Chapter 11: A Picture Tells the Story
Looking back, Veronica would remember Saturday as the perfect day. Logan and she spent the day exploring each other and keeping the rest of the world at bay. There were no other people present, no outside pressures allowed to interfere, and nothing that had to be done.
Lying in bed, she reflected on the morning thus far. She'd been nervous about having sex with Logan for the first time but it had been better than she'd ever hoped. She appreciated that he had allowed her to take control and never tried to wrest it back; he had been obviously frustrated, wanting to speed things along a few times, but she knew he had held back. And afterwards…well sweet and gentle were the only words she could think of to describe it. Once upon a time she could have pictured that scenario with Duncan but would never have imagined it with Logan. To her delight he had shown her just how wrong she could be.
Since Logan was still asleep she decided to go check on Backup. While he was probably fine, she wanted to make sure he wasn't destroying anything or feeling the need to mark his territory. Slipping her t-shirt and panties back on she gave Logan a kiss on the forehead before going to find the dog. She found him sniffing around downstairs. She refilled his water bowl and wrestled around with him for awhile while she waited for Logan to appear. When he was still not up 30 minutes later, she decided to go upstairs and wake him again. She settled Backup in the living room in front of the TV which she tuned to the Cartoon Network. She wasn't sure if watching TV was normal behavior for a dog but they were showing a Scooby Doo marathon and it would keep Backup entertained for hours.
In Logan's room she was surprised to find the bed empty. She could hear the shower running in the next room and decided to join him and hopefully entice him to play a few water games.
Opening the shower door, she found Logan with his arms braced against the wall, head down. He was standing directly under the water as it cascaded down his body. She could feel the moisture pooling between her legs at the sight of his wet, naked body. He turned so he was facing her with a half smirk on his face and leaned against the far wall, beckoning her to join him. Once she was in the door he grabbed her hand and tugged her against his body, kissing her before she could even let out a squeak. After he released her mouth they spent the next few minutes soaping each other, being sure to take extra care with those parts they had earlier learned excited each other the most. Logan concentrated on her breasts and the folds between her legs while Veronica paid special attention to his nipples and growing erection.
Apparently impatient with the teasing touches, Logan turned off the water and pulled her out of the shower. They each grabbed a towel to dry the other off. She ran her hands over his chest and abdomen before wrapping her hand around him, stroking back and forth.
He kissed her fiercely as he pulled her tight against him. Pulling away he stared into her eyes. "If you're too sore for this, let me know now."
It was evident he was nearly at his breaking point. Veronica shook her head, "I'm okay, just be careful."
"I will always be careful with you. Stay right here," he told her, desire deepening his voice.
She barely had time to wonder what he was doing when he reappeared, condom in hand. Placing the condom on the counter, he kissed her again before turning her around and running his hands up and down her body.
"Open your eyes," he whispered.
She forced her heavy lids up to watch his hands caress her skin. His mouth sucked the side of her throat while his hands caressed her breasts. One hand moved down and one finger slipped between her folds. She parted her legs to give him better access.
"Lean on the counter," he ordered.
She glanced at him confusedly but did as he requested, letting him adjust her so she was bent forward. She watched as he slipped the condom on and stood right behind her. Holding her hips, he gently pushed himself inside of her. She gasped, her eyes widened in shock at the sensations arising from his entry at that angle. She was captivated by the look in his eyes as he moved in and out of her. As one hand rested on her stomach, the other stroked her clit. His lips and tongue traced her neck and the curvature of her ear.
As they neared orgasm, he whispered in her ear how hot she was and how much he loved her. She whispered the words back as she came, her eyes locked with his. He cried her name as he came a few strokes later.
They sank to the bathroom floor when it was over, gasping for breath, still clinging together. She wasn't sure how long they had been there before she spoke. "I think I need another shower."
He chuckled into her hair. "Yeah I think we both do."
Within 45 minutes they were re-showered, dressed and downstairs raiding the fridge. After the morning's activities they were starving but the fridge was almost barren so they had to settle for leftover pizza. The rest of the day passed quickly. They took time to watch movies and play with Backup outside, but they spent most of the day making out like the teenagers they were supposed to be and enjoying the peace and normality usually absent from their lives. They also enjoyed a passionate, playful episode in the pool when he talked her into skinny dipping.
