Chapter Text
Prologue- June 2006
It all changed that day. Veronica Mars was on the roof of the Neptune Grand Hotel, gun in hand, pointing it at the seventeen year old rapist and murderer. Logan Echolls, her ex-boyfriend, backed away from Cassidy Casablancas, the villain, while trying to talk to Veronica.
“Give me the gun, Veronica. You aren't a killer!” Logan was moving away from Cassidy. He had gotten a text from Veronica to meet her on the roof. When he got up there, he was shocked to see his best friend's little brother standing over his ex-girlfriend. He distracted him, pulling gunfire and giving Veronica a chance to push Cassidy. He had dropped the gun and he and Logan fought. Veronica had picked up the gun and aimed it at Cassidy.
“Move away from him, Logan. He killed my father! He raped me!” Tears rolled down her cheeks as her hands trembled, holding the gun.
Cassidy was silent. He had lost his upper hand and knew it was all downhill for him. He had been bullied and ridiculed his whole life. He had been sexually abused by Mayor Goodman and when he had a chance to feel some power, he took advantage of a young and innocent Veronica. He admitted it all to her, played with her emotions before blowing up the plane carrying her father and the mayor before her eyes. Now, as Veronica pointed his gun at him, he accepted his fate. She deserved to shoot him, kill him.
“Veronica, please, hand me the gun.” Logan panted nervously as he closed the distance between him and his ex. He understood why but didn't want to her live with the consequences of this action. She let him get close and grab the gun from her, taking her small frame into his arms and holding her as she trembled and sobbed. She pushed her face against his chest and he could feel her tears soaking his shirt.
“You can send me the wedding invitation as a thank you, Logan.” Cassidy was smirking as he mocked them. Logan looked up and held the gun up at Cassidy. He wanted to pull the trigger, but he would wait for authorities. He felt Veronica push his chest,causing him to stumble backwards. She turned on the ball of her foot and ran towards Cassidy. Logan's eyes widened as he watched, still reacting to the push. Veronica rushed at Cassidy, arms out in front of her, screaming wildly. She made contact and Logan's heart stopped. Cassidy grabbed at her, tearing her shirt, but never getting a good grip. Cassidy stumbled back and fell off the roof of the hotel, landing on a car below. Veronica stood there, panting, watching the car's lights flicker as the alarmed sounded.
Logan stood there, the gun heavy in his hand as he watched his ex-girlfriend murder his best friend's little brother. He dropped the gun and Veronica turned around.
“Guess I am after all.” Her voice was soft and she sounded so defeated. She walked to her purse and picked it up, shoving things back into it. She walked to the door and blinked as she ran into someone. She stopped and looked up at the tall, slender black man before her. “Mr. Wiedman. What are you doing here?”
“Veronica. I... I think we should discuss what just happened.” He looked down at her with calm eyes. Sure, he had bugged her bedroom before, listening in to her conversations with a device in a ceramic panda bear. But then they found the body of Amelia Delongpre together and seemed to have decided to live in civil respect towards each other. “Come with me.”
Logan blinked. He recognized Clarence from the Jake Kane's offices and sometimes residence. Clarence was the head of security for Kane Software. Logan grew up with Jake's son, Duncan, and dated Jake's daughter, Lilly. He seemed to know Veronica pretty well, but Logan couldn't figure out why. Logan slowly walked up to the two. Clarence Wiedman nodded to him. “Mr. Echolls. I will need to speak to you as well, but Ms. Mars and I need some privacy. I will find you.” And with that, he opened the door to the stairs leading down and gestured. Logan was in shock and since Veronica seemed calm, he nodded and walked pasted him. He stopped and looked at Veronica but she was looking down at her hands. He nodded a bit, mostly to himself and turned to walk down the stairs.
As Clarence went to close the door, Veronica looked up. “Logan! Could you check on Mac? Get into her room and make sure she's ok?” Cindy Mackenzie was one of Veronica's best friend and Cassidy's girlfriend. Cassidy had gotten a room for himself and Mac to finally make love. Veronica hadn't seen her friend since they graduated earlier that day.
Logan looked back at her, eyes big and sad and nodded. “Yea. I'll do that. I'll see you in a bit, ok?” She nodded and he continued down the stairs.
Clarence lead her to an air conditioning unit and sat her down on it. “Miss Mars, as you know, murder is a crime. There's a huge difference between shooting a teenager who is aggressively attacking you and pushing him off the roof as your boyfriend holds him at gun point.”
