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jesterladyficThis chapter's title comes from C.L. Plantinga
“What can I do for you, Beav-Cassidy?”
Veronica inched slowly toward the door. At least she was in a public place. She didn’t think he’d try to kill her here.
“I need to talk to you,” he said urgently and his face grew dark. “Alone.”
“I don’t think Mr. Taser likes that plan,” she said, putting her hand into her bag.
“Gloves are off then?” he asked.
“Yeah, gloves are off. Why don’t you tell me what you want to say right out here in the open where there’s lots of people.”
“Care to sit?”
He gestured towards an open booth.
“One second.” Veronica walked toward the counter. “Hi,” she said to the girl on duty. “See that guy over there in the booth? He just asked me to sit down with him and I think I kind of want to, but if he starts getting creepy and I motion to you, can you make sure he doesn’t try to leave with me or threaten me or something?”
The girl stared at her.
“Um, of course, sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
Great, the Space Cadet is my only protection from a potential life threatening situation. Time to put the cell phone on record.
“Got the protection you need?”
Cassidy smiled knowingly. Veronica was a little creeped out. Gone was the slightly insecure, awkward yet easy going, intimidated boy she was used to seeing. Veronica guessed that this Cassidy had nothing to hide.
“You wanna tell me why we’re suddenly best friends?” she asked, sliding into the booth.
“Veronica, I want to be straight with you. I’ve been hiding for a long time and a lot of bad stuff has happened. I need your help and I want to help you.”
“How exactly?”
“I know you’ve been investigating the bus crash. Mac told me.”
Veronica’s eyebrows shot up.
“What did you do to Mac?”
“She’s safe. Innocent as a clam.”
“I don’t think clams are that innocent,” she retorted.
“Really? Well, I’ve always heard that.”
“Can you get to the point?” said Veronica.
“Right, so my point is, I want to fill in some gaps for you. Why don’t you tell me what you think you know so I can help you out?”
Veronica leaned back and studied him. She might as well get all her dots connected even if she did know the supreme outcome.
“You played for Woody's Little League team with Marcos and Peter. He molested all three of you. They wanted to come forward. Peter and Marcos were going to spill. You didn’t want to. That's why they had to die.” Veronica could almost see all the events as she related them. “My guess? You got the explosives from Curly Moran. Curly told Weevil that he knew who blew up the bus. He figured it out, didn't he? That's why you needed him gone. You convinced the PCHers that Curly blew up the bus, calling them from Logan’s house to throw anyone off the scent, but you have to finish the job.”
She watched his face as she spoke, but Cassidy never blinked.
“You wanted to focus any investigation in a new direction. You knew I was a key witness in the Aaron Echolls trial, so my name magically appeared on Curly’s hand. Reinforced the Echolls theory. It was convenient, wasn't it? The Road Hog's cliff side location? Easy to dump the body.”
Veronica continued on as a new thought came to her.
“You didn't hire me to catch Kendall cheating on your dad, did you? That was just an excuse. You knew what he was up to and you wanted to punish him for the way he treated you. You used me to do it.”
He finally smiled.
“And you were…marvelous. That’s also about the only thing you got right so far.”
“Then enlighten me," she said sharply.
Veronica sat back, keeping her hands on her taser, and prepared to listen to a lot of lies.
“You’re right, I didn’t want to tell. It was humiliating enough and I wanted to leave it in the past. I edited out my voice on those recordings,” Cassidy said.
“Mac can get through them.”
“Well, I’m not smarter than her at everything. I do admit that,” he said, and was that a glint of actual affection in his face?
“Apparently that includes teaching algebra.”
“Thanks for that, by the way,” Cassidy said as he smiled slightly. “She told me you set up that little meeting.”
“Can’t wait to pay for that one come judgment day,” she said.
“I didn’t want them to come forward,” Cassidy continued ignoring her quip. “I told Woody about it. I didn’t know what to do, but I figured he’d have some way of getting them to stop.” Cassidy’s face grew tight. “He did. That was through me too, by the way. I knew Curly and I knew he worked with explosives, but I introduced him to Woody anyway. Gia was at Logan’s party and Woody picked her up. I’m guessing that’s where the call came from.”
Veronica was concerned at the way this confession was going. It made sense and didn’t at the same time.
“I didn’t know about it till after,” Cassidy assured her. “I just thought the bus smelled bad. But when the bomb went off, I knew. I knew it was all my fault. I confronted Woody. He just smiled and told me I was next if I didn’t keep my mouth shut. He’s been watching me ever since. Oh, often indirectly through Gia. He always gets her to do his dirty work, even telling him exactly when to push the button by arranging a little show for her. But I’ve been followed ever since then.”
“Did you push Mac away because of that?”
“Nothing so noble. I wasn’t…I get slightly anxious. She pushed me too hard and then she started talking to you. I couldn’t let her find out, so I ran away. Oh, she would be protected then and I was glad about that. But then, she just…drew me back in.”
“What about Lucky?”
“Another victim, I’m sure.”
“He sent that email with the attachment, how did he get it?”
“I gave it to him. I wanted to stop Woody’s incorporation plans and humiliate him a little.”
“That worked well. Though I’m not sure it helped Marcos or Betina or Ed Doyle at all.”
“I can’t change what I don’t know, Veronica.”
“I’m sure that means a lot,” she said.
“Look, I’m sick about what happened.” Cassidy leaned forward earnestly. “Why do you think I’m here talking to the number one teen sleuth of Neptune? I can’t take it anymore and I want Woody to pay. I know where he’s hiding and that’s what I’m offering you here.”
“Sure, it gets hot and the rats start to crawl out of the woodwork.” Veronica’s mind spun with the possibilities. She believed him, but she wasn’t sure she liked him anymore. She pitied him and she despised his weakness. “Look, tell me where he is.”
“What do you want me to do after that?”
“You’re supposed to be meeting Mac, right?”
“Yeah, at Logan’s party.”
“Explain to me again why you’re mad at Logan,” she said.
“He slept with my stepmom. I didn’t know it was him when I hired you.”
“Sure it’s disgusting, but I don’t think you’re high enough on the moral high ground to be upset with him. You are going to his party.”
“I have been trying to get over it,” Cassidy said, at his driest.
“You’re like my hero,” she said sarcastically, pulling out her phone. “Go meet Mac. If you hurt her I will hunt you down like a dog. You had better tell her everything before you even think about touching her.”
“It’s not easy for me to think about touching people, Veronica.”
Veronica looked into his eyes and saw the honest pain before his usual mask slipped over it.
“I can’t help that,” she said softly. “But tread lightly now. Go to the party. I’m calling my dad and he’ll go get Woody and we can all get over it. Where is he?”
“Same place he always took us. The baseball retreat center twenty miles outside town.”
“Okay.”
***
Cassidy left feeling relieved and anxious. He drove to the Neptune Grand half expecting Woody to jump in front of his car. He knew he’d done the right thing and he’d wrestled with that decision for the last few months at least. He thought it might have been Mac who made him decide. He wasn’t sure. Regardless, Veronica’s reaction hadn’t made him hopeful for Mac’s.
