Story so Far: Veronica wakes up in her fifteen year old body with her memories intact. She makes two lists of things to accomplish before she is returned to her own time. One list contains personal things and the other has crimes that she is aware will happen in the near future. She works through the lists understanding that in this time period Logan loves Lilly and if she is successful at preventing Lilly's murder, she will never be able to be with Logan in the future.
Logan walks with DK down the corridors of the school towards his locker. As usual the pair draws a lot of attention from the other students. Duncan is noticed because he's the only son of Jake Kane, billionaire software mogul. Although his status is assured by his parentage alone, Duncan Kane is one of the top students academically in the school and he is involved in a number of school activities. He's headed to an Ivy League college and a bright future.
Logan Echolls is a different situation entirely. Logan is undoubtedly handsome; after all his parents are both glamorous movie and television actors. He's the leader of the 09er group, the most desired social group in the school. Really though it is his cocky, confident attitude that draws the most attention both positive and negative. This attitude is thought to be arrogant and the adulation he receives undeserved by many of the students jealous of the attention that Logan takes as his due without apology or even a token attempt to earn it. Logan does minimal school work relying on little else other than his lineage to be passed from grade to grade. He disrupts the classes, showing an obvious lack of respect specifically for his teachers and for authority in general. He just takes the perks of his status without apology or concern for others.
Presently he is single and enjoying his pick of the girls at his school and going out with his buddies surfing. He has the best of everything and takes it as his due. He is the most envied, hated and talked about guy in the school.
Presently he is obviously happy talking to his best friend as they walk down the hallway. So the have nots and the want to be's watch from their spot on the sidelines of the hallway. Most students move out of Logan and Duncan's way as they walk undeterred down the middle of the corridor.
Logan talks to Duncan about how he's pumped about the party tonight and of course the long weekend. After all in Logan's view, any day you can be at the beach instead of school is a good day.
His best friend used to his negative attitude about school work in particular and school in general merely shakes his head and asks him what time he's going over to Dick's house for his party tonight.
Logan tells him Casey is picking him up at seven and comments that Casey seems ready to party tonight; mentioning something about Veronica encouraging him to come and let loose.
Duncan frowns at that information and Logan is unsure whether it is the budding friendship between Casey and Veronica or the fact that sweet, doesn't drink unless forced to Veronica is encouraging one of their friends to party hard. Whatever he's thinking, DK keeps it to himself and tells Logan Veronica is getting a ride from her father because she's bringing her new friend Mac.
Logan a little surprised asks, "Do you think this Mac chick will fit in?"
DK gets a funny look on face and then says obviously mimicking Veronica, "Nobody better mess with her. She's my friend."
Logan has to smile at his friend's imitation of the tiny blonde. She is so bossy lately.
Reminded of her bossiness, Logan tells DK about Veronica signing him up for newspaper and how he has a meeting now.
Although Duncan feels Logan should be more involved in school activities, he is not impressed that it is Veronica making him do it. He asks Logan why he even agreed to go if he's not interested in it.
Frowning a little Logan admits he does like to write and then adds his voice a little puzzled, "It's hard to say no to Ronnie lately," Logan slaps his friend's shoulder adding, "You should know that better than anyone."
Duncan just shakes his head and tells Logan he has work with his dad's friend for a few hours now and he'll see him at the party. He heads out the door to meet with his sister and get a ride downtown.
Logan buoyant and happy that school is over for the week walks towards the newspaper room and sees Veronica talking to Mac by her locker. Dutifully Logan walks over to Mac's locker. When Logan arrives he sees Mac is a little put out and Veronica doesn't seem to notice Mac's obvious agitation.
He watches admiring her newfound pushy manner. Lilly just tells other students what to do and expects them to follow her orders. Veronica used to be one of Lilly's minions but lately she has become as manipulative as her best friend but in a different way. Logan is well aware of Veronica's ability to know what is going on with other students in the school. She seems to have inherited the ability to see what is happening around her from her father. He is a good Sheriff and Logan knows first hand is very difficult to fool. No Veronica is very well aware she is making her new friend uncomfortable and is choosing to pretend not to notice.
Veronica spying Logan gives him a genuine, happy smile. An answering smile lights Logan's face. He has always liked her but has never been able to relate to her like he can lately. He watches as she pouts up at him, "Mac is trying to get out of coming with me to the party tonight."
Logan adopts a valley girl accent, "Who would like miss one of Dick's parties?"
Instantly joining in she agrees, "Totally."
Mac looks at little incredulously at them both.
"Mac you should come. You'll have fun." Logan tells her quietly. After a short pause he adds enticingly, "Madison and Dick will fight. John will end up stripping and someone will fall in the pool."
