Summary: Begins with the missing scene from 1x19, just after LoVe's kiss, and before she breaks up with Leo. AU from there.
A/N: Ok, so let me start by thanking everyone for the awesome feedback I've gotten. I had no idea that this idea would generate this awesome of a response. This chapter is dedicated to forcedmovement, who helped me figure out how to pace the reactions of the characters. Thanks as always to lex and forcedmovement, my muses. Italics are VMVO and feedback is a lovely, lovely thing.
"Well, it's now or never, right?" She replied, adjusting her bag onto her shoulder.
"Right." He said. Veronica squelched all her worries down. She could do this. She was Veronica Mars.
"Let's go." She flashed him a smile, opened her door and got out. He shook his head and followed her lead. Veronica put a hand up to shield her eyes from the morning sun, taking stock of anyone nearby. So far, no one had come close enough to their spot to really notice anything out of the ordinary. She turned back to Logan, and noticed Wallace head in their direction. "Here comes Wallace." She said, getting his attention as he grabbed his books from the back seat of the Xterra. "Remember, you said you'd be nice." Logan flashed her a smirk, and she groaned inwardly.
There's no way this is going to go well. What were you thinking, Mars?
"Hey girl." Wallace slowed to a stop in front of Veronica and Logan.
"Hey." She smiled sort of desperately at Wallace, a plea to get him to at least be civil. "Wallace, this is Logan. Logan, this is my best friend, Wallace." Veronica introduced them. Logan stretched out his hand.
"Hey, man." He greeted. Wallace narrowed his eyes, but accepted the handshake.
"Logan Echolls." Wallace replied. "You should hear what people say about you." Veronica's smile froze on her face as Logan glanced at her.
"Is that right?" Logan asked, trying not to retaliate when Wallace tightened his grip. They had a dead locked stare going on now.
"It's fascinating, really." Wallace's voice was still flat.
"I'm sure it is." Neither one was about to be the first to look away. Veronica sighed.
See, Veronica? This isn't going well at all.
"That's why I prefer to get to know people before I believe what I hear." Wallace said, loosening his grip and breaking eye contact. "If I'd listened to what certain people had to say about Veronica, I'd be out one really great friend." The pointedness of Wallace's sentence was not lost on Veronica or Logan. Her fake smile was replaced by a genuine one, as the three of them set off towards the front doors of the building. Veronica blushed slightly as she felt Logan take her hand.
"So, how long do you think your dad will be gone for, V?" Wallace asked, getting her attention.
"Depends on Duncan, I guess." Veronica answered, a little awkward discussing Duncan with Logan now that she was with Logan.
"I gotta say, I like your dad and all, but it's been nice knowing that I can walk into my living room and not have my retinas injured." Wallace told her, Veronica flashed him a girly smile.
"And here I thought you were all ready to be one happy family." She teased.
"You know I love ya, Veronica, but I don't really want a replay of the other night, thanks."
"So that's why my dad won't look you in the eye." Veronica replied, her tone playful. "Our parents are dating." She told Logan, wanting to include him. "It's interesting." Wallace glanced at his watch.
"I'd love to stay and watch your grand entrance, V, but I gotta go. Coach wants to talk to me before first period." Wallace sprinted inside, and they watched as she disappeared inside.
Veronica's hand tightened around Logan's in a death grip as they neared the doors. She could all ready hear the whispers starting up behind them, and glanced at Logan to see if he'd noticed.
Why, oh why did I think this was a good idea?
He gave her a small smile, and she relaxed, but only a little.
The whispers continued as they made their way inside, and headed down the hallways. "Veronica", "Logan", "Lilly" and "Duncan" were all being discussed as those unfamiliar with the story were filled in, old bits of gossip were dredged up, and new theories about why Logan Echolls and Veronica Mars were holding hands was established.
She breathed a sigh of relief as they stopped in front of her locker, and she opened it quickly.
"Well, now I know what running a gauntlet feels like." She commented, getting a small chuckle from him as he eyeballed everyone who was passing by them and staring. "Ten bucks says that it's all over school by Journalism." Veronica said, putting a couple of books in her locker, and sticking her pad of paper in her bag.
"You're on." Logan smirked. "and I'll bet that same ten bucks that the story will include us making out in my Xterra."
"So it's a bet." Veronica replied, uncomfortable now.
It was one thing to walk down the hall, and hold hands with Logan, but he wouldn't...
The bell rang, startling her. Logan leaned down and kissed her gently, ignoring the gasps and cat calls from the students walking by.
"See you in Journalism." He told her, before turning and walking away. She stared after him, her mouth hanging open. The bell rang again, signaling that she was now late for her first class. She shut her locker with a slam, and hurried down the hall.