Veronica looked up and raised a brow at the tall man. “I...” she started, but he had a point. She did murder Cassidy. She closed her lips and looked at her hands again.
“I'm here to help, Veronica. I want to make sure you and Logan get through this unscathed.”
Veronica looked up at him, fire in her eyes. “I think it's a little late for that, Clarence! I think rape and exploding buses damaged us.” She was, of course, referring to the bomb on the school bus that murdered half a dozen people. She glared at Clarence for a moment, then thoughts of the exploding plane carrying Mayor Woody Goodman, pedophile, and Keith Mars, father, ran through her mind. She hunched over, defeated again.
“Veronica, I have a plan. I can easily erase this from your record. But, I know you won't be the same. I want to offer my assistance with getting you through this time, the remorse of what happened here.” He put his hand on her shoulder and nodded with a soft smile.
She was overwhelmed and nodded, agreeing to his help. She walked downstairs with him, found Mac and Logan in Cassidy's room and watched as Logan and Clarence talked. She hugged a naked Mac and consoled her. Cassidy had stolen everything from Mac, except her virginity. She was left with only the shower curtain to cover herself up. She was confused and hurt.
Veronica talked with Sheriff Lamb, who shockingly felt bad for her. She told him that Cassidy had jumped once she got the gun. She and Logan told the same story, the truth up until Logan got the gun from her. She was only at the station for an hour or so before Deputy Sacks drove her home. Sacks offered her condolences and his services for anything she might need. He left, wiping a tear.
Logan stayed in his car, watching the deputy leave and knowing Veronica was up there, alone, when she shouldn't be. He got out of his car and walked up to her door, but stopped short of knocking when he heard voices. He leaned in and listened.
“I think Lamb believed us. Logan doesn't want me to go to jail, and now he's in this. I doubt he'll change his story now.”
“Veronica, I know it was hard to lie to him, to make Logan lie for you, but it's either that or prison and you're too good of a detective to be incarcerated.” The male paused for a moment and Logan could see him walk to Veronica and hug her. “I am here for you, Veronica. I think you have so much potential and the real crime would be having you waste away in a cell.” He checked his watched and his shoulders slouched a bit. “Veronica, I have to go, I have some calls to make regarding another case, but I left my card on the counter. Call me if you need anything. I'll check in on you tomorrow.” Another hug and he moved towards the door.
Clarence saw Logan as he opened the door and moved towards the hallway. He smiled at the teenager and left the door open. “I'm sure she could use consoling, Mr. Echolls. Take care.” Clarence turned and slipped past Logan. Logan watched him for a moment as he left the apartment complex then turned and walked into the Mars apartment. He looked around and didn't see Veronica.
“Veronica? It's me, Logan. I thought you could use a friend.” He moved towards her bedroom and softly spoke. “I know it's hard right now, but it'll get easier. I know. Um.” He stopped when he reached her bedroom. She was topless in just her panties, blinking up at him as she put on a tank top. “I'm sorry.” He turned and gave her privacy, his heart racing a bit. “I didn't realized you and Kane security were so close.”
“We worked together on a case once. Or against each other.” She sighed and shook her head. “It's complicated.” She put on some pajama pants and crawled into bed. “Look, I just want to go to bed and cry for a few years. I know I disappointed you, but my dad...” She trailed off. He knew the rest of the sentence anyway. He went to the bed and sat next to her.
“Of course, I just.. I didn't want you to be alone. I'm gonna go sleep on the couch I'll leave the door open and you just call for me if you need me, alright?” He waited for her to nod, tears rolling down her face, his heart breaking into a million pieces all over again. He leaned in and hugged her. He kissed the top of her head and stood up. He waited for her to scoot down on the bed and he pulled the covers over her. She curled up, hugging a stuffed animal and closed her eyes, tears still coming. He backed out of the room, wiping his own tears away and laid on the couch.
The next morning was a mix of emotions as Veronica woke to the smell of bacon, rushing out thinking her dad was making breakfast and finding it was only Logan. But then her dad came out of his bedroom and told her that he drove back instead of flying with Woody. Logan watched as Veronica hugged her father who had no idea what had happened the night before. She looked like she did yesterday, but he knew she was changed. Logan sneaked out to give their reunion some privacy.
