Title: In a Crowded Place, R, Chapter 1 of ? (L/V/D, Logan POV)
Title: In a Crowded Place, Chapter 1 of ?
Author: Amanda
Rating: R (language)
Word Count: 2,390
Characters: Logan/Veronica/Duncan, Logan POV
Summary: Duncan returns.
Spoilers: up to 2x13
Disclaimer: All Rob’s!
A/N: Wanted to explore the possibility that Duncan may not be baby Lilly’s father…
Logan propped his feet up lazily on the coffee table in his suite and settled into the comfy leather sofa to begin his planned afternoon of rigorous PS2 playing. He leaned his head back with a content sigh. High school was over, and had been for almost 72 hours. He’d just recovered from two nights of senseless partying and hazy memories.
He took a large, satisfying gulp of water he’d poured to begin his day-long process of rehydrating himself. Never had water tasted so good as to his parched throat.
He’d silenced his phone and shut off his computer. He relished this calm, quiet alone time. He just wanted to veg.
Twenty or so minutes into his lackadaisical game-playing, he heard the faint sound of a key in the door. Looking down at his watch, he grew confused.
Four p.m.? The maid comes at 10. Kendall gave back her key…Who…?
“Hey. I’m here. Not late, right. You said 4. I’m here, 4, on the nose.” A flustered, flushed, out-of-breath Veronica Mars burst into the room. She threw her ever-present, ugly messenger bag on the chair and followed it, sinking into the cushions with a sigh.
Logan sat there, motionless, trying to recall asking the petite blonde to meet him.
I mean, I know I was drunk, but I don’t ever remember seeing her at any of the parties. Oh dude, if I even drunk-dialed her…
“You know, the note you slipped under the door of my apartment?” She said, urging him to recall. “Here.” She flipped through her ugly - God, I hate that bag - bag open and rummaged around, mumbling to herself. Finally, she pulled out a wrinkled piece of notepaper and handed it to him. He stretched out to grab it - this was more than he’d been planning to move all day, and he harrumphed to himself. He stared, stunned, at the note, which read simply, “Meet me at the penthouse at four p.m., Monday afternoon.” There was no signature.
“You got me. Nice to see you though. Hello, how are ya, all that good stuff…”
“Yeah…hi.” Her face twisted in confusion. “You mean you didn’t send this?”
“V. If I needed to talk to you, I’d call or text you.”
“Hmm. Maybe it was Weevil,” she said, absently.
“Uh,” Logan began, scratching his head. “I doubt it, but you can try.” Weevil-appearances had been scarce since Felix’s killer had been put away. He’d been busy rebuilding the PCHers and working to save up for a new bike.
Veronica snapped her Sidekick open to dial Weevil before Logan could say another word, and Logan un-paused his game. Every so often he would peer up to watch Veronica fiddle with the ends of her hair, or roll her eyes at what he presumed were unanswered rings. He was so preoccupied that he didn’t even hear the door click open again.
He became engrossed in his game again while Veronica left Weevil a lengthy, prattling message. As she hung up, he looked up again, opening his mouth to speak. Instead, he froze at the sight before him, and dropped his controller.
Veronica’s voice rattled in his ears, but he barely heard her. “What. Logan. What is…?” He faintly saw her turn to see what caught his attention, and she froze as well, as if suspended, shell-shocked.
“Hey guys. Miss me?”
Before them, duffle-bag in hand, looking slightly tanner and much thinner, stood Duncan Kane.
Neither Logan nor Veronica was able to move or speak.
“Well, I guess you’re surprised to see me…judging from your reactions…or, lack thereof,” Duncan started, chuckling low and uneasily.
“Duncan - you’ll - you’ll get caught. Where’s the baby? Is she safe? Who knows you’re here? Did anyone see you? Do your parents know you’re here? Duncan, this is dangerous…they’ll arrest you…” Veronica ranted on maniacally, her hands waving frantically in the air as she looked around her, cautious and edgy like a caged animal. It were as though she were looking to find Agent Morris and Lamb ready to shackle Duncan and drag him away.
Logan watched her in utter amazement, and periodically stared at Duncan. “Dude…dude,” he muttered, in repeated mantra.
Duncan didn’t seem fazed, and laughed at them, which pissed Logan off a little. He wondered how Duncan could act so flippant. That’s not you, that’s me. You’re the dependable one.
