Chapter 5 (part 1)

Scene opens in a packed club, Veronica slides between people to sidle up to the bar. Using her petite figure to her advantage she slides into an open spot easily and waits for a bartender to notice her and take her drink order. She is smiling, but looks a little tense. She scans the crowd at the bar looking for someone. 

Veronica Voiceover: No Logan or Dick. Good. Not seeing them makes it easier to pretend they aren’t here.

The bartender, an attractive African American man with a nametag that says Johnny, comes over to get her order. The guy next to her looks pissed, and looks over at her to protest her getting served first. But once he sees Veronica his expression changes to what she assumes is supposed to be a charming smile, but instead looks smarmy. She quickly averts her eyes. The sound in the club recedes and we hear Lilly’s tinkling laughter. 

Lilly: First rule in a club Veronica Mars. No eye contact with undesirables. I know the guys won’t be able to resist our fabulous selves, but we need to be selective. 

The noise level rises again, and Veronica looks wistful. The undesirable turns to face her and tries a sad opening line. 

Undesirable guy: Are you an actress?

Veronica: (shortly) No.

Undesirable guy: You could be, you got an agent? I could hook you up with mine. 

Veronica: No thanks.

Undesirable guy: He just got me a part on LAX, and I was on Temptation Island last year. 

Veronica just looks annoyed.

Undesirable guy: You want a drink?

Veronica: Yes. And here it is. 

She sees Johnny walking back towards her with relief. She takes the drink drops a $20 dollar bill on the bar and turns to leave.

Undesirable guy: (grabs her upper arm, angry again) Hey, we’re talking here.

Veronica: (shaking him off) No, you were talking, I was leaving.

Undesirable guy: You’re a bitch.

Veronica: Then you should be glad to see me go.

Veronica quickly retreats through the crowd away from him. The bouncer opens the doors to the VIP room for her and she smiles and thanks him. He smiles back genuinely, used to being ignored by most VIP guests. 

The room is more crowded now that it’s 11pm and Veronica moves slowly towards where Connor is sitting with some of his friends. There are no open seats so Connor pulls Veronica down to sit in his lap. 

Connor: How was the dancing?

Veronica: Good. The DJ is awesome. You’re going to have to get off your butt to dance with me. 

Connor: Just remember I warned you.

Veronica: (smiles) I think I can handle it.

Veronica turns to wrap an arm around Connor’s shoulders with her drink held in her other hand.

Connor: (leans in to whisper in Veronica’s ear) Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?

Veronica: (flushes) Yes. A few times.

Connor: I believe it is in the romantic comedy rule book—repeatedly telling the female lead how beautiful she is. 

Veronica: I believe you are right. Glad to know you’re not just a pretty face. 

Connor: I try. 

Veronica: You succeed. 

Their faces are close together and Connor moves forward a bit to kiss Veronica’s cheek. She smiles and turns her head towards him. Connor obligingly places a soft kiss on her lips. Her smile grows and she leans into the kiss, deepening the contact. 

On the opposite side of the room, Logan is focused on Connor and Veronica. He watches with displeasure as Veronica sits in Connor’s lap. As the happy new couple smiles, Logan’s frown deepens. When they kiss he growls softly and the girl standing next to him looks startled. She then looks up at him flirtatiously and presses her chest against his to get his attention. Logan’s arms slide around her automatically, but his attention is elsewhere. 

Bimbo: So you’re like Aaron Echolls’ son. That must be so cool.

Logan: What?

Logan’s attention is caught by the mention of his father. He spares a brief glance at the girl. She is a red head with big, presumably fake boobs. When she rubs against him again, happy to have his attention back, she confirms it. Yep, fake. 

Bimbo: Do you get to go on set with your Dad? That would be awesome.

Logan: (sardonically) Why?

Bimbo: All those famous people. So glamorous. 

Logan: Not really. Although craft services can be pretty damn tasty. 

The bimbo giggles. Logan can’t remember her name. It’s not like it matters.

Bimbo: I mean, like Connor Larkin. He’s so hot. Your Dad just finished a film with him, right?

Logan: (offhand, still looking across the room at Connor and Veronica whispering to each other) You could call it a film. If you used a loose definition of the word. 

Bimbo: Everyone is saying it’s going to be a huge hit.

Logan: What is the difference between a movie and a porn anyway? Is it the sex, the bad acting or the low production value?

Bimbo: (looking confused) Huh? 

Dick walks up to Logan and the boys bump fists in greeting. 

Dick: Dude, this was a great idea. This place is full of hot chicks that we haven’t tapped yet.

Logan: (laughs) Yeah. (still looking at Veronica) You found any likely candidates?

Dick: I’m keeping my options open. How ‘bout you? (eyes the red head glued to Logan’s front)

Logan: Not yet. 

The bimbo looks pissed. Then she controls her expression and returns to her earlier vapid look. 

Bimbo: (trying to regain Logan’s attention) So what are you guys doing after this?

Dick: Getting down. You in?

She giggles in response but keeps her hands on Logan’s waist. She’s not willing to give up on him yet. While Logan doesn’t seem interested or even interested in talking to her, she definitely has Dick’s attention.

Bimbo: So you must know Aaron Echolls too right? 

Dick: Yeah. He’s cool.

Bimbo: That must be so interesting.

Dick: Sure. One time…..

Dick launches into a story about visiting the set of Breaking Point with Logan a few years earlier. Sick of hearing his father’s name, Logan brushes the bimbo’s hands off of him, and moves over to talk to Lindsey Lohan and the Hilton sisters. Anything to get away from more stories about his Dad.

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Connor points out Mac and Wallace to Veronica. They are sitting with a group in the corner.

Connor: Your friends seem to be having a good time.

Veronica: Yeah, I’m glad.

Connor: I’m glad you could come out tonight.

Veronica: Me too. 

Connor sees Logan and nods in acknowledgement. Veronica tenses and Connor rubs a hand over her back. Seeing her face now devoid of a smile, he realizes that she’s not happy to see Logan.

Connor: So I guess you two really aren’t friends.

Veronica: Me and Logan? No. We’re definitely not. Enemies might be closer.

Connor: But you were friends before, right? I remember him talking about you.

Veronica: Ug. Don’t believe anything he says.

Connor: He said you were fun and smart and could keep Lilly in line.

Veronica: Really? That must have been a few years ago. 

Connor: Yeah, Logan and I haven’t really seen each other for awhile. We had a falling out.

Veronica: Wow, join the club. And I thought it was just me in the former friends of Logan Echolls club who now only receive jackass Logan behavior.

Connor: (smiles) Nope. Can I be a founding member? 

Veronica: Sure, you can be president. 

Connor: President?

Veronica: Yeah, the real power to get things done is the Vice President. The president is just the figure head. 

Connor: Ok.

Veronica: Hello, Bush and Cheney? Who do you think gives the orders? Did you know he was going to be here?

Connor: (looks uncomfortable) Yeah, I may have mentioned I was going to be here. (pauses) With you. 

Veronica: (eyebrow raised) May have mentioned it?

Connor: I may have invited him?

Veronica: You invited him?

Connor: I was trying to be friends again. And I thought you two were friends. 

Veronica: (shaking her head) There you go thinking again. You should practice your Sodoku more so that turns out better for you. (she smiles to show she is joking)

Connor: Well, I have to say I like the way you think.

Veronica: Yeah?

Connor: Yeah. Your break the tension plan is a favorite of mine. 

Veronica: (smiles) Oh, yeah?

Connor: You got any more plans I should know about?

Veronica: Well, I was planning on…..

Veronica leans in and kisses him again. For some reason she is not as comfortable as before. Maybe it’s just knowing someone she knows might be watching. And Logan has been paying quite a bit of attention to her tonight. In a stalkerish, across the room, malevolent way. 

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As the clock approaches midnight people in the crowd begin pairing off. Amanda Bynes is with Channing Tatum. Josh Hartnett is with Katie Holmes. James Franco looks like he is trying to get away from Paris Hilton, and Colin Farrell is surrounded by what looks like twelve months worth of Playboy centerfolds. Veronica is happily tucked in with Connor, Wallace is still talking to Brenda and Mac is sitting with Jake Gyllenhaal, Kirsten Dunst and some of their friends. 

Connor catches the waiter’s attention and orders a few bottles of good champagne and several glasses. The bottles arrive at the table and Connor cracks the cork off to the cheers of their friends. Veronica waves Wallace and Mac over to get a glass. Mac looks a bit tipsy and even Wallace is a little unsteady on his feet. Veronica is flushed, but appears to be sober as does Connor. At only a few minutes to midnight Wallace returns to Brenda with a glass of champagne for her, and one of the guys Mac had been talking to earlier comes over and smiles down at her. A huge smile stretches across Veronica’s face and even the sight of Logan across the room with Amanda Seyfried, the girl with the weather telling boobs from Mean Girls, can’t shake it. Mac introduces Austin Nichols, her new friend, and Veronica hopes, a good kisser.

The countdown to midnight begins and everybody stands up. Veronica has one arm wrapped around Connor’s waist and the other holding her champagne flute high. 

Crowd: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…Happy New Year!

Veronica and Connor tap glasses then she taps her glass to Mac and Austin’s before taking a drink and looking back to Connor.

Veronica: Happy New Year Connor.

Connor: Happy New Year Veronica.

His hand slides up Veronica’s back to clasp behind her head and pull her into a kiss. Veronica easily presses against his taller form and kisses him back. The kiss goes on for a bit and eventually Veronica breaks it and throws her head back in laughter. Connor with his arm wrapped around her lifts her off her feet and swings her in a circle. She squeals and their friends and people surrounding them smile. A few flashes go off, but Veronica is too happy to notice or particularly care. Besides there must be better couples to take pictures of in this crowd. Like Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck who appeared to not be enjoying each other’s company at all. 

After sitting for awhile and drinking more champagne Veronica manages to convince Connor to hit the dance floor. As they move in that direction, they pass Logan who is still making out with his blonde of the moment. Veronica turns her head away and passes by quickly. 

Hey ya! by Outcast is playing as they reach the dance floor and Veronica starts dancing. Connor looks uncertain but begins his side to side shuffle step. Veronica makes a face and laughs at him. Wallace and Brenda join them and he does a few quick moves including a spin to put Connor to shame.

Connor: Show off.

Wallace: I can’t help that I got it. 

Veronica: Come on, I’ll show you. 

Veronica puts her hands on Connor’s hips and moves closer. She tries to force his hips to roll with the music, but it is not working. Not giving up Veronica attempts to get Connor on the rhythm for the rest of the song. As Mesmerize by Ja Rule comes on, she gives up that approach and turns around so Connor is behind her. She places his hands on her hips and starts to move her body in time to the beat. Connor follows her movements.  

Wallace: There you go man, you got it. But I don’t want to see those hands go anywhere. 

Veronica: Shut up Wallace.   

They continue to dance and Mac appears next to them with Austin beside her. They all dance to Baby Boy by Beyoncé with Wallace and Veronica trying to out do each other with their best moves to the amusement of the others. When It’s my life by No Doubt starts to play Connor grabs Veronica and leans down to her ear to be more easily heard.

Connor: This is more my speed.

Veronica: (smiles) Bring it.

Connor waves his head back and forth with his best Jerry Springer attitude.   

Connor: It’s done been brought.

Veronica laughs and they bop along to the song. She matches his dance style as much as possible and ends the dance by throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him. 

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Across the room, Dick is trying to pick up Kate Bosworth, who does not appear to be interested or amused by Dick’s conversational forays. Logan is nearby, looking drunk and lounging back against the wall. 

Dick: Dude, is that Veronica Mars?

Logan: (already looking in her direction) Yeah.

Dick: How’d she get in here?

Logan: I’m pretty sure she came with Connor.

Dick: Whoa, does Connor know what a skank she is? Wait of course he does, how else did she get him to bring her here.

Logan: Shut up. 

Dick: (seeing Logan’s intense focus on Veronica) What are you planning?

Logan: Nothing. I need a drink. 

Logan moves towards the bar, and Dick is left standing alone as Kate Bosworth had taken the opportunity to escape.

 Dick: (trailing after Logan) Dude, me too.

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Scene cuts to Veronica coming out of the women’s bathroom. Her makeup is repaired and her lip gloss has been reapplied. As she negotiates her way down the dimly lit hallway, a hand grabs her left arm roughly and pushes her into the wall. Her head swings to the left and she looks into an angry male face that she easily recognizes. Before she can react she is pinned against the wall with his body pressing hard against her, blocking her escape and both her arms are held captive in his hard grasp. 

Veronica: Let go. 

Undesirable guy: No.

As the guy from before at the bar speaks his alcohol soaked breath washes over Veronica’s face. 

Veronica: Let go now. Or else.

Undesirable guy: (leaning in closer) What are you gonna do about it?

Veronica struggles to free her arm so she can get to the pepper spray in her clutch. Unsuccessful, she twists to try to get a knee into his groin. But he has her held too tightly and she can’t move at all. 

Veronica: (looking frightened) You don’t want to do this.

Undesirable guy: You’re a hot piece of ass, why wouldn’t I?

Very afraid now Veronica opens her mouth to scream. Suddenly the guy is pulled off of her and instead of screaming she breathes out in a whoosh of air. 

Veronica: Logan.