“Hey, bro,” Dick greeted him. “Looking for Ghostworld? I think she’s getting the Dungeons and Dragons ready.”
Logan stood next to Dick, looking slightly uncomfortable, even if it was his house.
“Thanks for coming, man,” he said simply.
Cassidy shrugged.
“Let’s just forget it. I can’t fight everyone.”
“Cryptic, dude.”
Dick bumped his shoulder and gave him a drink. Logan stuck out his hand and Cassidy shook it after a second of hesitation.
He scanned the room for Mac and spotted her walking over to join them. She looked excited and nervous. He didn't want to think about what she'd look like after he was finished telling her his story.
“Hey, do you wanna go upstairs?” he asked her quietly, but Dick overheard.
“Getting busy, Beav, knew you could do it.”
“Let’s go,” said Mac.
Mac took his hand and led him to the elevator. Cassidy saw Logan watching them with a slightly worried look on his face, but he didn't have time for that right now. He had to get this over with.
“Veronica texted and told me you wanted to talk to me.”
“Of course she did.” Cassidy laughed somewhat bitterly. “At least she let me say it. Let’s get to the room first.”
“What’s the matter? Did I- I mean, did you-?”
“Relax, Mac.”
“This isn’t exactly a relaxing atmosphere.”
They sat down on the bed. It was harder to tell Mac than Veronica, but Cassidy made it through the confession haltingly.
Mac’s face lost some of its normal light and color and he hated himself for doing that to her even when he’d left out the goriest details.
“I-I don’t…I’m so sorry.”
He couldn’t look at her.
“You didn’t do anything.”
“I shouldn’t have pressed you about the physical…stuff.”
“You didn’t know. I think my being an accomplice to murder might trump that,” he said, trying to joke.
“You’ve done the right thing now," she said, a tentative hand resting on his.
He finally looked into her eyes.
“I know- but it doesn’t change what I’ve done.”
“You can change. It can be different.”
“You don’t get it,” he said bitterly. “I’ve never…been close to anyone. I’ve never felt affection in my life. Never felt anyone truly cared. People don’t even know my real name.”
“I’m sorry.”
“But you did.” He grasped her hand tightly. “I almost believed I could feel with you. I tried. I don’t know if it can ever happen.”
Mac took his face and looked at him.
“I’m not perfect either, you know. Try being switched at birth with Madison. It’s not a cakewalk.” She said it jokingly, as if feeling her pain didn’t compare. “But I really like you, Cassidy. I want to keep it that way and I want to help.”
Hope flickered in his eyes and she reached to kiss him.
He responded and she deepened the kiss, sliding into his lap. He pulled her down onto the bed and for a little while let himself believe that everything could change and he could feel normal for one second of his life. But, of course, he couldn't do it.
Cassidy felt like he grasped something solid and then it fell away from him. He lay back on the bed in misery.
Mac lay on her side and watched him. She reached out her hand to touch his shoulder.
“Don't worry about it. We're cool here. I'm just gonna hop in the shower and then we can head back down to the party. We can find out if Veronica has any news.”
Cassidy nodded, but his mind was made up. He couldn’t do this anymore and there wasn’t a point in continuing to live a charade.
He waited until Mac was in the shower then went to his overnight bag. He pulled out his razor and stared at it for a few minutes. Sitting on the bed he cursed himself for doing this to Mac. Then he pulled out the razor blade and poised it over his arm.
“Cassidy, don’t!”
Mac grabbed his arm and her wet hair splattered his face.
“Why not?”
He lifted his eyes to face hers defiantly.
Mac didn’t hesitate at all.
“Because I want to help you.”
Cassidy hadn’t cried since he was ten and Dick had duct taped him to his bicycle.
He cried now. Mac took the blade out of his hand and threw it to the other side of the room. She wrapped her arms around him and it didn’t matter that she was only in a towel and that her hair was dripping. He clung to her and that was all that mattered.
***
Keith exited his car with his gun drawn. He signaled Sacks to head around the back of the building with Leo. He continued with two other deputies to the front. There was only one suite registered at the time. They surrounded it. When Keith nodded, they burst through the door.
Into a vacant room. They could hear Sacks and Leo investigating the back bedroom and bathroom.
“Empty, Keith.”
“We have to get back to Neptune. Do a sweep of the area and follow me back,” Keith instructed.
Keith cursed and dialed Veronica’s cell phone. She didn’t answer.
***
Veronica hung up with her father and felt relieved to know he was going to handle the Woody situation. It wasn’t over yet, but she felt strangely deflated. All of the pressure that had been pressing down on her all year was almost gone. Aaron was behind bars, the bus crash was solved, and her exams were over. She still had other cases she was working on, but nothing so magnified as the others had been. Of course, there was still one source of unresolved stress. She got into her car and headed for the Grand.
She had to talk to Logan.
She couldn’t find him when she got there. It was rather anti climatic, but she spotted Wallace and headed to speak to him.
“I didn’t know jocks were cool enough to crash 09er parties.”
“Not normally, but Logan and I are tight,” he replied.
Wallace laughed at Veronica’s reaction.
“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable with that,” she said honestly.
“Relax, Veronica. We just understand each other better now. I don’t think I’ll start calling him daily or anything.”
“Calling any guy daily would be unusual for you.”
“Yeah, probably. Anyhow, Jane didn’t want to come tonight, so I’m gonna skip out early, go over to her place later.”
“You don’t want to be my wing man?” she asked teasingly.
“Time for you to fly on your own.”
“We’re hanging before I go to New York though, right?”
“Feeling a little insecure outside high school?” he gently teased.
“You’re my only constant, Wallace.”
“Always will be,” he assured her and headed out.
Veronica went back to looking for Logan. But it was Weevil who she found. It was another face she hadn’t been expecting to see.
“Did we all become united or something when I wasn’t looking?” she asked, sidling up to him.
Weevil chuckled.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m not here for the party. Wanted to thank you for telling your dad to hire me.”
“Hey, you’ll be working for me,” she said.
“Fine, fine. Don’t get all uppity on me. Just, thank you.”
“Always pleased to see someone on the straight and narrow.”
“My straight might be slightly crooked, but, we all got flaws, V.”
“I think I’ll jot that down for future reference.”
“You do that. So, are you here for social climbing this evening?” he asked.
“If Logan were around I’d say it was to slum a little, but as it is, I just need to talk to someone.”
“Yeah, someone.”
"What's that supposed to mean? She asked.
"I got eyes," he replied. "I've been using them lately. Maybe once anything happens I'll say something."
"I'll just leave that little enigmatic comment where it lies," she said and then looked around the room. “This might be only time outside school we’ll ever see 09er’s, jocks, nerds, PCHers, and Veronica Mars in the same room.” She sighed. “We should cherish these moments.”
