Summary: Yet another finale aftermath fic.
A/N: Ok, so it's been awhile. Between writer's block and moving, I've had a hard time with this chapter. Many, many thanks and Logan dreams to my muses lex and forcedmovement, whose dialogue help and constant encouragement have made this a chapter to be proud of. As always, italics are VMVO and feedback is muchly appreciated.
The silence was too much for her. Veronica rose and started to head for the shattered remote.
"Don't." Logan's tone stilled her movements. She turned around to look at him as he shrugged. "They can bill me." She sighed, and the awkwardness set in.
"Logan?" She asked after a moment. It may not be the best time, but she had to know. It was a blessing and a curse, her need to know things.
"Yeah?" He replied softly, staring at his hands.
"Do you think you could forgive me?" His eyes met hers, surprise written all over his face.
"Forgive you for what?" Logan brushed away her question with a wave of his hand. Relief appeared on her face, and a few stray tears spilled over.
"You know..." Veronica broke off and gestured between them with her hands. "The thing with the Sheriff...and everything else."
"I never meant to lie to you." Logan whispered, looking away from her. "Lilly was dead, and I was a suspect, so when Dick and Beav volunteered to help me...I didn't see any other way." Veronica nodded. She knew that helpless feeling all too well.
"Some friendly advice?" She said. "Next time Dick comes to you with a Master Plan...just say no." She sat next to him on the bed, getting a pair of raised eyebrows in her direction. "Where does that leave us?" Veronica mustered the courage to ask. Logan smirked.
"Ah, the eternal question." He began. "Where's Dr. Phil when you need him?"
"Logan." Veronica protested.
"Veronica." He said her name, almost playful. She blushed a little, getting a chuckle from him. She swatted his arm lightly, and he caught her hand in his to ward off the blow. Startled, they froze, gazes locked.
Time seemed to slow, and yet some how speed up, because before she realized what she was doing, Veronica was leaning in to kiss him.
Her cell phone rang just as their lips brushed. She sat back, embarrassed.
"Sorry." She apologized, digging out her phone from her bag, and checking the caller id. "I gotta take this." Veronica told him. "I'll be right back, ok?" He nodded, and she could feel his eyes on her as she left his room.
She hurried for a back door, heading outside to answer her phone.
"Hello?" She was breathless.
"Veronica, it's Cliff." She heard from the other end.
"Cliff? Wow, twice in one day. I'm going to start thinking you like me, if you're not careful." Veronica teased.
"I'm sure your father will be thrilled." Cliff replied dryly.
"He is rather fond of you." She replied playfully..
"Before you start planning the wedding, can I tell you why I'm calling?" Cliff asked.
"Shoot." Veronica said.
"The press conference is a go." He began. "Tonight, 6 o'clock, on the steps of the sheriff's department." Cliff told her.
"Ah, my date with destiny." Veronica responded. "I'll be there." She reassured him.
"I'll meet you there, we'll have to go over which questions you shouldn't answer." Cliff replied. He hung up, leaving Veronica staring at her phone, emotions flitting across her face.
She sighed, shoving her phone back into her bag and heading back up to Logan's room. They had to get this resolved before she had to leave for the conference. She neared Logan's room, and heard voices so loud, they were echoing in the hallway.
"How could you do that to me, DK?" Logan shouted.
"How could I? How could you date my ex?" Duncan sighed. "It just happened, man." He replied, running his hands through his hair.
"Oh, I see. It just happened that you took advantage of someone who wasn't thinking clearly? Again?" Logan asked. Veronica neared the half open door, praying that they weren't fighting over what she thought they were.
Because if you spilled, Duncan Kane, there's no forgiving you.
"Wait...she told you?" Duncan spoke quietly. Logan laughed bitterly.
"That's not the point." He said, not meeting Duncan's gaze. "Forget about me, man. How could you do that to Veronica?" Logan accused.
"I didn't come here to get yelled at, and I wasn't asking for absolution. I wanted you to know that I don't blame you for what happened to Lilly, that I know you're not your dad. I want us to be like we were, without any secrets, and that's why I told you about Veronica." Duncan started to explain.
"If you didn't want absolution, you wouldn't be here." Logan told him. "And if I don't give it to you, then I'm the jackass." He snarked. "You get to ride up on your white horse and play the hero...again."
"If that's my goal, why would I be standing here trying to take the blame for what happened?" Duncan rationalized.
"Is that what you're doing here? I thought you were checking up on a friend." Logan shot back. .
"You know I care about you, Logan." Duncan protested. "You're my best friend. How can you think I'm just here to get Veronica back?"
"I don't know you anymore, Dk." Logan shrugged. "Things have changed over the last year, and the Duncan I knew is gone."
Veronica barely saw the abandoned lunch cart next to her in the hall as she grabbed the first thing she touched from it, and hurled it at Duncan from the doorway. The red jello splattered all over him, the empty cup tumbling to the floor.
Both of them turned to look at her.
"You promised me you wouldn't tell." She wrenched out, her chest heaving.
"Veronica, I..." She held up a hand to silence him.
"Get out. I'll deal with you after the press conference." He looked like he was going to say something else, but thought better of it, and left silently. Veronica turned to Logan, guilt written all over her face.
"Someone's been busy." He said, staring out the window.
"I didn't mean..." Veronica started to explain.
"Didn't mean to what?" Logan interrupted her. "Sleep with Duncan?" He asked. "Or get caught?"
"That's not how it was, Logan and you know it." She replied, getting angry.
"Really?" Logan said. "Then how was it?"
"I thought you were going to die!" She shouted, her voice cracking with the force of her words. He stared at her. She sniffled and crossed her arms over her chest. "It was awful. Is that what you want to hear?" She accused, really crying now. Logan looked a little stricken.
"Veronica..." He trailed off.
"I knew coming here was a mistake." She tugged her bag more firmly on her shoulder. "I'm sorry...for everything." Veronica apologized as she headed for the door. She paused for a second in the doorway, and then disappeared into the hall. Logan stared after her.
"So am I."