Chapter Ten
Chapter Word Count: 3,269
Spoilers: Starts during Weapons of Class Destruction. From when ATF agent Ben takes Veronica to the Camelot. The rest of season one will happen, however, it will happen differently than in the show. A lot of stuff will happen earlier, so not everything will happen in the order portrayed on the show.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Veronica Mars. I wish I did though. 'Cause, you know, then it'd be all about the LoVe. Always. :)
A/N: Hey everyone! So, my week's been pretty busy. First full week back to school and all my professors throw readings, quizzes, and essays at us already. :( So, I haven't had much time to post a new chapter any earlier. I'm sorry. Even though I'm sure I'll have a lot of homework to do from now on, I promise to try to keep on posting a new chapter at least once a week. I don't want this story to be forgotten or get left behind!
So, for those of you who are still in school: You can do it! The struggle may be oh so real sometimes, but it'll be worth it when you're all done! I know I'm looking forward to the end. :)
Anyways, enough of my rambling! On with the story!
After an hour at the office, Veronica decided to head home. When she got there, her dad had finished making dinner for them.
"Hey honey," Keith greeted his daughter. He placed their dinner on the kitchen island and sat down. Veronica dropped her bag onto the coffee table by the couch before taking a seat herself.
"Hey dad. How was work today? I went by the office earlier and you weren't there," Veronica said, digging into her food.
"Oh, I was out following a potential cheating spouse." Veronica nodded. So, a pretty normal day at work. "How was school?"
"Oh, you know. Beat up a few kids and took their lunch money." She shrugged. "The usual."
Keith shook his head and laughed at his daughter's response. They went back to their dinner and spent the next few minutes eating in comfortable silence. Keith couldn't help but think about his daughter's newest relationship. She says things are good, but the kid's been nothing but horrible to her since Lilly died. It's all a little hard to believe. He glanced at Veronica, who was eating her dinner unaware of her father's inner debate. I know I said I was fine with them dating, but still. What if he changes his mind all of a sudden and treats her worse than before? Keith sighed. Veronica looked happier lately, and Keith had no doubt in his mind that it was the effect dating one Logan Echolls had on her.
"Veronica?" Keith said, looking up from his food.
Veronica turned to him at the sound of his voice. "Yeah, dad?" she asked, before taking a sip from her cup of water.
Keith glanced away for a moment before looking back at her. One eyebrow raised, Veronica had an inquisitive look on her face. "I want to talk to you about you and Logan."
Veronica's eyebrows both went up. "Ohhkay." What exactly about me and Logan?
"Look honey. I have a feeling about how you might react to what I want to say, but before I go on, I want you to promise me that you will keep quiet and not interrupt. That you'll let me get everything out."
Veronica's eyebrows furrowed slightly and her eyes narrowed. Okay. If dad has to ask me not to interrupt... No, it can't possibly be that bad. Veronica slowly nodded. Can it?
"Alright. I'm going to be honest honey. I don't like him. And the thought of you going out with him after the way he's treated you this past year-" he paused, shaking his head slightly. Veronica opened her mouth to speak, but her father put up a hand to stop her. "You promised you wouldn't interrupt." Veronica closed her mouth, sighed heavily and nodded her head. "Look, I know you said you two grew closer when you helped him out with his mom, and I'm proud of you for being there for him, being a friend even after this past year, but that doesn't mean what happened in the past just goes away." Veronica's eyebrows furrowed and she looked slightly away from her father, staring at his shoulder instead of looking him in the eyes. Keith sighed. "Sweetheart, I'm just afraid that if he resorts back to acting like he did not six months ago, you'll be hurting even worse than you have before." At this, Veronica looked back up at her father. His gaze was so loving and sincere, Veronica couldn't stop her eyes from tearing up. "You two went from not even friends to being in a relationship so quickly. I just want you to make sure you two talk about everything. I don't want to see you get hurt." She took in a deep breath and nodded. Dad's right. Logan's been so great lately. If, for whatever reason, he goes back to hating me, it would hurt so much worse. The moments we've shared had all been so tender and loving. It would be like how it was right after Lilly died. Only ten times worse. Veronica sighed. God, when did I become such a girl?
She smiled at her father. "You're right, dad. The things that happened this past year... We probably should talk about it."
Keith reached over and squeezed her hand. "Good." They smiled at each other and retuned to their dinner.