Veronica adds her two cents, "There will be some girl on girl action and Logan will find one or two girls to make out with. Those are two sure things at an 09er party."
Logan nods at her observation, "Too true."
He wraps his arm around Veronica's shoulders and teases, "Are you offering Ronnie?"
She tilts her head at him and teases back, "You never know. You'll have to wait until tonight to find out."
Mac is standing stunned by the way these two friends get along. It was a relationship that no one seemed to notice but they are obviously close.
"Something to look forward to," Logan laughs and pulls her to his side and walks with her towards the newspaper room.
Arrogantly he tosses a "See you later" over his shoulder pulling Veronica along with him as he walks. He ignores the girl's obvious discomfort at being dragged to an 09er party. After all Veronica has already decided she should go so why should Logan interfere?
In the newspaper work room, Veronica talks Logan into writing an article and she will take pictures for a marathon run for charity on Saturday afternoon.
Logan is not impressed as Saturday afternoon is for surfing but Veronica is excited about the idea. Students from Neptune High have entered and Logan will write about how they did and about the charity.
Veronica excitedly talks about what settings she is going to try on her camera. She whips it out of her bag to show Mrs. Dent who looks bewildered causing Logan to smile in amusement as Veronica points out the features on her camera.
Veronica wrapped up in talking about her camera totally misses that Mrs. Dent doesn't understand and is bemused by the perky tiny blond.
Logan rescuing the poor teacher pulls Veronica away to sit with him half listening as she moves on to talking about what lens she might use.
After the meeting was over, Logan called the Echolls' driver to take them home. Veronica sits beside Logan and tells him she's happy about the long weekend. Leaning against him she reminds him that tomorrow he promised to teach her to surf. She quizzes him about borrowing a board and perhaps a wet suit.
She doesn't understand but Logan is thrilled that she wants to learn to surf. It is a big part of his life and they are close friends. He hopes she likes it as he can really see them being friends for a long time; going on surfing holidays together.
He assures her he'll lend her a board from when he was her height; like when he was eight years old. He says this while protecting his shoulder which he knows she is going to hit for his comment about her being short. He's not disappointed.
Continuing on he leers at her in a teasing light manner and encourages her to wear a tiny bikini.
Surprising her friend Veronica adopts a dumb blonde air and says, "If that will help me surf better then….."
"Oh it will!" he quickly answers.
Shaking her head at his response, Veronica gets out of the car thanking Logan for the ride. Happily she tells him to save her a dance at the party.
She waves goodbye and goes in the house.
She arrives home to an empty house so she started supper, cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed. She had time before her father came home for supper to bake a pan of brownies for her dad. He deserved some pampering.
Her mother didn't make it home for supper so Veronica ate with her father encouraging him to talk about how work was going. Inwardly she smirked at how he assumed that her mother cooked and then had to go out. She remembers how her fifteen year old self didn't know how to cook.
"Dad," she asks, "Why don't you organize a poker party for Saturday night?"
Keith looks at Veronica in question. She says, "You've been working too hard and should have some fun. Besides, I haven't seen Cliff in a while."
He smiles at her concern for him understanding that for some reason his daughter has always liked the public defender.
She adds enticingly, "I'll bake snickerdoodles."
Laughing at his daughter's cut manner, Keith agrees to have his friends over. Veronica nods in satisfaction and says, "Maybe I'll play too."
His laughter increasing, Keith says, "I won't mention you want to play or they won't come over." Keith knows she is a poker shark and her cute blonde looks just help her bluff her competition.
She tells her dad she is not impressed he is going back to work tonight but won't nag if he promises to barbeque on Sunday evening. Keith promises and tells Veronica he will talk to Lianne and she can pick up the fixings for steak and baked potatoes for Sunday. Veronica asks him to get some extra as she is thinking of inviting Logan over. She tells her father that his parents are going to LA this weekend and he will be home alone. Keith surprised at his daughter's concern for Logan agrees. She usually doesn't see Logan without one of the Kanes but he imagines his daughter has her reasons.
Veronica arrives at the party with an obviously uncomfortable Mac who is wearing jeans and a t shirt. Veronica chooses to wear a short jean skirt and green short t shirt that exposes her flat, tanned midriff. She looks good. She's comfortable in her body and with herself and it shows.
She walks around the party and introduces Mac around. Mac is surprised to find that most everyone is polite to her and can see that they are not willing right now to go against Duncan Kane's girlfriend and Lilly Kane's best friend.
