For those frustrated with Jazmin: Like I said previously, Jazmin will NOT be telling anyone, so please don't get too upset over it since it's crucial to my storyline. I am both writing in character and writing according to 80% of most rape victims! She won't tell anyone until the story is practically over. Her story is just one if many in this tale, however, so I hope you keep reading!

Chapter 10: Game Night

******Thursday******

When Jazmin didn't come to their photography club meeting, Veronica decided to take action. She hadn't talked to Jazmin since their party, and it was really bothering her. Jazmin had become a close friend, and she didn't like thinking that Jazmin was so upset with her that she was avoiding her. Upsetting Duncan was bad enough, but Jazmin was different. Veronica knew that she was the first close girlfriend Jazmin had ever had, and Jazmin depended on their friendship. Veronica didn't like the idea of letting her down. She just wished all her friends got along. It was ironic that Jazmin and Daisy couldn't find a way to be friends because Veronica suspected they both were often very lonely sometimes. Daisy surrounded herself with people, but Veronica didn't think she had many close friends before befriending Mac and Veronica. She knew that Jazmin had only ever had Jason and Joseph. In many ways, they both were lonely souls. Veronica wished the two of them would see in each other what she saw in them both.

After wandering around campus for a good hour and getting a tip from Weevil, she finally tracked Jazmin in the library.

"There you are! Finally!" Veronica exclaimed. Jazmin's head came up quickly. The flash of fear in her face made Veronica feel guilty for startling her. "Sorry for spooking you!" She put her messenger bag down on the table Jazmin was using and sat down across from her.

"It's okay," Jazmin said softly. "It's good to see you."

"Is it? I was thinking you were upset and avoiding me," Veronica said carefully. She looked closely at Jazmin and frowned. Veronica had never seen her looking less than perfect. Jazmin was a natural beauty and always looked impeccable without any real effort. However, today Jazmin looked almost washed out and listless.

"No, I'm not upset with you," Jazmin replied. "I'm sorry I didn't call you back. I was distracted with other things, but I'm not mad."

"Are you okay?" Veronica asked in concern.

"I'm just tired. I haven't had much energy lately," Jazmin told her. Veronica was one of the last people she'd tell what happened to her because her revenge tactics were legendary. She was relentless like Jason and if she didn't go straight to her father, the sheriff, she'd spend her energy concocting ways to make David pay. It was definitely not something she needed to be doing in her condition. Jazmin knew better than anyone had fragile a pregnant woman was. And she knew how dangerous David was. Jazmin didn't believe a man like David would hesitate to hurt a pregnant woman, and she would never put Veronica at risk.

Veronica grinned. "Maybe you're pregnant! I didn't have any energy at all the first few weeks I was pregnant!" Veronica suggested, only half-joking. If it hadn't been for Daisy, who knows how long it would've taken Veronica to figure it out?

"No!" Jazmin exclaimed, upset and horrified at the thought.

Veronica laughed at her reaction. "Well, you never know!" she teased.

Veronica realized that Jazmin didn't find her teasing at all funny. Instead, she looked really upset, almost in tears. Veronica reached over and patted her hand. "I was just teasing! I'm sure you're not pregnant. But if you were, Weevil would be thrilled."

Jazmin wanted to throw up. Panic filled her. For the first time since she met her, she really wished Veronica Mars would just shut up and leave her alone.

Feeling guilty for upsetting her, Veronica misunderstood her silence and sought to reassure her. "Weevil isn't anything like Joseph. If you were pregnant, it would be a beautiful, wonderful thing," Veronica said.

Jazmin just stared wordlessly at her, not really listening to what Veronica was saying. David wore a condom, and she was on the pill. Surely, God wouldn't be so cruel. There was no way. Surely not.

Veronica was starting to become upset by Jazmin's behavior and her mind raced with a way to make things better between them. An idea occurred to her. "Jazmin, I would really love it if you would come to my place tomorrow night. I'll invite Jason and Daisy. We'll have a game night or do something else. Wallace has an away game, so he and Parker will be out of town. You and Weevil have to come, too," Veronica insisted. "It'll be a couple's night."

"Eli has to go out of town on business," Jazmin said.

Veronica wouldn't be deterred. "Then we can invite Thea, so there won't be an odd number. I want to get to know her better anyway. Wallace really likes her but says she is oblivious to his charms," Veronica said.

"She's sweet," Jazmin said, forcing back the tears that threatened at the thought of an unwanted pregnancy. She pushed it out of her mind and focused on Veronica. She didn't want Veronica looking to closely at her.

"Wallace says that she's not like other girls. Very driven," Veronica said.

