Fic: Deadly Poisons (Veronica, Piz, Logan, Logan/Veronica, Piz/Veronica) R
Title: Deadly Poisons (Part 2 of 2)
Author: shangri__la
Rating: R
Content: See warnings under the LJ-cut.
Word Count: 15323 in all
Characters/Pairings: Piz, Veronica, Logan, Wallace, Parker, Logan/Veronica, Piz/Veronica, Piz/Parker, very slight Logan/Parker
Note: Seriously AU. Unless it becomes true, then it’s AWESOME! Or, you know, not so awesome, if you’ve read the warnings.
2. This is why Entropy hasn't been updated. Blame afrocurl! Also, thank her, because this was her doing, and she beta-ed it for me. :)
Spoilers: Up until 3.07, “Of Vice and Men.”
Disclaimer: The characters were created by Rob Thomas and remain the property of Thomas, the CW, and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
At the New Year’s Eve party, Parker and Logan recite lyrics from “Shake” by the Ying Yang Twins, and reference “Gold Digger” by Kanye West, and “Touch It” by Busta Rhymes. All rights reserved.
Warnings: This is a dark fic. This story includes major character deaths, rape, violence, language, and two implied sexual situations. There’s no happy ending here. If you can’t handle, please don’t torture yourself. Read something happy, don’t let me corrupt you. :)
2. I usually like to write all characters objectively, and I try to do so without bias, but there’s an obvious one here. So, if you like Piz, you might want to skip this one. This is just in fun (pure, morbid, sick fun), so don't take it too personally if you like him. Every other time, I will write him fairly, but Roz wanted Dark!Piz, so Dark!Piz she gets.
Summary: “Deadly poisons, according to Ovid, are concealed under sweet honey. What do you think?”
“I cannot believe,” Piz whispered in Veronica’s ear, wrapping his arm around the back of the booth behind Veronica. “That Wallace invited them.”
Amateur Night at Winston’s had turned into the Awkward Hour, with Piz, Veronica, Wallace, Mac, Logan, and Parker all in the same booth. Mac had all but clung to Wallace the entire night, as Parker and Logan continued their game of tossing peanuts into an empty glass. No one seemed to notice Veronica and Logan weren’t talking to each other.
“Logan is Wallace’s friend, too,” Veronica whispered, touching the back of her hair self-consciously. “Sometimes. I think it’s more of a Parker, Mac, Wallace thing.”
“Wallace begets Mac, who begets Parker, who thereby begets Logan?” Piz asked, and Veronica smirked. “Who begets us?”
“Why, the Lord himself, my friend,” Veronica purred, and he grinned.
“Okay,” Logan said loudly, slamming a hand down on the table. “Y’all are my witnesses- if I get this shot, Parker has to get up on stage and sing.”
Parker crossed her arms over her chest, grinning brightly. “I happen to have a splendid voice. You,” she wrapped her arm around Logan’s shoulders. “My friend, do not, so be prepared to be tap-danced off the stage. I want some Britney Spears coming out of you.”
Logan licked his lips, his eyes on the glass in front of him. “Come on, at least some Christina Aguilera...”
Wallace chuckled, shaking his head. “Please, don’t.”
Parker drummed loudly on the table, rolling her tongue against the roof of her mouth in a mock drumroll. “Let’s go, pretty boy!”
“Rich pretty boy, thank you,” Logan corrected primly, aiming the peanut between two fingers. Just as he was about to throw, Piz leaned over, kissing Veronica’s cheek firmly, and the peanut flew out into the crowd.
The table groaned, and Logan blinked rapidly, his face falling. Parker laughed gleefully, clapping. “I’m gonna get some Britney tonight!”
Logan laughed, shaking his head. “No. No, no, no- he,” he pointed accusingly at Piz. “He distracted me.”
Parker shook her head wildly, a bright grin on her face. “No excuses!” she stood on the seat cushions, climbing over laps to get out of the booth. “I’m going to sign you up!”
Wallace fought back a smirk, leaning over and slapping Logan on the back. “It’s all right, man, at least you can strip if the crowd gets ugly.”
Logan didn’t respond, nearly toppling the table over as he stormed from the booth.
Piz watched Logan stomp over to the bar, before Piz sighed, grinning. “Some people just don’t like to lose,” he said as he glanced at Veronica. “Want another drink?”
Veronica nodded, holding up her plastic cup. “More ice this time?”
“Sure,” Piz slid out of the booth, walking up to the bar. Logan leaned against it, his head lowered, and Piz smirked, gesturing toward the bartender. Logan lifted his head, staring at him. “Diet Coke, lots of ice!”
“I know what you’re doing,” Logan muttered, his eyes cold and wary on Piz.
Piz barely glanced at Logan, pulling out his wallet and producing a ten-dollar bill. “What do you mean?”
“I know exactly what you’re doing, I’m not falling for your nice guy shit,” Logan spat, his fists clenching. “Stay away from Veronica, dude.”
Piz let out a disbelieving laugh, handing the bartender his tip before putting his wallet away. “What- you’re her dad or something?”
Logan turned completely, facing Piz head on. “No, I’m her boyfriend.”
“Not anymore.”
Logan’s jaw clenched. “Regardless. Stay away from Veronica.”
Piz met Logan’s gaze, and he smirked at the slight look of shock on Logan’s face. Clearly, Logan didn’t expect Piz to talk back. “Look, is this about the singing thing, ‘cause it’s not that serious, dude. I’ll even play some guitar for you.”
Logan wasn’t fazed, taking a step forward. “I mean it. Stay away from Veronica. She might not think you’re bad news, but I know it.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“No, I’m right,” Logan said firmly, turning to walk away. “She doesn’t need people like you around her.”
“Funny, she needed me last night when she was screaming my-”
It wasn’t true, but it nonetheless got the reaction he wanted out of Logan.
Logan spun around and punched Piz hard, sending him into the bar. Piz got to his knees, tackling Logan and pushing them both against the bar, and Logan’s fists were on Piz’s back, pummeling him. Piz inhaled sharply, sending a fist into Logan’s stomach and causing him to double over.
Piz could’ve sworn he heard Veronica, screaming his name and Logan’s name, and sure enough, there she was, several feet away, her eyes big and angry. But there was also Wallace, racing towards them.
As soon as it had started, it was over, with Wallace and a bouncer separating the two.
Wallace grabbed Logan by his waist, pulling him away from Piz. “Calm down, man!” he exclaimed as the bouncer jerked Piz against the bar.
Logan started for Piz again, but Wallace was firm, not bothering to release Logan from his grip. “Let go of me!” Logan barked, and Wallace inhaled sharply, nearly dragging him several feet away.
“He started it!” Piz yelled angrily, wiping at the blood dripping down his nose.
The bouncer released Piz, moving towards Logan. “Let’s go, bro.”
Veronica appeared at Piz’s side as the bouncer started to escort Logan out of the bar. She stared at Logan in near shock for a moment before focusing her attention on Piz, flinching at the sight of his bloody nose. “Oh my God...”
“What happened?” Parker exclaimed, rushing up to the two. She gasped when she saw Piz’s face. “What happened, Piz? Where’s Logan?”
On cue, Logan stomped back to the group, and the bouncer was on his tail. “You’re a fucking pussy!” Logan shouted at Piz, pointing at him. “You got a fucking problem with me, you tell me!”
Piz started to respond, then closed his mouth, remembering that Veronica was right there. “You’re warped, man.”
Logan shook his head, jerking out of the bouncer’s grasp. “I’m not fucking gullible like Veronica-”
Veronica’s mouth dropped as the bouncer nearly carried Logan out of the bar, but then Piz was rushing after them, and she inhaled sharply, following them. Parker and Wallace were right behind her, and Veronica blinked rapidly in panic. “This is why we don’t let boys drink,” she said darkly to Parker.
Parker whimpered nervously in response. “They’re going to kill each other! What happened?”
Piz ignored Parker’s shrill shout behind him, glaring at the bouncer who held on to his shoulder as Logan was tossed out of the club. Piz jerked his arm out of the man’s grasp. “With all due respect, I’m kicking his ass,” he said angrily.
“You do it outside,” the bouncer said lazily.
As soon as they were all outside, Piz started for Logan, but then Veronica was in the middle, shoving Logan back. “No!” she shouted furiously as Logan started for Piz again. He tried to push her away, but Veronica was undeterred, shoving Logan hard against a nearby car. “NO! Stop it!”
Wallace grabbed Piz’s arm, pulling him back. “You wanna get arrested, man? Over something stupid?”
Piz almost immediately relaxed, his eyes on Logan and Veronica, arguing loudly and throwing insults near the white Sedan. “He’s an asshole,” he spat, his heart racing at the sight of Veronica nearly shrieking at Logan, who continued to glower at her angrily.
“Whatever- don’t get arrested for a stupid fight, man.”
Parker shook her head woefully, starting to move toward Logan and Veronica, then seemed to think better of it. “This is the worst social ever.”
