Title: Home Sweet Home
Author: Modern-Insomniac1138
Pairing/Character: Logan/OC Friendship, LoVe eventually, a littleV/D, Beaver/OC, Ensemble
Word Count: 3,710
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Carly Hayes is a freshman at Neptune High, and she's an old 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!
July 4, 2005
"That was so cool! We have to go on another boat ride next year or something!" Carly Hayes exclaimed happily as Logan Echolls carefully maneuvered the boat safely to the dock.
"See, Cecilia, I told you that I could steer the boat safely without anyone drowning, dying, getting seasick, or loosing an important limb or organ." Logan Echolls said smugly as he turned the boat's engine off.
"Yeah, I was more worried about the fact that I had let a 14-year-old kid steer a boat to and from the dock. I must be out of my mind. Hey, aren't you supposed to have like a "boating license" or something? Isn't this illegal?" Cecilia Hayes asked worriedly.
"I don't know." Logan answered as he and Carly tied the boat to the dock.
"What do you mean, "I don't know." Are you saying that what we did was illegal?" Cecilia asked incredulously.
"No, I just meant that I have no clue whether it was illegal or not. I really don't care anyway, if we had gotten caught, I would have just blamed you. You are the oldest." Logan said smirking.
"You asshole." Cecilia said as she punched him in the arm.
"Hey, watch it! This is my good arm." Logan said as he rubbed his arm in pain.
"Yeah, well serves you right. Carly, please don't pick Logan as your role model." Cecilia said as she patted Carly on the head.
"I seriously don't get why people do that." Carly said shaking her head as she sat down in the seating area of the boat.
"Hey, I can't help it that Carly likes me better than you." Logan said as he sat down beside Carly.
"Ha, ha, that hit me right here." Cecilia said sarcastically as she pointed mockingly to her heart.
"I know it did, sweetheart." Logan said smirking.
"So, what time is it? Is it going to be sunset soon?" Carly asked eagerly.
"Hm... six o'clock, I think." Logan answered looking at his watch in slight confusion.
"How the hell did you pass the second grade?" Cecilia asked.
"Oh wouldn't you like to know." Logan said winking.
"Ugh, perv." Cecilia said disgusted as she sat down across from him.
"Proud of it, honey bunch. So, Carly what did you think of my role as captain today?" he asked smiling.
"I was actually pretty surprised. I honestly thought that you'd suck." Carly answered.
"Thanks for having faith in me, Care Bear." he said sarcastically.
"Well, it was fun. It was so cool. You did an excellent job." Carly said smiling.
"Ditto." Cecilia piped in.
"Thank you for the roaring applause, folks! I'll be here all night!" he shouted mockingly.
"Yeah, well, it looks like the sun's setting." Cecilia said as she pointed to the sky. They looked up in awe at the beautiful site.
"Wow, I never knew that the sunset could be so cool." Carly said.
"Yeah, now I can honestly say to my math teacher that having my head in the clouds is a good thing." Logan said.
"I thought your math teacher told you to get your head out of the gutter?" Cecilia asked.
"Yeah, that too." he answered.
"Hey, are you sure that we're safe out here?" Cecilia asked.
"Yeah, mom, we're fine." Logan answered.
Carly giggled and Cecilia glared at Logan. "What? I can't help that I'm so darn witty!" he said smiling.
"Shut up." Cecilia said flatly.
"Hm... aren't we a little snippy today?" Logan said playfully as he quirked an eyebrow.
Cecilia smiled in sarcasim as she went to get a drink at the boat's cabin.
"You know I can see you and Cecilia in twenty years still talking smack to each other." Carly said.
"Good to know." he said smiling.
"You know you could lay off a couple comments tonight, though. I mean she broke her date with Jeremy just to come with us. You should be giving her a fruit basket or something because if she hadn't come with us, we wouldn't have gone." Carly said.
"What? Are you serious?" Logan asked a little confused.
"Yeah, that's the honest truth. Jeremy is like majorly pissed off at her, too. She told me that they got into an argument yesterday while me and my mom were shopping. I kind of thought they would be together forever, but now that senior year is rolling in, it doesn't really look that way. Cecilia told me that Jeremy is probably going to break up with her. I'm just saying that you should keep your snark level down to a minimum, she's going through a tough time." Carly said as she continued to look up at the sky for any fireworks.
"Wow." Logan whispered to himself.
"Yes! We have fireworks!" Carly exclaimed excitedly. "Cecilia! Cecilia! The fireworks are starting!" she called out.