“You cherish, but this rich folk atmosphere is making me sweat. I’m gonna go home cause my gran wants to get all gushy on me.”
“You treat that lady right. You know how much she puts up with when it comes to you?
“Yeah, yeah, plenty. See ya around, V.”
“You betcha.”
Veronica cocked her fingers at him while clicking her tongue.
Veronica was starting to wonder if Logan had hooked up with some skank and she was on the point of leaving when she saw him across the room talking to Duncan and Meg.
She headed to join them.
“Congrats, guys, you did it,” she said warmly.
“Thank you for everything, Veronica.” Meg hugged her. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Gotta keep Lilly in the family.”
“But of course,” Logan and Duncan said in unison.
They all laughed slightly awkwardly.
“We haven’t done that in a while,” Duncan said and pounded Logan’s shoulder.
“We must be soul mates,” Logan decided.
“Hey, leave my boyfriend alone,” Meg joked. “I need him to be a father.”
“They grow up so fast,” Logan returned. “Now he’s got kids of his own.”
“I can almost hear the wedding bells,” Veronica agreed.
“Let’s not go too far.” Duncan put up his hands in protest. “We just got Lilly. We have to make some decisions, but I’m not dropping on my knee tomorrow.”
“That’s scheduled for next week, right, man?” Logan asked innocently.
“You’ve been looking in his day planner again,” Meg chided. “Be good or we won’t let you watch Lilly next week.”
“You’re letting him watch Lilly alone?” Veronica exclaimed.
Logan raised his eyebrows.
“You could always supervise me,” he suggested rather too suggestively.
“We have no problem with that,” Duncan put in.
Veronica shifted uncomfortably.
“Only if it would make sure Lilly survived the day. I don’t know.”
“We’ll let you two talk it over,” Meg said and pulled Duncan away. “Have fun.”
Veronica glared at her retreating friend.
“So,” Logan said.
“So,” Veronica replied.
***
Mac gently stroked Cassidy’s back as his sobs started to lessen. Abruptly he pulled away from her and then turned back.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she whispered.
“I-I, uh, I want to…”
“You don’t have to say anything.” She put her finger to his lips. “I’m going to get dressed.” She went to the other side of the bed and hurriedly put her clothes on. She didn’t want to leave him by himself. The night hadn’t exactly gone as expected and instead of losing her virginity she was trying to stop her boyfriend from committing suicide. It was a lot to take in. “I’m here.”
“I’m not…five,” he mumbled as she slipped her hand into his.
“Maybe you never got to be.”
He half smiled.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
“Well, I think both of us would feel a lot better if we knew Mr. Mars had arrested Woody. Do you want to go and find Veronica?”
“Obviously nothing else is going to happen here.” He sighed. “Just, please, don’t, don’t tell her.”
“Between you and me, I swear. But I won’t stay silent if I see that you’re going to do it again. I won’t let you hurt yourself.”
Cassidy slowly nodded and put his shirt on while Mac put the blade back into the razor. She held out her hand and he grasped it tightly. It was almost like he had reverted to being five. He was acting numb. She supposed it made sense.
They headed down the hall toward the elevator and waited for the doors to open.
Someone stepped beside them.
“I’m sorry you opened your mouth, son,” Woody said. Cassidy’s eyes widened in horror. Woody had a gun pointed at Mac’s head while he grabbed her from behind. “Now you’ll just have to pay like the other two.”
“No,” Cassidy exclaimed.
Woody put his finger to Mac’s lips to indicate quiet.
“It won’t go well for her if you’re loud.”
“She’s got nothing to do with it,” Cassidy hissed between his teeth. “Let her go!”
“You made her have everything to do with it.” Woody shook his head sadly and then pointed to the roof. “Let’s go.”
Cassidy walked slowly and apprehensively to the stairs and climbed them to the roof.
“Shouldn’t you be trying to escape right about now?” Mac asked even though she was petrified. “The Sheriff knows about you.”
“It would be a shame if the Sheriff’s key witness died tragically by committing suicide on the night of the intended arrest.”
“They have the audio tapes of Marcos and Peter and Cassidy’s confession.”
“We’ll deal with each thing as it comes.” Woody dragged Mac to the center of the roof and stood behind her with the gun on her head. Cassidy stood facing them. “Now, Beaver, why don’t you follow your Coach’s instructions? If you want the girl to live, jump.”
***
Cassidy’s eye caught a quick flurry of motion. It was Mac. She’d slipped her phone from her pocket and was texting someone. Only her fingers moved, though she was shaking from head to toe anyway.
He stalled for time.
“Just tell me why you’re doing this.”
“You were warned about what would happen. Did you think I didn’t know you went to see Veronica Mars today?”
“Who’s watching me?”
“I know plenty of people. A lot of them owe me favors.”
“Just let Mac go and it won’t even matter.”
“Jump and I might let her go.”
***
“Is it just me or is this incredibly awkward?” Veronica asked after a moment or two.
“No, it’s not just you,” Logan replied.
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want that.”
“No, you always like being surrounded by friends who share your beliefs.”
“Logan, I…”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Maybe, but unless it’s one thing, it won’t matter."
“What one thing is that?” she asked.
“Only you can say it, Veronica.”
“That’s cryptic and slightly less than helpful,” she replied.
“I’m just that way.”
Veronica grabbed an unopened drink from the chest on the table. She opened it and took a long swig to clear her thoughts.
“I’m tired of running,” she finally said. He looked intently at her but didn’t say anything. “I’m tired of fighting. I’d like to say I could go the distance, but the distance is too long without you.”
“Cheesy, but loveable,” he said, his face lighting up anyway.
“And true. I’m sorry for everything that happened since last summer. I don’t want to graduate without being able to say we were working on a relationship.”
“I hate to break it to you, Veronica, but we already did graduate.” Logan put his hand up and cupped her face. “But the other stuff, well, I can work with it.” He leaned in, ready to kiss her. An annoying buzz interrupted him. “Ignore it,” he whispered.
“I’m waiting to hear from my dad,” she said and pulled out her phone. “He’s tracking down Woody.”
“The Mayor?”
“Long story.”
Veronica’s eyes widened when she saw Mac’s message.
Woody. Roof. Hurry.
She jammed her phone to her ear after dialing her dad as fast as she could. She grabbed Logan’s hand and pulled him toward the stairs. He went, though unknowing what it was about.
She explained as best she could as they ran up the stairs.
“We have to stop him. Dad! Hey, Dad, come to the Neptune Grand right away.”
Logan looked puzzled by this strange turn of events, but he followed Veronica willingly and she felt a warm glow to know he obviously trusted her judgment.
She and Logan crept out onto the roof. They could see Woody, Mac, and Cassidy. Mac was trembling. Veronica almost ran towards her, but Logan restrained her.
“The time for talking is over, Beaver. It’s time to jump. You need more initiative, just like in the Sharks. Take charge of your life.” Woody’s voice grew quieter. “End it.”