“...He’s fucking playing you, Veronica! Don’t you see that? Are you that fucking scared of the truth?”
Piz lifted his head, scowling at Logan. Veronica’s head had dropped, and Logan had calmed down considerably, all in ten seconds. He started after them, and Wallace grabbed on to his arm. “I’m all right, man,” he said softly, and Wallace released him.
He headed over to the two, who were now talking heatedly. Just as he reached them, he caught the end of their conversation. He caught Logan’s shaky-
“I’m not the bad guy, Veronica.”
Piz gently wrapped his arm around Veronica’s shoulders, wiping at his bloodied nose with his free hand. “Let’s go, Veronica.”
Veronica stared up at Logan, not responding, and Piz’s eyes narrowed at the look in her eyes. Heat. Fear. Lust. Something had turned her on and he didn’t understand why she wasn’t looking at him like that if she liked fights so much.
“I’m not,” Logan said quietly, his eyes locked on Veronica’s.
Piz grasped Veronica’s shoulder tightly, leading her away. The anger in him grew as she turned to look at Logan one last time.
* * * * *
Veronica was Piz’s sexual fantasy since the first day he met her. Sweet, soft, hard, slow, fast -he dreamt it all. She was an angel and a vixen and a sex kitten and anything else he fancied. Her blonde hair was always wavy, and always tangled in his fingers.
Lately, the fantasies had become more elaborate, with him beating the crap out of Logan before he fucked Veronica. Veronica was always grateful. She smiled in that special way just for him, and showed him her gratitude properly.
Then, one night, he killed Logan, and he climaxed before Veronica even entered the room.
* * * * *
Piz sighed, glancing at the ceiling of the Hearst library. Veronica sat on the other side of the counter, typing furiously on her laptop. She had barely spoken all night, at least not to him, and he wondered if Logan’s words had finally gotten to her.
She still treated him like a friend; she had barely kissed him when he came to pick her up. She ignored all his compliments, and even pushed his hand away when he tried to pull her in for a kiss. “I have a cold,” she said with a laugh when he had finally made his annoyance known.
If he didn’t know any better, he would think Veronica was trying to break it off.
“I need some help from the help desk,” an all-too-familiar voice said quietly.
Both Piz and Veronica lifted their heads, and Piz’s eyes narrowed at the look of hope in Veronica’s eyes at the sight of Logan standing there, playing with his cell phone. Piz resisted the urge to force Logan out of the library himself, instead taking the time to touch his still-bruised nose. “Veronica,”
Veronica straightened up in her seat, glancing at Piz regretfully for only a moment before facing Logan. “Hey,” she said softly.
“You paged?” Logan asked quietly, rolling his cell phone against his palm. “I was in the middle of class...” he trailed off as he caught Piz’s eyes, meeting his gaze for only a moment before focusing his attention on Veronica. “What’s up?”
“Can we talk?” Veronica murmured, meeting his gaze. “I didn’t want to do it in front of people.”
“You could’ve come to my place,” Logan muttered.
She shook her head slowly. “It hurt too much, Logan.” she said softly.
He nodded once. “Let’s talk.”
Piz laughed, unable to believe their gall. She couldn’t honestly want to talk to Logan, not after what Logan had done. Not after all his work. Not when he was sitting right there, waiting for her shift to be over so he could walk her to her car. “Veronica-”
“Please, Piz?” Veronica said shakily.
Piz’s jaw clenched, and he quickly nodded, standing. “I’m just going to go to my car, I’ll be right back,” he said quickly.
“Take your time,” Logan mumbled.
Piz ignored him, shooting one last look at Veronica before walking away. He glanced over his shoulder, catching Veronica talking to Logan as she moved from behind the help desk. She was suddenly feeling chatty, what a coincidence.
He had made his way to his car, deciding maybe he should give Veronica the necklace he had bought her now, just in case Logan decided to try any of his smooth-talking crap. The guy was already pulling the sad, puppy dog eyes and Piz knew Logan couldn’t be trusted.
Piz slipped into his car, sitting there for a few minutes and thinking. Thinking about Veronica and how she made him smile. About how she looked happier with him, even if boredom slipped in a couple of times. Of how she should be happier. Of how Logan made her miserable.
Then, suddenly, the image of Veronica that night at the club slipped into his head. The look she was giving Logan, the look he imagined her giving him all those times in his dreams. The look that Logan was giving right back that night at the club.
Instantly, he was out of his car and racing back towards the Hearst library.
Piz walked into the library, looking around warily. Veronica wasn’t at her desk, in fact, the whole place was empty. She should’ve locked up, but her car was still outside, and the lights were still on. In fact, Logan’s car was still outside as well.
He frowned, wondering where they could have gone. Then, a loud bang upstairs echoed through the library. A book had fallen.
Slowly, Piz walked up the stairs, his hand hot on the cold railing. He listened, hearing the distinct sound of rustling. He kept climbing the stairs until he reached the top floor. He moved through the stacks, still listening. The rustling got louder, and he froze when he caught the blur against the wall near the periodicals.
His breath caught as he spotted Veronica, her head tilted back against the stone wall, and in the shadows was Logan, his mouth pressed against her neck, sucking and nipping at her pale skin. Logan suddenly lifted his head, leaving a trail of kisses up Veronica’s jaw until his forehead was pressed against hers.
She was whispering something between gasps, and whatever it was, it caused Logan to grab her hips and pull her closer to him. He licked his lips and Veronica darted forward, kissing him hard until he returned the embrace, deciding then to pull away in an obvious attempt to torture him some more.
Slowly, Veronica grabbed Logan’s hand, maneuvering it lower. Logan’s eyes locked on hers, and there was no amusement there, just unbridled lust and barely restrained control as Veronica moved his hand between her legs. His eyes closed and Veronica gasped, her eyes fluttering shut as he started to tilt and thrust his hand against her.
With the exception of the heavy breathing coming from the two in the dark corner, the entire floor was silent. Piz wondered if they would even notice anyone walking past as they kept eye contact and their bodies pressed against each other.
Piz turned, rushing away from the scene several feet away. Anger and shock blinded him, and he couldn’t stop the feeling of betrayal from overwhelming him. Veronica was cheating on him. Veronica was cheating on him with Logan Echolls.
Before he reached the stairs, he heard the soft, but so very audible hiss of Veronica’s-
“Yes...yes...”
* * * * *
Piz decided to forgive Veronica.
After a weekend of avoiding her, he decided to forgive her, because even Veronica was allowed to make some mistakes. She had been feeling vulnerable, and he couldn’t fault her for allowing Logan to take advantage.
Yes, he was angry with her for a couple of days, but now he was ready to forgive her, just because he was that nice of a guy.
There was a sharp knock on his dorm door, and Piz jumped to his feet, rushing for the door. Like usual, Veronica was right on time. He flung the door open, grinning at her brightly. “Hey!”
“Hi,” she walked in quickly, her head down. “You didn’t return my calls.”
“Sorry, I was busy,” he grabbed Veronica’s waist, pulling her to him. His lips met hers softly, and his heart started to race as a small groan escaped her. Quickly, he pulled her bag off her shoulder, letting it drop as he pressed his lips harder against hers.
Veronica pulled away from Piz, rubbing at her mouth faintly. “I can’t,” she mumbled.
“What?” Piz said with a grin. “Why not?” he caught the distressed look on her face and quickly nodded. “I’m going too fast, right? It’s okay- I don’t mind pulling back. We can go slow and-”
“Logan and I are getting back together, Piz.”
Piz’s smile faded, and for a moment, he wondered if he had heard right. It was just like that. Bam, they were getting back together. Just weeks ago, they had been fighting like they hated each other, and now, they were back together. Wallace was right.
He laughed, shaking his head and unable to do anything else.
Veronica chewed on her bottom lip nervously, running a hand through her hair. “I’m...I’m sorry, Piz. Logan- we’re just complicated. We’re complicated and there’s a lot of history there and...” she trailed off with a sigh. “Maybe we shouldn’t have ruined the friendship, you know?”
Piz swallowed hard, refusing to pay her words any mind. She was just talking, but nothing was coming out. Nothing that interested him. However, she continued to stand there, waiting for a response with that hopeful look in her eyes. So, he settled on-
“Maybe you’re right,” he said dully. She continued to stare at him, a flash of fear in her eyes, so he fixed a bright grin on his face, rolling his eyes. “Come on, V, it’s not like we were married or something. I wasn’t gonna try to get in the middle of that mess.”
Veronica smiled, relieved, and nodded. “You’re not mad?” her smile faded. “You’re mad.”
“No!” Piz laughed, a little too hard, and shook his head. “It was just a casual thing, right? We were both bored...we weren’t really dating-”
“That’s what I thought!” Veronica cringed playfully. “It was kind of incestuous. I’m glad we weren’t taking this seriously.”
“Right.”
She paused, inhaling sharply before leaning over, hugging Piz lightly. “Thanks for being such a good friend, Piz. I’m glad you understand,” he didn’t respond, and she pulled away, glancing up at him. “We can still hang?”
