Some Truths Hurt 2008-2009
Disclaimer: Still not mine. But someone needs to take them off the shelf, dust them off and let them play.
I survived the holiday with my brother and his inlaws, so yeah for that. It actually wasn't that bad. Though my sister in law is still a drama queen and a half. I should have said happy holidays instead of merry Christmas last time, for all of you who celebrate different holidays. So happy holidays, and happy new years—that's one we can all celebrate, unless you're not allowed to celebrate at all in which case you're probably also not supposed to be reading smut. But I digress.
Posting today because Santa himself asked for an update.
This is the last chapter in this installment of the story, the sequel could be up as early as towards the end of January, I'm putting all the storylines into a timeline now and working out the details of the mysteries. Thanks for reading and enjoying the story so far, it's been challenging, but so much fun.
This story so far recaplet: Season 1 happens with a lot of changes. Veronica goes to the Kanes' dressed incognito to get into Lilly's vent. She finds tapes and pictures, and Duncan finds her. She takes the tapes and Aaron hijacks her. A violent confrontation follows, and Aaron is arrested. Keith is in the hospital, and Veronica is left reeling. Aaron is arraigned for his assault and kidnapping of Veronica. Lamb and the DA are working on charging him with Lilly's murder. Jake and Celeste are charged with obstruction. Leanne is in town and she and Veronica get into it at the hospital. Veronica is staying at the Fennels' with Logan. Veronica has a concussion and is acting oddly. Logan is also reeling from the news. LoVe is drifting apart, each lost in their own confusion and guilt. Leanne is granted emergency custody of V while Keith is in the hospital. Evidence against Aaron is missing. Veronica figures out who the Hammer is, and enlists Weidman's help to prove once and for all who killed Lilly. Veronica lashes out at Jake and Leanne who pretend they are a happy family, but she does agree to a 3rd and final paternity test. Keith's condition worsens. And LoVe's issues come to a head—leading them to fight (very publicly) then have sex. They continue their avoidance dance, until Logan pushes V too far and she calls it quit, for real this time. Logan and the 09er guys wage war on Lamb. Jake/Weidman hire Mac's dad. Logan tries to find Veronica to talk to her, but when he finally catches up with her she is not happy to see him. Veronica makes a move to get away from Leanne and Jake. Casey makes Keith an offer for his story. Veronica finds out she has a baby sister, but doesn't know if the newest member of her family is a Mars or a Kane. Finally LoVe manage to talk to each other and find that they're better together than apart.
Chapter 47: Untidy endings and beginnings
(Tuesday continued)
With only two finals and still high on the feeling of being together again, Logan and Veronica skate through school on Tuesday. They keep the school gossips in business by entering school together holding hands.
Between finals in the hallway, Logan glares at Noah Dawson menacingly, but Veronica's stern rebuke reins him in.
At lunch Casey Gant sits with the couple and Veronica explains to Logan that she and Casey were at a business dinner together. Logan looks doubtful, but shakes Casey's hand gracefully. After all he had got the girl, he could afford to be magnanimous. The only one who is possibly happier than the most speculated about couple in school is Dick whose grin is so large that Veronica looks alarmed.
After school Logan drives Veronica to her mother's apartment to see if there was any sign of Leanne. They find her snoring in her bed, reeking of gin. Veronica looks down at her mother with anger and disappointment. With Logan's help she turns Leanne onto her side so if she threw up she wouldn't asphyxiate on the vomit.
Veronica leads him to her room and packs a bag.
Logan: What are you going to do?
Veronica: I don't know. But Shiloh can't be here, Mom's in no shape to take care of a baby, and I'm not going to sit here and wonder when she'll stumble through the door.
She stops packing and looks at Logan seriously.
Veronica: That's actually one of the things we still need to talk about.
Logan: (quirking one eyebrow) You're going to have to be more specific.
Veronica: Your drinking.
Logan looks defensive.
Logan: I don't have a problem with alcohol Veronica.
Veronica: (earnest)I don't want to fight with you Logan, but I disagree. You drink too much, and too often. You use alcohol. You do that when you have a problem you don't know how to deal with. I'm willing to bet you drink alone, and I know you've been drinking and then driving.
Logan: Fine. I'll stop drinking.
Both their voices are growing louder and tight with anger.
Veronica: With Rams' birthday this week? Really?
Logan: What do you want from me?
Veronica: I want you to stay alive. I don't want to have to worry about you.
Logan: I can stop drinking Veronica. It's not an addiction.