Logan is holding the guy against the opposite wall with his forearm across his neck, but his head is swiveled back towards Veronica with a worried expression on his face. He looks simultaneously freaked out and pissed off. Safe now, Veronica rubs her hands over her arms. Logan’s attention drops from her face to the red marks circling her upper arms. 

Logan: (softly but with barely restrained emotion) You ok?

Veronica: (equally softly) Yeah. I am now.   

Undesirable guy: (gasping for air) Get off.

Logan responds by leaning more of his weight into the hold, lifting the guy off the ground and forcing his face to turn from pink to bright red. 

Veronica: (steps forward to touch Logan’s free arm) Logan.  Let him go. 

Logan: (disbelieving) You want to just let him go?

Veronica: No, I want to sic the bouncer on him, but if he’s passed out they won’t do anything to him. 

Opportunely, a bouncer exits the break room and rounds the corner into the main hallway at that moment.   Quickly assessing the situation, he calls over the radio for backup and quickly maneuvers Logan out of the way to take control over Veronica’s assailant. Logan looks uncertain and still mad. Veronica maintains her distance from all the guys and hugs her arms around herself. She looks small and for a moment her expression reminds Logan of the innocent girl she once was. And maybe still is. Suddenly Logan’s face is full of anger again. This time it is targeted at Veronica. 

Logan: (furious) What were you thinking?

Veronica: (thrown by the sudden change) Um, that I had to pee? It’s a human need Logan. Even you must have heard of it.

Logan: You come to this club, then you get drunk and wander around alone? What were you thinking? (he is yelling by the end)

Veronica: (angry) What the fuck do you care Logan?

Logan: I…(he trails off and looks uncertain)

Veronica: Yeah, that’s what I thought. You stopped caring a long time ago what people did to hurt me. 

Logan: (stepping towards her) Veronica…

Veronica: (cutting him off again, and waving him away while maintaining her distance with a step backwards) Oh I get it. You’re upset that it wasn’t you getting to do the hurting, right? Not one of your minions, or one of your plans? I’m your own personal punching bag. Nobody else’s.

Logan: (remorseful) No. That’s not…

Veronica: Whatever Logan.

She turns to leave, but Logan immediately reaches out to prevent her leaving, but stops before he grabs her arm over the quickly blossoming bruises only partially hidden by her dress sleeve. He looks startled at his own careless action, but still manages to get in her way to stop her retreat.

Veronica: Move.

Logan: No. It’s different Veronica. You don’t know what goes on in a Hollywood club. You have no business being here.

Veronica: Because I’m not rich?

Logan: Because you’re naive. 

Veronica: (laughs contemptuously) Oh please, I stopped being naïve a long time ago Logan. Three guesses as to when, and the first two don’t count. This is not my first time at a Hollywood club. Get real.

Logan: Who? Oh. 

Realization sets in on his face and Lilly might as well be standing between them. Veronica’s face is twisted with anger and loathing. 

Veronica: Yeah. Oh. So back off. It’s not any of your business. Not anymore.

Logan: (regaining his footing) It is when someone tries to hurt you. 

Veronica: Hurt me? Like you?

Logan: Physically. Hurt you physically.

Veronica blanches and the color drains out of her face. Logan looks lost again, not sure what just happened.

Veronica: (unsteadily) You think no one has ever hurt me before physically.

Logan: Of course not. No one would….

Veronica: (interrupting, yelling) Are you serious Logan? You made it ok for anyone to hurt me, to do whatever they wanted to me.

Veronica’s face is a mask of pain now and she hugs her arms around herself again. A bouncer has returned from ejecting the undesirable and was approaching to talk to her, but stops at the scene playing out before him. 

Logan: No one would…. No, not physically. (Logan sounds unsure, but his voice gains strength) No one was supposed to touch you. It was an order. 

Veronica looks up at Logan with all the pain and anger she felt after the rape in her eyes and face. She is still deathly pale except for a bloom of bright pink over her cheeks. As she stares down Logan and his naïve assumption, her eyes fill with tears, but she refuses to let them fall. She shakes her head and pushes Logan out of her way. The bouncer falls in step with her and speaks comfortingly, asking her is she is alright and if she wants to press charges. Logan turns to follow her and trails behind her looking devastated. His mouth hangs open a bit and he blinks rapidly as the realization of what she meant set in. 

Veronica allows the bouncer to usher her towards the bar where Mood’s manager is waiting. Logan catches up to them and overhears Veronica say that she doesn’t want to press charges. 

Logan: Yes she does.

Veronica: Go away Logan.

Logan: She wants to press charges.

Veronica: No, I don’t. 

She smiles reassuringly at the manager and bouncer who both look worried. Logan also levels a tight smile at them and leans in to speak lowly in Veronica’s ear.

Logan: You press charges or I tell your Dad.

Veronica: (gasps) You’d….tattle on me?

Logan: Yep.

Veronica: Why?

Logan doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t know why he cares so much that this guy not get away with hurting Veronica. But he does. He’s also bluffing. He would never go to Keith Mars behind Veronica’s back with something like this, but she doesn’t know that. He maintains his hard face until she caves and nods to the manager. 

Veronica: (sighs) I’ll press charges.

Logan: And I’m a witness. I saw the whole thing.

Manager: That’s good. We’ll call the police, if we can get your names and numbers for them to take statements from later, you won’t have to ruin your night. 

Veronica: Veronica Mars…

Bouncer: She came in with Connor Larkin. 

Logan and Veronica both frown at this insertion.

Veronica: (760) 555-1212. I live in Neptune.

Logan: Lo…

Manager: Logan Echolls, we know. 

Logan: (760) 555-8975

Manager: (to both Logan and Veronica) I’m sorry this happened.

Veronica: It’s alright, not your fault.

Manager: If there is anything we can do to make your night more enjoyable, please let us know.

Veronica: Everything is fine. Really.

Logan: Actually, Ronnie is starving. 

Veronica opens her mouth to protest, but Logan wraps his arm around her and squeezes. 

Logan: (smiles charmingly) For such a tiny thing, you should see her eat. Not at all like the Hollywood starlets.

The bouncer and manger are smiling along with Logan now.

Logan: Maybe you could send over some food? (turns his head to look down at Veronica) What do you want? Pizza? Chinese? Dessert? You name it.

Veronica: (opens her mouth to protest her lack of hunger, but then realizes that she is in fact hungry) Dessert. 

Logan: Something chocolate. You know where to find us.

Logan tugs Veronica away and they walk back to the VIP area. Logan stops outside the doors. 

Logan: (softly) Veronica. 

He reaches out to touch her arm and can’t stop himself from wrapping his hand gently around the marks on one of her arms. His hand fits perfectly over the discoloration, hiding it from view, his thumb covering the already slightly purpling mark on the front of her arm.

Logan: You ok?

Veronica: (hard) I’m fine.

Logan: (slowly) Are you ok?

Veronica: (softly, bewildered by Logan’s behavior) I’m fine.

She turns to go through the doors, smiling once again at the bouncer, who looks after her appreciatively, scanning the exposed length of her legs. Veronica pulls herself up straightening her shoulders and tilting her head back slightly. She marches into the room, oozing confidence, none of her earlier fear or confusion showing. Logan’s hand falls away and he glowers at the bouncer before following after Veronica once again. 

Veronica sits next to Connor who looks at her questioningly after seeing her pallor. She shakes her head and whispers to him that she’ll tell him later.  

Veronica Voiceover: Not likely. I’ll come up with some reason or story. 

Connor looks up as Logan approaches and stands to shake hands with him. From behind Connor, Veronica shakes her head imploringly at Logan. 

Veronica Voiceover: If only Logan doesn’t blow my cover first. 

She wants to enjoy the night, and telling Connor what happened will ensure that does not happen. Logan doesn’t look pleased, but doesn’t say anything either.

Logan: Hey man.

Connor: (shaking Logan’s hand) Logan, good to see you.

Veronica: Logan and I ran into each other outside the bathrooms. 

Connor: Ok. 

Sitting with Brenda and her group of friends, Wallace notices the new addition to the group with Veronica and keeps a close watch. Connor accepts Veronica’s statement at face value, not wanting to start a fight between the two who are apparently getting along for the moment. They all sit and converse easily with Connor and Logan alternating turns telling embarrassing stories about each other in their younger years. Veronica hadn’t realized they had been that close, but from the stories Logan and Connor had been good friends before the Echolls moved to Neptune, and had maintained a friendship until whatever falling out they had had a few years earlier. Logan had never said what happened then, and they weren’t talking about it now. Their laughter draws a small crowd, and soon Sean Williams Scott, and James Franco are joining in the rounds of storytelling.   Mac is surprised by Logan’s presence and apparent civility towards Veronica, but she’s not one to pick a fight and is too blissed out on equal parts Austin and alcohol (mostly champagne) to do so now. 

As the boys tell stories trying to outdo each other, Veronica notices Logan is dressed casually in jeans and a white button up shirt. In comparison Connor is in black slacks and a tucked in blue stripped dress shirt. Each piece of their outfits probably cost more than her dress, but she has to admit they look good. 

Curious after watching Veronica laugh easily with Connor and Logan, Wallace comes over to join them. He stands next to Logan who is seated on one of the seating cubes, and raises an inquiring eyebrow at Veronica, who is sitting between Connor and Mac on the bench seating. Logan looks up at Wallace, and the boys look impassively at each other. Veronica rolls her eyes and introduces them to each other officially.

Veronica: Wallace this is Logan Echolls, (dryly) I think you’re seen him around.

Wallace: Him and his crowbar, yeah.

Veronica: (quickly) Logan, this is Wallace Fennell, Neptune’s only hope at any basketball wins this year.

Logan: (grimacing) Nice to meet you Wally.

Wallace: You too, Logy.

Connor: Glad to see we’re all getting along. Anyone want a drink?

Mac: I do! 

Mac waves her hand in the air like a kindergartner dying to be called on during sharing. Everybody smiles at her drunk enthusiasm.

Veronica: Logan, this is Mac. She goes to our school too.

Connor: Drinks for anyone who is not already three sheets to the wind? (motions to their passing waiter)

Logan: What are you, the grandpa from 16 Candles? 

Mac: (with a bad fake Chinese accent) What's happenin' hot stuff?

As they all laugh and order drinks, Logan nods his head towards a new waiter approaching with a tray of desserts.

Logan: No more yankie my wankie. The teenage girls need food.

Mac claps with happiness, and Veronica looks at her with both worry and amusement. She hopes Mac will make it through the night without praying to the porcelain god. Logan waves the waiter over and clears a spot on the table for the tray. Veronica is staring ravenously at the various goodies.  Chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate cake, some sort of chocolate mouse with raspberries, German chocolate coconut bars, a bowl of chocolate cookie dough ice cream, and chocolate chip cookies.

Veronica: Oh my God Logan, this is your best idea ever.

Logan: (slanting a dark look at Veronica) Hardly.

Wallace: Only if he plans to share.

Logan: Um, (rubs a hand across the back of his neck in discomfort) the desserts are actually Veronica’s.

Veronica: (thinking quickly) Some girl dropped a drink and it splashed all over me...

Logan: So I told them they had to make it up to her by feeding her. (looks at Connor) Man, if you’re going to date her, you need to pay more attention. 

A hint of anger shows on Logan’s face, and Veronica’s eyes’ widen in fear of what he will say next.

Logan: You have to feed her at least every three hours or she’ll either pass out or start chewing on your hand. 

Veronica: (relieved) I would not. I have never fainted and I don’t bite.

Logan: Don’t lie Ronnie. You bit my hand before. 

Veronica: (chagrined) Only because you stole my egg roll. 

Logan: (large hand flourish) See man, what did I tell you? 

Connor might be oblivious to the undercurrents between Veronica and Logan as he accepted his drink from their original waiter, but Wallace isn’t. He might not understand it but he senses the hidden messages passing back and forth between the two former friends turned combatants. Deciding to test a theory, Wallace pulls Veronica out of her seat and sits down in her spot. She pouts at him cutely and Connor shifts so she can reclaim her spot in his lap again. As Veronica sits, Logan scowls at them before settling into a sulk. Wallace smiles largely, his theory confirmed. Logan Echolls has a crush on Veronica Mars. Neptune would spin off its axis if that got out. 

Dick came over as the desserts were being devoured looking at Logan questioningly. Logan shrugs and Dick follows his lead, being civil to their fellow classmates, including Veronica Mars. 

<span style="font-size: 10pt">Title: Some Truths Hurt
Author: jenwien23
Pairing/Character: all, V/Connor, V/Logan
Word Count: 8700
Rating: R for adult situations, discussion of adults situations and some cussing, some violence in upcoming chapters.
Summary: What if Veronica copied and read Duncan's journal in Echolls' Family Christmas. What would she have learned and how would it change things? In script format. Will be LoVe.
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Slight violence, cussing, discussions about rape and possible incest.

Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended. I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!</span>

 

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We open in the Mars apartment, Veronica is in the kitchen making a sandwich from leftover Christmas turkey. She snacks on chips as she constructs the large sandwich. Sitting on a couch in the living room area, Keith is reading over a case file. Their Christmas tree is drooping a bit and is noticeably dry. Pine needles litter the floor. Backup lays by the door with his chin on his paws looking at Veronica’s food hopefully. She relents and throws him a piece of turkey. 

