Disclaimer: Veronica Mars and all it's characters and situations are property of Rob Thomas and UPN/The CW. I do not own anything and will not make any profit from this story.
A/N: Voiceovers are in bold.
A/N: Here it is, finally. But between stressing about my math grade, studying for heaps of tests and going on a school fieldtrip it's actually a small miracle this chapter is finished now. JLT and ESPaG are gonna take a lot longer for me to update. Sorry.
A/N: Reviews are LoVe.
"... not guilty."
"What?!" Veronica exclaimed loudly. A couple of people turned their heads and glared at her. It seemed weird but it felt like she had stopped spinning with the rest of the world. Everything was turning, faces were turning into blurs. Lavoie's face resembled a blob of sorts. She gripped the bench in front of her and breathed in deeply. How on earth could they choose to not convict him? They're letting a murderer loose! What on earth is wrong with our society!? Just because he's a Hollywood star.
Veronica was too busy ranting in her head to realize it was time to leave until she felt Lilly slowly push her and steer her towards the doors. She automatically grabbed Logan's hand and he squeezed it gently. She felt like crying.
"Dad!" She exclaimed. "Why would they do that? This was not supposed to happen." Jake and Celeste didn't look too happy either. They immediately made for Keith and Lamb. After all, Aaron had attacked their baby girl. He deserved jail at the very least. Lilly and Duncan were standing off to one side, eavesdropping on their parents' conversation with the local law. They looked like they didn't really know what to do with themselves. Veronica couldn't blame them, she was sure she looked the same way.
Veronica vaguely heard the words 'appeal' and 'supreme court'. But she knew that it wouldn't work. If the people of Neptune were blinded by fame, she didn't think it would change much anywhere else. She turned to Logan. He was leaning against the wall, his mother by his side, talking to him. It didn't seem like Logan was listening though. He was just staring into space. Veronica didn't know what to say. How do you make this right? You can't. So she did the next best thing. "I'm sorry." Veronica said.
"Oh, Veronica sweetie, it's not your fault." Lynn quickly defended her. "You didn't do anything wrong." Veronica nodded.
"Well, I'm going to talk to your father, see what he thinks my next step should be."
"Next step?" Veronica asked confusedly. By this time Lilly and Duncan had joined her and were standing one on each side.
"I've been thinking about divorce, but now that Aaron is a free man, I'm not sure what to do. Just leave him? Annulment? It's tricky, but thank God we had a pre-nup. Anyway, your dad and Lamb will probably know what to do. "
She left the Fab Four to their own devices.
"It's not so bad." Veronica tried feebly to lighten up the mood. It was like a cloud had settled over them. A very, very, dark cloud.
"Veronica, this is as bad as it can get." Logan said.
"Dude, she was just trying to help." Duncan said defensively. Lilly rolled her eyes. Men and their egos.
"No, Duncan, Logan's right. Even I don't honestly think it's 'not that bad'."
"Yeah but he doesn't have to be rude."
"He wasn't rude. He's going through a lot too. That's his father." Lilly interjected testily. Personally she was a little tired of Duncan's little win-Veronica-back crusade.
Lilly's words his Logan like a ton of bricks. He needed fresh air, he needed to think, he needed to be alone.
"I'm going to go to the bathroom." He said. He walked down the hall and headed right.
"See what you've done." Lilly hissed at her brother.
"I didn't do anything!" Duncan protested.
"Duncan, Logan's having a really hard time with all this. It's his dad. I don't think you harping on him about his manners or tone is gonna help." Veronica said without malice. She left in search of Logan leaving Duncan to wither under Lilly's glare.
"Look, Donut, I don't think you're gonna win Veronica back by picking on Logan and acting like a knight on a white horse. Because the way she sees it, you're just the knight falling of the horse, while Logan is the hero. Give it up. She's happy. Let her be."
"That's not even what it's about." Duncan said angrily.