Veronica: (she bites her lip) How about we start small? You promise me that you won't drink and drive or drive with anyone who's been drinking.
Logan: I promise.
Veronica: I'm serious Logan.
Logan: I know.
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Veronica debates whether to stay at the Fennels' or with Logan. She knows her dad would prefer she stay with Alicia, but Veronica already felt bad that she had dumped Shiloh on Alicia for the last few days. In all of her plans, Veronica included the baby. No matter who the father was, Veronica was now a big sister and wasn't going to allow her baby sister to get hurt.
At the Fennels,' Alicia greets Logan warmly and Shiloh toddles over and grabs onto Veronica's legs and smiles up at her with her toothy baby smile.
Shiloh: Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba.
Veronica grins as she leans down and scoops her up, holding her close to her chest. She turns towards Logan who stares at Veronica and the baby with awe and a bit of fear.
Veronica: Logan, meet Shiloh.
Shiloh loses her smile and looks up at him with big blue eyes, her expression solemn.
Logan: She's smaller than I thought she'd be.
Veronica: Well, she is a baby.
Shiloh turns her head back to Veronica and grins then knocks her head forward, as if to head butt Veronica. Veronica shifts her head out of the way quickly.
Logan: (alarmed) What was that?
Veronica: I have no idea, she does it occasionally.
Alicia: Lots of babies do that. Just be warned, she has a hard little head.
Veronica: (grimaces) I know. I learned the hard way.
Logan looks at the kid like she is a bomb that might go off at any moment.
Wallace enters.
Wallace: What's wrong Echolls, scared of a little baby?
He grins, and tickles Shi under the chin as he passes by.
Logan continues to stare at Veronica holding the baby as they sit down to discuss their options. Alicia is willing to take the baby for a few more days, until Veronica finishes finals, then they can make future plans. But Veronica is adamant at coming up with a solution that doesn't inconvenience Alicia anymore than she already has.
Alicia: I don't mind Veronica. Who's going to do it? You have school, your mother -
Veronica: (interrupting) …is not an option. What about a babysitter? Do you know anyone?
Wallace: I'm her usual babysitter.
Daryl: Hey, I'm not a baby.
Alicia: I know Daryl. You're a big boy now. (he grins)
Veronica: Maybe Meg knows someone, she's done a lot of babysitting.
Logan: Uh, I might know someone.
Everyone turns to stare at him blankly.
Logan: Mrs. Navarro. (to Alicia) She was the housekeeper at my house, before…She has lots of nieces and nephews, I'm sure she's good with kids.
Wallace: Weevil's grandma?
Veronica: (smiling, eyes shining) Logan's right. She'd be perfect. (to Logan) She's not working at the house anymore?
Logan: I don't really know.
Alicia: You know this woman Veronica? You can't just leave Shiloh with anyone.
Veronica: Yeah, she's worked for Logan's family since they moved here, she's great.
Wallace: (doubtful) She raised Weevil.
Alicia: Who's Weevil?
Veronica: (glaring at Wallace and Logan to keep them quiet) He's one of my friends at school.
Logan looks at her sourly. Wallace avoids his mother's eyes.
Logan: I don't know about Weevil, but Mrs. Navarro is OK.
Alicia: Well, let's call her and see if she's even available.
She was. Mrs. Navarro had been looking for a new job, and was happy to leave the employment of Aaron Echolls. She agreed to take care of Shiloh for the next week at least. They discussed it and agreed that Shiloh and Mrs. Navarro would spend days at the Fennels', and Alicia made it clear that Veronica would also be staying there until Leanne sobered up and demanded her return home.
Veronica and Logan share a look, knowing that Leanne's custody of Veronica was about to be a causality of the Kanes' divorce. Celeste didn't really want to help Veronica, but sticking it to Jake and his mistress was too much to pass up.
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Cut to the Fennels' studio apartment in the converted garage. Veronica looks around at the full size bed, small kitchenette and bathroom. The walls are bare and the floor is covered with a thin vinyl flooring. It's sparse but it is clean.
Veronica: It's fine.
Alicia: No, Veronica, you can't stay out here by yourself.
Veronica: You'll be like 10 feet away.
Wallace: I'll say out here, V can have my room.
Veronica: (brokering no argument) No, if Shiloh wakes up I don't want to wake up the whole house. I'll be fine. I just have to get some sheets.
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Bed, Bath & Beyond store. Walking down an isle full of bedding, Logan turns to Veronica.
Logan: You know, if Mrs. Navarro is looking for a new job, she could come work for me.
