Chapter 11
Dick is frozen as he watches Veronica's approach. Unbeknownst to her or Logan, Dick had indeed written a note freshman year to not mess with Veronica Mars. His new relationship with Mac had only calmed his healthy fear of the small blonde. In the present, Veronica diverts and passes around the Casablancas plot. Dick lets out an audible sigh of relief and sets the forgotten bottle down. The sounds are too out of place in the quiet cemetery. Veronica whips around, taser in hand. Dick throws his hands up, face communicating his distress. Veronica lowers the weapon but maintains her scowl. "Drinking on graves? Very classy Dick," she criticizes. Dick's hands lower as his eyes automatically flicker to his brother's grave marker. Veronica's pales as she notices it. The two of them are locked in the swarm of emotion flowing around them. The sound of a car door closing pulls Veronica out of it. Dick begins to glance behind him. Veronica pulls him up roughly. "We have to go. Now," she commands, rushing him to her car. Confused, Dick allows her to lead him. "Ronnie, what the h—" Dick starts. "Slouch down," Veronica orders. She starts the car quickly and drives off with her startled passenger.
The sun hasn't woken fully outside as Logan rises from his bed. A small smile forms, memories of Veronica falling asleep in his arms passing through his mind. Wandering upstairs he sees Dick's room is still empty. Logan's face takes on a worried expression. Drunk, sad Dick doesn't always make the best choices. Logan looks down at his phone, no missed texts or calls. He rubs the back of his neck and heads to the downstairs living space turned gym.
After a series of odd turns, Veronica parks the car by Dog Beach. "Who was that guy, Ronnie?" Dick asks, turning toward her. "Did he see you?" She asks, all business. Trepidation mixes with the confusion already on his face. "I don't think so," he answers. Veronica becomes slightly less tense, looking out the windshield. Dick waits expectantly. Naturally, no answers spill out from Veronica. After a minute, she moves to restart the car. Dick places a firm hand on her right arm. "The ride-or-die life may appeal to my unfortunate friend but I haven't had googly eyes for you since we did soccer together in the second grade," he states. Veronica looks at him, thrown off her game. "Look," he continues, "I know you're all about the secrets but I'm gonna need to know why you busted out the evasive driving maneuvers and pulled me along for the ride." "As much as I enjoyed being the Luke to your Bo…get out," Veronica snaps. "Fine, I'll ask Mackie," Dick replies with a huff as he moves to get out. Veronica quickly hits the locks. "What's wrong with you, Mars?" Dick fumes. "You cannot tell Mac," Veronica commands. "Again," Dick replies, "immune to your kryptonite. You can't tell me what to do." Veronica's face turns grave. "You can't tell her," Veronica begins with some distress, "they'll hurt her." "Hurt Mackie?" Dick gulps. "What is going on Veronica?!" "She can't know, Dick," Veronica says. "You can't tell anyone about this morning. I can't get someone else hurt." Dick watches her intently. "Weevil's already in the hospital," she barely lets out in a worried tone. "Veronica—" Dick begins softer. "Just don't say anything, Dick. To anyone," Veronica says reigning any emotion back in. Dick nods soberly. She drops Dick off at the beach house before driving away. Dick watches the Saturn with a concerned expression until in turns off their street.
Logan is doing his best to look nonchalant waiting on the weight lifting bench downstairs when he hears Dick walk in. Dick looks a bit shell shocked. "Hey man," Logan greets, trying to assess his friend's state. "Yeah, uh, sorry to wake you," Dick replies. Logan looks bemused, gesturing with his hands at where he's sitting. "Are you still drunk?" he asks. This seems to pull Dick out of his thoughts. "No," he responds, seemingly offended. "No, of course not, because we often stay out all night without alcohol," Logan smirks. Dick relaxes. "I can turn a party legendary, can't I?" Dick ponders with a smile. "Fabled," Logan smiles back, getting up. "Hey, you may want to shower off this charming eau de perfume with subtle notes of dirt and scotch. Mac's making breakfast for you in her kitchen."
Q: Where are you?
Bond: On the trail of a hot coffee, closing in quick.
Q: Are you and Logan back on the relationship bandwagon? I just need to know how to navigate the waters.
Bond: Unclear at this point.
Q: How you feel about him? Or if you want to risk being open with him?
Bond: Is that some attitude from my resident genius?
Q: Yeah. I think it might be.
Q: I care about him. You have to make a decision.
Bond: I'll talk to him.
Q: Good.