Lilly gave him a look. "Really? Because I know how much you love Veronica, and I know that she sees you as a good friend. Whereas Meg loves you. Duncan, just let it go. It's over. Accept it." Duncan stared at her, dumbfounded.
"I'm gonna look for mom and dad. Stay here."
And she left her brother standing all alone.
"So... not guilty. That's bogus, right? Am I right?" Veronica joked as she sat down next to Logan. It was a beautiful day and they were sitting outside on the steps of the courtyard, away from the prying eyes of the media and paparazzi. Logan just stared at her.
"Sorry." Veronica said turning her eyes to her shoes. She rubbed some dust of the tip of her flats.
"How did you know I was outside?" Logan asked her, watching her clean her shoes.
"Bathroom's on the left, not the right."
"Pixie spy magic." Logan joked half-heartedly. Veronica smiled. "Must you always make height jokes?"
"Yes."
Veronica swatted his arm. She sighed. This was how it was supposed to be. Carefree, fun. Not dramatic and scandal-filled. We're definitely not in Kansas anymore.
"Do you wanna talk?" She asked.
Logan was silent for a minute. He wanted to find the right words to voice what he was thinking. "It's weird you know. I feel like everything is just crashing down. My whole life is being changed and everything feels so different now. But, I come outside, and people are still talking and laughing, the sun is still shining, kids are still running around. And... I can't help but feel that they should all be outraged right now. They should all want Aaron to be convicted. Why isn't it raining right now? Why aren't the kids crying? There's a murderer about to go free and everyone is freaking happy."
"They don't know."
"Yeah, or they don't care."
"Or they don't care." Veronica agreed. "But maybe they shouldn't care. This is none of their business. It's our business. It's our life that'll be changed. He's your dad."
"That's what bugs me the most. He's my father." Logan dropped his head into his hands.
"What if I turn out to be like him?" He asked, his voice slightly muffled.
"What?!" Veronica exclaimed. "That is the most ridiculous thing I am now hearing for the second time out of your mouth." She took one of his hands and intertwined their fingers. "That's bullshit. Along with what Duncan said. You weren't being rude." Logan looked at her. "Look, things will change. Things will be very different. And he may be your father, but didn't you tell me two weeks ago that one tiny cell shouldn't dictate your life?"
"So basically you're throwing my words back in my face." Logan deadpanned.
Veronica gave him a look. "No. I am saying that we'll get through it. Together. And it won't be so bad. Come on, life with Aaron has to be better now that he knows he can't hurt you. Plus, your mom's getting a divorce."
"Yeah..." Logan trailed off, still sounding unsure.
"Look, I know it'll take a while. But you'll be okay. We'll be okay." Logan placed a gentle kiss on the bridge of her nose.
Veronica was exhausted by the time she came home. She couldn't wait to just fall into bed and sleep. Everything else could wait until tomorrow. Well, all except one.
"Dad?" She asked while grabbing some water from the fridge. Her dad was seated on the couch, obviously as tired as his daughter from the stress of the day.
"Yeah, kiddo?" He replied wearily.
"What's gonna happen to Lynn and Logan?"
"Well, it depends sweetie." He said as Veronica took a seat next to him. "If Lynn divorces then she might get sole custody of Logan, because of this whole trial, but they'd have to move out. Well, that's most likely. Luckily, Lynn isn't dependent on Aaron for money, so that shouldn't be an issue. But as for custody, my educated guess would be that they grant Lynn sole custody, especially if Logan can show his scars." Veronica breathed a sigh of relief.
"But," Keith continued. Veronica let out a groan. "They might agree on shared custody because Aaron was cleared of all charges."
"Which is so wrong, by the way." Veronica added.
"I know sweetie. I know." Keith gave her a kiss. "Now go to bed before you start snoring right here on the couch."
"I do not snore." Veronica replied indignantly as she kissed her father good night.
"Yeah, try telling the neighbours that."
School was uncomfortable, to say the least. Logan was met with stares and gawks. Lilly received her fair share, as did Veronica and Duncan. But Logan's was still the worst.