Keith: (seeing Backup catch the flying turkey in his mouth) Hey, save some of that for me Tiny. 

Veronica: (indignant) What? I made the food, I get to eat the food. 

Keith: (snaking his head, smiles mockingly) I don’t know that standing in line at the Honey Baked Ham Store qualifies as cooking.

Veronica: Hey, I had to warm it all up to the proper temperature. An oven was involved, therefore it is cooking.

Keith: (smiles indulgently) And I appreciate your effort. And the fact that due to your meal planning we actually got to eat turkey this year instead of last year’s Pizza Hut feast. 

Veronica ignores the elephant in the room. This was their first Christmas without Leanne. She had left early in January, but she might as well have been gone long before then. Leanne’s way of coping with losing their home, status and income, had been to fully embrace the numbing effects of alcohol. The previous Christmas she had started cooking their family’s traditional meal only to pass out on the couch with the turkey still in the oven. The potatoes boiled over and burned, the rolls never made it out of the package, and the turkey was frozen inside since Leanne had forgotten to thaw it the night before. 

Veronica Voiceover: Forgotten. More likely she passed out before the thought crossed her mind. I thought Mom left because she couldn’t deal. But now that I’ve seen the surveillance photos, maybe she left because she thought the threat would disappear with her. Celeste wanted Mom out of town, and maybe me too. Was it just because of Jake and Mom’s affair? Or something else?

Veronica: (speaking in a weary tone) It was a long line. I slaved over the hot pavement waiting for hours. (narrows her eyes at Keith) It counts. Besides it’s good food. And you can pick your sides.

Keith: And you conveniently forgot the stuffing.

Veronica: Stuffing is gross. It’s mushy bread that you’re supposed to stick up a dead bird’s ass. No thanks. 

The argument is familiar; they have been having it for as long as Veronica had been talking and eating solid food. One year, Veronica had negotiated to eat croutons instead of the stuffing Keith wanted her to try, equating stuffing to a soggy version of the crunchy cubes. Keith had relented but the teasing had become part of their family tradition. When Leanne had been there and sober she would cook a different exotic stuffing recipe each year hoping to entice Veronica to give it a try. But Veronica was stubborn. Her feelings on stuffing were set no matter whether it was wild rice and apple dressing or traditional stuffing. Whatever that was.

Keith: (insulted) I like stuffing.

Veronica: (smirks) Then you should have waited in line to pick up the food.

Keith: Doesn’t paying for the food bring any privileges? 

Veronica: Sure, you had the privilege of a tasty meal. 

Keith: Sans stuffing.

Veronica: Let it go already.

Veronica walks to the living room with her sandwich and turns on the TV with the remote.   Backup follows after here and stands at her feet looking sad.

Keith: I bet Backup would like stuffing.

Veronica: Backup eats the trash, he’s hardly a discerning critic. At least when it comes to food. 

Veronica rubs Backup behind the ears in consolation. They are silent for a few minutes, Keith returns his attention to his case files, already tracking his next bail jumper, and Veronica chews slowly while watching videos on MTV hits. 

Keith: (looking up at the TV) I didn’t think MTV still played videos. 

Veronica: (looks at Keith in mild surprise) They have like 6 channels now, Dad, some of them actually play videos. And when did you watch MTV?

Keith: I was cool once, Veronica. 

Veronica snorts and almost chokes on her sandwich.

Veronica: When?

Keith: (happy) Back when you were just a twinkle in my eye, (he sighs nostalgically)

Veronica: Ew, is this going to be a long story that will give me nightmares?

Keith: (sighs) I was 19 when MTV first launched. I remember sitting around with my college buddies watching as the first song played over Apollo 11 moon landing footage. 

Veronica: (laughs) Yeah?

Keith: (sits back and smiles fondly) We were drinking Pabst Blue Ribbon and waiting for the girls to come over so we could go out clubbing.

Veronica: (gasps with laughter) You….(gasp) went…(clears her throat) clubbing?

Keith: Yeah, those were the days. (he opens his mouth to continue)

Veronica: (looks horrified, interrupts Keith) Please stop.

Keith: Veronica….(rises an eyebrow)

Veronica: (cautiously) What?

Keith: (sing song voice) I want my MTV.

Veronica: You’ve lost it for real this time. 

Keith: You know what else I want? 

Veronica: (dryly) I’m afraid to ask.

Keith: Money for nothin' and chicks for free.

Veronica: (disgusted) Oh God. 

Done with her sandwich, Veronica quickly retreats to the safety of her room, as far away from her loony father that she can get in their small home.

Keith: (calling after her) I shoulda learned to play the guitar, I shoulda learned to play them (sound of a door slamming) drums. (Keith cranes his head around the corner looking for Veronica) Honey? 

----------------

Later that day Veronica is again at the refrigerator, poking around for something to eat. Keith enters the apartment and drops the mail on the kitchen island before sorting through it. Veronica glances at it nervously. The paternity test kit should arrive in the next two days. And while it is supposed to be shipped in an unmarked box, Veronica was worried Keith might open it out of curiosity. That would lead to some awkward questions. Her cover story was that it was for a case for a kid at school, but Keith had a pretty good bull-shit detector and could usually tell when Veronica was being less than honest. 

Veronica Voiceover: Speaking of awkward, I need to talk to Dad about New Years. Then if he says yes I have to convince Wallace to go. Neither conversation is appealing. Oh, well, no time like the present. 

Veronica: Hey Dad? (trying to sound innocent)

Keith: (looks at Veronica alertly) Yes Veronica?

Veronica: I was thinking of going out for New Years this year. 

Keith: Ok. 

Keith is waiting for the other shoe to drop. When Veronica doesn’t continue or look him in the face Keith turns his whole body to face her, trying to read her body language. 

Keith: With who? Where?

Veronica: Wallace and some friends, out at a party or something.

Keith: (crosses his arms over his chest, preparing for battle) Veronica. 

Veronica: (trying to act casual) What?

Keith: (uses his sheriff’s voice and glare) Define a party or something.

Veronica: I don’t really know yet, but I was thinking outside of Neptune. LA maybe.

Keith: LA.

Veronica: (peaks up at him through her lashes) Uh-huh.

Keith: (smiles) Who do you know in LA?

Veronica: (offended) I know people.

Keith: (exasperated) Which people do you know in LA?

Veronica: Um, well, a guy named Connor. 

Keith: I see.

Veronica: (rushes) I met him a few weeks ago, and he’s nice Dad. Really. It’s just a party. 

Keith: Right. And where was this party again?

Veronica: I told you we haven’t picked a place yet. Maybe a club.

Keith: You want to go to LA. For New Years Eve. To a club. With a boy I don’t know. 

Veronica: (smiles) That about sums it up, yeah. But you forgot Wallace. 

Keith: No. 

Veronica: What if Mac came too?

Keith levels a hard look at Veronica. She squirms before smiling and looking up at Keith through her eyelashes again. She pouts just a little, looking disappointed and pushing her lip out a bit. 

Veronica: (whines) It’s just a party. And I’ll be with Wallace. 

Keith: (losing ground to Veronica’s sad face and his own hopes for her to have some teenage normalcy) And Mac.

Veronica: And Mac. It’s no big deal.

Keith: (raises an eyebrow) Ok.   

Veronica: (smiles hugely, looks relieved) Really? That was easy.

Keith: I want to meet this guy.

Veronica: (falters) Connor? Uh. Well you see he doesn’t exactly live in Neptune and is at home with his family for Christmas. 

Keith: If he doesn’t live here, how did you meet him?

Veronica: He was at the Echolls’ party. 

Keith: Is he an actor?

Veronica: Yeah.

Keith: Would I know him?

Veronica: (evasive) I don’t know.

Keith: What’s his name Veronica?

Veronica: Connor. 

Keith: Connor what?

Veronica: (softly) Connor Larkin.

Keith: (nods) You want to go to LA. For New Years Eve. To a club. With Connor Larkin.

Veronica: Yes? 

Keith: No.

Veronica: But…

Keith: No buts Veronica.

Veronica: (juts out her chin in defiance) Why? Just because he’s an actor?

Keith: I don’t need a reason. 

Veronica: And maybe I don’t need permission. 

Keith: (angry) Veronica.

Veronica: No. He’s a nice guy. We wouldn’t be alone. It’s New Years. Besides you’re the one who wanted me to act more like a teenager. Here it is. Happy now?

Keith: (sighs) Not really, no. 

Veronica: (sensing Keith is weakening) He’s nice. I swear. And I ran him in the police database. He’s clean. 

Keith: You’ve seen him since the party?

Veronica: We got coffee. He was a complete gentleman. 

Keith is still unconvinced. 

Veronica: Come on Dad, he can hardly be worse than the guys in Neptune. And I have to see them every day. (smiles winningly) He texted me yesterday just to wish me a Merry Christmas. And Backup liked him.

Keith: (impressed) You took Backup on a date? (there is a long pause before he relents) Ok.

Veronica: (excited) Really?

Keith: Yes.

Veronica: Thanks Dad.

Keith: (sternly) But Wallace and Mac go with you. 

Veronica: No problem. (rushes back to her room to call Connor, she calls back to Keith) We’re gonna stay the night up there, k? Thanks Dad you’re the best.

Her door closes loudly cutting off any protest Keith might have had. Keith looks alarmed, and then shakes his head in resignation. Veronica is a young woman, and he has faith in her ability to take care of herself and her ability to judge someone’s character. But just in case he will run a background check on Connor Larkin himself. 

----------------------

In her room Veronica jumps onto her bed, bouncing on her bottom before scooting back to lean against the headboard with her knees drawn up. She scrolls through the recent calls in her phone and hits send to redial Connor’s number. As she hears the phone ring she bites her lip. She looks happy and excited. Almost carefree.

Connor: Hello?

Veronica: Hey Connor, it’s Veronica. 

Connor: Hello? Veronica?

Veronica: (sounds uncertain) Yeah. Veronica Mars?

Veronica can hear loud noises in the background, then the sounds get softer and her can hear a door closing. 

Connor: No, I mean yeah. Veronica, I know who you are, I just couldn’t hear you. My family is watching football and the Raiders just threw an interception. How are you?

Veronica: Good. How was your Christmas? 

Connor: It was good. Mom made her famous mashed potatoes. 

Veronica: So I guess you already did the Vanity Fair cover shoot?

Connor: (laughs) Yeah. I can eat real food again.

Veronica: So I can come to LA for New Years…

Connor: (interrupts) cool, we’ll have fun. 

Veronica: Well actually I need to know where we’re going first so I can convince a few friends to go with me.

Connor: Ok.

Veronica: My Dad won’t let me come unless I do.

Connor: No problem. If you want you can put your Dad on with my Dad or worse my Grandma. They’d convince him I’m harmless.

Veronica: (laughs) Temping but no. I have his agreement, I don’t think I’ll mess with it. 

Connor: You sure? They can tell him all about my kindergarten Christmas pageant. I was a tamale.

Veronica: (sputters) A tamale?

Connor: This is southern California, and remember I grew up in the Valley. Tamales are as common a Christmas meal as turkey here. 

Veronica: Right. That’s ok. I like tamales. 

Connor: (joking) Whew. That’s good to know. I was wondering….

Veronica: Alright, moving on. 

Connor: Right. New Years. Well there are a few parties. You can pick one.

Veronica: Where are they?

Connor: Goa, Opera, LAX, Villa and Mood. 

Veronica: There is a party at the airport? I think we can drop that one off the list.

Connor: LAX is a club in Hollywood.

Veronica: Oh. Why would you name a club after an airport renowned for long waits, bad food, and annoyed travelers? 

Connor: I don’t know. 

Veronica: Which one do you want to go to?

Connor: Villa or Mood. 

Veronica: Seriously, who names these places?

Connor: (laughs) Villa is on Melrose. They’re having a private party that night. It’s nice. Good drinks, nice décor. It’s got this crazy astronaut suit and peacock behind the bar. Villa also has this rope chandelier. The Lakers hang out there a lot. 

Veronica: Ooh, my friend Wallace would love that.

Connor: The rope chandelier?

Veronica: (laughs) Kinky! No, the Lakers. He plays basketball.

Connor: I was worried for a second there. Mood is on the Boulevard, it’s cool. It has this kinda Zen vibe to it, all stone and wood and oranges and reds. 

Veronica: No weird decorations?

Connor: Actually they have a few stone Buddhas around. 

Veronica: Cause Buddha was all about elitist overpriced bars. 

Connor: I guess not. But it’s cool looking. 

Veronica: (laughs) And that’s all that counts. You know you left out the most important part.

Connor: What part? 

Veronica: The music.

Connor: Ah, you’re one of those girls. 

Veronica: Excuse me?

Connor: The girls who dance all night.

Veronica: Are you saying you don’t dance?

Connor: Well, it’s not pretty.

Veronica: So if they were going to remake Footloose you wouldn’t get the part?

Connor: I wouldn’t even be asked to audition.

Veronica: (facetiously) A big star like you? Auditioning is beneath you. 

Connor: I wish. 

Veronica: (flirts) So really you won’t dance with me?

Connor: (sighs) I will, I’m just warning you. 

Veronica: Just so I won’t expect too much are we talking Screech from Saved by the Bell, Willard in Footloose, or John Travolta in Grease?

