Drunk Logan
Chapter 24
A/N: Don't hate me because I'm beautiful (for those who don't know that is a line from an 80's(?) commercial), hate me because I'm pure evil. By the way...Love you! And, remember, I'm in this with you. I get just as worked up as you do...even if I know where things are going.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Logan and Veronica were the vision of opposite on their way to school Wednesday morning. She was downright chipper. She knew that she was going to talk to Duncan today and, outcome be damned, this whole thing would be behind her. Once they talked and the day was over, she would talk to Logan. She was hoping that they would end tonight cuddling not in comfort and friendship, but as a couple. She couldn't wait.
When she'd first realized that she loved him the night before, she been shocked and a little scared of it. Now, though, she was just excited. She knew that Logan would not return her exact sentiments, but she just wanted to let him know what he really meant to her. She didn't want to wait any longer. There were so many things she should have said to Lilly before she died. So many things that Lilly didn't say to her, like what her big secret was.
Veronica knew, all too well, how easily people could be taken out of your life, whether by death or desertion. She'd experienced both personally. Until her rekindled relationship with Logan, she had taken that as a reason to pull back, to not let anyone in. It was the perfect excuse to be suspicious, careful, untrusting.
She was seeing things differently now. Although she wouldn't be baring her soul to just anyone, she had a new urgency regarding the people she cared about. They were few and far between, but she felt that she needed to not let things go unsaid. She needed to seize and appreciate every minute she had with those people.
She had decided that after school would be that time for her and Logan. She wanted to know that, if something happened to him, he had no doubts about where she stood and how she felt about him.
Logan's poor mood, on the other hand was directly related to the same event as Veronica's ecstatic mood. He was trying to prepare himself for the sight of Duncan and Veronica together, but it wasn't going over well.
Had Veronica not been so wrapped up in her own bliss, she would have noticed his dark demeanor. She was too involved in her own thoughts to see anything, but a bright future. It was so rare for her to have that outlook that she was going to bask in it for as long as possible.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The morning had gone just as the previous two. Logan would drop off and pick up Veronica from each of her classes. She stopped looking at it as being babysat so much, and was focused solely on the benefit of getting to see Logan between each class.
When lunch came, Logan walked Veronica out to the quad very slowly, although she kept trying to rush it. Before they left the building, he pulled her to the side so that they could make a plan.
She would walk to the far side of the quad so that her conversation with Duncan wasn't on display, but she was still in Logan's line of vision. If she needed help, she would just signal and he'd be there.
When Logan got to his table, he would quietly tell Duncan that Veronica needed to talk to him and point him in her direction. He felt like he was directing Duncan to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and just handing over an amazing treasure to him. Although, he knew that Veronica wasn't his to give away to anyone, he felt the loss all the same.
Logan and Veronica continued into the quad and went through each step as planned. Logan watched Duncan walk toward the waiting Veronica. He felt for her as he watched the worry and nervousness take over her features and he wished he could give her some of his strength. He watched as she started talking and knew that she must have started revealing her motives to him because he became very alert all of the sudden. He looked around a little and then lightly tugged on her arm to guide her to a more secluded area a few feet away.
Logan stood up immediately. He knew that they had not gone far and that she wasn't in any danger with Duncan, but she was out of his sight. In his book, that was unacceptable. He didn't care if she was with the Pope, she would not be out of his sight while Troy still posed a threat.
Logan moved around the lunch tables a bit and behind some trees as to not draw anyone else's attention to what he was watching. Duncan and Veronica definitely needed this to be an uninterrupted conversation. He got into a position where he could see them again. She was facing him and Duncan had his back to Logan. He knew that Veronica couldn't see him and probably thought that she was out of sight from any onlookers. He hoped that she wasn't nervous about that. He had her covered.
He continued to watch them as they both took turns speaking, they both paced around a little and then stood facing each other again. He watched as Duncan shook his head and reached up to caress her face. He saw the endearing look on her face as she placed her hand over his, while wiping a tear from her cheek with her other hand.
