A/N: This is how I interpreted the scene (sure, sure I subtracted/put words into their mouths, but all's fair in LoVe and war, right?). I hadn't originally intended for the bus part to be in the story, but yet when I put hands to keyboard, this is what came out, and it actually made more sense than what I had planned. Also, any Duncan fans, I would really not recommend reading this section, hell this story. I'm giving him the trial and execution (so to speak) he should've gotten from Veronica. Be warned there is some minor use of strong language. Otherwise, enjoy.
"Ah young love. Ain't nothin' like it!"
It took everything Veronica had to keep her smile friendly and noncommittal. She knew if she gave Logan even an inch, he'd smash his way through, and ruin her carefully rebuilt world. Duncan, on the other hand, couldn't prevent the scowl or the tense arm he slung around her shoulders, a move she detested because it smacked of territorial macho bullshit, and given their height disparity, knocked her off balance just a bit.
Logan smirked, his dark brown eyes twinkling malevolently as he stared at the two of them, his body propped up against the school bus. She unwillingly admired his long lean lines lovingly displayed in fitted yet loose jeans and tight green t-shirt beneath an open collared brown shirt.
Veronica recognized the green shirt because it was one she'd picked out for him when they were still dating, and he expected her to dress him, or at the very least choose clothes she liked for him, when they went shopping at the mall. Logan hadn't accepted their break up, and her subsequent relationship with Duncan gracefully, to say the least, and showed it every time their paths crossed in subtle and not so subtle ways.
"You crazy kids going on the field trip?"
"Of course. Aren't you?" Veronica fervently hoped he said no because she had no desire playing ref between the two former friends during the bus ride. She also didn't want to deal with the heated memories that spooled between her and Logan whenever their eyes caught, their skin touched, or hell, they breathed the same air. She just wanted to have a good day with her boyfriend and forget Logan Echolls ever existed.
His smirk widened into a full smile, the beauty of which still managed to catch her off guard because he did it so rarely, and it was a little like finding the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
"As a matter of fact, no, I'm not. I have a hot date and she doesn't like to be kept waiting." The lascivious bite to his words and the quirked brow spelled out his exact intentions for the day, and Veronica felt her hands fisting in anger. It was hypocritical for her to be upset about him moving on, but it bothered her more than she could bear to admit (even to herself) that he would look at another girl with melting brown eyes, that this girl would hear the sexy growl when she touched him right there, or she would feel his body shuddering in delight, his face slack with awe.
Logan and Veronica never had intercourse, but they'd lain flesh to flesh, their hands, mouths, and tongues finding hills and valleys and ridges as pleasure coursed as thick and slow as honey, until flushed and damp and replete, they'd twined around the other like a sexual ying and yang, an eternity symbol of desire and heart-felt emotions.
Obviously just on my side, Veronica thought viciously, studiously ignoring the bald fact she'd broken up with him and moved on with Duncan without much of a by-your-leave.
"Just remember to suit up. I wouldn't want you to catch anything permanent." She turned to Duncan with an acidic smile. "Honey, do you still have any of those condoms left from the other night? Be a friend and give them to Logan." She snuggled into Duncan and turned her eyes back to her ex's smoldering face. "It's not like we can't get more from the store."
Logan was nearly incandescent with rage, his hair seemingly standing on end with the force of his emotions as he glared holes into Duncan's head. Veronica knew he hadn't accepted their break up, had figured they'd get back together ala the Lilly-Logan Era, and believed she was just having a fling to work out her anger issues with him. He was willing to let her have fun, but allow her to sleep with another boy? Inconceivable to his possessive caveman instincts because he planned on being her first (neither counted the drugged time at Shelly Pomeroy's party because she couldn't remember the act or giving consent).
Her traitorous heart urged her to recant her lie, to tell him she was still untouched, but the darker, harder Veronica 2.0 part of her stalled her tongue and allowed the untruth to remain. It was easier to shield herself, to drag herself from the Logan Vortex, if he felt betrayed and hurt. He was a boy who loved and hated with all his heart, who lived in a black and white world with good guys and bad guys, and now she'd be listed forever as enemy. There was no coming back from this.
"Thanks for the generous offer, Ronnie, but I'm stocked up. Costco is an awesome place to shop for the magnums because I can get them in bulk." The smirk was firmly in place, and Veronica strangely mourned the absence of the too brief smile, but reminded herself of what was at stake and to ignore the weak-willed "Ronnie." She was red satin, not petal pink any more.
Duncan, tired of being ignored by both parties, dropped his arm from Veronica's shoulders and grasped her hand. "C'mon babe, we need to get on the bus before it leaves without us." He tugged at her until she refocused on him and turned away from her dangerous ex, her skin flushing with heat as she felt Logan's covetous eyes caressing her.
