All right, everyone was really freaked about Logan cheating on Veronica. Things aren't always what they seem… And I hope no one hates me for the way I wrote Duncan. A part of me likes him, but the other figured his use was a lot better this way. You'll all understand by the end.
Chapter 10
When confronted with a situation like the one in front of Veronica, there were two things a woman could do. One, scream and start a cat fight with the other woman over the man they were sharing. Two, cry about your betrayal and run away prepared to dump the man forever. Veronica had done enough of both some time or another. So she came up with Option 3.
"Get lost." Veronica snarled, using all her strength to pull Kendal out of the suite and lock the door after her, leaving her facing Logan.
"Wow." He said."
"I'm going to give you thirty seconds to explain before I walk out of here for good."
Logan tensed at that and walked closer to her.
"I swear it wasn't what it looked like. I got home from school and passed out on my bed. I was really tired from-
"Your fight with Weevil in the boy's bathroom."
"How did you-never mind. Yes, my ribs were hurting and my jaw's bruised. I wake up to Kendall trying to take off my pants. She'd already gotten my shirt, so I pushed her off me. She was only wearing that damn towel and I pushed her out of my room, trying to close the door, but she put half her body in and I… can't hurt a woman like that, Veronica. I told her to leave and she said she had a job to do. If I didn't want her she would have to wait for Duncan to get home and offer herself to him. That's when you knocked on the door and she went to answer, hoping it was Duncan. She's a meaningless whore. I would never cheat on you, Veronica. Never. I know what it feels like." He looked down.
Veronica took a deep breath.
"I believe you"
"You do?" Logan's head shot up and his eyes were wide.
"Yes, is that surprising?"
"You don't always trust me. And you have the right to doubt me I was a jackass last year, betraying you and hurting you every chance I got, but now I love you so much Veronica and cheating or doing anything that would hurt you would kill me. On top of that, I've seen firsthand what cheating does… what it did to my mother. The way I felt when Lilly paraded her various guys and flings in front of me."
"I love you too, Logan. That's why I have to believe that you wouldn't hurt me like this. You know what it feels like and you aren't capable of doing it to me. If we're going to have a relationship it can't be based on lies and my trust issues. I trust you and I hope you trust me."
"I do. You know I do." He pulled her into an embrace and she rested her head on his bare chest.
It was warm and inviting, like his bedroom was. Yet, sex only brought the true issue back to her mind. She had gone to see Logan for a reason.
"There's something I have to tell you." She stepped out of his arms.
"What's wrong, Veronica?" he stroked her hair, seeing the change in her usually vibrant blue orbs.
The color had dulled and there was deep sadness there.
"I was raped the night of Shelley's party. Duncan wasn't the only one that night. And the reason I'm sure of that is… I took a test at a clinic checking for STD's and I have one. Chlamydia." Her voice cracked. "A-and Duncan didn't have it since we were both virgins that night. That m-means that-that" she broke out into sobs and Logan's arms were around her again, tight and secure.
"I'm so sorry, my love. So sorry." He let her sob into his chest.
"I understand if you want me to go now." She wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve and stepped completely away from him.
"What are you talking about?" he grabbed her arm. "Why would I want you to leave?"
"Because you're so disgusted with me. Knowing what I-I have." She felt ashamed and dirty.
She wanted to take a million showers and scrub her skin until it was raw.
"I'm not disgusted with you, Veronica. I'm disgusted at what happened to you. The fact that some bastard is walking around, with all his teeth still in his mouth, while you suffer. You do not deserve what happened that night at Shelley's. I have to blame myself for not being there for you."
"No, don't." she put a finger over his lips.
"I don't blame you. Or Duncan or myself. I came to tell you because you are a part of my life and I need to trust you more. I want us to be okay, Logan."
"We are. I love you Veronica. We'll get through this together."
"Thank you." She said, allowing him to pull her into his bed.