Duncan wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her into a tight hug that she returned. The sight of them embracing brought tears to Logan's eyes and he had to duck his head to wipe them away. He looked back just in time to see the embrace turn into a kiss. Although, Duncan's form blocked Veronica's and Logan couldn't see their actual lips touching, he could see the top of her head. It was obvious by the position of their heads and the sight of her hands squeezing his back more firmly, that they were kissing.
It was official. The Golden Couple of Neptune was back. Logan ducked his head and allowed more silent tears to fall. When he finally composed himself and looked up again, Veronica and Duncan had started to walk away from each other. He saw the lingering look they held and the fact that they didn't break hand contact until the very last minute.
Although Duncan had walked toward the parking lot and Veronica stood looking after him before she turned to walk back to the quad, Logan knew it was just an act. He figured they weren't going to spring their relationship on everyone, especially him. He figured that Veronica would want to talk to him and let him down easy before going public with her and Duncan's relationship.
Logan wiped his eyes and walked back over to his table before Veronica knew that he had seen the whole thing. He had known that this was coming and he was happy for her, glad that she had a chance at her own happiness after everything she'd been through in the last year.
He saw her smile over at him after she'd reached her lunch table, but there was a sadness to her expression. He gave her an acknowledging nod. He needed to figure out how he was going to deal with this in front of her. He was determined to keep his friendship with her. He wouldn't lose her again.
Logan didn't want her to worry about him and he didn't want to be the reason she couldn't fully enjoy her rekindled love. He needed a plan. He needed a way to let her know he was okay. He needed...a distraction.
Just before the bell signaling the end of the lunch hour sounded, he figured out what he needed to do. He turned to face the table next to him.
"So, Jenny. You got plans after school?" He said to the voluptuous brunette that had been sitting behind him.
"No, what did you have in mind?" She was surprised that Logan was asking her out. He hadn't flirted with her or given her any signs of his interest.
"Well, I've got to stick around my house, but was wondering if you wanted to hang out. Maybe go swimming or something." It made him feel physically sick. He didn't want to go swimming with anyone, but Veronica. He didn't even want to talk to anyone, but Veronica. This was the only way, though, to let Veronica off the hook. She wouldn't have to feel bad about getting back together with Duncan if she knew that Logan was seeing someone else.
It may have been a good cause, but he could feel himself turning green. How he wished things were different, but he knew that this was for the best. Who knew, maybe seeing Veronica happy with someone else would be enough for him.
"That sounds great. I was planning on heading to the beach anyway, so I've already got my suit in my bag." She was delighted at the chance to be swimming in Logan Echolls' pool in her new string bikini. She knew she had the kind of body that made guys wild and this was the perfect opportunity to use that to her advantage.
"Alright, meet me at my SUV after school. Just so you know, Veronica will be riding with us, okay?" He wanted to make things easier for Veronica, not more difficult. Surprising Jenny with Veronica's presence would not have made things easier.
"Oh, okay." She was a little confused, but decided she didn't care. She would be spending the afternoon making waves with Logan in his pool.
The bell rang and Logan and Veronica met up on their way into the school.
"You okay?" He asked, knowing that if he didn't make some sort of inquiry regarding her meeting with Duncan that she would know something was wrong. This way, if she questioned him about his lack of interest, he could play it off as him giving her space.
"Yeah, great. You?" Logan's stomach turned at the sound of her gleeful response.
"Great." Logan replied with slightly less enthusiasm.
They walked to Journalism and Logan was happy to find that Duncan would not be in class. He must have gone home, maybe to confront his parents about lying to him about Veronica. At least Logan wouldn't have to watch the glances back and forth between the lovebirds.
Although things were considerably less jovial, they stuck to their routine for the rest of the day. When Logan picked Veronica up from her last class, she was so excited she was practically bouncing to the Xterra.
Logan knew that she was probably going to be calling Duncan as soon as they got home and was glad that Jenny would be there as a distraction.
Veronica's pace slowed considerably when she saw Jenny standing by Logan's SUV.
