Redeeming LoVe

Chapter 4: Homecoming Redux

Logan

I wasn't sure what had been bothering Veronica last night, but the fact that she came to me gave me hope. I had hope that maybe things might be getting better. I know I had turned the great students of Neptune against her, but why. I mean I am the son of an actor, but why did the people follow me really. I wasn't really anyone that great. I hurt the one person who had been so innocent.

As I held Veronica tightly in my arms I remembered the exact moment where I turned against her. We were in school when someone released the crime scene video of Lilly's murder. I was so angry at her. I just didn't understand how she could be fine with someone doing that to her friend. I made her choose us or her dad. Veronica did the right thing and chose her dad. I might not have a great father figure, but I knew Keith Mars would have done anything to protect his daughter.

"Hey sleepy head," I whisper as Veronica began to stir.

"Logan, I'm sorry I fell asleep," she says quickly moving to get out of the bed as fast as she could.

"Veronica, slow down. It was fine. All we did was sleep. You came here last night very upset, and nothing else happened," I say as she gives me a small smile.

"I know that. I mean how do we go from hating each other to me coming to you," she whispers as I realize the heart of the issue.

"I don't know," I say honestly as she gives me one last small before slipping out of my room. I just knew that I had to do something to change. Veronica was right, but how did I make it all right now.

I had spoken with Duncan a few times since he decided to do his stunt off of the bleachers; of course his mom blamed me for the stupid thing. She went on and on about how I was a bad influence to her precious little boy. I laughed as Lilly once told me how her mom was about her brother. I had seen it a few times, but to hear it all made it so real.

I got dressed and called Duncan after Veronica had left. I had heard my parents mention something about a dedication at the school in Lilly's honor, but wasn't sure about the details. Duncan told me all about it, and how his parents wanted him to do a video of his sister. I volunteered to do it for him. He told me he would bring the items to school for me. I quickly made my way to the kitchen to get my pop tart fixed, but was surprised to see Mrs. Navarro waiting with a small brown bag and a plate.

"I made this pastry this morning. I put a few this bag for Veronica, but before I could give it to her she was gone," she says smiling.

"Thank you, I'll make sure she gets it. I am glad your back," I say to her as I pull a water bottle out of the fridge.

"You're welcome," she says as I make my way to my SUV. I drive to school for the first time in a long time with an actual smile on my face. I was feeling so much better, and just the few times spent with Veronica was making me realize I had something to hope for.

***LoVe***

Veronica

If you would have told me that I would wake up in Logan Echolls arms after sleeping with each other I would have said you were crazy. I don't know what I was thinking when I drove to his house last night other than he would understand me needing a friend. Of course Logan just ushered me into the house without making a big scene. I was lucky that my dad was out of town once again.

It was strange to feel so comfortable with the boy who had made my life a living hell for almost a year, but something about him was also very inviting. I knew from experience that Lilly once told me that Logan could either love you with his whole being or hate you with the same levity. I was wondering how Logan was finding the difference between that right now.

"Hey," I hear a voice call out from behind me. I turn to see Logan walking up toward me.

"People can see," I say softly as he walks closer.

"Yeah, but it's only Dick and Beaver," he mutters as he hands me a small baggie. "I felt bad you wandered off before getting to taste Mrs. Navarro's amazing fruit tarts," he says with a wink before moving toward his friends. I had a hard time figuring out what went on in that boys head sometimes. He was hot or cold, but never both.

Wallace had sent me a text letting me know a friend of his needed my help, but wouldn't elaborate on the details. I was currently waiting in the girl's bathroom for Georgia to explain her situation. Georgia goes into telling her story to Wallace and I as he stands back just watching the girl. If I didn't know any better I would say Wallace has a girl crush.

"This guy Karl is super-rich. A trust fund kid. And I guess he has a gambling problem and he got into trouble, so he sent an email to a friend asking for help, and…" Georgia is talking when a noise from the hallway suddenly gets closer and louder as someone tries to enter. I motion to Wallace as he races to the door, and pushes back a girl back out as she was trying to come in.