Logan crept around Woody and readied himself. Veronica watched with bated breath because Cassidy was backed against the ledge and hadn’t seen that there was rescue coming. Logan launched himself at Woody and knocked him over. Mac scrambled to get out of the way. Cassidy wavered on the edge and then launched himself forward, falling to the pavement.
Woody and Logan landed heavily, though Logan still had the upper hand. He punched several times then rose and grabbed Mac, pulling her along to Veronica so they could all leave.
Woody struggled to regain his breath and then scrambled to grab the gun and aim it at Logan and Mac’s backs. Cassidy knocked his arm to the side so that the shot went wide. Logan dodged behind a steel post and motioned for them to go. Veronica took hold of Mac and dragged the shocked girl into the interior of the hotel.
Veronica turned back and spotted Woody struggling with Cassidy over possession of the gun. They had it twisted between them and Veronica was apprehensive as to what might happen and if the gun’s safety was on.
***
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Beaver,” Woody cautioned as he grasped a new hold on the gun.
Cassidy’s face darkened.
“My name is Cassidy.”
He grabbed the gun and pushed hard, away from Woody. A loud shot rang through his ears and a sickening aroma flooded his senses. He watched in slow motion as Woody slid to the ground, blood oozing from his throat.
“My name is Cassidy,” he breathed, looking down at what he’d done, at what his struggle had created.
A lone tear slid down his cheek. He thought he was done crying, but it escaped anyway.
Logan came up behind Cassidy.
“You okay?”
Cassidy breathed in deep breaths. He couldn’t bring himself to think about what he’d just done. He needed to focus on something else. Woody was gone. He could be free. What a strange word. He fell to his knees beside the body and retched.
Logan hesitated and then knelt down beside him, awkwardly patting his back.
“Where’s Mac?” Cassidy finally muttered, getting to his feet.
“With Veronica.”
Logan and Cassidy headed inside where Mac and Veronica were meeting Keith who had just arrived.
***
“The gun went off again. What happened?” Veronica demanded.
She’d only stayed away from the roof since Logan shoved her out because of Mac. Now she needed to know.
“He’s dead. It was an accident. I don’t really know who pulled the trigger," Cassidy said, his voice shaking.
Mac looked at Cassidy’s ashen face and flung her arms around him.
“We’re going to talk,” she whispered. “Don’t forget it.”
“Never,” he whispered back, clutching the back of her head as it leaned against his chest.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to come in and answer some questions, Cassidy,” Keith informed him after going to the roof and inspecting the crime scene. Cassidy nodded his head like he'd expected that. “We’ll do everything possible to be lenient since you’ve been so cooperative,” Keith assured him. “In the morning is okay if you want to rest.”
“Thank you,” said Cassidy.
***
Keith hugged Veronica fiercely. He was so afraid of losing her even if it always seemed like she managed to pull off the miraculous.
“Honey, no more solving cases the police can’t.”
“Sorry, Dad. It just keeps happening.”
“Try to curtail it for your old man. My heart can’t take it.”
“Neither can the young man’s,” Logan interjected. “Care to let me in on what happened up there?”
“I’ll tell you,” Veronica said, turning to him. “But later. Dad, you’ve got to go to the office. I want to make sure Mac is okay.”
“You come home soon!” Keith told her. “I worry about you.”
“Yeah, you do,” she said and kissed his cheek. “I’m going to stay the night with her though. I swear I’ll call you.”
Keith agreed reluctantly, but looking at Mac and Cassidy and their faces, he thought it was probably a good thing that somebody stay with them. He hugged Veronica one more time and pulled out his phone to call Alicia and let her know what had happened. He’d been distant these past few weeks and this phone call could repair some damage by helping her know what he’d been up to.
***
Mac pulled Cassidy into a corner. He was still numb, still in shock. Tears ran down her cheeks and she clung to him.
He seemed to wake up upon feeling the moisture from her face. He sank down to the floor, holding her. She held him too.
“It will be okay,” she murmured. “It was all an accident. It’s over. I’m here. I’m right here. I always will be.”
Cassidy didn’t think anything would ever be right. His nightmares haunted him during daylight hours. He’d just faced his demons and survived, but he was damaged and he was scarred. Only this one light kept him from wanting to slit his own throat. It was this girl.
“I need you,” he finally choked out.
“Of course you do,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Can we take this up later?”
“Yes. Because there’s always some sort of hope, Cassidy.”
“How cliché.”
“How true,” she said firmly.
***
Veronica came over to the two of them and Mac was so glad she was friends with Veronica Mars.
“Mac, are you okay? Do you need a ride or what are you going to do?”
“I’m staying with him tonight,” Mac decided. “I know you said you were staying with me, but you let Logan take care of you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“You are a warrior in a crisis, Mac.”
Mac laughed knowing that her tear streaked face and wet hair signaled anything but warrior. She was crying inside. Everything hurt. But she could see the end. It was bright. Cassidy couldn’t. She would help him to see.
“Should someone tell Dick what’s going on?” Mac asked Cassidy softy as they walked back towards their hotel room.
“Soon, not now.” His voice wavered. “I can’t.”
***
Veronica watched them go.
“I’ll take you home,” Logan said, pulling her away from the milling deputies.
“I have my car.”
“Just do it, Veronica.”
She complied silently and walked with him into the elevator. The second it closed, he pulled her to him in a crushing hug.
“Evil mayors and guns combine to me worrying for your life.”
“I don’t want to lose you either,” she said softly.
He kissed her hair, stroking it as she clung to him.
Nothing like a life and death experience to make things like life and love seem so much more important. I don’t ever want to let go of him.
“No more running, no more fighting,” Logan said, pulling away to look in her eyes. “That’s what you said downstairs. It’s time. Make a decision, Veronica Mars.”
“I choose you, idiot,” she said and pulled his head down for a kiss.
He twirled her around in the elevator and brought her to rest with her back against the opposite wall from which they’d started. He bent to kiss her neck and her cheek and then her forehead.
“I resent that idiot comment,” he murmured as he grazed his lips to hers again.
“Less resenting, more kissing.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and plunged her hands into his hair. He eagerly complied with her unspoken wish, fitting her more snugly against him as their lips devoured each other.
“I don’t want to go home,” she announced when they broke apart to breathe. “Take me upstairs.”
“Your dad owns a gun.”
“He thinks I’m staying with Mac. I’ll call him later. Take me upstairs.”
He pushed the button on the elevator and started to kiss her again.
“Wait,” she said, breaking away, “there’s a party going on in your room.”
Logan groaned as he remembered. He put his hand in his pocket and found his wallet.
“So I’ll get another room.”
Veronica slowly smiled and shook her head in disbelief. He would never change and was she ever grateful for that fact.
“Then hurry.”
He couldn’t deny her. They had a lot of catching up to do. A lot of making up for lost time. As well as every other cliché that was usually spoken of when two people finally realized what they wanted, needed, desired, and were destined to have.
“What can I do for you, Beav-Cassidy?”