“Veronica. Logan. Seriously. Veronica, settle down. Calm down.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and Logan swore he saw her shudder in response. What the...?
“Listen,” Duncan intoned, calmly. “Everything’s okay. No one’s ‘after me,’” he claimed, using air quotes, “anymore.”
Veronica and Logan paused their respective idiosyncratic behaviors at once, as though they were mechanical figures on a cuckoo clock. “WHAT?!” they shouted, in perfect harmony.
“Guys! Just - let me tell you, all right?”
Both nodded, marionettes on Duncan’s string, allowing him to continue. He remained standing, and began, calmly as ever, “Lilly,” The baby’s name is Lilly? That is uber-strange, Logan thought. “Lilly and I were in Cuba. We’d been there for a few days when she got really really sick.”
A look of maternal concern passed over Veronica’s face, and Logan felt something stir inside of him in response. Duncan shook his head, indicating he’d explain.
“The doctors said she needed a blood transfusion - she was severely anemic. So, as her father, of course, I offered my blood. When they typed me, they found I have a rare blood type - and that no matter what Meg’s type had been, our two types would never produce Lilly’s.”
Veronica shook her head in confusion, but Logan understood, perfectly. No fucking way.
“I’m not Lilly’s father.”
Logan drew in a long, haggard breath as he watched Veronica react to this. She looked as though someone punched her in the face, and it wasn’t a happy look. He thought she would be pleased. Clearly, from the look on Duncan’s face, he had thought so too.
Duncan continued rambling nonetheless, appearing to want to shake off Veronica’s silence.
“So. Um. Luckily, we found the right blood for Lill in Cuba. While she recuperated, I called Celeste and Jake, their lawyers, and Meg’s Aunt Kris. I told Kris that if she were willing to fight for custody of Lilly, I would give her all the evidence of Grace’s abuse. She agreed. I called Sheriff Lamb…”
“You did?” Veronica managed to croak.
“Yeah. I asked him to share with Kris the details of the night we broke into the Mannings’. I told him that if he complied, I’d turn myself in.”
Wow. Never knew DK had the cojones. Logan remained quiet.
“So I came back a few days ago, and by that time the Sheriff’s office had convinced the court to give temporary custody to Kris until the custody hearing.
I’m not very worried, though, because Lamb plans to arrest Mr. Manning for abuse this afternoon.”
Duncan paused, smiling at Veronica and Logan. Logan was amazed at what Duncan had managed to do, and Veronica’s facial expression echoed his thoughts.
You never knew he had it in him, either. You’d settled for a wimp, now you’re shocked and dismayed when he turns out to be a champ?
“I met with Lamb and the feds,” Duncan continued, unhindered. “The Mannings insisted on pressing charges, but when they learned of the abuse and the circumstances surrounding Meg’s pregnancy and all of it, the feds and cops backed off - a little. I still have to go to a hearing, but the feds told me they’re going to meet with the prosecutor and judge to work a deal out. Kane Software attorneys are meeting with them as well.”
Logan finally spoke. “That’s…that’s great, D. I’m glad you’re home. I’m glad you’re okay.” He said so genuinely, though he was still stunned at the situation.
“Thanks, Logan. I hear congrats are in order for you, too. Cleared your name, Lamb told me?”
“More like Veronica and Weevil cleared my name, but, yeah.”
“…and…Weevil?!”
“Long story.” Logan smiled shortly to his best - best? - friend. “We’ll have to - um - catch up.”
“You - you’re back? For good?” Veronica asked meekly, mumbling just above a whisper. She still looked like she’d gone a couple rounds in the ring. Logan noticed that she persisted in avoiding Duncan’s gaze. What is her problem? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Veronica. Honey. I’m back. For good.” Duncan looked lovingly at her, and stroked the side of her face. Logan watched, feeling out of place, and Veronica then finally peered up at Duncan, and tears poured out of her eyes in quick succession. Duncan rapidly swept her up in his arms and spun her around.
From over his friend’s shoulder, Logan caught sight of her face, and she lifted her eyes to make contact with his. Veronica’s look was unmistakable - she looked at Logan with uncertainty and a hint of sorrow, her brow crinkled and her lower lip caught between her teeth. She clutched onto Duncan’s back and opened her mouth, as if to mouth something to Logan.
At that moment, Duncan set her down and turned to Logan, arms outstretched. “Dude. So good to see you.” He wrapped his arms around Logan and hugged him firmly.