Veronica: (looking at the price of a comforter set) You have a whole hotel of staff to clean up after you Logan, if you need extra help, you're just a pig.
Logan: I meant at the new place.
Veronica: (disapproving) You need a housekeeper for a one bedroom apartment?
He is silent.
Finally her gaze goes to him and she reads his face.
Veronica: (resigned) You're not going to get a one bedroom apartment are you?
Logan: (shrugs) Real estate is a good investment. Especially in coastal communities. I might as well buy if I find something I like.
Veronica looks as if she doubts his logic.
Veronica: Still, you can hire someone to come in a clean once a week, Mrs. Navarro needs a full time job.
Logan: I'll need a cook too.
Veronica: Logan.
Logan: I know her. And I know I can trust her. That won't be easy to find.
Veronica: You could just clean up after yourself.
Logan looks horrified at the thought.
Logan: And learn to cook? It's so simple? Really, how is that working out for you?
Veronica: Shut up.
Veronica concedes the point as they exit the store and have their picture taken by the five paparazzi that had followed them from the hotel that morning and stuck to them all day.
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(Wednesday)
The last day of finals comes and goes without any more major events. The next day at school is a half day dedicated to community service. All the students were signed up for community projects for the morning, with seniors sticking around for graduation practice.
Logan schedules his two makeup finals for the two he missed on Monday.
The only notable moment is when Logan and Duncan come face to face in the hallway. The collective student body holds their breath but the two boys simply slide around each other, not speaking and avoiding each others eyes.
Logan's eyes are dark, his feelings for his former friend obviously conflicted, but as Veronica slides her hand into his and their friends fall in around them, he smiles.
Dick: Dude, tonight is going to be off the hook. We need to let loose some of this tension and party.
Mac: You need an excuse to party?
Dick: Hell no.
Enbom: Birthdays are special though.
Mac: What are you 5? Does you mommy bring in cupcakes for the whole class?
Rams falls in step with them, Kate on his arm.
Rams: I don't know about cupcakes but there had better be cake.
Veronica grins up at Logan, both amused by the banter. He leans down to steal a kiss as they exit the double doors to the school.
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Leanne's apartment. Leanne is alone sitting on the couch with a drink in her hand. She is disheveled and her clothes are wrinkled. There is a knock on the door. She stands up unsteadily.
Leanne: Veronica? Is that you? (disoriented) Veronica, I'm sorry…
She opens the door to reveal Celeste Kane.
She is the opposite of Leanne. Perfectly done hair and makeup. Crisp white pants with blue blazer. Cold and controlled.
Celeste: No. I'm not Veronica. But I do have news for you regarding her.
Leanne: Celeste. Why are you here?
Celeste: (haughty) May I come in? You may not mind having your personal business played out for the world, but I prefer to keep private matters private.
She sweeps past an increasingly desperate looking Leanne.
Leanne: What do you know about Veronica? Did you do something to her?
Celeste: Hardly. Veronica came to me. (smiles coldly)
Leanne: Why?
Celeste: She wanted my help. (Leanne looks more confused) Help getting away from you.
Leanne: She's my daughter.
Celeste: Yes, and apparently she is also Keith's daughter. Despite what you tried to convince my husband of.
Leanne: We don't know that, the test…
Celeste: Veronica assured me that she had had two previous paternity tests both proving without a doubt that Keith Mars is her father. I'm grateful. For myself, and my son. (quirks a dispassionate eyebrow) Apparently Veronica shares my sentiment in this matter.
Leanne: (sad) I never meant to hurt her, not anyone.
Celeste: (hard unforgiving tone)You should have considered that before you destroyed your marriage by carrying on your pathetic affair with my husband.
Leanne: He may be your husband, but he loves me. (almost childish tone) We love each other.
Celeste: Oh please. He'll see you for what you really are and leave you soon enough. Your relationship (says it like it is disgusting) would have come to a halt years ago if not for the excitement of sneaking around. Jake doesn't love you, you just remind him of his life before he had responsibility. A family. You never grew up, and when he's with you he can pretend
.
Leanne: What do you want Celeste?
Celeste: (smiles) I came to tell you that your custody arrangement has been altered. It appears that there was a mistake in the filing. Keith Mars was never notified. The judge has restored Keith Mars' full legal and physical custody of his daughter. (faux sympathetic) But I do believe you were granted visitation.
Leanne: (hurt) Why do you care?
