FIC: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (13/?)
Nov. 5th, 2007 08:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
invida_ficTitle: Damn, Damn the Circumstance (13/?)
Author: invida
Characters: Logan, Veronica, Ensemble
Word Count: 5060
Rating: R
Spoilers: knowledge up to 2x22
Timeline: goes AU from the Pomroy party, and a few liberties are taken with the timing of certain events. See Author's Notes for more details.
Disclaimer: I know the law, and the law would win.
Summary: if Logan hadn't left with the easy freshman that night.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
afrocurl, aud_woman_in, and Rain for all the help.
Previous Parts
"So hey, how 'bout them Sharks?" The voice was coming from behind Logan's open locker door. Logan looked down and saw familiar sneakers.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Logan muttered as he slammed his locker shut and faced a sheepish Duncan. Logan tried not to look surprised at the bandage Duncan sported across the bridge of his nose and the bruises that were fading around his eyes. Guess I landed that kick after all, he thought.
It was the first time Logan had seen Duncan since he'd tried to choke the life out of Logan. Duncan hadn't been back to school since. The official excuse was he was sick with bronchitis. Logan's suspicion was that Duncan had finally gone completely mental and the Kanes had him locked away until he was fit to rejoin society. He'd heard that Duncan was back in school today, but Logan avoided their usual haunts during class breaks and skipped the classes they had together. It was the last week before finals that semester and it wasn't like Logan was a stellar student -- no one would be surprised by his absence.
"Yeah, dude. Not a baseball fan. My -- ahem -- friends know that." Logan slung his knapsack over his shoulder, and while walking away said, "Now if you don't mind, Donut, I have to go meet some of them."
Duncan caught up to him. "C'mon man --"
"Oh, so we're buds again, are we, DK?" Logan asked irritably as he pushed through the school doors.
"I thought --"
Logan turned around suddenly. Duncan almost ran into him not expecting him to stop so quickly. "Riiiight. You thought that maybe if you came up to me all sweet and innocent, I'd forget all about what happened. How hard do you think I knocked my fucking head when --"
"Language, Mr Echolls!" Both boys turned to see Vice Principal Clemmons coming through the doors with his briefcase in hand. "The school day might be over, but you seem to forget that we are still on school property."
Logan looked around with exaggeration. "That would explain the lack of sailor suits and longshoremen."
Clemmons ignored the comment. "Yes, well, Logan, if you could tell your mother to please give me a call--"
Logan dropped the bravado and attempted to look contrite. "Is that really necessary? I swear, sir, it won't happen again."
"Swearing is the problem, Mr Echolls, but I'm willing to overlook this little indiscretion this time. Your mother was scheduled to make an appearance at a luncheon fundraiser today for the Lilly Kane Memorial we're planning for the next school year and she didn't make it." Clemmons cleared his throat and glanced guiltily away at the mention of Lilly's name in front of Duncan. People still had no idea how to deal with Duncan with respect to his sister -- his closest friends included.
"My mom's been really under the weather lately, sir. I'm sure it was an oversight," Logan stammered caught off-guard by having to defend his mother.
"Ah, well, as long as she's okay then."
As okay as can be when you were confronted with proof that your renowned and beloved actor husband was a philandering asshole who couldn't even keep it in his pants in his own household and you drowned your sorrows in bourbon and painkillers daily and your son had to check and make sure you're still breathing every couple of hours. Yep. Okay.
Logan quietly replied, "I'll make sure her assistant gets back to you."
Clemmons nodded and made his exit quickly, clearly uncomfortable with talking with the boys about personal matters and money.
Logan began to walk out to the parking lot, ignoring Duncan. Duncan, not taking the hint, caught up to him again.
"Hey, I just wanted to say that I -- well, I heard about you and, um, Veronica."
"Yeah? What didja hear?"
"That you're not, uh, 'together' any more."
Logan stopped and turned. "And?"
Duncan shrugged. "And I'm, you know, sorry."
"Now exactly what, D, are you sorry about?"
All Duncan could do was shrug again. Logan nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Save your apologies for someone who thinks they're worth the breath you waste on them, dude."
Duncan caught Logan's arm and pulled him back before he could walk away again. "That's not fair."
Logan snorted, shaking Duncan's hand off. "Fair? You're gonna talk to me about fair?"
"No. That's not -- I --" he stammered before shaking his head, asking, "What do you want from me? She was my girlfriend, man."
"Funny how you bring that up only when it's convenient for you. Any other time, you don't wanna talk about her, you won't even look at her, as though it's her fault. But don't forget, Duncan, I know what else she could be."
Duncan's eyes narrowed. "Now you're just being a jackass."
Logan laughed mirthlessly. "I never claimed I wasn't, dude. You're the choirboy, remember? I also never claimed anything when it came to Veronica. I told you what was going on and you still went apeshit."
"Look, I know I over-reacted, and I know I haven't exactly been chummy with you since we last talked at Casey's --"
Logan blinked in confusion. "Since Casey's?"
"Yeah. Casey Gant's party before school started? It was only a couple of weeks ago. You came up to me and Shelly--"
"Okay. Right. Sure," Logan stammered, trying to get a footing on the conversation again. Duncan really didn't look like he was pulling a fast one on him, though. Duncan never did have much of a poker face. "I remember that. And you're saying we haven't talked since then?"
"Uh, yeah. Now who's got memory loss? Your social calendar's been that busy?"
"Where have you been the last week, DK?" Logan asked incredulously, still not sure if Duncan was trying to pull some act. Did Duncan really not remember trying to kill his best friend?
Duncan looked away. "Home. Sick."
"Right. Should've known." Logan tapped his fingers to his forehead. "After all, that's been the MO all this year. So what happened to your face?"
Duncan frowned, clearly embarrassed by the question. "I got hit at soccer practice."
"You smacked your schnoz up like that kicking a ball around? You playing full-contact soccer now?"
Duncan shook his head in annoyance. "If you ever actually watched a game instead of using at as an excuse to get ripped in the stands then you'd know that there's a lot of contact. I jumped up to head the ball at the same time as another guy, banged into him, fell down, and he landed on me, feet first. At least, that's what my parents tell me. I kinda blacked out after it happened and they took me home."
Logan watched him suspiciously. He'd had obviously rehearsed this speech. It was as though Duncan had decided their last meeting hadn't happened. He'd obliterated it from his memory, apparently with his parents help, and now he was starting fresh. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea, Logan thought, thinking of all the things he wished hadn't happened.