Logan returned the hug and the sentiment, all the while observing Veronica. She hung back, staring at the floor. He grew very quiet and nervous at her behavior. She was holding something back, and he couldn’t put his finger on what.
“But. Duncan…” Veronica piped up, suddenly. Logan saw the wheels turning in her head.
“Hmm?” Duncan turned to look at her. Logan had a clear view of both of them - Duncan staring after her with adoration in his eyes, and Veronica, shuffling her feet around biting her lower lip.
Unbalanced much? Logan felt caught in some weird alternative universe where black was white and up was down. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. He loves her, she loves him. Right? Isn’t the world ordered so that they’re together 4-eva? He rolled his eyes at his own thought, but it was a thought that most of Neptune, himself once included, subscribed to: Veronica Mars + Duncan Kane = teddy bears and sunshine.
The words of a sassier, brasher blonde echoed in his thoughts. “Donut and V. will both go to Harvard, they’ll get married, precious baby brother will run for public office, and V. will pop out two and a half kids. End of story. Snore!"
Of course, he didn’t want to subscribe to this theory - this was a reality that trumped his peers’ idealism in love and fairytales. But his version of the story never garnered much acceptance; it just remained a dusty book on some back shelf.
That’s me. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Never able to escape being his father’s shadow, he was used to being the afterthought. Or never-thought.
Logan snapped back to attention when Veronica continued her thought. “Duncan, who is Lilly’s father?”
Ever the sleuth. Heh.
Logan raised his eyebrows curiously at Duncan as well. Duncan shrugged believably. “I don’t - no one does, really - know.”
“But you were definitely ‘with’ Meg?”
Logan shifted in his shoes. Dude, what a homecoming. ‘Hi honey, how are you, remind me, you did have sex with that other girl, right?’ He glared at Veronica, trying to permeate her words, trying to figure out why she was approaching the situation this way. Where are the teddy bears and sunshine? Color me confu-sed.
“Yes, Veronica,” Duncan replied, tersely. He finally, Logan took note, was getting annoyed with her attitude. “But Lilly is not mine. There is no evidence - right now - of who the father is. If you forgot, our prime source of information is inconveniently gone.”
Ouch.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, looking like a wounded animal, nudging the corner of the sofa with her toe. “I just thought maybe you had an idea.”
“Yeah. No. No clue.” Duncan crossed his arms and stared at the floor.
Logan stood between them still. Awkward, much? “Well. I think it’s one of those ‘am-scray’ times. Damn, that Beginner’s Guide finally paid off!” He grabbed his keys from off the coffee table and moved toward the door.
Duncan said, “Ok, Loge. See ya,” at the same exact moment that Veronica intoned, “You don’t have to leave, Logan.” They looked at each other ineptly. Logan moved to speak, and Veronica cut him off. “I have to leave anyway. I’m meeting my dad about college stuff. Urgent.”
Duncan looked hurt, his lower lip pouting out a bit. God, he’s the poster-child for pitiful sometimes.
“Oh! Wait!” He began, propelling Veronica to spin on her heel to face the both of them.
“Hmm?” She said, impatiently.
“I have a hearing tomorrow. I was hoping you - both…” He looked between Veronica and Logan “would be there with me. It would mean a lot.”
Veronica nodded slowly. “Sure. What time?”
“9 am sharp.”
“I’ll meet you there,” she said, as Duncan simultaneously proclaimed, “I’ll pick you up!”
“I’ll drive everyone,” Logan said, sighing. He was growing annoyed with this strange welcome-home shitfest. Duncan was back, and no one - neither him nor Veronica - could get very excited about it.
They nodded to him, and Veronica backed up toward the door. On a flight of bad timing, Duncan lunged forward and kissed her on the lips. She responded, but pulled back, looking a little startled. Licking her lips, she smiled softly and walked toward the door. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I’ll call you…” she looked at Duncan, “later.” Her lips formed a thin line. She put her hand on the door handle and peered sideways at Logan.
They shared a look that escaped Duncan. She stood there for a long second, as if trying to send telepathic waves to him. Logan furrowed his brow at her, and with that, she turned the handle and walked out, the door clicking softly behind her.
Logan and Duncan smiled uneasily at each other, and then Duncan quietly excused himself to his room, saying he was tired from the past week’s excitement. Logan waved him off, and plopped back on the couch, feeling more alone than he had before Duncan’s return.