Connor: Sadly it’s more like Zach from Saved by the Bell. Kinda the standard side step, sway, side step combo.

Veronica: (flirts) I can work with that.

Connor: I thought all girls liked John Travolta in Grease?

Veronica: Eek. He tries to get in her pants all summer, then ignores her at school. 

Connor: He loved her. 

Veronica: Please. Then why did she have to change to win him?

Connor: He changed to win her.

Veronica: Right. He dumped her at the dance to win the contest. That’s love.

Connor: (knowing he won’t win) But he could dance. 

Veronica: I admit the dance contest was good, but the carnival? Seriously can’t believe someone got paid to choreograph that.

Connor: (laughs) Ok. So Grease is not the word. 

Veronica: Not at all. 

Connor: So what do you think Mood or Villa?

Veronica: Mood sounds interesting. 

Connor: Excellent. I’ll call to add you to the guest list.

Veronica: Don’t forget my plus 2.

Connor: Veronica Mars, plus 2. Got it. Are you gonna stay over that night?

Veronica: (shy) I was thinking about it.

Connor: My place is only a few miles away. There’s a spare bedroom.

Veronica: Ok.

Connor: Do you want to come there first? You can drop off your bags. We can have a few drinks, eat, then taxi down to the club.

Veronica: Sounds good. This should be fun, Connor. Thanks for inviting me. Us. 

Veronica gets Connor’s address and they agree that Veronica and her plus 2 will arrive at 5pm, so the girls have plenty of time to get ready and still eat and make it to the club a few hours before midnight.

Veronica Voiceover: Now I just have to coerce my plus 2. Wallace shouldn’t be too much of a problem, but I doubt an A-list Hollywood club is Mac’s idea of a good time. 

Veronica calls Wallace and convinces him easily enough. He will however have to lie to his mother and tell her he is going out with the team instead of Veronica. His Mom is still a bit sketchy about Veronica, but she has been more receptive to them being friends since Keith worked his magic on the Fennel’s tenant.

-----------------------

Daytime, a green VW Beetle moves with traffic on a wide Southern California freeway. 

Veronica: Come on Wallace you know I only agreed to go to this cool Hollywood party because I need to make amends for taking you to that SDSU party dressed like a math geek.

Mac: (looks at Wallace sideways, trying to imagine the outfit) Math geek? And what was Veronica dressed as? A mad scientist?

Wallace: Man, she was dressed as a Swedish maiden, complete with cornrows and plaid skirt. Then she pretended to vomit on me.

Mac: Nice.

Veronica: You know you liked it Papa Bear.

Wallace scowls but Mac is caught off guard and ends up hunched over the wheel, she is laughing so hard. All three are dressed in jeans and t-shirts, the back is full of their overnight bags, and their spirits are high.  Except for Mac who is still wondering how Veronica got her to agree to this.  And plotting how to get her revenge for enlisting Mac’s parents against her to convince her to come.

Wallace: You know, Mac would make a better math nerd than me any day. Next time you need to geek it up, call her. 

Mac: Hey!

Wallace: (continuing like Mac didn’t speak) Now any cases involving cheerleaders or hot girls, I’m your man.

Mac: You’ll be the man alright, at the county jail once I jack your driving and criminal records. 

Veronica is laughing, but Wallace looks scared. 

Wallace: Come on Mac, you know I was kidding.

Mac: I don’t think you were. 

Veronica: Chill Wallace. She’s kidding. (looks at Mac) With great power comes great responsibility.

Wallace: Can you really do that?

Mac: (shrugs, philosophically) This is my gift. This is my curse.

Wallace: (smiles) I can think of a few people we could mess with….(looks at Mac hopefully)

Mac: Ask me later, I could be persuaded.

Veronica: Mac! Wallace. You know all vengeance and destruction go through me.

The three friends laugh. It is the first time Wallace and Mac have really hung out together and Veronica is glad to see them getting along. When they get stuck in traffic in Orange County, Veronica suggests a game to pass the time and distract her before boredom sets in. Knowing better than to play I never or truth or dare with people who know your secrets, Veronica suggests “Would you rather.” The game is relatively easy. You take turns asking one other person if they would rather do X or do Y. They have to answer. Each player only gets two passes, and can only repeat a choice twice. Wallace and Mac look skeptical about how fun this game is so Veronica starts.

Veronica: Wallace, would you rather be impotent or Corney?

Wallace: (laughs) What?

Mac: Isn’t that practically the same thing? I mean too much pot…..

Veronica: I have no idea. Ok, assume Corney still has his, uh, abilities.

Mac: Gross.

Wallace: Why’d I have to start?

Veronica: (shrugs) You doubted my game, you are it’s first victim. 

Wallace: Ok, I guess, Corney? At least I have the chance of not dying a virgin.  

All three laugh. Wallace rubs his hands together and plots. 

Mac: Uh oh.

Wallace: Veronica, would you rather perform a strip tease for Lamb or Logan Echolls?

Mac: Ouch.

Veronica: Easy. Logan.

Wallace: Huh? 

Mac: Yeah, I thought you hated him.

Veronica: Maybe, but less than Lamb. And at least Logan is attractive.

Wallace: (gasps) You think Logan Echolls is attractive?

Mac: Yeah. He is. 

Veronica: (matter of fact) He’s a jackass, but he’s pretty. Besides he’s seen me in a swim suit before. It wouldn’t be anything new for him.

Wallace: What? How friendly were you two? And is he as pretty as Connor?

Mac: If you start painting each other’s nails I will kick you out of the car. 

Veronica: (laughing looking at the slow moving traffic) We’d probably get there faster walking anyways.

Wallace: Answer the question. Connor or Logan? 

Mac: Sorry Wallace, you already used your turn. 

Veronica: (smiles) Thanks Q.

Mac: I got your back.

Wallace: How come she gets to be Q, while all I get is BFF?

Veronica: All women are natural born espionage agents.

Mac: S’ true.

Veronica: Mac…..

Mac: Be nice. I’m driving.

Veronica: I’ll do my best.

Mac: That’s what I was afraid of. 

Veronica: Would you rather…have to claim Dick Casablancas as your boyfriend publicly, or streak naked through the school? At lunch time. When school is in session.

Wallace: Oh man!

Mac: You suck. Dick. I choose Dick. 

Veronica: Your parents will be so proud!

Wallace: And the 09er boys go 2 for 2 despite their asshole status.

Mac: Veronica. Would you rather sleep with President Bush or tell your father you’re pregnant with Troy Vandergraff’s child?

Veronica: Would I have to actually be pregnant or just say it?

Wallace: Be pregnant. 

Mac: Say it. 

Veronica: Which?

Mac: Be pregnant. 

Veronica: I’d use my pass on this one, but I think I’ll need it later.

Traffic is still barely crawling along. They are going to be there awhile. Veronica is glad they left early, expecting the Orange County crush to be bad.

Veronica: Gross, but I’d rather sleep with W. 

Mac: Tough one.

Veronica: Then, I’d bleach my brain of the memory. Wallace. Would you rather be married to Madison Sinclair for at least 10 years or…

Mac: Be Dick’s gay lover.

Veronica: Or…be blind and deaf?

Mac: If you’re going to be married to Madison, you should want to be blind and deaf.

More laughing. Wallace is weighing the pros and cons. 

Veronica: Tick tock, Wallace.

Wallace: You didn’t say there was a time limit. I pick…..Madison.

Mac: Ugg. And the 09ers go 3 for 3. What is wrong with us?

Veronica: Rock meet hard place. 

Wallace: Veronica, who is cuter Logan or Connor?

Mac: Ha.

Veronica:  (blushes) Um. Well. I’m gonna say Connor. 

Wallace: You don’t sound sure. Maybe if Connor waved a crowbar at your head you’d find him more attractive. 

Mac: Huh?

Wallace: Long story.  

Mac: Long car ride.

Wallace: Maybe later. 

Veronica: Come on. I knew Logan before he was such a jerk. It’s hard to forget years of friendship.

Wallace: Not for him.

Veronica: (sad) No I guess not. (perks up) Mac. Would you rather only have a 1986 home computer, no possible upgrades, no internet, for the rest of your life or eat a bucket of lard?

Mac: I think I need to throw up now. 

Veronica: (to Wallace) Mac’s a vegan.

Wallace: You white folks are weird. 

Mac: Pass.

Veronica: Seriously? 

Mac: Seriously.

Mac: Wallace. Would you rather only be able to have sex with the same woman for the rest of your life or only have one sexual position for the rest of your life?

Wallace: Where do you girls come up with this stuff? One woman. As long as she’s pretty. 

Mac: She can be pretty. But she may not enjoy sex. 

Veronica: (laughing) Poor Wallace.

Wallace: Veronica, Would you rather get caught en flagrente with Connor by your father or have sex with Clemmons. 

Mac: Vice Principal Clemmons? (hoots with laughter)

Veronica: Why you gotta bring my dad into this? 

Wallace: (mocks) Tick tock, Veronica. 

Veronica: (grumpy) Fine. Connor.

The questions fly fast and furious. Traffic begins moving and they make their way north through Los Angeles to Hollywood.

Would you rather be beautiful but dumb or smart but ugly, and you know it?

Mac: Smart, at least I could have money.

Would you rather be popular with lots of “friends” or have one good friend?

Veronica: One good friend. Or two. Any day.

Would you rather be able to fly or read minds?

Wallace: Fly. People are sick, I don’t want to know what goes on in their heads.

Would you rather only be able to speak in quotes from Point Break or Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure?

Mac: I’d rather kill myself.   Bill and Ted.

Veronica: Little hand says it's time to rock and roll.

Would you rather have a third arm or a tiny penis?

Wallace: Third arm. All the better to pleasure the ladies.

Would you rather eat macaroni and cheese every night or only be able to drink water as a beverage for the rest of your life?

Veronica: Mac and cheese!

Would you rather go out on a date every night with smart, attractive people but never be able to date them again, or have a long term relationship with a dull, dumb person?

Wallace: A date every night.

Mac: Can I be celibate?

Would you rather be Dick’s girlfriend or Logan’s? Full girlfriend privileges. And you have to have sex with them whenever they want.

Mac: Dick.

Veronica: Logan.

Passing that question back to you, Wallace. Logan or Dick?

Wallace: Pass. Never gonna happen.

Title: Some Truths Hurt (V/Connor, V/Logan) R
Author: jenwin23
Pairing/Character: all, V/Connor, V/Logan
Word Count: 7,583
Rating: R
Summary: What if Veronica copied and read Duncan's journal in Echolls' Family Christmas. What would she have learned and how would it change things? In script format. Will be LoVe.
Spoilers: Season 1, so far up to Silence of the Lamb
Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the related characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!

Title: Some Truths Hurt
Chapter 2
Author: jenwin23
Characters/Paring: Veronica/Connor, all, will be Logan/Veronica
Rating: R for adult concepts, some swearing, drinking, discussions about adult concepts
Word Coutn: 4,019

Summary: WIP. What if Veronica copied and read Duncan's journal in Echolls' Family Christmas. What would she have learned and how would it change things? In script format. Will be LoVe.
Spoilers: Season 1, so far up to Silence of the Lamb
Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the related characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!

Chapter 2 ---------------------

Veronica Voiceover: So Duncan broke up with me rather than tell me that I might be his sister. At least now I know why. 

Veronica continues reading Duncan’s journal, eyes glued to the screen shifting left to right down the page, immersing herself in the past, seeing it through Duncan’s perspective. Understanding a bit, just a very bit, why he did what he did. It would not have been her way, but the past is past. Their love had been bubblegum and sugar coated kisses, not the kind of love to last through a trial like this.

September 21, 2003

I hate my life. I wish I was dead. I started ignoring Veronica today. I just walked down the hall and looked right through her. Acted as if I didn’t know her. No worse, like she didn’t exist. I can’t even look at her, because every time I do I see the hurt look on her face, and I just want to hold her and make it better. But I’m the one hurting her, because our parents were too, too, scared(?) to stop this before it started. 

She looks so cute when she’s sad. I can see the pain in her beautiful blue eyes. No. That’s wrong. She’s my sister, I have to stop thinking about her like that. I have to. I have to stop loving her. It’s sick. It’s wrong. 

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Lilly is pissed. And when she is upset she makes my life miserable too. As if I could be more miserable. I haven’t told her or Logan anything and God knows they are two of the nosiest people on the planet. They keep hounding me. But I can’t. I can’t stand to have either of them look at me like I’m some sick bastard. But I am, I can’t stop thinking about Veronica. Sweet Veronica. She can’t find out. And Logan would never be able to keep it from Lilly, and Lilly would never be able to keep it from Veronica. So I guess that leaves me. Alone.

I can’t talk to her. I can’t look at her. 

----------------

Flashback, Neptune High hallway

Veronica: Why is Duncan pretending I no longer exist?

Lilly: Umm...because he's a freak. I don't know. I'm his sister, not his shrink.

Veronica: It's like he's broken up with me but hasn't gotten around to telling me yet.

Lilly: He has been weird the past few days. Maybe his right hand finally said no.

Veronica: Can you not see I'm really upset about this?

Lilly: (laughs impatiently) God, Veronica, please! Will you stop, okay? He's going through like a phase or something. You two are meant for each other. He's not that stupid. (at Veronica’s dissatisfied look) Fine. I'll talk to him.