That night she slept in his arms, her head on his chest their hands intertwined. She had no nightmares because Logan was with her. He was her dream catcher, her tether to the ground, her love. She now knew what trust felt like. Veronica Mars didn't hand out her trust and the passage to her heart freely. Only a select few had gotten past her walls. Of those few only Logan was close enough to break her heart. It was just something she hoped he'd never do. In the same way, no one could hurt Logan like Veronica could. They needed each other and with hard times ahead, holding on to their love was paramount.
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If Keith Mars had gotten home that night he would have seen a certain blonde daughter of his missing from her bedroom. She was spending the night on the other part of town in her boyfriend's suite. Thankfully, for Logan and Veronica, Keith stayed late at the office because Mayor Woody Goodman had hired him for an important case: recovering the tapes of the Aaron Echolls/ Lilly Kane sex tapes. All the tapes, original and copies, had been stolen from separate safes, which hinted to the steal being an inside job. It had to be one of the deputies or Lamb himself.
Keith had tried to convince the mayor that with his history working a case so important would be awkward and uncomfortable. Woody said it was precisely that history that made Keith essential to the investigation. And so Keith agreed. After all, a chance at interrogating Lamb and his deputies would be fun in any circumstance.
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Duncan looked around the hallways of the hospital, walking nonchalantly towards Meg's room. He had sat in the waiting room, wearing a black hat and jacket, reading a large newspaper and waited until Meg's parents went down to the cafeteria for dinner at exactly 7:30. He made sure no nurses or doctors saw him as he slipped into Meg's room.
"Duncan?" the blonde said, voice sleepy.
"Meg. I would have come by sooner, but-
"I know what my parents did. It's fine. I'm glad you're here now."
"How are you and the baby?"
"I figured you'd take the letter from my room." She gave a small smile and pushed some of the equipment covering her bed away.
Duncan stepped close to the bed and put a hand on Meg's large stomach.
"7 months, right?"
Meg nodded.
"It's a girl, Duncan."
"She's going to be beautiful" he caressed her stomach lovingly and Meg let tears fall from her eyes. "What's wrong, Meg?"
"My parents are taking her away from me. As soon as she's born they're sending her to the Levi Stinson Sanctuary House. It's horrible. Their adoption contracts are full of religious indoctrination and using heavy discipline to make children mature. It's a virtual license for abuse!" she was getting slightly hysterical and her heart monitor was reacting to it.
"Meg, calm down. If you get more stressed the machines will beep and we can't have anyone walking in on us. I'm not allowed to be here."
The girl took a deep breath to slow her heart rate but the tears couldn't be controlled.
"What are we going to do?"
"I'll fight for custody. The baby is legally ours."
She shook her head mournfully.
"My parents hired lawyers to dig for dirt on you and your family. They're planning to expose your medical history with the blackouts and violent outbursts. You'll never win in court."
"Then, we'll find another way." Duncan checked his watch. "It's almost 8 o clock. Your parents will be back soon. I'll come back tomorrow, Meg. Same time."
"I-I love you Duncan. And I don't expect you to say it back. I'm not sure where your feelings stand, but I want you to know that. And now I want you to promise me something."
"Anything." His voice was slightly dry from Meg's declaration.
"Promise that if anything happens to me you won't let my parents take our little girl away. You won't let them keep her. No matter what, you'll find a way to save her."
Duncan paused before strengthening his voice.
"I promise."
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The next day passed in blur for both Logan and Veronica. They just knew they were together and in love, both trusting the other with all they possessed. Mac smiled the second she saw the couple holding hands as they walked in. She knew pushing Veronica to share things with Logan would lead to good consequences.
After school Logan was greeted by Deputy Sacks and the trusty police car. Veronica frowned as he was taken away and dialed Cliff's number.
"I think we're still on the you owe me part of this arrangement." He answered.
"It's not a favor, it's a simple question."
"Is it a question about information you shouldn't know about?"
"Cliff, come on, it's not that bad."
"That's what you always say. Let's hear it, Blondie." He sighed.
"Logan was taken by Deputy Sacks for questioning and I was wondering if there was a serious case going on. You must know about it."
