Title: Home Sweet Home
Author: Modern-Insomniac1138
Pairing/Character: Logan/OC Friendship, LoVe eventually, a little V/D, Beaver/OC, Ensemble
Word Count: 3,338
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Carly Hayes is a freshman at Neptune High, and she's an old family friend of the Echolls Family. Slight AU. Season 2.
Disclaimer: I do not own Veronica Mars, Rob Thomas does. Though I wish I owned Logan… Oh well!
October 6, 2005
"Dakota, do you want to watch TV or a movie?" Carly Hayes asked looking over at little Dakota who was playing with the remote.
"Come on, take your pick." she asked yawning as Dakota playfully handed her the remote.
"Ugh, fine, TV it is." she said sighing as she started channel surfing. It was a typical, boring Friday night with her mom and Dakota. As you could tell, Carly wasn't invited to many sleepovers and parties.
"Carly, can I talk to you in the kitchenfor a minute?" Julia Hayes called out from the kitchen.
"Coming mom! Hey Dakota, let's see what Granny's doing in the kitchen." Carly said as she picked up Dakota and turned off the TV.
"Yeah mom, what's up?" she said entering the kitchen area with Dakota. She put Dakota in her high chair and sat down next to her.
Julia sighed and took a sip of water from her glass.
"Carly, I know it's been hard for you lately. I mean your father and I divorced so quickly, and then we moved out of a house we called home for almost two years. I know it's been difficult, but I'm so proud of you. You've been really strong. It seemed that you had to grow up a whole lot faster than most kids your age." Julia said glancing at Dakota who was playing with her doll.
"Mom, I think we already had this talk." Carly said.
"Carly, what I'm trying to say is that there's nothing here in North Carolina for us anymore. You've made it clear that you don't want to see your father anymore. I know that you don't have friends, and you've complained about your high school on numerous occasions." Julia said.
"Mom, what are you trying to say?" Carly asked a little confused by her mother's statement.
"I'm saying that I think we should move." she answered.
"What?" Carly shouted loudly.
"I said I think we should move." Julia said slowly.
"Where?" Carly asked as the anticipation inside of her rose.
"Where else?" Julia asked smiling.
"Neptune," Carly whispered. Her mom nodded her head in response.
"What? Are... are you serious?" Carly asked in disbelief.
"Yes honey, I am." Julia answered.
"That's, that's wonderful! Oh my god, when?" Carly asked excitedly.
"How does three weeks sound?" Julia asked.
"Three weeks? Three weeks! That's more than enough time, I can't wait to get out of here! Oh my god, I have to get ready, we have to start packing!" Carly shouted as she jumped out of her chair.
"Honey, since we're leaving so soon, you're going to have to attend New Hanover High, for only two more weeks, then the third week we're pack and get ready. Does that sound okay? Am I rushing this?" Julia asked nervously.
"Mom, I want to leave as soon as possible! You don't know how awesome that really sounds!" Carly said smiling.
Julia smiled and said, "Well then, this calls for some sort of celebration. How does ice-cream sundaes sound?"
"Perfect." Carly said smiling. Then, her excitement slowly faded as she realized her father. "Mom?" she asked.
"Yes, sweetie?" Julia said as she grabbed the carton of ice-cream out of the freezer.
"What... what does dad think about this?" she asked.
"Your father says that he wants to see you and Dakota before we leave." Julia answered as she continued to get the ingredients needed.
"Okay," Carly said quietly.
"Carly, are you okay with that? Are you okay with seeing him?" Julia asked concerned.
"Yeah, strangely, I'm fine." she answered smiling.
"Good, I don't want to see my baby, unhappy." Julia said.
"Mom, I'm more than fine." Carly said earnestly. She then walked over to Dakota and said smiling, "Hey Dakota, did you hear that? We're going home."
Present
"What was that about?" Carly Hayes asked curiously a few minutes after she got into Logan Echolls' yellow XTerra.
"What was what about?" Logan asked a little confused.
"Oh, like you didn't see it. Veronica Mars totally checking you out. I didn't know she had a thing for you." Carly answered.
