DISCLAIMER: Characters of Veronica Mars, the canon events of their storylines, and recognizable dialogue belong to Rob Thomas.
A/N:
You may have noticed that I changed the title from Stall ... to Stall (Along the Road – part 1) … because I have decided to continue this story as a series. See A/N at end of this chapter for more info.
Chapter 15
Real life resumed on Monday morning. When I pulled into the school parking lot, I could see Logan and Duncan standing between their cars. They watched as my car passed them. The PCH Bike Club also seemed to be awaiting my arrival. I was the link between them. Me and the events of Friday night.
By the time I had my door open, Duncan was next to my car, ready to talk. He apologized for not calling over the weekend, adding that I shouldn't be concerned and that things were relatively good under the circumstances. He started to tell me about the PCHers getting Logan to his house, but I interrupted and told him that I had already heard about it from Weevil. I should have expected what he said next, but it caught me a bit off guard.
"I wanted to ask … are you ... I mean, I saw the two of you together Friday night. I'm not gonna say anything to anyone else. I just wanted to tell you that I noticed and that … he's … different than I thought." He looked over toward Weevil before he finished his thought. "Not that you need my blessing or anything."
Weevil walked up to us. He and Duncan exchanged nods. Duncan correctly sensed that was his cue to leave. As he was walking away, Logan joined him.
Weevil gave a discreet signal to Felix, indicating that they should head in without him. He and I stood there for several minutes talking. Although we had talked on the phone on Sunday, we had spent the day apart and it seemed like forever since I had seen him, held him, kissed him. I found it difficult to be this close to him and pretend that we were just friends. Secrets could be sexy, but I was quickly growing tired of keeping this one. Good grief, it was going to be an unbearably long day!
[
At lunch time, I carried one large box and a smaller one over to the table of PCHers. I sat down next to Felix, placing the large box in front of him. I thanked them all – but him in particular – for their assistance the night at the club and for dealing with Logan this past Friday.
Felix opened the box of Snickerdoodles, closing his eyes as he inhaled deeply. "Mmm." After he took a bite, he exclaimed, "The girl can bake! Seriously … these are … mmm." He began to hand them out to the others.
"Only for people I like." I pointed at each of them as I pretended to glare. "So, stay on my good side." I followed it with a wink at Felix.
Weevil cleared his throat conspicuously and asked, "And what do I get?"
I moved over to his side of the table. Standing behind him, I leaned over to put the smaller box in front of him. I opened the lid, revealing heart-shaped cookies. "You get my undying thanks," I said loud enough for all of them to hear. I placed a hand on his shoulder to steady myself as I placed a kiss on his cheek. As I slowly stood up, my mouth passed by his ear and I quickly whispered without moving my lips, "Later?"
He looked up at me and nodded.
As I was walking back to my own table, Logan intercepted me.
After explaining that most of Friday night was a complete blank, Logan said, "I hear I have you to thank for getting home … well, to Duncan's home safely on Friday night."
"Not entirely my doing," I said as I tipped my head toward the PCHers. "You might consider thanking them."
He looked like I had suggested that he ingest snake venom.
I shook my head and teased, "I'll go with you and hold your hand, if you like."
Logan groaned, "Let's get this over with."
I walked up behind Weevil, my hand on his shoulder. As I spoke, I directed my words primarily at Felix. "Logan has something to say."
His discomfort obvious, Logan cleared his throat and shifted his weight before speaking. "Veronica suggested that I should thank you. But since I remember very little of Friday night, I don't know what I should be thanking you for." He saw them bristle at that and realized he didn't phrase it well. "What I mean is … whatever you did, thank you." He nodded at Weevil and I before returning to the 09er table.
Weevil not-so-subtly patted his hand on the bench next to him. I sat down as he said, "He really doesn't remember anything?"
The others were waiting for my answer.
"He says he remembers driving around and starting to drink, but he doesn't remember ending up at the bridge. Says the next thing he remembers is waking up at Duncan's house and being delivered the news of his father's arrest."
"You believe him?" Weevil asked.
"Yeah, I do."
Thumper laughed as he said, "I kinda wish he remembered me punching him."
Felix added, "His face healed fast."
There was a little more chatter among the guys, but Weevil and I were in our own little world. This brief moment of public closeness was all we'd get until our relationship was public knowledge. I sat there for a few more minutes before going back to my table with Wallace.
As lunch was ending and everyone headed to class, Logan asked if I could meet him in "my office" sometime that afternoon. We arranged a time to meet in the bathroom.