"Overflowing toilets. Use the faculty restroom," he chirps at her as the girl groans. Wallace decides to maintain his door watch. Georgia pulls out a piece of paper and hands me a copy of the email she had received from the guy.

"Well, okay, first of all, a trust fund kid doesn't send a message from grantastic tech dot com domain. That's pure nerd," I say as I read the email out loud. Once "Hey buddy, I know we've not been in contact for a while but I'm hoping you can help."

"He was offering a 200% interest. And I only had to loan him the money for two weeks. Until his 21st birthday when he gets his trust fund," she says as I just look at her. If I hadn't been thinking in my right mind an offer like that would have sounded great.

"So you called and told him you'd front him the cash," I ask already knowing the answer to the question before asking it.

"Yeah, and everything would've been fine if he would've paid me two weeks ago, like he said," she says innocently. I am trying hard not to say something mean to the girl in front of me for Wallace's sake, but the big word popping into my mine right now is 'idiot'.

"Everything's gonna be fine, okay Georgia?" Wallace tries to reassure his friend, but I wasn't sure it would be. "We'll get him," he says as he winks at her. I just shake my head as he does this.

"Will we now?" I ask because I know there is a me, but I haven't been a 'we' in a long time. Wallace grins and rolls his eyes to indicate that he wants to impress Georgia. I can tell he is smitten so I take my cell phone out. "Hi Karl, it's Amber. Um, I got an email from you, I guess by mistake, but I think I can help you. Give me a call. 555-0196," I say as chirpy and bouncy as I could. I close my phone with a sigh as the bell rings. "And I'm late for bio, again," I mutter before turning to Georgia, "Ten percent of whatever I recover," I say leaving both her and Wallace behind as I run to my class while leaving a new voice mail message just as I enter the class room.

It wasn't until Journalism class that I felt like I was losing control. I knew Logan was in this class and when he came in looking like he lost his best-friend I was going to say something, but the announcer of the school news caught my attention when he announced, "Kicking off the homecoming festivities, the dedication of the Lilly Kane Memorial Fountain." I looked up just as Logan did. "The Kane family would like to invite all students and faculty to attend the tribute and celebrate the memory of one of Neptune High's most beloved students," I walk toward Logan to watch the rest of the broadcast. Logan looks up at me and seems like he was going to say something, but drops his head instead.

Once again I didn't notice Troy coming up beside me as I was lost in my own thoughts. I was thinking about Logan and his expression as the news announcer made a mention of Lilly and her family. Troy rambled on about the dance and going mini-golfing or something. Whatever he was talking about was the last thing I wanted to think about, so I tried to get out of it telling him my dad wanted to meet him. He was all excited about the thought of meeting my dad. I decided to say 'yes' to whatever he asked keeping a smile plastered on my face until he walked away. If I were any other girl I would be excited about going to a dance, but my mind was more occupied with other things.

I had found out that the guy who messaged Georgia asking her for the money was an actor. He was performing in some play waiting for his big break. I had tracked him down, and found out there was an ad put in the paper asking for his type to play this con on other people. He thought it was all for a show or something. He was just as duped as Georgia was. Yet, I was in luck when the number he had for the person turned out to be one for a pay phone near a gaming club called, "Gameland." I learned from Wallace that it was a place where gamers went, I wouldn't actually blend very well into the scene.

I was walking down the hallway as I heard a familiar voice, well a voice I hadn't really heard so alive in almost a year. I know Logan knew I was in the room as he continued to watch the computer screen and make notes on a sheet of paper. I walk closer very slowly as I am transfixed to the images on the screen barely seeing Logan look up and then back at his notes. On the screen is a very young Lilly, maybe two, standing with her arm on a couch? This changes to one of Lilly at a year or two older, flipping the pages of a book in bed, her doll next to her.

"What part of my ignoring you makes you think you're welcome?" he asks in a pained voice. I wouldn't think this could be easy for him.

"What are you doing?" I ask as I ignore his remark.