Right before they got to it and Veronica realized that Jenny was indeed waiting for Logan, she turned a questioning look toward him. He was smiling at the girl, like he'd been expecting her.
"What's going on?" Veronica asked Logan.
"Oh, I invited Jenny over to go swimming. You don't mind, do you?" He was being very cordial, but Veronica still couldn't figure out what was going on. He'd never mentioned Jenny to her at all. Why would he suddenly be having her over to the house?
"Uh, no. Of course not. The more the merrier, right?" She really had no idea what she was saying. She would have thrown out any cliched answer at that moment.
"Hey, Logan," Jenny cooed.
"Hey, Jen. You ready?" Logan just wanted to get through this day and climb into bed, but he had a while before that was going to happen.
"Absolutely."
Logan moved to open the passenger door for Veronica. It had already become habit for him. He was shocked, though, when Jenny hopped into the seat and almost said something to stop her. Before he could, though, Veronica was climbing into the back seat.
The ride home was extremely uncomfortable, although Jenny didn't seem to notice, if her nonstop talking was any indication.
When they got to the house, Logan pointed Jenny toward the pool house where she could change while he changed in his bedroom.
"You going swimming with us?" He asked Veronica as they made their way toward their side by side bedrooms.
"No, you guys enjoy. I've got a ton of homework to do." Veronica replied as she slipped into her room. She shut the door behind her and stood motionless.
She stood there listening as Logan entered his room and then left a couple of minutes later. She heard him yell before doing a canon ball into the pool and she heard Jenny's corresponding squeal and burst of laughter.
Veronica walked over to her window, which overlooked the pool. She watched them for a few minutes and then she crumbled to the floor crying.
'What is going on? What is happening? I was supposed to tell Logan that I loved him today and we would live happily ever after...okay, maybe not, but still. This was definitely not on the agenda for today.'
She tried to figure out what happened between last night and this afternoon. The only thing she could remember was the look on Logan's face when she'd smiled at him at lunch. She thought back to everything that had happened at lunch.
Duncan had walked over to her and she suddenly got extremely nervous. She'd been looking so forward to getting their talk over with, so she could get back to Logan, that she hadn't put much thought into what she'd actually say.
She tried to ease her way into it, but as soon as she said the words journal and Shelly's party, Duncan was very alert. He 'shushed' her and looked around to see if anyone was watching or listening to them. He gently pulled her behind some taller bushes so that they weren't easily seen from the quad.
He was frantic and she had to quickly explain how they stumbled on to the information, then had a DNA test done and how everything was okay.
"Duncan, we aren't related. I'm am absolutely Keith Mars' daughter." She said, smiling at him.
"Are you sure?" He was pleading with her for it to be true.
"Absolutely. I can print out the results, if you want proof." She knew that this was a lot for him to take. Having spent the better part of a year thinking that you'd slept with your own sister, wasn't an easy thing to get past.
"No, no, that's alright. I believe you, but, but...do you have any idea Veronica?" They were both pacing around from the spastic range of emotions that were flowing through them.
He stopped in front of her, shook his head and caressed her cheek. "I gave you up because I thought you were my sister."
Veronica put her hand over his and gave him a reassuring look, "I know you did." She wiped a tear from her cheek. "I know now why you did what you did, although I wish you'd at least told me that you were breaking up with me. If you'd told me, we could have dealt with all of this back then."
"I know, I'm so sorry." Duncan wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She was glad that her injuries had all, but healed. Otherwise, the bear hug he gave her would have hurt like Hell.
"I've missed you so much," he whispered into her hair.
She began to pull back so that they could talk, but before she knew it, his lips were on hers. It shocked her. She was surprised he didn't notice her response since she was sure she probably left marks on his back when she tensed up at the initial contact.
She pulled back from him with a sorrowful look on her face. "Duncan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression. I don't want to get back together with you."
"Why, haven't you missed me?" He was hurt and she felt horrible.
