Promises

Chapter 10: Almost Not!

Veronica

"What the hell Duncan?" I snap as soon as I am pressed between him and Logan. I push on him to move out of our way, but he stands his ground.

"So it's all true then," he yells at me getting into my face as both Logan and Leo move to separate him from me.

"I have no clue what you are talking about," I say as Logan stands between the two of us.

"Duncan let's talk about this calmly," Logan says as I look to Leo who is on the phone talking with someone and looking like he wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

"Are you serious? You want to talk about how you are all chummy with my ex and the way you two are now acting. Have you forgotten it was you who turned the school against her, and now you two are always together," he yells as he shoves Logan hard causing me to trip and slip to the ground. I watch as the two of them throw punches. Logan hits Duncan in the stomach and Duncan shoves him into the lockers.

I stand up and go to separate them when I see Dick running down the hall. He gets the two of them apart only long enough for Duncan to throw a punch at him. I have finally had enough when I see Duncan going to toss another one at Logan. I take a step in front of Logan just as Duncan is about to hit him. I watch as Duncan takes a step back dropping his arm.

"Are you out of your mind Veronica? I could have hit you," he snaps as he starting running his hands threw his hair and muttering to himself. Leo is checking Logan out. I see a faint bruise forming over his right eye and he has a busted lip. I turn back to see Duncan, but he has already left.

"What the hell just happened?" I asked as Leo shakes his head in frustration.

"It seems that word has gotten out that Logan and you are dating, but your dad says that is all. He says he saw a gossip magazine with pictures of the two of you at Sea World and well," Leo pauses like he doesn't want to say anymore.

"Leo," Logan and I both snap. He pulls out his phone to show us something. It was a picture of the two of us at the clam shack. I really didn't think it was anything bad until I noticed it was one with Logan putting the ring on my finger. Shit!

"How the heck did they even get this photo?" Logan snaps as he looks intently at the image.

"I don't know Keith is looking into it right now. I assume that is why Aaron is outside right now with the press. It's all about whether or not you two are engaged or not," Leo says as I see Clemmons coming our way.

"I would have to assume the nice media outside is due to the two of you," he says pointing directly at us as he shakes his head.

"Yes, Mr. C, but we had nothing to do with it," I say as I reach for Logan's hand. I just needed to feel contact with him.

"Right, get to class," he says as we all take off. I am not in the mood for class right now, but go to it anyway. I look around to see Madison and her little group of friends, and was about to turn to leave when I felt an arm on my shoulder.

"Logan would kill me if I let you walk away," Dick says as he nudges me into the classroom. I take the seat next to him as I wait for this awful day to be over. "Ronnie, things will be alright. I will keep you from murdering the evils," he says as he looks directly over to Madison and her cronies. I had to laugh at that because I was just about to think about how to kill them and dispose of their bodies.

"V, how are you doing?" Meg says as she sits down beside me.

"Just dandy," I say as the bell rings. The teacher thankfully had us read quietly out of our English book while she talked about the different aspects of the literature of today and of the past. I was glad when the bell rang because I was so bored. I jumped out of my seat and made my way to the door running into Duncan as he was walking by.

"Great," I mutter as he looks at me and just walks away. Logan was only feet away watching the exchange. I look over to him and he shakes his head.

"How was English?" he asks as Dick and Meg walk with us toward the next class.

"Ronnie was shooting death daggers at Madison," Dick says as I just give him a look.

"I still carry a tazer," I mutter as he holds up his hands and enters his class.

"I wish I could just hold you tight all the time," Logan says as he pushes me toward Meg as he goes into his class. The rest of the morning was spent with one friend pushing me off onto another friend. I thought it was funny as each of them did so they thought they were just helping me, but I was seething about the way they were doing it. I wasn't going to do anything wrong.

I was glad when I was called to the office right before lunch because Mac wasn't going to be able to follow me. I walked toward the office only to be pulled into a side classroom. I began to panic because it was dark in the classroom and I wasn't sure who did it.

"Relax, I just want to talk," Duncan says as he turns on the light. I hit him in the shoulder.