"I do, but… this is one I can't tell you about."
"Cliff, come on!"
"I'm serious. You need to ask your father."
"My father? Why would he know?"
Cliff cleared his throat nervously.
"It's the case he's investigating."
"What case would my dad investigate that would involve getting Logan taken in for questioning? It would be Felix's murder… so… Wait."
"I really should go." Cliff said.
"No you don't. Is this about Lilly's murder?"
"Well, if you figured it out I'll be going now."
"Clifford! What happened? Should I be worried?"
Cliff knew he couldn't keep it from the little blonde one. He remembered holding her as an innocent baby and watching her grow up into a persnickety young woman. The Lilly Kane case had turned her life upside down. Cliff wasn't sure why Keith hadn't told Veronica about the tapes and his suspect list, but she had to know.
"Fine, but keep your dad and his gun collection away from me."
"I will."
"The Aaron Echolls/Lilly Kane tapes have been stolen."
Veronica almost dropped her phone.
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As the investigation into the missing tapes dragged most of Neptune's residents into it, a piercing scream was echoing throughout the town's hospital. And as panicked doctors and nurses filed into Meg Manning's room to try to save the girl and her baby Duncan Kane stood at the end of the corridor, frozen with the flowers in his hand wilting to the floor.
He'd arrived at the time he'd told Meg, ready to return her love and promise he'd be there for her and the baby forever when he heard a machine's loud sound of danger from Meg's room and then a crowd of medical staff rush into her room. He saw Meg's parents run to the room from the other hallway and he ducked into a supply closet.
I love you Meg. I'll keep my promise. No one will take our daughter… Lilly… from us. He vowed.
And in that instant, that Meg was dying as her daughter was being born, Duncan thought of a plan that would cause so many of his loved ones to hate him. A plan that would change the lives of all involved, but Duncan knew was necessary. If he was leaving, he needed to tie up loose ends that had plagued him. He placed a call to Clarence Weidman, the last call he'd make from the country.
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Clarence Weidman collected the six tapes and put them into a bag of cloth. He drove to the Coronado Bridge and took out a lighter. He set the cloth on fire and quickly dropped it into the dark ocean before driving the way he'd come. Now, he was on his way to complete the second part of his orders. He stopped at the hospital, glancing in every direction for a sign of the Sheriff or any investigators. Moments later, Duncan slid into the back seat, a bundle of blankets in his arms.
"To the private airfield. I assume the plane is ready."
"Yes, Mr. Kane. I made all necessary arrangements. The course is set for Europe, but once you are on the plane the pilot knows to change his destination for wherever you are planning to go."
"I wish I could tell you, CW."
"I know, sir. Can I ask you one thing?"
"Yes. I'll try to answer if I can. You've been the person I considered closest to family after my sister's death. God knows my parents aren't people I trust anymore."
"Why the tapes?"
"Without those tapes Aaron's lawyers will win."
"Veronica Mars won't like that."
Duncan's eyes shut at the mention of Veronica, the girl he once planned to marry.
"No, she won't. If she knew what I'd done she'd hate me. And I wouldn't blame her. But, this is the only way to ensure Aaron will be released from prison and out on the streets."
"But not for long."
"Exactly."
"If the plan is disposing of Aaron Echolls why not do it now, without destroying evidence? It seems more complicated."
"It would be more complex to finish him off in prison. Besides, I want that bastard to think he's free before his end comes."
Clarence kept silent, knowing Duncan was displaying the darkness he usually hid. Duncan was not a bad man, his love for his daughter and Meg's last words were proof, but Lilly's death had caused an irreparable change inside him.
"I have written a letter. I want you to give it to Veronica when the time is right."
"How will I know when that time comes, sir?"
"You will, CW. I trust that you will."
The black car stopped in front of the deserted airfield, where only a small plane was stationed in the center. Clarence got the simple bags from the trunk and opened Duncan's door so he could step out with the baby safe in his arms.
"Have a good life, sir. I shall miss you."
