A/N: I can't believe it took me this long to update, Frak, (sorry couldn't resist.) I always get annoyed when stories I'm reading don't get updated quickly and now I've gone and done it, sorry. I'm so happy the new season of VM has started and Logan and Veronica are still together, (and not just in bloody flashbacks.) I love the people who put the shows up on you tube 'cos I get to watch them without having to download them, so thank you if that's you.
Disclaimer: Nope I still own nothing, Frak again.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Senior year. College applications due in three months, scholarship applications in six.
Veronica appears from around the corner of Neptune High and heads for a classroom door.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Since most of my extra-curricular activities cannot be divulged under state law, my guidance counselor strongly suggested I indulge in a little resume packing. So as of now, Veronica Mars…
Veronica reaches the door and opens it.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: …is a Future Business Leader of America.
She walks forward into the room, smiling at the teacher as she passes him. The students in the class include Logan, Cassidy, Dick and Duncan. There is an empty desk next to Logan. Veronica makes her way around the room, behind Duncan and Cassidy, heading for Logan. Dick looks up at her as she passes. She pauses.
DICK: Uh, sure you're not looking for the Future Bootlickers of America?
Veronica gives a "You're so funny" laugh before she moves on.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: So what am I doing in Neptune High's own little billionaire boy's club instead of joining French Club or Model United Nations?
Veronica settles into the desk next to Logan, setting her bottle of water and packaged salad onto its surface.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: I blame my son of a movie-star boyfriend, Logan Echolls.
She turns to Logan and they kiss.
VERONICA: whispers so who are we exploiting today?
LOGAN: All the non-09ers.
They kiss again.
VERONICA: a la "The Simpson's" Mr. Burns Eggs-cellent.
Veronica waggles her fingers. Logan Smirks. Duncan reacts to their cooing in disgust but nobody notices. He drops his burrito onto the tray on his desk.
Veronica and Logan are looking at the picture of Kendall at the motel before Veronica slips it and the rest back into an envelope. Wallace joins them at her table.
WALLACE: What are you two looking at?
Veronica and Logan share a look.
VERONICA: Just...tawdriness.
Veronica watches Wallace take his lunch out of a paper bag. The first thing he takes out is a pudding cup.
WALLACE: What are you looking at now?
VERONICA: The opposite of tawdriness. In baby voice Wallace and his pudding cup.
Veronica and Logan laugh.
WALLACE: Yeah, Mom seems to forget I'm not five anymore.
VERONICA: Well who can blame her? In baby voice again Wallace and his--
Veronica halts as she sees Wallace waving frantically at someone behind her and turns to look. It's Jackie.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: And his new pal, the hot bitchy transfer from New York. I guess he really isn't five anymore.
Wallace notices his friend's lack of enthusiasm.
WALLACE: Wh-- You met Jackie, right?
VERONICA: I didn't realize you were lunch buddies.
WALLACE: I'm going for lunch buddies with privileges. Help a brother out.
VERONICA: Well if you wanna play in her league, you'd better hide your little pudding.
Wallace grabs the pudding cup and hides in on the bench. He sees that Veronica is skeptical.
WALLACE: Hey, I like her, okay? Retract claws.
Veronica holds out her hands, spreading her fingers.
VERONICA: Claws, what claws?
Now Wallace and Logan share a look.
JACKIE: Hey, Wallace.
Jackie sits next to Wallace.
WALLACE: Hey, Jackie. Have you met Veronica and Logan?
VERONICA: Yes, actually, she requested I step outside my job description at Java the Hut the other day. LOGAN: And then informed me that I could do better. Like I didn't already know that.
Veronica glares at Logan and he just gives his best puppy dog eyes.
JACKIE: Hey, I'm sorry about that. I forgot to leave the New York attitude in New York.
Veronica nods, still not warming to the girl.
WALLACE: So, how you doing?
JACKIE: Awful. No matter how many schools I get kicked out of, I can't seem to escape this thing.
She throws a copy of Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" onto the table. Veronica and Logan are being all flirty while this conversation is going on.
JACKIE: Six-hundred pages of pasty white chicks' cat-fighting over some stick-up-his-butt dude's using air quotes and an English accent prospects.
WALLACE: Hey, I got the Cliff Notes. Only eighty pages. You can borrow it sometime, if you want, or something.