Celeste: You destroyed my family, without a second thought. I'm returning the favor. As for your daughter, she doesn't want to be a part of your pathetic existence anymore. Who could blame her?
Leanne: But you hate her.
Celeste: No. My problem has always been with you, Veronica was just the representation of the difficulties that you have caused me that I couldn't escape. Lilly…(a bit of genuine emotion peaks through her formidable defenses) Lilly loved Veronica. I know that. I never understood my daughter, but I do know that Veronica was important to both my children. She approached me, and I found her proposal to be agreeable to both our needs.
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Fennels' studio. Veronica is standing by the kitchenette and Logan is nearby, both being quiet with Shiloh sleeping in her bassinet nearby.
Logan: So Shiloh seemed to like Mrs. Navarro.
Veronica: Yeah.
Veronica is distractedly staring across the room.
Logan: What's wrong?
Veronica: It's only a temporary fix. The nanny Jake hired was a live in nanny and took care of Shiloh all day, every day. Mrs. Navarro can only take her during the day.
Logan: Veronica. (her eyes meet his) She…
He pauses, gentles his tone, and moves closer putting his hands on her shoulders and squeezing her affectionately.
Logan: She has parents. It's not your job to take care of her. You can make all the plans you want, but the second Jake gets home…
Veronica: (defiant) Their nanny left. She told me she tried to call Jake and yet I haven't received any calls from him or my mom about where Shiloh is. (her grows more adamant and angry, but she keeps her voice low so she doesn't wake the baby) They aren't taking care of her. She's my sister. Mine. I won't let them do to her what they did to Lilly and me. Even Duncan. She deserves better.
Logan: I know, I just don't want you to get hurt.
Veronica: Then put on your thinking cap and help me come up with some ideas.
She takes his hand and walks over to the bed, pulling him along with her.
Veronica: I have good dirt on the Kanes, on Jake, but it won't be enough …
Logan: To what? Get him to give her up? Give her to you? Is that even what you want?
Veronica: (mildly frustrated and confused) I don't know.
Logan: Well, until you figure it out, I might have an idea that will buy you some time. (Veronica looks at him hopefully.) In California if a woman conceives while married, the husband is the presumptive father. Since your mom is still married to your dad…(shrugs)
Veronica smiles.
Veronica: A judge would have to grant custody to my dad until a court ordered paternity test was done, that gives me some time to figure something out.
She smiles at him widely.
Veronica: Who's the smart one now?
She moves to sit straddling his legs and kisses him slowly. When her mouth moves to his neck he smirks.
Logan: I'm confused. Are you admiring me for my mind or my body?
Veronica: (grinning) Both.
They kiss again and are still kissing when Alicia opens the door. It's a toss up for who is more embarrassed, Alicia or Veronica. Even Logan looks awkward for a moment. Veronica scrambles out of Logan's lap and sits next to him on the bed.
Alicia: Oh, I, ah. (gathers her composure) Dinner was just delivered from Felipe's.
She coolly raises one eyebrow at Logan. He smiles and shrugs.
Logan: Talk to your sons. I was outnumbered. But I did order pasta and salad too.
Alicia smiles and then stares pointedly at Logan's hand which has slid over Veronica's leg to cup around the inside of her thigh unconsciously. He moves his hand down to her knee, which appeases Alicia.
Alicia moves into the room and checks on the baby then exits, leaving the door open.
Alicia: Wash your hands then come in for dinner.
Logan stands up and washes his hands, looking confused that Alicia's "mom powers" (as called by Wallace) seem to work on him.
After dinner, Logan and Veronica retreat back to the studio. Instead of sitting down next to her he wanders around the studio, but since it is mostly bare there is nothing to hold his interest or distract him.
Logan: If you're going to live here, we really need to get you some stuff.
Veronica moves closer to him, taking his hands in hers. She meets his gaze calmly.
Veronica: Just tell me.
Logan: What?
Veronica: Whatever it is.
Logan: Is this that female intuition I've heard so much about?
Veronica: Yes, I'm practically psychic. But why don't you save me the trip into your twisted mind and just tell me whatever you think you should, but don't really want to.
Logan: How did you…
Veronica: Because I know you. Now spill.
She throws in her patented head tilt for good measure. Logan smiles.
Veronica: Don't make me toss my hair.
He kisses her quickly then picks her up and spins around to set her on the small kitchen counter.
Logan: OK. You know about the pranks on Lamb.
Veronica: (happy) Me and almost a million youtube users.
Logan: (grins) Yeah. Well, that was just the beginning. I took a copy of his bank statement and had my Grandma look into his finances.