Veronica inched slowly toward the door. At least she was in a public place. She didn’t think he’d try to kill her here.
“I need to talk to you,” he said urgently and his face grew dark. “Alone.”
“I don’t think Mr. Taser likes that plan,” she said, putting her hand into her bag.
“Gloves are off then?” he asked.
“Yeah, gloves are off. Why don’t you tell me what you want to say right out here in the open where there’s lots of people.”
“Care to sit?”
He gestured towards an open booth.
“One second.” Veronica walked toward the counter. “Hi,” she said to the girl on duty. “See that guy over there in the booth? He just asked me to sit down with him and I think I kind of want to, but if he starts getting creepy and I motion to you, can you make sure he doesn’t try to leave with me or threaten me or something?”
The girl stared at her.
“Um, of course, sure thing.”
“Thanks.”
Great, the Space Cadet is my only protection from a potential life threatening situation. Time to put the cell phone on record.
“Got the protection you need?”
Cassidy smiled knowingly. Veronica was a little creeped out. Gone was the slightly insecure, awkward yet easy going, intimidated boy she was used to seeing. Veronica guessed that this Cassidy had nothing to hide.
“You wanna tell me why we’re suddenly best friends?” she asked, sliding into the booth.
“Veronica, I want to be straight with you. I’ve been hiding for a long time and a lot of bad stuff has happened. I need your help and I want to help you.”
“How exactly?”
“I know you’ve been investigating the bus crash. Mac told me.”
Veronica’s eyebrows shot up.
“What did you do to Mac?”
“She’s safe. Innocent as a clam.”
“I don’t think clams are that innocent,” she retorted.
“Really? Well, I’ve always heard that.”
“Can you get to the point?” said Veronica.
“Right, so my point is, I want to fill in some gaps for you. Why don’t you tell me what you think you know so I can help you out?”
Veronica leaned back and studied him. She might as well get all her dots connected even if she did know the supreme outcome.
“You played for Woody's Little League team with Marcos and Peter. He molested all three of you. They wanted to come forward. Peter and Marcos were going to spill. You didn’t want to. That's why they had to die.” Veronica could almost see all the events as she related them. “My guess? You got the explosives from Curly Moran. Curly told Weevil that he knew who blew up the bus. He figured it out, didn't he? That's why you needed him gone. You convinced the PCHers that Curly blew up the bus, calling them from Logan’s house to throw anyone off the scent, but you have to finish the job.”
She watched his face as she spoke, but Cassidy never blinked.
“You wanted to focus any investigation in a new direction. You knew I was a key witness in the Aaron Echolls trial, so my name magically appeared on Curly’s hand. Reinforced the Echolls theory. It was convenient, wasn't it? The Road Hog's cliff side location? Easy to dump the body.”
Veronica continued on as a new thought came to her.
“You didn't hire me to catch Kendall cheating on your dad, did you? That was just an excuse. You knew what he was up to and you wanted to punish him for the way he treated you. You used me to do it.”
He finally smiled.
“And you were…marvelous. That’s also about the only thing you got right so far.”
“Then enlighten me," she said sharply.
Veronica sat back, keeping her hands on her taser, and prepared to listen to a lot of lies.
“You’re right, I didn’t want to tell. It was humiliating enough and I wanted to leave it in the past. I edited out my voice on those recordings,” Cassidy said.
“Mac can get through them.”
“Well, I’m not smarter than her at everything. I do admit that,” he said, and was that a glint of actual affection in his face?
“Apparently that includes teaching algebra.”
“Thanks for that, by the way,” Cassidy said as he smiled slightly. “She told me you set up that little meeting.”
“Can’t wait to pay for that one come judgment day,” she said.
“I didn’t want them to come forward,” Cassidy continued ignoring her quip. “I told Woody about it. I didn’t know what to do, but I figured he’d have some way of getting them to stop.” Cassidy’s face grew tight. “He did. That was through me too, by the way. I knew Curly and I knew he worked with explosives, but I introduced him to Woody anyway. Gia was at Logan’s party and Woody picked her up. I’m guessing that’s where the call came from.”
Veronica was concerned at the way this confession was going. It made sense and didn’t at the same time.
“I didn’t know about it till after,” Cassidy assured her. “I just thought the bus smelled bad. But when the bomb went off, I knew. I knew it was all my fault. I confronted Woody. He just smiled and told me I was next if I didn’t keep my mouth shut. He’s been watching me ever since. Oh, often indirectly through Gia. He always gets her to do his dirty work, even telling him exactly when to push the button by arranging a little show for her. But I’ve been followed ever since then.”
“Did you push Mac away because of that?”
“Nothing so noble. I wasn’t…I get slightly anxious. She pushed me too hard and then she started talking to you. I couldn’t let her find out, so I ran away. Oh, she would be protected then and I was glad about that. But then, she just…drew me back in.”
“What about Lucky?”
“Another victim, I’m sure.”
“He sent that email with the attachment, how did he get it?”
“I gave it to him. I wanted to stop Woody’s incorporation plans and humiliate him a little.”
“That worked well. Though I’m not sure it helped Marcos or Betina or Ed Doyle at all.”
“I can’t change what I don’t know, Veronica.”
“I’m sure that means a lot,” she said.
“Look, I’m sick about what happened.” Cassidy leaned forward earnestly. “Why do you think I’m here talking to the number one teen sleuth of Neptune? I can’t take it anymore and I want Woody to pay. I know where he’s hiding and that’s what I’m offering you here.”
“Sure, it gets hot and the rats start to crawl out of the woodwork.” Veronica’s mind spun with the possibilities. She believed him, but she wasn’t sure she liked him anymore. She pitied him and she despised his weakness. “Look, tell me where he is.”
“What do you want me to do after that?”
“You’re supposed to be meeting Mac, right?”
“Yeah, at Logan’s party.”
“Explain to me again why you’re mad at Logan,” she said.
“He slept with my stepmom. I didn’t know it was him when I hired you.”
“Sure it’s disgusting, but I don’t think you’re high enough on the moral high ground to be upset with him. You are going to his party.”
“I have been trying to get over it,” Cassidy said, at his driest.
“You’re like my hero,” she said sarcastically, pulling out her phone. “Go meet Mac. If you hurt her I will hunt you down like a dog. You had better tell her everything before you even think about touching her.”
“It’s not easy for me to think about touching people, Veronica.”
Veronica looked into his eyes and saw the honest pain before his usual mask slipped over it.
“I can’t help that,” she said softly. “But tread lightly now. Go to the party. I’m calling my dad and he’ll go get Woody and we can all get over it. Where is he?”
“Same place he always took us. The baseball retreat center twenty miles outside town.”
“Okay.”
***
Cassidy left feeling relieved and anxious. He drove to the Neptune Grand half expecting Woody to jump in front of his car. He knew he’d done the right thing and he’d wrestled with that decision for the last few months at least. He thought it might have been Mac who made him decide. He wasn’t sure. Regardless, Veronica’s reaction hadn’t made him hopeful for Mac’s.