"You don't know what you're talking about." he said as he clutched his steering wheel tightly.
"Why don't you enlighten me, then?" she asked smiling.
"Well let me ask you first, why are you talking to her?" he asked seriously.
"I don't know, I mean she was really nice and she seems like a good person. Plus, I've read what happened with her and her father. I mean they deserve a whole lot of presents and home baked goods for solving the biggest murder case." she answered.
"Yeah, well I don't want you to get mixed up with her." he said flatly.
"What?" she asked in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding me! I'm back in Neptune less than 24 hours, and your trying to tell me what to do. I'm not an 11-year-old anymore!" she whined.
"Carly, believe me, you don't want to get mixed up with Miss Veronica Mars and her dirty dealings." he said bitterly.
"You make her sound like a drug dealer or something. Tell me why you don't want me to talk to her. Tell me why you don't like her. I know what happened, you know? I moved, I wasn't living under a rock. I know about what happened to her and her father after Lilly died. I know they turned their backs, and everyone turned their backs on them. I also know about Aaron and all." she said.
"That's not all of it! She's a private investigator, and she's known to use people. She uses people when she needs something. You shouldn't trust her." he said sadly.
"Is that it?" she asked.
"Yeah." he answered quietly.
"Yeah, well I don't believe you! Tell me!" she demanded.
"Carly..." he started in frustration.
"Tell me!" she said louder.
"Carly, no!" he said loudly.
"Logan, just tell me!" she shouted.
"She fucking broke me heart!" he shouted angrily. Carly sat in the passenger's seat, surprised and a little shocked by the comment.
"You two were dating?" she asked.
"Yeah, we were dating, emphasis on were." he answered.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Well, the first time..." he started before Carly interrupted.
"The first time? You mean you two broke up twice?" she asked in disbelief.
"Actually, three times." he corrected.
"Wow." she managed to choke out.
"Yeah, well the first time she accused me of raping her at a party a year and a half ago, the second time, she accused me of killing Lilly, and the third time, she got sick of how I was acting after the whole Aaron thing." he explained sadly.
"Oh my god! That's rape, murder, and because she didn't like how you were acting after you found out your father killed your girlfriend! Are you sure that's the same girl?" Carly shouted clearly shocked.
"Yeah, you see why I'm not very fond of Veronica?" he asked glancing over at Carly.
"I'm sorry for even bringing her up. Logan, I can't promise you that I won't stop talking to her. People change, you know that more than anyone. It doesn't mean that I'm taking her side, though. I'm a Quaker, you're a Patriot or a Loyalist. I guess that's my weakness in life." she said.
"It's fine, I'm over it. I've got too many things to worry about now, plus I've got to hear about you. My life can wait." he said.
"Believe me, right now my life doesn't seem that important. How are you? I mean, how are you dealing with everything?" she asked very concerned.
"As good as anyone is when their mother jumps off a bridge, their girlfriend's murdered by their abusive, psychotic father, and when one of the last people they ever cared about dumps and deserts them." he answered as he kept all of his attention to the road ahead of them.
"I can't say that I know how that feels, but you know I'm always here. I'm here now, and I won't leave again." she said solemnly.
"Yeah, I know." he whispered.
"I mean this past year hasn't been so great for both of us, I think." she said seriously.
"Yeah, being accused of murder and standing trial, wasn't so fun. I spent half my summer at court. What a thrill!" he said sarcastically.
"Logan, don't loose touch. Don't become a jackass." she said reaching for his hand that was on resting on his knee.
Logan smiled a little, as she squeezed his hand before moving her own hand back to her lap. Then he realized that Carly didn't know. She didn't know what an asshole he's been for the past two years. She didn't know about what he did to Veronica after Lilly died. How he taunted and made fun of her. She didn't know about his affair with Kendall Casablancas. She didn't know a lot of things, and he planned to keep it that way.
"So, where are you planning on entertaining me today?" she asked trying to lighten the morbid mood.
"I was thinking we could go catch a movie, get some dinner, and end our evening at the beach." he said smiling.
"I thought we were going to hang out at your place?" she asked curiously.