Veronica: (frowns) I love Grandma Hatchet.
Logan: Yeah. Well she found a second numbered account. We can prove that Lamb was the one who sold the crime scene video.
Veronica looks pleased but also uncertain.
Veronica: Why did you do all this? I mean, I'm glad, but…
Logan: Because I know you wouldn't let me go after him directly for what he did to you, so I thought of another way.
She nods.
Logan: (dark) If he didn't take you seriously, kicked you out, who knows if he's done that to others. I want him to pay.
Veronica: But…
Logan: No buts. Nothing will be traced back to any of us, but as soon as you give the go ahead, the information will be sent to the media and the State. He'll be thrown out of office, maybe even serve jail time.
She smiles at him.
Veronica: If he finds out it was you Logan…
Logan: He won't.
Veronica: You guys could have left evidence behind, the youtube account, the videos, he could trace them.
Logan: Nope.
Veronica: Sorry to tell you this, but you and your friends are not as smart as you think.
Logan: (challenging look) Oh? But you know what we are smart enough for?
Veronica: (ponderous tone) Constructing a beer bong?
He grins and darts forward to kiss her quickly. As he pulls away she moves towards him trying to prolong the contact.
Logan: (smoothing her hair back) Hiring the right people to get the job done.
Veronica: Who? Again, anyone who knows is a possible loose end.
Logan: I think we can trust her.
Veronica: Who?
Logan quirks one eyebrow at her, waiting for her to figure it out.
Veronica: Mac.
Logan shrugs.
Logan: Maybe your dad could even run for Sheriff again.
Her smile grows.
Veronica: I love you.
Logan: I love you too.
Later Logan finishes hooking up the large TV Enbom had delivered along with a DVD player. Enbom swore that his parents were going to throw it out for a new upgrade so it hadn't cost anything and Veronica had looked back and forth between the two boys sternly.
She had refused to let Logan buy her a TV earlier, and knew this was his way of getting around her edict that he not spend money on her. The boys admirably held her gaze for a long minute then Enbom broke and looked away. Veronica didn't have the heart to yell at them when they were just trying to be nice, but she still looked on with disapproval as they carted the large screen TV through the door.
Logan is lazily flipping through channels while Veronica unpacks her clothes.
TMZ reporter: Our cameraman caught Logan Echolls and girlfriend Veronica Mars out yesterday. Rumor had it that that had broken up, but from the looks of it, they're not going their separate ways, but adding to their twosome.
Harry Levin: What?
TMZ reporter: They were shopping for baby stuff. We tried to reach Lynn Echolls' agent for comment but all we got was their standard, we don't comment on the personal lives of our clients' children.
Female reporter: So I guess we're on bump watch.
Veronica turns to look at Logan with a sour look on her face.
Veronica: (indignant) I'm pregnant?
Logan: (casual) Yeah, uh, so I guess we should get married or something.
Veronica: (annoyed) Funny. You know, since you and Harry Levin are like this (holds up her crossed fingers), you should call him, straighten things out.
Logan: You know as well as I do that denying it will just make them more interested.
Veronica: So what do you suggest, then?
Logan: Well, (smirks) you should wear some tiny, tight clothes for awhile, show that you aren't hiding a baby under your shirt.
Veronica: Thanks. Excellent. I'll dress all slutty, and be photographed, and paraded on national media, and talked about endlessly by complete strangers. That's much better than you picking up the phone.
Logan shrugs, grinning at her.
Veronica: Ass.
Logan: Flaunt it if you got it.
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(Thursday)
Dick: So you're preggers Ronnie? No wonder you've been such a bitch lately.
Wallace: Wow, we're gonna need to add on to the kitchen to be able to stock enough food for you now. You ate for two when you were just you, now with a baby and another on the way we should buy stock in Trader Joe's.
Mac: Logan's sperm must really be viral like Cap'n Krunk said, otherwise how'd he knock you up when you weren't even talking to him?
Veronica blushes and won't meet Mac's eyes.
Mac: Oh.
Veronica: Another word and I will kill you.
Mac smiles and looks at Logan speculatively.
Meg: So does this mean I get to throw you a baby shower?
The good natured teasing from her friends annoys Veronica, but it is the nasty gossip that puts her in a bad mood.
Girl in hallway: She probably doesn't even know who the father is. I hope Logan is smart enough to ask for a paternity test.
Riding with Logan towards the Neptune Grand she looks at him grimly.