"I'm going to miss you," he murmured in a low gravelly tone, his finger hooking the palm of her free hand as she passed him. The familiar feeling of electricity hummed and crackled between them, her gaze helplessly lifting to his, memories reflecting and refracting between them until Veronica felt she stood on the edge of a crumbling ledge with no way to safety. She was extremely glad she wore her green jacket over her fitted tee because otherwise the boys would see the gooseflesh rippling up her arms and peaking her nipples. The edged grin Logan flashed told her he knew how she was reacting to him, and it gave her the strength to break free of him and walk away.
"Was that little display necessary?"
She huffed. "He started it!" Oh good going, Veronica, sound like a freaking five-year-old.
"If you just ignore him, he won't bother you any more and will just go away."
Just like I did last year, Duncan? Veronica grimaced at her involuntary thought, chiding herself for being uncharitable. They'd hashed out the reasons why he broke up with her without actually breaking up with her, and she'd forgiven him. Haven't I?
She walked down the narrow aisle between the seats and chose one in the middle, refusing to look out the window to see if Logan was still standing there.
"Babe, what're you doing? Lets sit in the back with Dick, and Beav, and the others."
Veronica shot an incredulous look at her boyfriend, but he was already walking away, voice raised in exultation at finding his loyal subjects. Gee, Duncan, why wouldn't I want to sit with the guy who brought his brother into the same room as unconscious me and encouraged him to rape me so he could be considered a man? Or sit with the people who made the last year a living hell because Logan commanded it and you were ignoring me?
"You with me or not?"
Isn't that the million dollar question? Either I'm in this fully with him or I'm not. I can hold on to the anger and blame, or I can get over it and go sit with his idiotic friends and act like I don't have a care in the world.
Sighing deeply, she stood and walked towards the back and sat down next to Duncan. He immediately put his arm around her and hugged her into his body. She smiled faintly, but squirmed a little until there was some breathing room between them. There was a time and a place for PDA and now, surrounded by her enemies, was not one of those times.
The ride seemed interminable, especially with Dick complaining about the dead body smell in the back, but Veronica tuned him out, brooding on the identity of Logan's "date". She'd been keeping track of him - the PCHers were out for blood after the pool burned down - and she hadn't seen him with anyone of importance, unless he was with someone who didn't go to their school. Not knowing who Logan was sleeping with was driving her nuts because she didn't want him to get hurt, especially if the girl was only with him because of his father's infamy.
Yes, that's the only reason you care. Admit you're jealous of anyone Logan fucks, Veronica Mars!
Shut up Lilly. There's no reason to be jealous! He's a free man, no ties or obligations to anyone.
He wanted you! Gawd, he so pathetic without you I can't bear to even look at him, much less haunt him. He seems to have gotten over fabulous me fast enough.
He still thinks about you.
As well he should. I'm Lilly-fucking-Kane. But chickie, he loves you in a way he couldn't love me. Mostly because I wouldn't let him. Why are you with the Donut again?
I love Duncan, and he's so much healthier than Logan.
Sure, so healthy he spent the last year a walking zombie, and not mention how he ignored the abuse you were taking by the other 09ers. If I could just kick the shit out of him. I told you you were better without him. You're sliding back into yellow and white cotton instead of red satin!
No I'm not!
"Earth to Mars, Earth to Mars." Her boyfriend's husky voice interrupted the imaginary argument she was having with his dead sister.
Veronica rolled her eyes. "That never gets old."
"Babe, you haven't said a single thing in the past two hours. Hell, you're standing in a food line and haven't put anything on your plate."
She looked down at table covered with truly stellar food selection and then back up to Duncan's dear face. "Yeah, sorry, had a late night of surveillance for a case I'm working. I'm not really a big fan of this, but don't tell my dad I ever said it. He thinks I actually watch the game instead of staring blindly at the screen with glazed eyes."
Duncan grinned, his straight white teeth a great advertisement for the value of orthodontia. "Trust me, Ronnie, I try not to tell your dad much of anything." He leaned in close to whisper into her ear. "He has a gun and he's not afraid to use it. I'll let him tell me what to think about baseball."
Veronica chuckled, but couldn't help the slight shudder of rejection at the use of "Ronnie." She wasn't that girl anymore; she wasn't the long-haired virginal lady-in-waiting to Lilly's Neptune Queen who thought second base was risque. Only Logan called her that now and it just didn't seem right for Duncan to as well.
"Actually, Duncan, if you don't mind could you not call me Ronnie? It reminds me too much of ..." her voice trailed off as flashes of memories threaded through her mind.
"Logan." The flat tone was reminiscent of the god awful robot he'd become in the aftermath of Lilly's death.
"I didn't meant it like that. Yes, it reminds me of Logan, but not in the way you're thinking. I'm not Ronnie any more. I'm Veronica Mars."
Duncan's stiffness faded as confusion took its place. "I know you're Veronica Mars. Trust me, I've known your name since you were twelve."
"I just mean, I'm a Veronica, not a Ronnie."
"Ok, if you want." He kissed her cheek, "I have no intention of reminding my beautiful, intelligent, and cute girlfriend of her ex anyway. Bad form."