"Assembling the world's most boring memorial video," He snorts out in derision and then picks up the videos, "Ballet…Choir recital, debutante crap…Girl scouts," he retorts again before sighing heavily. "Memories both misty and water-colored," he says as he flings the videos onto the desk. I watch the screen

Lilly aged about six drives a Lego car, then Lilly aged about eight sings against a sparkling and colorful backdrop.

"It's Lilly as a long-distance commercial," I honestly say thinking how Lilly would hate this video. It had Celeste Kane written all over it.

"Well, it isn't really about Lilly, is it?" he asks bluntly as he watches a little more and laughs. "God, this would piss her off," he snaps a little overwhelmed by it all as I stand watching.

"If you want I might have something a little more interesting than all of this," I say as I think about our Homecoming Dance from the year before. I knew I had just seen the video in my desk a few days ago.

"It can't be as boring as this is," he snarks at me as I walk to the door.

"Can you meet me at my house?" I say as I turn to walk out.

"Sure," he replies as he turns back to the screen in front of him. I totally know why he was torturing himself with doing this. I'm sure it would have been Duncan's job, but Celeste or Jake could have done it.

***LoVe***

Logan

I had known that Veronica had moved or should I say downsized. Her new space is so much smaller than what I am used to, but she was nice enough to have something that might save this whole video. I wasn't sure what I was walking into when she opened the door of her apartment dressed in a school girl outfit. If I wasn't focused on who she was I would have pushed her into the door just to make out. She looked hot with her short skirt and knee socks.

"Wow," I mutter as she just laughs.

"Logan pick your jaw up off the floor and come in. I need to put my wig on and shoes," she says as I move into the apartment. I see a brown pit pull coming right for me as I move toward the small hallway she just went down.

"I like what you have done with the place," I say as I look around her room. It had a very nice layout. It suited her perfectly as I saw her office area on the left side of the wall with her bed separated on the right side.

"Logan, out," she mutters playing with her wig as she points to the door. Her dog had followed me into the room sniffing around.

"Oh but I wanted to know all about you," I say as I pick up candid photo of a dude.

"Here," she snaps a little frustrated I was still in her room as she passes off a small tape to me. "It's a copy of last year's Homecoming," she says softly dropping her gaze.

"Thanks," I say softly as well. I loved the free spirited days of the Fab4. "Where you headed looking like that?" I question as she nudges me to leave her room.

"Not that it's any of your business, but I am working on a case," she says as she continues to push me toward the front door. I allow her to do so as I form a plan. I go down to where her car is parked and let the air out of one of her tires. I knew she would need a ride so she would have to accept my help. "Logan Echolls, you jack ass," she snaps as she gets closer to me.

"I didn't do anything," I try to sound as sincere as possible, but the distained look on her face told me she wasn't buying my act.

"Fine, I wanted to know what you were doing. You wouldn't talk to me so," I say as I make a flourish movement with my hand.

"Ugh! Let's move it," she says as I jump down off of my SUV and get in. "Just so you know, my car better be fixed before we get back," she says as she slams the door. I quickly send a text to our mechanic to have him fix it ASAP. Veronica gives me the directions to where she needed to go. She asked me to stay in the car, but I was curious of the place. I had heard of it, but had never been to it.

I see a screen that shows a list of names playing including Liamator, SnakeBite, Coppertop, Grrrantula, Tedster, Psyris, KonArtist, Kelly and Kill_Zone. I was looking around and noticed several people had even dressed up in character. I understood now why Veronica was dressed the way she was. She looked one of the characters from the game Sailor Moon. As soon as she walks in she gains some attention. I follow her as she walks up to the counter handing the guy behind it her ID card, and he give her an ear piece.

"Thanks. Logan stay close," she says as I look around taking in the whole scene. This was nerd central. I probably wouldn't ever be caught dead in a place like this, even though I liked video games. This place was for hard core nerds, I caught Beaver off in the corner talking with some guys. I made a mental note to ask Dick about that later. Veronica sits down on a couch in between two guys, one of which looks very irritated by her sitting with them. I stand behind her as she begins to play. They go on with their game.

"I have one word. Ownage," the irritated one says.