TBC
Author: Amanda
Rating: R (language)
Word Count: 2,390
Characters: Logan/Veronica/Duncan, Logan POV
Summary: Duncan returns.
Spoilers: up to 2x13
Disclaimer: All Rob’s!
A/N: Wanted to explore the possibility that Duncan may not be baby Lilly’s father…
Logan propped his feet up lazily on the coffee table in his suite and settled into the comfy leather sofa to begin his planned afternoon of rigorous PS2 playing. He leaned his head back with a content sigh. High school was over, and had been for almost 72 hours. He’d just recovered from two nights of senseless partying and hazy memories.
He took a large, satisfying gulp of water he’d poured to begin his day-long process of rehydrating himself. Never had water tasted so good as to his parched throat.
He’d silenced his phone and shut off his computer. He relished this calm, quiet alone time. He just wanted to veg.
Twenty or so minutes into his lackadaisical game-playing, he heard the faint sound of a key in the door. Looking down at his watch, he grew confused.
Four p.m.? The maid comes at 10. Kendall gave back her key…Who…?
“Hey. I’m here. Not late, right. You said 4. I’m here, 4, on the nose.” A flustered, flushed, out-of-breath Veronica Mars burst into the room. She threw her ever-present, ugly messenger bag on the chair and followed it, sinking into the cushions with a sigh.
Logan sat there, motionless, trying to recall asking the petite blonde to meet him.
I mean, I know I was drunk, but I don’t ever remember seeing her at any of the parties. Oh dude, if I even drunk-dialed her…
“You know, the note you slipped under the door of my apartment?” She said, urging him to recall. “Here.” She flipped through her ugly - God, I hate that bag - bag open and rummaged around, mumbling to herself. Finally, she pulled out a wrinkled piece of notepaper and handed it to him. He stretched out to grab it - this was more than he’d been planning to move all day, and he harrumphed to himself. He stared, stunned, at the note, which read simply, “Meet me at the penthouse at four p.m., Monday afternoon.” There was no signature.
“You got me. Nice to see you though. Hello, how are ya, all that good stuff…”
“Yeah…hi.” Her face twisted in confusion. “You mean you didn’t send this?”
“V. If I needed to talk to you, I’d call or text you.”
“Hmm. Maybe it was Weevil,” she said, absently.
“Uh,” Logan began, scratching his head. “I doubt it, but you can try.” Weevil-appearances had been scarce since Felix’s killer had been put away. He’d been busy rebuilding the PCHers and working to save up for a new bike.
Veronica snapped her Sidekick open to dial Weevil before Logan could say another word, and Logan un-paused his game. Every so often he would peer up to watch Veronica fiddle with the ends of her hair, or roll her eyes at what he presumed were unanswered rings. He was so preoccupied that he didn’t even hear the door click open again.
He became engrossed in his game again while Veronica left Weevil a lengthy, prattling message. As she hung up, he looked up again, opening his mouth to speak. Instead, he froze at the sight before him, and dropped his controller.
Veronica’s voice rattled in his ears, but he barely heard her. “What. Logan. What is…?” He faintly saw her turn to see what caught his attention, and she froze as well, as if suspended, shell-shocked.
“Hey guys. Miss me?”
Before them, duffle-bag in hand, looking slightly tanner and much thinner, stood Duncan Kane.
Neither Logan nor Veronica was able to move or speak.
“Well, I guess you’re surprised to see me…judging from your reactions…or, lack thereof,” Duncan started, chuckling low and uneasily.
“Duncan - you’ll - you’ll get caught. Where’s the baby? Is she safe? Who knows you’re here? Did anyone see you? Do your parents know you’re here? Duncan, this is dangerous…they’ll arrest you…” Veronica ranted on maniacally, her hands waving frantically in the air as she looked around her, cautious and edgy like a caged animal. It were as though she were looking to find Agent Morris and Lamb ready to shackle Duncan and drag him away.
Logan watched her in utter amazement, and periodically stared at Duncan. “Dude…dude,” he muttered, in repeated mantra.
Duncan didn’t seem fazed, and laughed at them, which pissed Logan off a little. He wondered how Duncan could act so flippant. That’s not you, that’s me. You’re the dependable one.
“Veronica. Logan. Seriously. Veronica, settle down. Calm down.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, and Logan swore he saw her shudder in response. What the...?