Veronica: Thank you.

Lilly walks past Veronica, then pauses and turns.

Lilly: You know, I don't know what you people would do without me.

Lilly turns again and goes on her way. Veronica gives a wry smile.

End flashback

------------------------

It felt like an intrusion to read the words that Duncan had committed to page in the belief that they would be private, but Veronica continued on. Intruding into other people’s lives is what she did now. Truth was her religion. Duncan’s decisions had effected her life, and she had a right to know the truth. 

Veronica Voiceover: And with a mother like Celeste, it’s not like he had any expectation of privacy anyway. Besides undoubtedly knows things that could help solve the mystery of Lilly’s murder. 

September 22, 2003

Lilly confronted me today about treating Veronica like shit. At first she just treated me like I was a stupid boy, but when I refused to tell her anything she got mad. She yelled and yelled and yelled, but then she must have seen on my face that it was serious and she calmed down. Or I should say she changed tactics. She told me how hurt Veronica is, like I couldn’t see that for my self. 

I thought I was strong enough to bear this secret alone, but as soon as she was nice to me, it just came out. The she laughed. I’m ripping my heard out and Lilly laughs. Of course she assumes that Mom was lying. But she wouldn’t lie to me. Not about this. Not about something this important. Lilly told me to get a paternity test to prove it one way or the other, but I don’t think I can. Seeing in black and white how much DNA we share? No. I just, no. 

As Lilly was leaving she reminded me that Dad had always acted kinda weird around Veronica. And that Leanne refused to come in our house when she dropped off or picked up Veronica. I guess it makes sense now. 

At least she didn’t look at me with disgust or horror. That’s how Veronica looks at me in my dreams now. Like I’m a pedophile.

Veronica Voiceover: Lilly knew. She knew and she didn’t tell me. 

-----------------

Flashback, Neptune High hallway

Veronica and Lilly walk down the school corridor.

Veronica: Yesterday you said we were made for each other.

Lilly: I don't-I really, I don't want to be in the middle of this.

Lilly gives an uncomfortable laugh.

Veronica: What is “this”?

Lilly: I just think that maybe you should just move on.

Veronica: What!

Lilly: I can think of a half dozen guys off the top of my head that would be a better match for you than Duncan.

Veronica: What did he say to you? Did I do something?

Lilly: No, it's not you. It's just...I-he needs some time alone for a while.

Veronica stops.

Veronica: Would you stop walking? What is so horrible that you can't tell me?

Lilly: (serious) Can you trust me? It's for the best, Veronica. I know that it doesn't seem like it right now, but it is! You deserve better.

Veronica looks at her friend, closes her eyes briefly then spins rounds, upset. She hurries away. Lilly looks concerned. Veronica races to the girls’ restroom, the one present-day Veronica uses as her office.

End flashback

-----------------

Veronica Voiceover: (anguished) How could she not tell me? Oh, God, does Logan know? 

September 23, 2003

Lilly tried to get me to talk to Veronica again today, but I refused. She was mad but at least she promised not to tell Veronica anything. Yet. There is always a “yet” with Lilly. She said if I was going to be stupid then she was going to tell Veronica to move on. Which to Lilly means making out with random guys at a party. And at lunch, in the hallway, in the pool, pretty much everywhere. How am I supposed to deal with that? No, Veronica isn’t like Lilly. She won’t do that to me. She is sweet and kind and innocent, and Lilly is, well, Lilly.

Veronica Voiceover: Truthfully I don’t know what would have happened if Lilly had lived. But she died and it changed everything. Logan turned into a dick, Duncan turned into a zombie and me? I got chewed up and spit out. 

September 24, 2003

I haven’t been sleeping. I dream about Veronica. Veronica hating me, accusing me of defiling her. Veronica with looking at me so trustingly. Kissing Veronica, but then she turns into Lilly. I wake up shaking and sweating, so I try not to sleep. I just have to make it through one more day until the weekend. Two whole days when I don’t have to see Veronica. I bet Lilly is planning on bringing her over here just to torture me, but I have a plan. Logan is coming over later and I’m going to suggest a guy’s weekend. Logan has been so mopey over Lilly this week, I know he’ll be down. It’s so weird at school now, me trying to ignore Veronica, Lilly punishing Logan, Logan trying to get Lilly back, and Veronica caught in the middle of things she doesn’t understand. It was so perfect before, me and Veronica, Logan and Lilly. How did it get so

The entry is unfinished.

September 25, 2003

Logan and Dad are acting weird. Logan asked me what happened last night, but I fell asleep before he came over so I don’t know what he’s talking about. Dad kept looking at me all worried this morning and he was actually waiting for me when I got home after soccer practice. I hope I didn’t have an episode. That’s all I need. At least I don’t have to see Veronica anymore today. I heard Lilly trying to get her to come over tonight, but Veronica refused. Thank God Logan is always ready for a party, we’re going down to Pacific Beach with some of the guys. A nice hotel on the beach, surf, sun, beer and no sisters. I hope this gets easier. Some guys on the team were asking about her today. I can tell guys are gonna start coming around her soon. But that’s good. She should move on. Be happy.  One of us should be happy. 

Veronica Voiceover: Episode? What kind of episode? I don’t remember Duncan or Lilly ever saying anything about Duncan being sick. 

September 25, 2003

I think Lilly is sneaking around with someone. It must be someone really bad, because normally she’d love to rub Mom and Logan’s faces in it. At least whoever it is, is keeping her busy so she’s not busting my chops about Veronica. 

Veronica Voiceover: Lilly said she had a secret, a good one. I wonder who would have been “good” enough to make Lilly keep it a secret.    

September 30, 2003

I had another episode Sunday night. I don’t remember anything, just waking up in the hospital. They made me stay for three days. Under a psych hold. Fuck. Even Lilly looked worried. And Lilly never worries. At least I got to miss three days of school.

I have to cut Veronica completely out of my life. I still love her so much and it’s not getting better. I can’t see her, or hear her, or talk to her. Maybe I should transfer schools. Or go to boarding school. No, then I would never get to see her. God, I’m fucked up. 

Veronica Voiceover: Duncan was in the hospital under a three-day psych hold? Lilly said he was in Washington DC with Jake for an economics of technology conference. Wait, I remember overhearing Carrie and Susan in the bathroom around that time…

-----------------------

Flashback to the girls bathroom at Neptune High. 

Carrie and her friend, Susan Knight, are at the mirrors. Unbeknownst to them, a long haired Veronica is in one of the stalls and can hear them.

Susan:  I'm surprised they lasted as long as they did.

Carrie: Oh, I know.

Susan: I mean, of all of the girls in the school Duncan could have gone out with, Veronica Mars? (snorts) I mean, how insane is that?

Carrie: He's out of his mind, that's for sure.

Susan: She really got her claws into him. You know, I actually sort of feel sorry for the guy. I mean, you know all she's after is his money.

Carrie: No, I mean, he's literally crazy. Like loony-bin crazy.

Susan: What are you talking about?

Carrie: Well, you know how Brian's brother is a resident at the hospital? And Brian told Ashley that last week, Duncan was brought in, kicking and screaming, foaming at the mouth, calling out Veronica's name. It took like three orderlies to get him in a straitjacket.

In her stall, Veronica is distressed at this.

Susan: Come on.

Carrie: That's what I heard.

Veronica flushes the toilet and storms out. Carrie and Susan turn and see her. Veronica goes to the sink.

Veronica: Carrie Bishop and Susan Knight. Go figure.

Carrie can’t be seen but Susan looks uncomfortable.

END FLASHBACK.

------------------------------

Veronica Voiceover:  I guess they weren’t just pulling that shit out of their asses. That’s weird, Duncan was writing almost daily, but there are no more entries until Lilly’s funeral. 

October 6, 2003

Lilly is dead. I don’t know what happened. How can she be dead? The last thing I remember is coming home from soccer practice then I’m in a limo with Mom and Dad leaving Lilly’s funeral. What happened? Why don’t I remember? How can Lilly be dead. She can’t be dead. I can’t, she just, she can’t be gone. 

Tears are streaming down Veronica’s face as she remembers those horrible days immediately following Lilly’s death. Her murder. Veronica had cried uncontrollably until she finally fell asleep exhausted. She was woke up early the next morning when Logan called her drunk, begging for her to tell him it was all just a bad dream. The days leading up to the funeral were etched into Veronica’s mind. Her mother’s drinking, her father diligently working the case, Logan crying into whatever bottle of liquor he had managed to get his hands on. He drove over to the Mars house with a bottle clutched tightly in his hand, unable to let go of the only thing that gave him comfort. Leanne had been too far gone herself to question a 16 year old boy’s arrival with liquor. 

The day before the funeral Dick had showed up to haul Veronica out of her house so that the two of them could drag Logan out of the bottle he had crawled into and into the shower. Being dramatic, Logan had thrown himself into the pool instead. When he finally came to the edge he grabbed Veronica and pulled her in too. When she surfaced she had yelled at him, and instinctively tried to dunk him. But Logan, easily being 10 inches taller and 60 pound heavier than her, had just stood there not having to exert any effort to withstand her attempts. That lead to them laughing hysterically, and when the laughter subsided the tears began. Logan and Veronica held each other and cried until the chill of the ocean breeze had driven them inside. Dick found them later curled up together fast asleep on Logan’s bed, having left them to their tears while he enjoyed the latest video game in the Echolls’ pool house. Everybody dealt in their own way. But walking into Logan’s room to see Veronica and Logan wrapped around each other as if they were the only things left to hold onto at all, Dick was unable to force himself to think that things would be ok. They wouldn’t. Not for a very long time if ever. So Dick sat to keep watch over his friends, and watched Logan’s early release DVD of The Matrix Reloaded. The Wachowski brothers were courting Aaron for their next film and the DVD had been one of many gifts.

Veronica sat back and shook her head, trying to loosen the memories and send them back to their place in the past. She gently closed her laptop, and moved around the room automatically in her nightly routine. She changed into pajamas, brushed out her hair and pulled it up into a ponytail to sleep in. She wandered blindly into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. All the while she carefully tried to blank her mind, blocking out the memories of who they were. Blocking out thoughts of what might have been. 

Veronica Voiceover: The” what ifs” don’t matter. We’re all stuck with the reality of the choices we made and the ones that were made for us. There is no going back. There is only survival to face another day. One thing I know for certain. I need to get the DNA test. Reading how heavily it weighed on Duncan, I don’t want that for either of us. The test won’t change anything between Dad and I. It’s us against the world, and nothing will change that. But I need to know. 

--

AN:

• In my imagination what set off Duncan’s tirade that landed him at the hospital “foaming at the mouth” is Lilly getting the pictures from homecoming back and leaving copies on Duncan’s desk. 
• I tried to make Duncan’s journal show how integral Lilly was to his life, how naive he is/was, and his go-it-alone hero complex. I admit that I don’t have a good idea of how to write Duncan. I’m not a fan, but don’t want to be mean. I’m trying to stay somewhat within canon. The dreams stuff kind of came out of no where and just wouldn’t stop. 
• I am still stealing from the VM transcripts posted on http://vmtranscripts.com/Season_1/

Title: Some Truths Hurt
Part 2, Chapter 1
Author: jenwin23
Characters/Paring: all, will be Logan/Veronica
Rating: R for adult content, some swearing, drinking, discussions about adult concepts

Summary: WIP. What if Veronica copied and read Duncan's journal in Echolls' Family Christmas. What would she have learned and how would it change things? In script format. Will be LoVe.
Spoilers: Season 1, so far up to Silence of the Lamb
Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the related characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!
Author's Note: My second fic ever, so it's been a learning process.
Chapter broken into 2 parts

AN: Here is the timeline I’m going off of:

*keith has to be sheriff still when the crime scene video is leaked but fired before Shelly’s party. Shelly’s party has to be in December, prob the last day of school before winter break. If it was a new year’s party why call it an end of year party? Able koontz is said to be arrested two months after lilly’s death but it has to happen after keith is fired and it takes longer than two weeks to put together a special election.  

Some Truths Hurt

Chapter 1

Scene opens in the aftermath of Aaron’s stabbing. Logan stands to the side looking lost. Lynn is cradling Aaron’s head and demanding the paramedics move quicker and do something. Keith has subdued the stalker and hands the now sobbing woman over to the deputies. Once they finally show up 15 minutes later. One with a fresh ketchup stain on his uniform. 

Veronica Voiceover: Wow. Everything is more dramatic in Neptune. Instead of a lump of coal in his stocking, Aaron got an ice pick in his kidney. 

After handing the stalker off to the deputies, Keith approaches Veronica. He slips an arm around her and pulls her into a one armed hug. Logan looks at them longingly. Veronica is reminded that while the Echolls may have more money than the Mars, that she was lucky to have a loving father. Logan didn’t talk about Aaron much, but when he did it was never with affection. 

Keith: What are you doing here?

Veronica: I was in the pool house playing cards.

Keith doesn’t know the full extent of Veronica’s side business of investigating things on her own and she plans to keep it that way. 

Keith: You should head home; I’m going to be here awhile.

Veronica: Sure Dad. 

Veronica looks around the room for Weevil, hoping he hasn’t left yet. She sees him heading back to the pool house. Aaron is finally being loaded up on a stretcher and put in the back of the ambulance. Lynn hops in after him and the doors slam shut. After getting a few pictures of the retreating ambulance, the photographers turn their cameras on Logan. 

