Chapter 10

After a few stops, to let Lexi use the bathroom and then to buy bottled water and some potato chips, they finally arrived at Lamb's house.

"This has got to be the weirdest day ever," muttered Lamb as he parked his car.

"What?" asked Lexi, munching on her chips.

"Nothing," replied Lamb. He opened her door and helped her out of the car.

She took a few steps and then looked up, "Where are we?"

Lamb steadied her elbow as she stumbled into him once more, "Don't you recognize it?"

"Your parents' house," whispered Lexi as she glanced at his face. He was staring at her intently and a ghost of a smile touched his mouth.

"I bought it back after my mom died," he replied as he pulled out his house keys and unlocked the door.

Lexi tripped on the front steps again and fell to the ground because Lamb was busy opening the door.

"Ouch," she groaned as she tried to pick herself up. Before she could stand, Lamb had lifted her into his arms again.

"You are a disaster," he shook his head, "You're gonna sleep this off, and then I'll take you home. And then we can go back to the not seeing each other deal we had".

He carried her upstairs and laid her gently on his bed. He lifted back the covers and she slipped under them.

"Thank you," she murmured, touching the hand that held the covers. He stared at her for a few moments, and then tucked a stray hair behind her ear. He started to back away when she softly said his name.

Lamb sat on the bed next to her, "Lexi, sleep. I'll bring you some water and aspirin".

She touched his cheek, whispering, "I've missed you".

He stiffened and turned towards her as she leaned in and gently brushed her lips against his. He groaned and wrapped his arms around her kissing her deeply. She made a small sound in the back of her throat and then kissed him back, her tongue running along the seam of his lips. He opened them, and their tongues met, the kiss growing hotter.

Lamb groaned and then tore his mouth away panting. He looked down at her flushed face, "Damnit Lexi, you're too drunk to know what's what. Go to sleep".

She snuggled back into her pillows and closed her eyes as he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

Veronica turned away from the computer screen, seething. She grabbed her bag, all ready to storm Lamb's 'castle' when Wallace intervened.

"Veronica, wait. Look. I hate Lamb as much as the next person. But, not many guys could do what he just did".

"Take advantage of a drunk girl?" angrily retorted Veronica.

"Try not take advantage of a drunk girl. Lexi kissed him. He could have played on that. Could have used her inebriation against her. But he didn't. AND he plans on bringing her home after she's sobered up".

Veronica opened her mouth to respond and then closed it. She sat down, head in her hands and muttered, "You're right. I just…hate him so much".

"Look at it this way," soothed Mac, "If Lexi can bring out this little bit of good in him, maybe she can bring him back to the person he once was".

"Yeah, but who is that?" mumbled Veronica.

Just then there was a loud commotion in the other room. Veronica dashed out of her bedroom to see Logan, who they had left on the sofa, on the kitchen floor, covered in pots and pans.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she ran over to him.

"Trying to make food," he slurred, trying to sit up.

Wallace helped Veronica to get Logan off the ground and back on the sofa.

"Now stay there," ordered Veronica as she went to clean up the kitchen.

Logan eyed Wallace and Mac warily and when they turned to help Veronica he stood up slowly and then dashed out the front door.

"Logan!" shouted Veronica chasing after him, "Where are you going?"

"Food, Ronnie. I need food," he giggled as he tried to open his car door.

"Ok. We'll get you food," conceded Veronica as she pulled out his car keys.

She turned to Wallace and Mac who had followed her out the door ordering, "Hey, keep an eye on Lexi, call me if Lamb tries anything. I'm going to take Logan back to his hotel room".

"Hotel-ho! Mush, mush!" yelled Logan as Veronica started his car.

"I deserve a medal," muttered Veronica.

Lexi woke up head pounding, in a strange bed. She glanced over to the nightstand where there was aspirin and a glass of water waiting. She popped the pills in her mouth and took a huge sip of the water to swallow them.

She finished her water and lay back down on the bed. The last thing she saw before slipping back into unconsciousness was a picture of her and Don, with his mother and sister at their high school graduation.

Lamb was in his family room, sitting in his La-Z-Boy, trying to watch television. But not even ESPN could hold his attention for long.