Piz grinned, nodding. “Of course. Winston’s, Friday night?”
“Absolutely. I’ll bring Mac,” she paused, giving him a coy look. “And Parker.”
Piz’s smile faded as Veronica backed toward the door, giving him a happy, little smile. He sighed, returning the smile as she disappeared into the crowded hallway.
Deep down, he was expecting the breakup. However, nothing had prepared him for the rage that coursed through him when Veronica tried to pass off Parker, just moments after breaking up with him. She really did feel nothing for him, it was all just friendly pecks and hugs to her.
Eventually, Veronica Mars was going to have to see the errors of her ways.
* * * * *
Parker Lee looked a lot like Veronica in the right light.
Unfortunately, she was still annoying and loud, even with a round of drinks in her. Her lips were too full and she was too tall and her hair was fake. It was hard to keep the fantasy of Veronica underneath him when Parker kept pushing him off.
If she didn’t want this, on his bed, maybe she should’ve just gone back to her dorm.
“Piz- hold on,” Parker pushed at Piz again, putting some body weight into it. “Hold on. I...I know I said I wanted to go back to normal, but we have to take it slow, okay? You’re sweet, but I still need time.”
“We’ll take our time, then,” Piz breathed before kissing her hard, ignoring the slight cry that escaped her.
She shoved at him again, her fingers poking into his shoulders. “Knock it off!” she snapped, rubbing at her mouth. “I thought you were different.”
“I am!” Piz leaned back against the wall, allowing Parker to sit up. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m just...you’re hot, that’s all.”
Parker blushed slightly, a faint smile forming on her lips. “Thanks?”
Piz barely glanced at her, chewing on his lower lip. “It’s a compliment.”
“Thanks, Sparky, I didn’t catch it the first time,” she smirked, pulling down her skirt. “Logan said I’m like a man’s girl, someone you can have a beer with, and sleep with, so I guess that’s good, right? Guys dig that, even if I won’t let them buy me a beer anymore, right? I’m totally hot,” she paused, catching her breath. “You’re totally cute, too. Like a dark-haired Leo, that’s totally a compliment.”
Piz stared at Parker in slight shock, wondering how someone could talk so much and say nothing at all. Then, he wondered if that was how he sounded when he rambled. He hoped not. “Are you and Logan fucking?”
Parker laughed, rolling her eyes. “No!”
“Ever did?”
“No!”
“You made out at that club.”
She snorted, rolling her eyes again. “Yeah, we’re friends who make out on the special occasion known as the New Year. It meant nothing, he’s just fun to be around,” she sighed. “He’s a great guy.”
Piz’s jaw clenched at Parker’s last sentence, and he nodded. “Sure. I’m great, too,” Before Parker could respond, he was on top of her once more, and he was grateful when she didn’t fight back.
* * * * *
Piz had a lot of fantasies about Veronica Mars.
After the breakup, said fantasies changed. Logan wasn’t the only one dying now.
* * * * *
Piz didn’t know why he showed up at the Neptune Grand one Friday evening. He just did, on a whim, and before he knew it, he was in front of Logan’s apartment, knocking. Wet from the rain pouring on the streets, only his hat and hoodie to keep him dry.
He wasn’t even sure what he was going to do when Logan answered, maybe punch him? Yell at him? He didn’t know anymore.
“Forgot your key-” Veronica gasped at the sight of Piz, quickly tying her white silk robe up. “Piz!”
Piz stood there, frozen, as Veronica scrambled to tie up her robe. He caught a glimpse of her black silk underwear, and her still wet skin from a recent shower, he was sure. Her hair was loose, wavy and wild, and there was just the tiniest bit of makeup on her face.
She looked gorgeous.
“Veronica,” he finally spoke, smiling faintly.
“What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you,” he blurted out before he could stop himself. “About us.”
She shook her head briefly. “I can’t do this now.”
Piz’s jaw clenched, hating her then for her choice of words. Dismissive. Like he was a stray dog. “Please.”
She sighed, holding the door open. “Come in,” she waited until he was inside to nod, shutting the door behind him. “Listen, Piz,”
“No, hold on, Veronica,” Piz interrupted. She shook her head, walking past him, and he frowned, glancing at Logan’s bedroom. Freshly lit candles decorated the bed, the bedroom lights were off, and soft music played throughout the suite. Several bottles of champagne were iced in a large metal bucket on the small bench next to the queen-sized bed.
Clearly, they had planned an evening for two.
“S-So,” he stammered, quickly continuing and trying not to be thrown off by the scene before him. “I was thinking- I think we should give this another chance. I’m willing to fight for this, Ver-” Veronica licked her lips, shaking her head once more and turning to face him. Piz grew sickened at the sight of her face; she looked like he felt when she revealed that Parker was interested in him. “Veronica.”
“Piz. Logan’s going to be back from the store soon, so we can’t do this now, okay?”
“But we-”
“Piz. I’m sorry if you think I led you on, but...” she trailed off, shrugging helplessly. “It never would’ve worked. You know that, right?”
“But-”
Veronica rubbed her lips together, shaking her head once again. “Piz...no. I’m sorry.”
Piz nodded rapidly, his fists clenching. There she was, the Ice Queen. All those insults Logan had yelled at her when they fought suddenly rang true. Ice Queen. Ice Princess. Cold Bitch. Heartless Bitch. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Heartless. Uncaring. Ice. Cold as ice.
That mask was on her face now, blank and unrelenting. “Piz,” she said as firmly as she could. “Please go.”
That was it, Piz thought, trying to control the shaking of his hands. He didn’t understand how this had happened to him, how she couldn’t have wanted him. How she wanted that fuck-up over him. He didn’t understand and it was threatening to shut him down, even as Veronica continued to stare at him in that damn cold way of hers.
“Hey,” he said abruptly, heading for the minibar. She turned, watching him. “I’m really thirsty. Have a drink with me before I go?”
* * * * *
Piz likes to listen to people. He likes to learn about them and about things he wouldn’t know about otherwise.
For example, Veronica talked a lot about the rapes on campus. She talked a lot about her fear, about the relief that she had such good friends to protect her, Mac, and Parker. She also talked a lot about the effects of GHB on a person, especially women between ninety-five and a hundred and thirty pounds.
Veronica talked a little bit too much.
* * * * *
Veronica looked remarkably peaceful when she was drugged.
Piz was shocked over how easy it was to drug her. Just a slip of the wrist, a shake of the glass, and bam. She had trusted him enough to take the drink he had prepared for her- some rum and coke mix that she normally hated but took anyways, probably in an attempt to get him the hell out.
She had downed the drink quickly and she was down for the count just ten minutes later. It was all too shocking, really. He had just wanted to relax her, really. In fact, he was nice enough to carry her to Logan’s bed and lay her down.
She looked just like Sleeping Beauty, and he leaned down, kissing her cheek gently. Her skin was soft, and she still smelled good, like soap and vanilla and some sort of fruit. She didn’t move, so he kissed her again, shocked at how the drugs relaxed her tremendously.
Veronica blinked slowly as Piz touched the side of her face, letting out a small sigh. “You really have to go, Logan is going to be home soon. He- he’ll be home soon,” she slurred.
He ran his hand down her bare arm, smiling as her head lagged, nearly resting on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about him...” he murmured, pushing her bra strap off her shoulder. He opened her bathrobe just a bit more, catching the diamond necklace between her breasts.
She blinked again, her mouth feeling so very dry. “Look- you have to go. He’ll be home soon,” she whispered, her eyes slowly closing. “It’s our anniversary...”
Piz leaned down, kissing her neck softly, and Veronica gasped underneath him, her hand batting at his shoulder. He pushed her arm aside, and the other arm was up, her hand shoving at his other shoulder. “Relax. Our first time is gonna be great,” he grinned, suddenly so happy that he still had that condom in his wallet.
Veronica inhaled sharply, trying to open her eyes. “No, Piz- stop...” she nearly whimpered, her words slurred and clumsy. “Piz...”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
“No. No. Piz, no. Stop. Pleaaaa...”
* * * * *
“Lucy, I’m home!”
Piz rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead roughly from his place in Logan’s bedroom. Corny and annoying, even on his big anniversary. He glanced out the door, spotting Logan’s shadow as he dropped his keys on the counter. So soon.
“Where are you, babe?” Logan called from the living room. “Am I talking to myself?”
Nothing but silence.
Logan finally appeared in the bedroom, his eyes on the items in his arms. “Okay, since you were so insistent that room service not know about our coming and goings, key word comings, I got-” he froze at the sight of Veronica on the bed, unconscious, her robe open and her undergarments disheveled.
He dropped his things, rushing over to Veronica. He scooped her up in his arms, swallowing hard as his breath began to catch in his throat. “Veronica. Veronica, Veronica, Veronica...” he chanted urgently, pushing her eyelids back. Her eyes rolled back, and he let out a shuddering breath, shaking her slightly. “Veronica, baby-”
“Lo...”