It didn't seem fair that his dad was the one who did wrong yet Logan was being punished. Although, if you looked at him you wouldn't be able to tell. He seemed like he couldn't care less. No, he didn't seem indifferent, he seemed okay with it. Like he had accepted it and was making the best of it.
Although, the way things seem isn't always what they truly are. Looks can be deceiving, even if they come in a very handsome packaging. They had all learned this lesson the hard way, especially Veronica.
"Hey, where's Duncan?" Logan asked as they were seated around the table. He had ordered two pizzas, but if he had known Duncan was gonna skip lunch he would have taken one.
"I think I saw him with Meg." Lilly said absentmindedly, returning to polishing her nails.
"Get any of that crap on the pizza and I'm gonna burn one of your bikini's." Logan joked.
Lilly and Veronica pretended to be shocked. "Logan, a bikini is sacred to a teenage girl. You cannot burn it. It's like the holy grail of clothing." Veronica chastised him, a smile teasing her lips. Lilly gave him a fake look of disdain. Logan laughed. "The holy grail?" He smirked. So the boy can still smile. Seems like I haven't seen his teeth since the trial.
"Shut up." Veronica laughed, swatting his arm. "You started it." Lilly added. Logan just nodded, still smirking. "Sure, Lilly, whatever you say."
"Oh!" He exclaimed, suddenly remembering a weird conversation he had had with his mother in the morning. Lilly jumped and nearly spilled her nail polish. Logan shot her a glare before turning to Veronica. "By the way, do you know if my mom is up to something?" He asked her. "What? No, not that I can think of." She replied, forgetting her conversation with the woman about Logan's birthday.
"Because she told me to tell you to come by this afternoon, don't worry, Aaron's in a hotel, and she told me to go surfing with Dick or something." Veronica frowned. "I honestly have no idea what she wants, but if it gets you into your board shorts and topless, I'm in." Logan frowned at her. "Veronica, don't ever use the word 'topless' again when speaking about me. It sounds like I'm a chick."
"Fine. But if it gets you into your board shorts and without a shirt on," she said with an air of exaggeration, "I'm in."
"Tsssk. I knew you always wanted me for my looks. I'm nothing more than a toyboy to you, aren't I?"
"You know it." Veronica smiled. She leaned in for a kiss, which was happily reciprocated by her boyfriend.
"Ew. Seriously. Continue like that, and I'm pouring my nail polish all over the pizza."
"So you'll tell me what she's up to, right?"
Veronica sighed. "Yes, Logan, if it's something I can tell you, I will tell you."
They were on their way to his house so he could get his surfing gear and she could have her 'meeting' with Lynn.
"No, you have to promise." Logan whined.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "Yes, Logan I promise." She stepped out of the car. "Sometimes I think I'm dating a six year old and not a sixteen year old." She muttered, perfectly audible.
"Oh, really?" Logan asked. "I'll show you what a six year old can do." He flexed his fingers and ran for Veronica. She screeched when he started tickling her and headed for the door. When Lynn heard a screeching sound from the driveway she opened the door out of curiosity. Her question was answered when she saw a blonde girl run inside, followed by her son. She shook her head. At least now she knew he was okay. She followed them to the living room where she saw Veronica mercilessly hitting him with a pillow, her hair hanging in her face.
"I surrender." Logan yelled. Veronica hit him once more for good measure.
"Women always come out on top." Lynn said, laughing at her son.
"Gee, thanks for siding with your own flesh and blood, mother." Logan said sarcastically. Lynn laughed. "It's not my fault Veronica just beat you."
"She did not beat me." Logan protested.
"I did too!" Veronica pouted childishly.
"Now, Logan, put some hustle in it. I need to talk with Veronica, it's very important."
"Alright, alright. I'm leaving, jeez. Where's your motherly instinct?"