"I care," the other one says.

"I just fragged you. Aaaand, I just fragged you again," the first guy says. I watch as Veronica watches them shoot each other on the screen. It seems as if she is trying to figure out who is who from the playing.

"Ooohh," the second guy says as she turns to him smiling.

"Can you watch my stuff?" she asks sweetly.

"Yeah," he replies not really looking at her. I watch as she a pulls a piece of paper from her bag. She walks behind the couch to where the names of the people playing are listed on the screen. I notice her looking at the paper. I notice there is an email on it from karl . She is comparing it with the listed ones on the board. She looks over at me and then points to one of the names. She then types in 'gamegirl' into the new player login and chooses the name she was just pointing at to play against.

"Now let's see if I can't get Grrrantula's attention," she whispers to me as she fixes the earpiece and walks back to the couch. I chuckle as she picks up a controller, and starts to play. I watch as one boy begins to look around the room frustrated.

"Stop killing your own team," the irritated boy snaps at her as Veronica pays no attention to him and continues shooting at Grrrantula.

"Hey, cut the crap," Grrrantula yells out. I notice Veronica sit up straighter looking around; she hasn't placed the guy yet.

"Hey! I'm on your team, lamer!" he calls out as she shoots him once more. I laugh softly as I see her looking around still. I could point him out, but decide not to.

"Wow! I'm really bad at this," she says as she turns to the second guy.

"Ownage!" she yells as she jumps up smiling as the kid in question jumps up as well very angry.

"Hey, it's not ownage. I'm on your team!" he says pissed off.

She slips back down on the couch with a very huge grin on her face. A few minutes later she gets up moving toward the counter to return the ear piece.

"Devlin," she says as I raise an eyebrow at her. The guy is looking for her card in an index box, but seems he can't find it.

"What was the first name?" he asks a little annoyed. She reaches for the box.

"Here, it'll be faster," she says as she nods her head in the guys' direction. I distract the guy with questions as she rummages through the box for whatever she was looking for. She gives me a smile when she finds it.

"It was hiding under the Qs," she mutters grabbing my hand hastily as she pulls me toward the exit.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" I question as we drive toward her apartment.

"Yes, thank you," she says as I chuckle.

"Why did you turn against me?" she asks as I pull into the parking lot of her complex. Of all the questions she could ask me she starts with that one.

"I didn't understand how you could turn your back on your friends for your dad," I say honestly.

"Logan, not all…" she starts but I put my hand up. I knew what she was going to say because I had already figured it out.

"I know. I mean I thought all dads were like Aaron, but I have seen you and your dad together. He truly loves you. You know your dad came to me a few weeks after we turned wanting to know why I wasn't around anymore," I start as she turns in her seat to look at me.

"No, I didn't know," she says softly.

"I slammed the door in his face. I was so angry with how the video was leaked of Lilly, and you turning against us. I was so mean to him, and he has always been nice to me. Ronnie I was so wrong," I mutter as I wipe a few tears away.

"There are things my dad saw in the case that didn't add up. I know it's too soon to talk about her, but eventually when you are ready there are some things that just don't add right," she says as she kisses my check and gets out of my SUV. I watch her walk up the steps to her apartment. I see her dad a few feet away with their dog. He looks in my direction just as she turns to wave.

***LoVe***

Veronica

I had been surprised when my dad came up next to me. I looked back toward Logan and waved a small wave as he pulled away.

"Was that Logan Echolls?" my dad questions as he hands Backup's leash to me. I just nod my head as he takes in the outfit I was wearing.

"Not right now dad," I say as we walk into our apartment. He chuckles softly as I head to my room to call Wallace with my next step in the plan. I knew there was a party going on in the dorms where the boys lived, but I needed someone to be look out. I could have asked Logan, but he has the tendency to throw a punch before waiting for explanations. I didn't need a fight on my hands right now.