He gasped sharply at the sound of her voice, staring down at her. “Veronica?”
“Log...”
Logan swallowed hard, pushing Veronica’s hair away from her face. “I’m here, baby, I’m here,”
Veronica let out a small whimper, her eyes still closed as she sighed deeply. “I want to go home...”
“Okay,” Logan said, his voice trembling as he laid Veronica back on the bed before standing. “I’m gonna call your dad, okay? We’re going to take a trip to the hospital, okay?”
“Hey, Logan!”
Logan spun around, too quick with that fire in his eyes, and he doesn’t even see the hit coming. The champagne bottle connected with the side of his head and he falls hard, his head cracking against the night stand on the way down.
“She was waiting for you, you know,” Piz said dully as Logan lay on the floor, his head rising and falling as he struggled to stay conscious. Piz tossed the broken champagne bottle aside, taking a step towards Logan. “The lingerie she had on earlier was beautiful, let me tell you-” he cut himself off as Logan managed to get to his knees, quickly lurching over Logan before kicking his ribs hard.
Logan crumbled, a sharp cry escaping him as his forehead hit the floor. Blood from his head wound oozed onto the carpet, and then he coughed, and Piz grinned when blood flew from his mouth.
“You couldn’t just let her go, could you? You had to go and steal her from me. You couldn’t let her be happy, just once-” Piz pressed his foot against Logan’s shoulder, shaking his head when Logan tilted over, slamming against the night stand. “Clumsy.”
Logan coughed again, a pained groan escaping him. “Fuck you...” he growled, his voice garbled from the blood gathering in his mouth. “I’m going to fucking kill you- fuck you...”
“Veronica already did it, sorry,” Piz laughed as Logan took a weak swipe at his legs before slumping down on his stomach. “She doesn’t react very well to drugs, Logan.”
“Fuck you...you fucking-”
“She’s a bit too trusting of people she just met, isn’t she?”
Logan lifted his head, hate and fire and just an inkling of dread in his eyes. “You’re not from Portland, are you?” he asked quietly, his voice trembling with rage and that small amount of fear that Piz wished was front and center.
Piz slowly shook his head, the smile gone from his face completely. “Nope.”
A small, bitterly ironic smile fell on Logan’s lips then. Piz knew he would appreciate the humor of it all.
Logan started to rise, and Piz had to laugh as Logan actually began to crawl his way to Veronica. What exactly was he planning to do when he got over there? Bleed all over her? The guy was a complete moron, cracked skull and all.
Piz followed Logan slowly, picking up another champagne bottle on the way, his brow furrowing as Logan swayed and stumbled his way to the bed. Honestly, Piz had to give it to Logan- to the very end, he tried to be Veronica’s little white knight. He would make sure Veronica knew what a swell, loving boyfriend she had, once upon a time.
His jaw clenched as Logan’s fingers touched and slipped off Veronica’s hip. He inhaled sharply, leveling the bottle right above Logan’s head, and bringing it down just as Logan’s hand fell over Veronica’s stomach.
The crack was beautiful and heavenly in his ears.
* * * * *
Veronica’s eyes opened, and she let out a sharp groan. The candles she had lit earlier in the evening were almost out completely, and the CD she had put on was no longer playing. She shifted uncomfortably, gasping at the pain that shot between her legs. This was all too familiar. Something was wrong.
She swallowed hard, groaning as the beginnings of a headache began to form. With a sigh, she tried to sit up, cringing as a sharp pain shot through her head. A breeze went through the room, and she licked her dry lips, starting to cover herself. Her hand froze, mid-air as she focused on her torso.
Blood was smeared over her bare stomach, the faint outline of fingers starting just below her belly button. She blinked rapidly, her eyes narrowing as she ran her hands over the blood. No wound. Not her blood.
She glanced around the bed, looking for the source of the mess. There. On the edge of the bed, was a smear running off the crimson comforter, and there were splatters all over the edge of the comforter, all over the nightstand. Instinctively, she ran her hand over her face, gasping when she came into contact with something wet and warm.
Panicked tears filled Veronica’s eyes as dread began to overwhelm her. Something was terribly wrong.
She inhaled sharply, deeply, and then inhaled again. And again. And again. And again, before she realized she was hyperventilating. Something was wrong and she didn’t know what but she could feel it, deep in her soul, and only God knew why she was so damned scared to get out of that bed.
Slowly, she leaned over, glancing over the bed. A pained cry escaped her, and her hand flew to her mouth at the sight.
Logan’s face, or what was left of it, was crushed. Cheekbones bruised, nose broken, forehead crushed. Head broken. Blood everywhere. His face was still there but almost unrecognizable. Everything was broken and wrong.
“Don’t worry, he didn’t feel a thing after the first three hits. At least, I don’t think he did,” Piz laughed slightly, shaking his head. “Honestly, I don’t know what the big deal is. He made you so damn miserable.”
Veronica continued to stare at Logan, or who was once Logan, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t notice Piz there, didn’t notice him walking towards her. “Logan...”
“Trust me, Veronica, he was gone by the time the bottle broke. He didn’t feel a thing.”
“Oh my God, oh my God...”
Veronica’s eyes were on Logan, or who was once Logan, and she didn’t notice Piz there, didn’t notice when he wound the belt from her robe around her neck and pulled.
* * * * *
The police arrived after a maid stumbled upon the scene, her screams echoing down the hallway as she fled.
Logan remained on the floor beside the bed, his blood long dried into the carpet, and Veronica lay lifeless on the bed right above him, her arm flung over the side, her fingertips brushing over the top of where his head used to be. She stared blankly at the wall, her lips blue and parted.
At first, the department thought it was a murder/suicide. For whatever reason, Veronica Mars blind sided Logan Echolls and beat him to death before offing herself, but that was before Sheriff Lamb found the defensive wounds on her hands and the bruising around her neck.
The image of a clearly shaken Lamb exiting the Grand was all over the news the following week, and the image of a pale and almost dead-looking Keith Mars was in every news outlet. The media jumped on the story of Lilly Kane’s best friend and boyfriend murdered, together, almost four years after her own death. The candid shot of Veronica and Logan smiling at some random party was on the cover of People the very next week, and the case was all over CourtTV.
With Lamb leading the way, the department came to the conclusion that the two were murdered in the early evening. They were unable to tell whether the bruising and wounds around her thighs and vagina were a result of sexual intercourse with Logan, or if the murderer had taken advantage, although the GHB in her system told the very worst.
The department figured that Logan Echolls didn’t see any of it coming. They decided that he had arrived to whatever scene had happened, tried to save his girlfriend and got paid for his efforts by being beaten to death. They determined Veronica had died after her boyfriend, the tear stains down her cheeks suggested that she found him before her assailant finished her off.
Keith buried Veronica and Logan side by side in the same cemetery that Lilly Kane was currently residing. He told the public in his one statement that since they loved and died together, then they should stay together, and continue to protect each other. Their joint tombstones were simple: “beloved daughter,” and “cherished friend.”
Lamb vowed to Keith Mars, and the public, that he would find the murderer. He grew visibly and publicly frustrated when security footage showed a male entering and leaving the room, but there was no solid visual- the male wore a black hoodie and a dark hat. He never looked up, and kept his hands in his pockets.
Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls had a lot of enemies, so the long list of suspects didn’t make the case any easier for Lamb.
Lamb’s drive earned him another reelection, but he didn’t seem to notice. He enforced a citywide curfew for all persons under twenty-one until the murderer was captured. The Hearst frat houses were shut down, and the rapes continued.
The murder of two college kids had changed Neptune.
Piz lost a roommate, as Wallace dropped out and left California with his mother and brother. Wallace never once spoke about what had happened to Veronica and Logan, although the hole in the wall spoke a thousand words.
Piz visited Veronica and Logan’s grave once, right before he moved to Utah. The anger that had dulled long ago grew at the sight of the words right below their dates of birth and death, written with black marker on a piece of cardboard and fixed into the earth.
Love conquers even death.
He wondered for a moment who would do such a thing to such a nice grave site. Probably one of their idiot friends, or one of the locals who romanticized the whole thing after reading too many tabloids or watching the Movie of the Week that Trina Echolls sold to NBC.
Whatever, he was over it.
* * * * *
Piz still likes to listen to people, and this still benefits him as he starts his sophomore year at Utah’s best college. He gets a girlfriend rather quickly, a girl who is blonde and quirky and goes to all of his radio shows and likes to listen to him play his guitar.
Still, there are times he likes to fantasize about Veronica Mars. He dreams about her apologizing for all the crap she pulled, and begging him to forgive her. Most of the time, she begs him to make love to her like he did at the Grand, because he’s such a great, nice guy.
Sometimes, when she looks especially sad, he obliges her, right before he puts her out of her misery.
When he does, she smiles in that special way, just for him.
Author: shangri__la
Rating: R
Content: See warnings under the LJ-cut.
