A/N – Okay, my last chapter seemed to make everyone more confused. Sorry! Just to help clear things up a bit, the bounty that Keith's talking about is for the credit card scam guy, Jeff Stintson, that he was searching for in Chapter 1. He scammed two people out of some money and they then posted the bounty for him. Hope that helps for those of you who emailed me with questions.
IX.
Logan sat on the gravel of the parking lot with his back leaning against Veronica's car. He was staring intently at the photograph in front of him. A million thoughts were running through his head.
'My one chance at a proper friendship in this place and I've probably blown it. Even if Veronica never talks to me again, I am not going to let anyone lay a hand on her.'
With Logan lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Veronica watching him. She took notice of the defeated look on his face but there was also a steely look of determination in his eyes. She collected her thoughts, walked over and slid down beside him. Logan's eyes darted to her and then back to the photo.
"Logan, Logan, Logan," she sighed.
"You don't have to say it okay Veronica, I understand." She tried to get him to look at her but he wouldn't.
"Understand? Understand what? That a friend of mine cares enough about my welfare to speak up?" Logan gave a little smile. "However, his execution left little to be desired." There were a few moments of silence before Logan spoke up.
"Friend, huh?" Veronica smiled.
"I guess so, but I left our matching necklaces at home." She nudged him and Logan smiled.
"Honestly though Veronica, I'm so sorry about the way I acted. It's just that I saw this and kind of..." He waved the photo.
"Freaked? I admit I did too, plus after the stress of the last six weeks I guess I overreacted to you back there. Trust me, I feel pretty stupid right now. But, about that photo, I don't think there's anything to worry about." Logan's head darted up.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Well, this guy isn't really the hands-on type. I think it's just a case of me getting too close and him trying to scare me off." Logan looked at her skeptically.
"Excuse me if I don't share that same belief. Be careful, alright." The look that he gave her sent butterflies to her stomach.
"I always am," Veronica smiled at him. She looked down at the photograph and noticed Logan's knuckles.
"I see the testosterone is strong in you, little one," she quipped as she grabbed his hand. Logan took a sharp breath in as her finger lightly caressed his bruised skin. As his eyes were about to slip closed, a shadow fell over them. Logan looked up and met Duncan's glare. He ripped his hand away from Veronica and stood up.
"Duncan, man..." Logan began but Duncan ignored him and looked at Veronica.
"You've got friends you know, Veronica. You don't have to hang around someone in pity." Anger coursed through Logan and he took a step towards Duncan. Veronica grabbed his hand to still him and rose up.
"What are you doing, Duncan? You and Logan have been friends forever." Duncan snorted at her.
"Whatever. Why are you hanging out with him?"
"I am standing right here." Duncan pretended Logan hadn't spoken and continued on.
"Actually, I don't care why you're hanging out with him. But we can't begin to be friends again with him around."
"Well, I guess I'll cancel those 'best friends forever' t-shirts I've ordered." Logan's face showed surprise at Veronica's words, while Duncan just looked dumbfounded.
"You're choosing him over me?"
"I wasn't aware that I had to make a choice. But for your information, 9 times out of 10, I'm going to choose the friend that's not giving me ultimatums." Veronica and Duncan stared at each other, daring the other one to speak first.
"You know what...forget about it." With that, Duncan turned and stormed away. A look of hurt passed through Veronica's eyes which Logan didn't fail to miss.
"Veronica, you really shouldn't have done that. I know how much Duncan means to you."
"Don't worry about it, he'll come around. Until he does, it looks like you're stuck with me." Veronica smiled as Logan gave her a 'why me?' look.
He was relieved that she was giving him an out on the serious conversation that could have followed. It still hurt a lot that Duncan had turned against him so completely. However, if he was in Duncan's place he wasn't sure that he wouldn't act exactly the same way. Logan was beyond relieved though that Veronica had decided to stand by him. She didn't realize how much it meant to him.
Veronica was looking at him strangely and he decided that he had better say something.
"I guess a guy's gotta do what a guy's gotta do."
"Well then, what you should do now is come with me and talk to Weevil."
"Do I have to?"
"Yes, I've got a hunch," Veronica said as she headed off.
"You and your hunches," Logan muttered as he followed behind.
ooooooooooooooo
He'd waited an hour and a half after school began before he hopped out of the car. Walking over to her apartment, he looked around to make sure that no-one was paying any attention. He picked the lock and slipped inside.
"Hey Backup, buddy," he said as the dog bounded up to him and licked his hand. He looked around the apartment.
"Shouldn't take me too long."
ooooooooooooooo
"Hi honey, I'm home!" Weevil looked up from the car engine to see Veronica grinning at him. He also noticed Logan standing awkwardly beside her. Things between Weevil and Logan had never been smooth. Something had always come between them and this time the something could end up being Veronica Mars.
"Logan."
"Weevil." They stood staring at each other.
"Oh, it gets me all goosebump-y seeing such a tender and heart-wrenching moment. But before I get all teary Weevil, I want to ask you something."
"That's all it is with you. Questions, questions, questions. When do we get to share our boy troubles and braid each other's hair?"
"It wouldn't be too much work on my part," Veronica replied as she pointedly looked at his bald head.
Logan took in the exchange between the two of them. He'd always been aware that Weevil helped out Veronica here and there, but he hadn't even contemplated the fact that they might actually be friends. Logan decided that it could be beneficial to his friendship with Veronica if he acted more civil towards Weevil. Even though it might seem impossible...
"Nice, Veronica," Weevil replied, shaking Logan out of his thoughts. "You sure know how to butter me up before asking for a favor."
"No favor this time. I'm just wondering who you helped with the prank last night?" Veronica asked sweetly.
"I've got no idea what you're talking about."
"Weevil, my little underestimating friend. I know for a fact that very few people in our school can get their hands on seven cars that look like they should be crushed. And if I remember correctly, you are one of those few. So who'd you do it for?"
"What do you care? I thought you were busy with that photo thing."
"I like to know things. It's my nature."
"Well, it's my nature not to share my business." As Weevil realized what he had said, he grabbed a pair of pliers and headed back towards the car.
"Thanks Weevil. That's all I needed to know." Veronica turned to leave and saw that Logan wasn't following.
"Are you coming Logan?"
"That's it?" He asked, puzzled.
"I got what I needed. Let's go." Logan shared an exasperated look with Weevil and then followed Veronica back out of the garage.
"Crazy white girl," Weevil smiled as he pulled out a spark plug. As he went to replace it, a thought crossed his mind.
"Yo, Carlos," he called out. A tall, skinny guy covered in oil walked over.
"Yeah Weevil?"
"Have you heard from Marty yet?"
"He rang while you were talking to the Mars chick and the loser white boy."
"Has he done the job?"
"Yeah, he's got the Stintson guy around at his place." Weevil wiped his hands on a rag and picked up a spanner.
"Tell him to hold tight a couple of hours. I'll deal with him soon enough."
ooooooooooooooo