Logan: I'll call Harvey, but it won't do any good.
Veronica: (sighs) I know. And I know it shouldn't bother me, but…
Logan: Once they get you with Shiloh they'll report that…
Veronica: Is that supposed to make me feel better?
Logan: I'm sorry.
Veronica: This isn't your fault Logan. It's the stupid celebrity culture, and your dad.
She kindly doesn't say anything about Lynn courting the press.
There is a hoard of media waiting for them at the Neptune Grand. Veronica glares at them but for once Logan is amused and grins, as he exaggerates helping Veronica up the short staircase and protectively puts his arm around her. She purses her lips in annoyance but doesn't comment.
Upstairs, the newly reunited couple spends some time together, talking, teasing and making out. When Logan pulls her shirt off and rolls her under him on the bed she pushes him back.
Veronica: (alarmed) Stop, you'll hurt the baby!
Logan: (startled, then shaking his head) Brat.
Veronica: Any child of ours is pretty much guaranteed to be a brat.
Logan: But a cute brat.
She grins and pulls him back down to kiss him.
Later they are lying in bed watching TV and talking. Veronica checks her watch and gets up and begins getting dressed. Logan is going out with the guys for Rams' birthday and Veronica is heading back to the Fennels' to spend the night with the new TV/DVD combo they had bought for the studio and Shiloh.
Logan watches her move around the room getting dressed. His father's name from the TV grabs both their attention. Veronica relaxes when she sees it is a story about Aaron Echolls' new high powered LA attorney, not her supposed pregnancy. Glancing at Logan as she pulls on her shoes she sees his tense face.
Veronica: Logan?
She moves to the bed and sits down, partially blocking his view of the TV.
Logan: It's my fault. All of it. All the crap from the last year and a half.
She shakes her head and uses her hands to cup his face and force him to meet her eyes.
Veronica: (calm and clear) No Logan. This wasn't your fault.
Logan: Lilly wouldn't be dead if she hadn't met me. And if Lilly hadn't died, you would never…
She frowns.
Veronica: Both Lilly and Duncan knew what Aaron did to you, right? (Logan is startled with the question, then nods) So Lilly slept with him, knowing that he beat you. She chose to hurt you that way, even knowing that. And neither of them did anything to help you. So what if one of them had done something? Maybe Aaron wouldn't have been around anymore, so he wouldn't have been here to hurt Lilly. And if Lilly hadn't slept with him, he'd have had no motivation to kill her.
Logan still looks emotional. She moves closer to him and runs her hand over his shoulder.
Veronica: What ifs are an endless game with no rewards Logan. You didn't do this. Lilly made a bad choice and Aaron killed her. She was wrong but she didn't deserve it. He's the monster, not you. Not you.
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Fennels' living room. Veronica is curled up on the couch with Shiloh sleeping in her lap. Wallace and Daryl are also on the couch, all three watching The Transporter. When the movie ends Veronica settles Shiloh into her basket and picks up her phone. She calls Logan, just wanting to check in, but he doesn't answer.
Logan: This is Logan with today's inspirational message: No pressure, no diamonds. Thomas Carlyle.
She smiles.
Veronica: I think you need to form a fan club for Mr. Carlyle. Just checking in. Try not to get too drunk tonight. And remember your promise.
She hangs up.
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Cut to Logan. He is surrounded by his friends. They are all smiling and laughing around a bonfire at the beach. It is mostly guys with a few girls like Kate there. Dick and Rams shotgun a beer (poke a hole in the side then pop the top and chug it as fast as possible). Everyone cheers as Rams finishes first and accepts a victory kiss from Kate.
There is a cake, presented to Rams with sparklers on top by Kate, but as he leans in to blow out the candles the cake explodes covering Kate, Rams and several others nearby with cake and frosting.
Dick starts to laugh, the look on Kate's face absolutely priceless. Rams looks confused, wiping frosting off his face. He notices that Dick, Logan and Enbom are all safely out of range of the exploding confection. They all begin laughing, and soon cake is flying around along with the chips and other food that had been brought. Kate even joins the fun after she rubs a bowl of dip into Dick's hair with dark satisfaction.
Rams: How'd you know how to get the cake to explode?
Dick: My little bro is a genius.
Later the guys hit the water and surf in the moonlight. As they come back onto the beach they are the only ones left. They continue to drink, finishing the last of the alcohol then stumble towards Chester's Suburban.
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Cut to a dark room. A phone rings. Veronica jumps up and races to her phone, trying to get to it before it wakes up Shiloh. She grabs it and brings it up to her ear.