Word Count: 15323 in all
Characters/Pairings: Piz, Veronica, Logan, Wallace, Parker, Logan/Veronica, Piz/Veronica, Piz/Parker, very slight Logan/Parker
Note: Seriously AU. Unless it becomes true, then it’s AWESOME! Or, you know, not so awesome, if you’ve read the warnings.
2. This is why Entropy hasn't been updated. Blame afrocurl! Also, thank her, because this was her doing, and she beta-ed it for me. :)
Spoilers: Up until 3.07, “Of Vice and Men.”
Disclaimer: The characters were created by Rob Thomas and remain the property of Thomas, the CW, and Warner Bros. Television. No infringement is intended, no profit is made.
At the New Year’s Eve party, Parker and Logan recite lyrics from “Shake” by the Ying Yang Twins, and reference “Gold Digger” by Kanye West, and “Touch It” by Busta Rhymes. All rights reserved.
Warnings: This is a dark fic. This story includes major character deaths, rape, violence, language, and two implied sexual situations. There’s no happy ending here. If you can’t handle, please don’t torture yourself. Read something happy, don’t let me corrupt you. :)
2. I usually like to write all characters objectively, and I try to do so without bias, but there’s an obvious one here. So, if you like Piz, you might want to skip this one. This is just in fun (pure, morbid, sick fun), so don't take it too personally if you like him. Every other time, I will write him fairly, but Roz wanted Dark!Piz, so Dark!Piz she gets.
Summary: “Deadly poisons, according to Ovid, are concealed under sweet honey. What do you think?”
“I cannot believe,” Piz whispered in Veronica’s ear, wrapping his arm around the back of the booth behind Veronica. “That Wallace invited them.”
Amateur Night at Winston’s had turned into the Awkward Hour, with Piz, Veronica, Wallace, Mac, Logan, and Parker all in the same booth. Mac had all but clung to Wallace the entire night, as Parker and Logan continued their game of tossing peanuts into an empty glass. No one seemed to notice Veronica and Logan weren’t talking to each other.
“Logan is Wallace’s friend, too,” Veronica whispered, touching the back of her hair self-consciously. “Sometimes. I think it’s more of a Parker, Mac, Wallace thing.”
“Wallace begets Mac, who begets Parker, who thereby begets Logan?” Piz asked, and Veronica smirked. “Who begets us?”
“Why, the Lord himself, my friend,” Veronica purred, and he grinned.
“Okay,” Logan said loudly, slamming a hand down on the table. “Y’all are my witnesses- if I get this shot, Parker has to get up on stage and sing.”
Parker crossed her arms over her chest, grinning brightly. “I happen to have a splendid voice. You,” she wrapped her arm around Logan’s shoulders. “My friend, do not, so be prepared to be tap-danced off the stage. I want some Britney Spears coming out of you.”
Logan licked his lips, his eyes on the glass in front of him. “Come on, at least some Christina Aguilera...”
Wallace chuckled, shaking his head. “Please, don’t.”
Parker drummed loudly on the table, rolling her tongue against the roof of her mouth in a mock drumroll. “Let’s go, pretty boy!”
“Rich pretty boy, thank you,” Logan corrected primly, aiming the peanut between two fingers. Just as he was about to throw, Piz leaned over, kissing Veronica’s cheek firmly, and the peanut flew out into the crowd.
The table groaned, and Logan blinked rapidly, his face falling. Parker laughed gleefully, clapping. “I’m gonna get some Britney tonight!”
Logan laughed, shaking his head. “No. No, no, no- he,” he pointed accusingly at Piz. “He distracted me.”
Parker shook her head wildly, a bright grin on her face. “No excuses!” she stood on the seat cushions, climbing over laps to get out of the booth. “I’m going to sign you up!”
Wallace fought back a smirk, leaning over and slapping Logan on the back. “It’s all right, man, at least you can strip if the crowd gets ugly.”
Logan didn’t respond, nearly toppling the table over as he stormed from the booth.
Piz watched Logan stomp over to the bar, before Piz sighed, grinning. “Some people just don’t like to lose,” he said as he glanced at Veronica. “Want another drink?”
Veronica nodded, holding up her plastic cup. “More ice this time?”
“Sure,” Piz slid out of the booth, walking up to the bar. Logan leaned against it, his head lowered, and Piz smirked, gesturing toward the bartender. Logan lifted his head, staring at him. “Diet Coke, lots of ice!”
“I know what you’re doing,” Logan muttered, his eyes cold and wary on Piz.
Piz barely glanced at Logan, pulling out his wallet and producing a ten-dollar bill. “What do you mean?”
“I know exactly what you’re doing, I’m not falling for your nice guy shit,” Logan spat, his fists clenching. “Stay away from Veronica, dude.”
Piz let out a disbelieving laugh, handing the bartender his tip before putting his wallet away. “What- you’re her dad or something?”
Logan turned completely, facing Piz head on. “No, I’m her boyfriend.”
“Not anymore.”
Logan’s jaw clenched. “Regardless. Stay away from Veronica.”
Piz met Logan’s gaze, and he smirked at the slight look of shock on Logan’s face. Clearly, Logan didn’t expect Piz to talk back. “Look, is this about the singing thing, ‘cause it’s not that serious, dude. I’ll even play some guitar for you.”
Logan wasn’t fazed, taking a step forward. “I mean it. Stay away from Veronica. She might not think you’re bad news, but I know it.”
“You’re just jealous.”
“No, I’m right,” Logan said firmly, turning to walk away. “She doesn’t need people like you around her.”
“Funny, she needed me last night when she was screaming my-”
It wasn’t true, but it nonetheless got the reaction he wanted out of Logan.
Logan spun around and punched Piz hard, sending him into the bar. Piz got to his knees, tackling Logan and pushing them both against the bar, and Logan’s fists were on Piz’s back, pummeling him. Piz inhaled sharply, sending a fist into Logan’s stomach and causing him to double over.
Piz could’ve sworn he heard Veronica, screaming his name and Logan’s name, and sure enough, there she was, several feet away, her eyes big and angry. But there was also Wallace, racing towards them.
As soon as it had started, it was over, with Wallace and a bouncer separating the two.
Wallace grabbed Logan by his waist, pulling him away from Piz. “Calm down, man!” he exclaimed as the bouncer jerked Piz against the bar.
Logan started for Piz again, but Wallace was firm, not bothering to release Logan from his grip. “Let go of me!” Logan barked, and Wallace inhaled sharply, nearly dragging him several feet away.
“He started it!” Piz yelled angrily, wiping at the blood dripping down his nose.
The bouncer released Piz, moving towards Logan. “Let’s go, bro.”
Veronica appeared at Piz’s side as the bouncer started to escort Logan out of the bar. She stared at Logan in near shock for a moment before focusing her attention on Piz, flinching at the sight of his bloody nose. “Oh my God...”
“What happened?” Parker exclaimed, rushing up to the two. She gasped when she saw Piz’s face. “What happened, Piz? Where’s Logan?”
On cue, Logan stomped back to the group, and the bouncer was on his tail. “You’re a fucking pussy!” Logan shouted at Piz, pointing at him. “You got a fucking problem with me, you tell me!”
Piz started to respond, then closed his mouth, remembering that Veronica was right there. “You’re warped, man.”
Logan shook his head, jerking out of the bouncer’s grasp. “I’m not fucking gullible like Veronica-”
Veronica’s mouth dropped as the bouncer nearly carried Logan out of the bar, but then Piz was rushing after them, and she inhaled sharply, following them. Parker and Wallace were right behind her, and Veronica blinked rapidly in panic. “This is why we don’t let boys drink,” she said darkly to Parker.
Parker whimpered nervously in response. “They’re going to kill each other! What happened?”
Piz ignored Parker’s shrill shout behind him, glaring at the bouncer who held on to his shoulder as Logan was tossed out of the club. Piz jerked his arm out of the man’s grasp. “With all due respect, I’m kicking his ass,” he said angrily.
“You do it outside,” the bouncer said lazily.
As soon as they were all outside, Piz started for Logan, but then Veronica was in the middle, shoving Logan back. “No!” she shouted furiously as Logan started for Piz again. He tried to push her away, but Veronica was undeterred, shoving Logan hard against a nearby car. “NO! Stop it!”
Wallace grabbed Piz’s arm, pulling him back. “You wanna get arrested, man? Over something stupid?”
Piz almost immediately relaxed, his eyes on Logan and Veronica, arguing loudly and throwing insults near the white Sedan. “He’s an asshole,” he spat, his heart racing at the sight of Veronica nearly shrieking at Logan, who continued to glower at her angrily.
“Whatever- don’t get arrested for a stupid fight, man.”
Parker shook her head woefully, starting to move toward Logan and Veronica, then seemed to think better of it. “This is the worst social ever.”
“...He’s fucking playing you, Veronica! Don’t you see that? Are you that fucking scared of the truth?”