"Do you really want to hang out at the fortress of death and depression?" he asked.
"No, I can't say I really want to." she said.
"Then it's a movie, dinner, and the beach that awaits us." he said smiling.
"You do know it's a school night, right?" she asked incredulously.
"And?" he asked motioning her to continue her explaination.
"Nothing." sheanswered smiling.
"Plus I think your in major need of some "Logan Time", I mean it's been three years!" he exclaimed.
"Wow, second day back and I'm getting the Logan Echolls treatment! I'm one lucky gal to be invited to such a extravagant gesture!" she said sarcastically as she fluttered her eyelashes.
"Yup, the last to say good-bye to you is the first to invite you for dinner. That's the rules." he said as he steered the car to a sharp turn.
"Sorry to foil your master plan, but you're already late. I got invited to eat lunch with someone today." she said.
"Lunch?" he asked.
"Yeah, it wasn't that big or anything, but it meant a lot to me." she answered smiling.
"Who's the kid who asked you out?" he asked looking like he was going to punch whoever had dared toask his precious, little Carly to accompany him at lunch.
"You already know him." she answered casually as she looked out the window.
"You really have to be more specific." he said.
"Cassidy." she answered flatly.
"Cassidy?" he asked himself, not registering that Cassidy was Beaver.
"Ugh, Beaver, then! God, why do you people call him Beaver in the first place?" she asked putting her hand on her forhead in frustration.
"Beaver!" he exclaimed taking his eyes off the road.
"Logan!" Carly shouted asshebroughthis attention back to driving, andhe quicklymaneuvered so he wouldn't hit a nearby car. "Keep your eyes on the road!" she scolded.
"Beaver? Why Beaver?" he asked in disbelief.
"I should be asking you, why you even have your liscense still!" she said clutching her backpack where her books and skateboard were saftely in.
"I asked you a question. Why Beaver? How could you like Beaver?" he demanded.
"Logan, he was practically the only person today who was actually nice to me. He didn't ask me repeatedly if he could meet my dad for some sales comparisions and free make-up. He seemed sincerely nice and sweet. He's also funny and..." she started before Logan held his hand up to stop her.
"I think I get it." he said.
"I'm a big girl now. I can take care of myself. I've been taking care of me, my mom, and Dakota for a long time. I think I can handle anything else that comes my way." she said as she realized she let Dakota's name slip from her mouth. Nobody, not even the Echolls, knew the name of Cecilia's baby. Carly's parents made sure of it.
"Did you just say Dakota?" Logan asked a little confused.
Carly gasped and whispered, "Oh my god, I can't believe I let that slip."
"Is that Cecilia's baby? Is that her name?" Logan asked shocked.
"Yes, and Logan, you can't tell anyone her name. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone. My parents don't want Dakota to have her name out in the public so she can be verbally attacked by people she doesn't even know." she said pleadingly.
"Carly, you know I won't. I love Cecilia, and I would never do that to her. You have my word." he said seriously.
"Thank you." she said quietly.
"Dakota? I like that name. Do you think I could meet her?" he asked glancing atCarly pleadingly.
Carly thought for a moment, then she replied, "I think that's a good idea. You and Cecilia were good friends. I think it would be wrong if you didn't meet her daughter... and my niece."
"How old is she?" Logan asked quietly.
"She's two, and growing. She's beautiful, she looks like Cecilia minus the light brown hair. I guess that came from the father or something because nobody in my family has pure light brown hair." Carly answered.
"Who's the father?" Logan asked hesitantly.
"I don't know, she never told me. I figured she'd come around and tell me once Dakota was born. I guess things never come out the way you want." she answered sadly.
"I miss her." he whispered.
"I miss her too." she mumbled.
"You know, no matter how old you get and no matter how many responsibilities you have, you're always going to be my little Care Bear." he said smiling weakly as he tried to get into a happy mood.
"Man, you I can't believe you're going to still call me Care Bear." she said rolling her eyes.
"I'm going to say it loud and say it proud!" he exclaimed.
"Just drive." she said shaking her head in amusement.
"Hey Beaver." Dick Casablancas said smiling as he entered the Casablancas living room.