“Listen,” Duncan intoned, calmly. “Everything’s okay. No one’s ‘after me,’” he claimed, using air quotes, “anymore.”
Veronica and Logan paused their respective idiosyncratic behaviors at once, as though they were mechanical figures on a cuckoo clock. “WHAT?!” they shouted, in perfect harmony.
“Guys! Just - let me tell you, all right?”
Both nodded, marionettes on Duncan’s string, allowing him to continue. He remained standing, and began, calmly as ever, “Lilly,” The baby’s name is Lilly? That is uber-strange, Logan thought. “Lilly and I were in Cuba. We’d been there for a few days when she got really really sick.”
A look of maternal concern passed over Veronica’s face, and Logan felt something stir inside of him in response. Duncan shook his head, indicating he’d explain.
“The doctors said she needed a blood transfusion - she was severely anemic. So, as her father, of course, I offered my blood. When they typed me, they found I have a rare blood type - and that no matter what Meg’s type had been, our two types would never produce Lilly’s.”
Veronica shook her head in confusion, but Logan understood, perfectly. No fucking way.
“I’m not Lilly’s father.”
Logan drew in a long, haggard breath as he watched Veronica react to this. She looked as though someone punched her in the face, and it wasn’t a happy look. He thought she would be pleased. Clearly, from the look on Duncan’s face, he had thought so too.
Duncan continued rambling nonetheless, appearing to want to shake off Veronica’s silence.
“So. Um. Luckily, we found the right blood for Lill in Cuba. While she recuperated, I called Celeste and Jake, their lawyers, and Meg’s Aunt Kris. I told Kris that if she were willing to fight for custody of Lilly, I would give her all the evidence of Grace’s abuse. She agreed. I called Sheriff Lamb…”
“You did?” Veronica managed to croak.
“Yeah. I asked him to share with Kris the details of the night we broke into the Mannings’. I told him that if he complied, I’d turn myself in.”
Wow. Never knew DK had the cojones. Logan remained quiet.
“So I came back a few days ago, and by that time the Sheriff’s office had convinced the court to give temporary custody to Kris until the custody hearing.
I’m not very worried, though, because Lamb plans to arrest Mr. Manning for abuse this afternoon.”
Duncan paused, smiling at Veronica and Logan. Logan was amazed at what Duncan had managed to do, and Veronica’s facial expression echoed his thoughts.
You never knew he had it in him, either. You’d settled for a wimp, now you’re shocked and dismayed when he turns out to be a champ?
“I met with Lamb and the feds,” Duncan continued, unhindered. “The Mannings insisted on pressing charges, but when they learned of the abuse and the circumstances surrounding Meg’s pregnancy and all of it, the feds and cops backed off - a little. I still have to go to a hearing, but the feds told me they’re going to meet with the prosecutor and judge to work a deal out. Kane Software attorneys are meeting with them as well.”
Logan finally spoke. “That’s…that’s great, D. I’m glad you’re home. I’m glad you’re okay.” He said so genuinely, though he was still stunned at the situation.
“Thanks, Logan. I hear congrats are in order for you, too. Cleared your name, Lamb told me?”
“More like Veronica and Weevil cleared my name, but, yeah.”
“…and…Weevil?!”
“Long story.” Logan smiled shortly to his best - best? - friend. “We’ll have to - um - catch up.”
“You - you’re back? For good?” Veronica asked meekly, mumbling just above a whisper. She still looked like she’d gone a couple rounds in the ring. Logan noticed that she persisted in avoiding Duncan’s gaze. What is her problem? He shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“Veronica. Honey. I’m back. For good.” Duncan looked lovingly at her, and stroked the side of her face. Logan watched, feeling out of place, and Veronica then finally peered up at Duncan, and tears poured out of her eyes in quick succession. Duncan rapidly swept her up in his arms and spun her around.
From over his friend’s shoulder, Logan caught sight of her face, and she lifted her eyes to make contact with his. Veronica’s look was unmistakable - she looked at Logan with uncertainty and a hint of sorrow, her brow crinkled and her lower lip caught between her teeth. She clutched onto Duncan’s back and opened her mouth, as if to mouth something to Logan.
At that moment, Duncan set her down and turned to Logan, arms outstretched. “Dude. So good to see you.” He wrapped his arms around Logan and hugged him firmly.