"Coming!" Cecilia shouted. A few minutes later she emerged out of the boat's cabin with blankets, apple cider, three cups, and a platter of cookies. "Hey, I thought you guys would get hungry or something. I can't imagine, though. I mean, you two practically ate everything in that picnic basket!" she said smiling as she set everything down on the table.
"Thanks." Logan mumbled as he continued to watch the fireworks.
Present/One Month Later/ December 7
"Bye mom!" Carly Hayes yelled as she ran out of the door. She smiled at the sight of the yellow XTerra in front of her with Logan Echolls leaning on lazily on it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Carly Hayes has arrived!" Logan exclaimed smirking. It had been a month since Carly moved to Neptune, and it had been three weeks since she moved back into her old house right next door to Logan. Logan started driving Carly to and from school from Mondays through Wednesdays. On Thursdays, her mom was able to take her to and from school. On Fridays, she would hang out with Beaver. Her and Beaver became really good friends, and they were lunch buddies, too. She didn't have any friends in her own classes and grade, though. Everyone was sort of intimidated by her, but most of all, they were intimidated by Logan.
"Aw, I think that we have our perfect routine planned out, Logan." she said smiling as he opened the car door for her. She carefully slid inside and he said, "That'll be ten bucks, ma'am."
"Jerk." she said as he closed the door and ran over to the other side to get in. "So, where would you like me to take you madam?" he asked in his best French accent.
"How about school?" she asked sarcastically.
"I was just kidding." he said in mock defense as he started the car and started driving.
"You always are." she mumbled to herself.
"Wow, you look smashing this morning." he said as he took a quick glance at her.
"Thanks, now what do you want?" she asked suspiciously.
"Is it such a crime to tell my favorite neighbor how wonderful she looks in the morning?" Logan answered.
"No, but I bet it does have to do with Christmas, and what I got you." she said.
"Fine, I was going to make you tell me what you got me for Christmas." he confessed.
"Hm... sorry, can't tell you." she said as she shrugged her shoulders.
"Come on, please." he said making a cute puppy dog face.
"Please stop that." she said.
"Why should I? If it works, it works." he said smiling.
"Well then, can you tell me about what you got me for Christmas?" she asked.
"I already told you that I was going to give you a little surprise on Christmas Eve. So just come to my house around eight or nine, and you'll get your present." he answered.
"It's nothing sexual, right?" she asked.
"Why, do you want it to be?" he asked playfully as he winked at her.
"That's just disgusting." she said.
"Well, you don't have to worry, it's just going to be a clean version of Christmas with Logan." he said.
"Good." she said sighing as they made it to Neptune High.
"So Beav, tell me about your progress with Carly?" Dick Casablancas asked as he turned off his car's engine.
"We're friends." Beaver Casablancas mumbled as he stared at his shoes.
"Just friends? God, you're such a pussy! Ask her out! Make the first move!" Dick shouted loudly.
"Dick, I just don't know if…" Beaver started.
"Oh my god, don't tell me that you grew a fucking heart! Remember our little bet? I practically told everyone that my little brother was actually going to score a virgin." Dick said in disbelief.
Dick had managed to tell all the 09ers, except for Logan and Duncan, about their bet. They did't tell Duncan because they knew that he would probably blab it to Veronica Mars, who they didn't want to get into odds with. They didn't tell Logan because they knew that if he knew that they were planning on deflowering his precious Carly Hayes, he would kill them all and hide the bodies. Beaver knew that if he didn't do it with her, nobody would ever let him live it down.
"Fine, I'll ask her out." Beaver said quietly.
"Come on, Beav, Christmas is just around the corner. I hope you let her know what you want as your present." Dick said smirking as he got out of the car. Beaver reluctantly did the same.
As they both went their separate ways to their lockers, Beaver spotted Carly. He took and a deep breathe and smiled. "Hey, Carly!" Beaver said happily as he caught up to her.
"Hey Cass, what's up with you? You seem really happy, did your new issue of Playboy come in today?" she asked.
Beaver laughed and answered, "No, I was just wondering if you're free this Friday?"
"Yeah, I always am, you know that. So where do you want to go this week? Beach, movies, dinner, mall..." Carly started.
"No, not like that, I was wondering if you want to go on a date with me. I mean a real date." he said as he smiled weakly.
Carly stood there a little dumbfounded by his proposal. She thought about it for a moment. This was Cassidy "Beaver" Casablancas. He was practically one of her only friends in Neptune. She didn't want to ruin their good relationship, but she couldn't pass up an opportunity like this.
In just one month, she had felt as if they had known each other for a lifetime. They had met before when she was young, but this time it felt different. She had grown complicated feelings toward Beaver. She was starting to like him in a weird, girly way. This wasn't the normal Carly Hayes.
"Sure, that sounds great." she said smiling.
Beaver smiled and asked, "How does dinner in some snooty restaurant sound?"
"Hm... how does dinner in a nice, cozy, romantic Italian restaurant and then after we can hang out in a nice empty house and watch a movie?" she asked smiling.
Beaver gulped at the last proposal. This could be his chance. "Oh, okay. I'll pick you up on Friday at 6 o'clock." he croaked out nervously.
"Great, I'll bring Trainspotting, it's my favorite movie. I sort of have this thing for Ewan McGregor. You know that accent just puts me over the edge." she said smiling.
"That's nice." he managed to say.
"Okay, here's my locker, I'll talk to you at lunch. Bye." she said as they reached her locker.
"Bye." he said as he started to walk away. He couldn't believe that his opportunity had arrived to him on a silver platter. He knew that they had only known each other for a month, but he couldn't believe how fast the opportunity had come. He honestly liked Carly, but he couldn't let his brother down.
Once it was lunchtime, Carly headed over to her usual table to meet Beaver, but much to her surprise, she was early. She sat down and started to eat her lunch.
"I seriously don't know why you watch Fear Factor! It's gross, disgusting, and downright stupid." Veronica Mars said as she walked with her best friend, Wallace Fennel, to their usual table.
"Yeah, I know it's plain gross and stupid, but it's so funny to see those skinny white guys eating live scorpions for a million bucks. That my friend, is what I call, true entertainment." he said smiling.
"Come on, Wallace, I think that Fear Factor is just a waste of time. I mean people risking their lives for money? I don't think the idea appeals to me that much. I'll start watching when I see Madison Sinclair eating cow intestines." Veronica said smiling as she spotted Carly. "Hey, I'll catch up with you later." she said.
"What? You're gonna bail on me, again?" he asked in disbelief.
"Wallace, I'm not bailing, I'm merely going to talk to a lonely friend. I'm socializing, isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" she asked innocently. He looked over to who Veronica was staring at.
"Not when that friend is Carly Hayes. Are you going to bud into her business, now? I mean, damn girl, that chick's been through hell! Everybody in school knows who she is and her story. She's just as famous as her friend, Logan. Wait a minute, is this about Logan?" he asked.
"Of course not, now bye." she said as she started over to where Carly was.
"Someone's got to get that girl a labotomy for Christmas." Wallace mumbled to himself as he made his way to a table.
"Hi Carly, mind if I sit here?" Veronica asked.
Carly looked up and answered smiling, "Sure, be my guest."
"Thanks." Veronica said as she took a seat across from Carly.
"So, what's up?" Carly asked as she took a sip of water out of her water bottle.
"Nothing really. So, how are you? I mean, I haven't seen or talked to you in ages!" Veronica said.
"I'm fine. My family and I just moved back into our old house." Carly said.
"Well, congratulations. How does it feel to be a full fledged resident of Neptune once again?" Veronica asked.
"It's a little weird. I mean I've been trying finding all my old friends, but they're practically untracable. I think they moved or something." Carly said.
"Well, my dad's a private investigator, if you want to find somebody or find something out, I'm sure he can help." Veronica said.
"It's okay, but thanks for the offer, anyway." Carly said as she smiled weakly.
"Well, if you ever need a P.I., just call me." Veronica said smiling.
"Thanks. Look, I've been meaning to ask you something." Carly started.
"Go ahead, ask away!" Veronica said as she motioned for her to continue.
"Well, if you don't want to answer what I'm about to ask you, it's totally fine. I'll understand, I just wanted to know why exactly you broke up with Logan. I mean, I heard Logan's version, but I want to hear yours. Just call me curious." Carly said.
Veronica sighed and said, "I broke up with Logan because of his antics."
"Oh, I think you explained a little bit before, but I just don't understand. I mean, what did he do that was so wrong? Why couldn't you just trust him? Why don't you trust him now?" Carly asked.
"What exactly did Logan tell you?" Veronica asked suspiciously.
"He told me that you broke up with him for no reason. He told me that you didn't trust him or anything." Carly answered.
Veronica clenched her jaw and asked, "Is that all Logan told you? Did he tell you everything about Weevil, Kendall, or..."
"Kendall? What about Kendall? That's Cassidy's stepmom, what would he have to tell me about her?" Carly asked puzzled.
"Nothing, I've got to go. I just remembered that I needed to see someone." Veronica said as she threw her bag over her shoulder and got up from where she was sitting.
"Okay, bye." Carly said as Veronica started to walk away. "Wait, Veronica!" she called out.
Veronica turned around and Carly asked, "Do you still love him?"
"Carly, I..." Veronica started before Beaver interrupted.
"Hey Veronica." he said taking a seat next to Carly.
"Hi Beav... Cassidy." she said smiling.
"I guess, we'll save the answer for another time." Carly said as she waved good-bye to Veronica.
Veronica weakly smiled back as she walked toward the school building. She had to have a chat with Logan Echolls.
As Logan walked to his locker a familiar tiny blonde girl pulled him into the girls' bathroom.
"What the hell, Veronica? You know, I think you just love the whole kinky "bathroom thing"." he said smirking.
"Ha, ha, my bitter ex-boyfriend just made a joke. Bravo, look, I just wanted to know why you haven't told Carly anything, yet." she said folding her arms over her chest.
"What in god's name are you rambling about this time? Huh?" he asked.
"I want to know why you haven't shown your true colors to Carly. She does have a right to know that her neighbor and friend is a sleazy jackass." she said.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked angrily.
"I'm talking about your misadventures and your sex escapades with Kendall." she answered gritting her teeth.
"Oh, I remember. Well, well, well, aren't you Santa's little helper? What? You think that you're going to tell Carly and you'll be the hero? Are you going to be her guardian angel? Wow, where's the music when you need it? Praise the Lord, here's Saint Veronica to the rescue." he said sarcastically as he started walking to the door.
Veronica swiftly ran in front of him, blocking his only exit.
"Move, Veronica." he demanded.
"No, I just talked to Carly, thinking that you told her everything in your skeleton filled closet, and she looks at me like I'm crazy. She doesn't even know about you and Kendall. She just waved it off saying that Kendall was Beaver's stepmom. Did you think you could hide everything from her?" she asked in disbelief.
"Whatever." he said as he tried to walk past her.
"No, not whatever. I thought that in your month with Carly, you could've at least mentioned it." she said stepping in front of him, her back on the door.
"Veronica, get out of the way. The bell's going to ring soon." he said fiercely as he looked into her eyes.
"Are you ever going to tell her the truth?" she asked.
"What truth? The past is the past. She doesn't care." he reasoned.
"But she should at least know." she said.
"I don't want her to know." he said trying to reach for the doorknob.
"Logan, just tell her. You know she'll be mad at you more, if you don't tell her. What happens if Beaver slips?" she asked smacking his hand from reaching the doorknob.
"I don't fucking know, now get out of my way!" he shouted angrily.
"No, what if Beaver slips? What if other 09ers do? What then, huh? I gave you a fucking month!" she said loudly.
"Veronica..." he started as he shook his head in anger.
"Logan, answer me!" she demanded.
"I don't know! I'm scared that she'll think I'm a stupid asshole like her father, like my father, like everybody who's hurt her, if I tell her what I've done to other people. I'm fucking terrifyed if she finds out. I don't want her to look at me differently, Veronica. She's practically the only person left in Neptune who believes in me. I don't want to loose that. I don't want her to look at me in disgust and fear. Can't you just accept that? Please, Veronica." he pleaded, his face inches from hers. She looked deep into his eyes and she saw something she hadn't seen in a long time. She saw how vulnerable and sincere he was.
"Logan..." she started softly.
"Please move, Veronica, please." he said, the forcefullness in his voice replaced by a soft whisper.
"Logan..." she said as he looked into his eyes. Their eyes locked and their faces were almost centimeters away. He came closer and their lips barely touched each other before the sound of the bell ringing snapped them back into reality. Logan looked at Veronica pleadingly then left the bathroom. Veronica just stood there in shock as she let him go without a fight. A month ago she was left in the same spot in frustration, now she was left in confusion.
Author's Notes: Oh, I'm evil. Well, I've been dying to write some LoVe interaction, so for those who waited, here. I know, I know, we want them to kiss, but life isn't fair. Well, here was just a little dose of some LoVe for ya' all. I promise, there'll be more to come. Enjoy. Also, chapters will be delayed because my laptop was attacked by a vicious and stupid virus, goddamnit! Now, I'm using my dad's old, slow computer downstairs with my parents looking over my shoulder every five seconds! Doesn't it get annoying and irritating after a while? I'll keep you posted if there's any progress. Please pray for me and my precious laptop! I named it Lolo for god's sake!
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