"You're an ass," I snap as he holds his hands up.

"Veronica, what is going on," he half asks and half demands as the bell rings. I know everyone is going to panic when I am not found, but I just looked toward Duncan and felt pity for him.

"Nothing is going on," I finally say as I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

"You could have fooled me. I mean a few months ago you and Logan hardly had a nice thing to say to each other and now you're always together. I heard someone say you guys are living together," he mutters as he sits down on the teachers' desk and looks up to me. He didn't look like the same boy that was my best friend. No he looked defeated and scared.

"Logan and I have come to terms with the past. We are trying to be friends again. Duncan things are just so complicated right now," I say as my phone vibrates once again.

"Do you know how hard it is for me to see you with him, to know that he gets to touch you when I have to stand to the side," he demands almost yelling at me. I was scared now.

"Duncan calm down," I say holding my hands up in front of me. He looks as if he could hit me, but at the last minute he turns and walks out the door leaving me shaking from the whole incident. I slump down along the wall pulling my knees up to hold and start to cry. I don't know what I am crying about, but that is how Logan finds me ten minutes later.

"Ronnie," he says as he bends down to make me look at him. The tears in my eyes weren't falling anymore, but I still didn't want him to see me like this.

"I want to go home," I mutter as he stands up and pulls my hand helping me up.

"We're heading home Leo," Logan says as we enter the half full hallway. I glance up and see Duncan up a head of us and hold Logan's hand tighter in mine as we pass by him. Leo lets the office know we were leaving, and Dick says he'll get out assignments and see us later. The press was still out front as we drove by, but they weren't looking toward our SUV. I close my eyes, and lean my head against Logan's shoulder as Leo drives us home. I decide to let my mind go over all the things that Duncan had said to me, as sleep takes me.

8888

"Veronica," I hear a voice say, but it sounded so far away. I try to open my eyes, but struggle to do so. Once I finally open them I see Logan sitting beside me with his math book in his lap.

"When did we get here?" I ask as he smiles handing me some water to drink.

"About four hours ago, you fell asleep on the way home," he says smirking as I move to a sitting position. I see he had his books out on his side of the bed with some papers scattered around him.

"I honestly didn't think you studied," I said as he softly nudges me.

"It hurts me how little you think of me," he says laughing as I push him again.

"Oh cry me a river, you know the teacher pass you because of who you are," I say without even thinking. I see his eyes grow wide and then feel him tense up. "I didn't mean it like that," I say as I reach for him, but he moves away from me.

"I think I am going to study downstairs," he says quickly picking up all his books and papers leaving me alone. I throw the covers off of me and decide to take a shower. I head into the bathroom and strip out of my clothes getting into the shower. I turn on the water and start to cry. I hadn't meant to hurt Logan. I didn't think anything of what I was saying.

"Shh!" I hear as I feel two arms wrap around me. I turn around to see Logan fully clothed in the shower.

"I didn't mean it," I say as he shushes me by kissing me. I pull away from him slightly as I help him pull off his shirt. He looks me over, and reaches his hands up to my breast. I tense up as he touches them, but relax into his embrace as he pulls me flush against him. I can feel his erection as we make out.

"I need to go before we do something we can't undo," he mutters as he leans his head against my forehead.

"I don't want to stop though," I mutter back tugging on his clothing. I hated feeling like this so clingy and needy but right now all I wanted was him.

"I don't either, but I don't want to do it like this," he says softly as I look up, and see that he is serious. "Ronnie, I love you. I can wait until the right moment to make love to you, and right now while you are breath takingily beautiful and I just want to fuck you wild. This isn't the right time," he says as I know he is right, but I just felt out of control.

"Okay," I whisper softly not knowing what to really say to that.

"I love you," he says again as he kisses my forehead and gets out of the shower. "I'll be in the bedroom waiting for you," he says as I finish up with my shower.

****LoVe****

Logan

It took all of my will power to get out of the shower. I wanted nothing more than to have sex with Veronica, but she was emotional and I didn't want our first time to be that way. I pulled off my wet clothes, and walked into the room barely noticing Keith standing in the doorway taking in the fact that I was nude and the shower was still going.

