Sooo…chapter 3… little bit of cuteness and some jealousy for LoVe is Epiic and a little older man flirting for xosummerxo… enjoy…
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"So, Mr. Hank Franks has skipped town. He got onto his private plane and took off this morning. No one knows where he went. No flight plan, no destination, nothing…" Keith sighed and rustled through some papers. "We're trying to track some new leads but the trail's going cold. I'm so sorry honey."
Veronica shrugged, patting him on the arm. "You'll come up with something, I'm sure."
"Well, there's nothing else that can be done...let's get out of here. Go have some fun or something."
Veronica smiled apologetically. "Sorry Dad. I promised Logan I'd go to his costume party."
He gave her a mock patient father look. "Do I have to ask what you're wearing to Logan's costume party?"
She gave him her best innocent daughter smile. "Am I that transparent?"
"No, but your costume might be so you better not be wearing what I think you might be wearing…"
She kissed him on the head before heading to the door, calling back over her shoulder, "Don't worry Dad. I never wear the same thing twice…"
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"You're late."
She cradled the phone against her shoulder. "I know, I know… I'm just putting the finishing touches on my costume. I'll be over in a few minutes."
"Well, hurry up or I might be off with Cleopatra when you arrive," he teased gently.
"You better not or you'll get yours…" She smiled. "I'll see you soon." She applied ruby red lipstick and gave him an air kiss before hanging up. Grabbing her bag, she left the apartment.
The drive over was uneventful. She watched kids laughing and shrieking as they ran from house to house. She remembered going trick or treating with Duncan and Lilly. Lilly would complain that her costume was getting ruined and it was so far and her bag was so heavy. Duncan would take hers from her without complaint and shoot Veronica a secret smile. She smiled wistfully. She wished she could see that smile again, even for a minute. But Duncan was gone and there was no way she could contact him without putting him in danger.
Veronica's mind automatically thought of a trademark smirk, which attached itself to a lanky, so-sure-of-himself goof. Logan. She rolled her eyes. He was getting better, less elitist, but there were probably things you couldn't change. And a secret little part of her liked it, if she ever admitted it. She enjoyed being Logan's princess from time to time, enjoyed being loved. Selfishly, she loved being put before everyone else in his mind.
She arrived at the Neptune Grand and took the elevator to the penthouse. The door to Logan's room was open and she could hear music and laughter. She wondered how many people he'd invited this time. Stepping inside, she shed her coat and peered around for her boyfriend.
"Nice costume Veronica. You should really think about it as a possible future career choice," said a smarmy voice beside her.
She turned. "Hello Vinnie... A gangster or a stripper? Oh, and you came as yourself. How cute."
He grinned at her, looking her up and down. "Either or, Miss Mars… either or. Just don't tell your dad I said that."
She shook her head in disgust. "Come to crash?"
He smirked. "I'm actually working on a case."
"Looking for your shame amongst the barely legal cuties?"
"Ha ha, Veronica Mars. None of your business. Client, P.I. confidentiality. How 'bout a spin around the dance floor?"
"Not if you were the last person on earth and there were no goats, Vinnie, because God knows they're better dancers than you."
"Oh, come on, Veronica. You didn't come here just to stand around and look pretty… you're not the kind of girl to sit at the sidelines, are you?"
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Logan was chatting with Dick when Veronica came into the party. He cut Dick off mid-sentence, "I'll catch up with you later, 'kay?"
Dick grinned. "When she says jump, you say…?"
"Ladies first?" Logan shot back with a cocky grin. He started towards her, knowing the real answer. How high? He watched Veronica shed her coat and groaned. He was so glad that he'd bought that naughty gangster costume when they were choosing the nurse costume for the Franks case. He admired pinstripe suit and it's close cut against her slim body. He complimented her choice of clothing underneath the jacket seeing lace peek out. The gangster hat was cocked on her head to show off dark smoky make-up and ruby red lips. She had a gun strapped to her thigh and he wouldn't be surprised if it was real.
His lips curled into a smirk. Maybe he'd just kick all these people out now and just have a little Veronica time… Wait, who was this guy? He watched a tall dark-haired guy intercept Veronica and start to chat her up. The guy's back was turned to him so he couldn't see his face. Logan clenched his jaw. Who dared come to his party and hit on his own girlfriend… He started over intently.
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Vinnie took her hand and placed his other on her waist. "See this isn't so crazy, is it? Maybe you could get used to it?" he probed, spinning her around then pulling her close again.
She spotted Logan moving through the crowd and brightened. The look on his face made her want to giggle. "Well, you know Vinnie, this is an authentic costume with all the props," she said, making her voice a little more husky.
His eyes darted down her pinstripe suit to the gun strapped to her leg and he licked his lips. "Ah…"
"Hello doll… who's the cheap suit?" Logan drawled in a fake gangster accent. He snaked an arm around Veronica and pulled her out of Vinnie's arm. He held her to him possessively.
She smiled. "Vinnie Van Lowe, Logan Echolls."
"Yes, we've met. And what are you doing here, Mr. Van Lowe?" he asked sweetly.
"I'm here to meet someone," Vinnie said lightly.
"Well, excuse us please, Mr. Van Lowe. This lovely young lady has some 'splainin' to do…" Logan tipped his police cap and towed her away. He pulled her into his bedroom and shut the doors, locking it. When he turned around, she was leaning on his dresser, a smiled curled on her lips.
"Well, Mr. Echolls…" She swung the pair of handcuffs from one finger. "You got me."
He leaned against the door, arms folded across his chest. "You thought that was funny, didn't you?"
She giggled. "Well, a little. Nice costume, by the way."
He rubbed his sleeve over the shiny badge. "You like it?"
"I like the irony…"
He moved towards her with cat-like grace. "I like your costume…"
"This old thing?" She picked an imaginary piece of lint off the sleeve. "I found it at the bottom of my closet…"
Logan stopped in front of her and lifted her by the hips to sit her on the dresser. "Well, well Miss Mars... looks like I caught you."
She leaned towards him, sliding her fingers into his hair. "Now what are you going to do with me?"
He kissed her slowly, deeply. "Well, I have a few ideas." He opened her suit coat, one agonizing button at a time, and slid his hands underneath, coming in contact with a silky bustier. "Veronica, you naughty girl. Does your daddy know you own something like this?"
"Next question," she whispered back.
He lifted her up and carried her to the bed. "What am I going to do with you?"
They tumbled together, kissing. He heard a click and she sat back. He tried to move but found himself cuffed to the bed.
"Ha ha, very funny Veronica." He pulled but the cuffs didn't give. "I thought you said these were play cuffs…"
She grinned. "I lied."
"Not usual for you… now come here Mars. Don't make me go Houdini on you…"
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Let me know what you think!