They find Casey in the kitchen and he happily hugs Veronica and then Mac who is surprised at how happy the handsome 09er is to see her. After her hug with Casey Mac understands his unusual happiness at seeing her as she smells the alcohol and can tell he has started partying early. Veronica leans in and tells her that Casey is going to party hard tonight and they have to look after him; Mac is even more impressed with her new friend and how she cares about so many people.
Casey tells Veronica Duncan is in the den playing play station and he takes Mac's hand pulling her onto the dance floor. He nods at Veronica reassuring he will take care of Mac so she wanders into the Den to greet her boyfriend.
A while later she finds Logan and pulls him onto the dance floor. They dance together for a while. Logan happily swings her away and then back into his arms. Veronica follows him easily. He pulls her close and playfully dips her. Veronica is obviously having fun. Logan had noticed her dancing with Casey, Cassidy, Luke, John and of course Duncan. Logan tells her she looks good tonight and Veronica smiles at Logan. She looks him over slowly and tells him he looks hot. She says, "I like when you wear green shirts."
He is a little surprised as he is not yet used to the new Veronica. Although she is more outgoing she is not overtly sexual like Lilly. None of the guys are talking about being with her and Logan doesn't think she has fooled around on Duncan. In fact he thinks she might still be a virgin. Although Duncan is not impressed with Veronica's new look and attitude, most everyone else he talks to likes it. The guys like she looks hot but most tell Logan she is easier to talk to and more fun. Logan as well is more comfortable with the new Veronica. She looks astutely at him and says, "I have not cheated on Duncan Logan."
Frowning a little at her comment he smartly asks, "Have you taken mind reading lately."
She smirks at him and answers cutely, "Would I be slapping your face if I had?"
Logan smirks right back at her and says, "Absolutely."
She playfully grinds against him surprising him by saying, "Good."
Logan shakes his head at her enjoying her flirting.
Logan after dancing with Veronica had pulled Mac out onto the dance floor from where she was watching on the sidelines. She was initially stiff and uncomfortable but Logan's easy manner soon relaxed her.
It didn't hurt that Veronica had spotted Dick and began loudly insisting that Wally dance with her. She went over and pulled him away from an obviously pissed off Madison telling him that she absolutely must dance with a Wally at least once in her life. Dick was well on his way to being drunk and after being told he danced like a Wally by the obnoxious blonde pixie, he began showing Logan, Mac and Veronica his dance moves. Veronica was almost doubled over with laughter.
The crowd watching was finding Veronica's manner and Dick's dance moves very amusing. Logan and Mac dancing beside them were highly entertained. Madison however watching from the sidelines was not amused; but it was a tossup who she was angrier with, Veronica or Dick. Logan was again struck at how little Veronica cared about what Madison thought about her.
Lilly arrived surprisingly alone. She came onto the dance floor and was dancing with Casey. After a few dances, Veronica started dancing with Casey. Dick grabbed Mac and was dancing with her. Lilly and Logan danced. Veronica watched seeing that they were both having fun. She could see the attraction between them.
Veronica gave her attention back to Casey. He talked to her a little about how great Mac is and how everything is worked out for their partnership. He confides a little in how worried about his grandmother he is. Easily Veronica mentioned how awful it must be for his grandmother to work so hard at the business and then not be able to leave it to her children. Casey is totally blown away by her insight.
Seeing his surprise Veronica wryly says, "She wouldn't be pushing you so hard if she felt she could trust her children."
Casey looks at Veronica with real admiration. He has never told anyone about his anger with his parents and yet Veronica could see it. Logan when drunk one evening told Casey Veronica has a third eye and she inside people. He had accompanied his statement with wide hand gestures and pointing to a place in the middle of his forehead. Casey had been amused at his drunken friend's antics. Casey has known Logan since he moved to Neptune and he knows Logan doesn't care for his father. Totally drunk that night Logan told Casey that everyone worshipped his father except Veronica who didn't really care for him. Logan had passed out shortly afterwards but Casey had remembered Logan's words.
Now looking at the tiny blonde girl Casey wondered if Logan wasn't right about her. She didn't seem to be the type of best friend the outgoing, wild Lilly Kane would choose but Lilly was absolutely firm in her love for Veronica. Nobody had better mess with Veronica or Lilly would end them. Casey decides that Lilly sees what a true friend she is and that is rare and valuable in life and especially in the 09er world where your acceptance changes with the fortunes of your parents. Veronica is the only non 09er in the group and now she is bringing other non 09ers into the group. Casey smiles. It is going to be interesting watching what Veronica does next.
Mac rescued from a drunken Dick by an irate Madison heads into the kitchen. There she runs into Derek who is in the computer club with her. He is surprised but pleased to see her there. He excitedly tells her about the games room and tells her she has to see it.