Veronica and Keith went to New York for a week, as planned, and had a wonderful time. She came back to some weird voicemails from Logan and decided to check it out. She went to the Neptune Grand Hotel and had to stop and take a moment to remember what happened a couple weeks ago on the roof. She rode the elevator up to the penthouse and knocked on the door. A disheveled Logan answered. “Hey.”
“Yea, hi McScruff. Have you seen Logan?” She gently pushed past him and looked around the room. It was messy and smelled of old pizza and stale beer. “Whoa, Logan. Doesn't the room come with housekeeping?” She turned and looked up at him. He stood there, sad eyes looking down at her.
“I've been thinking a lot about us, Veronica. I really wanted to talk to you, but you wouldn't return my calls and I couldn't find you. Pizza boxes didn't seem to matter.” He offered a smile. “I'm glad you are ok though.”
“My dad and I went to New York, Logan. You knew we had that trip.” She walked back to him and looked up at him, concerned. “What's up? Why did you want to talk to me?” She grabbed his hands and wrapped her fingers around his. Her voice softened. “Is everything alright?”
A deep breath later, he replied. “I got news about my dad. He was killed here, the same night as Cassidy. Someone went into his room and shot him in the back of the head. Kendall found him.” He could see Veronica wince a bit when he said “Cassidy” and “Kendall”. Kendall Casablancas is the step-mother to Dick and Cassidy Casablancas. She's a gold digger who shows no shame in being a trophy wife. Kendall and Logan had some relations the last time Logan and Veronica broke up.
“Logan! Oh my god! I'm sorry. I mean, are we sorry he's dead? I'm not judging, just curious. Not sure how to react.”
Logan nodded. “He was my father. I am who I am because of him.” He huffed and let go of her hands. He walked to the couch and flopped down. “I went to his funeral. Trina sends her love, through her tears, of course.” He rolled his eyes and started to play with a button on his shirt.
Veronica walked over and sat on the coffee table in front of him. “Oh, Logan! I'm sorry. I left my phone at home. I wasn't avoiding you or anything. I just... I was dealing with stuff too.” She cupped his knees.
Logan looked down at her hands and then up to her face and shook his head. “I don't get it, Veronica. I don't get how you can be your normal self when some real shit has happened and... “ he trailed off. Veronica looked up at him, confused for a second, then caught on.
“Well, I did what I had to do. I'm always going to do what I have to do, Logan. I have to move on and be normal because that's what expected of me. I got my dad back!” She sighed and let her hands drop. “I already knew Cassidy raped me. Woody had been treated for chlamydia. I figured out that Cassidy was one of the boys he assaulted. I can do simple math, Logan.”
Logan watched her and shook his head. “I can't even begin to understand you right now. I love you so much, Veronica, but I watched you murder someone, and covered for you. I don't even mind you doing it, the asshole deserved it. But, I can't understand how you can be you right now. I feel like you don't even know how bad it is.” He stood up and walked around, eyes tearing up. “I can't even look at you without seeing what you did. I thought we.. I thought we were epic. I think I was wrong. I.. I'll see you at Hearst in the fall.” He turned and walked into the bedroom and closed the door.
Veronica sat there, blinking at the door. She didn't move for a few seconds. She smacked her lips and nodded. “Ok then.” She stood up and walked out of the hotel room, letting the door gently close behind her.
Chapter One- May 2016
Cindy Mackenzie looked at her monitor and sighed. She opened the email and read through it and sighed. Her phone beeped and she looked down at it. Wallace has sent her a text message. “PIRATE PRIDE, BABY!” Mac sighed again. Ten years had passed since high school and they wanted to reunite and get drunk at some big party. People she hated and hated her sent her an email inviting them to a party, something they wouldn't have done ten years ago. She cleared the text message from her phone and dialed a number. It went to voicemail. “Hey, reunion is coming up and I could use some backup. Wallace is way too excited and he can't hide it.” She paused. “I'm sure your dad would love to see you too. You can stay here. Don't make me beg.” She tapped 'end' and sighed.
“Miss Mackenzie? A Logan Echolls is here to see you.” Her intercom rattled.
“Of course! I think of her, he thinks of her. He comes to haunt me.” She muttered and tapped the intercom and told her assistant to send him in.
“Mac! I love what you are doing with your hair. I miss the color streaks though.” He winked and walked in. He was in a fancy designer suit and looked good. She couldn't deny he was attractive, but she never looked at him more than her best friend's ex.
“Hot shot Logan Echolls! Here to see me! I'm flattered!” She rose and straightened her pencil skirt and fluffing her faux-hawk hairstyle. She strutted around her desk to give him a hug. It was a friendly embrace. “Can I get you some coffee or water? What brings you to my tower of solitude?”