"He's right. She was the smartest person in our elementary school. I think Jay was relieved when she moved. He never liked not being the smartest person in the room," Jazmin said, smiling for the first time.

"I think it's great that you and Thea went to grade school together and both ended up here in Neptune! Small world. It's fate. You were fated to meet us and so was she!" Veronica enthused.

"That's a romantic view," Jazmin stated.

"I've never thought of myself as romantic, but I think Logan's rubbing off on me," she said with a fond smile.

"I'm not sure that I believe in fate," Jazmin said solemnly.

"Really? Isn't that like a prerequisite for being Italian? Romance is in your DNA!" Veronica said with a cheeky grin. "Your grandmother told me many a romantic tale over the summer."

"Yes, she is 100% romantic. But the idea of fate kind of breaks my heart," Jazmin said, a faraway look in her eyes that puzzled Veronica.

"Really why?" Veronica asked.

"Think of your life. Think of things that have happened to you. Think of things that have happened to me. Do you think it was fate that your best friend was murdered by her boyfriend's father? Do you think it was fate that my baby died?" Jazmin asked bluntly.

"No, I don't. I think it was evil that caused those things," Veronica replied grimly.

"Not just evil but evil men that have no respect for fate. They just take what they want and to hell with everyone else," Jazmin said bitterly.

Veronica was taken aback by Jazmin's uncharacteristic bitterness, and she just looked at Jazmin in silence a moment.

Jazmin quickly realized her mistake. The last thing she wanted was her too clever friend focusing her vast powers of observation and mystery solving on her. She had revealed too much with her words, so she forced a half smile. "Sorry. I've been in a mood all week. A night of fun with friends sounds perfect! It's exactly what I need. I'll be there. What time?" she asked.

"How about seven? I'll make Dick go pick up some pizzas," Veronica said. She got up. "I'll let you get back to your studying. See you tomorrow."

After Veronica left, Jazmin packed up her stuff and got up. Even though she knew the possibility was slim, Veronica's careless comment had taken root. What if she was pregnant? Veronica had gotten pregnant on the pill. It happens. Condoms weren't foolproof. If her rape resulted in a pregnancy, she'd die. Her faith would not let her consider terminating any pregnancy no matter the circumstances. After she had miscarried, she had taken solace in the thought that one day she'd have another baby with a man who loved her the way she deserved to be loved. Finally, she had the perfect man. But if she was pregnant, the baby might not be his. The thought of that possibility made her want to throw up. Was her nightmare going to be unending?

Jazmin left the library to go buy a pregnancy test. She wouldn't rest until she knew there wasn't any possibility of such a horror occurring.

When Veronica got outside the library, she pulled out her phone to call Logan and tell him about her sudden plans for tomorrow night. His voicemail picked up. She smiled as she listened to today's inspirational message. "'Remember tonight for it is the beginning of always,' Dante." Veronica loved the quote her romantic fiancée picked out. Jazmin's grim views had always been Veronica's. But somehow being with Logan gave her hope, and she wanted her always to be with him. She left him a message. "That quote is amazing! I am looking forward to our always. I hope our baby inherits your romantic soul. I called to tell you to not make plans for tomorrow night. We're going to have a few friends over tomorrow."

*****At the Beach House*****

As Veronica spent yet another evening obsessing over Duncan, Logan made a mental note to have a serious talk with the man.

"I can't believe Duncan's refusing to come hang out with us! He is still mad! I can't believe it! Since when did it become my place to police his love life?" she asked in outrage.

"Well, you can see him Saturday night at Lauren's birthday party. Since he's bringing Lily, he can't escape you, and he has to be nice!" Logan told her with a smirk.

Veronica's expression brightened. "True!" she agreed.

"And just think about all the fun you'll have ruining Madison's evening!" Logan said.

Veronica grinned at the thought. "You're right! It's going to be a great weekend!" she enthused.

Trina came into the living room. "Where's Richie's dress shoes?" she asked Veronica.

"Why would you need his dress shoes?" Veronica asked.

"So I can dress him up, of course!" Trina replied with an eye roll.

"Of course, Veronica! To dress him up!" Logan snarked.

Veronica gave Logan a perplexed look. "But why? Are you getting his pictures done? 'Cause I so want us to do that for Christmas!" she enthused.

"No, not for pictures. I'm going to take him on a weekend trip to New York," Trina asked. "Where's the shoes?"

Logan and Veronica gaped at her and then exchanged looks. "What do you mean, Trina?" Logan asked.

"What do you think I meant? One of my girlfriends had a baby last year and was saying her baby was cuter than my baby. I'm going to take Richie to her and make her eat her words!" Trina said determinedly.