"And we all know the Kanes always have to be in good form." Veronica sighed at Duncan's slight frown. "Sorry, sorry, meant as a joke, but I didn't bring the funny today apparently."
"No, you packed light!"
Okay, nothing to panic over just because we don't make cute with the witty banter. It's not like Duncan's ever really been that guy. He was more the straight-shooter, the truth-speaker of the Fab Four; the boy who would be president. It was always Logan and I who were the sarcastic...stop brain, stop thinking about him!
Veronica resolved then and there to wipe her mind of all non-Duncan and Shark related thoughts because this wasn't going exactly as she planned, and she had no intentions of letting Logan Echolls spoil her afternoon with her attentive boyfriend. Sure she was surrounded by people she disliked and who reciprocated the feeling, and sure she wasn't exactly a huge fan of baseball, but was that really a reason to be all broody hen? Things couldn't get any worse.
Of course, this was Neptune and Veronica swore to herself she wouldn't tempt the Fates again.
"Um, Duncan, I have no intentions of riding back to Neptune High with those...mor...friends of yours."
Duncan sighed and rolled his eyes. "Babe, Dick had a valid point. The bus really did stink and it's not like you need to chip in to pay if that's what you're worried about. His dad sent their personal limo to pick us up."
Wow, Duncan, way to make a poor girl feel special.
"It's not that. I just can't stand Dick and ..."
"Jesus, Veronica. I know you've had difficulties in the past with him, but surely you can be the bigger person here? I'm going to be there and it'll be fine."
She had no intentions of riding in a closed vehicle with two of the three males who'd seen her at her most vulnerable and did nothing to help her. Duncan tried cajoling some more, but gave up after a few minutes of her stubborn rejection, and retreated to the luxurious car instead of opting to take the bus with her.
The voice - the one she dubbed Lilly because it always sounded like her - pointed out Logan would never have left her side and would've braved the stench if she was that adamant about not riding with Dick and Beaver. And if he truly couldn't abide the smell, he would never suggest she ride with boys she was wary of; instead he would've booked their own town car and spent the time trying to seduce her in the backseat.
Veronica shook off the voice and reminded herself she was with Duncan and couldn't keep comparing the two. It wasn't fair to either of them because she had ended her relationship with Logan, even if it wasn't for his ex-friend as Logan kept accusing.
The bus came to a stop with squeaking brakes which did not inspire confidence in the reliability of the vehicle. Ms. Dumass gave them ten minutes to stretch their legs and get a drink before they needed to continue on back to the school; her muttered tone and dark looks at the driver made her opinion very clear about having to stop for gas when he could've gassed up during the several hours they spent at Shark Stadium.
As Veronica came out of the convenience store, she took a sip of water and mentally girded herself for another hour of brainless chatting, wishing she'd thought to bring her latest case file with her to look over. As her foot came off the small curb, a familiar trilling laugh whipped around her like a mini whirlwind and she smelled Dark Passions, Lilly's signature perfume, as if her friend were hugging her. Chills strung through her body and goosefleshed her arms and the back of her neck; a quick darting motion of the corner of her eye resolved itself into a green and white blur, the colors of the pep uniform Lilly wore when she died.
Reflexively Veronica sought out the bright yellow bus and saw the driver was still standing at the pump, a tired and frazzled expression on his face. It looked like she had a few more minutes before they would leave, so she followed the ghostly mirage of her dead best friend around the corner.
Yet no matter how quickly she followed Lilly down the alley, a narrow stinking run between the convenience store and an empty run-down building beside it, she couldn't seem to catch up. Finally she came to a head-tall brick wall, a large Dumpster crookedly leaning against it filled with stomach curdling garbage. Veronica sighed dispiritedly as she acknowledged the near violent desire for Lilly to be real again, not merely a figment of her overtired brain.
She loved Wallace, she did, and appreciated everything he did for her, but he wasn't the best friend who intimately knew two of the three most important men in her life. Veronica adjusted her messenger bag and resigned herself to the truth as she walked back around and towards the front, only dully registering the parking lot was empty. It took nearly three minutes of frantic searching before she finally accepted she was stranded thirty miles from home.
"Of course this would happen to me," she groused as Duncan's phone clicked over to voice mail immediately. She hung up without leaving a message and tried her next phone buddy, but Wallace didn't pick up either, and Veronica belatedly remembered he was probably at basketball practice so he wouldn't be available for another few hours. Keith was in Nevada on a bail jumper run for the next few days, so he wasn't an option. She could try Weevil, but there was no guarantee he would answer either, especially after their argument a few weeks ago about her dating Duncan, and the power of the head tilt lost something during a phone conversation.
Veronica Mars, you're being stupid . Call Logan! He'll come pick you up.
No. I have no need to disrupt his private time with another woman. The familiar grumble and groan of a large engine caught her attention and she spied a city bus toddling its up the road. I'll catch that - sure it'll take me forever to get home, but at least I won't inconvenience anyone.
You're a stubborn, stubborn, girl.
Shut up, Lilly.