While they were waiting for delivery of the Chinese food they'd ordered for dinner, she called her dad to let him know she and Backup were staying at Logan's. She could tell he wasn't thrilled about the fact she was staying with her boyfriend but as she was eighteen there wasn't a lot he could say or do. After dinner, they retired early laughing and kissing the entire way back to his bed.
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By noon on Sunday Veronica was desperately wishing that she could turn the clock back to Saturday. Logan had gone down by the gate to get the last few days worth of newspapers only to be hounded by the press trying to get pictures and ask questions about what had happened at the prison. Saturday's newspaper had an article about Aaron and a couple of pictures of Logan leaving the prison, obviously upset. Sunday's paper had a follow-up article speculating about his meeting with the D.A. and mentioning his arrest and subsequent probation. Cliff had managed to keep the arrest quiet at the time as Logan was a minor but now it was out there for everyone to know.
Had those few pictures and articles been the sum of it, Veronica would have been upset on Logan's behalf but would have let it go. However, Wallace called around 10 to tell them he was on his way over with something they needed to see. Veronica tried to press him for details but he refused to elaborate over the phone. The only thing he would tell her was that they weren't going to like it.
Logan buzzed Wallace into the driveway as soon as his car approached the gate. Veronica yanked the front door open and rushed down the steps as he parked.
"Wallace! What's going on?" Veronica demanded.
"Let's go inside," he insisted grabbing her arm and pulling her toward the door. He kept looking over his shoulder nervously which was beginning to make Veronica a little paranoid.
"Okay secret agent man now that we're inside you can tell me what's going on."
Without a word, he unzipped his jacket and handed her a couple of tabloids. There were pictures of Logan and her plastered across the paper. Inside where pictures of them leaving the estate in her Escape on Friday afternoon and of them rolling around on the ground and kissing when they'd taken Backup out to play. She was less than thrilled to see pictures of her and Backup out for their early morning walk pre-shower and dressed in Logan's sweat pants and t-shirt on Saturday. It was obvious that the pictures had been taken with a high-powered telephoto lens. They had been far enough from the gates that only a serious photographer with high-grade equipment could have gotten that good of shots. She was chagrined that she had never even realized the photographer was there.
"Oh my God. This is so not happening," she groaned in horror.
Logan glanced up as they entered the kitchen and realized by the horrified look on her face that something was wrong. She threw the papers across the counter for him to enjoy. To her surprise Logan did not become enraged. Instead he looked at the pictures, frowned and rolled his eyes.
"Nice pictures. I really like the one of you in my shirt and pants, very cute," he snarked. He flashed a grin and then turned to read the accompanying article.
He snorted as he read aloud, "Logan Echolls, son of Aaron Echolls and the late Lynn Echolls, is seen here cavorting with fiancée, Veronica Mars. A source close to the couple confirms that they are engaged but have not yet set a definite wedding date."
"Marriage? Are they nuts? And who the hell is this source close to the couple?" Veronica asked, outraged by the blurb. She turned and fixed Wallace with a stare.
"What? It wasn't me. If it had been me I would have told them you two hated each other and were just in it for the sex," Wallace defended. "Besides if I was going to be selling stories about you two I would have my own car and wouldn't have to borrow my mom's."
"Sugarpuss, could you remind me about when you proposed to me because I'm having a hard time remembering the details. I'll admit I was drunk the other night but I'm sure I would remember something that momentous," Logan deadpanned. When he got no response, he looked up from the paper to see Veronica giving him the stare of death.
"Hey, what's wrong with me? I happen to think I would make a great catch. Most women would be thrilled to be my fiancée," Logan replied obviously offended at her lack of enthusiasm.
Veronica rolled her eyes at both of boys. Men could be such idiots some times. "Why aren't you more upset about this? I didn't think you'd be happy about having our pictures and various lies about us being spread around the world."
"I'm not happy about it but what can you do?" He philosophized. "I've had so many photos published of me without my permission I don't think much about it. And hey," he said brightly, "if they are distracted by our supposed engagement maybe they'll ignore the fact I tried to kill Aaron the other day."
"Dang I leave you two alone for a couple of days and you get drunk, try to commit murder and get engaged. What the hell has been happening around here?" Wallace inquired.
Logan looked away at Wallace's question. When it became evident he wasn't going to respond, Veronica answered for him. "He and Aaron got in a little argument and Logan tried to choke him. Then he went and got drunk."
Wallace stared back and forth between them but didn't say anything. Between the two of them, he figured it was best not to ask too many questions as he might get answers he didn't really want. In an attempt to change the subject he asked, "So what are you going to do about the pictures?"