"Well, the bandage is definitely an improvement. Plus it adds some bad boy mystery and that'll drive chicks wild, even if you do look like you," he said with a smirk. He decided to let the line of questioning go. No sense in pushing Duncan back into the frenzied confrontation they'd had last time.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Funny. Hey, so are you actually gonna listen to me now? I just wanted to talk to you, you know. I thought that we could maybe hang out again, iron things out and let things get back to normal."
"Normal?! What the fuck is normal?" Then Logan snapped his fingers. "Oh, wait, I get it. You mean now that I'm not hanging around Veronica all the time. What do you think I'm going to do now, dude? You think I'm gonna go back to slashing her tires and putting her down in front of everybody?"
Duncan tried to glance away during Logan's tirade, but Logan pointed in his face, forcing Duncan to look at him. "Lemme make this perfectly clear before you answer that. I might not be hanging around Veronica any more, but I don't hate her. And none of that crap is gonna happen again. Got that?"
Duncan swallowed and nodded.
"Good." Logan pointed to his watch. "I gotta go, man."
He turned back towards the parking lot, but was prevented by a silver Audi zipping by them. From the driver's side window, Dick yelled, "School bus for you, asshole! This train's sailed! WOO!" The rest of the passengers in the car squealed with laughter as Dick peeled out of the school lot.
"Fucking fantastic!" Logan shouted, not caring if any school staff were within earshot. He flung his knapsack on the ground in frustration. Apparently, Dick wasn't as over what happened New Year's Eve as he let on.
"Thanks a whole bunch, Duncan. You just made me miss my fucking ride."
"Hey, man, take it easy." Duncan picked up Logan's knapsack and passed it back to him. "I'll drive you home."
He snatched his bag back from Duncan. "Yeah, well, you'd better."
"I heard about your SUV," Duncan said, leading Logan to his vehicle.
Logan opened the passenger door and got in. "Wow. You've got quite a grapevine for someone who hasn't been around lately. Well, remember what they say, believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear."
"So you weren't carjacked by Mexican bikers?"
"Oh, I was carjacked," Logan said quickly. Technically, he wasn't lying. His car was taken from him by force. He just omitted the fact that it was the force of an explosion. "But it wasn't by those douchebags," he added, remembering with a shudder the coldness in Beaver's eyes.
It made him a little more than nervous that they'd agreed to meet on this deserted cliff side lookout off the PCH. Hills obscured the view from the roadside and the ocean didn't provide much of a witness if something were to happen here.
"Okay. I'm here." Logan said getting out of his SUV and walked towards the solitary figure by the cliff. "What do you want, Beaver?"
Beaver crossed his arms. "I've told you not to call me that."
Logan tapped his finger to his lips mockingly. "And that matters why, again? Lilly's killer was caught. Remember? I don't have to listen to you or your demands any more."
Beaver shook his head with a laugh. "You think I can't still get to you? You're sadly mistaken."
"Are you're talking about your little stunt with Veronica this afternoon? Telling her about what happened in Mexico? Yeah. It didn't work. All you did was make her more suspicious of you. So if you want me to stay quiet about Shelly's party, you're going about it in all the wrong ways, shithead, and you've only got yourself to blame." Logan started to walk away.
"I'm warning you --"
Logan turned back with a roar. "No! I'm warning you! Stay the fuck away from Veronica!"
"No! You stay away from her! I've told you over and over! And you just don't listen!" Beaver screamed.
"Too fucking bad! I am with Veronica now and I'm not backing out because you're a batshit crazy pervert and you can't deal with what you almost did." Logan couldn't help but savour victory as he watched Beaver shaking with rage. "Or is that the problem? You didn't go through with it and you don't want it to get around that you're exactly the snivelling little prude Dick says you are. Is that it?"
Beaver didn't answer, just stood there glaring at Logan.
"Well, Beav, lemme get this absolutely crystal clear for you, I'm not going to stop seeing Veronica. And there's nothing you can say or do that's gonna change that." Logan turned and walked back towards his SUV.
"You think so, huh?" Beaver shouted. Logan glanced back at Beaver to see him holding up what looked like a remote control and pressing a button before he was thrown to the ground by the impact.
"How do you know?"
"Huh?" Logan couldn't remember what he and Duncan had been talking about. "How do I know what?"
Duncan asked, starting his SUV. "I mean, the news reports say that you didn't see them, but Sheriff Lamb said the PCHers were his prime suspects."
Logan had been mortified by how the local press and the Sheriff had latched on to the cover story he and Veronica came up with for how he'd lost his vehicle. He'd hoped that it would just be another statistic, but he should have known better than to think a crime against Aaron Echolls' son would go unnoticed by the media. After that, Lamb had to assure all the 09 residents that he was on the case and the town was safe and took every opportunity to keep the case in the papers.
"Look, I just know, okay? I've been around Weevil enough to know it wasn't him or any of his goons."
"Wait. You've been hanging around the leader of the PCH Gang?"
Logan shrugged. "Not exactly. We just have mutual interests."
Duncan shook his head with skepticism. "Huh. I was going to say that you wouldn't be a good influence on Veronica, but it looks like it's the other way around."
"Hilarious. Three months I can't get you to talk about Veronica and now that I don't want to, you can't shut up about her," Logan muttered.
"It was just a joke."
"And it bombed. Move on to your next bit, Kinison."
"Tough crowd. Okay. There is something I wanna talk to you about." Duncan pulled out of the parking lot. "Did you hear about Meg and Cole?"
"What, she finally came to her senses and realized she can pledge not to do it with someone a lot better?
"Just the opposite. Cole dumped her right in the middle of the quad at lunch today."
Logan laughed at the news. "He's such an asshat."
"It gets better. He dumped her because of you."
"Me?!" Logan pointed to himself. "What the fuck did I do?"
"Apparently, you hit on her at Casey's party."
"So what? I hit on everybody at Casey's party. I hit on the god-damned fireplace. Do you know how shit-faced I was that night?"
"Yeah, but she didn't tell Cole about it. So when everyone started gossiping about you at lunch and she mentioned that you got all touchy-feely with her, Cole flipped out and accused her of hiding all sorts of stuff about you and any guy she's ever even made eye contact with."
Logan snorted. "Meg?! Meg 'Abstinence' Manning? What the hell is Cole's problem? He dates the most virginal girl in school and that's still not good enough?"