Piz lifted his head, scowling at Logan. Veronica’s head had dropped, and Logan had calmed down considerably, all in ten seconds. He started after them, and Wallace grabbed on to his arm. “I’m all right, man,” he said softly, and Wallace released him.
He headed over to the two, who were now talking heatedly. Just as he reached them, he caught the end of their conversation. He caught Logan’s shaky-
“I’m not the bad guy, Veronica.”
Piz gently wrapped his arm around Veronica’s shoulders, wiping at his bloodied nose with his free hand. “Let’s go, Veronica.”
Veronica stared up at Logan, not responding, and Piz’s eyes narrowed at the look in her eyes. Heat. Fear. Lust. Something had turned her on and he didn’t understand why she wasn’t looking at him like that if she liked fights so much.
“I’m not,” Logan said quietly, his eyes locked on Veronica’s.
Piz grasped Veronica’s shoulder tightly, leading her away. The anger in him grew as she turned to look at Logan one last time.
* * * * *
Veronica was Piz’s sexual fantasy since the first day he met her. Sweet, soft, hard, slow, fast -he dreamt it all. She was an angel and a vixen and a sex kitten and anything else he fancied. Her blonde hair was always wavy, and always tangled in his fingers.
Lately, the fantasies had become more elaborate, with him beating the crap out of Logan before he fucked Veronica. Veronica was always grateful. She smiled in that special way just for him, and showed him her gratitude properly.
Then, one night, he killed Logan, and he climaxed before Veronica even entered the room.
* * * * *
Piz sighed, glancing at the ceiling of the Hearst library. Veronica sat on the other side of the counter, typing furiously on her laptop. She had barely spoken all night, at least not to him, and he wondered if Logan’s words had finally gotten to her.
She still treated him like a friend; she had barely kissed him when he came to pick her up. She ignored all his compliments, and even pushed his hand away when he tried to pull her in for a kiss. “I have a cold,” she said with a laugh when he had finally made his annoyance known.
If he didn’t know any better, he would think Veronica was trying to break it off.
“I need some help from the help desk,” an all-too-familiar voice said quietly.
Both Piz and Veronica lifted their heads, and Piz’s eyes narrowed at the look of hope in Veronica’s eyes at the sight of Logan standing there, playing with his cell phone. Piz resisted the urge to force Logan out of the library himself, instead taking the time to touch his still-bruised nose. “Veronica,”
Veronica straightened up in her seat, glancing at Piz regretfully for only a moment before facing Logan. “Hey,” she said softly.
“You paged?” Logan asked quietly, rolling his cell phone against his palm. “I was in the middle of class...” he trailed off as he caught Piz’s eyes, meeting his gaze for only a moment before focusing his attention on Veronica. “What’s up?”
“Can we talk?” Veronica murmured, meeting his gaze. “I didn’t want to do it in front of people.”
“You could’ve come to my place,” Logan muttered.
She shook her head slowly. “It hurt too much, Logan.” she said softly.
He nodded once. “Let’s talk.”
Piz laughed, unable to believe their gall. She couldn’t honestly want to talk to Logan, not after what Logan had done. Not after all his work. Not when he was sitting right there, waiting for her shift to be over so he could walk her to her car. “Veronica-”
“Please, Piz?” Veronica said shakily.
Piz’s jaw clenched, and he quickly nodded, standing. “I’m just going to go to my car, I’ll be right back,” he said quickly.
“Take your time,” Logan mumbled.
Piz ignored him, shooting one last look at Veronica before walking away. He glanced over his shoulder, catching Veronica talking to Logan as she moved from behind the help desk. She was suddenly feeling chatty, what a coincidence.
He had made his way to his car, deciding maybe he should give Veronica the necklace he had bought her now, just in case Logan decided to try any of his smooth-talking crap. The guy was already pulling the sad, puppy dog eyes and Piz knew Logan couldn’t be trusted.
Piz slipped into his car, sitting there for a few minutes and thinking. Thinking about Veronica and how she made him smile. About how she looked happier with him, even if boredom slipped in a couple of times. Of how she should be happier. Of how Logan made her miserable.
Then, suddenly, the image of Veronica that night at the club slipped into his head. The look she was giving Logan, the look he imagined her giving him all those times in his dreams. The look that Logan was giving right back that night at the club.
Instantly, he was out of his car and racing back towards the Hearst library.
Piz walked into the library, looking around warily. Veronica wasn’t at her desk, in fact, the whole place was empty. She should’ve locked up, but her car was still outside, and the lights were still on. In fact, Logan’s car was still outside as well.
He frowned, wondering where they could have gone. Then, a loud bang upstairs echoed through the library. A book had fallen.
Slowly, Piz walked up the stairs, his hand hot on the cold railing. He listened, hearing the distinct sound of rustling. He kept climbing the stairs until he reached the top floor. He moved through the stacks, still listening. The rustling got louder, and he froze when he caught the blur against the wall near the periodicals.
His breath caught as he spotted Veronica, her head tilted back against the stone wall, and in the shadows was Logan, his mouth pressed against her neck, sucking and nipping at her pale skin. Logan suddenly lifted his head, leaving a trail of kisses up Veronica’s jaw until his forehead was pressed against hers.
She was whispering something between gasps, and whatever it was, it caused Logan to grab her hips and pull her closer to him. He licked his lips and Veronica darted forward, kissing him hard until he returned the embrace, deciding then to pull away in an obvious attempt to torture him some more.
Slowly, Veronica grabbed Logan’s hand, maneuvering it lower. Logan’s eyes locked on hers, and there was no amusement there, just unbridled lust and barely restrained control as Veronica moved his hand between her legs. His eyes closed and Veronica gasped, her eyes fluttering shut as he started to tilt and thrust his hand against her.
With the exception of the heavy breathing coming from the two in the dark corner, the entire floor was silent. Piz wondered if they would even notice anyone walking past as they kept eye contact and their bodies pressed against each other.
Piz turned, rushing away from the scene several feet away. Anger and shock blinded him, and he couldn’t stop the feeling of betrayal from overwhelming him. Veronica was cheating on him. Veronica was cheating on him with Logan Echolls.
Before he reached the stairs, he heard the soft, but so very audible hiss of Veronica’s-
“Yes...yes...”
* * * * *
Piz decided to forgive Veronica.
After a weekend of avoiding her, he decided to forgive her, because even Veronica was allowed to make some mistakes. She had been feeling vulnerable, and he couldn’t fault her for allowing Logan to take advantage.
Yes, he was angry with her for a couple of days, but now he was ready to forgive her, just because he was that nice of a guy.
There was a sharp knock on his dorm door, and Piz jumped to his feet, rushing for the door. Like usual, Veronica was right on time. He flung the door open, grinning at her brightly. “Hey!”
“Hi,” she walked in quickly, her head down. “You didn’t return my calls.”
“Sorry, I was busy,” he grabbed Veronica’s waist, pulling her to him. His lips met hers softly, and his heart started to race as a small groan escaped her. Quickly, he pulled her bag off her shoulder, letting it drop as he pressed his lips harder against hers.
Veronica pulled away from Piz, rubbing at her mouth faintly. “I can’t,” she mumbled.
“What?” Piz said with a grin. “Why not?” he caught the distressed look on her face and quickly nodded. “I’m going too fast, right? It’s okay- I don’t mind pulling back. We can go slow and-”
“Logan and I are getting back together, Piz.”
Piz’s smile faded, and for a moment, he wondered if he had heard right. It was just like that. Bam, they were getting back together. Just weeks ago, they had been fighting like they hated each other, and now, they were back together. Wallace was right.
He laughed, shaking his head and unable to do anything else.
Veronica chewed on her bottom lip nervously, running a hand through her hair. “I’m...I’m sorry, Piz. Logan- we’re just complicated. We’re complicated and there’s a lot of history there and...” she trailed off with a sigh. “Maybe we shouldn’t have ruined the friendship, you know?”
Piz swallowed hard, refusing to pay her words any mind. She was just talking, but nothing was coming out. Nothing that interested him. However, she continued to stand there, waiting for a response with that hopeful look in her eyes. So, he settled on-
“Maybe you’re right,” he said dully. She continued to stare at him, a flash of fear in her eyes, so he fixed a bright grin on his face, rolling his eyes. “Come on, V, it’s not like we were married or something. I wasn’t gonna try to get in the middle of that mess.”
Veronica smiled, relieved, and nodded. “You’re not mad?” her smile faded. “You’re mad.”
“No!” Piz laughed, a little too hard, and shook his head. “It was just a casual thing, right? We were both bored...we weren’t really dating-”
“That’s what I thought!” Veronica cringed playfully. “It was kind of incestuous. I’m glad we weren’t taking this seriously.”
“Right.”
She paused, inhaling sharply before leaning over, hugging Piz lightly. “Thanks for being such a good friend, Piz. I’m glad you understand,” he didn’t respond, and she pulled away, glancing up at him. “We can still hang?”
