Story Title- They're Baaack
Chapter Title- But Never Doubt I Love
Diclaimer: I Do Not Own V Mars. If I did, my cuzin would have Season Bulls tickets, and my brother would have Season Knicks Tickets, And Me, I'm a Yankee kinda gal.
Chapter 4- But Never Doubt I Love
How can I know you're telling the truth Logan? I know you, you'l go overboard at first, stop doing anything that might be considered stupid, then relax slightly, then Dick or someone will insult you for it, and you end up resenting me for it. I mean, Hamlet did say, Doubt Truth To Be A Liar.
I look up into his warm, deep brown eyes.
But what was that last line?
He bends down and puts his forehead to mine, waiting.
Oh yeah, I remember now. But Never Doubt I Love. Damn that Billy Shakes!
"No one writes songs about the ones that come easy," he whispers in my ear.
I start to think about another line in my favorite play. It was said by Player Queen in Act 3 Scene 2, and I always did think a lot of it.
Yes, I am a nerd. A nerd whose read Hamlet about fifty times since the eighth grade, along with a bunch of other Shakepeare plays.
I looked at my feet for a second, and then I lifted my head and kissed him.
I kissed him with sorrow. I kissed him with longing. I kissed him with every emotion my body could hold. I just gave in to him. After a moment, he pulled back.
"I should probably take good care of that couch huh?" he said.
Hmmm. Interesting, but I don't think so Echolls. I am too exhausted, and when have you ever listened to guys like my dad.
"Not a chance," I laugh, pulling him towards my bed.
He laughs and I pull back the covers for the two of us. I lay there for a few minutes before Logan decided to join me. I let out a small chuckle and snuggle into his chest, and as his breathes slow, I realize he's asleep.
That's it. Hell has officially frozen over. I am in my bed, with Logan freaking Echolls, and nothing is happening. We're just sleeping. Well, he's sleeping, I'm flipping out. Worst and strangest part? I feel happy. Aside from the fact that I could have been killed in the bus crash, my best friend is in Chicago, my best friend before that was murdered, I'm happy. I'm happy sleeping in the same bed as the son of the guy that tried to burn me alive. Yup, I'm a trainwreck...
I woke up the next morning not sure why I had arms wrapped around me. As I saw Logan's face, my mind cleared and I took a glance at my clock. I poked Logan, then shook him until he finally woke up. He groaned, opened his eyes, and gave me a small smile.
"Good morning Sugarpuss," he whispered.
"Morning," I laughed. "Let me jump in the shower, and get dressed. You make us some bagels to go and I'll drive you back to your place to get changed."
"I have a better idea. How about we take that shower together, get breakfast from the Dunkin Donuts Drive-Thru, and you drive me home for a change of clothes."
"Hmm...Not a chance," I teased.
Wait a minute. I distinctly remember Logan giving me a shirt of his after a trip to the beach this summer. I got cold and he gave me a spare shirt from his car. Good thing I got it washed.
I tickled him to make him release me, and walked over to my Logan box. I rumaged through it, and pulled out a green T-Shirt.
"Ah hah!" I exclaimed, tossing him the shirt.
"Still doesn't solve my jeans problem," he said, trying to bring me down.
"Wow, you are a rich boy aren't you? You can wear jeans twice without washing. It's like, a denim rule! These two days probably shouldn't be right after, but the two of us love breaking rules!"
"Socks?"
Okay, my boyfriend is a total whiner. Wait, did I just call him my boyfriend?!
"I'll let you borrow some of my dad's. Change and I'll jump in the shower. Make a bagel for me, and then when
I get out, you can shower, and I'll make you one."
I wouldn't let him respond as I grabbed some clothes and headed into my bathroom, locking the door behind me.
Well, people are probably going to know when we show up in the same car. Oh man, what are the guys going to say? Mike is the only one who knows the real reason we broke up! Crap this is going to
be a long day.
I tie up my hair, careful to only wash my body and save some hot water for Logan. I dry myself with a towel and get dressed in the bathroom.
"All yours," I say walking out. He moved past me, and hands me a plate with a bagel on it. I smile and put one in the toaster for him. I pull out some OJ and pour out two glasses. Five minutes later, Logan walks out and chugs his juice.
"There's no vodka in it, you don't need to chug," I mock him.
"I know. Just felt like it," he tells me, taking a bite out of his bagel.
He swallows and give me a long kiss. I laugh and pull him off of me.
"Hey, we stil have time to drop by your place. I have to go somewhere after school, unless you can get a ride?" I say, realizing I should stop by the gas station to check out Ed Doyle's last meal.