Duncan nodded in agreement, then slowly asked, "Sooooo is she good enough for you?"
Logan's head shot up. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, you were hitting on her, you admitted it. Have you got a thing for her?" Duncan held his finger up, bouncing it along to emphasize each of his points.
Logan eyed him warily and asked, "I think the real question here, Dunc, is do you?"
Duncan turned beet red, realizing that Logan was seeing right through his interrogation tactics. "Maybe," he admitted.
"Well, well, well," Logan mocked. "Duncan and Meh-hegg sittin' in a tree-yee, K-I-S-S-I-N-G --"
"Shut up!" Duncan grumbled through clenched teeth, trying to smack ineffectively at Logan while keeping his eyes on the road.
Logan laughed, sliding out of Duncan's reach and continued, "First comes LOVE! Then comes marriage! Then comes bay-beeee--"
"Stop being such a fucking ass!" Duncan yelled.
Logan couldn't help giggling, even though he was pretty sure the vein in Duncan's forehead was just about ready to burst. "So what do you want from me, man? My permission?"
"Unlike you, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on any toes," Duncan said snidely.
The grin vanished from Logan's face. "Fuck you, dude."
Duncan shrugged indifferently. "Just calling it like I see it, man."
"So much for letting things go back to normal, huh?" Logan grabbed the door lever. "Pull over and let me out."
Duncan grabbed Logan's arm tightly. "No, wait. I'm -- I'm sorry. I'm trying. I'll try harder. We're almost at your house, anyway."
Logan paused, his hand still on the handle. Duncan really did look contrite. He dropped his hand. "Fine." Logan shook off Duncan's hand and gestured towards the road. "Let's go."
Once Duncan resumed driving, Logan ventured back to their previous subject. "So you're sure you want to ask Meg out?"
Duncan nodded slowly. "Yeah, she's cute and sweet. And I -- I need to start moving on. You know what I mean?"
Logan turned away and stared out the passenger side window and said under his breath, "Better than you can imagine, man."
----------
"So I'll call you later then?" Duncan asked as he wound his way up the twisting driveway and came to a stop at the house.
Logan hopped out. "Yeah, sure," he said before shutting the door.
He turned towards the house and found Mrs Navarro sweeping the front entrance. He was about to make a spiteful comment as he passed her about missing a spot when she looked up and said softly, "Your father is home."
She quickly turned back to her sweeping before Logan could say anything in response, but the anxiety and guilt were still there even as her eyes darted away from his. Sickening anger and shame swelled in his chest. It took all his willpower not to go over and snap her broom handle in half.
Logan simply nodded and entered the house with a little more care than before. He couldn't imagine why Aaron was home already. His father wasn't scheduled to have a break in filming for another week, and there were never any guarantees that Aaron would actually come home during that time. At least he now knew why his mother wasn't at the luncheon today, not that he would be able to explain it to Clemmons if asked again.
Logan tried to balance his indifference with his apprehension. He made some noise, but not too much noise, counting the steps until he made it to his room undetected. He was almost through the living room when he heard the familiar call.
"Hello, son. How was school?"
"Mandatory," Logan replied with a dejected sigh, chastising himself for thinking he might be able to avoid a confrontation. He turned to find his father sitting in an arm chair, holding a family photo. Aaron placed the photo down on a side table and beckoned for Logan to come over to him.
Logan unceremoniously dropped his backpack and practically bounced over to his father. "Yes, Pa?" Logan asked cheerfully, rocking on the balls of his feet as he stood with clasped hands in front of Aaron.
"Let's not play this game today, Logan," Aaron cautioned.
Logan flopped down on the couch next to Aaron's chair. "Fine. So what brings you home from the frontier so soon? Thought you had another week before there was a break."
"You'd be surprised how willing a studio is to release you early when you have a family crisis that is splashed all over the news."
The realization that Aaron's return was about him hitched in Logan's chest. This was attention he didn't need right now. "Dad, it wasn't my fault --"
"Be that as it may, Logan, how do you think I felt when I had reporter after reporter shove a microphone in my face, asking if I was going to be with my family in their time of need, and I had no idea what they were talking about."
Logan should have known that it was all about appearances. It wasn't like Aaron normally took an interest in Logan's day beyond asking how he was. Not unless he did something that drew some notice.
Logan surmised that his mother hadn't told his father about his incident. He wondered just how much Lynn been in communication with Aaron after everything she'd learned from Veronica's dad.
"Where is Mom?"
"Indisposed," Aaron said disdainfully.
Obviously Logan was going to get no help from Lynn on this one. He was going to have to smooth this over himself. "Dad, I didn't know that you didn't know what happened. I mean, don't you usually have people to keep you informed, like Harvey --" The bile rose in Logan's throat. Only Aaron would have an agent keep him up-to-date with his own family.
Aaron reached over and put his hand on Logan's shoulder. "I'm not blaming you, Logan --"
For once, Logan thought, finishing Aaron's sentence as his father paused and removed his hand from his son, seemingly finishing the sentence in his head as well.
"I came home because I found out my son was the victim of a crime. That's not unreasonable, is it?"
Logan shrugged. "I'm fine."
"That's beside the point."
It usually was. "And what is the point?"
"That my family was attacked. An attack on my family is an attack on me."
"Really? No one took your car."
"And who paid for that car?"
"Touché. So what? You coming back early is gonna make them give it back?"
"My coming back will light a fire under our illustrious Sheriff to make him realize that he can't allow this to happen to us. Now tell me what happened."
"Why? You're going to lead your own investigation?"
"I want to know what I'm talking about at the press conference tomorrow."
Logan clapped with sarcastic glee. "That's a great idea! A bigger media circus! Because we're not being hounded enough just for the misfortune of being related to you!"
Aaron leaned forward menacingly. "Keep smarting off, Logan, and you'll know what misfortune means."
Touché again. Logan crossed his arms and sat back sullenly. "Fine. I was going to see Veronica. I was forced off the road --"
"Veronica?" Aaron frowned. "You're still seeing her?"
Logan rolled his eyes. "You have a problem with Veronica now? You sure as hell didn't when she was here for New Year's Eve."
"Veronica's a lovely girl. I'm just not sure she's -- ahem -- right for you."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, the part of town she lives in, what her father does, her mother's reputation --" Aaron was counting on his fingers.
Logan laughed derisively. "This from Aaron 'Humble Beginnings' Echolls."