JACKIE: Even one page of this pre-Victorian corset crap puts me to sleep. Why can't we read Burroughs or something?
Veronica turns her attention from Logan to Wallace and Jackie.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: All right, brother, prepare to be helped out.
VERONICA: Ah, Logan and I were gonna rent the BBC series of it. LOGAN: We were? VERONICA: Elbowing him yes, we can fast-forward through the corsets and the bitching, and Colin Firth is in it, if you guys wanna join.
WALLACE: Hot damn! Colin Firth is in it.
Jackie laughs.
JACKIE: dismissively Yeah, sure.
Wallace gives Veronica a wink.
Logan enters the FBLA classroom, one hand holding his lunch tray, the other holding Veronica's hand. Veronica is distracted as she is led by Logan.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Maybe it's just a coincidence: an ex-con shows up with my name on his hand when I'm the key witness in his benefactor's murder trial? And I also happen to be dating his son.
Duncan is seated at one of the desks, eating his lunch. He looks up at them.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: And maybe it's another coincidence that Curly Moran was following me that day on the cliff. But I doubt it.
Logan, noticing that Veronica's mind is elsewhere, stops and looks down at her.
LOGAN: Hey, what's on your mind?
VERONICA: Just...fine European automobiles.
LOGAN: I'm not even gonna ask.
Veronica laughs and they continue around the room to the last two free desks, one on either side of Duncan. In anticipation, Duncan picks up his lunch and moves to the nearest desk, leaving them two desks next to each other. As Veronica walks past him she smiles her thanks and she and Logan sit down.
POPE: Congratulations, FBLAers. You are now worth exactly one million dollars.
LOGAN: What?
STUDENT: All right!
LOGAN: You mean I've lost money? Heads will roll.
Logan throws a piece of food into his mouth, as Veronica looks at him, shaking her head but smiling, he smiles back. While Mr. Pope is talking Veronica is listening, Logan is trying to distract her by playing with her hair and kissing her hand, but Veronicas not really having any of it, so Logan turns his attention back to the class.
DICK: Dad's pulling in thirty-five percent returns? Dude, I'm the one that's retiring.
POPE: I'll alert the dog track.
There's laughter.
POPE: As for myself, uh, at the end of this year, I'll hang up my stock market spurs, buy some cozy T-bills, and literally, sail off into the sunset.
He taps a picture on the bulletin board behind his desk. It is of a sailboat.
DUNCAN: Cool.
STUDENT: Great.
DUNCAN: Is that a Swan 40?
POPE: Yeah, nice, huh? From 1971. I, ah, I would have retired earlier, but actually the, uh, the restoration's been tricky. We had to reseal the hull twice.
LOGAN: Didn't plug her right the first time, huh?
Logan smirks, then, quite deliberately looks at Duncan. Dick laughs and nods, apparently understanding the inference to Veronica. Veronica gives Logan a death glare. It takes him a moment to get it, but when Duncan does, he explodes. He shoots up and over to grab Logan. The boys spill out of the classroom, Duncan running Logan into the lockers while Logan beats on his back. Logan twists and they both hit the lockers hard, each having hold of the other's jacket. Duncan swings Logan back round into the lockers and lets his fist fly. Duncan blocks it with his arm but the momentum takes them both down and sounds of their grappling continue to be heard.
In the nurses station Duncan sits at the end of a cot, Logan at the end of an examination table, next to it. Both have injuries to their hands. Duncan has a bloodied nose and there is grazing around Logan's left eye. The school nurse finishes her administrations to Duncan's hand.
NURSE: Well, I can tell you one thing: whoever it is you're fighting over, she won't be very impressed by this. And you're done. I believe the principal is waiting for you. I'll be back for you.
The nurse leaves and Duncan stands and starts to make his way out.
LOGAN: Actually, I disagree with Nurse Ratched; I think Veronica will be quite impressed. But she'll never admit to it.
Duncan pauses and turns back to Logan.
LOGAN: Probably a little turned on too.
DUNCAN: Careful, Logan. You're exposing your soft underbelly.
LOGAN: My underbelly is rock-hard. It can go all night.
DUNCAN: snapping you stole her from me. LOGAN: I didn't steal her; you lost her a long time ago.
Logan jumps off the end of the examination table.
LOGAN: And even if you are still pissed about me being with Veronica. Where were you this summer, man?
DUNCAN: What do you mean?