"How long? You just started back to work," Logan pointed out as he reached over and put a restraining hand on Veronica.

"We're going to leave tomorrow. I'll be back Sunday night, so don't worry," Trina said. "Mother Mary got him the cutest little sailor suit. I need his dress shoes."

Veronica got up and faced Trina, ready to battle. "You can't just take Richie and show him off like he's a shiny new toy! Besides, he's too little to fly!" Veronica insisted.

"No, he's not. I checked," Trina said.

"Logan, tell her that she can't do this!" Veronica said, turning to him.

"Veronica, Logan can't tell me anything. He's not the boss of me. Nor do you guys have any say over what I do or don't do with my son!" Trina said in annoyance.

Veronica was getting really upset. A sense of fear and helplessness came over her. She rarely ever felt helpless but now she did. She turned to Logan, who got up and put his arm around her shoulders in comfort. "Trina, we love Richie. You know Veronica worries. Don't be so mean!" he admonished.

"Look, I appreciate everything you guys have done for me. You know I love you both. You've made me feel at home. You gave me confidence to keep Richie. I owe you a lot, but you've got to give me some space," Trina said.

"You're not going to just leave and take him! You can't do that!" Veronica said with very real fear in voice.

"Relax, Ronnie! We're coming back in two days!" Trina assured her. "I wouldn't just take Richie and leave you guys! I know how much you love him. I'd never do that to you! I swear!"

"You promise?" Veronica asked anxiously.

Trina rolled her eyes impatiently. "Sheesh! Yes, alright? I promise! Besides, who would I get to babysit? None of my friends would do that!" she said.

Veronica relaxed. "His shoes are still in the box on the top shelf of the hallway closet," she told Trina.

Trina thanked her and left to get them. Veronica turned to Logan. "He'll be fine," Logan assured her, hugging her close.

"Logan, I hate that we have no say in Richie! I haven't felt so powerless since you were almost dying in the hospital!" Veronica complained, trying hard not to cry.

She looked up at him. He knew how she felt because he felt the same way every time she cried. He wiped the tears that were leaking out of her eyes. "Snookums, it's going to be okay. I know my sister. She's flighty, but she genuinely loves Richie. She won't do anything to hurt him. She knows how much we love him, and he loves us. He'll be fine," Logan assured her. He ignored his own misgivings. Trina had grown up a lot the past few months. Logan had to trust that she'd put Richie's welfare first.

******At Jazmin's******

Jazmin had been sitting on her bed staring at the two pregnancy tests in relief for the past hour. The thought of being pregnant now had freaked her out so bad when Veronica suggested it. Even though she wasn't pregnant, she couldn't keep reassuring herself. Both tests had clear minus signs indicating she was not pregnant. Thank God!

There was a knock on her door, and it was pushed open before she could respond. Eli stood there. Jazmin tried to hide the pregnancy tests before he saw them, but he was a trained investigator and his eyes zeroed in on them. They widened in shock. "You're pregnant?" he asked.

Jazmin quickly pulled them up so he could see them. "No, I'm not! They're false!" she assured him. The minus sign was plain to see.

Eli sat down on the bed, his mind having trouble processing everything. This was why she was acting so weird! She thought she was pregnant and was freaking out. She lost her first baby, so naturally a pregnancy would terrify her. He grabbed her hand. "You know, Princess, if you got pregnant, it would not be a tragedy! I know nineteen is kind of young, but not that young. At twenty-one, I'm older than my dad was when he had me, so I'm bound to do better than him!" Eli said, smiling.

Jazmin hated herself. She couldn't tell him the truth and here he was once again doing everything he could to make her feel better. "You'd be a wonderful dad!" she exclaimed. "But pregnancy does terrify me. I didn't really think I was pregnant, but when I told Veronica I didn't have any energy this week, she teased me about being pregnant." At least that part was true.

Eli laughed. "V's so excited about the baby that she'd be over the moon if one of her friends got pregnant with her," he said.

"Well, I didn't think it was funny and went out and bought two tests!" she said. "It's not that I wouldn't want to someday have your baby, but I think it's too soon."

He moved and put his arm around her. "I know what you mean. I'm sorry you were so scared. I wish you would've told me because I don't like you going through this kind of thing by yourself," Eli said.

She let herself lean on him, seeking his strength. "I'm sorry. I feel stupid now," she told him.

"Well, I hope you'll relax and rest better now that you're not worrying about this," Eli said. "I stopped by to see if you'd changed your mind about going away with me? I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon."

"I really can't. I'm sorry," Jazmin said.