Veronica: I’ll just grab my jacket. 

Veronica kisses her Dad on the cheek as she slips away. Logan looks stunned still, and then annoyed as the flashes pop in his face and the paparazzi who came through the gate with the ambulance shout questions at him. He turns and walks upstairs without his usual swagger.

------------------------

Veronica enters the pool house to find Weevil dividing up the money.

Veronica: (halfway joking) Now you’re stealing the money? 

Weevil: Yeah, you gonna take the case?   

Veronica: I’ll take my portion of the money.

Weevil: Do you really think I would steal from you?

Veronica just levels a hard look at him and holds out her hand.

Weevil: Here you go, $3750. How’s you learn to play poker like that? 

Veronica: Doesn’t matter. 

Weevil looks at her speculatively as he pockets his original $5000 winnings, and another $500 for the chips he still had. He leaves the rest on the table for Logan, Duncan, and Connor. Although most of it belongs to Logan, Connor and Duncan having less than $100 in chips left between them.

Veronica: Why don’t I follow you back to your house to pickup the laptop?

Weevil: You gonna tell me what’s on there that you want so badly?

Veronica: (tilts her head) Was that part of our deal?

Weevil: Nope.

Veronica: Then no.

Weevil: You want the rest of the stuff too?

Veronica: Whatcha got?

Weevil: Faberge egg, Rolex—probably fake. 

Veronica: Tempting, but no. Just have your Grandma bring the egg back tomorrow. Okay?

Weevil nods as he and Veronica leave the pool house and approach their respective vehicles. Weevil climbs on his bike and starts the engine with a deafening roar. A few stragglers from the party huddler closer together as they eye Weevil fearfully. 

Veronica Voiceover: Right they’re scared of Weevil, while they sell their souls to the devil, relaying the tragic details of tonight’s party to the paparazzi. Inquiring minds and all. This will be all over TMZ within the hour. Logan will just love that.

Weevil takes off and Veronica unlocks her car door. Connor appears behind her. 

Connor: You taking off?

Veronica: (a bit taken aback) Um, yeah. 

Connor: You with him? (nodding toward where Weevil just was)

Veronica’s eyebrows form a quick V as she shakes her head no.

Connor: Ok, cool. Can I call you sometime?

Veronica’s eyebrows fly up as her surprise is plain to see.

Veronica: (stammering) Umm, I…, Look, I don’t know what Logan has told you about me, but…

Connor: (cutting her off) Logan didn’t say anything. I just, well, I think you’re a cool girl, and you’re fun to be around, and you don’t treat me like a meal ticket or a meal. (smirks while looking quasi modest)

Veronica: (still unsure) I…, ok. I guess you could call me. 

Veronica quickly punches her number into Connor’s phone and hands it back to him. 

Veronica: I’ve got to get going, I guess I’ll talk to you later? (her voice trails off, still unsure what just happened)

Connor: Great. Drive safely. Talk to you soon.

Veronica climbs into her car and Connor waits for her to get it started and begin to pull out before he walks towards his blue Porsche boxster. Veronica shakes her head clear and turns her care South on the PCH. She parks on the street in front Weevils house and kills the engine. Climbing out she sees Weevil come out onto the front porch with the laptop.

---------------------

Weevil: You get lost?

Veronica ignores the question.

Veronica: What did you do to Sean anyway?

Weevil: You really want to know?

Veronica: Am I going to be hauled in to give my deposition to Deputy Lamb?

Weevil: You think he’s that dumb?

Veronica:  (rhetorically) Lamb or Sean? (shrugs) That would be an exceptionally bad move on his part.

Weevil just smiles smugly.. Then he motions towards the laptop sitting on the railing. 

Weevil: My part of the deal.

Veronica:  Thanks. 

Veronica quickly grabs the laptop and holds it under her arm. She smiles at Weevil, holds out her fist, and he smirks then bumps his fist into her tiny one. She smiles back sincerely, then leaves.

Veronica Voiceover: Now to see what is on here.

-------------------------

Scene opens with Veronica in her room staring in frustration at Duncan’s laptop. She’s still in her pajamas, but the sun is shining brightly through her window indicating it is mid afternoon.

Veronica Voiceover: Of course the son of the founder of Kane Industries has a password on his computer. My limited computer skills aren’t working to get around it and I’d rather attend a year’s worth of 09er parties than try to put myself in Duncan’s mindset and imagine anymore passwords. I have to admit I’m impressed. The password is not any Kane names, birthdays, anniversaries or pets that I know of. Damn, Mac’s Americana family camping trips. Wherever they are is so far off the grid she doesn’t even have cell reception. 

Veronica’s cell phone rings. She picks it from her desk with a hopeful expression and looks at the screen. Blocked number. Disappointed, Veronica hits ignore and sends the call to voicemail. She gets up and walks to the kitchen and grabs a spoon and a carton of moose tracks chocolate ice cream. She flops down on the couch and turns on the TV. A talking head blathers on excitedly about Aaron Echolls and footage runs of fans holding a candlelight vigil for the actor outside of Neptune Memorial hospital. The film cuts to Logan and Lynn arriving back at the hospital that morning. Lynn looks beautiful and dignified. Logan looks slightly drunk and completely pissed off. They are mobbed by reporters and paparazzi as they fight their way towards the hospital doors. Security and paparazzi begin shoving each other and soon a photographer falls into Lynn. Logan quickly pushes the guy back, almost throwing him into the crowd, and pulls his mom closer to him. As they finally make it to the relative safety of the hospital, the last shot is of Logan’s hand flipping the bird. The film is blurred, but there is no doubt which finger Logan is waving with. 

Veronica Voiceover: I guess Logan’s having an even worse day than I am. I bet Q was never on a camping trip when Bond needed some fantastic gadgetry.

Veronica’s phone beeps, indicating she has a new voicemail. Hoping it is from Mac, she quickly punches in her code and listens as Connor’s voice comes over the line. 

Connor:  Hey Veronica. It’s Connor. I have some free time this week since Aaron can’t work for a few days. I thought I could take you out to dinner. Call me. 323-555-0100.

Veronica Voiceover: Whoa. 

----------------------

Scene opens with a shot of the gently rolling ocean waves. The camera pans over to show a long weathered pier populated by several flannel wearing fishermen and many more tourists. You can tell the tourists from the locals by their sunburns, and “California” style clothing.

Veronica Voiceover: Seriously, they can find the store to sell them lifeguard sweatshirts and Bermuda shorts, but can’t locate the sunscreen?

The camera continues onto the sand and reveals Veronica throwing a ball for Backup. As Backup chases the ball, Daryl chases Backup. Wallace is nearby flying an orange motorized plane. 

Veronica: Whatever happened to kites? 

Wallace: What are you five?

Daryl: I’m five. 

Veronica:  (looks down at Daryl smiling) You want to fly a kite?

Daryl: What’s a kite?

Veronica: (looks at Wallace) What kind of big brother are you?

Wallace: A cool one. 

Backup nudges Veronica’s leg and she looks down to see matching expectant looks on both Backup and Daryl’s faces. Veronica throws the ball again and sighs. They hear a rumble getting louder and see the several of the PCH Bikers pulling into the lot. Weevil pulls off his helmet.

Wallace: Is it time for another rumble? 

Veronica: (smirks) Don't you know a rumble ain't a rumble without me?

Wallace: Right. That should be Logan Echolls’ line.

Veronica: I think he’s busy rumbling with the ‘razzi, Soda Pop. 

Veronica picks up the yellow now slobbered on tennis ball that Backup has dropped at her feet again, and hands it to Wallace. He throws the ball and wipes his hand on his pant leg is disgust. Daryl is spinning in circles until he dizzily falls over in the sand. Veronica walks towards Weevil, who is sitting back on the bike talking to Felix. 

Weevil: (looks up at Veronica flirtatiously through his eyelashes) You got something for me?

Veronica:  Humm, let me check? (pats her pockets) Nope, I left the Planned Parenthood brochure in my other pants. 

Felix: We don’t need no instruction.

Veronica: (tilts her head) No glove no love. I don’t want no bad baby pie.

Weevil: (confused) What?

Felix: Baby pie?

Veronica: (shaking her head) Never mind.

Weevil: You got the laptop?

Veronica: Here at the beach? No.

Weevil just looks at her.

Veronica: I don’t believe that our deal included a time limit.

Weevil continues to stare at her.

Veronica: What, you need to check your e-trade account? 

Weevil narrows his eyes at her.

Veronica: I’ll get it to you tomorrow. 

Weevil: Fine.

Veronica: Fine.

Felix: Fine.

Veronica smiles, rolls her eyes and walks back towards where Wallace, Daryl and Backup are still playing.

------------------------

 
link to chapter 1 part 2

Title: Some Truths Hurt
Part 1, Prelude 
Author: jenwin23
Characters/Paring: all, will be Logan/Veronica
Rating: R for adult content, some swearing, drinking, discussions about adult concepts

Summary: WIP. What if Veronica copied and read Duncan's journal in Echolls' Family Christmas. What would she have learned and how would it change things? In script format. Will be LoVe.
Spoilers: Season 1, so far up to Echoll's Family Christmas
Disclaimer: I don't own Veronica Mars or any of the related characters, but I promise to take good care of them while I borrow them!
Author's Note: My second fic ever, so it's been a learning process.
Chapter broken into 2 parts

Authors Note: (please read, it will explain a few things)

As an exercise and to refresh my understanding of each character's "voice" I slightly adapted the episode transcript from Echolls' family christmas as the prelude to the story. If you choose to read it, the prelude is the longest prelude you’ll ever read. Because some people were put off by it, I include a cheap sheet before the actual chapter begins. I love “An Echolls Family Christmas” too much to chop it down (much). The majority of the text is taken from Inigo transcripts of the episode, avail online at http://vmtranscripts.com I added in the parts that were needed to explain how this story will go AU as well as to add some background and secondary story lines.

Cheat sheet/What I changed:
The reason Veronica decided to get the laptop back for Duncan is that she wants to read his journal.
Logan was trying to keep a low profile and out of Aaron's way so he was willing to help Veronica solve the case to get back the Faberge Egg before Aaron knew it was gone. The reason Logan didn't just withdraw the money to pay Weevil back is because Aaron had put limits on his account as a punishment.
Veronica convinces Weevil to give her the computer if she gets him his money.
I played up the relationships and interactions between Logan/Duncan/Veronica, Veronica/Connor, Veronica/Weevil.

Some Truths Hurt

Prelude

Veronica VOICEOVER: Previously on Veronica Mars…

First Keith and then Veronica stand over Lilly’s body from 101 Pilot.

Veronica VOICEOVER: It’s been a year since my best friend Lilly Kane was murdered.

Keith interrogates Jake. The pictures are from 102 Credit Where Credit’s Due, although the audio is new.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Dad told Jake Kane, the most powerful man in town that he was sure that he was somehow involved in his own daughter’s death.

Veronica and Duncan kiss as they walk up the hallway from 101 Pilot.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Duncan Kane. He used to be my boyfriend.

Logan taunts Veronica by sitting on Duncan’s lap from the same episode.

Veronica VOICEOVER: And let’s not forget Logan Echolls. His dad makes twenty million a picture. Every school has an obligatory psychotic jackass. He’s ours.

Aaron puts his arm around Logan in 106 Return of the Kane.

AARON: Smile, Logan. Don’t forget, these folks pay for all of this, huh?

Weevil and Logan face off at Dog Beach (pictures and sound from 102 Credit Where Credit’s Due, except for Logan adding “Weevil” at the end of his first line).

WEEVIL: What the hell do you think you’re doing on our beach?
LOGAN: Am I supposed to apologize? Am I supposed to shake in my boots, Weevil?
WEEVIL: Maybe.
LOGAN: Look around you, man. It ain’t fifteen on four tonight.
RANDOM 09ER: That’s right.

Veronica is at Lianne’s safety deposit box, from 105 You Think You Know Somebody.

Veronica VOICEOVER: All this time, I’ve been thinking Mom bolted because she couldn’t handle losing everything. Maybe she just couldn’t handle losing me.

Wiedman leaves his house with Veronica following him to Kane Software. She watches from the car (from 109 Drinking the Kool-Aid except for the last lines of each of Veronica’s voiceovers which are new).

Veronica VOICEOVER: Clarence Wiedman. The man who took surveillance photos of me. The ones with me framed in a gun sight.
WIEDMAN: You’ve reached Clarence Wiedman, Head of Security, Kane Software.
Veronica VOICEOVER: And there it is. I know who’s responsible for scaring Mom away from Neptune. Her former lover, Dad’s nemesis, Jake Kane.

End previously.

-------------

Scene opens in the Mars’ apartment at night.

Backup is on the couch watching “The Year Without a Santa Claus” on television. Veronica and Keith are decorating a small Christmas tree. The Mars home is homey and warm, but there is a lingering sense of loneliness. Leanne’s presence is missed. They fill the space with witty retorts and friendly mocking. Veronica and Keith banter back and forth about how to properly decorate the tree, the humiliation from past year’s home made ornaments, and the meaning of Christmas.

KEITH: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You gotta put another Padres ornament over there.

Keith reaches into another box and hands Veronica an ornament. Veronica looks at him skeptically.

