Surfing Lessons
A.N: I know; it's been a while. A LONG while. I hope this will make it up, guys.
Read and enjoy!
- -
Chapter twelve: Back to Neptune
They were on the ferry on their way back to Neptune. Leaning on the railing and staring at the horizon, they stood in comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts.
Dick was thinking about their imminent return and what –who- they would have to face back home. He wasn't looking forward to a certain conversation with a good friend of his but he owned Logan the truth. He also knew that this thing between Veronica and he, called it newfound friendship, relationship or whatever you want, deserved a healthy start.
Meanwhile, Veronica was deep in thought about the recent development in her life. That morning had been a whole new morning of awakenings and realizations for her. She had discovered her attraction to Dick; maybe it had always been there all along, and had been masked by taunting words and exchanges of wits, but she had seen it for what it really was in the end; lust, desire and something more. However, a few hundred questions were still left unanswered and that made her feel wary.
Was he worth it? Was he worth losing her semi-friendship with Logan? Was he worth the questions and the astonishments from everyone that would ensue?
Where did they go from here?
She didn't even know what they were at the moment. Were they still just friends or friends with benefits? Or maybe, she pondered, they were lovers now. Man was she confused.
Would he hurt her at the end?
She eyes Dick cautiously from the corner of her eyes trying to figure out his train of thoughts. What was he thinking? Was he even thinking at the moment? God; she felt a head ache coming. The man was a mystery. During her whole live he'd been a brainless jerk than two seconds flat after he opened up at her he became this new –needless to mentioned hotter- stranger.
What. Was. He. Thinking?
She huffed at her inability to read this one man.
Dick noticed he sudden frustration. "What?"
She sighed and brought forward another problem of them, deciding for the lesser of the two evils; she didn't knew were they stood, but she did knew she didn't want whatever this was to be a dirty little secret. "What are we gonna do?"
"That's exactly what I was trying to decide."
"I'm not continuing this behind everyone's back. We'll have to tell people sooner or later. We will have to tell him eventually."
There, she had said it. The big elephant was standing beside them now; Logan Echolls, the big elephant; ah!
"Somehow, I'm not looking forward to do that," he replied and she noted that he really didn't look too hot at the idea of breaking the news to his best pal; he too had Logan impending rage blooming over his head, she was reminded.
"Me neither," she mimicked his sigh.
"But we have to," he continued.
"Yeah, we have to."
She was so very glad that he saw the situation her way. That made one less question rotating in her head.
"We will," he said firmly, his fist bumming the railings with conviction. He smiled down at her and frowned as soon as she busted his new bubble with one simple word.
"How?"
They stared at the horizon in silence for a few short seconds pondering just how they would spill the beans. Then Dick spoke up again, sounding resigned. "I'm betting you a twenty that I'll end up bruised by the end of the day."
"Aw, don't be pessimist. Maybe he won't react too badly…"
He eyed her as if she was crazy; they both knew her comment was more about hoping than actual belief. They were talking about Logan Echolls here, Neptune's very own drama queen title-holder in male category. "You're kidding, right? He'll kick my ass."
She turned her back to the railing, facing him.
"Nah, he won't. Mr. Taser will cool him down if he overreacts just a little," she voiced with a half serious grin.
"Yeah, right. As if you could hurt Logan's ass," Dick mocked and she punched his arm lightly.
"I would. I could! And you know what? I'll take that bet of yours just to prove my point. But just so we're clear, hickeys don't count as bruises," she said, looking at him defiantly.
Dick grinned slyly. He cocked an eyebrow at her. "Tsk, tsk, Ronnie; such X-rated thoughts in that head of yours."
"You don't even know half of what's going on in my mind, Mister," she grinned, suggestively. God; again with that devil smile of his. Veronica gasped involuntarily as he leaned against her ear.
"Are you suggesting we should be in search of another set of windows to fog?"
She held a moan as his breathy voice caressed her skin. She took a step away from him, her gaze annoyed but her words playful:
"Please, tell me I didn't create a new fantasy in that head of yours?"
"Oh, yes, and what a fine fantasy it is…" Dick trailed off dreamily, teasingly; matching her wits. He smirked at her and she respond with glee when he leaned down to catch her lips with his, chasing her mouth. She happily met him halfway.
Warmth, comfort, security and excitement filled her entire being when he looped his arms around her waist. Words she'd never associate with him before. On the back of her mind, she was still marveling at how he, Dick Casablancas, renowned party guy, man-whore and all-around jerk, could make her feel that way by a simple kiss.
Had he used some kind of magic spell on her?
She searched her rattled her brain. Was there any warlock in Neptune? She didn't know about any warlock. Did he know a warlock?
The wind was ruffling his tousled hair when she opened her eyes and gazed up at him, in his magnificent blue eyes, so clear and honest and… free. Yes, he certainly knew somebody capable of witchcraft.
They were still in an embrace, his hands holding on her back and waist and her fingers tangled in his blond locks. Their lips were barely apart, tempting each other for a repeat.
