Chapter Eleven
Chapter Word Count: 3,091
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 everybody! How are y'all doing on this fine day/night/morning/whatever? :)
Here is chapter 11. I have been busy this week with school so I couldn't post sooner, but it's a long weekend for me so yay! Anyway, I hope you like the changes I've been making so far.
Some things I want to mention about what's coming up (sort of soon, maybe, idk): So remember how I said at the beginning that Veronica hasn't gotten the paternity test results yet, right? Well, it's not happening in this chapter, but she will get them soon! Like maybe within 3-5 chapters. Also, Veronica's mom will make an appearance at one point. I don't exactly remember if I mentioned that in an earlier author's note or not. But Lianne will come back, supposedly done with rehab. That part hasn't changed.
Well, on with the story!
The minute they stepped inside the hallway, everything went quiet. Their fellow peers stopped whatever they were doing and watched the two as they made their way down the hallway towards their lockers.
"Hmm, I'm feeling a sense of déjà vu. How about you?" Veronica joked. Logan only put his arm around her shoulders and gave her a comforting squeeze. She sighed. It's like he knows exactly what I need when I need it.
When they turned the corner of the hallway to get to Veronica's locker, Wallace was standing by his and Veronica's lockers. He had been waiting for them.
"Hey guys," he said, walking up to them.
"Hey Wallace. So what's going on?" Veronica asked.
Wallace sighed. "Okay. So I get to school and I come over to my locker, but they're wrecked. Yours and mine! Someone poured something inside. All of my books are ruined. And they wrote some stuff all over them too." Clearing his throat, he continues. "So then I'm walking down the hallway towards the office to talk to Clemmons about it, but before I get there, I see Duncan by his locker. And he looked super pissed off. Meg was there trying to talk to him and calm him down, but he just kept glaring at her and saying some pretty bad stuff to her. She wouldn't budge though. He eventually punched a locker and stormed off. I don't know exactly where he went, but I know he didn't leave school. Or, maybe he did and got a ride or walked or whatever, because his car's still out in the parking lot. I asked Meg about it but she said she didn't know what was going on with him, either."
Logan and Veronica stood there, shocked. Looks of anger and confusion covered their faces, as Wallace told them what he knew. It was clear to them that something was very wrong with Duncan. Something's definitely changed. The Duncan Logan and I knew would never have acted like this. Something's seriously wrong. Veronica looked over at Logan at the same time he looked over at her. Neither of them knew what to say or do.
"You guys okay?" Wallace asked, looking from one to the other.
They both looked back at Wallace. Veronica nodded slowly. "Yeah, it's just- I don't really know what to say. I mean, Duncan's never acted like this before," Veronica said, shaking her head slightly.
"Yeah. Duncan's never been one for fights or confrontation. He's always been the neutral, 'I'm a nice guy' type of guy," Logan added. What the fuck is going on with Duncan? We're supposed to be best friends. Shouldn't he talk to me about this stuff instead of acting like an asshole? Logan sighed. He didn't know what to do about Duncan. He couldn't even bring himself to really picture Duncan acting the way Wallace described. But then again, I did find him with his hands around his dad's throat once. And knowing he has epilepsy that causes him to go into fits of rage, who knows what else Duncan might do.
Wallace nodded. He understood what they were talking about. In the short time that he's been around Duncan Kane, Wallace could tell that Duncan wasn't the type of guy to talk to his girlfriend the way he had spoken to Meg, and he was never one to get into fights either. But he could also see that things started changing, especially once Veronica and Logan started dating.
"Well, V, I'm going to go talk to Clemmons about the locker situation. Can't really go to class with ruined books," Wallace said, taking a step in the direction of the office.
"Yeah," Veronica sighed. "I should probably do that too, since my stuff's also ruined," she said, looking over at her ruined locker. Wallace nodded at her and began to make his way to the office, knowing that Veronica would want to talk to Logan alone.
"Want me to go with you?" Logan asked, searching her face.