KEITH: What? They should be spread out so it's even.
Veronica: You know, there are some people who think Christmas is about the birth of Christ and not baseball.
KEITH: Well, we're all entitled to our own religions, Veronica.
Veronica: So what do you want for Christmas?
KEITH: Your love and respect.
Veronica: Seriously, if you could have anything for Christmas, anything?
KEITH: I want you to save your money.

Veronica looks disappointed but Keith’s attention is caught by the music coming from the TV.

KEITH: Oh hey, hey, hey, oh, it’s our favorite part.

The animated figures on the TV go into the “Heat Miser” song. Keith grabs the remote to turn up the volume and puts his arm around his daughter, who giggles.

LYRICS: I’m Mr. Green Christmas, I’m Mr. Sun…

The scene switches as the song continues with a new singer. Camera pans around the interior of the Echolls’ pool house.

Weevil sits at a poker table, the sour expression on his face showing his displeasure, none too happy to be listening to a drunken Duncan singing the same song, particularly when Duncan massages his bald head. Weevil slaps Duncan’s hand off his head and Duncan moves on to the next player, Connor, and puts a hand on his shoulder. Connor is more indulgent. Logan watches his friend, grinning, as Duncan, bottle of whiskey in hand, makes his way to his place at the table.

DUNCAN: …I’m Mr. Heat Blister, I’m Mr. 101
They call me Heat Miser
Whatever I touch starts to melt in-

As Duncan takes another slug from the bottle, Logan grabs it away from him. He bangs the bottle down on the table and puts a large unlit cigar in his mouth. Logan looks annoyed, but you can see that he is happy to see Duncan enjoying himself.

LOGAN: You start singing, you stop drinking.
DUNCAN: Aww.

Duncan slumps into his chair, feeling sorry for himself. The final member of the poker party, Sean, watches impassively.

WEEVIL: (leaning forward on the table, smirking) You know, you look pretty comfortable with that thing in your mouth.
LOGAN: (caressing the cigar) Sabor Cubano. You people can handroll like nobody's business.

The others laugh and Logan sticks the cigar back in his mouth. Logan bets.

LOGAN: Five hundred.
WEEVIL: Call.

Duncan groans as he reaches full length across the table for some nuts. He notices Sean is drinking beer from a wide-mouthed bottle.

DUNCAN: (facetiously) Sean, isn't that ghetto brew beneath you?
SEAN: It's the new me. I am projecting a ghetto aesthetic. (leaning towards Weevil) Word.
CONNOR: (quirks and eyebrow and regards Sean with faint disgust) Man, where were you when I was playing the metrosexual in “Lonely Season”?
SEAN: I was in high school, (his tone is highbrow and clearly expresses his feeling of extreme self worth) not getting paid a quarter of a million dollars to make out with Selma Blair, Connor.
LOGAN: Don’t cry now.

Logan pushes all his chips into the pot.

DUNCAN: Ooo-hoo.
LOGAN: All in.

He looks at Weevil expectantly. Weevil calls.

WEEVIL: (deadpan) Boo hoo.

Logan throws down his hand triumphantly.

SEAN: Woo!
LOGAN: Whoo!

Weevil lays out his cards.

LOGAN: Oh damn.

They are not as good as Logan’s. Logan is extremely smug.

LOGAN: (gleefully and with hand flourishes) So let’s see here. There are 42 cards remaining and I can win with 40 of them. I can win with an ace. I can win with a Jack. Will she be the ten and give me the straight? Or will I get the high kicker out of my Jack. Pins and needles.
WEEVIL: Just flip the card.
LOGAN: Okay. (sings) But the river’s gonna get ya.

Logan slaps the card down on the table.

LOGAN: Boom.

The others at the table laugh as they see the two of hearts, one of the two cards with which Logan couldn’t win. Weevil smirks and the cigar in Logan’s mouth droops.

DUNCAN: (laughing at Logan’s disappointment) I can’t believe he beat you with a pair of twos.
WEEVIL: (smugly) I'd like my five grand now.
LOGAN: (with false graciousness) Sean, the money box so I can pay the pool boy.

Sean slides a wooden chip box across to Logan. Logan opens it. There is no money. Logan continues to pull betting chip trays out of the box with increasing speed, hoping to see the money. Emptying the box, he looks up helplessly.

WEEVIL: (standing aggressively) No. No, no, no, no. You guys aren’t pulling any of that with me.
LOGAN: (seriously) Weevil, I’m not pulling anything. Where’s the money? Guys, where’s the money?

Logan looks around the table at the other guys, who look back at him blankly.
WEEVIL: (shouts) Where is it?
LOGAN: (voice rising with stress) Guys, where’s the money?
SEAN: Did it fall out?
CONNOR: (exasperated) How could it fall out?
WEEVIL: (menacingly) Maybe it was never in, huh?
LOGAN: (defensively) You know, I rolled the money up and put it in the box. You all saw me.
WEEVIL: Well, I'm not leavin' here without my money. Now...do I have to turn each of you upside-down and shake you?

The rest of the players look uncomfortable. Cut to Logan and Duncan in matching reindeer boxer shorts and nothing else. Sean and Connor are also down to their underwear. As Sean passes Logan and Duncan, he spots the boxers.

SEAN: Did you guys call each other?

Duncan looks uncomfortable, Connor looks like he regrets coming, and Logan has his swagger back and struts comfortably around, despite his choice in underwear. Weevil, his back to the group, lifts a Faberge Egg from a bookcase and sticks it into his inside jacket pocket. He turns around to face the others, now lined up in their underwear. Logan still has the cigar in his mouth.

WEEVIL: This isn’t over. I’ll be collecting a grand from each of you, one way or another.

Weevil reaches the sliding glass doors of the pool house and looks back at the semi-naked group.

WEEVIL: (staring down each of the now nearly naked guys) You picked the wrong guy to rip off.

Weevil leaves. Sean sinks into one of the chairs.

SEAN: This is the worst game of strip poker ever.

-------------

Opening credits.

-------------

Daytime. Scene opens as Veronica and Wallace walk out of the Neptune High’s school administration office and continue on through the hallway, bedecked with Christmas decorations.

Veronica: Check it out.
WALLACE: You know this is for a baseball camp, right? It's not like a hot guy catalogue.
Veronica: (interested) Do they have a hot guy catalogue?
Veronica shows Wallace the paper she is holding. It’s a brochure for a week long Padres fantasy camp. They continue walking as Veronica explains that this is the perfect gift for Keith, if only she could afford it. They come to a halt in the middle of the hallway. Veronica waxes philosophical about being poor and how money is wasted on the wealthy. Their attention shifts as Duncan barges in between them, focused on Weevil who is ahead of him.

DUNCAN: (angry) I want my laptop, now.
WEEVIL: (bored, disregarding Duncan’s vehemence) How does it feel to want?

Duncan grabs the shoulders of Weevil’s shirt.

DUNCAN: I am not screwing around.

It’s a bad move as the intervention of four of Weevil’s biker boys confirms and Duncan is shoved up and held against the lockers.

DUNCAN: (angrily) I didn’t take your money.
WEEVIL: Someone did.

Veronica creeps closer to see what’s going on.

DUNCAN: (offscreen) Well, it wasn’t me.
WEEVIL: Let him go.

Weevil waves off the bikers.
RANDOM BIKER: Lay off.

Weevil and his boys wander off, leaving Duncan fuming. Duncan looks at Veronica and for one of the few times since they broke up maintains eye contact. Veronica approaches.

Veronica: Someone stole your laptop?
DUNCAN: There was this poker game at Logan’s last night. Weevil won five grand and someone stole the money. This is his way of collecting.
Veronica: You lie down with dogs, you're gonna get fleas.
Veronica is no longer interested, and turns to walk away.

DUNCAN: I didn't invite him.
Veronica: (condescendingly) I wasn't talking about Weevil.

Veronica walks away but Duncan follows, keeping up with her.

DUNCAN: Hey, this kinda concerns you.
Veronica: (surprised and a bit annoyed) I don’t see how.
DUNCAN: I keep a journal on my laptop for the past, I dunno, three years. There was a time when you were kind of a feature.

Veronica stops, looking up at Duncan with alarm.
Veronica: (more in hope than expectation) A feature with a cleverly disguised pseudonym?
DUNCAN: Let's just say...I was prolific.

Duncan walks off as Veronica stares after him with a worried expression. Then determination sets in and she turns purposefully in the opposite direction.

Veronica VOICEOVER: There are a million things Duncan could have written about me that I’d sooner impale myself on a rusty spike than have someone else read. But if I could read it, I might finally be able to find out why he broke up with me, and if he wrote about what happened the day Lilly died, it could be the break I need to find out what really happened. I must get that computer.

-------------

Cut to the interior of a classroom, looks like the literature room seen in Drinking the Kool-Aid. The darkened classroom is furnished with stuffed chairs and beanbags. Weevil and his boys are all sitting on the floor and appear to be playing craps. Veronica enters. The bikers seem to have anticipated it, they laugh lightly and scoff as Veronica cocks her head.

Veronica: Hey.

The bikers’ attention switches back to the game, but Weevil’s remains on Veronica. He laughs.

WEEVIL: See, there you go with that head-tilt thing. You know, you think you're all badass but whenever you need something it's all, (tilts his head, imitates Veronica’s soft I-need-a-favor voice) "hey."
Veronica: (slightly disgruntled) Just be glad I don't flip my hair. I'd own you.
WEEVIL: So what can I do for you?
Veronica: (hopeful and a little harsh) You can not get busted stealing 09er stuff and let me handle this poker thing.

Weevil chuckles.

Veronica: Seriously. Why risk it? Give Duncan back his computer. Let me handle this.

Weevil shoots Veronica a disbelieving look.
WEEVIL: (mocking) Could you, please, Veronica? Protect me from the big, bad, sweater vest-wearing rich boys?
Veronica: (shrugs, acting nonchalant) I'm just trying to help.
WEEVIL: In what alternate universe does it look like I need your help, huh?

Calling his bluff, Veronica throws up her hands to say “Forget it” and starts to walk out.

WEEVIL: (in a more conciliatory tone) Of course, if I get my five grand, some of those guys will stop losing their stuff.

Triumphant, Veronica turns back, and not wasting time launches into her questions.
Veronica: Why were you even there?

Weevil gets to his feet.

WEEVIL: I hear about a five thousand dollar card game played by idiots, I’m interested.

Flashback to the Neptune High hallway.Logan is crouched down at his locker, his books on the floor. A foot steps on the top of the pile of books. The camera pans up to Logan as he looks up, then lets out a deep breath. Apparently Logan lost his top locker after Clemmons found the bong.

LOGAN: If you're asking me to the prom again, the answer is still no.

The foot belongs to Weevil who looms over him.

WEEVIL: (ignoring Logan’s provocation) I heard you got a card game going on. I’d like in on it.

Logan stands and faces him.

LOGAN: Yeah? I’m sure you would but I can’t.
WEEVIL: A thousand dollar buy in, right?

Logan shakes his head and walks away.

WEEVIL: (not giving up) I got the money so what’s the problem?

Logan pauses and then turns back to face Weevil.

LOGAN: (tone moving from with false concern to open distain) Look, my only concern is property values going down if anyone sees you in my house without a leaf blower or a skimmer.
WEEVIL: (widens his eyes, quirks eyebrow, heavy sarcasm) You’re concerned? I'm the one who's gotta go up into the hills, all by myself. What if I run into a pack of you white boys, huh, on some clean, well-lit street? I could be bored to death.
LOGAN: (flatly) Fine. It's a thousand dollars in ten crisp one hundred dollar bills.

Weevil smiles and turns to walk away.

LOGAN: (calls out loudly to be heard) We don't take food stamps.
WEEVIL: (playing surfer dude) Ouch! You got me.

END FLASHBACK.

Weevil explains that Logan only let him in because he thought he could win the money off the “dumb Mexican” easily. He tells Veronica that nobody left the house with the money and Logan was in the best position to hide it—knowing the house and having been left alone at the table while the 09er boys and Weevil ogled Logan’s bikini clad mom at the pool. Weevil’s story also reveals that Connor went to the bathroom repeatedly that night and the Sean is an elitist asshole who is driven to school each day in a limo.

Back to the present, Veronica and Weevil walk down a school hallway.

Veronica: Duncan was at the window?
WEEVIL: Everybody but Logan was.
Veronica: You’re sure?
WEEVIL: I wasn’t taking notes, but yeah. The money was in that house, somewhere. I would’ve torn the place apart if I didn’t think he’d call the cops.

Veronica: (looks thoughtful, tries to sound offhand) Why don’t you just give me Duncan’s laptop? I’ll take care of it until I find who stole the money.

WEEVIL: (surprised) Why do you care about that white boy? He dumps you without a word, and here you are helping him. Thought you were smarter than that.

Veronica: (hard) I have my reasons.

WEEVIL: (curious despite himself) Wanna share?

Veronica: No.

WEEVIL: Neither do I. You find my money, I’ll give you the laptop.

Weevil walks off.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Looks like Logan’s assholeness is rubbing off on Duncan. One less reason to feel bad about reading his journal.