His mind kept drifting back to that kiss. That electrifying kiss. God. Why was it that her kisses were so much better than anyone else's…

But she was drunk. And if she had any idea who she was kissing…she probably would've washed her mouth out with soap. She despised him. She pitied him. And he couldn't help but love her for it. God, she was beautiful.

He cursed as he picked up the remote and shut off the TV. Leaning back in his chair, he let the memories rush forth.

"I've got to make this all right somehow," he whispered as he clenched his eyes shut.

Veronica had finally managed to get Logan up to his suite after he had decided he wanted to explore the hotel and make some new friends. Veronica had never apologized to so many people in her life.

"I'm glad that you've turned into a jolly drunk," she muttered as she pushed him into his room.

"I'm the Jolly Green Giant! Ho-ho-ho!" bellowed Logan, collapsing onto his bed.

Veronica didn't move fast enough and her arm was trapped under him as he began to snore. She shoved him a little and he grabbed her rolling over, tucking her under his chin, and holding her tight in his arms.

"Logan," she sighed trying to push away from him.

"Sleep with me, 'Ronica. You smell so good".

Logan passed out promptly and Veronica complied, snuggling into his chest and closing her eyes.

"You're lucky I love you," she whispered.

Wallace and Mac sat watching TV and occasionally checking on Lexi using Veronica's computer.

"Veronica's been gone forever," commented Mac after about two hours of this.

"Yeah and I'm getting hungry," complained Wallace as he rubbed his stomach.

Keith walked in the door carrying a large pizza, "Did I hear someone was hungry?"

Mac quickly shut Veronica's computer and smiled at Keith, "Mr. Mars. You read our minds".

"Come. Eat," grunted Keith like a caveman.

Wallace grabbed a slice of pizza and sat at the counter while Keith got out some sodas and a beer for himself.

"Are Veronica and Lexi home?" he asked popping open the tab and taking a sip.

Wallace choked on his pizza and Mac slapped his back replying, "Slow down, slugger. Umm, Veronica's over at Logan's and they dropped Lexi off at an old friend's house to catch up. We were just gonna finish up watching CSI and then head out…"

"Well stay as long as you like," smiled Keith as he took a big bite of his pizza.

"Yeah, thanks Mr. Mars," said Wallace as he raised his eyebrows at Mac. She shrugged, sat down, and picked up a slice of pizza.

Veronica woke to the sound of her phone ringing. Logan's grip on her had lessened, and she untangled herself from his arms and quietly got up.

"Mac? What's up?" she answered.

"Umm well... We haven't checked in Lexi in a while because your dad came home and…"

"Oh God," replied Veronica, "What did you tell him?"

"Wallace started choking on his pizza when your dad asked where you were, so that wasn't at all obvious…But, I covered for you and told him you were at Logan's and had dropped Lexi off at an old friend's. I dunno if he believed me".

Veronica sighed and sat down on the sofa, "So, I guess I should probably go pick up Lexi from Lamb's humble abode then?"

"Yep. That's probably your best bet. Wallace and I left your house about 20 minutes ago. Has Logan sobered up yet?"

"Probably not enough to drive me to Lamb's and then on to my house before dad sends out the search dogs".

"Well… I can pick you up and take you and Lexi home in Logan's car. Your dad will never know it wasn't Logan driving".

"Mac? Lying? Sneaking around? I'm so proud," laughed Veronica.

Veronica closed her phone, poured a glass of water, and wandered back into Logan's bedroom.

"Wake up sleepyhead. Drink some water," she said as she shook his shoulder.

"Mmmm. Five more minutes," he groaned turning away from her.

Veronica set the water down and stepped back a few feet away from the bed, then turned and ran at the bed, jumping on top of Logan.

He grunted and pulled her underneath him, "I hate it when you pounce me".

Veronica giggled as he leaned down and brushed a kiss across her lips. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back. Their kiss grew hotter and Logan pulled away groaning and rubbing his temples, "God. I had way too much to drink. What time is it?"

Veronica sat up and kissed his cheek before hopping out of bed, "It's 10 PM. Drink your water. I'll get you some aspirin".

"God, you deserve a medal," he sighed as he gulped down the water.