DISCLAIMER: Characters of Veronica Mars, the canon events of their storylines, and recognizable dialogue belong to Rob Thomas.
A/N:
Chapter 18 was posted earlier this week. If you haven't read that, click back now.
This chapter contains bits of #2.20 "Look Who's Stalking"
Events occur during the first half of May 2006 of the Season 2 timeline.
Chapter 19
Since all the cashbox money was recovered after it had gone missing at Winter Carnival, the 09ers pushed for Catalina as our senior trip. It did not matter that more than half the seniors signed a petition saying that they would rather go to Six Flags Magic Mountain and ride rollercoasters.
The administration did at least allow us to choose between these two itinerary options: 1) what I like to call the "09er special" (including beach, food, and shopping) or 2) the educational tour (including history and marine life).
The ferry from Dana Point took about an hour. For the 09ers, who were used to being on the family yacht, it was no big deal. However, for some students, it was their first time out on the water, that far from shore.
I spent most of the day with a camera in my hand. The views on Catalina Island were always beautiful. In between shots of blue water and white sand, I managed to get some great candid shots of my classmates. Mac suggested that I sell photo CDs to the other seniors. I had to admit it was a good idea for making some extra cash – and not as socially disruptive as "The Purity Test."
At some point that afternoon, Casey Gant approached me, wanting to catch up on each other's lives before graduation. When Mac came over to join us, he started talking to her. I could tell by the look on her face that she was surprised. Later, she told me that he had never spoken to her before that day.
While he was talking to her, he had said that his parents told him what had been going on. Although he did not spell the whole thing out, Mac assumed that he was referring to the fact that she was now part of the Sinclair family. He assured Mac that it was not public knowledge, but he found out because his mom and Mrs. Sinclair were close friends. I had wandered off to take photos, and the two of them began to bond over their screwed-up families – although they were screwed up in different ways.
Eli had not gone on the senior trip. When I asked him, he told me that he had committed to helping Mr. Dalton reorganize the shop, adding that it would be much more fun than going to Catalina.
As I photographed groups of friends laughing and enjoying the day, I couldn't help but think of the day I had taken pictures of the PCHers, including some great shots of Felix and Eli together. Then, my mind drifted to the photos of Eli and me on the beach.
So much had changed since last summer.
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Around that time, there was a series of news stories about Woody Goodman that added up to quite a scandal. The first story to break was about him being seen coming and going from the Camelot with several people – all of them significantly younger. A photo of him with a drunken (and barely dressed) young woman made it into the paper. He was dropping her off at the hospital. He claimed that he found her outside one of his restaurants and was just being a Good Samaritan. Then, other photos began to surface of him getting up close and personal with teens and preteens (both boys and girls) in uniforms from Woody's Burgers and the Sharks little league team.
Once the scandal gained some traction, his approval numbers started to tank. Since incorporation was his big issue, the vote on Special Ballot Measure No. 51 was a resounding "No."
As stories about corruption in local government trickled out in the news – much of it related (directly or indirectly) to Woody – Dad, Leo, and I joined forces to figure out who was stalking the Goodmans and why. That meant attempting to confirm the stuff being reported and digging up any dirt on Woody that had not yet surfaced.
While Leo and I worked side by side on this investigation, he suggested that I should consider a career in law enforcement.
"You're a natural at this," he told me.
"Thanks. That means a lot coming from you. But I'm not so sure I want to do this the rest of my life. For now, it's an easy way to make some extra cash while I'm still in school."
"Well, you should think about it at least."
There was something in his eyes, something about his facial expression. Admiration? Respect? Yes. But also something else.
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The administration at Neptune High made the decision to cancel prom, because a large number of students had been drinking at school events. After the last few basketball games of the season, the janitorial staff had found empty beer and liquor bottles under the stands in the gymnasium. The student body had been given a stern warning about following the rules. However, more bottles were found after the Spring Fling and several students were drinking during the senior trip. Apparently, three strikes = zero proms.
For a few days, I had to listen to Jackie and Wallace bemoan the fact that their grandiose plans (and unrealistic expectations) for prom memories had been ruined. But then, Logan handed me an invitation that read:
Alterna-Prom
Friday, May 13th, 9:00 PM
NEPTUNE GRAND
PENTHOUSE
Formal Attire
No Rules
And just like that … their plans were back on.
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As expected, Jackie went with Wallace. However, there were a few surprises. Meg and Duncan were able to put their parenting duties on hold long enough to put on formal wear. Casey asked Mac to go with him – and she said yes. Gia was there with Caz Truman – I didn't even know they knew each other.
But the biggest surprise of all – at least to me – was that I agreed to let Leo escort me.
The evening was not without its drama. Logan asked me to dance with him. Against my better judgment, I agreed to one dance.
As we slowly walked in a circle, he whispered in my ear, "We could have been epic … if you had given me a chance. Think of everything we've been through, how long we've known each other." He paused, and he must have felt me tense up.