"It went out for dinner with your hardworking, respectful alter ego." Lynn deadpanned. Logan faux-glared at his mother. She smiled at him, cheekily. "Now, go." She flapped her hands.
Logan headed for the stairs.
"Veronica, would you like something to drink?" Suddenly Veronica remembered what Lynn wanted to talk to her about. Logan's birthday party. How could I have forgotten? Lynn wants it to be the bash of the year in an attempt to brighten up his year. Maybe this time he'll actually get an elephant.
She nodded. "Yes, please Mrs. Echolls. Water's fine."
Veronica sat down on the couch while she waited for Mrs. Echolls to bring her glass of water. She looked around the living room. Any vestige of Aaron had already been removed. There were no wedding pictures, he had been expertly photoshopped out of childhood photos. All awards were made out to Lynn Lester or Lynn Echolls. The study had been cleared out, and Veronica's guess would be that Aaron's clothes had been ceremoniously dumped on the lawn. Okay, so maybe she hoped they had been. Lynn was a smart woman, Veronica trusted she had done the right thing. She grinned, thinking about Aaron picking up his clothes while the sprinklers came on.
"So, Veronica, is he gone?" Lynn yelled from the kitchen. The door slammed. "I think so." Veronica replied. Her cell phone buzzed.
I'll see you later.
Miss you already.
Logan. X
He really was an amazing boyfriend. As soon as she read the text Veronica was determined to make sure Logan had the best birthday ever. He deserved it. Anyone who put up with her did, actually. And Logan didn't just put up with her. He liked her and spent time with her, voluntarily. She knew she was a handful, especially these days. But Logan continued to make her happy, and it was that feeling that she wanted to give back.
"Okay, so I was thinking just a sort of traditional surprise party, you know, you take him out, people park up the street and then yell 'surprise' when he walks through the door." Lynn said once they'd been seated.
"Okay, euhm, do you have a specific location in mind or were you thinking of doing it here? Is there a theme? How many guests were you planning on inviting? Will it be a day or evening thing? Are you gonna get catering?" Veronica asked in a rush. Lynn looked a bit overwhelmed. Veronica suspected it might be a bit too much for a woman who's always had the best party planners at her service.
"Euhm, I was hoping you could help me with that." Lynn answered. Veronica smiled at her.
"Do you have paper and a pen?"
"Well, I have to say, you polishing off two servings of enchiladas was the highlight of my evening." Veronica punched his arm playfully. "Ha. Ha. Laugh it up."
"Though, I have to say, when you finished your chocolate mousse in three spoonfuls, that was a moment to remember too. Filed away forever." He closed eyes, pretending to reminisce, and then smirked. Veronica rolled her eyes. "Puh-lease, it turns you on and you know it." She said, smirking triumphantly in his face. "Ronnie, whatever you do turns me on. You're hot." Veronica blushed. Logan grinned. "And I love it when you blush like a little innocent schoolgirl. Albeit one who carries a taser." Veronica stood on her toes and gave Logan a chaste kiss on the lips. He put his arms around her and pulled her in for a longer kiss which Veronica happily reciprocated. He smiled against her lips. "You ready to go in?" He asked her, removing a stray hair from her eyes and placing it gently behind her ear. She nodded. "Why is it so dark inside?"
Veronica shrugged and took his hand behind her. She pushed open the door.
She had barely opened the door when they were greeted by a huge chorus of "Surprise!".
Logan looked around dumbfounded. All his friends were here: Lilly, Duncan, Dick, Meg, Casey, Luke, Sean, Casey, Cassidy and a bunch of other 09'ers. There was one girl he didn't recognize though. She had brown hair with a blue streak in it. And she was chatting animatedly with Dick. He saw his mother grinning gleefully and when he turned around to face Veronica and saw Lynn's grin mirrored on her face he instantly knew that they were behind it. He turned a little red at the fact that his mother and his friends had seen him and Veronica making out on the porch, despite the darkness.
"Are you surprised?" Veronica asked.