Happily Derek walked towards the gaming room with her talking about how Wally and Beaver have all the latest releases. Soon Mac finds herself sitting beside Derek watching some guys play a new game on the play station. Mac is amazed at how the play station is hooked up to the big screen TV. Derek gives her a controller and encourages her to join in the new game. She takes the controller and the guys are impressed when she easily beats them.
Soon they are all challenging her. They look at her with more respect.
In the gaming room she is in her element. At the party she feels like she doesn't belong and that everyone can see it. Here with the gaming system she understands all the rules. To the guys she's a weird but hot chick; a girl good with computers and gaming is worthy of a lot of attention.
After a few hours a game of truth or dare is started in the pool house. When it is Veronica's turn, she picks dare. Lilly dares her to French kiss the hottest student in the room. Veronica crawls over and straddles Logan's lap. She puts her hands on his chest to steady herself and looks him in the eye. She slowly leans in as everyone watches. Logan is looking at her in surprise. At the last second she leans over and grabs Lilly's face with both hands and kisses her pressing her tongue in Lilly's mouth. Lilly after her initial shock joins in the kiss. The guys all hoot and holler. Veronica breaks the kiss and laughs at Lilly who is smiling wickedly at Veronica. For a split second Veronica meets Logan's gaze and he can read she is aware and enjoying his arousal.
Veronica gets off Logan's lap going back over to sit beside Duncan. He's put out by her kissing his sister.
Looking around Logan sees the guys are shocked and of course turned on by Veronica's actions. Logan is having trouble believing what just happened. She had sat in his lap and ground a little against him. She knew she was arousing him. Little sweet innocent Veronica was deliberately teasing him.
Logan looks at Duncan and sees he is really upset by Veronica's actions. It's obvious to Logan that his best friend wants the sweet, innocent quiet girl that was content to sit beside him and adore him. What Veronica wants is not easily deciphered. She is so much more outgoing and confident now; in both her manner and how she dresses. She was always pretty but now she is just hot. He had been so sure that Veronica was perfect for Duncan and he was the prince for her. Now he wonders if she wanted a prince at all.
He looks again at Veronica. She is so much fun and so entertaining. He has to admit he really likes the changes in her. He takes another drink from his glass.
A while later after Casey had to streak naked through the rest of the party, Dick had to sing I'm too sexy for my pants in his underwear, Duncan had to admit he watched Lilly and her friends undress at one of Lilly's slumber parties, Meg had to admit she was a virgin, Cassidy had to do a striptease for Lilly who looked like she really enjoyed it, Lilly had to flash the next car that drove by, Madison had to give John a lap dance, Cole had to sing a song for Veronica, the group is ready for round two.
Logan on the second round of truth or dare has been dared to thoroughly kiss the next person who walked through the door of the pool house. The group is laughing because if it is a guy, Logan will have to kiss him.
Veronica in the break between rounds had gone in the house to check on Mac. Seeing her new friend was happily playing the play station, Veronica handed her bottled water and leaned in reminding her not to drink anything she didn't pour herself. Mac nodded reassuring Veronica she was being careful as Veronica had twice given her the lecture of what happens at 09er parties with rich teenagers who could afford drugs and alcohol.
Veronica found Cassidy on the patio and walked with him back to the pool house asking him about his latest step mom and how his latest film was going. Cassidy happy to talk about his hobby, told Veronica about how the building had blown up and then collapsed on the next building looking very realistic in the footage. He was actually surprised that Veronica knew about his hobby but since she seemed accepting of it, he talked about it with her. Veronica had asked him if she could the finished product and Cassidy was surprised but agreed to show it to her. He had started through the door of the pool house and then had gallantly held it for Veronica causing her to smile at him.
As soon as she stepped into the room, everyone started cheering or alternately yelling at Cassidy for being such a gentlemen. Logan stood up, walked over and took Veronica's face in his hands and kissed her. He didn't just kiss her, he kissed her. She stiffened at first but then relaxed into the kiss opening her lips for Logan's intrusion. She sucked a little on his tongue when he tentatively touched hers. Their tongues dueled for dominance. Veronica felt the familiar passion and reveled in being kissed by the man she loved. Her obvious response set of an answering response in Logan. He turned his head slightly sealing their mouths together. The cat calls and whistles brought Logan back to how public their kiss was and Logan broke the kiss. When he pulled away he saw her eyes were closed. She opened them looking a little stunned and Logan could see how dark her normally light blue eyes had gotten. He immediately knew she had also been into the kiss. The crowd laughed and Logan released Veronica and bowed to the crowd. Veronica went over and sat down beside Meg listening as the guys were teasing Logan about getting to kiss Veronica instead of Beaver.