Veronica turned away from her locker to look up at him. Sighing she said, "As much as I'd like for you to join me, I think it's best if you just go to class. It starts in like five minutes. Coming with me to talk to Clemmons will make you late."
"I don't mind," he said, smirking.
Veronica smiled and shook her head. She didn't want to get into it with Logan right now about the importance of attendance and education. We have other things to worry about right now. "Fine. Whatever. Waste away your education for accompanying me."
Logan smiled tenderly at her, leaning down closer to her slightly. "Haven't you heard? I'd waste away anything for you," he said, a serious, loving look on his face.
Veronica's breath caught. He looked so serious about it, she didn't know what to say to that. She didn't have time to anyway, because Logan leaned down and closed the distance between them, kissing her slowly and sweet. The kiss didn't last as long as Veronica would have liked. Dammit. When they broke apart, Logan rested his forehead against hers.
"Come on, baby cakes. You have to go see a man about a locker," Logan said giving her a soft kiss to her forehead. Leaning back, he took Veronica's hand. Smiling back at him, Veronica happily let him lead her away towards the office.
~~LoVe~~
Clemmons wrote Veronica and Wallace each a note for their teachers, explaining why they wouldn't have their textbooks for a couple of weeks or so. He said he'd look into figuring out who was responsible for doing the damage to their lockers, but Wallace and Veronica both had a good idea of who it could've been. Duncan's the likely suspect. He's been pissed and acting out ever since Logan and I told him were dating. Veronica sighed. But, then again, despite the fact that I'm now dating Logan, and he's been telling people to back off, there are still some people who could've done this just because they don't like me, and by association, Wallace.
Logan had gone by his locker as soon as Veronica had joined Wallace in Clemmons' office. Except for some writing in sharpie, his locker was fine. He grabbed the books he needed. Maybe I should take them all in case they come to ruin my locker later? He stood there for a moment thinking about. He closed his locker and shook his head. Nah. I don't really care if they do anything. If it was Duncan, he's not around to do anything anyways. He headed back to wait for Veronica and Wallace outside of the office, acting like he was supposed to be there. Anyone who passed by didn't give him a second glance. Well, that's a first.
Classes had gone as expected. Boring lectures and constant glances from their fellow classmates. All anyone was talking about was Duncan's outburst that morning and how Logan, Veronica, Meg, and Wallace were connected. By the time lunch came around, there was still no sign of Duncan. His car was still in the school parking lot. Everyone was wondering where he'd gone off to.
Veronica and Meg shared the same class before lunch, and Veronica wanted to talk to her about what happened with Duncan that morning. Not liking all the attention she was getting that day, Meg was one of the first ones to leave the classroom, so Veronica had to hurry to catch up to her.
"Hey, Meg!" Veronica called out to her as she jogged up to her.
At the sound of Veronica's voice, Meg visibly flinched. Well that doesn't look very promising. She hesitated before coming to a complete stop and turning to face Veronica.
"Hi Veronica," Meg greeted, forced smile on her face.
"Listen, can I talk to you in private for a sec?" Veronica asked, tilting her head in the direction of her 'office'.
Meg looked around before answering her. Probably looking for a way out of having this conversation with me. Veronica sighed when Meg finally looked back at her. Taking in a deep breath, she said, "Okay. Sure. Fine." Veronica nodded and began walking towards the girls bathroom.
They were halfway there when she saw Logan looking at her. He raised an eyebrow in question. "Gonna talk with Meg," Veronica mouthed to him, gesturing to Meg, who was walking next to her. He nodded and turned back towards his locker.
Once inside the bathroom, Veronica quickly checked to see if they were alone. Meg walked over to lean on the sink, watching Veronica's movements. When Veronica turned around and moved towards Meg, she noticed Meg looked a mixture of annoyed, angry, nervous, and shaken up, so she stopped a few feet away. Meg's never angry. Seriously! What happened this morning?
"So, why am I here, Veronica?" Meg asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Wallace told me a bit about what happened this morning. Between you and Duncan," Veronica said. "I just... Wanted to ask you if you could tell me everything that happened. He's just... Never acted like this before with anyone, ever. Logan and I are starting to get worried about him and what he might do..." Veronica trailed off, not knowing exactly what to say.