When we get to the dorms I notice that all the people are in costumes. It was kind of hilarious thinking that this was the next step in life. Wallace begins to make small talk with my target as I head to the dorm room listed on the ID card. I find the room I am looking for next to which is a pin board. I pull the picture of Jimmy out of my bag and stick it to the board. Despite the warning stickers on the door, I open the door with the keys I took. I notice that the room is dark with an alarm keypad on the wall. Of course the alarm is beeping; I examine it trying to turn the damn thing off. I can't get it turned off, so I decide to quickly go further into the room just as the irritated boy enters the room

"What the hell are you doing?" he snaps at me as he begins to close the space between us.

"They told me this was Sri Lanka. I wanted coconut today," I half mumble out as if I was drunk.

"What the hell's going on?" Grant says as he runs into the room followed closely by Wallace.

"We had an intruder," the first one snaps pointing toward me as I keep looking around the room as I slip the keys onto the counter with the added wireless mic slipped onto them.

"How did you open the door?" Grant snaps at me shoving past his friend.

"I don't know, I just opened it," I say as I hiccup still acting drunk.

"It's impossible, it's always locked," he snaps looking at the lock carefully. I just shrug my shoulders as the first guy notices the newly added picture of Jimmy.

"Grant," the first one says holding out the photo. I look to Wallace as I groan and slide closer to him.

"Hey!" he says looking me over as he turns to the two guys staring at us.

"I don't feel so good, Papa Bear," I mutter gagging slightly. Wallace puts his arm around me as I pretend to heave as if I was going to throw up as we stumble out the door into the cool air until we are in the clear.

"Papa Bear?" he questions with his eyebrows lifted.

"Never happened," I say as he just laughs mumbling something under his breath.

XOXOXOXOXO

The next day I was able to get the pass code to the alarm system as I was sitting at my desk. I go over my plan with Wallace to do that afternoon, but first told him I had to get home for a date. Wallace was laughing as I ran to my car. I got home just as my dad began to question Troy on his intentions. I quickly changed my clothes and left with Troy.

I hated to admit it, but I enjoyed spending the afternoon with Troy. Yet, in the back of my mind there was something missing from this situation. Troy wasn't the person I wanted to be out with. I was happy and sad that he didn't try to kiss me again when he dropped me off at my apartment.

Wallace was all set on the plan as I was waiting in my car at the college waiting for his text to let me know they had left. I was able to get my dad to make a call to the silicon boys about a pre-release of some dumb game. The catch was that Wallace was going as a recruit. It took me some hard thinking before I was able to crack their system. I took the hard drives all apart and ruined their main frame. I was excited about another job well done.

That night both boys met up with Georgia, Wallace and I to exchange the systems for Georgia's money. Neither boy was glad to see that they had been upstaged by Wallace and me. Wallace counted the money the boys gave him and then handed me some and the rest to his now girlfriend. We said our good-byes as I headed home to get ready for the dedication. I get ready and head to school to take some photos of the dedication before the dance. I had picked out the perfect dress for later tonight. Lilly would have loved it.

***LoVe***

Logan

I wasn't really looking forward to the dedication for Lilly, but Duncan had called to remind me to be there early to set up. I had added some of the material Veronica had given me. It was a great video actually. I couldn't remember the whole night, but to watch it made me laugh and cry both as it truly hit home how much I missed her. I also missed Veronica a lot. I hoped she would be able to let me back in.

I held the remote control in my hand as the dedication service began; an octet is playing "Wind Beneath My Wings." I could see several classmates holding candles. On a small stage set up near a curtain, the Kanes were seated with a few faculty members, including Clemmons, and a large photo of Lilly above them.

To the right of the stage is a video screen which labeled "Lilly Kane, Always Remembered." I notice Veronica is taking photographs, as I stand in the crowd with my head down, but as I see her move I lift it up. As the music ends, Celeste stands up and moves toward the microphone.

"Thank you to the Neptune High Orchestra. I know if Lilly were here, she would have been moved by that rendition. Lilly really loved this place," I can't believe the crap that comes out of her mouth. She hated Lilly with a passion. I watch Duncan and Jake closely. Duncan is sitting in between his parents as if he wasn't even there. It was the same shell-shock look he had in the days following Lilly's death.