Mac resumes making biscuits and mushroom gravy for Dick. Just as she's finishing up, there's a knock on the glass door. Mac crosses through the living room to let Dick in. He looks slightly uncomfortable once he's inside. Mac hesitates, then reaches up and pulls him into a prolonged hug. He relaxes in her arms as he draws her closer. Dick kisses the top of Mac's head. He blinks away the emotion welling in his eyes before releasing her. "You okay?" she asks looking into his face, clearly trying to read him. "Just relieved yesterday is over," Dick smiles sadly. "All 1950's women's magazines tout food's comforting properties," Mac says dryly, smile playing about the corner of her lips. "Those Bettys were on to something," Dick says, "Minus the barbiturate addictions." He's rewarded with a wide grin. "Whoa!" Dick exclaims, moving into the kitchen. "Have you been hiding serious ninja cuisine skills? This cannot be veg-friendly." "One hundred percent animal product free," she smirks. "Okay, this must be eaten like now," he says, grabbing the plate.
After Dick scarfs down the delicious breakfast, Mac gently leads him into telling how his previous day had been spent. It's hard at first but there's something healing about sharing it with her. It leads into a deeper conversation about growing up Casablancas. "It's a little weird to talk to someone about all of this," Dick says. "Hey," Mac starts, "thanks for trying. I know this relationship stuff isn't what you're used to." "I've never had anyone care enough about me to really try for something real," Dick responds. "Thanks for being there for me with all the stuff with my dad this summer." "We were friends," Mac shrugs off. "No," Dick insists, "09er friendships do not include helping you through family trauma. Just drunken escape." Mac looks away, internally debating how it would feel talking about the Sinclairs with him. "Looks like Logan has incoming," Dick gestures toward the balcony. "We should clear out," Mac suggests, standing up. The pair head out.
Logan drops his head back dramatically, staring at the ceiling. He's sitting on the living room couch, Communication Criticism textbook and notebook spread out in from of him. He goes back to the assignment. Veronica walks in the open balcony entrance, pausing at his door. Logan looks up through his eyelashes. Veronica takes a deep breath. "Logan, there are somethings I don't know where they're going to land. But…" she hesitates. He gives her room to gather herself. "I just," she says, "I'm sorry. I am who I am, but you deserve me to try to be more than that." "Veronica," he starts to get up. Veronica interrupts, stopping his advancement. "I can't, I just can't have you say anything right now. I," she gathers her courage, eyes closed, "I love you. Please just know that." Before Logan can recover, she's gone.
"Show you off on the quad?" Dick offers when they climb out of his jeep on Hearst campus. Mac raises her eyebrow, "Girlfriend to property that fast?" "That is the first time you have called yourself that," Dick beams. Mac looks self-conscious. "I tell people you are all the time but you have never actually called yourself my girlfriend before," he says with a laugh. Her embarrassment melts into a pleased expression. They entwine hands and begin strolling about. Dick oblivious to the serious side-eye he's catching from a few of the Hearst ladies. "What do you think is going on with Ronnie and Logan?" Dick asks after a bit. "I don't know," Mac answers, "I honestly don't think either one of them ever knows." "There is something beautiful about how they crash into each other though. Like an epic wave," Dick remarks, "I just wish she didn't leave him so shredded at the end." Mac remains silent, unable to agree or defend. She understands both sides a bit.
A couple hours later the couple make their way home. "Ronnie bomb drop?" Dick asks cautiously as he approaches his friend sitting on the sand. When Logan doesn't answer, Dick joins him as Logan looks out over the water. They stay in that silence. Dick notices the lack of storm over his friend, seeing instead a peace that has rarely existed in Logan Echolls' face. "You know I am lacking Miss Sophie level mind-reading right?" Dick asks after a bit. Logan turns to him then. "I don't know Dick, I question that sometimes," Logan smirks. The smirk is there but there's a quiet joy visible behind it. Logan stands up. Dick follows suit. "Food?" Logan questions. "I could tear into some meat," Dick shrugs. Logan lifts a brow. "Hey, just because I'm dating a veggie lover doesn't mean I have to abstain," Dick responds to the non-verbal query. Logan scoffs. Dick rolls his eyes. "Like you've never curbed some aspects of your preferences to be with someone," he says, "spent any summer's chick free lately?" And there it is again, that peaceful smile on Logan's face. Dick's face softens in response. He wishes his friend more of that after everything that has happened in their lives.
Sitting in front of a screen filled with code, Mac hears the front door close. She locks the computer and heads to Veronica's room. Mac needs to clear the air after what she realizes could be perceived as a judgmental text exchange. She rounds the corner to Veronica hastily throwing clothes and supplies into a duffel bag. "Last minute scout gymboree?" She asks with intentional lightness. Veronica looks up with a caught expression. Mac's face switches into a concerned expression. "Can we agree to that story?" Veronica asks. Mac raises both eyebrows. "Story?" she repeats. "I might be gone a few days," Veronica states. "Just don't let anyone get worried about me, okay?" "He'll worry," Mac responds, cutting through the implied meaning. "He would worry more if he knew I was working on a case," Veronica says. She moves to leave, but last minute, turns and hugs Mac. "Be safe, Bond."
Sorry for the delay. Thank you for reading! I am going to take a 2 week hiatus to dream about some of the upcoming chapters. I just want to give my current ideas a chance to germinate. Send your thought please.