Aaron sighed. "Logan, do you think I say these things as a joke?"
"You must be because they're hysterical."
"I'm simply pointing out that by continuing this relationship, you're inviting danger into our lives."
"I'm inviting danger?! I'm not the one who gets bizarre gifts and threatening letters from crazed fans!"
Aaron shook his head. "That's a drawback of this business. A business that also affords you luxuries like the car that was stolen from you when you were on your way to the less savoury areas of Neptune."
Logan could have let it go. He could have told his father what Duncan and everyone else in town already thought, that his concern was unfounded because he was no longer seeing Veronica. But he wasn't about to give him that kind of satisfaction. Besides, if Logan had his way, this was a temporary situation.
"You know, this sudden father-knows-best attitude you've assumed might work if you actually knew something about me."
Aaron's fists clenched in warning. "Logan, I really think you ought to change your tone with me --"
But Logan continued undaunted, "If you'd been paying any attention, you would know that Veronica has been one of my friends since we moved here. And lately she's been the only bright spot I've had since Lilly died."
At Logan's declaration, Aaron blinked, then slumped back in his chair, "You -- You're right, son." He waved for Logan to leave. "Okay. Go on. Go. We'll talk about the press conference later."
Aaron picked up the photograph again. Logan got up slowly, watching his father with confusion. Aaron still hadn't moved when Logan glanced back one more time before picking up his bag and leaving the room.
----------
"Do you have like X-ray vision or something?" Casey nudged Logan.
"What do you mean, man?" Logan asked, turning as his trance was broken.
"You're staring over there like you can see right through her." Casey pointed towards Veronica sitting at her usual table with Mac. "I'm assuming it's at your ex and not Felicity's roommate there. Veronica is your ex, right?"
Logan swatted Casey's hand. "Don't fucking point!"
"Why not?"
A pizza box dropped in front of them as Duncan sat down. "Ah," Casey said meaningfully at Logan.
Duncan, oblivious to his friends' conversation, asked Logan, "What are you doing Saturday? I need a favour."
"Uh, studying?" Logan answered snippily. "Exams are next week."
Duncan scoffed. "Oh please. Like you care."
"And you don't have exams?"
Duncan shrugged. "I've already got a guaranteed A in three classes. C'mon. You gotta do this for me."
"Do what?" Logan asked, opening the pizza box.
"Double date with Meg and Pam."
Logan stared at Duncan. "No."
"But you told me I should --"
"I said, yes, you should ask Meg out. I'm saying no to a double date. Ask someone else." Logan jerked his thumb at Casey.
Casey held his hands up. "Don't look at me, man. I'm still with Darcy. In fact, I should go find her now."
"Real subtle, dude!" Logan yelled as Casey got up and gave him a thumbs up before scurrying off to find his girlfriend.
"It's gotta be you. Meg'll only go out in a group and Pam's all hot for you now since she saw you on TV with your dad. Said you looked all tortured and sensitive. Girls." Duncan said with a laugh and an eye roll. "So are you in?" Duncan asked hopefully.
Before Logan could answer, giggles from all around became louder and the boys looked around to find their source. Logan found himself staring at Veronica's table once again as Dick swung a leg over the bench and sat down beside her.
"Well, if it isn't Little Miss Stun Gun!" Dick took a fry off Veronica's lunch tray and she made no move to stop him. "Not so tough without your weaponry and rich boyfriends, huh?"
Veronica watched him coolly. "You really shouldn't underestimate me, Dick."
Dick ignored her and continued, pointing his stolen fry at Mac. "So what's this then, Ronnie? Logan wises up and dumps your slutty ass and you thought you'd try to see if butchy girls found you just as skanky? Good thing you picked a loser who'd have to have low standards."
Duncan turned back to his pizza determined to ignore the situation unfolding behind him. Logan began to breathe heavily and clenched his fists ready to stand up.
"What are you doing?"
Logan's eyes flickered to Duncan who stared at him quizzically. He glared at Duncan, mystified at how he could let this happen. She could be his sister for fucksake and Duncan was just letting them have their way with her. The irony that Logan was allowing it to happen to her as well was not lost on him as he ignored Duncan and turned back to the ugly scene in the middle of the quad.
Veronica continued to stare at Dick impassively.
Dick leered. "So I finally managed to shut you up and I didn't even have to unzip my --"
A gloved hand clapped onto Dick's shoulder and roughly turned him around. "Looks like someone's gonna have to wash your mouth out with some industrial soap, son."
'Bout fucking time, Logan thought as he watched Weevil manhandle Dick. He relaxed his hands, but was still tense and ready for a fight in case things went wrong -- more wrong.
Dick laughed. "Yeah? Which of your cleaning jobs did you steal it from? Or was it on the truck that you stowed away on when you crossed the border?"
Weevil grinned back. "Say whatever you want to me, bro. Leave the girl alone."
Dick snorted. "Wow, Ronnie. You're really taking the 'Whore of Neptune High' title seriously. Got yourself a pimp and everything!" He turned to Mac again who was blushing furiously, ducking her head in the vain hope of not being noticed again. "So what are you? Assistant Ho? Hey, cholo, you might wanna get your bitches a better wardrobe. This one dresses like a dude."
"You were warned, Beach Boy." As Weevil hauled Dick up out of his seat, two factions of boys swarmed in around Veronica's table taking their places behind Dick and Weevil, with everyone else circling around, on top of benches and tables, to see the violence about to be unleashed.
No one was interested in Veronica any more and Logan took his opportunity to catch her wrist as she struggled out of the crowd and pull her away.
----------
"Are you insane?" Veronica asked, wrenching her arm out of his grasp after he'd pulled her into the empty classroom.
"No more than usual," Logan answered flippantly, letting her go without a fight.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" she asked accusingly, rubbing her wrist.
"How about pulling you to safety?"
"Noble gesture. But I was fine. Besides, anyone could've have seen you!"
Logan shrugged guiltily. "No one was looking."
"Someone is always looking. Any PI worth his salt knows that." Veronica rolled her eyes as though she'd given him this lesson before.
"Well, is anyone looking now?" Logan waved his arms with a flourish to emphasize the emptiness of the room.
Veronica glanced around at each corner of the room and at the closed door. "Good point," she conceded. Then she launched herself at him, knocking him back into a desk and kissing him hard as he caught her. It didn't take him a second to regain his balance and kiss her back.
