A/N: More from the dinner party and the sleepover!

(For disclaimer, etc - see chapter 1)

Chapter 10

Veronica ushered her guests through to the living room, suggesting that her husband got them all a drink whilst she answered the door. She really didnt want an audience when she was forced to face Duncan and his wife for the first time, the whole situation would most likely be awkward enough anyway.

The blonde stood in position behind the door, straightened herself up and took a deep breath, before reaching out to open said door, feeling fully prepared for the sight that was about to meet her eyes. That was perhaps a little hard to believe if you were the person on the other side, and witnessed the stunned expression on Veronicas face at that moment.

"Oh" she said, taking in the face of one lone woman who was most likely not Duncan's wife, "I'm sorry" she said with a shake of her head, "I was expecting someone else" she declared with an embarrassed smile, "Can I help you?"

"Actually, I think I can help you" the mystery woman smiled right back, "My name is Marcy, I work for your husband, Logan Echolls, at the office..."

"Oh, right, Marcy" Veronica snapped her fingers in realisation, "Sorry, we were never formally introduced, I'm Veronica" she said, shaking her hand, "Would you like to come inside?"

"Oh, I dont want to intrude on your evening" Marcy insisted, "I was just cleaning up the office and I realised Mr Echolls had left his cell behind" she explained, producing said item from her purse and holding it out to Veronica, "I thought he might need it and since I was passing by..."

"That was very thoughtful, Marcy, thank you" the blonde said gratefully as she took the phone from her, "Honestly, you would think after the cash he spent on this thing, hed learn to take better care of it" she rolled her eyes.

"Well, that was all I came for so, you have a nice evening, Mrs Echolls" Marcy smiled, even as Veronica herself winced.

"Ugh, that name makes me feel old" she told the woman on her doorstep, "Really, please, its Veronica, and y'know you really dont have to rush off" she insisted, "We have room at the table for one more, in fact youd be doing me a favour, evening up my evening?" she explained, "Were one guy too many really, so... are you hungry, at all?" she said, looking almost desperate for Marcy to stay.

Honestly, she had no reason to say no to the invitation, other than the fact she wasnt really dressed for a dinner party. She liked her boss a lot, and his wife seemed really sweet. For people that lived in the 09er zip they were surprisingly nice, and Marcy didnt feel like another night alone in front of the TV with a microwaved meal.

"Okay" she said eventually, letting out a breath, "I mean, yes, thank you, I'd love to stay and eat" she agreed with a smile that Veronica was glad to see.

"I love my skills of persuasion" the blonde said as if to herself, as Marcy laughed and was ushered inside, "Okay, everybody, we have one more guest for dinner" she announced as she led her new friend into the living room, feeling only slightly guilty that she had invited her in mostly to put one more person into the conversation that wasn't a Kane.

"Marcy" Logan grinned at the sight of his secretary, "Couldn't keep away from me, huh?" he teased, as his wife playfully slapped him across the arm.

"Well, y'know she would have called before she came over but somehow I dont think you would've picked up..." Veronica told him, waving his cell under his nose.

"Ah" he said, taking it from her and getting her point, "Marcy, you're a life saver" he told her, with a thanks to go along with.

"No problem" she assured him, before Veronica started introducing her to Mac and Dick.

"Ah, and here we have our other guest" the hostess said as Weevil returned to them, presumably from the bathroom, "Marcy, I'd like you to meet..."

"Eli" the woman said, looking stunned, and Weevil was similarly afflicted as they stared at each other.

"Okay, either you're really good at this game, or you two already met?" Veronica said, looking between them, immediately picking up on the vibe that they were both very surprised to see each other and yet nonetheless pleased about the turn of events.

"Damn, girl, it's been years" Weevil smiled, immediately embracing the woman before him as Veronica looked on in astonishment and Logan did the same.

"Either he's really friendly to strangers these days or...?

"Yes, honey, we've established they know each other" the blonde told her husband with a look as Weevil and Marcy fast became the centre of attention.

It seemed apparent as they stared at each other they knew each other very well, though Veronica suspected it had been a while. Of course his comment that it had been years covered that, but what neither of them had yet to mention was the nature of the relationship they'd once had.

Friends? Lovers? Veronica was inclined to believe the latter since she was sure shed never seen her old friend look at another woman quite like he was looking at Marcy. Maybe, she noted, she might have seen such a look if she'd known about him and Lilly before it was too late. Still, there was no time to dwell on that thought as a knock at the door signalled more guests arriving, presumably Duncan and his wife.

"Er, Logan, would you...?" she asked him and he duly nodded and went to the door, wondering vaguely why Veronica was so reluctant to do it.

Still, he was more than glad to know his wife was in no particular hurry to spend time with the ex that had once meant so much to her. Logan didn't like competition where Veronica was concerned, and despite the fact the feud between himself and Duncan over the supposed love of both their lives had ended twenty years ago or more, it didnt stop him being wary. Veronica meant too much to him for any risks to be taken, that was for sure.

"So, Marcy, how about we seat you next to Weevil since you obviously want to catch up" Veronica suggested, at which the woman beside her smiled.

Marcy nodded and thanked her hostess once again for her kindness as Dick got the latest arrival a drink, mostly as an excuse to get himself another!

"I'm thinking old flame, yes?" Veronica whispered to Weevil when Marcy was gone from ear-shot but not from sight, a fact made obvious by the way he was still staring at her like he'd just discovered Excalibur.