"Yes, but it's been a long time. I had to move on and I did. Actually, I'm in love with someone." She wasn't telling him this to hurt him more, but she wanted to be upfront with him. She wanted to have a chance at friendship with him again, but if that was possible, she'd have to be honest. She also needed him to be okay with the idea since she knew it would be another shock for him to find out that it was his best friend.
"Who, who are you in love with?"
"Well, I haven't actually told him yet. Do you mind if I tell you after I tell him?" She smiled up at him and he gave her a nod.
"Are you okay with this, Duncan?" She didn't want him to be hurt.
"I will be. Just give me some time to process it all, okay?" He grabbed her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Yeah, I can do that."
"Well, I'm going to take off for the rest of the day. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" He needed some time to himself.
"Alright. See ya tomorrow." They continued to look at each other as they separated to head in different directions. Her wanting to make sure he was okay and him still trying to process all of the information she had just downloaded on him. They slowly let their hands separate and Veronica watched him walk away.
When she had returned to her table, she had looked over to where Logan was sitting. He looked unhappy or worried about something. She felt bad, knowing that it was probably because she had been out of his sight for a little bit. He'd been so protective of her, she figured it must have killed him to not come and drag her back into his view. She tried to give him a smile, letting him know that she was fine, but all she got was a head nod.
She'd seen him talking to a table of girls, but hadn't paid any attention to who, specifically, he was talking to. Was it Jenny? Is that when he was asking her out?
'He must have decided that we work best as just friends and this is his way of conferring that to me.' That was the only explanation she could come up with. If he'd been mad at her, he wouldn't have been kind to her, asking her how she was doing after her talk with Duncan. He'd been cordial when he'd walked her to the car and he'd invited her to go swimming with them. That may not seem like the world's fair, but it was for Logan. If he was upset with you, you knew it. You always knew where you stood with him. He would show you either through words or actions. He wouldn't have been polite to her, if he'd been upset with her.
She cried harder at the sound of laughter coming from the backyard. She finally calmed down enough to pull out her homework, although she didn't get much studying done. Instead, she figured a bath would be a nice way to relax and calm her emotions.
Awhile after getting into the tub, she heard a knock on her bathroom door.
"Yes?"
"Ronnie, are you okay?" He had used her nickname and she wanted to cry again, but held back the tears.
"I'm fine, Logan. I'm in the bathtub, did you need something?" At the mention of her in the bathtub, Logan's mind went into overdrive. Her in bubbles, her slick skin, her out of bubbles. That one made him smile.
"Logan?" She sounded unsure that he was still there.
"Oh, uh, yeah. I need to take Jenny home, when can you be ready to go?"
"Logan," she whined. She had no desire to get out of her comfy spot so that she could tag along on the rest of his date, being subjected to goodnight kisses and what ever else they would be doing. "I am not going anywhere! Look, just set the alarm and I'll be fine. This place is like Fort Knox, fully stocked with a security detail to boot."
"Oh, I don't know about that." Logan was very uncomfortable leaving her.
"Look, Logan. Here's the deal. I'm staying here. Unless you want your friend to stay here until we leave for school in the morning, I'd suggest you take her home." She was getting irritated. Not really at Logan, just at the situation. It was obvious he was being pulled in two different directions. One, he needed to get his new girlfriend home and two he felt like he needed to protect her.
'He shouldn't be worried about me. I'm not his responsibility, but I've made him feel like I am. I've kept him from his life and all of his friends. I've had him all to myself for a week and a half and I've taken for granted that it would continue to be like this. I've been so selfish and it stops now.'
He growled. "Fine! But stay here. I'll be back in 20 minutes." He knew it wouldn't take him very long to drop Jenny off. It's not like he was even going to walk her to the door.
"Yes, sir!" She saluted, although he couldn't see her through the bathroom door.
Logan walked away reluctantly.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A minute later, Veronica got out of the tub. She didn't want to, but she was getting hungry. She got dressed in her sweats and went downstairs. She wanted something quick and comforting so that she could take it to her room and not have to deal with Logan for the rest of the evening. She would be stronger tomorrow, but tonight she needed time to get used to him being with someone else.
