Chapter Three: Leavin' on a Jet Plane

My life hasn't always been so crazy. Once upon a time, I was just your normal, everyday Cali princess headed out with her Prince Charming and her best friends to the prom. Things were great. Things were better than great-they were perfect. Then the fairytale ended, and I turned out to be the maid, not the princess. And Prince Charming turned into a toad, and...well, you get it. Ever since that-things have been pretty much downhill. Just when I thought things might be headed back in the positive direction... Well, let's just say I've learned not to take anything at face value and I am definitely not waiting for my knight in shining armour to come riding in on a white horse.

"I'll get it, dude, you just keep on studying," Wallace laughed at Piz. While Wallace had been doing nothing but studying for the last two weeks, Piz was more into making CDs of various "playlists" to take to New York with him. Wallace opened the door to find an unwelcome face on the other side.

"No, thanks, we don't want any of whatever it is you're selling these days," Wallace said before trying to slam the door shut.

Logan stopped it before he could close it.

"I'm here to apologize, the right way, to Piz...and you, too."

"Well, I can't speak for Piz, but I don't want or need your apology."

"I know I screwed up, Wallace. You of all people should understand where I'm coming from. You know what she does to your mind, man. But that's not the point. I messed up. I want to say I'm sorry."

Piz, aware of what was happening came up behind Wallace.

"Let him talk, man."

"Fine, you talk to him. I've got studying to do. I'll just head to the library."

"Wallace, I..."

"Save it for him, Echolls, he's the one you owe an apology to," Wallace nodded at Piz as he grabbed his books and headed out.

"Look, Piz, I know I am not who you want to see right now, but I really wanted you to know that I really am sorry. I never should have gotten in your business. I have a lot of excuses, but they really don't mean anything. I was an ass. I'm sorry. Here...this is for you."

"What is it?"

"It's a plane ticket. Round trip to Virginia. You should go with her."

Piz looked at the paper in Logan's hand.

"I'm going to New York, remember?"

"I know, but I thought you could change your plans. If you go with her, I'm sure you two could work things out."

"How do you know there's anything to work out?"

"Because I know her...I mean, look, I just want you to take the ticket, okay?"

Piz chuckled.

"Look at us. I mean, I didn't really believe it at first, but now I see it's true. The world really does revolve around Veronica Mars."

"This isn't about her. This is about me and you and how I was a jerk."

"Man, do I wish that's all it was. Keep your ticket. I'm sure you'll need it."

"What? I'm not go..."

"Whatever. You two are like magnets. Just enough force to push you apart until you get really close, then..." Piz slams his hands together loudly, causing Logan to flinch a little. "Thanks for the apology, but I don't need the ticket. She doesn't want me. She never did."

Piz slams the door on Logan. Logan stands there for a moment, still holding the ticket. He slides it under Piz's door before walking away.

...

Veronica stared at her reflection in the mirror. She had no idea where they were going, so finding the appropriate outfit was difficult. She settled on a little spaghetti strapped red sundress and added a white shrug over it. She had no idea why she cared what she looked like so much.

"Where you off to?"

"Umm, better if you don't ask."

Keith rolled his eyes.

"Logan?"

"I promised we'd talk."

"And you have trouble talking in jeans and a t-shirt?"

"Really, dad? It's just clothes. I don't always look like a vagrant."

"Hmph," Keith snorted.

"Look, he did save my ass, you know."

"Mine, too, I guess. Fine, just be careful, okay. We've been down this road more than few times already."

"I know, Dad. You really don't have to remind me of that."

Suddenly, Veronica's phone rang.

"Yeah, I'm on my way? Are you really this impatient?"

"Look, plans changed, okay. Throw a few days clothes and a toothbrush in a bag and meet me at the airstrip, okay?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Veronica nearly screamed. "Hang on, dad, let me take this outside, okay?"

Veronica stepped outside so her dad wouldn't get wind of what Logan had just suggested to her.

"If you think we're going to skip right from talking about what's happened to weekend getaway then you are out of your dam..."

"Calm down, Ronnie, it's not like that."

"Then what is it like?"

"I can't really tell you right now..."

"You can't tell me? I have barely begun speaking to you again and you want me to just..."

"Veronica, this isn't about us. Please just trust me?"

"Trust you, Logan?"

"Okay. Close your eyes. Think back about four years. Imagine I'm the drunk guy across from you in the limo wearing a tux. The four of us are laughing, we're loving life...will you trust him?"

Veronica swallowed hard. Her eyes began to get moist at that memory. That was when life was still a fairy tale.

"Ok. What am I going to tell my dad?"

"Um, good luck with that."

The phone went dead.

"Ugh! Jackass..."

"Honey, everything okay?"

"No, dad, actually...I...um...I have to go away for the weekend."

"Veronica! Finals are a week away. You should be studying, much less going out with someone I don't really trust, and now you tell me you want me to be okay with you going away with him for the weekend?"

"I know this looks bad, Dad, and I wish I could tell you more, but..."

"But?"

"Something is up. I'm not even sure what, but I know I have to do this. It's not about me going away with Logan, okay? We're barely speaking, much less...even I'm not that stupid..."

Keith's eyes said even he wasn't buying that one.

"...okay, I'm not that stupid anymore. Please just trust me."

"It's not you I don't trust."