Meg took in a shaky breath and looked down for a moment, deciding on what to do. After a minute, she sighed heavily and looked back up at Veronica. "I honestly have no idea what's wrong with him. One second he's the sweetest guy when we get to school, but then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, he starts acting like this crazy jerk." Shaking her head, she continued. "I tried to talk to him. Get him to explain to me why he got so angry, but he just kept glaring at me and saying all these horrible things..."
"What kind of horrible things?" Veronica asked softly.
Meg bit her lip for a second before responding. "Just... You know, like, general things guys say about girls." She couldn't bring herself to completely acknowledge all that Duncan had said to her. She was falling in love with him. Or, well, who he was. Right now, the recent events all seem so wrong and off to her. Like if she was in an alternate universe.
"General, like, you're a slut and fake, and are probably cheating on him with his best friend, kind of general?" Veronica asked.
Meg nodded. "Yeah," she said softly. Veronica tentatively moved a few steps closer. Meg had looked angry and annoyed, at her, when she'd asked to talk to her. She still looks mad. But why? And why does she look angry at me? What could I have possibly done?
"Meg?"
"Yeah?" When talking about Duncan, Meg had started to look worried, confused, and nervous. However, once that was finished, and she had looked back at Veronica, she'd went back to looking angry and annoyed.
Veronica cleared her throat before moving on. "Meg, are you mad at me?" I just don't get it. I mean, sure, I could've talked to her more since she started dating Duncan, but that can't be the reason she's mad. Besides, she knows I've been spending most of my time with Logan these days. Who doesn't at Neptune High? Veronica sighed when Meg looked away.
A moment passed and Veronica was about to ask again, when Meg finally turned back to her. She didn't look so angry and annoyed anymore. She almost looked guilty. "I'm sorry Veronica. I'm not angry at you. It's just something Duncan said that's got my emotions all messed up today." She sighed, bringing a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose.
After a beat, Veronica asked, "What did Duncan say?" Veronica had moved closer to Meg again. They were both leaning against the sinks now.
Pulling her hand away from her face, Meg answered.
**Flashback**
"Why are you acting like this, Duncan? Why are you being such a jerk all of a sudden?" Meg asked him, tightening the hold she had on her purse.
Turning from his locker, Duncan said, "What I do with myself and my life is none of your business." He grabbed some books and forcefully put them in his backpack.
Meg stood there, mouth agape, fuming. None of my business? "I'm your girlfriend, Duncan! Did you forget that? How is what you do and how you are none of my business?"
Duncan didn't answer right away. Instead, he just stared into his locker, knuckles white from the tight hold he had on his backpack. His face was turning red. Angry, he slammed his locker and turned to Meg. "You know, it's bad enough hearing that you're supposed best friend is hooking up with your ex, but now put an obsessive, wants-to-know-everything girlfriend on top of it..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "If you wanna stick your nose in other people's business, why don't you just pull a Veronica. I'm sure you can hook up with Logan too, just like the slut I'm sure you are."
Meg couldn't believe the words that were coming out of Duncan's mouth. He did not just say that to me! How dare he call me a slut and assume I'd cheat on him! Laughing incredulously, Meg responded, "This is about Veronica, isn't it!? You still love her, don't you?!" For a second, Duncan looked away, pretty much answering Meg's questions. Shaking her head, Meg added, "You just can't accept that she's moved on and happy with Logan, can you?! Is that what this is all about, Duncan!?"
Both Meg and Duncan stood there glaring at each other, before Duncan stepped back an inch or so and punched the locker closest to him, causing Meg and everyone around to gasp and flinch. Duncan stormed off after that, leaving Meg alone in the hallway.
**End Flashback**
Veronica stood there, mouth open, staring at Meg. What. The. Hell?