[
When we met, Logan seemed to need someone to talk to about the events of Friday night. Duncan had told him about finding the evidence, witnessing Aaron's arrest, and the PCHers delivering him and his car to the Kanes' doorstep. But Duncan had told him if he wanted to know anything else, I was the person to ask.
Unsure how much detail he would want about the videotapes, I tried to be clear about the fact that Lilly and his Dad were having an affair while leaving some aspects to his imagination. He seemed stunned by the information and yet resigned to that fact that he had only known Lilly as well as she had let him.
He shifted track, asking about the events that were missing from his memory – anything that had happened between the time he started drinking on Friday evening and when he woke on Saturday.
I explained that I only knew most of it second hand. "If you want to know the full story, you'll have to ask Weevil … actually, Felix is who you'd want to ask."
The "Out of Order" sign was hung on the door as usual. I was a bit surprised when someone not only tried to open the door, but knocked when the doorstop would not allow them entrance. Curiosity got the better of me and I walked toward the door. I heard a voice say, "V, open up."
Opening the door, I asked, "You need something?"
Weevil looked over toward the sink to see who I was with. Then, he gently pushed the door so he could step in. "Heard you were holding court. Thought I'd join the fun."
What he meant was that someone told him I was in here with Logan and he didn't like the fact that we were alone. Clearly, he still didn't like or trust Logan.
"Logan was asking me to fill in his memory gap from Friday. I was just saying that I wasn't there for most of it. Since you're here, you could tell him."
As he leaned against the wall, Weevil looked at Logan who was leaning on the counter. "No idea how you got to the bridge. The guys found you there. Last they knew, you were the prime suspect and I had asked them to keep an eye out for you. When they saw you on the railing, I suspect they were trying to decide if they'd let you stumble and fall … or pull you down and stomp on you. Felix called to let me know they found you about the time V was telling me that your dad had done it."
"That's when you left me the message?" Logan asked me. "I listened to it the next morning after Duncan told me what happened."
Weevil continued explaining about the events after Aaron's arrest: me being concerned about Logan being at home alone and him arranging to get Logan to Duncan's house.
"Any idea who punched me?"
I looked at Weevil before asking Logan, "You remember that?"
"No, but I've got quite a shiner." Seeing the confusion on our faces, he said, "The thing about being the son of movie stars, you get to hang around set … learn handy tricks like makeup application. Also, my mom had to cover her fair share of bruises over the years. Watched her go through the process enough times, I could do it in my sleep. Conveniently, Dad has not cleaned out the drawers of her vanity." As he talked, he was admiring his handiwork in the mirror.
The turn in conversation made me uncomfortable. I knew that Aaron abused his wife and Logan, but to have him talk about it so casually was unnerving.
Ending the silence, Weevil said, "They got you off the railing to listen to Veronica's message. But you were insisting on driving yourself … being uncooperative when they offered their help. The way I heard it, Thumper knocked you out so they could get you in the car. And then Felix drove you."
"Well, I don't have any other bruises, so that sounds believable." He dropped his head and went silent.
I saw the weight of everything begin to hit him. "Logan, you're gonna get through this."
He looked up at me with tears threatening to stream down his face. "Am I?"
I took a few steps to him and pulled him into my arms. He willingly collapsed on the shoulder of an old friend and let more than a year's worth of emotion pour out. He blubbered his way through a nearly incoherent monologue that included Lilly and her murder, his messed up family and his mother's suicide, being questioned for a murder that his father had committed and the very real possibility that he could have died on Friday night.
All I could do was hold him while he cried. But as I did, I became increasingly aware that Weevil was uncomfortable with the situation. I tried to communicate with my eyes that he did not need to be jealous or concerned. My effort may have lessened the intensity, but it did not entirely appease him.
Logan leaned back, mumbling that he was ruining my shirt. He was probably right, judging by the makeup sliding down his cheek. He used a paper towel to wipe his face, but it became apparent that his expert coverup work was now ruined.
"You wouldn't happen to have a compact on you?" Logan quipped.
"No. I have powder in my locker, but no concealer or base. I think your best bet is going to be removing the remaining makeup and proudly sporting your black eye."
"You wouldn't happen to have …"
Before he could finish, I said, "I have makeup removing wipes in my gym locker." I turned to Weevil. "Will you stay here with him 'til I get back." Seeing that he was not happy about that, I added, "That or you can go to the girls' locker room … wait, don't answer that."
Weevil smiled and said, "Fine. But hurry."
"Please, don't beat each other up while I'm gone."
They both gave me a look that said, 'No promises.'