She went directly to the freezer, she knew exactly what she was seeking. Unfortunately, the ice cream wasn't in there. She thought about eating something else, but had really had her heart set on ice cream.
Veronica looked at the time and ran to get her bag. She came back into the kitchen and wrote Logan a note, then walked out the front door. She waved to the security guard and told him that she'd be back in a few minutes...ice cream run. He smiled at that and nodded his head.
Sure she had told Logan that she wouldn't leave the house and she felt slightly guilty. She wasn't too concerned, though. When she thought about him dropping off his date, she knew that she'd be back before he was anyway. He wouldn't even know that she was gone. How long could it take to grab one carton of Tillamook Mudslide ice cream. Well, maybe two cartons considering the turn of events at the Echolls mansion.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
AJzkitten69: Thank you. Rest up. Thanks for taking the time to let me know you'd read it and enjoyed it...even if it wasn't a "decent review". Really, I truly appreciate it. I would've understood
09nerLoVer: Absolutely agree! I have watched that 'Sway' scene sooooo many times, it's not even funny.
LoVeElle: Wow! Well, I do not envy your computer. Really, she probably doesn't work well in such a hostile working environment. Always being under the stress of threats hanging over her monitor. hahahaha! Anyway, you're probably hating me for a completely different reason after this chapter:-)
Elektra Bauer: Wow! Sorry to hear about the wrist. 6 weeks and still in pain definitely does not sound like fun to me. I hope it starts to get better soon. Thank you so much for the review, though.
RBDFAN: See what happens when you celebrate prematurely...then, bam! Chapter 24 comes along!
jennaml2709: Thank you. Yeah, they are a lot, but it's funny. Every time someone says that I've got a lot to handle, the 3 kids are 4 ½ yrs apart. 2-6 ½ yrs old, I just think of my girlfriend who has 4 kids in 4 ½ yrs and my sister, who has 6 kids. Absolutely, the miscarriages were horrible, especially since getting pregnant wasn't as easy as it could have been and the miscarriages were my first pregnancies. I didn't know if I'd ever be able to have children. Obviously it worked out. I've got three amazing and beautiful kids. It amazes me to think of it now. Anyway, whew! See what happens when you get me talking about my babies and my life. I just don't shut up. I wish you luck in starting your family when it's time.
Miss-Mars: thank you...enjoy the holiday.
xosummerxo: I know! What's up with V being psycho bait? Well, you know Duncan so well, don't you?
IluvVM: Well, I will say that we had the best fireworks we've had in years, I think! It was great. Anyway, Thank you for your awesome, kind words!!!! I always look forward to hearing from you. Woohoo! I'm a favorite author!! Woohoo!!
Literati and naley: yeah, it was pretty soap opera-ey. lol. You know what, I don't mean to disappoint, but I don't think that Mac makes a single appearance in my fic. I will try to rectify that in my next fic.
VMLoVeR87: So glad I was able to help you out in your time of need and boredom. LoVe unfolding...yeah, this chapter threw a kink in that.
sofy2409: Well, thank you for taking the time this time. I can understand. I've done that with other fics. Anyway, your review was awesome. I so appreciate the time you took and the details you used. I'm so glad that I can help you with your "homework". Hey, that's what I'm here for. And, really, you like authors messing with you...so, I am the perfect match for you. I think we will get along beautifully. As for the size of my head. I don't think that has changed a lot, but the size of my heart sure has. Again, thank you so very much. If you find time, I'd love to hear from you again.
SaraLyleth: Well, thank you so much. What a compliment. Don't speak to soon, though. There are still lots of chapters that could suck. Let's hope not. :-)
lagurlroks: Yeah, see, my Logan is a sensitive young man, but he's still a guy. You wake him up to V's chest...he's still going to appreciate it, no matter how sensitive he is.
Lorelei Candice Black: oops, sorry! But, don't look at it as you being wrong. Look at it as well-intentioned and, if all else fails, go on Oprah and blame your mama. :-) Thanks!!!