LOGAN: angry Oh, remember, there was this little situation? I was accused of murder? I am the eye of a storm and I never heard from you. It is a war out there and you're on the sidelines? Do you remember when you used to have my back?
DUNCAN: Yeah, wait, I do remember this summer.
LOGAN: Yeah.
Logan turns and leans against the partition between the cot and the examination.
DUNCAN: I was dealing with this thing, what was it? Oh, yeah, I remember now.
Duncan walks up close to Logan.
DUNCAN: Your dad murdered my sister.
Logan doesn't looks at him, staring into space and swallowing. The nurse re-enters.
NURSE: The principal's waiting, young man.
Duncan turns and walks towards the door Logan looks at his back.
LOGAN: more softly I hate him too, you know.
Duncan stops but doesn't turn around. He sighs and leaves as Logan places himself back on the examining table. The nurse wheels her chair closer to him and starts to apply antiseptic to his hand. She looks up into his face and hesitates.
NURSE: I'm sorry, does that sting?
Logan's eyes are filled with tears. He looks away. And sees Veronica enter the room.
VERONICA: shouting what the hell is the matter with you Logan? NURSE: uncomfortable I'm just gonna leave.
The nurse leaves the room and Veronica steps nearer Logan, who just stays stuck in his spot.
VERONICA: What are you doing Logan? LOGAN: not looking at her what do you mean? VERONICA: I mean acting like a jackass. To Duncan, to me. LOGAN: Look Veronica, if you're gonna break up with just do it quick. A tear rolls down his cheek VERONICA: Softening how come every time we have an argument, you assume I'm gonna break up with you? You're not getting rid of me that easily.
Logan finally looks at her and Veronica gives him a small smile. He gets up and brings her into a big hug and Veronica reluctantly allows him.
LOGAN: God I love you. VERONICA: Glad to hear it. You know you make it really hard for me to stay mad at you; I had a whole rant prepared. LOGAN: Well you can tell me it later, as long as you're naked. Veronica doesn't look amused Too soon? She nods Okay well is it too soon to kiss you? VERONICA: thinking I guess I can allow it.
Logan leans down and kisses her and just at that moment Duncan walks back and sees them kissing. He grabs his jacket and storms out.
Logan, Veronica, Wallace and Jackie are watching what purports to be "Pride and Prejudice". Logan has his arm around Veronica, who is gently stroking his bandaged hand. He smiles at her.
LOGAN: Veronica, it's no big deal, it's just something that needed to happen.
VERONICA: I don't think Colin Firth gets into these pointless fisticuffs. A pistol duel, maybe, but...
WALLACE: I realize I'm not a nineteenth-century British woman, but I just don't get that Colin Firth thing.
LOGAN: I think it's less him they're after and more the mansion with the matching swans, oh and also the British accent.
JACKIE: No, it's him. Last year I dated this actor, big mistake by the way, but he did this play in London, and he was at the after-party. I'm no nineteenth-century British woman either, but if English accent Mr. Darcy would have asked, he would not have needed swans.
Jackie carries on much to the admiration of Wallace and Logan watches Veronica as her face shows her antipathy pretty clearly.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: And so it's gone all night: how Jackie met Colin Firth, how Jackie got herself thrown out of St Paul's Prep for borrowing the dean's car, how Jackie got bored with Manhattan and flew to Paris with her boyfriend for her birthday. How can Jackie stand the non-stop excitement of being herself?
Later, Wallace helps Jackie on with her jacket as Veronica touches Logan's bandage again, smiling.
JACKIE: God, that's only half of it? I should've just read the book. Thanks so much, you guys. That was fun.
Logan is over-actingly holding the door open.
LOGAN: Sure.
JACKIE: Thanks, Veronica. I'll see you at school.
Veronica, a strained smile on her face, nods.
WALLACE: We should get together Friday and finish it. I hear there's a bitching chase scene at the end.
VERONICA: I can't. I gotta work
JACKIE: Yeah, I'm busy too. We'll find another night.
WALLACE: All right.
Wallace and Jackie head for the door.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: I can hardly wait.
The fake smile drops as soon as they pass.
WALLACE: All right man.
Logan pats Wallace on the back as he goes, and closes the door to the suite.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: I'll see if I can clear my calendar.
Logan walks back to Veronica, knowing exactly how Veronica is feeling about Jackie.
LOGAN: sarcastic Wow, she's cool.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: Ah, I love my boyfriend.