I don't know what happened while I was gone, but when I got back, the mood was roughly the same. I began cleaning Logan's face. He was watching my face while I worked. He didn't seem to mind us being so close – didn't seem to mind at all.
He looked at me, his eyes curious. "I assume you are still with the mystery guy you told me about. While you were gone, I asked Weevil here if he knew who you were dating. He wasn't real forthcoming with information. Thought I'd ask you directly. 'Cause if you happen to be single again, my invitation to dinner still stands."
Without a second's hesitation, I looked directly in his eyes and said, "My answer would still be no, Logan. But for the record, yes, I am still seeing him." Even though he was several feet from me, I could feel Weevil relax as I gave my firm answer.
"Things are serious, then? Still not gonna tell me who?"
"Yes to the first question. No to the second." As I took one last pass across his skin with a clean wipe to be sure that all the makeup was gone, I said, "There. Finished." And I stepped away from him. "I'm truly sorry that your life has been so crappy for … well, for years. And if there's anything you need, I will try to help."
"But I should stop asking you out?" After I nodded, he pushed off from the counter. Then, he turned to examine my work in the mirror. "Look at that. It changed color again. How pretty do I look?" Ever the jokester. In a sincere tone, he said, "Thank you, Veronica. For your part in Friday night, for letting me cry on your shoulder, for …" With a flourish, he pointed at his face. Then, he gave me a quick hug. For the first time in quite a while, he acknowledged Weevil's presence. "Well, I presume you came here wanting to talk to her about something … so I'll just let myself out."
When the door closed behind Logan, I shoved the doorstop under the door. "Well, that was fun!"
"Definitely what I had in my day planner," Weevil replied sarcastically. Pulling me into a hug, he nuzzled my neck. "Not gonna lie – it was hard to watch. Especially after the way Lilly went running back to him."
"But you know that I …"
"I do. I trust you. Just not sure I trust him. He's not gonna give up that easily."
"I think once he finds out who my … um, who I'm with, he may think twice before asking me out again." I gave him a tender kiss, keeping my eyes open to see his expression.
"You'd think, but I'm not sure he's that bright."
"For right now, cut him a little slack. I can handle him. And if it gets to the point that I can't, I'll let you know. But right now … seeing him … that broken. I don't want to add any unnecessary drama." I studied his eyes and found little change in his opinion. "For now?"
"For now," he said just before kissing me on the nose.
I checked my watch. "We should get back to class."
[
When I was getting books from my locker in between classes, I found something that Weevil had left for me – a test he had taken recently. I remembered he had been worried about this one, but he had done really well. I was so proud of him, so happy for him. I looked down the hall to where he stood. The smile on his face was at least as big as the one on mine.
I closed my locker and practically ran down the hallway toward him. Holding the paper in front of me as I approached him, I squealed, "Amazing!" Then, I gave him a huge hug.
He returned the hug, but said into my hair, "You know there are people around, right?"
I took a small step as I backed out of his arms. "And that would matter why?"
He barely moved his lips when he spoke, just above a whisper. "Careful …"
"Or what?"
"Or I'm gonna kiss you … right here, right now." He gave me a look of warning.
Neither us of moved. I don't think we even blinked.
I whispered in reply, "I'm on a schedule here, vato."
With no facial expression (but there was a glint in his eye), he hooked his index fingers in two of my belt loops, suddenly pulling me toward him. And then, he kissed me … in front of God and everybody.
Dropping the test paper, I slid my hands up his arms and across shoulders, finally landing on his chest. His hands moved also – one coming to rest on the back pocket on my jeans, the other on the back of my neck. As we finished kissing, he pressed his forehead to mine, holding my head in place with his hand.
Even as I enjoyed the contact I had been missing since Saturday, I was ultra-aware that all movement and sound in the hallway had ceased. When I opened my eyes, I found that we had quite an audience.
Weevil shook his head, saying, "You asked if this would ever get more normal." In front of the stunned silent observers, he offered me his hand and asked, "Walk you to class?"
[
At the end of my next class, Wanda Varner intercepted me as I was exiting the classroom.
"Veronica, I'm disappointed in you. I thought you were more truthful."
"Nice to see you too, Wanda. Now, what are you talking about?"
"Remember the night we were working on my campaign posters? I asked if you shared Lilly's bad boy thing. You swore there was nothing going on between you and Weevil."
"And there wasn't … at the time."
Wanda's angry face broke out in a wicked smile as she giggled and said, "Well, that has obviously changed. Care to share details?"
I mimed zipping my lips and throwing away an imaginary key. Then, I walked to my locker where Mac was waiting for me.
Her face was wearing a serious pout as she said, "I thought we were friends."