Part 14
Author: invida
Characters: Logan, Veronica, Ensemble
Word Count: 5060
Rating: R
Spoilers: knowledge up to 2x22
Timeline: goes AU from the Pomroy party, and a few liberties are taken with the timing of certain events. See Author's Notes for more details.
Disclaimer: I know the law, and the law would win.
Summary: if Logan hadn't left with the easy freshman that night.
Acknowledgements: Thanks to
afrocurl, aud_woman_in, and Rain for all the help.Previous Parts
"So hey, how 'bout them Sharks?" The voice was coming from behind Logan's open locker door. Logan looked down and saw familiar sneakers.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me," Logan muttered as he slammed his locker shut and faced a sheepish Duncan. Logan tried not to look surprised at the bandage Duncan sported across the bridge of his nose and the bruises that were fading around his eyes. Guess I landed that kick after all, he thought.
It was the first time Logan had seen Duncan since he'd tried to choke the life out of Logan. Duncan hadn't been back to school since. The official excuse was he was sick with bronchitis. Logan's suspicion was that Duncan had finally gone completely mental and the Kanes had him locked away until he was fit to rejoin society. He'd heard that Duncan was back in school today, but Logan avoided their usual haunts during class breaks and skipped the classes they had together. It was the last week before finals that semester and it wasn't like Logan was a stellar student -- no one would be surprised by his absence.
"Yeah, dude. Not a baseball fan. My -- ahem -- friends know that." Logan slung his knapsack over his shoulder, and while walking away said, "Now if you don't mind, Donut, I have to go meet some of them."
Duncan caught up to him. "C'mon man --"
"Oh, so we're buds again, are we, DK?" Logan asked irritably as he pushed through the school doors.
"I thought --"
Logan turned around suddenly. Duncan almost ran into him not expecting him to stop so quickly. "Riiiight. You thought that maybe if you came up to me all sweet and innocent, I'd forget all about what happened. How hard do you think I knocked my fucking head when --"
"Language, Mr Echolls!" Both boys turned to see Vice Principal Clemmons coming through the doors with his briefcase in hand. "The school day might be over, but you seem to forget that we are still on school property."
Logan looked around with exaggeration. "That would explain the lack of sailor suits and longshoremen."
Clemmons ignored the comment. "Yes, well, Logan, if you could tell your mother to please give me a call--"
Logan dropped the bravado and attempted to look contrite. "Is that really necessary? I swear, sir, it won't happen again."
"Swearing is the problem, Mr Echolls, but I'm willing to overlook this little indiscretion this time. Your mother was scheduled to make an appearance at a luncheon fundraiser today for the Lilly Kane Memorial we're planning for the next school year and she didn't make it." Clemmons cleared his throat and glanced guiltily away at the mention of Lilly's name in front of Duncan. People still had no idea how to deal with Duncan with respect to his sister -- his closest friends included.
"My mom's been really under the weather lately, sir. I'm sure it was an oversight," Logan stammered caught off-guard by having to defend his mother.
"Ah, well, as long as she's okay then."
As okay as can be when you were confronted with proof that your renowned and beloved actor husband was a philandering asshole who couldn't even keep it in his pants in his own household and you drowned your sorrows in bourbon and painkillers daily and your son had to check and make sure you're still breathing every couple of hours. Yep. Okay.
Logan quietly replied, "I'll make sure her assistant gets back to you."
Clemmons nodded and made his exit quickly, clearly uncomfortable with talking with the boys about personal matters and money.
Logan began to walk out to the parking lot, ignoring Duncan. Duncan, not taking the hint, caught up to him again.
"Hey, I just wanted to say that I -- well, I heard about you and, um, Veronica."
"Yeah? What didja hear?"
"That you're not, uh, 'together' any more."
Logan stopped and turned. "And?"
Duncan shrugged. "And I'm, you know, sorry."
"Now exactly what, D, are you sorry about?"
All Duncan could do was shrug again. Logan nodded. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Save your apologies for someone who thinks they're worth the breath you waste on them, dude."
Duncan caught Logan's arm and pulled him back before he could walk away again. "That's not fair."
Logan snorted, shaking Duncan's hand off. "Fair? You're gonna talk to me about fair?"
"No. That's not -- I --" he stammered before shaking his head, asking, "What do you want from me? She was my girlfriend, man."
"Funny how you bring that up only when it's convenient for you. Any other time, you don't wanna talk about her, you won't even look at her, as though it's her fault. But don't forget, Duncan, I know what else she could be."
Duncan's eyes narrowed. "Now you're just being a jackass."
Logan laughed mirthlessly. "I never claimed I wasn't, dude. You're the choirboy, remember? I also never claimed anything when it came to Veronica. I told you what was going on and you still went apeshit."
"Look, I know I over-reacted, and I know I haven't exactly been chummy with you since we last talked at Casey's --"
Logan blinked in confusion. "Since Casey's?"
"Yeah. Casey Gant's party before school started? It was only a couple of weeks ago. You came up to me and Shelly--"
"Okay. Right. Sure," Logan stammered, trying to get a footing on the conversation again. Duncan really didn't look like he was pulling a fast one on him, though. Duncan never did have much of a poker face. "I remember that. And you're saying we haven't talked since then?"
"Uh, yeah. Now who's got memory loss? Your social calendar's been that busy?"
"Where have you been the last week, DK?" Logan asked incredulously, still not sure if Duncan was trying to pull some act. Did Duncan really not remember trying to kill his best friend?
Duncan looked away. "Home. Sick."
"Right. Should've known." Logan tapped his fingers to his forehead. "After all, that's been the MO all this year. So what happened to your face?"
Duncan frowned, clearly embarrassed by the question. "I got hit at soccer practice."
"You smacked your schnoz up like that kicking a ball around? You playing full-contact soccer now?"
Duncan shook his head in annoyance. "If you ever actually watched a game instead of using at as an excuse to get ripped in the stands then you'd know that there's a lot of contact. I jumped up to head the ball at the same time as another guy, banged into him, fell down, and he landed on me, feet first. At least, that's what my parents tell me. I kinda blacked out after it happened and they took me home."
Logan watched him suspiciously. He'd had obviously rehearsed this speech. It was as though Duncan had decided their last meeting hadn't happened. He'd obliterated it from his memory, apparently with his parents help, and now he was starting fresh. Maybe it wasn't a bad idea, Logan thought, thinking of all the things he wished hadn't happened.