"I know, Dad, just trust that I can handle myself, okay?"

Keith stood with his hands on his hips, frowning. He was very "un-okay" with this.

"You call at the first sign of trouble, you understand me?"

Veronica kissed her dad on the cheek.

"I love you, Dad."

"You're making me old, Veronica."

"Not you, handsome. You're a spring chicken..."

"Just go, Veronica."

Veronica rushed to her room and grabbed a bag. She started throwing somethings in it and was done in record time. She kissed her Dad once more before heading out the door.

She kept replaying the fairy tale in her mind. She and Duncan were laughing at Logan and Lilly, who were dancing around like idiots. They all started dancing and laughing. She snapped herself out of it just as she reached the airstrip outside of town. Logan was already there waiting on her. There was a small jet waiting just behind him. He smiled as she got out.

"Wow! You look great. All this for me?"

She hated his arrogance sometimes.

"Don't flatter yourself. When are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Soon. You'll find out everything soon. Come'on...we gotta go."

"Fine."

Veronica and Logan climbed up the steps and boarded the jet.

"Nice plane."

"Yeah, I thought so, too."

"Kane stock must be booming these days."

"Actually-yes, but this isn't mine."

"Oh. And to whom does it belong?"

"A friend."

Veronica was getting downright angry now. She was tired of Logan's cryptic offerings. She opened her mouth to say so, but decided it wasn't worth the effort. She folded her arms across her chest and sat back for a plane ride of completely unknown destination or length to her.

Logan smirked.

"So you want to talk now?"

"If you tell me this is all an elaborate plot to get me to talk to you, I'm really going to..."

"Do what? Jump out of the plane?" He laughed.

Veronica gripped the armrest of the seat to keep from slapping his smug little face.

"Relax, Ronnie. This is the real deal. No tricks. No ploys."

"Well, will you tell me where we're going."

"No..." Before Veronica could explode, Logan continued. "But only because I don't know, either."

Veronica was now too puzzled to respond.

"This jet...that belongs to a friend...was sent by that friend to pick us up. It's taking us to who knows where to meet said friend."

"Logan, do you mean..."

"One last goodbye, I guess. That was the favor he wanted. For me to get you on this plane."

"Me? Goodbye..."

Veronica's head swirled with the information she'd just received.

So I'm on a plane, belonging to Duncan Kane, going who knows where, to meet Duncan Kane, to say a last goodbye? What does that mean? So, we've skipped fairy tale and gone directly to crazy nightmare from hell.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't say anything until we were in the air."

"Why? Did he think I wouldn't come?"

"No, it's just..."

"Just what?"

"Let's face it, Veronica. Sometimes you tend to get yourself into situations where you reveal things that shouldn't be revealed..."

"He was afraid I'd tell someone?"

"Not on purpose, of course."

"Great, so now, I'm a well-known blabbermouth? Veronica Mars, the renowned tell-all."

"It's not like that, Ronnie."

"Stop calling me that!" Veronica yelled.

"Veronica, please. Just relax."

"Fine, just don't talk to me until we land."

Veronica threw her head back and closed her eyes. Logan smiled at her attempt to be furious. She was so cute when she was angry. They flew in silence for nearly two hours. Veronica actually went to sleep, her mind too tired from all it had to process. Logan watched her silently, thinking this was the best two hours he'd spent in a very long time. She roused just before the pilot announced they would be landing shortly.

"The question is where," Veronica said out loud.

Logan just nodded, making sure to follow Veronica's directions of not talking until they landed.

She rolled her eyes. He could be absolutely infuriating!

They landed and taxied to a stop. The door opened and the stairs were rolled in place. Veronica stepped down the stairs out into the cool night breeze. She had no idea where she was, but judging by the length of the flight and the smell of the ocean breeze, she guessed they were near water. And island or on the coast of Mexico. Her eyes adjusted to the sim light and she saw a black limo waiting in front of them. Logan followed her down the stairs and led her to the car. They got in and drove away. As they drove, the driver let the window down.

"Please, you will find blindfolds in the seat. Please put them on. You may remove them when we arrive. Sorry for trouble, but we must be careful."

They nodded and quickly complied. Judging by his accent, Veronica guessed they must be on the Mexican coast.

They drove in silence, and after several minutes of driving, they felt the car slowing and turn to the right. They drove up a small hill and the driver then told them they could remove their blindfolds.

"We are here. You may take blindfold off now."

They came to a stop and Logan opened the car door. He got out first and Veronica followed. She saw a familiar figure standing just a few feet away. She couldn't resist. She ran to his outstretched arms and he willingly swept her up and twirled her.

"How are you?"

"Me? I had Logan kidnap you and bring you, blindfolded, here and you ask how I am? That's so...Veronica."

She playfully slapped his arm.

"Where's Lilly?"

"Asleep. It's early bedtime for her. We had a big day today."

He saw the disappointed look in Veronica's eyes.

"Don't worry. There will be plenty of time to play with her tomorrow. But, come in. I think I have some 'splainin' to do, Lucy."

"Yes, you do, Ricky."

Duncan threw his arm around her shoulders and led her into his house. Well, more like mansion.

"Come on, Logan," he called, turning his head and talking over his back.

Logan complied, trying not to show his jealousy.

The three friends walked into the house to enjoy one last weekend together before their lives went in different directions forever.