Logan returned the hug and the sentiment, all the while observing Veronica. She hung back, staring at the floor. He grew very quiet and nervous at her behavior. She was holding something back, and he couldn’t put his finger on what.
“But. Duncan…” Veronica piped up, suddenly. Logan saw the wheels turning in her head.
“Hmm?” Duncan turned to look at her. Logan had a clear view of both of them - Duncan staring after her with adoration in his eyes, and Veronica, shuffling her feet around biting her lower lip.
Unbalanced much? Logan felt caught in some weird alternative universe where black was white and up was down. This wasn’t the way things were supposed to be. He loves her, she loves him. Right? Isn’t the world ordered so that they’re together 4-eva? He rolled his eyes at his own thought, but it was a thought that most of Neptune, himself once included, subscribed to: Veronica Mars + Duncan Kane = teddy bears and sunshine.
The words of a sassier, brasher blonde echoed in his thoughts. “Donut and V. will both go to Harvard, they’ll get married, precious baby brother will run for public office, and V. will pop out two and a half kids. End of story. Snore!"
Of course, he didn’t want to subscribe to this theory - this was a reality that trumped his peers’ idealism in love and fairytales. But his version of the story never garnered much acceptance; it just remained a dusty book on some back shelf.
That’s me. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Never able to escape being his father’s shadow, he was used to being the afterthought. Or never-thought.
Logan snapped back to attention when Veronica continued her thought. “Duncan, who is Lilly’s father?”
Ever the sleuth. Heh.
Logan raised his eyebrows curiously at Duncan as well. Duncan shrugged believably. “I don’t - no one does, really - know.”
“But you were definitely ‘with’ Meg?”
Logan shifted in his shoes. Dude, what a homecoming. ‘Hi honey, how are you, remind me, you did have sex with that other girl, right?’ He glared at Veronica, trying to permeate her words, trying to figure out why she was approaching the situation this way. Where are the teddy bears and sunshine? Color me confu-sed.
“Yes, Veronica,” Duncan replied, tersely. He finally, Logan took note, was getting annoyed with her attitude. “But Lilly is not mine. There is no evidence - right now - of who the father is. If you forgot, our prime source of information is inconveniently gone.”
Ouch.
“I’m sorry,” she replied, looking like a wounded animal, nudging the corner of the sofa with her toe. “I just thought maybe you had an idea.”
“Yeah. No. No clue.” Duncan crossed his arms and stared at the floor.
Logan stood between them still. Awkward, much? “Well. I think it’s one of those ‘am-scray’ times. Damn, that Beginner’s Guide finally paid off!” He grabbed his keys from off the coffee table and moved toward the door.
Duncan said, “Ok, Loge. See ya,” at the same exact moment that Veronica intoned, “You don’t have to leave, Logan.” They looked at each other ineptly. Logan moved to speak, and Veronica cut him off. “I have to leave anyway. I’m meeting my dad about college stuff. Urgent.”
Duncan looked hurt, his lower lip pouting out a bit. God, he’s the poster-child for pitiful sometimes.
“Oh! Wait!” He began, propelling Veronica to spin on her heel to face the both of them.
“Hmm?” She said, impatiently.
“I have a hearing tomorrow. I was hoping you - both…” He looked between Veronica and Logan “would be there with me. It would mean a lot.”
Veronica nodded slowly. “Sure. What time?”
“9 am sharp.”
“I’ll meet you there,” she said, as Duncan simultaneously proclaimed, “I’ll pick you up!”
“I’ll drive everyone,” Logan said, sighing. He was growing annoyed with this strange welcome-home shitfest. Duncan was back, and no one - neither him nor Veronica - could get very excited about it.
They nodded to him, and Veronica backed up toward the door. On a flight of bad timing, Duncan lunged forward and kissed her on the lips. She responded, but pulled back, looking a little startled. Licking her lips, she smiled softly and walked toward the door. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow. I’ll call you…” she looked at Duncan, “later.” Her lips formed a thin line. She put her hand on the door handle and peered sideways at Logan.
They shared a look that escaped Duncan. She stood there for a long second, as if trying to send telepathic waves to him. Logan furrowed his brow at her, and with that, she turned the handle and walked out, the door clicking softly behind her.
Logan and Duncan smiled uneasily at each other, and then Duncan quietly excused himself to his room, saying he was tired from the past week’s excitement. Logan waved him off, and plopped back on the couch, feeling more alone than he had before Duncan’s return.
TBC