Veronica glared back down at the newspapers. 'Really, they could have gotten some better pictures of me,' she thought. Logan, finally taking her emotions seriously came over and put an arm around her, drawing her close. "If you're really that upset about the pictures, I can call Cliff and we can sue the newspapers. It probably wouldn't work but it might make you feel better."
She laughed at the absurdity of his offer. It wasn't that bad, she would just have to find a way to deal with it. It wasn't the first time and probably wouldn't be the last time she was in the tabloids. "No, it's alright. But next time they better get some decent pictures of me, these are terrible."
Logan leaned down and kissed her gently. His hands stroked up and down her back in the way he knew would relax her.
"Okay, that's it folks. There are other people in the room you know. If you two are going to be all kissy face, I'm outta here," Wallace interrupted.
"Sorry Wallace, we'll try to restrain ourselves," Veronica smirked.
"Yeah well, see that you do. Oh you better prepare yourself. Your dad called my mom this morning and they were discussing your newfound fame when I left. I imagine he'll be calling you to ask about it soon," he called as he headed out the door.
If it wasn't bad enough seeing pictures of herself spread all over the newspapers, her father called at 11:30 in the morning. Keith Mars was in full mockery mode when Veronica answered her phone.
"Veronica Anne Mars. Is there something you've neglected to tell me? According to the ever reliable tabloids, you're engaged. Oh and Access Hollywood keeps repeatedly showing video of you and Logan rolling around on the ground." He paused gathering steam. "That nice, young host on Access Hollywood seems quite envious that you managed to land Logan. Apparently he is quite a catch. Any revealing secrets you would like me to include in the tell-all interview they requested? Maybe I could give them some of your baby pictures? Do you have a favorite?"
Veronica sat there holding the phone, frozen. "We were on Access Hollywood?" she asked incredulously. She glanced helplessly at Logan while trying to figure out the best way to answer her dad. Logan's answering eye roll and shrug were of no help.
"Yes you were and it's enough to make a father proud," he responded sarcastically. After laughing a little longer at his daughter's embarrassment, he turned serious. "Maybe you should stay with Wallace until this passes. Alicia and I are worried about you."
"I'm fine Dad but if it'll make you happy I'll spend tonight back at the apartment…all by my lonesome. With no security system and no one there to look out for me," she tacked on shamelessly.
Keith sighed in obvious defeat. Veronica wasn't going to willingly stay at Alicia's and he didn't like the idea of her at the apartment alone. "Stay at Logan's again tonight then. I'll be home tomorrow night by 6. I love you. Maybe we can have dinner and you can tell me all about your engagement. I can't wait to see the ring," he finished gleefully.
"Dad!" Keith's laughter was her only response as he hung up the phone. Burying her face in her hands, she groaned.
"What wrong? What did your dad say?" Logan asked.
"Apparently in addition to our pictures being spread all over the newspapers, there is even video of us when we were outside with Backup yesterday. My dad saw it and was wondering about our engagement."
Logan cringed. "Ahh. I'm guessing that he's not very happy."
"I don't think he's angry, just worried. He's going to be home tomorrow night and wants to have a father-daughter dinner. Oh and he wants to see my ring," she continued.
"So would you like a diamond or would you prefer the non-traditional route. Maybe an emerald or sapphire?" Logan suggested.
Veronica tried to glare at him but couldn't help but laugh. Leave it to Logan to take a serious situation and crack a joke.
"Does he want you to go home?"
"Actually he wanted me to go stay with Alicia and Wallace but I vetoed that idea. I said I'd just go to the lonely, unprotected apartment. He practically insisted I stay here with my intended," she finished with a grin.
"Well I guess we better make the most of the time we have left then," Logan decided. Walking across the room he suddenly plucked her off the chair and threw her over his shoulder, smacking her on the behind.
"What the hell are you doing? Have you lost your mind? Logan, put me down," Veronica demanded.
He continued walking up the stairs like he didn't hear her. She could hear the laughter in his voice as he snarked, "If we only have a day left before your dad comes home and we get all caught up in wedding plans, we better enjoy it."
He tossed her down on the bed, climbing on top of her and covering her mouth with his own before she could get a word out. As his tongue swept inside her mouth and she felt him settle against her, she realized she had nothing to protest. This definitely seemed like a good way to spend their last few hours together before they had to return to the real world.