Piz grinned, nodding. “Of course. Winston’s, Friday night?”
“Absolutely. I’ll bring Mac,” she paused, giving him a coy look. “And Parker.”
Piz’s smile faded as Veronica backed toward the door, giving him a happy, little smile. He sighed, returning the smile as she disappeared into the crowded hallway.
Deep down, he was expecting the breakup. However, nothing had prepared him for the rage that coursed through him when Veronica tried to pass off Parker, just moments after breaking up with him. She really did feel nothing for him, it was all just friendly pecks and hugs to her.
Eventually, Veronica Mars was going to have to see the errors of her ways.
* * * * *
Parker Lee looked a lot like Veronica in the right light.
Unfortunately, she was still annoying and loud, even with a round of drinks in her. Her lips were too full and she was too tall and her hair was fake. It was hard to keep the fantasy of Veronica underneath him when Parker kept pushing him off.
If she didn’t want this, on his bed, maybe she should’ve just gone back to her dorm.
“Piz- hold on,” Parker pushed at Piz again, putting some body weight into it. “Hold on. I...I know I said I wanted to go back to normal, but we have to take it slow, okay? You’re sweet, but I still need time.”
“We’ll take our time, then,” Piz breathed before kissing her hard, ignoring the slight cry that escaped her.
She shoved at him again, her fingers poking into his shoulders. “Knock it off!” she snapped, rubbing at her mouth. “I thought you were different.”
“I am!” Piz leaned back against the wall, allowing Parker to sit up. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m just...you’re hot, that’s all.”
Parker blushed slightly, a faint smile forming on her lips. “Thanks?”
Piz barely glanced at her, chewing on his lower lip. “It’s a compliment.”
“Thanks, Sparky, I didn’t catch it the first time,” she smirked, pulling down her skirt. “Logan said I’m like a man’s girl, someone you can have a beer with, and sleep with, so I guess that’s good, right? Guys dig that, even if I won’t let them buy me a beer anymore, right? I’m totally hot,” she paused, catching her breath. “You’re totally cute, too. Like a dark-haired Leo, that’s totally a compliment.”
Piz stared at Parker in slight shock, wondering how someone could talk so much and say nothing at all. Then, he wondered if that was how he sounded when he rambled. He hoped not. “Are you and Logan fucking?”
Parker laughed, rolling her eyes. “No!”
“Ever did?”
“No!”
“You made out at that club.”
She snorted, rolling her eyes again. “Yeah, we’re friends who make out on the special occasion known as the New Year. It meant nothing, he’s just fun to be around,” she sighed. “He’s a great guy.”
Piz’s jaw clenched at Parker’s last sentence, and he nodded. “Sure. I’m great, too,” Before Parker could respond, he was on top of her once more, and he was grateful when she didn’t fight back.
* * * * *
Piz had a lot of fantasies about Veronica Mars.
After the breakup, said fantasies changed. Logan wasn’t the only one dying now.
* * * * *
Piz didn’t know why he showed up at the Neptune Grand one Friday evening. He just did, on a whim, and before he knew it, he was in front of Logan’s apartment, knocking. Wet from the rain pouring on the streets, only his hat and hoodie to keep him dry.
He wasn’t even sure what he was going to do when Logan answered, maybe punch him? Yell at him? He didn’t know anymore.
“Forgot your key-” Veronica gasped at the sight of Piz, quickly tying her white silk robe up. “Piz!”
Piz stood there, frozen, as Veronica scrambled to tie up her robe. He caught a glimpse of her black silk underwear, and her still wet skin from a recent shower, he was sure. Her hair was loose, wavy and wild, and there was just the tiniest bit of makeup on her face.
She looked gorgeous.
“Veronica,” he finally spoke, smiling faintly.
“What are you doing here?” she exclaimed, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you,” he blurted out before he could stop himself. “About us.”
She shook her head briefly. “I can’t do this now.”
Piz’s jaw clenched, hating her then for her choice of words. Dismissive. Like he was a stray dog. “Please.”
She sighed, holding the door open. “Come in,” she waited until he was inside to nod, shutting the door behind him. “Listen, Piz,”
“No, hold on, Veronica,” Piz interrupted. She shook her head, walking past him, and he frowned, glancing at Logan’s bedroom. Freshly lit candles decorated the bed, the bedroom lights were off, and soft music played throughout the suite. Several bottles of champagne were iced in a large metal bucket on the small bench next to the queen-sized bed.
Clearly, they had planned an evening for two.
“S-So,” he stammered, quickly continuing and trying not to be thrown off by the scene before him. “I was thinking- I think we should give this another chance. I’m willing to fight for this, Ver-” Veronica licked her lips, shaking her head once more and turning to face him. Piz grew sickened at the sight of her face; she looked like he felt when she revealed that Parker was interested in him. “Veronica.”
“Piz. Logan’s going to be back from the store soon, so we can’t do this now, okay?”
“But we-”
“Piz. I’m sorry if you think I led you on, but...” she trailed off, shrugging helplessly. “It never would’ve worked. You know that, right?”
“But-”
Veronica rubbed her lips together, shaking her head once again. “Piz...no. I’m sorry.”
Piz nodded rapidly, his fists clenching. There she was, the Ice Queen. All those insults Logan had yelled at her when they fought suddenly rang true. Ice Queen. Ice Princess. Cold Bitch. Heartless Bitch. Cold. Cold. Cold. Cold. Heartless. Uncaring. Ice. Cold as ice.
That mask was on her face now, blank and unrelenting. “Piz,” she said as firmly as she could. “Please go.”
That was it, Piz thought, trying to control the shaking of his hands. He didn’t understand how this had happened to him, how she couldn’t have wanted him. How she wanted that fuck-up over him. He didn’t understand and it was threatening to shut him down, even as Veronica continued to stare at him in that damn cold way of hers.
“Hey,” he said abruptly, heading for the minibar. She turned, watching him. “I’m really thirsty. Have a drink with me before I go?”
* * * * *
Piz likes to listen to people. He likes to learn about them and about things he wouldn’t know about otherwise.
For example, Veronica talked a lot about the rapes on campus. She talked a lot about her fear, about the relief that she had such good friends to protect her, Mac, and Parker. She also talked a lot about the effects of GHB on a person, especially women between ninety-five and a hundred and thirty pounds.
Veronica talked a little bit too much.
* * * * *
Veronica looked remarkably peaceful when she was drugged.
Piz was shocked over how easy it was to drug her. Just a slip of the wrist, a shake of the glass, and bam. She had trusted him enough to take the drink he had prepared for her- some rum and coke mix that she normally hated but took anyways, probably in an attempt to get him the hell out.
She had downed the drink quickly and she was down for the count just ten minutes later. It was all too shocking, really. He had just wanted to relax her, really. In fact, he was nice enough to carry her to Logan’s bed and lay her down.
She looked just like Sleeping Beauty, and he leaned down, kissing her cheek gently. Her skin was soft, and she still smelled good, like soap and vanilla and some sort of fruit. She didn’t move, so he kissed her again, shocked at how the drugs relaxed her tremendously.
Veronica blinked slowly as Piz touched the side of her face, letting out a small sigh. “You really have to go, Logan is going to be home soon. He- he’ll be home soon,” she slurred.
He ran his hand down her bare arm, smiling as her head lagged, nearly resting on her shoulder. “Don’t worry about him...” he murmured, pushing her bra strap off her shoulder. He opened her bathrobe just a bit more, catching the diamond necklace between her breasts.
She blinked again, her mouth feeling so very dry. “Look- you have to go. He’ll be home soon,” she whispered, her eyes slowly closing. “It’s our anniversary...”
Piz leaned down, kissing her neck softly, and Veronica gasped underneath him, her hand batting at his shoulder. He pushed her arm aside, and the other arm was up, her hand shoving at his other shoulder. “Relax. Our first time is gonna be great,” he grinned, suddenly so happy that he still had that condom in his wallet.
Veronica inhaled sharply, trying to open her eyes. “No, Piz- stop...” she nearly whimpered, her words slurred and clumsy. “Piz...”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
“No. No. Piz, no. Stop. Pleaaaa...”
* * * * *
“Lucy, I’m home!”
Piz rolled his eyes, rubbing his forehead roughly from his place in Logan’s bedroom. Corny and annoying, even on his big anniversary. He glanced out the door, spotting Logan’s shadow as he dropped his keys on the counter. So soon.
“Where are you, babe?” Logan called from the living room. “Am I talking to myself?”
Nothing but silence.
Logan finally appeared in the bedroom, his eyes on the items in his arms. “Okay, since you were so insistent that room service not know about our coming and goings, key word comings, I got-” he froze at the sight of Veronica on the bed, unconscious, her robe open and her undergarments disheveled.
He dropped his things, rushing over to Veronica. He scooped her up in his arms, swallowing hard as his breath began to catch in his throat. “Veronica. Veronica, Veronica, Veronica...” he chanted urgently, pushing her eyelids back. Her eyes rolled back, and he let out a shuddering breath, shaking her slightly. “Veronica, baby-”
“Lo...”