Veronica was quiet too long for Meg to take, so she said, "Look, it's okay Veronica. I'm sorry for acting angry with you. It's just that, what Duncan said really got to me. I really wish it hadn't, though."
Veronica sighed. "Listen Meg, if it means anything to you right now, I just want you to know that I don't have any romantic feelings for Duncan anymore. Those have been gone for a long time. You have nothing to worry about in that area for my part."
Meg nodded. "Thanks, Veronica." She gave her a small smile. "Look, it's not that I don't want to continue this amazing conversation, but I'd really rather just be alone for a while."
Veronica gave her a small smile. "Yeah, I totally get it."
Meg nodded again, before turning away from Veronica. She was about to grab the handle to open the door, when Veronica decided to stop her. "Meg, wait."
Sighing, Meg put her hand down to her side. Turning back around, she said, "Yes Veronica?"
"I'm sorry. I know you want to be alone and all, but I think there's something you should know," Veronica said, moving towards Meg. "About Duncan," she finished, now standing right in front of Meg.
Meg's eyebrows furrowed. "What is it, Veronica?"
Veronica closed her eyes and let out a sigh before responding. It's may not be my secret to tell, but like hell I'd let Meg go on not knowing Duncan has epilepsy with a possibility of him hurting her. "Duncan has epilepsy," Veronica said softly, looking up at Meg.
Meg's eyebrows shot up. "Epilepsy?" She gasped.
"Yeah," Veronica nodded. "It can cause him to go into fits of rage and black out. He wouldn't remember doing anything."
Meg nodded. She turned away from Veronica, moving to lean against the wall by the bathroom door. Epilepsy? Fits of rage? Oh my god, Duncan. Why didn't you tell me? "How long have you known?"
"Not very long. He's never said anything to me or Logan about it. We kind of found out some other way."
Meg nodded again. She didn't know what else to say. She didn't know what to do about Duncan now. All this time, and he never bothered telling anyone. She stood up, away from the wall. Sniffling, she said, "Thanks Veronica. I'll see you around, okay," she said, exchanging a small smile with Veronica, before turning to leave the bathroom.
Sighing Veronica closed her eyes and leaned back, half on the sink and half on the wall. A few minutes after Meg left, the door opened again. Veronica didn't need to open her eyes to know who it was.
"So how did that conversation go?" Logan asked.
Sighing, Veronica opened her eyes to look up at Logan, who was now standing at arms length away from her.
"As okay as it could've been."
"So she told you what happened with Duncan."
"Yeah," Veronica nodded. "And it's pretty bad. She said he just got angry out of nowhere and started saying horrible things after she asked him about it."
Logan moved to lean against the sink next to her, taking her hand in his. "You think, maybe he's not taking whatever meds he has to for his epilepsy? And that's why he's all over the place, lately?"
Nodding, Veronica said, "Yeah, maybe." Sighing, she moved to lean her head on Logan's shoulder. "That and the fact that us dating bothers him and has got him bitching out at Meg."
Logan's eyebrows rose. He turned to look at Veronica, but she wasn't looking at him. She was looking down at her shoes. "Really?" At that she looked up at him. She nodded.
They both stood there for a moment, thinking. After a moment, Veronica spoke."I told Meg that Duncan has epilepsy. I think it's best if she knows. You know, just in case," Veronica said softly, taking one of Logan's hands in hers before looking up at him.
Logan nodded. "Yeah. That was probably a good idea," he said, planting a kiss on her forehead. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead on hers. "Enough of this. We can deal with Duncan later. Right now, don't we have some B&E to do?" He smirked, moving his hands up and down her arms.
Smiling, Veronica nodded. "Yes," she said, giving him a sweet, slow kiss. "Let's go," she mumbled against his lips, before giving him another softer kiss on the lips and pulling him out of the bathroom.
How'd you guys like this chapter? How do you guys feel about how Duncan's been acting? Anything you want to see happen between the remaining members of the Fab Four? Leave a review to let me know your thoughts on what you read and what you want to see!
Thanks for following and reading this story, guys! It means a lot :)
Peace and LoVe and all those good things!