“Hey, bro,” Dick greeted him. “Looking for Ghostworld? I think she’s getting the Dungeons and Dragons ready.”
Logan stood next to Dick, looking slightly uncomfortable, even if it was his house.
“Thanks for coming, man,” he said simply.
Cassidy shrugged.
“Let’s just forget it. I can’t fight everyone.”
“Cryptic, dude.”
Dick bumped his shoulder and gave him a drink. Logan stuck out his hand and Cassidy shook it after a second of hesitation.
He scanned the room for Mac and spotted her walking over to join them. She looked excited and nervous. He didn't want to think about what she'd look like after he was finished telling her his story.
“Hey, do you wanna go upstairs?” he asked her quietly, but Dick overheard.
“Getting busy, Beav, knew you could do it.”
“Let’s go,” said Mac.
Mac took his hand and led him to the elevator. Cassidy saw Logan watching them with a slightly worried look on his face, but he didn't have time for that right now. He had to get this over with.
“Veronica texted and told me you wanted to talk to me.”
“Of course she did.” Cassidy laughed somewhat bitterly. “At least she let me say it. Let’s get to the room first.”
“What’s the matter? Did I- I mean, did you-?”
“Relax, Mac.”
“This isn’t exactly a relaxing atmosphere.”
They sat down on the bed. It was harder to tell Mac than Veronica, but Cassidy made it through the confession haltingly.
Mac’s face lost some of its normal light and color and he hated himself for doing that to her even when he’d left out the goriest details.
“I-I don’t…I’m so sorry.”
He couldn’t look at her.
“You didn’t do anything.”
“I shouldn’t have pressed you about the physical…stuff.”
“You didn’t know. I think my being an accomplice to murder might trump that,” he said, trying to joke.
“You’ve done the right thing now," she said, a tentative hand resting on his.
He finally looked into her eyes.
“I know- but it doesn’t change what I’ve done.”
“You can change. It can be different.”
“You don’t get it,” he said bitterly. “I’ve never…been close to anyone. I’ve never felt affection in my life. Never felt anyone truly cared. People don’t even know my real name.”
“I’m sorry.”
“But you did.” He grasped her hand tightly. “I almost believed I could feel with you. I tried. I don’t know if it can ever happen.”
Mac took his face and looked at him.
“I’m not perfect either, you know. Try being switched at birth with Madison. It’s not a cakewalk.” She said it jokingly, as if feeling her pain didn’t compare. “But I really like you, Cassidy. I want to keep it that way and I want to help.”
Hope flickered in his eyes and she reached to kiss him.
He responded and she deepened the kiss, sliding into his lap. He pulled her down onto the bed and for a little while let himself believe that everything could change and he could feel normal for one second of his life. But, of course, he couldn't do it.
Cassidy felt like he grasped something solid and then it fell away from him. He lay back on the bed in misery.
Mac lay on her side and watched him. She reached out her hand to touch his shoulder.
“Don't worry about it. We're cool here. I'm just gonna hop in the shower and then we can head back down to the party. We can find out if Veronica has any news.”
Cassidy nodded, but his mind was made up. He couldn’t do this anymore and there wasn’t a point in continuing to live a charade.
He waited until Mac was in the shower then went to his overnight bag. He pulled out his razor and stared at it for a few minutes. Sitting on the bed he cursed himself for doing this to Mac. Then he pulled out the razor blade and poised it over his arm.
“Cassidy, don’t!”
Mac grabbed his arm and her wet hair splattered his face.
“Why not?”
He lifted his eyes to face hers defiantly.
Mac didn’t hesitate at all.
“Because I want to help you.”
Cassidy hadn’t cried since he was ten and Dick had duct taped him to his bicycle.
He cried now. Mac took the blade out of his hand and threw it to the other side of the room. She wrapped her arms around him and it didn’t matter that she was only in a towel and that her hair was dripping. He clung to her and that was all that mattered.
***
Keith exited his car with his gun drawn. He signaled Sacks to head around the back of the building with Leo. He continued with two other deputies to the front. There was only one suite registered at the time. They surrounded it. When Keith nodded, they burst through the door.
Into a vacant room. They could hear Sacks and Leo investigating the back bedroom and bathroom.
“Empty, Keith.”
“We have to get back to Neptune. Do a sweep of the area and follow me back,” Keith instructed.
Keith cursed and dialed Veronica’s cell phone. She didn’t answer.
***
Veronica hung up with her father and felt relieved to know he was going to handle the Woody situation. It wasn’t over yet, but she felt strangely deflated. All of the pressure that had been pressing down on her all year was almost gone. Aaron was behind bars, the bus crash was solved, and her exams were over. She still had other cases she was working on, but nothing so magnified as the others had been. Of course, there was still one source of unresolved stress. She got into her car and headed for the Grand.
She had to talk to Logan.
She couldn’t find him when she got there. It was rather anti climatic, but she spotted Wallace and headed to speak to him.
“I didn’t know jocks were cool enough to crash 09er parties.”
“Not normally, but Logan and I are tight,” he replied.
Wallace laughed at Veronica’s reaction.
“I’m not sure if I’m comfortable with that,” she said honestly.
“Relax, Veronica. We just understand each other better now. I don’t think I’ll start calling him daily or anything.”
“Calling any guy daily would be unusual for you.”
“Yeah, probably. Anyhow, Jane didn’t want to come tonight, so I’m gonna skip out early, go over to her place later.”
“You don’t want to be my wing man?” she asked teasingly.
“Time for you to fly on your own.”
“We’re hanging before I go to New York though, right?”
“Feeling a little insecure outside high school?” he gently teased.
“You’re my only constant, Wallace.”
“Always will be,” he assured her and headed out.
Veronica went back to looking for Logan. But it was Weevil who she found. It was another face she hadn’t been expecting to see.
“Did we all become united or something when I wasn’t looking?” she asked, sidling up to him.
Weevil chuckled.
“No, I don’t think so. I’m not here for the party. Wanted to thank you for telling your dad to hire me.”
“Hey, you’ll be working for me,” she said.
“Fine, fine. Don’t get all uppity on me. Just, thank you.”
“Always pleased to see someone on the straight and narrow.”
“My straight might be slightly crooked, but, we all got flaws, V.”
“I think I’ll jot that down for future reference.”
“You do that. So, are you here for social climbing this evening?” he asked.
“If Logan were around I’d say it was to slum a little, but as it is, I just need to talk to someone.”
“Yeah, someone.”
"What's that supposed to mean? She asked.
"I got eyes," he replied. "I've been using them lately. Maybe once anything happens I'll say something."
"I'll just leave that little enigmatic comment where it lies," she said and then looked around the room. “This might be only time outside school we’ll ever see 09er’s, jocks, nerds, PCHers, and Veronica Mars in the same room.” She sighed. “We should cherish these moments.”