"I'll miss you too, CW. Thank you for your loyalty. You were more than our head of security. I considered you a second father. My own father never loved me, not the way he should have."
"I understand, sir. Be careful."
"You too. Call me… when it's all done."
"The very instant it is finished." He swore and Duncan nodded.
He shook the other man's hand and got onto the plane. Lilly cooed and gurgled and Duncan rocked her against his chest.
"You look just like Meg. Beautiful and pure. I swear to you Lilly that I will protect you and keep the darkness of the world from reaching you. I may not be the prime example of a good person, but know that everything I did was to help you and to make sure my sister's death was avenged." Duncan confided in his little daughter, who simply stared up at him with dazzling blue eyes.
The pilot said they'd be leaving and seatbelts should be fastened. Duncan secured his bags in another seat and leaned back with his daughter in his arms.
"Goodbye, Neptune. For the record… I'm sorry."
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Veronica had been taken home by her father after Leo was dismissed from the Sheriff's department. Logan had given her a hug and departed for his suite, saying he'd call her later. Veronica sympathized with Leo. He'd stolen the tapes to get money and pay for a private institute for his sister to attend. Keith had felt bad about the situation, but he had to report what he'd learned and his report on lack of security and Leo D'Amato's involvement causing the loss of the tapes was put into a file in the mayor's office.
Veronica was making sundaes for her and her father when his cell phone rang.
"Hello?" he answered and Veronica watched his face fall and grow dim.
"What's wrong?" she asked after he hung up.
"That was one of my contacts at the hospital, Dr. Long. Meg died from a blood clot. They managed to save her baby.
"Oh my God." Veronica felt tears fall at the mention of Meg's death.
She was such a beautiful person whose life and spirit had been cruelly taken by her parents and the bus crash.
"That's not all, honey… The baby's missing. She's been stolen."
Veronica let her father hug her as she cried for Meg. Yet, once her tears stopped her brain formulated a scenario.
Duncan took the baby. He's the only one with the connections and money and motive for doing it.
Keith led her to the couch and put the sundae in her lap.
"I've had a long day, honey, I'm hitting the sack. Stay up as late as you want and have a sugar coma with as much ice cream as you want. I'm sorry about your friend. Tomorrow, we can go to the hospital and find out what the funeral arrangements are. If you'd like to know."
She nodded.
"And you can call Logan to come with us. I know you're better when he's around."
"Thank you, Dad." She gave a small smile.
He was going out of his way to make her feel better by wanting Logan to be a part of anything.
"Wake me up if you need anything, okay? I would stay up with you but I'm getting old and I can't help it."
Veronica kissed him on the cheek and watched him retreat to his bedroom. She ate the ice cream and stared mindlessly at the TV, still taking in the news of Meg's death and Duncan's probably babynappping. There was a knock on her door and Veronica frowned at the time on the microwave. 11:46.
Not even Logan would be stupid enough to come this late and expect my dad to let it slide.
She went to the door and looked through the curtain before pulling the door open.
"Wallace."
"Supafly. Still got love for a brother?"
"I missed you." She breathed, running to hug him,
"So did I, girl. Chicago didn't feel right without my BFF by my side."
Veronica pulled him inside, giving him ice cream and a spot next to her on the couch.
Some horrible things had happened, Meg's death and the tapes being stolen, but not everything was as bad. Wallace was back and Duncan had found a way to protect his baby from Meg's psychotic parents. Veronica would deal with repercussions of the events tomorrow. For now, Wallace was back and no matter how much she loved Mac, Wallace had been her first friend during the Veronica Mars is a Leper campaign junior year.
Dramatic or not dramatic? What do you think? I'm making small changes here and there because I still want to keep to the VM season 2 universe a little, but not completely. I hope the tapes werent too confusing. Instead of Logan buying them from Leo, Duncan did through Clarence Weidman. It was all secret and shady of course... I didn't want this season as AU as An Unexpected Bond, but change is good right?
Review with how you think Season 2 is going so far. Like it? Hate it?