"So, it's only fitting that as long as this fountain remains here, a part of Lilly will always be here. And you, her peers, will always be reminded what a generous, kind…" she continues rambling on about Lilly as if she knew her, "Sweet girl she was and how she embodied… Pirate pride and the school motto, service, loyalty, honor," she finishes as she looks behind at Duncan. He walks over to a red curtain and pulls the cord. It drops to reveal a wall fountain. Celeste pushes a button on a remote control and water trickles down the fountain. The crowd claps politely, as Veronica takes some more pictures. I lift my hand and point the remote toward the video screen with a smile on my face. I look toward Celeste as the video begins; she has a smile on her face, but I know it will change once the video does.

It's hard to watch the video but I smile as Lilly runs up close to the lens, she is about fourteen-fifteen. I noticed that both Jake and Duncan are being affected by the video; Celeste just looks like this was the girl she knew. As the music changes into "Now is the Time" by Damone, Jake looks toward his wife and then me. I can tell right off the back Celeste is not happy as the video moves onto the footage Veronica gave me from Homecoming the night of the limo party. The camcorder has caught Lilly close up in the back seat.

"Hello America! You wanted Lilly. You got her. Now sit back and enjoy the ride," Lilly says looking directly into the camera. She was always one for the spotlight. The melody of the music kicks in showing both Lilly and Veronica dancing in the back seat of the limo. I envied this Veronica who was so innocent and full of life.

The crowd though reacts with laughter and amusement, as we all watch Lilly pop the champagne bottle tipping it as she pours some into a glass. I can tell Celeste is really unhappy. Although I finally see Duncan can't seem to suppress a grin from forming on his face. We all watch as Lilly sticks her bottom out of the limo as I clap my hands. Veronica though laughs and shakes her head at that memory. I hear Troy as he lets out an appreciative "Yeah!" I watch as I remember how, Lilly and I crossed our arms to sip their champagne, while Lilly and Veronica dance some more. Lilly takes a swig from the champagne bottle. I can't get over how Jake lets out a laugh and grins as the video progresses. Toward the end of it Jake is laughing freely now while Duncan is smiling. I feel a little guilty when I see Jake reaction as he puts a hand to his mouth as he's filled emotionally.

"You love me don't you?" Lilly states as the video ends and I watch as Jake starts to sob and it's Duncan who puts his arms around his dad trying to comfort him. I love how the crowd goes wild as the screen goes black.

I look over to Veronica, as she smiles at me. I walk toward the parking lot as the crowd begins to disperse. I see Duncan talking with his dad. I drive to the Dog Beach and park my SUV. I don't think I could end the night any better than being here.

Veronica just smiles and takes off her shoes. I have opened the bottle of hard liquor and started my own pity party as I see a black limo pulling up. The door opens and someone in a red dress begins to walk toward the water's edge.

"Yes, this is exactly how I pictured the night ending," I say bitterly as Veronica freezes with her hand on the zipper of her dress. She had already unzipped it.

"Logan what the hell," she snaps slightly annoyed.

"I was here first," I mutter as I put the bottle up to my lips once more.

"Are you drunk?" she questions coming closer to me.

"Not yet," I say as she smiles. "Right, skinny dipping," I say as I motion for her to continue. She laughs at my response as she walks closer to the water's edge before dropping her dress and jumping into the water.

"This is so liberating," she yells back to me as I laugh. I knew the water was cold, but to see Veronica so happy warmed me. She swam around for a few minutes before coming closer to beach. I stand up and take off my jacket as I walk toward her. "Logan," she says shocked.

"Come on, out you go," I say as I hold the jacket out for her. She takes it from me as she wraps it around her before picking up her dress. She hands me the jacket back as I turn around holding it open to cover her as she redresses.

"Thank you," she says giving me a kiss on the cheek and walking back to the waiting limo. "You could come with us," she says before reaching the opened door.

"No thank you. I think Lilly would want me here," I say as she gets in. I watch the limo drive off as I flop down drinking my drink as I watch the waves coming and going. Yes, this was a fitting way to remember the loss of a loved one.