"Well, the bandage is definitely an improvement. Plus it adds some bad boy mystery and that'll drive chicks wild, even if you do look like you," he said with a smirk. He decided to let the line of questioning go. No sense in pushing Duncan back into the frenzied confrontation they'd had last time.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Funny. Hey, so are you actually gonna listen to me now? I just wanted to talk to you, you know. I thought that we could maybe hang out again, iron things out and let things get back to normal."
"Normal?! What the fuck is normal?" Then Logan snapped his fingers. "Oh, wait, I get it. You mean now that I'm not hanging around Veronica all the time. What do you think I'm going to do now, dude? You think I'm gonna go back to slashing her tires and putting her down in front of everybody?"
Duncan tried to glance away during Logan's tirade, but Logan pointed in his face, forcing Duncan to look at him. "Lemme make this perfectly clear before you answer that. I might not be hanging around Veronica any more, but I don't hate her. And none of that crap is gonna happen again. Got that?"
Duncan swallowed and nodded.
"Good." Logan pointed to his watch. "I gotta go, man."
He turned back towards the parking lot, but was prevented by a silver Audi zipping by them. From the driver's side window, Dick yelled, "School bus for you, asshole! This train's sailed! WOO!" The rest of the passengers in the car squealed with laughter as Dick peeled out of the school lot.
"Fucking fantastic!" Logan shouted, not caring if any school staff were within earshot. He flung his knapsack on the ground in frustration. Apparently, Dick wasn't as over what happened New Year's Eve as he let on.
"Thanks a whole bunch, Duncan. You just made me miss my fucking ride."
"Hey, man, take it easy." Duncan picked up Logan's knapsack and passed it back to him. "I'll drive you home."
He snatched his bag back from Duncan. "Yeah, well, you'd better."
"I heard about your SUV," Duncan said, leading Logan to his vehicle.
Logan opened the passenger door and got in. "Wow. You've got quite a grapevine for someone who hasn't been around lately. Well, remember what they say, believe half of what you see, son, and none of what you hear."
"So you weren't carjacked by Mexican bikers?"
"Oh, I was carjacked," Logan said quickly. Technically, he wasn't lying. His car was taken from him by force. He just omitted the fact that it was the force of an explosion. "But it wasn't by those douchebags," he added, remembering with a shudder the coldness in Beaver's eyes.
It made him a little more than nervous that they'd agreed to meet on this deserted cliff side lookout off the PCH. Hills obscured the view from the roadside and the ocean didn't provide much of a witness if something were to happen here.
"Okay. I'm here." Logan said getting out of his SUV and walked towards the solitary figure by the cliff. "What do you want, Beaver?"
Beaver crossed his arms. "I've told you not to call me that."
Logan tapped his finger to his lips mockingly. "And that matters why, again? Lilly's killer was caught. Remember? I don't have to listen to you or your demands any more."
Beaver shook his head with a laugh. "You think I can't still get to you? You're sadly mistaken."
"Are you're talking about your little stunt with Veronica this afternoon? Telling her about what happened in Mexico? Yeah. It didn't work. All you did was make her more suspicious of you. So if you want me to stay quiet about Shelly's party, you're going about it in all the wrong ways, shithead, and you've only got yourself to blame." Logan started to walk away.
"I'm warning you --"
Logan turned back with a roar. "No! I'm warning you! Stay the fuck away from Veronica!"
"No! You stay away from her! I've told you over and over! And you just don't listen!" Beaver screamed.
"Too fucking bad! I am with Veronica now and I'm not backing out because you're a batshit crazy pervert and you can't deal with what you almost did." Logan couldn't help but savour victory as he watched Beaver shaking with rage. "Or is that the problem? You didn't go through with it and you don't want it to get around that you're exactly the snivelling little prude Dick says you are. Is that it?"
Beaver didn't answer, just stood there glaring at Logan.
"Well, Beav, lemme get this absolutely crystal clear for you, I'm not going to stop seeing Veronica. And there's nothing you can say or do that's gonna change that." Logan turned and walked back towards his SUV.
"You think so, huh?" Beaver shouted. Logan glanced back at Beaver to see him holding up what looked like a remote control and pressing a button before he was thrown to the ground by the impact.
"How do you know?"
"Huh?" Logan couldn't remember what he and Duncan had been talking about. "How do I know what?"
Duncan asked, starting his SUV. "I mean, the news reports say that you didn't see them, but Sheriff Lamb said the PCHers were his prime suspects."
Logan had been mortified by how the local press and the Sheriff had latched on to the cover story he and Veronica came up with for how he'd lost his vehicle. He'd hoped that it would just be another statistic, but he should have known better than to think a crime against Aaron Echolls' son would go unnoticed by the media. After that, Lamb had to assure all the 09 residents that he was on the case and the town was safe and took every opportunity to keep the case in the papers.
"Look, I just know, okay? I've been around Weevil enough to know it wasn't him or any of his goons."
"Wait. You've been hanging around the leader of the PCH Gang?"
Logan shrugged. "Not exactly. We just have mutual interests."
Duncan shook his head with skepticism. "Huh. I was going to say that you wouldn't be a good influence on Veronica, but it looks like it's the other way around."
"Hilarious. Three months I can't get you to talk about Veronica and now that I don't want to, you can't shut up about her," Logan muttered.
"It was just a joke."
"And it bombed. Move on to your next bit, Kinison."
"Tough crowd. Okay. There is something I wanna talk to you about." Duncan pulled out of the parking lot. "Did you hear about Meg and Cole?"
"What, she finally came to her senses and realized she can pledge not to do it with someone a lot better?
"Just the opposite. Cole dumped her right in the middle of the quad at lunch today."
Logan laughed at the news. "He's such an asshat."
"It gets better. He dumped her because of you."
"Me?!" Logan pointed to himself. "What the fuck did I do?"
"Apparently, you hit on her at Casey's party."
"So what? I hit on everybody at Casey's party. I hit on the god-damned fireplace. Do you know how shit-faced I was that night?"
"Yeah, but she didn't tell Cole about it. So when everyone started gossiping about you at lunch and she mentioned that you got all touchy-feely with her, Cole flipped out and accused her of hiding all sorts of stuff about you and any guy she's ever even made eye contact with."
Logan snorted. "Meg?! Meg 'Abstinence' Manning? What the hell is Cole's problem? He dates the most virginal girl in school and that's still not good enough?"