"I don't want you spending all weekend in your room. You've barely left your house in a week," Eli pointed out.

"Don't worry. Veronica invited me to hang out at her place tomorrow night, so I'll be fine!" Jazmin informed him, glad she had something that would reassure him.

Eli was happy to hear that. "That's great! Have fun and work hard Saturday. I'll try to be back Saturday night. Since you're not going with me, there's no reason to drag it out!" he said.

"I'm sorry. Next time. I promise," she told him.

"I'll come over Sunday to see you," Eli said.

"Okay," she said.

Eli gave her a light kiss. "I love you. I'll see you in a few days," he said.

"Call me," she told him.

"I will," he said, smiling and getting up.

"I'll miss you," she said honestly. She didn't like that he was going to be so far away for almost two days.

"I'll miss you, too," he said. He leaned down and kissed her again.

"I love you," she said as he turned to leave. He smiled and left.

Jazmin realized that her pregnancy scare had served one purpose at least. Now Eli would chalk up her odd behavior the past week to this. She'd have time to get over what happened. Somehow. If she could only get some sleep. Tomorrow, she'd go to the doctor and see about getting some sleeping pills. Something to keep her from being so jumpy. Maybe she should see a counselor. She needed to talk to someone. Although she'd never had a lot of confidants, she's always had Jason. Not being able to share what she was going through was eating away at her. She couldn't go on like this much longer. She brushed away the tears that she hadn't even realized were flowing. Maybe she should just call her dad, and let him take care of David. The more miserable she felt, the more she wanted David to suffer the way she was suffering. Only the fear of her dad making her leave Neptune held back her hand from calling him. Eli couldn't leave yet. His family needed him too much, and she knew how important family was. He didn't have the money to travel back and forth from Chicago. And after what David did, Jazmin knew her father wouldn't let her out of his sight. She didn't want to lose him, but how could she keep lying to him?

She curled up in a ball on her bed. Never had she wanted to escape her life so much.

******Friday Evening******

Veronica was trying to work up enthusiasm for her evening with her friends, but Trina taking Richie out of town was really bumming her out.

Logan knew she was upset and sat down next to her on the couch. "Hey, he's going to be just fine. Sunday will be here before you know it," Logan said. He put his arm around her.

"I know," she said in a too quiet voice.

"You know Trina will take good care of him," Logan added.

"Yeah," Veronica said listlessly.

Logan grew concerned and put his hand on her cheek so she would look up at him. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I love him too much," Veronica whispered, a flash of guilt in her eyes.

Logan frowned. "What do you mean too much? You can't love someone too much, especially not a baby," he said.

Veronica looked up. "I wish he was ours, Logan. I wish it so badly. Isn't that awful? What's wrong with me?" she asked, her eyes filling with tears.

Logan pulled her against his chest, stroking her hair. "You're not awful. He's our family. There's nothing wrong with you," Logan said.

Veronica pulled away and faced him. "Yes, there is! I hate that Trina can take him! I've never truly been jealous of another person. Not really. But I'm jealous of her. I know we're going to have our own baby next spring, but that doesn't stop me from wanting to be with Richie. It's not normal to be this envious of someone else's baby! I've turned into a crazy woman!" she exclaimed.

Her rant was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. "Don't you talk smack about the woman I love!" Logan said with a grin. He got up to go toward the door. "Richie will always be in our lives, so you don't need to worry. Everything's going to be okay." He opened the front door and welcomed Daisy and Jason.

Veronica sighed. This hormonal craziness was making her really nuts. She pushed her morose thoughts out of her mind and greeted her guests.

Thirty minutes later, everyone had arrived. Dick and Mac had showed up with the food. Veronica felt herself finally relax as she looked around at her friends. Jazmin was actually being polite to Daisy. Thea had agreed to join them, so Veronica could get to know Wallace's new crush. She smiled as Thea seemed to freeze up when Jason spoke to her. She watched their awkward conversation a few minutes. Then Veronica went up and tapped Thea on the shoulders. "Hey, thanks for coming," Veronica said to her.

Thea turned to her in relief. "Thanks for inviting me. It was a good excuse to bail on the Friday mixer at the house!" she said.

"Won't you get kicked out for not attending?" Veronica asked with a mischievous grin.

"I wish!" Thea exclaimed, smiling.

"So I know we don't know each other very well, but I couldn't help but notice that you were having trouble talking when Jason was asking you a question," Veronica observed, a twinkle in her eye.

Thea flushed in embarrassment. "Guys that good looking always intimidate me. If he was just another dumb frat boy, I could deal, but I happen to know he's not," she admitted.