“Veronica.”
That stopped Mac. She took a deep breath and slouched her shoulders a bit. “I haven't talked to her in months, Logan. I don't know where she is. I'm sorry.”
“I know. I'm sure you do what you can to keep in touch, I just...” He came in and sat on her leather couch and looked around her fancy office. It was all leather and wood. Mac was a Chief Executive Officer of a top software developer. “I just had to ask if you had spoken to her.”
Mac sighed and sat next to him and put her hand on his. “We all miss her, Logan. I'm guessing you got the email about the reunion and it made you think of her. I get it.” She wasn't going to tell him that she just tried to call her, though. “Are you ready to show your pirate pride next weekend?” When he tilted his head and looked up at him, she was smiling wide and wiggled her brows. He couldn't help but chuckle.
“Yea, I'll be there. Dick can't wait to see who remembers him and his sexual skills. I'm going to keep him from being, well, Dick.” He chuckled. “We should get together and have drinks. I think Wallace would love a night out, if he's allowed by the Mrs. We should get the old gang back together.”
Mac looked at him and shook her head. He had managed to look for her for years, but never gave up on her. He wanted things to go back like they were in high school, before things changed. Before they all grew up. At least, Logan had moved on and dated other people. He got serious a couple times, but never married. He was probably the most eligible bachelor in all of Neptune. “I can ask Wallace and even put in a good word to his wife. I won't be buying my own drinks if Dick shows up though. I can't afford that much.” She winked and slapped his leg. “Lets say Saturday? Somewhere other than the Grand though. I don't think I could manage back-to-back weekends at that place. I can't believe they are holding the reunion there after what happened. The gymnasium would have been a better choice.”
Logan nodded and stood up. “Saturday sounds great. I'll cover your drinks, Miss Cindy, if you bring Wallace as a buffer. Maybe Eli could make it too. Do we know where he ended up?” He paused and bit his lip. “Please don't say prison.”
“I think he is still local. I heard he opened a garage and deals with high end automobiles. I do believe he went legit.” She smirked. She rose and walked him to the door.
“How boring! I'll see if he's in the book and call him.” He stopped and looked down at Mac. “if you hear from her... I just want to know she's ok.”
Mac nodded. “Ok. See ya Saturday.”
Logan bent down and kissed Mac on the cheek. “Later Mackie.” He walked out of the office to the elevators.
Mac turned and walked back to her desk. She sighed and slouched in her chair. Her phone beeped and she looked. It hadn't even rung, but she had a new voicemail. She listened and smiled.
“Hey, yea, I heard about it. I'm planning to go, but work might make that impossible. I already called Dad and told him I should be home soon and I could feel his face light up over the phone. I miss you guys. I'll see you soon. Take care.”
She didn't leave her name and Mac was sure the number was a disposable phone, soon to be disposed. It was Veronica and hearing her voice brought a smile to Mac's face.
Saturday night was only a couple days after, but it seemed like it rushed up on Mac. She had picked up Wallace from his wife's clutches and promised to make sure he behaved. Wallace smiled and slid into her Porsche, caressing the fine Italian leather. “Ooooo... this is nice, Mac, like, I want-one-for-Christmas nice.” He grinned and she couldn't help but laugh. They drove to this little jazzy bar and valet parked her car. They walked in and saw Logan and Dick already at a table. Wallace looked to Mac and shook his head. “I feel like we don't know each other after all.”
Mac grinned wide. “Pirate Pride, Baby!”.
Logan got up and shook Wallace's hand and hugged Mac. They sat down and ordered some drinks. The foursome caught up on their lives. Wives, ex-wives, children, jobs. After about 45 minutes, Dick looked to Mac. “You got hot, Ghost World. Bravo.”
“Uh, thanks Dick.” Mac nervously stirred her drink. Logan sighed and everyone got quiet for a minute.
“So, hear from Roni lately?” Dick finished his beer and blinked as everyone else stopped moving. “Whoa, did time stop? That would be cool.”
“Mac?” It was Logan.
“She's fine. She checked in with her dad earlier this week.” Wallace spoke up as he waved the waitress back over.
Mac looked over to Logan and tilted her head. He just stared at her.