Duncan nodded in agreement, then slowly asked, "Sooooo is she good enough for you?"
Logan's head shot up. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, you were hitting on her, you admitted it. Have you got a thing for her?" Duncan held his finger up, bouncing it along to emphasize each of his points.
Logan eyed him warily and asked, "I think the real question here, Dunc, is do you?"
Duncan turned beet red, realizing that Logan was seeing right through his interrogation tactics. "Maybe," he admitted.
"Well, well, well," Logan mocked. "Duncan and Meh-hegg sittin' in a tree-yee, K-I-S-S-I-N-G --"
"Shut up!" Duncan grumbled through clenched teeth, trying to smack ineffectively at Logan while keeping his eyes on the road.
Logan laughed, sliding out of Duncan's reach and continued, "First comes LOVE! Then comes marriage! Then comes bay-beeee--"
"Stop being such a fucking ass!" Duncan yelled.
Logan couldn't help giggling, even though he was pretty sure the vein in Duncan's forehead was just about ready to burst. "So what do you want from me, man? My permission?"
"Unlike you, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't stepping on any toes," Duncan said snidely.
The grin vanished from Logan's face. "Fuck you, dude."
Duncan shrugged indifferently. "Just calling it like I see it, man."
"So much for letting things go back to normal, huh?" Logan grabbed the door lever. "Pull over and let me out."
Duncan grabbed Logan's arm tightly. "No, wait. I'm -- I'm sorry. I'm trying. I'll try harder. We're almost at your house, anyway."
Logan paused, his hand still on the handle. Duncan really did look contrite. He dropped his hand. "Fine." Logan shook off Duncan's hand and gestured towards the road. "Let's go."
Once Duncan resumed driving, Logan ventured back to their previous subject. "So you're sure you want to ask Meg out?"
Duncan nodded slowly. "Yeah, she's cute and sweet. And I -- I need to start moving on. You know what I mean?"
Logan turned away and stared out the passenger side window and said under his breath, "Better than you can imagine, man."
----------
"So I'll call you later then?" Duncan asked as he wound his way up the twisting driveway and came to a stop at the house.
Logan hopped out. "Yeah, sure," he said before shutting the door.
He turned towards the house and found Mrs Navarro sweeping the front entrance. He was about to make a spiteful comment as he passed her about missing a spot when she looked up and said softly, "Your father is home."
She quickly turned back to her sweeping before Logan could say anything in response, but the anxiety and guilt were still there even as her eyes darted away from his. Sickening anger and shame swelled in his chest. It took all his willpower not to go over and snap her broom handle in half.
Logan simply nodded and entered the house with a little more care than before. He couldn't imagine why Aaron was home already. His father wasn't scheduled to have a break in filming for another week, and there were never any guarantees that Aaron would actually come home during that time. At least he now knew why his mother wasn't at the luncheon today, not that he would be able to explain it to Clemmons if asked again.
Logan tried to balance his indifference with his apprehension. He made some noise, but not too much noise, counting the steps until he made it to his room undetected. He was almost through the living room when he heard the familiar call.
"Hello, son. How was school?"
"Mandatory," Logan replied with a dejected sigh, chastising himself for thinking he might be able to avoid a confrontation. He turned to find his father sitting in an arm chair, holding a family photo. Aaron placed the photo down on a side table and beckoned for Logan to come over to him.
Logan unceremoniously dropped his backpack and practically bounced over to his father. "Yes, Pa?" Logan asked cheerfully, rocking on the balls of his feet as he stood with clasped hands in front of Aaron.
"Let's not play this game today, Logan," Aaron cautioned.
Logan flopped down on the couch next to Aaron's chair. "Fine. So what brings you home from the frontier so soon? Thought you had another week before there was a break."
"You'd be surprised how willing a studio is to release you early when you have a family crisis that is splashed all over the news."
The realization that Aaron's return was about him hitched in Logan's chest. This was attention he didn't need right now. "Dad, it wasn't my fault --"
"Be that as it may, Logan, how do you think I felt when I had reporter after reporter shove a microphone in my face, asking if I was going to be with my family in their time of need, and I had no idea what they were talking about."
Logan should have known that it was all about appearances. It wasn't like Aaron normally took an interest in Logan's day beyond asking how he was. Not unless he did something that drew some notice.
Logan surmised that his mother hadn't told his father about his incident. He wondered just how much Lynn been in communication with Aaron after everything she'd learned from Veronica's dad.
"Where is Mom?"
"Indisposed," Aaron said disdainfully.
Obviously Logan was going to get no help from Lynn on this one. He was going to have to smooth this over himself. "Dad, I didn't know that you didn't know what happened. I mean, don't you usually have people to keep you informed, like Harvey --" The bile rose in Logan's throat. Only Aaron would have an agent keep him up-to-date with his own family.
Aaron reached over and put his hand on Logan's shoulder. "I'm not blaming you, Logan --"
For once, Logan thought, finishing Aaron's sentence as his father paused and removed his hand from his son, seemingly finishing the sentence in his head as well.
"I came home because I found out my son was the victim of a crime. That's not unreasonable, is it?"
Logan shrugged. "I'm fine."
"That's beside the point."
It usually was. "And what is the point?"
"That my family was attacked. An attack on my family is an attack on me."
"Really? No one took your car."
"And who paid for that car?"
"Touché. So what? You coming back early is gonna make them give it back?"
"My coming back will light a fire under our illustrious Sheriff to make him realize that he can't allow this to happen to us. Now tell me what happened."
"Why? You're going to lead your own investigation?"
"I want to know what I'm talking about at the press conference tomorrow."
Logan clapped with sarcastic glee. "That's a great idea! A bigger media circus! Because we're not being hounded enough just for the misfortune of being related to you!"
Aaron leaned forward menacingly. "Keep smarting off, Logan, and you'll know what misfortune means."
Touché again. Logan crossed his arms and sat back sullenly. "Fine. I was going to see Veronica. I was forced off the road --"
"Veronica?" Aaron frowned. "You're still seeing her?"
Logan rolled his eyes. "You have a problem with Veronica now? You sure as hell didn't when she was here for New Year's Eve."
"Veronica's a lovely girl. I'm just not sure she's -- ahem -- right for you."
"Meaning?"
"Meaning, the part of town she lives in, what her father does, her mother's reputation --" Aaron was counting on his fingers.
Logan laughed derisively. "This from Aaron 'Humble Beginnings' Echolls."