Veronica laughed. "That's so cute! Did you have like a crush on him when you were kids? I would've!" she said. "He's very dreamy!"

"Every girl did," Thea said dryly. "Of course, I had to beat him in every subject, so he wouldn't know I liked him."

Veronica loved that. "That's exactly what I would've done!" she said.

They looked over at Jason and Daisy flirting. Jazmin was listening to them but not actively participating. "Daisy is exactly the kind of girl I would've figured Jason would end up with," Thea observed. "Bold, sassy, and sexy."

She didn't seem bothered by that fact or even jealous. Her lack of cattiness was refreshing. "She is definitely all three of those," Veronica said fondly. "I hated her when I first met her, but she won me over. She doesn't always make a good first impression."

"I love girls like her. They're always entertaining. Fearless. My mom is like her. Always the life of every party," Thea shared. "As you can see, I'm nothing like my mother!" She gave a self-deprecating laugh.

"I'm not like my mother either. Thank God! A Daddy's girl all the way!" Veronica said.

"I'm close to both my parents, but I always idolized my dad, so I know what you mean," she said.

"Is it just me or does Jazmin seem detached lately?" Veronica asked, noticing her lack of engagement. "I invited her here hoping she'd have a good time, but she doesn't seem like she wants to be here."

Thea had noticed Jazmin's unusual reticence. "Maybe she's just distracted. Or missing her boyfriend. She told me Eli went out of town," Thea said.

"Yeah," Veronica said, not convinced.

"Okay everyone, I got my two favorite games," Dick announced. "First, we're going to play Twister, and everyone has to participate. Even you Ronnie!"

Veronica groaned. "I'm knocked up!" she offered up.

"So? You're still bendy!" Dick replied with a leer.

"I know she is," Logan said smirking at her.

She threw a couch pillow at him. He caught it and laughed.

"Then we can play Outburst!" Dick said enthusiastically.

"That's a fun game," Thea said. "My sisters always bring that game out. It's like Balderdash."

"I'm on her team," Dick said, grinning. Everyone laughed.

Jazmin really and truly could not face playing a game that involved so much intimate touching. A feeling of panic came over her. "Why don't we start with Outburst since we just ate and play Twister later?" she suggested.

"I second that!" Veronica said, giving her a pleased smile.

"Fine, but we're so playing it!" Dick vowed.

Jazmin let out a relieved breath. She knew she could make an escape before the next game.

Thea had noticed the anxiety in Jazmin and frowned in puzzlement. Something was off with her; Veronica was right. Jazmin was only speaking when someone spoke to her. Jazmin wasn't overly vivacious most days. However, she was friendly and outgoing whenever she was around friends or family. She had that cool confidence that her brother had but was more naturally aloof. Thea thought that there was always a part of her she kept back. When they had been kids in school together, Jazmin had been as popular as her brother. However, she was one of those girls that to Thea appeared solitary even when in the midst of a group. Since becoming reacquainted with her the past few weeks, Thea hadn't really seen that. Instead, Jazmin seemed truly content like she'd finally found her place, her people. Now, however, she seemed apart. Something had to be wrong.

Thea leaned over and whispered to Veronica, "I think you're right about Jazmin. Something is definitely off with her."

Veronica looked as Jazmin remained unaffected by Dick and Daisy's loud argument over who was on what team. She frowned. "I'll talk to Weevil when he gets back. I already tried talking to her, and I didn't get very far," Veronica said with a frown.

"Well, she could just be having a bad week. It happens," Thea said.

"True," Veronica said. Jazmin finally smiled at Mac, so Veronica relaxed a bit. Maybe Jazmin was just not feeling well and missing Weevil. Maybe she was being paranoid.

Across the room, Jazmin could feel the watchful gaze of Veronica Mars on her. She glanced over at her and Thea, who both were watching Jazmin. Jazmin smiled at them. Inside, she was chastising herself. Thea was the smartest person Jazmin knew, and she knew a lot of smart people—Veronica being one of them. The two women were talking and looking intently at her. Jazmin instinctively knew they were talking about her, which was could not possibly be good. She had to do a better job of pretending to care about what was going on around her. The last thing she needed was Veronica or Thea asking too many questions. She turned and made herself start a friendly conversation with her brother and Daisy. Maybe if she kept pretending to be okay, she really would be. Surely, she'd start feeling better soon. If not, she was going to have to do something because no one could know. Jazmin knew that it was up to her to make sure her secret stayed a secret. She had to find a way to forget about what happened and move past it. She just wasn't sure how. Determined, she put it out of her mind and focused on her friends.

*******More to Come*******