She was under his spell. She was certain of it.
And then he spoke and she was enthralled for a second.
He whispered, his voice hoarse, and it tickled her skin again: "Totally worth three hundred points on the PiSigs scale of…"
He was interrupted as she pulled his hair; he cried with false indignation and laughter dancing in his eyes. "Don't finish that sentence," she threatened sternly.
Ok; there were no warlocks and no spells, indeed. Nothing. At. All.
Just plain (charismatic) ol' (gross) Dick.
He chuckled with a false apology then grabbed her hands. "Now, come on, Hot Stuff. Let's find us a car."
She let him guide her toward the parking floor with a laugh of her own; he really was into this new obsession with fog.
And maybe, maybe she was into it too. But, just a little.
They descended a set of stairs before she stopped him and captured his lips in another searing kiss. They didn't make it further down to the parking lot.
But they did make it to the nearest restroom.
- -
After their lovemaking session, they had settled in each other embrace and talked some more about the issue awaiting them at Neptune. They both agreed that the sooner they told Logan (and Wallace, and Mac, and -O God- her dad), the better it would be for their peace of mind –and also for their well-beings.
It was with that idea in mind that they got out of Dick's car near the Neptune Grand entrance instead of Dick dropping her off immediately to her place.
Dick glanced over at Veronica and gently squeezed her hand before getting out of the now functional yellow BMW. He popped the trunk opened and gave the keys to the valet when they reunited behind the car.
Veronica was reminded that she was in Dick's territory when she saw him bumped-fist the valet.
"Dude, you missed something at the poker game last night. You should've seen the hot girls that were there…"
Dick coughed uncomfortably and she threw him a dark glare when their eyes met; daring him to answer inappropriately. He smiled at her sheepishly, shrugging a shoulder in the process. Then he did something that amazed her and freaked the hell out of her at the same time; he put an arm over her shoulders.
It was a simple gesture. However, it meant much more. By holding her body to his, he was acknowledging her as his girlfriend, for all eyes to see. Well, pretty much for Jay's at the moment being, but that was beside the point. She was astonished at the sudden swelling of her heart.
"Jay, this is my girl, Veronica. Ronnie, this is Jay."
Jay's face lit up with understanding and he grinned at her, with a rather leering gaze; typical Dick people. "Nice to meet you, Veronica."
She returned his smile, opting for politeness over annoyance: "Me too."
"See you later, dude."
Then Dick grabbed their bags, waved at Jay and they entered the hotel. They were hit by the abrupt changing of light. She blinked a few times before speaking.
"So, I'm your girl, eh?" she asked smugly gazing up at him.
He looked at her, amused: "I know; you're so lucky!"
She rolled her eyes, swatting his hand. He laughed.
They crossed the main hall rapidly; at the check-in desk, Tina saluted them both with a welcoming smile. Veronica waved at her. They headed to the elevator and silently waiting for its doors to open.
The absence of words between them seemed to drain all her hard-built courage for the events to come and an uncertain feeling slowly crept its way in the pit of her stomach. She shifted from one foot to the other, feeling every pair of eyes in the room blazing holes onto her skin. She held her breath. That elevator was taking an awful lot of time to get there.
The elevator finally dinged its arrival.
Dick stepped forward and she had no choice but to follow as he was holding her hand tightly. His gaze fell to hers as he felt the hesitation in her movements.
Again, she was reminded that she wasn't alone this time. She had found a trusty ally in the person of Dick.
She tried to steady her shaking hands for the sake of both their nerves and she gave him a slight, uncertain smile.
The door closed and suddenly, he had her in the confine of his arms, his lips in her hair. Then, he shifted and she could feel his breath against her ear; her traitorous body shook when chills trailed over every limb in her.
"We can wait, if you want to," Dick whispered.
Yes! Yes, please! Her inside voice carried eerily all over her mind.
His fingers commenced a slow and enthralling rubbing motion low on the small of her back and Veronica rapidly felt calmer, more composed.
"No, now is a good time."
He detached his mouth from her neck and smiled proudly at her; she marveled again at this new and improved version of Dick Casablancas. She let his fingers trailed over her cheek and grabbed his wrist in her hand, kissing them.
He smiled a second time.
"We're worth it," Dick stated firmly.
Veronica reached up to kiss him; he met her halfway. They were lost for a few moments in the feeling of each other when the elevator's door opened on their floor.
Again, he send her a reassuring smile and kissed her forehead before leading the way to his and Logan's shared penthouse. Before entering, he stopped.
"Maybe I should go first to see if it's a good time to tell him?"
She slowly nodded, unsure, as she was hit again with that creepy uneasy feeling.
"Hey, we'll be fine. I just want to make sure he's not already pissed at something before throwing us at his face."
"Ok, then. You go first."
He unlocked the door with his room key. They kissed chastely and she squeezed his hand before letting it go as his lean form disappeared behind the closing door.
- -
Dick marched casually –or so he tried to appear- into the suite. He let his eyes wandered across the main room and saw no trace of Logan. He sighed nervously and took a few more steps toward Logan's closed bedroom door.