He gasped sharply at the sound of her voice, staring down at her. “Veronica?”
“Log...”
Logan swallowed hard, pushing Veronica’s hair away from her face. “I’m here, baby, I’m here,”
Veronica let out a small whimper, her eyes still closed as she sighed deeply. “I want to go home...”
“Okay,” Logan said, his voice trembling as he laid Veronica back on the bed before standing. “I’m gonna call your dad, okay? We’re going to take a trip to the hospital, okay?”
“Hey, Logan!”
Logan spun around, too quick with that fire in his eyes, and he doesn’t even see the hit coming. The champagne bottle connected with the side of his head and he falls hard, his head cracking against the night stand on the way down.
“She was waiting for you, you know,” Piz said dully as Logan lay on the floor, his head rising and falling as he struggled to stay conscious. Piz tossed the broken champagne bottle aside, taking a step towards Logan. “The lingerie she had on earlier was beautiful, let me tell you-” he cut himself off as Logan managed to get to his knees, quickly lurching over Logan before kicking his ribs hard.
Logan crumbled, a sharp cry escaping him as his forehead hit the floor. Blood from his head wound oozed onto the carpet, and then he coughed, and Piz grinned when blood flew from his mouth.
“You couldn’t just let her go, could you? You had to go and steal her from me. You couldn’t let her be happy, just once-” Piz pressed his foot against Logan’s shoulder, shaking his head when Logan tilted over, slamming against the night stand. “Clumsy.”
Logan coughed again, a pained groan escaping him. “Fuck you...” he growled, his voice garbled from the blood gathering in his mouth. “I’m going to fucking kill you- fuck you...”
“Veronica already did it, sorry,” Piz laughed as Logan took a weak swipe at his legs before slumping down on his stomach. “She doesn’t react very well to drugs, Logan.”
“Fuck you...you fucking-”
“She’s a bit too trusting of people she just met, isn’t she?”
Logan lifted his head, hate and fire and just an inkling of dread in his eyes. “You’re not from Portland, are you?” he asked quietly, his voice trembling with rage and that small amount of fear that Piz wished was front and center.
Piz slowly shook his head, the smile gone from his face completely. “Nope.”
A small, bitterly ironic smile fell on Logan’s lips then. Piz knew he would appreciate the humor of it all.
Logan started to rise, and Piz had to laugh as Logan actually began to crawl his way to Veronica. What exactly was he planning to do when he got over there? Bleed all over her? The guy was a complete moron, cracked skull and all.
Piz followed Logan slowly, picking up another champagne bottle on the way, his brow furrowing as Logan swayed and stumbled his way to the bed. Honestly, Piz had to give it to Logan- to the very end, he tried to be Veronica’s little white knight. He would make sure Veronica knew what a swell, loving boyfriend she had, once upon a time.
His jaw clenched as Logan’s fingers touched and slipped off Veronica’s hip. He inhaled sharply, leveling the bottle right above Logan’s head, and bringing it down just as Logan’s hand fell over Veronica’s stomach.
The crack was beautiful and heavenly in his ears.
* * * * *
Veronica’s eyes opened, and she let out a sharp groan. The candles she had lit earlier in the evening were almost out completely, and the CD she had put on was no longer playing. She shifted uncomfortably, gasping at the pain that shot between her legs. This was all too familiar. Something was wrong.
She swallowed hard, groaning as the beginnings of a headache began to form. With a sigh, she tried to sit up, cringing as a sharp pain shot through her head. A breeze went through the room, and she licked her dry lips, starting to cover herself. Her hand froze, mid-air as she focused on her torso.
Blood was smeared over her bare stomach, the faint outline of fingers starting just below her belly button. She blinked rapidly, her eyes narrowing as she ran her hands over the blood. No wound. Not her blood.
She glanced around the bed, looking for the source of the mess. There. On the edge of the bed, was a smear running off the crimson comforter, and there were splatters all over the edge of the comforter, all over the nightstand. Instinctively, she ran her hand over her face, gasping when she came into contact with something wet and warm.
Panicked tears filled Veronica’s eyes as dread began to overwhelm her. Something was terribly wrong.
She inhaled sharply, deeply, and then inhaled again. And again. And again. And again, before she realized she was hyperventilating. Something was wrong and she didn’t know what but she could feel it, deep in her soul, and only God knew why she was so damned scared to get out of that bed.
Slowly, she leaned over, glancing over the bed. A pained cry escaped her, and her hand flew to her mouth at the sight.
Logan’s face, or what was left of it, was crushed. Cheekbones bruised, nose broken, forehead crushed. Head broken. Blood everywhere. His face was still there but almost unrecognizable. Everything was broken and wrong.
“Don’t worry, he didn’t feel a thing after the first three hits. At least, I don’t think he did,” Piz laughed slightly, shaking his head. “Honestly, I don’t know what the big deal is. He made you so damn miserable.”
Veronica continued to stare at Logan, or who was once Logan, tears streaming down her face. She didn’t notice Piz there, didn’t notice him walking towards her. “Logan...”
“Trust me, Veronica, he was gone by the time the bottle broke. He didn’t feel a thing.”
“Oh my God, oh my God...”
Veronica’s eyes were on Logan, or who was once Logan, and she didn’t notice Piz there, didn’t notice when he wound the belt from her robe around her neck and pulled.
* * * * *
The police arrived after a maid stumbled upon the scene, her screams echoing down the hallway as she fled.
Logan remained on the floor beside the bed, his blood long dried into the carpet, and Veronica lay lifeless on the bed right above him, her arm flung over the side, her fingertips brushing over the top of where his head used to be. She stared blankly at the wall, her lips blue and parted.
At first, the department thought it was a murder/suicide. For whatever reason, Veronica Mars blind sided Logan Echolls and beat him to death before offing herself, but that was before Sheriff Lamb found the defensive wounds on her hands and the bruising around her neck.
The image of a clearly shaken Lamb exiting the Grand was all over the news the following week, and the image of a pale and almost dead-looking Keith Mars was in every news outlet. The media jumped on the story of Lilly Kane’s best friend and boyfriend murdered, together, almost four years after her own death. The candid shot of Veronica and Logan smiling at some random party was on the cover of People the very next week, and the case was all over CourtTV.
With Lamb leading the way, the department came to the conclusion that the two were murdered in the early evening. They were unable to tell whether the bruising and wounds around her thighs and vagina were a result of sexual intercourse with Logan, or if the murderer had taken advantage, although the GHB in her system told the very worst.
The department figured that Logan Echolls didn’t see any of it coming. They decided that he had arrived to whatever scene had happened, tried to save his girlfriend and got paid for his efforts by being beaten to death. They determined Veronica had died after her boyfriend, the tear stains down her cheeks suggested that she found him before her assailant finished her off.
Keith buried Veronica and Logan side by side in the same cemetery that Lilly Kane was currently residing. He told the public in his one statement that since they loved and died together, then they should stay together, and continue to protect each other. Their joint tombstones were simple: “beloved daughter,” and “cherished friend.”
Lamb vowed to Keith Mars, and the public, that he would find the murderer. He grew visibly and publicly frustrated when security footage showed a male entering and leaving the room, but there was no solid visual- the male wore a black hoodie and a dark hat. He never looked up, and kept his hands in his pockets.
Veronica Mars and Logan Echolls had a lot of enemies, so the long list of suspects didn’t make the case any easier for Lamb.
Lamb’s drive earned him another reelection, but he didn’t seem to notice. He enforced a citywide curfew for all persons under twenty-one until the murderer was captured. The Hearst frat houses were shut down, and the rapes continued.
The murder of two college kids had changed Neptune.
Piz lost a roommate, as Wallace dropped out and left California with his mother and brother. Wallace never once spoke about what had happened to Veronica and Logan, although the hole in the wall spoke a thousand words.
Piz visited Veronica and Logan’s grave once, right before he moved to Utah. The anger that had dulled long ago grew at the sight of the words right below their dates of birth and death, written with black marker on a piece of cardboard and fixed into the earth.
Love conquers even death.
He wondered for a moment who would do such a thing to such a nice grave site. Probably one of their idiot friends, or one of the locals who romanticized the whole thing after reading too many tabloids or watching the Movie of the Week that Trina Echolls sold to NBC.
Whatever, he was over it.
* * * * *
Piz still likes to listen to people, and this still benefits him as he starts his sophomore year at Utah’s best college. He gets a girlfriend rather quickly, a girl who is blonde and quirky and goes to all of his radio shows and likes to listen to him play his guitar.
Still, there are times he likes to fantasize about Veronica Mars. He dreams about her apologizing for all the crap she pulled, and begging him to forgive her. Most of the time, she begs him to make love to her like he did at the Grand, because he’s such a great, nice guy.
Sometimes, when she looks especially sad, he obliges her, right before he puts her out of her misery.
When he does, she smiles in that special way, just for him.