"More than that, V" her friend admitted just as quietly, "Next to Lilly she was... Well, without getting all mushy on you, she was my world once upon a time" he admitted, looking anything but the tough guy biker dude Veronica remembered him as right now.

"Wow" was all she could find to say in response, especially since immediately after Weevil leaned into her and whispered in her ear.

"Speaking of old flames" he said gesturing towards the door where Logan and Duncan were greeting each other a little awkwardly, "Yeah, good luck with that" Weevil smirked, before leaving Veronica alone.

Taking a deep breath and forcing a smile on her face, she prepared for the evening that honestly couldnt be as bad as she was imagining, at least she hoped not!

* * * * *

This afternoon had not gone in the direction Mia had planned. Though her appearance in her swimsuit had got plenty of attention at first, Adam had since been making huge efforts to stay away from her it seemed. He alternated between playing up to Maddy or Lizzie, and checking on Josie. Mia couldnt blame him for the latter, though she suspected part of his reason for worrying so much about his little sister was just because it meant he didnt have to talk to her. He really had no reason to be mad at her, when shed yelled at him before she had been right to do so and his behaviour since suggested that even Adam agreed with that. Now it was like she'd been the one in the wrong, like he was totally pissed at her, and she hated it.

It was kind of a double standard, finding it okay that she'd been off with him, but thinking it unfair that he would turn the tables and be like that with her. Still, in spite of the fact she was smart enough to know her reasoning was stupid, Mia still hated the situation.

It seemed pathetic that she couldn't even get her own brother or her supposed new best friend to spend any time with her, as Joel drooled over Lilly, and Maddy fought to regain his attention. Obviously the elder Kane girl was much desired, being older and more experienced, and with a body to die for. Mia would have been jealous if not for the fact that the other guys at least seemed immune to her charms somehow.

Laying alone on a sunlounger now, feeling increasingly bitter that the party was practically going on without her, Mia looked obviously grumpy about the whole thing, and it didnt go unnoticed.

"Y'know you're gonna spoil your pretty face if you keep frowning like that" Steven told her as he pulled himself out of the pool right in front of her.

Mia had the good grace to smile and blush simultaneously at the comment from an unexpected source, since they really didn't know each other and had hardly spoken so far today. Steven wasn't quite as well built as Adam, but undeniably good looking with sandy blond hair and a smile to swoon over. Unfortunately, he just didnt do it for Mia, something she attributed to the fact Adam was close by, still stealing all her attention.

"So, are you having a good time?" she asked more out of politeness than actually wanting to know as Steven came and sat on the lounger next to hers.

"I guess" he shrugged, smiling that mega-watt smile of his, "I honestly think Maddy and Lilly only invite me to their little parties so I don't get lonely" he rolled his eyes, "But they're nice girls. Lilly and me actually used to date"

"Really?" Mia replied with interest as she watched her own brother falling over himself to please the eldest Kane who was lapping up the attention, leaving Madeline to fall by the way side.

"Yeah, but me and Lil, it was a long time ago" Steven shook his head, "She's kind of a player these days, so maybe you should warn your brother..."

"Joel can take care of himself on this one" Mia cut in fast, "One thing we don't do is mess with each others love lives... well, he wouldn't if I had one" she sighed bitterly as her gaze shifted to Adam.

"You do know he's crazy about you, right?" her newest friend asked her, grin not shifting, "All this stupid play-acting with Maddy and Lizzie, I told him its dumb, but Adam doesn't like to listen to sensible suggestions like that" he shook his head as Mia looked at least a little intrigued.

"How do you know he's acting?" she checked, "Maybe hes actually interested in them"

"Well, him and Maddy would never happen" Steve said definitely, "Theyre practically like brother and sister" he explained, "And y'know you would have a better chance with Lizzie than he would" he said with a pointed look that made Mias eyes go wide.

"Oh" she said then, "I had no idea she was... yknow, gay or whatever"

"Yeah well, I guess its true what they say" Steve shrugged, "All the good ones are taken or gay, well, mostly anyway" he said with a wink as he stood up and scoped out the water before executing a perfect dive back into the pool.

Mia watched him swim off in the opposite direction and smiled. He was a nice guy, and he'd helped her figure out a few things. Adam was messing around with Maddy and Lizzie just to try and make her jealous she suspected, since Steven seemed pretty certain it was her he liked. Of course, Mia had no particular reason to believe this guy she only just met, but she wanted to. Any friend of Maddy's was surely a good guy and as such a truthful one.

Just as Mia was contemplating her next move, she heard a commotion as Lilly came running from the house, dragging Joel behind her by the hand. In her other hand she carried what appeared to be a vodka bottle, though from here it was impossible to tell if it were full or empty.

"Hey, everybody in the pool house!" Lilly yelled loudly, so loud in fact that Mia was sure some people in the next state were bound to be right there to answer her command, "It's time for Spin the Bottle"

"What are we, Lil, like twelve years old?" Steven called as he pulled himself out of the pool once again, not hugely thrilled by the odd interruption.

"What's the matter, Steve?" she said like a challenge, "Afraid your luck will be too good?" she said with a decidedly suggestive look on her face that wasnt lost on anyone.

"No way" he said, rising to said challenge, "I'm game, if Mia is?" he said, looking her way, much to her surprise.

Still, never let it be said that Miss Echolls wasnt ready for any challenge that came her way, as she smiled appropriately and got to her feet.

"I'm in" she said definitely, sneaking a look at Adam and praying the fates of twelve year olds party games were on her side tonight.

To Be Continued...