Well I am extremely morbid. And now, I might have lost a chance to see if Logan wants people to know.
"Naw, it's fine. I was going to hang out with Duncan at the suite later today anyway, with Dick. I'm sure I can get a ride," he replies.
Hmmm. Could it really be convenient, or does he want to be in the car with me?
"Besides, with the high gas prices these days, carpooling is important," he deadpanned, adding a salute for good measure.
I laugh, put some food for Backup in his bowl, and drag Logan out by his shirt. We get in the car and he turns on the radio, which starts playing Rain by Breaking Benjamin.
I don't have a past I just have a chance,
Not a family or honest plea remains to say,
Rain rain go away,
Come again another day,
All the world is waiting for the sun.
The same song that I listened to before the bus crash. Coincidience?
He smirks at the lyrics and I look at him. Suddenly, a question I've alway wanted to ask pops into my head.
"Hey Logan? What's with you and green?" I ask out of left field.
"What do you mean?"
Is that a blush I detect? And answering a question with a question. Oh, this is going to be a good.
"You're always wearing green shirts. What's up with that?"
"Oh, I don't know, I guess I just like it."
"Then why are you blushing?"
"Want the truth?"
"Kind of why I won't let it go..."
"Your eyes. Their green."
Awwwwww. And I mean this, because I'm not the awwwww type. But really, who knew Logan Echolls could be such a romantic?
I smile and we pull into the Neptune High parking lot. The lot is flooded with students. We get out, but Logan is struggling with his door.
"This crap pile has me locked me in!" he yells.
I would have laughed, but a lot of people were staring. A lot of 09er's. Instead I walk over and let him out, shifting the childlock back to inactive.
"Sorry, I put the childlock-" I start, but he cuts me off with a kiss.
Oh yeah, he wants people to know. He really doesn't care. Which is great, but I have to get to English class.
"We have to get to class," I say, reluctantly pulling away.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd learn more staying here with you," he tells me, holding my hand. It's then I realize he doesn't have a backpack.
"Logan, we should have stopped by your house. You don't have your books!"
"That is what lockers are for snookums," he kids.
I laugh and kiss him on the cheek before leaving for my locker, fully aware of Madison Sinclair's gaping mouth. I grab my books and head into Ms. Murphy's class just before the bell rings. I sit in the only chair available.
The one right next to Mike. As class begins he tosses me a note.
So...You and Logan.
Yes. Logan and I.
I toss it back. I start to open my book when he tosses it to me again.
That was extremely gramatical.
Well, this is English class.
Like anyone could learn with that monotone. When did it happen? And I thought you were afraid that one of you were going to get killed.
Last night. And I'm not so afraid anymore.
Care to elaborate?
Where love is great, the littlest doubts are fear. Where little fear grow great, great love grows there.
You memorized that entire play didn't you? I should probably get you a new copy.
Get to work.
Only Mike would let that go. Everyone else is going to interrogate me. Which means I should probably text Wallace at lunch so he doesn't accuse me of withholding information. And after school
I need to find out if Mr. Doyle bought anything from the gas station. You'd be surprised what a person's last meal can tell about a suicide. I truly am a cop's daughter.
And before that, I have to endure the weirdest lunch ever. I think I'll just hide out in the Journalism room. Not like I actually eat lunch anyway.
I managed to stay in the Journalism room throughout my lunch period, but Logan did text me about where I was. I told him I needed to work on something. He accepted it, but I'm pretty sure he was happy about it. I snuck out of my last period a few minutes early, and drove down to the gas station.
The guy there gave me the creeps, but I managed to uphold my Valley girl persona.
Why would Ed Doyle get some cheesy keychain for a payphone, a Big Gulp, and peanuts if he was about to kill himself and a bus load of kids?
I whipped out my cell and checked Leo's number. I memorized it quickly and typed it again, using 67.
Surprising I have my ex-boyfriend's number still programmed into my cellphone. Even more surprising that I'm calling my ex-boyfriend under Restricted, but I don't think he should lose his job over doing the right thing.
"Hello?" Leo answers the phone. I can hear the hustle and bustle of the police department behind him.
"Hey, it's Veronica. I need you to check the payphone records of the gas station the bus stopped at before the crash for outgoing calls."
"Um, fine, you know what? I'll call you back in a second, I have some work to do."
Nice cover Leo. All I have to do now is sort through the people and find out who Ed Doyle called.
My phone rings again and the screen reads Restricted.
Smooth Deputy D'Mato.
"Yeah, listen there was only one outgoing call. To a Jeff and Carla Cotter. Four minutes."
That's convienent.
"Thanks Leo, I'll check it out."