Aaron sighed. "Logan, do you think I say these things as a joke?"
"You must be because they're hysterical."
"I'm simply pointing out that by continuing this relationship, you're inviting danger into our lives."
"I'm inviting danger?! I'm not the one who gets bizarre gifts and threatening letters from crazed fans!"
Aaron shook his head. "That's a drawback of this business. A business that also affords you luxuries like the car that was stolen from you when you were on your way to the less savoury areas of Neptune."
Logan could have let it go. He could have told his father what Duncan and everyone else in town already thought, that his concern was unfounded because he was no longer seeing Veronica. But he wasn't about to give him that kind of satisfaction. Besides, if Logan had his way, this was a temporary situation.
"You know, this sudden father-knows-best attitude you've assumed might work if you actually knew something about me."
Aaron's fists clenched in warning. "Logan, I really think you ought to change your tone with me --"
But Logan continued undaunted, "If you'd been paying any attention, you would know that Veronica has been one of my friends since we moved here. And lately she's been the only bright spot I've had since Lilly died."
At Logan's declaration, Aaron blinked, then slumped back in his chair, "You -- You're right, son." He waved for Logan to leave. "Okay. Go on. Go. We'll talk about the press conference later."
Aaron picked up the photograph again. Logan got up slowly, watching his father with confusion. Aaron still hadn't moved when Logan glanced back one more time before picking up his bag and leaving the room.
----------
"Do you have like X-ray vision or something?" Casey nudged Logan.
"What do you mean, man?" Logan asked, turning as his trance was broken.
"You're staring over there like you can see right through her." Casey pointed towards Veronica sitting at her usual table with Mac. "I'm assuming it's at your ex and not Felicity's roommate there. Veronica is your ex, right?"
Logan swatted Casey's hand. "Don't fucking point!"
"Why not?"
A pizza box dropped in front of them as Duncan sat down. "Ah," Casey said meaningfully at Logan.
Duncan, oblivious to his friends' conversation, asked Logan, "What are you doing Saturday? I need a favour."
"Uh, studying?" Logan answered snippily. "Exams are next week."
Duncan scoffed. "Oh please. Like you care."
"And you don't have exams?"
Duncan shrugged. "I've already got a guaranteed A in three classes. C'mon. You gotta do this for me."
"Do what?" Logan asked, opening the pizza box.
"Double date with Meg and Pam."
Logan stared at Duncan. "No."
"But you told me I should --"
"I said, yes, you should ask Meg out. I'm saying no to a double date. Ask someone else." Logan jerked his thumb at Casey.
Casey held his hands up. "Don't look at me, man. I'm still with Darcy. In fact, I should go find her now."
"Real subtle, dude!" Logan yelled as Casey got up and gave him a thumbs up before scurrying off to find his girlfriend.
"It's gotta be you. Meg'll only go out in a group and Pam's all hot for you now since she saw you on TV with your dad. Said you looked all tortured and sensitive. Girls." Duncan said with a laugh and an eye roll. "So are you in?" Duncan asked hopefully.
Before Logan could answer, giggles from all around became louder and the boys looked around to find their source. Logan found himself staring at Veronica's table once again as Dick swung a leg over the bench and sat down beside her.
"Well, if it isn't Little Miss Stun Gun!" Dick took a fry off Veronica's lunch tray and she made no move to stop him. "Not so tough without your weaponry and rich boyfriends, huh?"
Veronica watched him coolly. "You really shouldn't underestimate me, Dick."
Dick ignored her and continued, pointing his stolen fry at Mac. "So what's this then, Ronnie? Logan wises up and dumps your slutty ass and you thought you'd try to see if butchy girls found you just as skanky? Good thing you picked a loser who'd have to have low standards."
Duncan turned back to his pizza determined to ignore the situation unfolding behind him. Logan began to breathe heavily and clenched his fists ready to stand up.
"What are you doing?"
Logan's eyes flickered to Duncan who stared at him quizzically. He glared at Duncan, mystified at how he could let this happen. She could be his sister for fucksake and Duncan was just letting them have their way with her. The irony that Logan was allowing it to happen to her as well was not lost on him as he ignored Duncan and turned back to the ugly scene in the middle of the quad.
Veronica continued to stare at Dick impassively.
Dick leered. "So I finally managed to shut you up and I didn't even have to unzip my --"
A gloved hand clapped onto Dick's shoulder and roughly turned him around. "Looks like someone's gonna have to wash your mouth out with some industrial soap, son."
'Bout fucking time, Logan thought as he watched Weevil manhandle Dick. He relaxed his hands, but was still tense and ready for a fight in case things went wrong -- more wrong.
Dick laughed. "Yeah? Which of your cleaning jobs did you steal it from? Or was it on the truck that you stowed away on when you crossed the border?"
Weevil grinned back. "Say whatever you want to me, bro. Leave the girl alone."
Dick snorted. "Wow, Ronnie. You're really taking the 'Whore of Neptune High' title seriously. Got yourself a pimp and everything!" He turned to Mac again who was blushing furiously, ducking her head in the vain hope of not being noticed again. "So what are you? Assistant Ho? Hey, cholo, you might wanna get your bitches a better wardrobe. This one dresses like a dude."
"You were warned, Beach Boy." As Weevil hauled Dick up out of his seat, two factions of boys swarmed in around Veronica's table taking their places behind Dick and Weevil, with everyone else circling around, on top of benches and tables, to see the violence about to be unleashed.
No one was interested in Veronica any more and Logan took his opportunity to catch her wrist as she struggled out of the crowd and pull her away.
----------
"Are you insane?" Veronica asked, wrenching her arm out of his grasp after he'd pulled her into the empty classroom.
"No more than usual," Logan answered flippantly, letting her go without a fight.
"What the hell did you think you were doing?" she asked accusingly, rubbing her wrist.
"How about pulling you to safety?"
"Noble gesture. But I was fine. Besides, anyone could've have seen you!"
Logan shrugged guiltily. "No one was looking."
"Someone is always looking. Any PI worth his salt knows that." Veronica rolled her eyes as though she'd given him this lesson before.
"Well, is anyone looking now?" Logan waved his arms with a flourish to emphasize the emptiness of the room.
Veronica glanced around at each corner of the room and at the closed door. "Good point," she conceded. Then she launched herself at him, knocking him back into a desk and kissing him hard as he caught her. It didn't take him a second to regain his balance and kiss her back.
Part 14