~~LoVe~~
Ever since the talk she had with her dad at dinner, Veronica couldn't help but think about how to bring up the topic with Logan. What if after talking, remembering the things we did to each other, our feelings change? What if he hates me again? Veronica sighed. She had gone to her bedroom to finish up an essay for school. That was an hour ago. It was now 8:15 PM and she was laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts.
Five minutes later, she was brought out of her thoughts when her phone beeped. She got up from her bed and walked over to where her phone was on her desk. Sitting down in her chair, she opened up the new text message.
8:20 To Veronica from Logan:
Hey. How was ur meeting w/ Carmen?
8:21 To Logan from Veronica:
Went ok. She said u can help.
8:23 To Veronica from Logan:
Really? Great! What will I do?
8:24 To Logan from Veronica:
Help me w/ B&E. Also need info.
8:25 To Veronica from Logan:
B&E? For real? And what kind of info?
8:25 To Logan from Veronica:
Yes B&E. Talk to u about info 2moro morning.
8:26 To Veronica from Logan:
Ok. I'll pick u up 1hr earlier to talk then?
8:27 To Logan from Veronica:
Yeah, sure. C u 2moro baby cakes.
8:28 To Veronica from Logan:
Baby cakes?
8:28 To Logan from Veronica:
Snookums? ;)
8:29 To Veronica from Logan:
Okay stop! No more! xD
8:30 To Logan from Veronica:
Hahaha. Don't act like u don't love it!
8:31 To Veronica from Logan:
C u 2moro. I gotta go shower. XO
Veronica couldn't help the smile that formed on her face. The text message conversation with Logan had lightened up her mood. Mmmm, Logan in the shower. Wet and soapy… She shook her head, sighing. When did Logan Echolls have this effect on me? A smile tugged at her lips. But what an effect it is. She got up from her chair, deciding to take a shower herself. I'm only doing this because then I can get ready faster tomorrow morning. It has absolutely nothing to do with Logan.
Fifteen minutes later, Veronica walked out of her bathroom clean and refreshed. She dressed into her pajamas quickly and sat down in her bed. She sent a quick text to Mac, asking her about what she can do about the video Tad has on his computer.
8:50 To Veronica from Mac:
Possible. Easier if you can get the computer 4 me though.
8:51 To Mac from Veronica:
I'll probly have it 2moro. Can u come by the office after school?
8:52 To Veronica from Mac:
Sure.
8:52 To Mac from Veronica:
Thanks Q.
8:53 To Veronica from Mac:
No problem Bond.
Veronica spent the rest of her night watching tv with her dad and Backup in the living room. Their favorite show was on, so Veronica didn't really think much about anything else for the time being. The two eventually went to bed after the episode ended. Veronica was just about to reach her bed when her phone beeped again.
10:17 To Veronica from Logan:
Sweet dreams Ronnie XOXO
Veronica smiled as she responded to Logan's text.
10:18 To Logan from Veronica:
Sweet dreams Logan XOXO
~~LoVe~~
Veronica woke up the next morning well rested. She really did have sweet dreams last night. Most of which involved her and Logan doing very sweet things. When she went to bed, she was dreading the inevitable conversation she'd have to have with Logan, so she'd tried to think of other things to keep her mind off of it all. Obviously, it had worked.
Veronica dressed quickly and grabbed her things for the day. Her dad was already in the kitchen drinking his morning coffee when she left her room.
"You're up earlier than usual," Keith said.
"Logan's going to help me with some stuff I have to do for a case," Veronica replied, grabbing some cereal.
"What kind of case?" Keith asked, hopeful that it was nothing dangerous. But then again, pretty much any situation can turn dangerous in the blink of an eye.
"A girl wants to break up with her boyfriend, but he has a video of her on his phone - one that was recorded without her knowledge - and he told her that if she breaks up with him, then he'll send the video to everyone," Veronica finished as she sat down with her bowl of Lucky Charms in front of her dad at the kitchen island.
"Well, be careful, and-"
"Take backup," the two said in unison.
Veronica smiled. "I know dad," she said, before eating a spoonful of cereal.
"Honey?"
"Yeah?"
"When you see Logan today, invite him over for dinner tonight would you."
"Uhm, yeah, okay. Sure," Veronica said. Great. Dinner with dad. Veronica mentally sighed. Please dad, go easy on him.