"Logan," he snaps as I cringe at the way he said my name. Veronica walks in right behind me with a towel wrapped around her. I quickly cover my junk before she sees.

"Dad, seriously," she snaps as she tosses me a towel off the rack by the door.

"Veronica," he says a little louder than usual.

"We didn't do anything," she yells at him. He looks from me to her taking in the lack of clothing between the two of us.

"What?" Keith questions as he looks back to me, and I look to Veronica who seemed like she was about to burst yet again.

"We had a disagreement, he left me to go downstairs and I went to take a shower. He came in, but he wouldn't have sex," she mutters as I shudder at the thought of even saying that out loud.

"Veronica, honey come here," he says as she walks to him. He looks over at me and holds out his other arm as I join them. "I know that Logan loves you, but what is going on," he says softly.

"It's been a strange day dad. I had a run in with Duncan and then Aaron at the school. I guess I am just not myself," she says as I look over at them. Aaron would never have taken the time to talk with me like this, no he would have just beat the hell out of me to get what he wanted. I felt wrong being a part of this.

"Where are you going?" Keith asks as I start to get up.

"I was going to get dressed and then leave you two alone to talk," I say as I see him shake his head.

"Logan you are a part of this family now. It's not you against the world anymore. When you married Veronica, you got me too," he says as I look over to Veronica who had a smile on her face.

"I just forget," I half lie. He gives me a soft smile, kisses Veronica and then leaves us. "That was so awkward," I say as I pull on some shorts. Veronica laughs an honest to goodness laugh.

"I know, but he tries," she says as I watch her slide a sundress over her head and down her body. I hadn't seen her wear a dress in a while. I liked it on her.

"Ronnie, Logan I hope you horney rabbits are dressed," I hear Dick say right before he walks into our room.

"We've got to remember to close and lock the door," Veronica says as she plops down on the bed.

"Did you want something Dick?" I question as I see the smirk leave his face.

"Trouble in paradise," he asks as I just groan plopping down beside of Veronica.

"Dick, don't make me tazer you," Veronica finally says as he chuckles.

"I brought your missed assignments. Mr. Clemmons had them ready for you two," he says tossing the work on the bed. "He also said something about maybe staying home a few days to let things blow over," he continues.

Things seemed to get better after Veronica's mild breakdown once Meg and Mac joined us. It was close to dinner time when they came over with pizza. I laughed as the girls talked about their things, while Dick and I played Halo. I would catch small glances of Veronica every so often and she looked liked she was lost in thought. Around ten everyone left to head home. I saw Leo and Keith sitting at the counter working on some papers as I put the dishes in the sink.

"Mr. Clemmons asked for me to keep the two of you home for a few days," Keith says as I turn to look at him.

"Yeah, Dick mentioned that," I say as I see Veronica making her way toward us.

"I still don't understand why we need to stay home when it's not our faults," she mutters taking the dishes out of the sink and putting them into the dishwasher.

"I don't understand why you don't put the dishes in the dishwasher Logan because Ronnie just comes in behind you putting them away," Dick says as he leans against the counter. She looks up at me from the dishes and then at him.

"Don't knock our system!" she snaps as I laugh.

"Right," he replies laughing more at her when she gives him a glare.

"Let's go out Iron Mike before you beat up our loyal friend," I say smiling as she looks up with a small smile.

"Yeah, Dick is loyal isn't he? He is loyal like a dog," she replies as she shoves Dick and runs out the back door to the patio.

"It's on now!" Dick says as we both take off after her. We both get out the door and on the patio, but don't see her anywhere. I knew she was out here, but wasn't sure where she could really hide.

"Where are you Veronica?" I call out as Dick goes down in front of me. I catch Veronica holding a small stick that she used to trip him. I watch her take off down the beach, hot on her tail when all of a sudden there are flashes and people surrounding her. I reach her pulling her into my side just as Dick comes up behind us.

"Get out of here!" he yells as the reporters continue to assault us. Dick is pushing them away from us as I try to move around them holding tightly to Veronica.

