Chapter 12: Dominance in the Animal Kingdom

Aaron had indeed been fine with the new couple. In fact, he had gone a step further and lectured Logan about gentlemanly behavior for a good ten minutes while Veronica stood behind him; tears of laughter streaming down her face.

Dick arrived next, immediately going to the video games. When he saw Veronica, the blonde surfer stopped in his tracks.

"What is she doing here? Pool boy stealing from you again, Dude?"

"Hello Dick." Veronica said coolly. "How are the ribs? The jaw? Anywhere else Logan bruised the last time you insulted me?"

Logan stepped forward. "Dick man, there's something you need to know."

"What, that Veronica Mars is stalking you?"

"No, that Veronica Mars is dating me."

Freezing, Dick said slowly, "What the hell?" and his eyes darted between the two.

Letting out a scoff, Logan replied. "That does seem to be the reaction we've gotten so far."

Confusion grew over the other boy's face. "I don't understand."

Veronica opened her mouth for a scathing remark, but Logan walked over to her and slipped his hand into hers.

"Dick, you know that Veronica and I stopped hating each other. This is just a step up from that." Logan said, looking down at his new girlfriend.

"Is that why you told me I had to be nice to her?"

"No Dick. That was simple decency towards a friend whom I had recently gotten reacquainted with. I expect it to continue."

"But Logan, she put a bong in your locker! And screwed up my car!"

Veronica cut in, "Find the proof, Dick."

Glancing at her reprovingly, Logan returned to his conversation with his friend. "And I put it behind me. Just like she's let go of what I've done. I can only hope that you're going to do the same."

His eyes narrowing, Logan continued. "But understand something, Dick. We're going to keep seeing each other whether you want it to or not. I know Veronica's not your favorite person- and you're defiantly not hers. However she's agreed to at least tolerate you, because you're my friend. But if you can't do that, then it won't matter anymore."

Still not believing what he was hearing, Dick asked "Logan, man- whatever happened to 'bro's over ho's'?"

"Dude, I never agreed to that. In fact, I don't think that's a conversation I've ever had with you." Logan replied, lightheartedly. "Veronica cancels it out, anyway. Get used to it."

"Does Duncan know? Because you do remember how he's been all moody. This would push him over the edge." Dick tried to play the Duncan card as a last resort.

Veronica finally spoke up. "Duncan knows, Dick. He was one of the first people we told. And he didn't go over the edge. He's not thrilled, obviously- but he's trying to accept it. The least you can do is make the same effort. Logan wanted to tell you because you're his friend- I hope that means something to you."

Walking over to the couple, Dick put a hand on Logan's shoulder.

"Will we still go surfing?"

Laughing at the childishness of the question, Logan answered. "Yes Dick, there will still be time for us to go surfing, or play video games. Just not today."

"Man, it doesn't look like I have a choice. She's got her hooks into you real bad." The boy replied, shaking his head.

"Thanks man. That's it. That's all I wanted to tell you. Does this mean you're not going to make a scene when Veronica and I tell the rest of Neptune next Monday? Or tell anyone until then?"

"Yeah, whatever." The surfer turned to walk out of the house. Stopping in his tracks, he froze as a thought entered his mind. "Dude- Madison's gonna shit a brick."

Both Veronica and Logan laughed heartily. "We know. Casey wants us to call before we walk into school so he gets a good seat. You want one too?"

Looking aghast, Dick turned around to face them. "Are you kidding? I don't want to be anywhere near her when she goes off. You're to blame if Dick Jr. doesn't get any lovin' for a while."

Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Veronica just said: "Go home Dick."

After the he left, Logan picked Veronica up and spun her around.

"It's done. No more people to tell. Now can make out?" he pleaded.

Veronica smiled, and leaned in to kiss him. Pulling away right before contact, she grinned wider. "After we figure out how we're going to inform the masses."

Groaning, Logan flopped on the couch. "Why don't we just have sex in the hall? They'd get the message pretty clear."

"No. But you walking me to class holding hands might do the trick." Veronica said, falling into his lap.

"Wait, why can't you walk me to class?"

She sighed. "Because Logan. In order for this… us to be accepted, you're the one who needs to be seen giving an effort. It's like a monkey tribe. If a dominant monkey is seen favoring a lesser monkey, the union won't be contested. If the lower-down monkey shows attention to a dominant one, the tribe revolts and kicks the loser monkey out. Most likely to starve to death."

Logan wrapped his arms around her. "Did you just say that I'm the dominant one? Because for Duncan's ex; that's a little S&M."

Veronica stiffened. "OK, you need to stop doing that."

"What, making sex jokes? Because that's so not going to happen." The tall boy said, nuzzling her neck.

"No Logan. Stop referring to me as Duncan's ex. It needs to be just us, no Duncan, in this relationship. We'll get enough talk about our prospective pasts at school."

"He's a part of your past, just like Lilly's part of mine. Just because we've moved on doesn't mean they've disappeared. But I will try to lay off the Duncan comments."

"Thank you. I noticed you gave no objection to my monkey metaphor." She said, resting into his arms again.

Entwining their fingers, Logan replied. "That's because it was a good analogy. Can you think of anyone else we need to inform of this before Monday? Casey said something about a deputy at the sheriff's department. I thought Lamb instated posters of your face telling everyone Veronica Mars is not to be allowed in."

Slowly, Veronica answered. She knew this wasn't a great topic for Logan. "I used to date Leo D'Amato, the newest Deputy on the force. We keep in touch, but I broke things off relationship-wise."

It was Logan's turn to tense. "Casey said he and you were friends. That the guy would kill for you."

Repositioning herself in his lap, Veronica faced him. "He didn't lie. Leo and I keep in touch. He's done me a favor or two. But it's over between the two of us. He doesn't know my past; understand what I've been through. I'd tear him up."

Chuckling, Logan relaxed. "It astonishes me that even after you broke up with him, the guy will still do you favors. Something about you, Ronnie. Men will sacrifice their own feelings, just to have some part of your life."

"What can I say? The blonde hair brings out the protective part in them." She smiled; glad he had taken it so well. "Now that that's over, teach me more about this 'making out' idea you had earlier."

The two were still kissing on the couch when they heard a cough from the kitchen. It was Aaron, looking quite embarrassed.

"Sorry to interrupt." He said. "I was just going out. Veronica, here's the number you wanted."

Blushing furiously, she rolled of the couch. "Thanks Mr. Echolls." Taking the slip of paper from her hand, Veronica logged the number into her cell phone.

Aaron continued to dart his eyes, looking for something to rest his eyes on. Anything but his son's new girlfriend. "Right. Um… I'm going to be late for glassblowing. If you two want anything, there's food in the kitchen. We have blue corn tortilla chips, they're quite good--"

"We got it Dad." Logan said, resting his head in his hands. "Thanks."

Aaron turned around and left the room as fast as he could. Veronica returned to the couch, but sat as far away from Logan as possible.

"Oh my god." Logan sighed, smacking his forehead. "Tell me I didn't just get caught making out on the couch by my dad."

"You got caught by your dad." Veronica interjected. "I got caught by the star of Breaking Point and Beyond the Breaking Point."

"Who came down here to give you a phone number. Are you going into acting? Because that's kind of a deal breaker."

Smirking, Veronica answered him evilly. "No acting. The number is for a totally different purpose. Did you really think I'd let you win our revenge competition? Look forward to this one, Logan. It's one I know you'll appreciate."