They continued to eat breakfast and talked about Keith's recent cases. He told Veronica that he'd have to leave the next day for two days to track someone down for a client. After telling her to "Be good Veronica", he left for the office. Veronica was left to finish her breakfast alone. She was just putting away the dishes when there was a knock on the door. Veronica opened the door to find Logan standing outside.
"Good morning," Logan said, leaning down to kiss her.
"Good morning," Veronica smiled, giving him another kiss. She grabbed her bag before heading out the door.
"So, what's up with the case?" Logan asked, taking a hold of Veronica's hand as they walked down towards his car. "What can I do to help?" He smiled at Veronica and she smiled back.
"Well, later today, I guess around lunch time, we'll do a little B&E to get any and all copies Tad has of the video of Carmen."
"Okay, yeah, you mentioned that last night." They stopped at the passenger side of his X-Terra. Veronica leaned against the car, looking up at Logan. "What was it about some info you needed?"
Veronica looked away for a second. Just get on with it Veronica. She took in a breath before continuing. "The video Tad has of Carmen was shot at Shelley's end of the year party last year. Do you remember that night?" Veronica asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Yeah, some of it." Logan shook his head slightly. "It wasn't exactly the best time of my life." He took in a deep breath. "I tried to have fun, but I ended up just getting pretty plastered that night. I wanted to forget some things for a while, you know." He shrugged his shoulders. "Is there anything specific you want to know about? I remember the beginning of the party, but not so much the very end."
Veronica pursed her lips in thought. It's worth a shot. "Carmen said she doesn't remember even getting into the hot tub with Tad, let alone him recording her with his phone. I think Tad put a drug in her drink." At that Logan closed his eyes for a moment and sighed heavily.
"Son of a bitch," Logan muttered under his breath, shaking his head. Veronica's eyebrows creased as she watched him. Logan sighed again before he looked back at her. "There were drugs at the party. GHB." Oh my god. Veronica's breath caught. She looked up at Logan with wide eyes, eyebrows raised, and mouth agape. Was Logan the one who ra- No. Don't think about it yet Veronica. There's got to be more to this. There's got to. "Luke, Sean, and I went down to Mexico like a week before the party. We were supposed to go to this rave out in who-knows-where, but Luke chickened out, supposedly because of his parents. I don't know. We each had two doses. Some for us. Some for the rest of the guys. Sean said he didn't take his doses to the party, supposedly because he was saving them for 'a special occasion'. Most likely to sell them now that I think about it. I didn't use mine. Mixing it with as much alcohol as I planned to drink that night would not have been fun. So instead, I gave one to Dick and the other to Duncan. Dick is, well Dick. And Duncan told me he wanted to try to have some fun too, and, you know, he'd been all zombie-like so I gave it to him. I don't know what Luke did with his though."
Logan moved to lean on the car, next to Veronica. Veronica stared straight ahead, Logan watching her process the information from his place next to her. Finally, after a while Veronica turned to face Logan, leaning on her side. Logan did the same.
"Okay, so either Dick or Luke gave Tad the GHB he used on Carmen." Logan nodded. He could tell there was more to this. Something else was bothering her. Right now is probably not the best time to ask about it. I'll wait until later today to bring it up. When we're completely alone with more time to talk. "Do you remember anything else? From later on?" Veronica asked.
Logan shook his head. "Not really. Everyone acted as people normally would at a party, I guess." Logan shrugged, reaching up to rub the back of his neck. "That night's kind of a blur. I remember being outside the whole time, drinking with the guys." Logan let out a laugh. "They were being idiots as usual. Well, I guess we were all being like that. But, I don't know." Clearing his throat, he added, "I left the party early-ish and went to the beach instead. I don't exactly remember going, but I woke up the next day there so…" he trailed off, laughing lightly and shrugging his shoulders again. "And Dick kept asking me why I left early. Anyway, uhm, want me to ask around?" Logan asked, inching closer to Veronica.
Veronica looked at him, an expression of caring and concern on his face. Taking his hand she smiled up at him. Shaking her head, she said, "No. Not right now anyway."
Logan nodded. "Okay," he said, squeezing her hand. "So, how are we going to do the B&E today?"