"Ouch!" Veronica cries out as she collapses onto the ground from the paparazzi pushing us around.

"This is the Sheriffs' department; you are trespassing on private property. You need to leave this area right away," I hear someone yell as I pick Veronica up carrying her back to the house. I see Leo on the radio as we walk in. I sit Veronica on the counter as I look at her ankle.

"What the hell just happened out there?" Dick questions as he walks into the house. He has a cut on the top of his right eye and a busted lip.

"It seems Vinnie Van Lowe was hired to follow the two of you around," Keith says when he enters the kitchen area.

"Why?" Veronica asks as I finish wrapping her ankle. She moves it from side to side wincing slightly.

"Aaron hired him. He wanted to know where Logan was," he says as I see Leo leaving the room.

We spend the rest of the night together in our room. Dick had decided to spend the night once again. I think he just wants to feel like he belongs somewhere. I know that things aren't any better for him at his house than they were for me at my house.

"I'm going to go to the guest room," Dick says as I look at the clock. It was well past midnight.

"Night, Dick," Veronica says as he heads to the door.

"Night, Ronnie," he replies giving her a smile as he looks back. I lie down beside her turning the TV off, and snuggle closer to her.

"I like Dick," she says softly as I chuckle into her hair.

"Okay, do you want it now," I ask as I feel her nudge me.

"I was being serious," she mutters turning over to look at me. I give her a knowing smirk.

"I know, but to hear you say it just mean something so different," I say. She laughs.

"You and your dirty mind," she laughs as she snuggles back up to me. I lay there for about an hour before I decide to head downstairs for a bottle of water. As I am closing the door to the fridge Keith is in front of me with his gun drawn.

"I thought you were a burglar," he mutters a little shaken up.

"No, I'm Logan your son-in-law," I smirk at him as he shakes his head and lowers his gun.

"I know that smart ass. Sometimes I wonder if Veronica made the right choice with you," he snaps a little winded. I look at him a little angry.

"Seriously, you think that," I ask a little sad.

"Not like that Logan, I was using it as an expression. I know you probably are the best guy suited for her than someone like Duncan Kane, but Veronica is my little girl," he says softly as I nod to his words.

"Keith I just don't know how Veronica could be with me after all the horrible things I have done. I love her so much that it hurts sometimes," I mumble as I sit down on one of the bar stools.

"I know the feeling Logan, I love Veronica as well, but I know right now she is going through something that I can't help her with, but you can. Now I am not condoning you guys doing anything that could make me dislike you, but if some things were to happen promise me that you'll keep her safe," he says as I just look up at him with my mouth slightly open. This was not a talk I wanted with him.

"Yes, I will keep her safe," I mutter as he chuckles.

"I would rather her never leave the house again, but I know you two need your freedom. I have decided Leo with stay with you two for now on. I am going to cut back on my PI things and stay close to home," he says a she gets up and gets a beer out of the fridge.

"Keith why do some parents do what they do to their kids?" I question when he turns around to me again.

"I don't know Logan. I don't know what forces parent to behave the way they do. I could never hit Veronica even if she deserved it. Last year when you guys stayed out all night after that dance I knew most parents would have grounded their kids, but I know your dad beat you. I don't know why!" he says as I swallow the lump in my throat as he spoke.

"I only wanted him to be proud of me, but once I found out no matter what I did he would still do it. I stopped," I said as he looked toward the stairs as I see a small shadow sitting on them. Veronica had tears in her eyes, as she got up and came to me throwing her arms around me.

I didn't think it would hurt me as much as it did, but the realization that Veronica was hurting just as much as I was made me feel so much more closer to her. I knew she was having a hard time with not knowing who hurt her at Shelly's party, but also learning that my dad hurt me as well. Veronica was a person who liked to keep things tightly sealed up was losing her grasp on keeping everything holed up. The more time we were spending together was opening her up. We would have to figure out a way to help each other together. Yes, I would wait for her as long as I needed to. We ended up back in our bed as I fell asleep finally holding her tightly to my chest. I was worried if I let her go I might lose her.