," said the tiny blonde sadly, before kissing Duncan on the cheek and exiting the bathroom.
----------------------------------
Veronica sat in Logan's Xterra quietly contemplating her life, unshed tears glistening in her eyes. She refused to cry, she'd been through too much to let this get to her. She needed to be strong and find out who had threatened her life and why. Looking up from her seat in the car Veronica forced a smile as Wallace and Logan both came striding towards her car.
You know you're in trouble when both you're best friend and boyfriend come looking for you. Since when have Wallace and Logan been friends? Chill Veronica, be cool.
Opening the door Veronica smiled up at Logan nonchalantly as he approached her.
"Hey boyfriend. Mind if I take your car for a spin?" asked Veronica swinging his key ring around her finger and attempting to ignore the worried look on both men's faces.
Sighing Logan nodded as he climbed into the passenger seat of the car. Veronica followed Logan's progress well aware of the fact that this would probably be the only time she'd ever get to drive the big bird.
Starting the engine Veronica turned to face Wallace who was still in awe.
"Coming?" she asked a smirk on her face.
"Fine, but if I get busted I'm blaming you," mumbled Wallace sliding into the back.
Pulling out of the parking lot the threesome of teens once again failed to notice the photographer lurking behind a parked car.
REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW
