Title: Sometimes life turns out to be a joke
Author: Shanee
Pairing/Characters: LoVe, Veronica, Logan, Mac, Wallace, Keith, Kendall
Rating: PG-13 (maybe R later)
Spoiler: through Season 2 Finale
Disclaimer: Still not. Rob Thomas owns everything.
A/N: Sot, there is the next chapter. Thanks to my Beta (and her computer). I hope you'll like it.
Thank you for all your wonderful reviews.
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Part 6: A genuine 09er
"Your what?"
Veronica and Logan's scream made everybody nearby jump and turn round.
It was unexpected, no it was more than unexpected, it was totally and absolutely crazy. Veronica couldn't believe her ears. There was no way her father could marry this woman, and Kendall had no reason to marry him in return. He was a PI who lived in a tiny rental apartment and she was an unfaithful gold digger. Besides her father knew she was a liar and Kendall wasn't even her real name, so what in the hell was going on!
"My wife," simply repeated Keith, without adding the one single explanation she so desperately needed. He was smiling, and she knew it was a joke. It couldn't be anything else, her father wasn't that much of a fool.
"You're kidding, right?" It wasn't really a question.
"Why?" replied Keith sincerely. Oh, please, don't do this, please.
Logan was still silent. It was the look on his face, which made her realize her father wasn't joking.
She needed to wake up. Sure, she was deeply asleep at the gate, waiting for her father to join her, and when she would open her eyes, this nightmare would be over. Please let her wake up.
xxx
Keith couldn't say he was surprised by her daughter's reaction. He had expected something like that to happen. He knew she would understand, even if it would take time before she does.
Her eyes stared back at him, looking for some explanation. But Keith had nothing to explain. He had married Kendall for a good reason, the one and only good. Love.
They all three had to make this work, Veronica included.
xxx
Since he let his astonished scream escape his lips, Logan hadn't said a word. Firstly, he was too flabbergasted to even succeed to formulate one elaborate phrase. Secondly, he had no damn right but to shut up. He was no one, hardly the boy who dated (or not, he didn't really know if it was the proper term) the girl. Besides, he began to know who Keith Mars was and he sure wasn't a man whom Kendall Casablancas would be able to catch. Even if he would be rich enough to interest her, he was too clever and too strong for her. Therefore, Logan didn't worry. Keith should have a plan or something like that to marry Kendall. All he had to do now was wait for this to happen.
He smirked to Kendall and turned to face Keith.
"Congratulation then, Mr. Mars. I hope you'll be happy together." He was proud of himself; he succeeded in monitoring his voice, so that it was cleared of all his usually acid and teased tone.
"Thank you Logan." And it was still a good way to improve his relationship with Veronica's caring father.
"Darling, I think the chauffeur is waiting. So can we go and continue this discussion at home?"
"You're right, dear," replied Keith. "So, Logan, thank you for driving Veronica here and I'm sure we'll see you soon."
He was dismissed, but he still had something to do.
"Welcome, but Mr. Mars, may I talk you for a moment? It's pretty urgent."
"Certainly." Keith had recognized the work tone, and said to his newly wife. "Go to the car, dear, I'm coming. I'm sure Veronica and you have a lot of things to share, don't you?"
Kendall widened her fake smile and left the area. Veronica sighed and Logan gave her a helpful gaze. She did her best to smile back at him and followed her nightmarish stepmother.
"So, Logan? If you intend to ask me my daughter's hand, can I criticize your choice of place?" Keith grinned.
It surprised Logan. He wasn't used to seeing a joking-mood Keith.
"Don't even think about it," added immediately Keith, a bit less smiling.
"I am not, Mr. Mars," replied Logan shyly. Shyly? What was wrong with him? Since when did Veronica's dad destabilize him? "I wanted to hire you to investigate on the Weevil… the Navarro Kid's Case."
"I don't know… What do you want me to do? As I knew about this case, Eli Navarro is well and truly in jail for this murder, and Lamb will never let him out. You don't need my help."
"I'm afraid you misunderstood me. I don't want Weevil to stay in jail; I want you to find something to free him. I'm sure he didn't kill that Thumper boy."
Keith replied nothing and Logan worried.
"Are you declining?"
"I'm just surprised, Logan," explained Keith. "I didn't expect you to ask me that. In fact, I expected that from Veronica or anybody else, but surely not from you. You hated that boy, didn't you?"
"Listen, Mr. Mars, I have my reasons and it's all you need to know. So, will you accept my offer or should I search another PI?"
"All right. I'll see what I can do."
xxxxxxx
Wallace and Mac were sauntering though the mall, arms full of bags. Mac had insisted to buy everything weird she had seen. She needed to do this, shopping always cleared her mind, and she refused to think about the money, she hadn't yet. Before her card would be debited, she would have time to find how pay her bills. It wouldn't be so hard. After all, she was a great computer freak.