"Very." He replied, kissing her chastely before his mother engulfed him in a hug.
"Happy Birthday!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Mom, you're squishing me." Logan said, slightly embarrassed.
"You should've seen your face." Lilly laughed. She and the other girls congratulated Logan with hugs while he got high fives and pats on the back from the guys.
"Dude! Seventeen!" Dick said. Veronica laughed. "Deep, Dick. Real deep."
Lilly patted him sympathetically on the back and went to take a drink from a nearby table set up with food and drinks. Logan would bet his surfboard that Dick had already spiked it. Probably when the lights were off.
Logan turned to his mom. "Did you guys plan all this?" He asked her, motioning to her and Veronica, the latter who was already chatting away with the chick with brown hair. Meg was standing with them listening to their conversation and Logan nodded that she shot weird glances at Veronica but he shrugged it off. Lynn grinned gleefully once again.
"Yes, we did." Lynn replied smugly. "Mind you, Veronica was a big help. She did most of the planning, I was the credit card." Lynn joked. Logan smiled at her. "So, overall, success or not?" Lynn asked.
"Definitely one for the books."
Lynn smiled broadly.
"Thanks mom, it means a lot."
Lynn smiled at her son. "Sure it does. Now, go on and 'hang' with your friends. I know you're looking less cool with every passing minute spent talking to me." Logan grinned, gave her a hug and joined his friends.
"Meg, can I talk to you for a second?" Duncan asked nervously. She was standing at the snacks table getting a drink.
"Sure." She replied, following him to the library. Somehow she knew what was coming. It was one of those feelings girls get but boys are immune to. They sat opposite each other.
Duncan suddenly realized that this was his first real break up, despite his relationship with Veronica.
"Meg, I really-"
She cut him off. "Save it. I know what you're going to say."
"You do?" Duncan asked, taken aback. Maybe he should have paid more attention to her actions.
Meg nodded. "You're still in love with her, aren't you?" She asked ruefully.
"Meg, love like mine and Veronica's will never fade. We're soulmates. We love each other."
"Right." She said sarcastically.
She left Duncan sitting there and rushed out, banging open the doors. She walked down the hallway, scanning the room for a certain tiny blonde one with a penchant for snooping.
"Veronica, can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked, not waiting for a response before dragging her by the arm to a corner of the room.
"Meg, what's wrong?" Veronica asked, seeing Meg's stricken face.
"Is it true?" Meg demanded.
"Is what true?" Veronica replied, bewildered. She'd never seen Meg this assertive.
"That you and Duncan have rekindled your love in secret?"
"What?!" Veronica exclaimed. "Who the hell told you that?"
"What's going on?" Logan asked, joining the two ladies. He'd seen Meg drag Veronica off to a corner of the room but only made a move when he saw their conversation getting more heated.
"Meg seems to think Duncan and I are having an affair."
Logan raised his eyebrows in question.
"And it's not true." Veronica said aggressively, trying desperately to convince her friend.
"Here you are, Meg." Duncan's voice cut through their thoughts as he joined them.
Meg slapped him and left.
"Meg!" Duncan called after her.
"Duncan, what's going on?" Veronica asked, holding on to his arm to prevent him from going after Meg.
"Nothing. We just had a fight."
"It wouldn't have something to do with the fact that she thinks you're in love with Ronnie?" Logan asked coolly.
Duncan's cheeks grew red. "What? No." He replied, flustered. "I just said that I'll always love Veron-.". Before Duncan could finish his sentence, Logan's fist connected with his jaw.
"Logan!" Veronica yelled. She hated it when he got into fights, especially over stupid things like this.
Duncan staggered but quickly regained his composure, before lunging headfirst at Logan, his head hitting his friend's abdomen and sending them both flying backwards and against a pillar.
"Duncan! Stop it!" Veronica yelled, trying to push him off Logan. By now everyone was gathered, looking on.