Veronica says quietly to Meg, "Lucky me."
Meg nods in agreement.
Luke loudly teases Beaver that he missed out on that kiss. Veronica interrupts looking at Luke stating, "Don't make me choose a nickname for you."
The 09er immediately backs off not wanting Veronica to choose a new name for him like she did for Dick.
Dick predictably starts complaining that everyone at school is calling him Wally. Veronica says, "I will start calling you Dick when you remember to call your brother Cassidy."
Veronica ignoring the rest of Dick's conversation leans into Meg and asks her if they can study at her house on Wednesday. Meg looking at her questions, "Why Wednesday?"
"Your parents are in church," she answers easily. Meg nods.
Logan got another drink as he accepted congratulations from his friends. He was blown away by that kiss. Where did Veronica learn to kiss like that?
Lilly surprisingly was a little put out by the kiss. She downed a couple of shots while she waited for the game to restart. She could see that most everyone dismissed the kiss as Logan kissing a girl; even Duncan had not been bothered by it. The problem is Lilly knows Logan and she could plainly see he had been totally into that kiss. Lilly bothered by the kiss knows that she still thinks of Logan as hers. She is frustrated that her guy on the side is becoming so possessive of her. He was upset she went to this party instead of being with him. She thinks she should get back with Logan and forget about her new man. Logan comes from the same place as her and understands her. It's just she feels so much more with her biker man.
Logan and Lilly were both drinking a lot and getting touchy with each other. The 09ers could see that soon they were going to get back together.
Much later Duncan took Lilly home and Veronica waited around until Logan was ready to go and drove an obviously inebriated Casey and then Logan home. She told Mac that she hoped that she didn't get caught driving as it could be bad for her father but she was a really safe driver. Her friend Mac could see she was a good driver and wondered how a fifteen year old could be se calm and confident driving. Veronica risked getting caught knowing there was no way she is going to depend on her mother or give Logan's father a reason to be upset with him.
With some prodding she got Logan up to his room and he immediately passed out on the bed face down.
She pulled off his shoes, socks and pants and then got him a drink of water and aspirin to put on his bedside table. As she turned to leave, Logan reached out and grabbed her wrist pulling her down onto the bed beside him. He wrapped his arms around her pinning her to the bed. Veronica squealed in surprise. Logan partially rolled pinning Veronica to the bed under him. He planted small gentle kisses down her cheek to her ear and down her neck. He murmured "Ronnie, don't go."
Veronica gently pushed Logan's head away from her and said, "Logan, you're drunk and you love Lilly; two things that are bad together."
Logan his voice slurred with alcohol and fatigue quietly tells her, "I liked kissing you Ronnie. I really liked kissing you."
Veronica gently pushed the hair off his forehead and answered, "I liked it too Logan. Now why don't you go to sleep?"
Putting his head in her neck Logan Echolls promptly passes out again. Veronica feels the pull in her chest at the sight of Logan asleep cuddled to her. He so desperately needs affection and doesn't get it from his family or even Lilly.
It was obvious tonight that Lilly is getting ready to get back with Logan. They had danced and partied and had a lot of fun together. It was good to see them happy again but a part of Veronica had felt the jealously. In her time she was the one who could touch Logan and be with him. She had to keep reminding herself that here they were just friends; here he loved and belonged to Lilly. Here, in this time she was Duncan's girlfriend.
Ruthlessly she pushes the feeling of loss and pain aside. She will deal with them someday when this time period is straightened out and she is back living her life.
She gently moved Logan's head and shoulder and slid out from under him.
Using Casey's car she drove Mac home to her house in the 06er zone; the one she shared with her alcoholic mother, over worked father and her new pit-bull puppy. Mac had made arrangements to stay at Veronica's house overnight and her parents had approved of her new friend ship with the Sheriff's daughter and studious young girl. She parked Casey's car in front of the house next door and they walked up the sidewalk to Veronica's front door. As she suspected her father was still working and her mother was already passed out.
Veronica and Mac went to her room, showered and went to bed. Mac had really had fun at the party and had talked Veronica's ear off about the great gaming system in the den and how she had kicked the guy's butts at almost every game.
Veronica had trouble getting to sleep that night with the memory of Logan's kiss forefront on her mind. It had felt so great kissing him again. She missed him so much. Sighing she turned onto her back mentally reviewing what she had left to do. It was more productive to review her plans and make sure she didn't miss anything than it was to pine away for something she couldn't have.