I could hear what he was leading up to, but I didn't let him get that far. "Logan." My tone clearly said: Stop talking. Now. Then, I added, "If you were about to ask me out, don't. Just don't. I'll save you the trouble. My answer hasn't changed since the last time you asked me."
"Please tell me you're not dating the former deputy again."
As I stepped out of his arms, I responded, "You'll just have to learn to live with disappointment."
Leo must have been watching us because he was right behind me as I stepped away from Logan.
"Everything okay, Veronica?"
I nodded and gave him a kiss on the cheek. As Leo steered me away from Logan, he mentioned that he had called his boss at the security company to tell him he had seen Lucky hanging around the lobby when we came in.
Although we weren't entirely sure if Lucky was the one sending weird stuff to Woody, the security company had seen Lucky following and watching Gia. So the Goodmans had gotten a restraining order against Lucky.
A little while later, we heard something going on just outside Logan's door. Leo and I got out into the hall just in time to see Lamb cuffing Lucky and dragging him to the elevator as he screamed to anyone who would listen:
"Screw you, man! Screw you! He deserved it! People always talk about him like he's this great guy. He's awesome, but you don't know what he really is."
I wondered what and who he was talking about, but figured since it was Lucky, it might not have been anything more than irrational, nonsensical rambling.
After the excitement in the hallway was over, it only took a few minutes for the party atmosphere to return. We stayed a little while longer because the DJ's playlist was amazing. Hanging with my BFFs and their dates – also amazing. Senior memories, right?
On the drive home, Leo got a call saying that Stewart Manning's lawyer was already at the station working on getting him released. I thought that Meg was exaggerating about her father's fondness for Lucky, but apparently, she was spot-on accurate.
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Leo pulled into an empty parking place next to my apartment building. He walked around and opened the door for me to get out. Continuing his gentlemanly behavior, he walked me to my front door. I had already decided that I would not be inviting him in. I was still hesitant when it came to getting involved with him and did not want to give him mixed signals and have him think that things were more serious than they were.
Thankfully, he did not make an issue about it. Standing on the welcome mat, he gave me a kiss. It was long and slow, with just the right amount of lip contact and pressure. He didn't paw at me, pull me into him, or press me against the door. The only contact was his hand on the side of my face as he kissed me.
The kiss was perfect. But rather than making me want to linger at the door with Leo, it made me wonder what Eli was doing tonight.
Less than a minute after I got inside, I got a text from Eli: can we talk?
Now? Tonight?
Meet me by the pool.
At my building? How soon will you be here?
Here now.
Looking out the window, I saw him standing there. I locked the door and threw my keys and phone into my handbag, hurrying down to meet him. When I got to where he stood waiting, he took my hand and walked me to the patio overlooking the ocean.
"Eli, what are you doing here?"
"I followed you."
"From the Neptune Grand?"
"Well, from here to there and …" He rubbed the back of his neck while looking down at the ground. "Sorry. I'm not stalking you. Not trying to cause problems. Just still feel protective of you."
"You thought I'd be in danger?"
"No … just … it's hard to think of you with him, with anyone." He paused, staring out at the ocean. "I thought that Lilly was someone I could have loved, but I didn't really understand what that word meant until you ... invaded my life."
His words, his tone, the serious look on his face. I was dumbfounded. Absolutely speechless.
"Veronica, I'm still in love with you and I probably always will be. I don't deserve you, and you deserve so much better than me. I've known it for a while, but it was so obvious tonight watching you with Leo. Respectable, mature, good job – that's what you need. I just want you to be happy. I really do. And it seemed like you enjoyed yourself tonight."
He turned to face me and took my hands in his as he continued, "You don't have to say anything. I just had to tell you – before we graduate and everyone goes their separate ways. But if you ever need me, I'll be there. All you have to do is let me know."
Leaning down, he pressed play on a CD player I hadn't even noticed was sitting there. As a song began to play, he took me in his arms. Every fiber of my being responded to his touch. His breath tickled my neck as he whisper-sang the Spanish lyrics which translated to:
I need to tell you that you are the love of my life.
… Everything changed when I saw you.
When the song had ended, he held me just a moment longer, then whispered in my ear, "I want you to have the most amazing life. You deserve it. And as much as it kills me, I think you have a better chance of doing that without me."
Taking one step away from me, he placed his hands on the sides of my head as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Goodbye, Veronica."
I was still stunned as I watched him walk away. Words had failed me. I had not been able to find my voice. But there was so much that needed to be said.
And I sure as hell didn't want that to be goodbye.
A/N:
Song on CD: "Todo Cambio (Everything Changed)" by Camila (2006)
Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day! I'll try to get Chapter 20 up soon, possibly before the end of this weekend.
Thanks for reading! Until next time …
~Jen
15 February 2019