She was thinking about asking a roller guy where he had found his really weird and "absolutely-not-a-roller" helmet, when Wallace got back to her, holding her ice cream, she didn't ask.
"That's nice."
"Taste before, I'm not sure you'll like it, but as you wanted to test everything weird…"
"What flavors?" She examined her ice cream, indecisive. Then she decided to be brave and put the tip of her tongue on the ice. It wasn't bad. She began to eat it.
Wallace waited as she ate a good taste and replied. "Kiwi, cranberries, kaki and fig." He laughed, but Mac continued to lick her ice cream.
"You really like it?" Wallace was amazed. He had tried to mix every weird flavors and he wasn't expecting it to taste good. "Can I taste?" He added curious.
"Of course."
Wallace tried, but grimaced. How could she like this? He gave it her back to her.
"So, what now?" He asked her.
"You're not bored with me yet?"
"Not at all."
"I get it, you are an android Veronica made to gossip and shop all she wants."
"Damned, I'm done."
They laughed.
xxxxxxx
It was not the first time Veronica got in a limo. She used to… before… in Lilly's time. But it was new that the chauffeur talked to her or to her dad with such deference.
She remained silent, avoiding looking at her father and his hellish wife whispering and laughing. It wasn't a show she was used to see. Or a show she really wanted to see. She still didn't know what her father had in mind, but she hated the way he had looked at her when she had asked him to "explain what the hell (he) was doing with her." It had reminded her of Logan's reaction at his father's random party, last year, when he had defended her against all his friends. She was aware she hadn't been diplomatic, but they talked about Kendall, jeez. When had her father lost his mind?
They were driving in a recently built area Veronica had never seen before but heard about. It was the hippest place where rich 09ers attempted to move. Mansions and estates were here bigger and steeper than ever, and had gardens the size of a stadium. Why were they going here, should be the question Veronica wondered, but she didn't notice anything and, her eyes staring at the floor, she was grumbling in silence.
When the driver stopped the car in front of a classical-type stone manor, Veronica stirred and gazed. Her father was waiting for her to climb down the car and beamed at her.
"So, honey, what do you think of our new home?"
"Is that... What… Daddy, who have you killed?"
Keith laughed and hugged her. That was the daughter he knew and loved.
"Nobody, sweetie. It seems our life is changing, again. Do you like it?"
"You bet. Who wouldn't?" She looked around, dazed, and she heard a recognizable sound. Her dog was running to them. "Backup. I missed you too. Yep, you're a good dog." Dog and girl were rolling on the floor.
Kendall came into view at the door. "Darling, why don't you go show Veronica her room?" Her tone sounded almost loving and if Veronica wasn't aware of whom she was, she could have thought she really cared for her father. She rose and followed Keith. A footman and a maid were at the door and saluted them humbly.
"Mr. Mars, we're glad to see you," said the man with a French accent. "Miss Mars, we are happy to meet you at last. I'm Cyprien and that's my wife, Corinne."
"It's nice to meet you, too," replied Veronica when she succeeded to catch her mind back.
"Your belongings are already in your room. We are at your service if you need anything."
"Thank you."
It was weird. Really.
"So, Daddy, what else are you reserving for me?" she asked, coming after Keith.
"You'll see."
It suddenly crossed her mind. She stopped and scanned her father. "She's pregnant." She yelled
Keith burst out laughing. "I'm sure not!" called Kendall out from the kitchen.
Veronica breathed. She liked it better.
At the top of the stairs, Keith walked through a corridor and stopped in front of the door at the end.
"Ready, sweetie?"
"What? You put a pony in a room?" she teased.
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed.
"Tada!"
She opened her eyes and stared at the place in amazement. She could hardly call this a room. She needed to breathe. It was more than huge. She was pretty sure their latest apartment could fit in it.
Noticing the pleased and proud smile of her father, she rushed into the room and began to open all the drawers and wardrobes she could find. She even had a personal bathroom. When she finished her tour, she jumped on her colossal baldachin bed and gasped what she felt from it. It was just a bigger waterbed.
Her father was standing in front of a door, looking at her.
"What? There is something else? Poor pony, locked in a closet."
"Sorry sweetie, but I think you're a bit too tall for that pony you're demanding."
"Shoot," she laughed. "I'm too tiny for men and too lofty for horses. What can I do?"
"Come here."
She zipped to him and opened the closet. Once inside, she cracked up nervously. The room was filled with enough clothes and shoes to open a boutique. She was dreaming; she can find another explanation to all this.
"I'm glad you like it. But before you collapse, I suggest you to go to the balcony."
She obeyed him and walked mechanically to the terrace where a marble stairs joined the garden.
"As you can see, you have your own personal entrance," her father added. "However, we would rather you use the main entrance and see us when you leave and come."
She hugged her dad.
"I know it's too late for high school, but it sounds like you're a genuine 09er now." He whispered in her hair.
She knew he was aware it had never really mattered to her.
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A/N: So? Review?