"Dude, you're in there?"
No sound coming from the room. Dick was mentally calming himself when a voice startled him from behind.
"Hello, son."
Dick spun around and froze when he saw his father coming into the suite from the balcony. Immediately, his already tensed nerves double their strain.
"Dad? What, they just let you in my room?"
"Well, I am paying for it, after all."
--
Veronica frowned. She could hear Dick talk through the door. She could clearly make out his voice but she couldn't pinpoint to whom the other voice was too. It certainly wasn't Logan's. She pressed her ear against the door, trying to hear the muffled sound.
"My lawyer -Couple months- Tired of – Dick - Pay my debt - It over with-"
"And what kind of - Negotiate?"
"A year."
Veronica clearly heard Dick's snort. Who was with him? She cleared her train of thoughts as she heard the voice rising and she was able to hear all that was said clearly.
"I'll consider our societal flaws during my yard time in the big house!"
Suddenly, the voice clicked with the face. Richard Casablancas Senior. She narrowed her eyes when their tones of voice were back to normal. She strained to hear but couldn't make out much more.
She bit her lower lip when footsteps padded to the door and started, surprised, when it opened in front of her. Dick's face was a mask of anger. She was ever more surprised when he reached for her forearm and guided her inside. She was somewhat surprised that, even in his state of fury, he didn't yank on her or jerk her forward. No, his grip was gentle even through rage radiated off of him in waves.
He stopped them abruptly a few steps from Mr. Casablancas. She stood next to him, even thought she would gladly be anywhere else than near this standoff.
"Son?"
"Say hello to Veronica, Dad." Dick spat the last word with vehemence. She immediately wanted to calm him. Distressed Dick wasn't something she liked to see. She gently started rubbing circles on his palm.
"Hi Veronica. How's your father?"
Dick Sir was looking at her. She smiled awkwardly.
"Uh, hi. My father is doin –"
She was interrupted by a frustrated Dick.
"Fuck this," he spat. "Just so you know; the world doesn't stop because you decided to show up."
Richard Sir scoffed at his son: "Had I known I was interfering with your life, I wouldn't have come to bother you."
"Like you didn't bother coming to Cassidy's funeral? This is where he died, you know? I walk by the spot he splattered on every day."
"You think I'm not sorry about Cassidy?"
"What are you sorry for, Dad? That he's dead?"
"Of course."
"You ever think he's dead because of us, or that he killed those people because of us?!"
Veronica had been watching the exchange silently, but it was becoming messy very fast. She grabbed her lover's arm and tried to calm him down. He briefly glanced down at her, nearly out of control.
"Or that he raped Veronica because of us?!"
The room felt silent. The only noises were of Dick's heavy breathing. Veronica helped him to sit down and she caressed his untidy blond locks. He hung his head low before speaking again. She glanced worriedly at a stunned Mr. Casablancas.
Then Dick's spoke again, his voice low and carrying pain. "We used to have contests to see which one of us could make him cry. I can barely live with myself sometimes, and it's so much easier when you're not around."
"I think you should leave, Mr. Casablancas."
The man could only nod slowly, while gazing at his broken son for a few lasting moments. Soon, he was closing the door of the suite behind him.
When they were alone, Veronica caressed Dick's jaw and forced him gently to look at her. He resisted a little until she pleaded with him.
"Dick, baby, look at me, please."
She took his form into her arm, stroking his hair.
"I'm so, so sorry, Veronica," he said, his voice hoarse and his shoulders shaking with silent hard sobs.
She didn't know what he was apologizing for. Was it for letting her be a part of this fight? Was it for his comment? Or was it because he felt guilty over the whole rape episode? She wasn't certain. However, she was sure that she couldn't stand seeing him this broken and guilty over something that wasn't entirely his fault.
"Shh… It's okay, now." She whispered, kissing his forehead tenderly.
"No, no. It's not. I – I caused him so much pain… He was my baby brother, and I didn't help him..."
"Dick, your brother had the choice of his actions. He could have asked for help. He could have talked. He chose to lock up all of what he was feeling inside and he chose to do these acts. Don't let it be your entire burden."
'I – I was in that room, Ronnie. I encourage him to rape you. I will never forgive myself."
"You're not the one that has done it. And it's in the past now. Let it rest it the past, ok? We're not the same Dick and Veronica that we were then. Okay?"
He nodded slightly against her neck.
"Now, let's lie down and sleep a little bit, alright?"
Again, he nodded. They lay on the couch in each other's arms. She put her head on his chest, listening to his quietening heartbeats and he nuzzled his face in her hair, enveloping his lungs with her smell. Like that, they fell asleep.
To be continued...
A.N.: I know I promised some Logan in this chapter last time but I just wasn't able to write that scene yet without first clearing some of Dick and Veronica's past. Somehow, I find that this chapter came a lot less emotional that I intended for and I a little bit disappointed in it. I cross my fingers that next chapter will come easier and sooner. Take care!