"We are."
"Then, why do I have to hear such monumental news through the school grapevine?"
"I assume you heard something about Weevil and I …"
"Kissing in the hallway. Yes. Put that together with the news from Friday night … and well, it seems you've been holding out on me. Now, spill."
"Not sure we have time for complete spillage." As I was about to continue, I felt someone step up behind me, an arm around my waist, and lips on the side of my neck. Although I knew who it was, I turned to acknowledge him before finishing my conversation with Mac. "But yes, he and I are together. Up until today, only a few people knew – and only recently. The kiss earlier was … spontaneous. We didn't plan to …"
"Be what everyone's talking about this afternoon … and the foreseeable future?" Mac completed the sentence for me.
I could tell that I was blushing slightly. "Definitely not planned."
"But well executed … from what I've heard." She laughed. "Wish I could have seen it. And the reaction of the crowd."
Just then, Wallace joined us. "Yeah, I missed the show too."
Mac asked him, "Did you know?"
"For about a week. Apparently, tutoring and favors lead to this," Wallace said as he pointed at Weevil and me.
"I knew about the favors, but not the tutoring." Mac's face was a kaleidoscope of confusion, fascination, and curiosity.
Weevil interjected, "Speaking of tutoring … can I drop by tonight?" Seeing my questioning look, he added, "Math."
"Well, actually for math, you're better off with one of these two. Wallace is a future engineering major. And Mac's prowess with numbers is not confined to 1s and 0s." As I said that last part, I felt the need to expand the thought. "She's a magician with computers. You may get me the word on the street, but she's my cyber sleuth."
Looking at Wallace, Mac asked, "Have you appropriately threatened the new boyfriend?"
With a raised eyebrow, Weevil looked at me. "Boyfriend, hmm? Got that label fast."
I responded, "It takes too long to say 'the guy who hangs around my locker and kisses me a lot.' Got a label you'd prefer? I mean, we're well past the bodyguard phase of our …" Tapping my finger on my lip, I continued, "Oh, what's the word? … relationship." I winked at him.
Before Weevil could answer my question about label preference, Wallace interjected, "Whatever he is to her … yes, I threatened him." He nodded at Mac and shot a sideways glance at Weevil.
Mac faked a scowl as she said to Weevil, "Well, let me add that if you do anything to Veronica, I can make your world crumble within the hour." Seeing Weevil's amused expression, she continued, "See, in almost every sector, records are digital – which means that, for instance, I can hack into the Sheriff's Department and fabricate charges … edit your record … put out a warrant for your arrest."
Still skeptical, Weevil asked me, "Can she really do that?"
"I wouldn't mess with her, if I were you. You remember The Purity Test? When 09ers were paying $10 a pop to see other students' results?" I gave a quick look at Mac, who was still glaring at Weevil. "Have you seen Mac's shiny new Beetle?"
Weevil looked at Mac with newfound respect. "That was you?"
"I will neither confirm nor deny my ability to create an online business that brings in enough cash to buy the car of my choice." She smiled briefly before the scowl returned. "You really don't want to mess with my friend. Gotta it?"
"No need to threaten. Not gonna hurt her." Weevil kissed my neck again. "See you later, beautiful."
[
When the final bell rang, I went to my locker. Many people were giving me strange looks, but nobody said anything to me directly. I didn't see Weevil in the halls, so I walked out to the parking lot by myself. He and his boys were already at their bikes, deep in conversation.
I decided to drop by long enough to ask if he still planned to come to the office later. After he nodded, I added, "I'll let you get back to business." As I turned to go, he reached out to take gentle hold of my arm. As his eyes questioned mine, I responded, "It's fine." And I really meant it. I hoped he could hear that. But when he didn't release his hold, I tilted my head slightly and continued, "Hey, come on. I'm not some girly girl who needs to be … tended to. Besides, when I have stuff to take care of, you don't get in my way." I looked around at all the eyes and ears studying our conversation, as if trying to figure out how this new relationship was going to affect their lives. In order to put all their minds at ease, I simply said, "Call it professional courtesy." I leaned in to kiss him. "If you need me, you know where to find me."
As I walked over to my car, I was certain that he was watching me. While opening the driver's side door, I glanced over my shoulder and confirmed that his attention was on me. I gave him a little wave and he nodded. And that's all it took to make my heart flutter.
Most of the PCHers had blank looks on their faces. Felix was trying to hide a smile. However, I couldn't help but notice (and be a little unnerved by) the expression on Thumper's face. If looks could kill, I'd have been standing in a pool of my own blood. I wasn't sure what to make of that. And I wasn't sure how or when to bring it up with Weevil. But I would definitely need to keep an eye on Thumper.