"Well," Veronica began. She moved a little closer to Logan, her posture more relaxed than before. "Carmen will keep Tad distracted for as much of today as she can. We'll head over to Tad's house before lunch is over. Take his computer and any CDs or DVDs that could be copies of the video. I'll text Carmen and Mac when we leave, so they can meet us at the office."
"How are we gonna get inside?"
"Oh don't worry your pretty little head about that. I can pick a lock like it's nobody's business," Veronica said, smiling.
"Okay," Logan nodded, smiling back. "Sounds like a plan." Logan gave Veronica a peck on the lips before he moved to open the car door for her. "Hey," he said, glancing at the time on the dash as he sat in the driver's seat. "It's still pretty early. Wanna grab a coffee from Starbucks or something?"
Veronica smiled. "Of course." She snapped her fingers. "Come on Jeeves, off to Starbucks," Veronica said, before turning to look out the window. Logan laughed and shook his head at her antics, before driving out onto the road.
~~LoVe~~
Logan and Veronica were sitting out on the Starbucks patio drinking their coffees and munching on cookies and muffins. They were both lost in thought for a while. They didn't know it, but they were both thinking about the same thing. Logan couldn't stop thinking about what else there was to this case that had Veronica so affected. Veronica couldn't help but think about who could have been the one to drug and rape her.
"Hey Ronnie," Logan said, reaching over to place a hand over hers, intertwining their fingers.
Veronica looked at their hands before looking up at Logan. "Yeah?"
"I was thinking," he smiled slightly. "After the meeting at the office today, how about we go out to eat somewhere?" Perfect time to ask her about what else has been bothering her with this case. Veronica smiled slightly back at him, tilting her head a little to the side. "I mean clearly it won't be some fancy shmancy dinner type thing. I doubt there will be so much time after the meeting to get ready for something like that. But, you know, maybe we can go eat at Luigi's or Cho's or something." Wow. What a way to ramble on, Logan. Logan waited for Veronica's reply. She was looking down at their entwined hands, soft smile on her face. It was most probably only a few seconds until she finally looked back up at him, but for some reason it felt longer than that to Logan.
Veronica let out a soft sigh before answering. "As wonderful as that sounds, my dad actually wanted me to invite you over for dinner tonight," she said.
Logan gulped. Great. Dinner with Veronica's dad. The talk before our date was bad enough, and that was only, like, ten minutes! Now I've got to endure a whole evening of dinner with him! Logan mentally huffed. As long as Veronica's there. "Yeah, okay. Sure," he said, small smile on his face.
Veronica smiled at him. "Okay, good."
Before the two could continue their conversation, Veronica's phone starting to ring. She took it out of her bag and checked the caller ID. Wallace.
"Hey Wallace. What's up?"
"V, girl, you gotta get to school quick!"
"What- Why?" Veronica asked, eyebrows furrowed, looking over at Logan who had a questioning look on his face.
"Well, for one, our lockers are, like, pretty much destroyed. Duncan's back at school, and he does not look happy at all."
Veronica closed her eyes for a second and sighed. Well, this is just fucking fantastic. "Okay, Wallace. I'll be there soon."
"Alright. Later V."
After she ended the call, Veronica looked up at Logan. "Let's go."
They grabbed their things and began walking back to the X-Terra. "What's going on?" Logan asked.
"Wallace said something about destroyed lockers and that Duncan's back and pretty pissed," Veronica said as she got in the car.
Logan got into the driver's seat before responding. "Well that is just great." He sighed as he turned on the car and began driving out of the parking lot.
The drive to school was much like it was the day before. Tense and quiet. But for a whole different reason. When Logan pulled up into the school parking lot, there were students all around the entrance. Apparently, all of Neptune High knew that their arrival mixed with Duncan's current state could become quite a show.
Both Logan and Veronica sighed as the car shut off. "Ready to see what all the fuss is about?" Veronica asked Logan, reaching over and squeezing his hand.
"Yeah," he nodded. "Let's get this over with."
A/N: So, yeah. I changed up what happened at Shelley's party a bit. Duncan took the GHB knowingly and willingly, and even though it's not mentioned in the chapter, Logan didn't do body shots off of Veronica.
And Duncan's acting all crazy again. What's up with that? Come on Donut, pull yourself together.
I hope I can post the next chapter sooner this time! We shall see. :L
Please let me know what you thought of the new chapter in a review! Thanks!