“You cherish, but this rich folk atmosphere is making me sweat. I’m gonna go home cause my gran wants to get all gushy on me.”
“You treat that lady right. You know how much she puts up with when it comes to you?
“Yeah, yeah, plenty. See ya around, V.”
“You betcha.”
Veronica cocked her fingers at him while clicking her tongue.
Veronica was starting to wonder if Logan had hooked up with some skank and she was on the point of leaving when she saw him across the room talking to Duncan and Meg.
She headed to join them.
“Congrats, guys, you did it,” she said warmly.
“Thank you for everything, Veronica.” Meg hugged her. “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Gotta keep Lilly in the family.”
“But of course,” Logan and Duncan said in unison.
They all laughed slightly awkwardly.
“We haven’t done that in a while,” Duncan said and pounded Logan’s shoulder.
“We must be soul mates,” Logan decided.
“Hey, leave my boyfriend alone,” Meg joked. “I need him to be a father.”
“They grow up so fast,” Logan returned. “Now he’s got kids of his own.”
“I can almost hear the wedding bells,” Veronica agreed.
“Let’s not go too far.” Duncan put up his hands in protest. “We just got Lilly. We have to make some decisions, but I’m not dropping on my knee tomorrow.”
“That’s scheduled for next week, right, man?” Logan asked innocently.
“You’ve been looking in his day planner again,” Meg chided. “Be good or we won’t let you watch Lilly next week.”
“You’re letting him watch Lilly alone?” Veronica exclaimed.
Logan raised his eyebrows.
“You could always supervise me,” he suggested rather too suggestively.
“We have no problem with that,” Duncan put in.
Veronica shifted uncomfortably.
“Only if it would make sure Lilly survived the day. I don’t know.”
“We’ll let you two talk it over,” Meg said and pulled Duncan away. “Have fun.”
Veronica glared at her retreating friend.
“So,” Logan said.
“So,” Veronica replied.
***
Mac gently stroked Cassidy’s back as his sobs started to lessen. Abruptly he pulled away from her and then turned back.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” she whispered.
“I-I, uh, I want to…”
“You don’t have to say anything.” She put her finger to his lips. “I’m going to get dressed.” She went to the other side of the bed and hurriedly put her clothes on. She didn’t want to leave him by himself. The night hadn’t exactly gone as expected and instead of losing her virginity she was trying to stop her boyfriend from committing suicide. It was a lot to take in. “I’m here.”
“I’m not…five,” he mumbled as she slipped her hand into his.
“Maybe you never got to be.”
He half smiled.
“What are we supposed to do now?”
“Well, I think both of us would feel a lot better if we knew Mr. Mars had arrested Woody. Do you want to go and find Veronica?”
“Obviously nothing else is going to happen here.” He sighed. “Just, please, don’t, don’t tell her.”
“Between you and me, I swear. But I won’t stay silent if I see that you’re going to do it again. I won’t let you hurt yourself.”
Cassidy slowly nodded and put his shirt on while Mac put the blade back into the razor. She held out her hand and he grasped it tightly. It was almost like he had reverted to being five. He was acting numb. She supposed it made sense.
They headed down the hall toward the elevator and waited for the doors to open.
Someone stepped beside them.
“I’m sorry you opened your mouth, son,” Woody said. Cassidy’s eyes widened in horror. Woody had a gun pointed at Mac’s head while he grabbed her from behind. “Now you’ll just have to pay like the other two.”
“No,” Cassidy exclaimed.
Woody put his finger to Mac’s lips to indicate quiet.
“It won’t go well for her if you’re loud.”
“She’s got nothing to do with it,” Cassidy hissed between his teeth. “Let her go!”
“You made her have everything to do with it.” Woody shook his head sadly and then pointed to the roof. “Let’s go.”
Cassidy walked slowly and apprehensively to the stairs and climbed them to the roof.
“Shouldn’t you be trying to escape right about now?” Mac asked even though she was petrified. “The Sheriff knows about you.”
“It would be a shame if the Sheriff’s key witness died tragically by committing suicide on the night of the intended arrest.”
“They have the audio tapes of Marcos and Peter and Cassidy’s confession.”
“We’ll deal with each thing as it comes.” Woody dragged Mac to the center of the roof and stood behind her with the gun on her head. Cassidy stood facing them. “Now, Beaver, why don’t you follow your Coach’s instructions? If you want the girl to live, jump.”
***
Cassidy’s eye caught a quick flurry of motion. It was Mac. She’d slipped her phone from her pocket and was texting someone. Only her fingers moved, though she was shaking from head to toe anyway.
He stalled for time.
“Just tell me why you’re doing this.”
“You were warned about what would happen. Did you think I didn’t know you went to see Veronica Mars today?”
“Who’s watching me?”
“I know plenty of people. A lot of them owe me favors.”
“Just let Mac go and it won’t even matter.”
“Jump and I might let her go.”
***
“Is it just me or is this incredibly awkward?” Veronica asked after a moment or two.
“No, it’s not just you,” Logan replied.
“That’s good. I wouldn’t want that.”
“No, you always like being surrounded by friends who share your beliefs.”
“Logan, I…”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said.
“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”
“Maybe, but unless it’s one thing, it won’t matter."
“What one thing is that?” she asked.
“Only you can say it, Veronica.”
“That’s cryptic and slightly less than helpful,” she replied.
“I’m just that way.”
Veronica grabbed an unopened drink from the chest on the table. She opened it and took a long swig to clear her thoughts.
“I’m tired of running,” she finally said. He looked intently at her but didn’t say anything. “I’m tired of fighting. I’d like to say I could go the distance, but the distance is too long without you.”
“Cheesy, but loveable,” he said, his face lighting up anyway.
“And true. I’m sorry for everything that happened since last summer. I don’t want to graduate without being able to say we were working on a relationship.”
“I hate to break it to you, Veronica, but we already did graduate.” Logan put his hand up and cupped her face. “But the other stuff, well, I can work with it.” He leaned in, ready to kiss her. An annoying buzz interrupted him. “Ignore it,” he whispered.
“I’m waiting to hear from my dad,” she said and pulled out her phone. “He’s tracking down Woody.”
“The Mayor?”
“Long story.”
Veronica’s eyes widened when she saw Mac’s message.
Woody. Roof. Hurry.
She jammed her phone to her ear after dialing her dad as fast as she could. She grabbed Logan’s hand and pulled him toward the stairs. He went, though unknowing what it was about.
She explained as best she could as they ran up the stairs.
“We have to stop him. Dad! Hey, Dad, come to the Neptune Grand right away.”
Logan looked puzzled by this strange turn of events, but he followed Veronica willingly and she felt a warm glow to know he obviously trusted her judgment.
She and Logan crept out onto the roof. They could see Woody, Mac, and Cassidy. Mac was trembling. Veronica almost ran towards her, but Logan restrained her.
“The time for talking is over, Beaver. It’s time to jump. You need more initiative, just like in the Sharks. Take charge of your life.” Woody’s voice grew quieter. “End it.”