"Guys! Stop it!" Lilly yelled, moving to the boys, joined by Dick and Casey. Casey grabbed Duncan and Dick grabbed Logan, pulling them away from each other. Casey led Duncan outside. Lilly said a quick goodbye to Veronica and promised she'd call. She quickly apologized to Mrs. Echolls for her brother's behaviour and then followed Casey outside. Veronica saw that Dick had taken Logan to the poolhouse and that Lynn had followed.
"Euhm, sorry for that. Just continue to mingle. Everything's fine now." She said awkwardly to her classmates before rushing off towards the pool house.
"What did you do that for?" Veronica asked, storming into the pool house.
"Euh, in case you didn't notice, they were about to kill each other, Ronnie." Dick said, staring at her as if what he just said were the most obvious thing in the world. Veronica glared at him. She turned to Logan and raised an eyebrow in question. "Not now, Veronica." Logan said, casting his eyes towards his mother and Dick. "Fine." She huffed. "Call me when you've grown up." She slammed the door behind her.
Logan sighed and looked up at his mother and friend. "I'm sorry." He said to the former. Lynn pursed her lips. "You know how I dislike violence and you getting into fights, Logan, but whatever it is with you and Duncan and Veronica, work it out. Okay, sweetie?"
"I know, mom."
"Dick, I could really use your help cleaning up."
"Sure thing, Mrs. E." Dick replied, getting the hint and following his friend's mother to the house.
He couldn't help but grin when he saw Veronica sitting in a corner, her feet dangling in the pool. He knew she couldn't just leave Logan and go home.
A girl's voice pulled him out of his thoughts and brought him back to earth.
"How's Logan?"
He smiled when he realized who it was. "He'll be fine. It's Veronica's wrath he should be worried about."
The brunette laughed.
"So, you survived your first 09er party, Mackenzie. How does it feel?"
"It feels good." She smiled.
After Veronica had cooled down, she went back to the pool house. From her place at the pool, she could see that Logan was still sitting on the bed. He hadn't even reached for the liquor cabinet. That did make her proud.
This time she didn't slam the door behind her, but instead quietly made her way to his side.
"I'm sorry." He said. He faced her with an apologetic look on his face. She stood up and made her way to the bathroom where she got some hydrogen peroxide, plasters, aspirin and cotton balls. "It was just- hearing him talk about you two- he's delusional and I just lost it..." Veronica tended to his wounds while he rambled. He put his hands on her arms. "Veronica, don't be mad."
"I just don't get why you two are making such a big deal out of this." She said simply, continuing disinfecting the few cuts on his face.
"Does your stomach hurt?" She asked, before he could reply to her previous statement.
"It'll bruise, but I'll be fine." He brushed past her question. "Veronica, I'm sorry.'
He looked her in the eye when he apologised once again.
Veronica sighed. "Damn you, Echolls." She gave him a kiss. "Apology accepted."
He grinned, and pulled her on top of him, peppering kisses all over her face. She laughed. "Logan, you're gonna hurt yourself."
"I'll be fine." He said, pushing her hair from her face. He moved them more up the bed and rolled on top of Veronica. She put her arms around his neck.
"Ms. Mars, are you planning to have your way with me?"
Veronica grinned. "Don't you know it."
He nuzzled his face in her neck and kissed her.
Veronica saw something in the overhead fan. It looked like a tiny hole. She gently motioned for Logan to stop.
"What the hell is that?" Veronica asked, standing up to get a better look. Logan followed her line of vision.
In all her years of detective work, Veronica had learned to identify all types of 'spy' gear. And what she saw disgusted her.
"What it is, Ronnie?" Logan asked, seeing the expression on her face.
"It's a camera." She replied.
Tadaaaaaaaaa! At least this chapter brought two whole new dramas and a new character. And I'm thinking about writing Wallace in, in the future. I just have to find a window.
And, yes, I do know Madison is gone, and I have someone else for the whole camera story. But I'm not telling. xD
Review!
Pretty, pretty please with a Logan on top.