Veronica: Logan?
Logan: (quiet, rough voice) Hey Veronica.
She can hear some voices in the background.
Veronica: (immediately worried) What's wrong?
Logan: Something happened. I need you to come down here.
Veronica: Where are you?
As she asks she makes out one of the voices in the background. "Paging Doctor Elias, please pick up any red phone."
Cut to the hospital emergency room. Veronica races in, looking around for Logan. She sees him sitting in the hallway outside an exam room with Rams, Dick, and Harry Didden. All of them are cut and bruised. Logan has a purple lump in his left temple and his left arm is in a sling. Veronica runs towards him slowing as she reaches him and wrapping her arms around him, careful not to bump his arm.
He hugs her back with his good arm, and breathes in her warm comforting scent.
Logan: Sorry.
Veronica: What happened?
Logan: There was an accident.
Veronica: (rapidly) What's wrong with your arm? Did you break it? What about the rest of you?
She inspects him more closely but finds no more notable injuries.
Logan: I'm fine. Dislocated my shoulder, some bruises, that's all.
He leaves out the possible concussion, and bruised ribs.
She turns to look at Dick, Rams and Harry and sees that they are fine as well, having suffered only minor injuries. They look sad and worried and she frowns.
Veronica: Where's Enbom?
She looks around, tilting her head to see into the nearby treatment rooms but doesn't see him. Veronica's face is frightened as she looks back up at Logan.
The guys look down the hall and she turns her head to see him approaching with Mac at his side. A loud sigh of relief escapes her.
Logan: He busted up his knee, they're waiting for the swelling to go down to figure out what happened.
Enbom is in a large knee brace and is on crutches. Mac looks just as worried as Veronica does.
Veronica relaxes momentarily, but realizes that the guys are too quiet for everyone to be OK. She looks up at Logan, dreading the answer.
Veronica: Logan?
Logan: It's Chester.
Enbom and Mac arrive. In addition to the knee brace he has cuts across his cheek and forehead on the left side of his face and is holding his ribs stiffly, like Logan.
Rams: (broken up) He's in surgery. It was bad. He looked…
Dick: (tone of a small child seeking reassurance) This is a good hospital, right Ronnie? (she nods, his voice gains strength) Yeah, see, he'll be fine. He's too much of an asshole to die.
His tone tells the real story though. He's worried. They all are.
They wait silently. Veronica sees Lamb coming towards them with Sacks and Rogers.
Lamb: Well, what do we have here? Time's up boys. Line up, each of you is having a blood alcohol test.
Rams reluctantly gets up and walks towards a bathroom with Rogers and Sacks as escort.
Lamb: Now, which one of you is going to fess up to being the driver?
Mac and Veronica looks startled at the question.
Lamb: The driver, whoever it is (he glares at Logan. Veronica looks back and forth between them questioningly) can look forward to a DUI, reckless driving, and seeing as how it doesn't look good for your buddy or the other guy, two counts of vehicular manslaughter.
Veronica: What other guy?
Down the hall she hears a man's voice. He is yelling. Weevil bursts through a set of double doors with hospital security hot on his tail.
--Flashback
Scene of the accident. The black Suburban is on its side half in a ditch. The body of the vehicle is all destroyed and partially collapsed, most of the windows shattered out. It is obvious that the vehicle flipped over several times before coming to rest. Broken glass litters the scene. Rams is holding Logan up. They are leaning against the ruined vehicle as the Sheriff's vehicles arrive. The strobbing red and blue lights along with the headlights illuminate the scene and we see more of the guys.
Dick helps Enbom, who is not putting any weight on his leg over to Logan and Rams and props him up. Dick takes off his shirt and presses it against a gash in Enbom's arm that is bleeding profusely.
A bit down the road Harry Didden is knelled down next to Chester. The latter boy is lying on the ground not moving. As the ambulance pulls in Harry looks up his face bloody and panicky.
Harry: (shouting) Over here. He needs help, he's not moving.
He breaks off, unable to put into words what he sees. Chester's skull is obviously broken, a large split visible through his sandy blond hair. There is a lot of blood pooled under him.
The ambulance crew begins working on Chester and two more ambulances show up. Enbom is loaded onto one stretcher, just as the ambulance with Chester takes off for the hospital.
Shouts draw everyone's attention.
Leo: Hey, we got another one here. Did anyone ask these guys how many of them were in the vehicle?