Logan crept around Woody and readied himself. Veronica watched with bated breath because Cassidy was backed against the ledge and hadn’t seen that there was rescue coming. Logan launched himself at Woody and knocked him over. Mac scrambled to get out of the way. Cassidy wavered on the edge and then launched himself forward, falling to the pavement.
Woody and Logan landed heavily, though Logan still had the upper hand. He punched several times then rose and grabbed Mac, pulling her along to Veronica so they could all leave.
Woody struggled to regain his breath and then scrambled to grab the gun and aim it at Logan and Mac’s backs. Cassidy knocked his arm to the side so that the shot went wide. Logan dodged behind a steel post and motioned for them to go. Veronica took hold of Mac and dragged the shocked girl into the interior of the hotel.
Veronica turned back and spotted Woody struggling with Cassidy over possession of the gun. They had it twisted between them and Veronica was apprehensive as to what might happen and if the gun’s safety was on.
***
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Beaver,” Woody cautioned as he grasped a new hold on the gun.
Cassidy’s face darkened.
“My name is Cassidy.”
He grabbed the gun and pushed hard, away from Woody. A loud shot rang through his ears and a sickening aroma flooded his senses. He watched in slow motion as Woody slid to the ground, blood oozing from his throat.
“My name is Cassidy,” he breathed, looking down at what he’d done, at what his struggle had created.
A lone tear slid down his cheek. He thought he was done crying, but it escaped anyway.
Logan came up behind Cassidy.
“You okay?”
Cassidy breathed in deep breaths. He couldn’t bring himself to think about what he’d just done. He needed to focus on something else. Woody was gone. He could be free. What a strange word. He fell to his knees beside the body and retched.
Logan hesitated and then knelt down beside him, awkwardly patting his back.
“Where’s Mac?” Cassidy finally muttered, getting to his feet.
“With Veronica.”
Logan and Cassidy headed inside where Mac and Veronica were meeting Keith who had just arrived.
***
“The gun went off again. What happened?” Veronica demanded.
She’d only stayed away from the roof since Logan shoved her out because of Mac. Now she needed to know.
“He’s dead. It was an accident. I don’t really know who pulled the trigger," Cassidy said, his voice shaking.
Mac looked at Cassidy’s ashen face and flung her arms around him.
“We’re going to talk,” she whispered. “Don’t forget it.”
“Never,” he whispered back, clutching the back of her head as it leaned against his chest.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to come in and answer some questions, Cassidy,” Keith informed him after going to the roof and inspecting the crime scene. Cassidy nodded his head like he'd expected that. “We’ll do everything possible to be lenient since you’ve been so cooperative,” Keith assured him. “In the morning is okay if you want to rest.”
“Thank you,” said Cassidy.
***
Keith hugged Veronica fiercely. He was so afraid of losing her even if it always seemed like she managed to pull off the miraculous.
“Honey, no more solving cases the police can’t.”
“Sorry, Dad. It just keeps happening.”
“Try to curtail it for your old man. My heart can’t take it.”
“Neither can the young man’s,” Logan interjected. “Care to let me in on what happened up there?”
“I’ll tell you,” Veronica said, turning to him. “But later. Dad, you’ve got to go to the office. I want to make sure Mac is okay.”
“You come home soon!” Keith told her. “I worry about you.”
“Yeah, you do,” she said and kissed his cheek. “I’m going to stay the night with her though. I swear I’ll call you.”
Keith agreed reluctantly, but looking at Mac and Cassidy and their faces, he thought it was probably a good thing that somebody stay with them. He hugged Veronica one more time and pulled out his phone to call Alicia and let her know what had happened. He’d been distant these past few weeks and this phone call could repair some damage by helping her know what he’d been up to.
***
Mac pulled Cassidy into a corner. He was still numb, still in shock. Tears ran down her cheeks and she clung to him.
He seemed to wake up upon feeling the moisture from her face. He sank down to the floor, holding her. She held him too.
“It will be okay,” she murmured. “It was all an accident. It’s over. I’m here. I’m right here. I always will be.”
Cassidy didn’t think anything would ever be right. His nightmares haunted him during daylight hours. He’d just faced his demons and survived, but he was damaged and he was scarred. Only this one light kept him from wanting to slit his own throat. It was this girl.
“I need you,” he finally choked out.
“Of course you do,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Can we take this up later?”
“Yes. Because there’s always some sort of hope, Cassidy.”
“How cliché.”
“How true,” she said firmly.
***
Veronica came over to the two of them and Mac was so glad she was friends with Veronica Mars.
“Mac, are you okay? Do you need a ride or what are you going to do?”
“I’m staying with him tonight,” Mac decided. “I know you said you were staying with me, but you let Logan take care of you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“You are a warrior in a crisis, Mac.”
Mac laughed knowing that her tear streaked face and wet hair signaled anything but warrior. She was crying inside. Everything hurt. But she could see the end. It was bright. Cassidy couldn’t. She would help him to see.
“Should someone tell Dick what’s going on?” Mac asked Cassidy softy as they walked back towards their hotel room.
“Soon, not now.” His voice wavered. “I can’t.”
***
Veronica watched them go.
“I’ll take you home,” Logan said, pulling her away from the milling deputies.
“I have my car.”
“Just do it, Veronica.”
She complied silently and walked with him into the elevator. The second it closed, he pulled her to him in a crushing hug.
“Evil mayors and guns combine to me worrying for your life.”
“I don’t want to lose you either,” she said softly.
He kissed her hair, stroking it as she clung to him.
Nothing like a life and death experience to make things like life and love seem so much more important. I don’t ever want to let go of him.
“No more running, no more fighting,” Logan said, pulling away to look in her eyes. “That’s what you said downstairs. It’s time. Make a decision, Veronica Mars.”
“I choose you, idiot,” she said and pulled his head down for a kiss.
He twirled her around in the elevator and brought her to rest with her back against the opposite wall from which they’d started. He bent to kiss her neck and her cheek and then her forehead.
“I resent that idiot comment,” he murmured as he grazed his lips to hers again.
“Less resenting, more kissing.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and plunged her hands into his hair. He eagerly complied with her unspoken wish, fitting her more snugly against him as their lips devoured each other.
“I don’t want to go home,” she announced when they broke apart to breathe. “Take me upstairs.”
“Your dad owns a gun.”
“He thinks I’m staying with Mac. I’ll call him later. Take me upstairs.”
He pushed the button on the elevator and started to kiss her again.
“Wait,” she said, breaking away, “there’s a party going on in your room.”
Logan groaned as he remembered. He put his hand in his pocket and found his wallet.
“So I’ll get another room.”
Veronica slowly smiled and shook her head in disbelief. He would never change and was she ever grateful for that fact.
“Then hurry.”
He couldn’t deny her. They had a lot of catching up to do. A lot of making up for lost time. As well as every other cliché that was usually spoken of when two people finally realized what they wanted, needed, desired, and were destined to have.