After a quick PrivateEyez search, I head out to the Cotter Residence. Before I get out to talk to them, my Sidekick rings again.
Dad.
"Hey dad," I answer cheerily.
Good Veronica, act like you aren't checking something out behind his back. I'm sure he won't notice the fact that I was supposed to be home by now.
"How was your meeting with Woody?"
Slick like Bond, I tell you.
"Good. He wants me to run for Sheriff."
"Dad that's amazing! Are you going to run?"
"Well honey, I don't know. Lamb proved that Doyle was an incomptent driver, and I let him slide by a DUI once. He'll use it against me."
"You are a Mars my friend. We do not run away when someone decides to sling some mud. Besides, I ran into Leo the other day. He's told me he's working on proving it wasn't a suicide."
Half truth. I'm more secret agent than you think.
"Listen dad, I have to go. I'm meeting a friend, and Mac won't be happy if I make her wait. Bye!"
I hang up.
Now that was a downright lie. I should feel guilty, but that Lamb blurs all feelings that aren't hatred. My dad will win again. He deserves this.
I walk into the apartment complex and knock on the Cotter's door. Jeff was out of town that day. He calls his wife and leaves for the bathroom. She's trying to play it off as a wrong number.
This is the same apartment complex as his family's. And the call was four minutes long. Try again Carla.
She tries to close the door, but I stop it with my foot.
"The call lasted for four minutes Carla."
She looks at me with sad eyes.
"He was calling to tell me he was leaving her that night, and I was leaving Jeff too. We were going to get divorced and get married and get out of Neptune," she tells me, doing her best to hold back tears.
"This proves it wasn't a suicide. You need to tell the police this. It isn't right. Those victims need to get justice. Their families. Their friends. He deserves to be remember as the guy who did his best. Not the guy that killed ten people." I nod inside. "You were going to leave with him anyway."
With that, I walk away. I get in my car and drive off.
I hate myself a little for that too. She shouldn't have that guilt on her, but I doubt she'd go and confess without that weight.
I head into the apartment, and hug Backup. My dad still isn't home, so I grab a sandwhich and a bottle of water and head into my room. I pull my laptop on and create a new file. A bus crash file. I'm filling in this new information when my phone rings.
Logan.
"Are you avoiding me?" his voice comes into my ear before I can even speak.
"No," I repy flatly.
Well, maybe just a tad.
"Then why weren't you at lunch?"
"I knew it'd be awkward, and I wanted to avoid it. Plus, I got all my homework done so that I could follow a lead today."
"A lead on what?"
Do I tell him? Relathonships are built on trust, and he's going to figure it out soon enough. With a sigh and a close of your eyes, you tell him, Mars. It's the tradtional way to tell the truth.
"Just on the bus crash. Nothing dangerous, just talking to a lover about confessing."
The front door opens and I can hear Backup barking happily.
"Listen Logan, my dad's home. I promise to sit next to you at lunch tomorrow. Bye."
With that I hang up and sit next to my dad in front of the TV. He goes into detail on his capture of the crook when the TV program that was on gets interrupted for a emergency press conference. I see Leo, Carla, and Lamb in front of a podium with microphones.
Well, I may have called Leo on the way back and gotten him to get Carla. What can I say? When it comes to human nature, I'm a cynic. You can't always trust- Wait. I'm sorry, but did Leo admit to working with me to solve it? Bad Leo, bad!
"Honey, what is this about you figuring out it wasn't a suicide?" my dad asks with his eyebrows raised.
"Well, Leo asked me for some help, and when you called, I knew you'd tell me it was too dangerous. So this means your going to run right?"
Queen of Segways. Face the TV Veronica. Oh, crap, Leo you're getting suspended! This is why we PIs lie!
"Well, I guess I should now. No reason Leo should lose his job over doing the right thing."
Okay, time for a recap. My dad's running for Sheriff, he'll probably win, Leo is suspended, most of the
rich people that used to like Lamb don't, I'm dating Logan Echolls again, the bus crash is back at
square one, and I have no clue how to start to find out who raped me.
This is going to be fun! Oh wait, I still have to tell my dad and Wallace I'm dating Logan, and endure those promised interrogations.
"Hey dad..." I begin.
Happy Holidays To All!!!!!!!!
CLIFFIE! I'm evil I know. So do you like? Tell me pleez. I like feed back. And thnk u to my new beta LoVer159!
And a shout out to one of my FAV authors, JuneBug18. Hope you feel better after that surgery! Happy Holidays and don't push yourself. Update when you can!
Magic Pie says you want to review.
Go on. Push the Button. You know you want to.