Rams, Dick and Logan share a look. All of them were accounted for. Harry is sitting in the back of a cruiser, his head buried in his knees. He's in shock.
The third ambulance crew who were patching up the guys with lesser injuries races down to where Leo is standing about 50 feet down the road.
--End Flashback
Weevil: (yelling) Somebody had better tell me what is going on. Where is Felix? Which one of you is his doctor?
Veronica's worried gaze swings back to Logan.
Dick: We already told you man, we want our lawyers.
Lamb: Listen to me you spoiled little shit, you're going to talk to me now, or you're going to spend the night in jail.
Veronica: They're under 18 Lamb. You can't question them without a parent present.
Veronica Voiceover: That's not completely true. Since Logan is emancipated, he's legally an adult, and Rams just turned 18 today. But Lamb doesn't know that, and every minute might count here.
Veronica: They don't have to talk to you. You can compel a blood alcohol test from the driver, but since you don't know who that is, (faux grimace) I think you're gonna have a hard time.
Lamb glares at her. Rams returns with the deputies and he, and the rest of the guys, look at Veronica gratefully.
Lamb: Don't go anywhere. I'll be back with a court order.
Rams: Where are we going to go? That's our friend in there.
Lamb leaves but orders Sacks to watch them.
Dick: (to V) Thanks.
Veronica: It won't do you much good or buy you much time. You'd better get your lawyers down here, and fast.
(Friday)
Friday is graduation, and is supposed to be a happy day where young people move from one stage in their lives to the next. But the graduation at Neptune High is a somber event. Chester French had died during the night from the injuries he's sustained in the accident. Felix Combs was still unconscious and the doctors said he was likely to remain in a vegetative state.
As the seniors cross the stage, the specter of their fallen friends hangs over them, as does the absence of one in particular. Lilly Kane.
Duncan accepts a ceremonial diploma on her behalf and awkwardly stands on stage to allow the respectful applause of the audience. In the front row Jake stoically wipes away a tear. Several seats down, Celeste coldly watches with pride as Duncan moves off stage.
In the audience Logan and Veronica sit side by side holding hands, watching Lilly's class graduate without her. Meg, Mac, Enbom, Dick, Rams, Kate, Luke and Wallace sit around them. They manage to smile at the expected moments during the ceremony, cheering for their friends as they cross the stage: Casey, the senior Tritons, various others that they have come to know. But no real happiness ever shows on their faces.
Standing in the isle by the door, the PCHers, without Weevil who was still at the hospital with Felix, glare at the rich kids. In fact the whole audience was split. Predominantly Caucasian well dressed 09er parents and students in the front, and 02 parents and students in the back.
Veronica Voiceover: There has always been a divide between Neptune's haves and the have nots, but tensions are running higher than ever.
The local paper had run a front page story on the accident today, and outrage was already growing that no arrests had been made.
Veronica looks nervously around the charged crowd.
Veronica Voiceover: And guess who the newspaper article focused on? Our school's resident celebrity: Logan Echolls. I really thought that things couldn't get worse. I was wrong.
The scene closes on Veronica' tight face and Logan's freaked out expression.
END
--
AN
Words 6,243
So I managed to get them back together, find the funny again, and set up the clash between the haves and have nots without having Logan take a beating on the bridge. I have to say, I'm pretty happy with the story. The ending was harder than I thought, because I wanted to leave them happy, but it's Neptune. It's Veronica Mars. Happy isn't happy, unless you have it juxtaposed against tragedy.
Many of you have voted for what you want in the sequel, and I think I'll be able to handle all of it. There will be more Jake and Leanne for awhile anyway. And Duncan, but I'm still deciding on how to work that. But happy LoVe, happy Meg, more 09er guys, more everyone, and some MaDi moments at least. I'm working out how it will all work still, there is a lot that I want to change and a lot that is unusable from S2 because of how I wrote this story.
A few reviewers have asked where Meg and Mac have been during the last few chapters. I tried to sprinkle them in, but the focus was on LoVe to get through what I had planned for them so they could get back together. Meg and Mac will be around during the summer and in the sequels and will get their own storylines.
Thanks to everyone who's reviewed throughout the story, I might not have kept going for the whole 14 months, and 575+ thousand words it took me to finish without you. The sequels will start popping up soon. I'll have summer as one story, then senior year, but I'm also going to do future chapters of their lives, and will start posting that soon—seeing as how I already have one sickly sweet LoVe chapter written. I would have posted it to relieve some of the recent angst but it has a spoiler for Shiloh and I didn't want to spoil you.