Dick again spoke. “Can't believe she blew off Hearst. Could you imagine taking classes with her? I mean, I know we all did, but not at a college level, with no dress code.” He moaned a bit and closed his eyes. Wallace punched him in the shoulder and Dick smirked at him. “I gotta piss.” Dick stood up and walked to the restroom.
“So, she doesn't want me to know about her?” Logan lowered his head and played with the little straw in his drink.
Mac tried to think of what to say, but it was Wallace who spoke up. “She's probably just used to the ways things are now. I'm sure she's over that fight or whatever.”
“I wasn't going to say anything, but-” Mac started then looked to her phone. It had vibrated and she could tell there was a new text message. A simple word. 'Don't.' She sighed and closed her phone, then looked back to the waiting Logan, who had his big brown eyes out and working overtime on her. She grinned. “But, I have to go to the bathroom too!” She stood up, trying her best to ignore Logan's deflation.
Mac walked to the restroom and went inside. “Wow. As I live and breathe!” She blinked as she saw the cute blonde pixie standing in front of her. She hugged her and looked her over. Veronica looked mostly the same. She was a little more slender in the face, her breasts were a little bigger too. It could be the bra she wore pushing them up.
“Mac, it's good to see you too. Um, thanks for that. I was hoping he would move on but he is a determined surfer, isn't he?” She smiled and offered a stall.
Mac shook her head. “Just my cover. So, here for long? or.... How long will you be avoiding Logan?”
Veronica sighed and nodded. “I know, I know. But he doesn't need to know. I'll probably have to see him at the reunion, if I can make it.”
“You are here but you don't think you can make it to the reunion?” Mac was confused.
“Mac, work is complicated like that.” None of her friends knew what Veronica did for a living. They knew she traveled a lot and worked hard. She sometimes surprised them when they went on vacation. She would be staying at the same resort or going to the same attraction. They figured the others told her about it, but Veronica had been keeping close tabs on the people in Neptune for a long time now. “You should get back out there. Don't drink and drive. See you at home, roomie!” Veronica winked and waited for Mac to leave.
Logan watched Mac return to the table, a little confused and stood up to pull out her chair. “You ok?”
She sat and smiled up at him. “Yup. Ready for more drinks though. I swore I heard Dick singing to the urinal.”
Veronica easily got into Mac's place without a key. She was impressed with the high security, but with a gadget or two, she was in. She showered and wrapped herself in a towel. Her hair was pulled back into a wet sloppy bun and she sat down on the guest bed and looked at the folder in front of her. It would be her next assignment. She went to grab it when she heard footsteps. She stood up slowly and turned out the light. She went out the door and listened.
“You are dead.”
Veronica smirked and relaxed a bit. She turned and walked back into the bedroom and turned the light back on. “I heard you walking away. I think that's what's important here.”
“How's home sweet home?” He walked into the room and leaned against the wall, looking as she sat back on the bed and flipped open the folder.
“Peachy. Seen my family, friends, ex or two. I don't get Logan. I think I might have to tell him if he keeps pushing. Only way I see him stopping is if I push back.” She lifted the cover sheet and blinked at the picture below. It was Molly Fitzpatrick. She slouched back against the pillows.
“I thought you might know her. I worked it out this way so you could still attend the festivities. I expect it done, Veronica.”
“Does it say why?” She sat up and flipped through the folder, but she didn't see anything but schedule, associates, and a credit report.
“You don't normally ask 'why'. You shouldn't start now. I'll see you in New York in 10 days. Payment upon conclusion. Goodbye, Veronica.” He turned and walked out the bedroom.
“Bye, Clarence.”
Dick came out of the bathroom in his usual high spirits and pumped into a rather short Latino man. He apologized but then stared at him a minute. “I know you....”
“Yea.. Pirate Pride.” The short Latino man was shaved bald and had many tattoos exposed, even though he wore a long sleeve dress shirt. He was an attractive man with unusually long eyelashes.
“Eli! Over here!” Mac pulled another chair over and placed it between her and Logan. She tapped the seat. “You have some catching up to do. I am pretty sure Dick is three sheets to the wind.”
“Pfft!!” Dick spit as he walked back to the table. “More like building my tolerance back up. Gonna be a long week of partying and ladies. Tonight is my practice run.”
Eli sat down and shook Logan's hand. “Hey”
“Hey”
“Another round, folks?” The waitress smiled and looked to Eli, nodding a greeting.
“Yes!” Dick and Logan said in unison. Dick slapped his buddy on the back and also ordered a round of shots.
It was a long night, but Logan seemed to think he was missing something or someone.