Scene cuts to Mars Investigations. Logan’s mom, Lynn Echolls, enters the office and greets Keith warmly. She is visibly upset by something. Lynn explains that she wants Keith to look into some disturbing fan mail Aaron has been receiving. She says that she found the most recent piece in their house on the breakfast table. It’s a rhyme implying the Aaron is an adulterer who will lose Lynn soon. Lynn asks Keith to find the woman writing the letters and keep her away from the Echolls family. Keith agrees to take the job. As Lynn stands to leave, she comments that she hasn’t seen much of Keith or Veronica. Keith responds that the kids don’t hang out much anymore. Each parent says that their child has had a hard time adjusting after Lilly’s death.

-------------

Cut to the Journalism classroom. The lights are dim, despite it being daytime. Duncan is bent over some proofs on a lightbox. Veronica approaches and leans on the box next to him.

Veronica: Good news? I might be able to get your laptop back.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Bad news? I’m gonna read your journal and copy any other files off your laptop first. But you don’t need to know that.
DUNCAN: So what is this, like a case?

Duncan looks sideways down at Veronica and realizes she doesn’t look much like the girl he used to date. He looks constipated and a bit apprehensive.
Veronica: (jokes to keep the exchange light and friendly) Yeah, like the case of the guy who’s too lazy to handwrite his journal like every normal person.

Duncan laughs. Veronica straightens up.

Veronica: So, any details you can give me?
DUNCAN: You’re serious.
Veronica: Were you a little surprised that Weevil was even there?
DUNCAN: As a matter of fact, I was.

Duncan recalls arriving at the poker game to see Connor and Weevil already there with Logan. Duncan was startled and looked at Logan for explanation. Logan tells Duncan not to worry, that there was no way he would let Weevil walk out with their money.

DUNCAN: We all gave our money to Logan and he rolled it and put it in the chip box. That’s the last I saw of it.

Veronica: Do you think Logan invited Weevil there to steal his money?
DUNCAN: Invited him there to steal his money? No.
Veronica: But?
DUNCAN: (hesitates) Nothing.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Duncan is obviously holding something back. Loyalty among jackasses. (darkly) I know first hand just how far their loyalty to their own kind goes. It’s us lesser mortals who are left to fend for ourselves.

-------------

Scene opens on the 09er area in the outdoor lunch area at Neptune High. Sean, Duncan and some others at one of the tables while Logan and a few others stand around them. They’re eating Chinese food with chopsticks.

SEAN: That's what he decides to steal? What's he going to do with a Faberge Egg?
LOGAN: (happily and with a trademark hand gesture) Two words, man. Huevos Rancheros.

Everybody laughs appreciatively, except Duncan, who looks at Logan with anger slowly overtaking his normal numb expression.

LOGAN: (still laughing at his own wit) Hey, this is what I get for trying to be nice.

Logan slides in next to Duncan who looks daggers at him. To Logan’s consternation, he very publicly shows his displeasure with Logan by scrambling up from the table and stalking away. Logan quickly follows him.

LOGAN: (with anger and a bit of hurt) You got something to say to me, you say it.
DUNCAN: (accusing) Did you take the money?

Logan stops at Duncan’s words and is too stunned tot deny it. Duncan storms off. Logan follows again.

LOGAN: (quickly) You were so drunk, you wouldn't know if Kris Kringle walked in and took the money.
DUNCAN: (crossly) When did you get like this? It’s like you’ve been going over to the dark side, bit by bit, so slowly that I didn’t notice when you morphed into a full fledged jackass.
LOGAN: (defensive) What? Then I’m a jackass?
DUNCAN: Yeah, and I’m over it.

Duncan turns and walks away again. Logan, deflecting the hurt with sarcasm, calls after him.

LOGAN: What, are we breaking up now? Huh? You want your best friend charm back?

Beneath the gibes, Logan is upset.

-------------

Scene cuts to a large opulent room at the Echolls residence. The room is full of bustling people and Lynn supervises the action. Keith enters as the star is placed on top of a large artificial tree. Lynn watches with Keith at her side. Keith tells Lynn that the stalker has left six previous letters. Lynn is distracted and more interested in the decorations than the stalker. Keith recommends that Lynn cancel the party, but Lynn refuses saying that she has hired plenty of security.

Aaron enters the room in an obviously festive mood. He’s singing “Deck the halls.” Seeing Keith he quickly moves toward them. Aaron tells Keith that letters and stalkers are an occupational hazard. He seems unconcerned and a bit proud. Apparently having a stalker is a sign of virility and self affirmation for the aging action star.

As Aaron ushers Keith to the door trying to express the proper gravitas for the situation, Keith again recommends caution and Aaron deflects saying that this kind of attention is normal. Aaron pulls the double doors open to reveal a pumpkin carved to resemble Aarons head with a large knife impaled deeply into pumpkin-Aaron’s forehead with red drops dripping down. For once Aaron is speechless.

-------------

Scene opens in Mars investigations. Keith is on the phone trying to figure out who did the pumpkin carving. Veronica enters and overhearing asks what the job is. He puts her off, and asks her to drop off some paperwork for Lynn at the Echolls house.

Veronica hesitates, unsure about going to Logan’s house. She used to visit quite often, but those days are done. She relents and Keith gives her an envelope.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Go to the Echolls? Sure, I’ve got time. First let me make sure I have my taser and mace. Maybe Logan will give me the excuse I need to zap him. I need to question him anyway and at least away from his adoring fans I have a chance of getting a straight answer instead of insults and what he calls wit.

-------------

Scene cuts to the exterior of the Echolls home. The SoCal year-round sunshine brightly reflects off the tile and concrete. Veronica walks past the pool and briefly hesitates before going into the pool house. She is obviously reluctant to enter, but shores up her resolve and defenses and soldiers on. As she nears the sliding glass doors, you can hear sounds of a video game or bad sci-fi movie. Veronica enters to find the place is in a mess. Logan is there, playing a video game. He doesn’t appear to notice her at first.

Veronica: I love the smell of testosterone in the morning.

Logan looks over at her.

LOGAN: (smirks) This is why I suggested attack dogs. But no, my mother wanted an alpaca.

Veronica gets the envelope out of her bag.

Veronica: My father sent me with paperwork for your mom.
LOGAN: (obviously faking a happy smile) And you just wanted to say hi? It’s a good thing I didn’t have my slam book out.
Veronica: (tilts her head) I wanted to ask you about the game.
LOGAN: I’ve been meaning to ask you something.

The repartee between them is quick but not as full of hurtful comments as usual. Logan gives up on the video game and gets up from the chair, heading around the bar to the coffee maker.

LOGAN: (sarcastically) Did your super-sleuth kit come with a decoder ring? Do you have a pen that writes with invisible ink? Never mind, don't care. Mush! Mush!

Logan gestures for her to leave. With exasperation, Veronica turns to go. Logan obviously didn’t expect her to give up so easily and calls her back.

LOGAN: Hey, uh, wait. Hey!

Veronica pauses by the glass doors. Turning back around to look at Logan, she sees him staring intently at her, but when he speaks it is slightly unsure and hesitating.

LOGAN: Maybe you should talk to Connor.

She is surprised and walks back towards Logan.

Veronica: (interested and a bit shocked) Larkin? Like, Connor Larkin?
Exasperated that even Veronica seems to be under the spell cast by Connor the wonderboy’s million dollar smile, Logan rolls his eyes.

LOGAN: (depreciatingly) He's a mortal, believe me. They just draw his abs on. (pantomimes painting on a six pack)
Veronica: Is he doing another movie with your father?
LOGAN: (offhand) You know, I don’t know if it’s so much a movie as a fifty million dollar crap pile.
Veronica: (ignoring Logan’s comment) Why would Connor steal the money? He’s a zillionaire.
LOGAN: Well, everybody’s got their issues, right?

Logan puts a finger against his nose and sniffs loudly.

LOGAN: (aggrieved) Plus, the guy’s got something against me.

Logan tells Veronica about Connor calling him out for his little witticisms against Weevil. Veronica gives him a “yeah right” look, knowing Logan was probably saying racist things all night just to needle Weevil. Logan says Connor told the 10^th birthday-Rosie Perez-purse story. Veronica shakes her head and tries to resist laughing out loud as she remembers the details of that particular story well.

Veronica VOICEOVER: Apparently Logan can dish it out but can’t take it. Like I didn’t already know that. Logan hates Connor, something about how much Aaron likes Connor, so anything Logan says about him has to be taken with a heaping pile of salt.

Logan continues to rant about Connor’s frequent bathroom breaks and incessant cell phone calls, complete with annoying ring tone.

LOGAN: So unless Connor’s Pavlovian response to a downloaded ringtone is to urinate, then he was up to something. Or, his bladder's as small as his brain.
Veronica: (smiling and acting humble) I would be more than happy to question him. I’ve a feeling he’s not the easiest person to get to, probably has a team of bodyguards to protect him from girls like me.

Before Veronica finishes talking, Logan is already on his cell.

LOGAN: (looks at Veronica) I honestly don’t get it. (into the phone) Hey man. It’s, uh, Logan Echolls. Yeah. Hey, listen, can you get, uh, my friend…

The words were out of his mouth before he realized it. Logan pauses to throw an ironic grin at Veronica, who rolls her eyes.

LOGAN: …a drive-on today to see Connor? Yeah, Veronica Mars. No, Veronica, “V” as in “virgin.”

Veronica grimaces, and Logan catches it, but continues on easily.

LOGAN: Yeah.

He finishes the call.

LOGAN: There you go.
Veronica: (softly but with a sardonic edge) Look at you, all helpful.
LOGAN: (perkily) Hey, your peskiness being unleashed on Connor brings me joy.

Veronica turns and marches out. Logan follows, his eyes lingering on her retreating figure.

LOGAN: Annoy, tiny blonde one. Annoy like the wind!

He gestures and blows as she goes, watching until she turns the corner, then turns back into the pool house, a more serious expression on his face. Logan wouldn’t have helped Veronica, even if with the possible bonus of her annoying Connor, but he needed to find the money so he could get the Faberge Egg back before anyone noticed it was missing. His father had given the egg to his mother for an anniversary or birthday or some other occasion that called for a ridiculously expensive but pointless dust collector. There would be hell to pay if Logan didn’t get it back. Unfortunately, Aaron had put a limit on Logan’s ATM card the week before the poker game for backing into a planter with the Xterra while drunk, so Logan couldn’t get just withdraw the $5000 to pay Weevil. And he had been trying to keep a low profile while Aaron was home for the holidays-having this blow up in his face was not the best way to stay under the radar.

-------------

had to cut due to livejournal limits

link to part 2 of the prelude

tlace

heather13

afrocurl

(Ch. 12 - Confessions Of A Teenage Drama Queen)

All previous chapters listed here.

tlace

Thanks to Heather (heather13 ) & Roz (afrocurl )for the beta help on this chapter!

(Chapter 10 - Choose Your Own Adventure)

All previous chapters listed here.

Title: Theory of Convergence
Chapter: [9] Game On
Author: tlace  
Pairing/Character: Veronica/Logan, Veronica/Duncan, Logan/Lilly, with appearances by, pretty much, every Marsverse character ever
Word Count: 3963
Rating: PG-13 suggested adult situations.
Summary: WIP begins pre-series, Veronica’s birthday is the jumping off point. Veronica and Logan are left behind when the Kane kids unexpectedly leave for the summer
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Each part will have its own rating
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thanks to Heather (heather13 ) & Roz (afrocurl ) for the beta help on this chapter!

Title: Theory of Convergence
Chapter: [7] Certain Things Have Come To Light – Part 2
Author: tlace
Pairing/Character: Veronica/Logan, Veronica/Duncan, Logan/Lilly, with appearances by, pretty much, every Marsverse character ever
Word Count: 5800
Rating: R
Summary: WIP begins pre-series, Veronica’s birthday is the jumping off point. Veronica and Logan are left behind when the Kane kids unexpectedly leave for the summer
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Each part will have its own rating
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: A million fangirl thanks to Heather (heather13) & Roz (afrocurl) & Alli (seluciav) for the beta!

Title: Theory of Convergence
Chapter: [6] A Little Less Complication, A Little More Distraction Please
Author: tlace 
Pairing/Character: Veronica/Logan, Veronica/Duncan, Logan/Lilly, with appearances by, pretty much, every Marsverse character ever
Word Count: 4235
Rating: PG-13
Summary: WIP begins pre-series, Veronica’s birthday is the jumping off point. Veronica and Logan are left behind when the Kane kids unexpectedly leave for the summer
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Each part will have its own rating Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended. Notes: A million fangirl thanks to Heather (heather13     ) & Roz (afrocurl     ) for the beta!


(Ch. 6 - A Little Less Complication, A Little More Distraction Please)

Previous chapters listed here.

Title: Theory of Convergence
Chapter: [5] Summer Sun, Something’s Begun
Author:  tlace
Pairing/Character: Veronica/Logan, Veronica/Duncan, Logan/Lilly, with appearances by, pretty much, every Marsverse character ever
Word Count: 3385
Rating: PG-13
Summary: WIP begins pre-series, Veronica’s birthday is the jumping off point. Veronica and Logan are left behind when the Kane kids unexpectedly leave for the summer
Spoilers: Season 1
Warnings: Each part will have its own rating and it can be anything from G to NC-17
Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of Veronica Mars. No copyright infringement is intended.Notes: A million fangirl thanks to Heather (

heather13

afrocurl