"What do you want, Dick?" Beaver said harshly as he sat on the couch reading a book for school.
"Nothing really, so how was lunch with Carly Hayes?" Dick asked smiling as he plopped onto the couch across from Beaver.
"It was fine, why?" Beaver asked suspiciously.
"No real reason, just wondering why my dorky little brother wants to sleep with an innocent freshman." Dick answered smirking.
"Look Dick, there's no big conspiracy, so why don't you go into your room and whack off or something. I actually have homework to do." Beaver said as he started to read his book again.
"Dude, bro, just tell me. Are you planning on sleeping with her or not? Just be honest." Dick said.
"Dick, not everyone is out to sleep with every girl in America, like you! I just met her for god's sake! Carly and I are just friends for now." Beaver said.
"For now, huh? Well, how about that, you are planning to get your way with little miss make-up. Well, she's a freshman, anyway, so I guess she'll be pretty easy. Also, I think she's a virgin. My little brother taking away Carly Hayes' v-card. I seriously can't wait to tell people. I'm going to be so proud, I've only bagged three virgins, myself, but for you, this is some kind of freakin' Christmas miracle!" Dick exclaimed happily.
"Dick, just go away!" Beaver shouted.
"Well, you don't have to get so snippy about it. Here, take this, you don't want another Hayes girl to get preggers." Dick said handing Beaver a condom.
"Dick, I'm not planning on having sex with her! Why can't you just leave me alone!" Beaver shouted angrily as he smacked the condom out of Dick's hand.
"You know, for one-second there, I actually thought that you weren't such a wimp. I actually thought that you could do this. Your such a little baby, you can't do anything. Your probably scared that she'll turn you down or something. Geez, Beav, she's a freaking freshman for god's sake! If you can't, then I know that Logan will. I mean they used to have sleepovers, and talk to each other about their feelings. You know as well as I do, that if you don't, Logan will. You can't keep her, if you don't sleep with her." Dick taunted shaking his head in disappointment.
"Don't you say that! Carly and Logan aren't like that." he said defensively.
"How do you know? I mean don't you know that right now as we speak, she's in his car on the way to his house. They're probably going to "talk"." Dick said sarcastically.
"Where...Where'd you hear that from?" Beaver choked out as a pang of jealousy hit his heart.
"I heard it from Logan himself. Anyway, why did I even think that you and her could actually do it. She would never agree to have sex with you anyway." Dick said smiling.
Beaver couldn't think rationally, there were too many thoughts running through his mind. He couldn't think of Logan and Carly, together. She would never. Dick is just a dick. You can't trust him, but then again.
"I am going to sleep with her. You and Logan will see, she's going to be crying out my name in ecstasy before the school year's over!" Beaver shouted defensively. 'Oh god, did I just agree to what I think I just agreed to?' Beaver thought to himself.
"Finally, my brother becomes a sex god. I knew there was hope for you. Look, all you have to do is sleep with her within this school year, and when you do, show me her deflowered panties. Then I'll know if you're just plain, old Beaver, or Cassidy Casablancas." Dick said smiling.
"I'll do it." Beaver said confidently. Although, he sounded confident, he was regretting it inside. If he didn't sleep with her, he knew his brother would never let him live this down. Just like his brother had said, "You can't keep her, if you don't sleep with her."
"Cool beans, bro. Here you dropped this." Dick said picking up the condom, and handing it to Beaver. Beaver carefully took it from Dick's hands and stared at it. "Remember, after this, nobody can call you Beaver anymore, can they?" Dick said smirking as he walked upstairs to his room.
Beaver stared intently at the foil package. "No, they can't." he whispered to himself. He stared at the package more, before he put it in his pocket. "You can't keep her, if you don't sleep with her." he repeated quietly to himself.
Author's Notes: Gasp! Naughty Beaver! Just in case you don't know, the whole "I'm a Quaker, you're a Patriot or a Loyalist" reference means that Carly is neutral, and she rarely takes sides. Anyway, thank you for reading, I hope you liked the chapter. I would dearly appreciate some reviews. Also, if you like this story, check out my other works of art.
Ally