[
That evening, Dad left me alone at the office to finish up some printing, filing, and research – the not-so-dangerous investigatory activities. He had dinner plans with Mrs. Fennel. It was cute the way he nearly skipped out the door. Nice to see him so happy.
About an hour after he left, I heard motorcycle engines outside. I listened to see if they were passing by our building or stopping in front. The sound stayed close, but lessened in volume. Then, I heard them drive down the street.
I was feeling disappointed until I heard the sound of boots on the floor of the hallway. A few seconds later, Weevil entered with Felix.
Looking up at them from behind my desk, I said, "Good evening. Did you want something?"
Weevil smirked before saying, "Wanted him to know where your office is. In case I need them to check on you."
Playing mildly angry, I replied, "But they've followed me before … which means they've been here before."
His tone pushed back against mine. "Yes, but I wanted Felix to know where you are in the building." He looked at Felix as he said, "Give me your phone." He dialed a series of digits and my phone rang. Immediately after I answered, he ended the call. He instructed both of us, "Put that number on speed dial."
"Guess I have a group of protectors now."
He walked over to me, placing a hand on the side of my face. "You have two. Your dad and me. But when I can't be there, I'll delegate." He nodded to Felix, who did not immediately leave.
Just before he turned to go, Felix said to me, "Not sure if I said it earlier, but thanks for the cookies. Anytime you wanna bring more … maybe a box just for me? That'd be okay with me."
Smiling, I said, "That can be arranged."
Ready to leave, he bumped fists with Weevil and then faced me, adding, "Weevs is family, a brother – which means if your safety is important to him, then it's important to me. You need something and you can't reach him, you call me." The last three words had a serious weight to them. It was not a request to be taken lightly; it was a demand.
Both of them were waiting for me to respond. Looking Felix in the eye as I wrapped an arm around Weevil, I said, "I will."
After Felix left, Weevil asked, "Okay if I stay a while?"
"I was about to order some food. Dad's out with Wallace's mom. Care to join me?"
His attention was drawn to the motor running down below. He walked over to the light switch and deliberately turned the lights of our office off and on, twice in a row. Then, the motorcycle drove away.
"What was that about?" I asked.
"So he knows what window to look for from outside."
"To know if I'm here alone at night?"
He just nodded and then asked, "What kinda food were you thinking?"
We ended up ordering pizza. While we were waiting for it to be delivered, we could have started on his math assignment, but opted to procrastinate a bit. We passed the time making out on the couch, which is not nearly as comfortable as the one at home. And the office not nearly as romantic as the beach at his cousin's B&B. But we were together. After everything that's happened, that was all I cared about at the moment.
[
[
And so it went the remainder of the school year … doing the normal boyfriend-girlfriend thing. Well, as normal as it gets when a teenaged detective is dating the leader of a motorcycle gang.
When this school year began, I had one person I could count on. Dad. Now, I've got Wallace, Mac, … and of course, Weevil. My life looks so different than it did before Lilly's murder. My life before was … well, it was nice.
But Little Red put it best: "I know things now – many valuable things – that I hadn't known before … Nice is different than good." *
I thought of the discussion Weevil and I had about The Outsiders. Decent looking versus good character. These past couple years made that distinction incredibly clear to me. I found myself wondering whether I was finished learning that particular lesson.
I'm pretty sure we all know the answer to that. After all, this is Neptune.
THE END
of
Part 1
A/N:
* Quote from Little Red Riding Hood's song "I Know Things Now" Into the Woods (Sondheim)
Thanks so much – particularly to those readers who've taken the time to comment and/or have been reading since I started this last June. I'd love to hear what you think now that Part 1 is complete.
While deciding if I'd continue this story, I tried to imagine how I thought this would play out. I wrote out the ending I saw in my head (occurs weeks after the reunion) and then outlined how to get from here to there – deciding who would live and who would die, who would go to emergency and who would go to jail. I like what I came up with – so it will continue as a series (5 parts). There are some fun (and not-so-fun) plot twists ahead. You may even hate me a couple places along the way. But I promise … after all the ups and downs, there will be a happy WeeVer ending.
COMING SOON: Process (Along the Road – part 2) … which will take place during Season 2. It will begin with the summer months, still working on the missing person's case in this fic, etc. Chapter 1 should be up within a few weeks.
I also have a few ideas for shorter Weevil-centric fics (not related to this series) … hope to have two of those up in the near future.
Thanks again! Until next time …
~Jen
10 June 2017