She smiles appreciatively and kisses him.
Dick is at his locker. Veronica approaches.
VERONICA: Where's your brother?
DICK: He didn't come to school today.
VERONICA: Ok thanks. Hey have you seen Logan?
DICK: No, I don't think he came to school today either. I figured since you were his girlfriend, and a detective, you'd know what he was up to.
Dick mouths an 'O' before smirking. He slams his locker shut and walks away. Veronica pulls out her phone. She dials but is interrupted by Wallace and Jackie.
WALLACE: Hey, Veronica. So you in? We're doing it.
VERONICA: And what is "it"?
WALLACE: P and P, baby, "Pride and Prejudice." Second half, it's going down tomorrow night.
JACKIE: I hear there's a bitching chase scene at the end.
VERONICA: pointed really, and you're not...busy?
JACKIE: No, I'm totally free.
WALLACE: So, great, it's on. I can't wait. Lizzy getting busy with Colin Fizz-irth. So you coming?
VERONICA: Yeah, I'm just gonna call Logan.
WALLACE: All right.
Wallace and Jackie leave and Veronica finishes dialing. Logan, sprawled out on his sofa, grabs his phone when it starts ringing; he sees its Veronica and grins.
LOGAN: Hey babe.
VERONICA: Hey yourself. How come you're not at school today?
LOGAN: Well I was actually hoping my gorgeous girlfriend would come over for some afternoon delight.
VERONICA: Really? Well I guess I could be persuaded, especially as I've got a free period now.
LOGAN: Oh come on Mars, live dangerously for once.
VERONICA: sighing Ok you twisted my arm, I'll leave now.
LOGAN: Oh I'll do more than that. I'm gonna jump in the shower so just let yourself in.
VERONICA: K bye.
Veronica hangs up and hurries down the hall.
Veronica, having parked the LeBaron outside the front door, walks up to the house. She opens the door and walks in. She opens the door into Logan's bedroom. The shower can be heard running and then stopping. She sits herself down on the bed as Logan comes out of the bathroom in just a towel.
LOGAN: Ah perfect timing, unless you would have liked to join me for the shower. VERONICA: Nah this ways better, less time wasted taking your clothes off. She grins mischievously LOGAN: He speaks while moving closer Wow Veronica who knew you were such a minx.
Logan is now staring down at Veronica, who's smiling seductively. He leans down to kiss her and they fall back on the bed, never breaking the kiss.
Later, Veronica and Logan kiss goodbye as she backs slowly out of his bedroom door. Logan in only his boxers is trying to stop her from leaving. She walks slowly down the hall, which still bears Aaron Echolls memorabilia. She rounds the corner, glances at a wall and comes to a sudden halt.
VERONICA: Oh, my God.
There are posters on the wall; it's the poster for "The Long Haul," that Veronica is noticing, which has the stunt coordinator credited as David Moran.
VERONICA VOICEOVER: I must walk down this hall all the time, yet I never noticed this before. What was it Aaron wrote to Curly on that picture? "All these years, still on the long haul"? "The Long Haul." That's not some kind of macho expression, it's a movie. The 1982 thriller that introduced a young action star named Aaron Echolls, featuring a signature stunt where a truck is sent veering over a bridge, a stunt supervised and performed by David "Curly" Moran.
Logan, now dressed, comes up behind Veronica and wraps his arms around her waist.
LOGAN: See I knew you couldn't bear to leave me. VERONICA: shocked and distracted please, get over yourself. I just wanted to ask you if you're willing to sit through the rest of "Pride and Prejudice" on Friday, with Wallace and Jackie. LOGAN: picking up that something's wrong anything for you. VERONICA: Thank you. She turns around in his arms and kisses him Ok I really have to go now.
Veronica hurries away and Logan watches, concern evident on his face.
Logan is watching television when Veronica comes in. He gets up and heads over to Veronica.
LOGAN: Hey, did you even leave? Oh did you hear about Dick's dad all over the news?
Veronica just stands there.
VERONICA: I was just sitting in my car, but it was me.
LOGAN: What? Veronica, what are you...
She looks up at him, tears in her eyes.
VERONICA: upset the bus crash. It was meant for me. They all died because of me.
Logan isn't sure what to make of this, but he grabs her and pulls her into him. Veronica starts to cry in his arms.
Review: pretty, pretty please!