Flamingo campfire, Monday evening

[suzotchka.livejournal.com]

Ivanova hadn't really unpacked, so moving into the cabin hadn't been much of a stretch. An early night had meant that her body had gotten the sleep it needed to kick back onto Fandom time. Now, she had found an Adirondak chair somewhere, got a little crackling fire going, and kicked back to enjoy. Fresh air, open sky . . .

It was good to be home.

[[Open like an open thing, yo.]]

Comments

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I had coffee with Marty this morning," Veronica told him, practically bouncing in her seat. Her level of excitement over something seemingly mundane might be seen as curious.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie eyed the bouncing with amusement. "Apparently you had a lot of it."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Not really," Veronica replied, still grinning from ear to ear. She picked up the bag from the bookstore and handed it to Archie.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie picked up the bag and examined its contents, amusement and confusion on his face. "You have a sudden urge to learn French?"

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I figure it might be a useful skill to have when we go to France," Veronica said.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"We're going to France?" Archie asked. His first instinct was to be worried by this, but he managed to remind himself this was twenty-first century America, after all.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Well, I'm going because Marty bought me travel vouchers as an early birthday present. There are two, so I was kind of hoping you'd join me," Veronica explained.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie doubled over in laughter until tears ran down his cheeks, shaking too hard to say anything right away.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica tilted her head and looked at him, unsure of what exactly his reaction meant.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

When he finally recovered himself enough to speak, Archie wiped his eyes and grinned. "I'm sorry. I was just struck by the humor of the fact that I came from a time where the French were our archenemies. A Naval officer going to Paris typically meant he was about to be executed publicly, and it took me a moment to remind myself that it wouldn't be the case this time."

He wiped his eyes again. "I can't believe he actually did that."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I know, it's the most incredible gift," Veronica said. "So, do you want to go with me?"

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Of course I do. Do you even have to ask?" Archie leaned over, winked, and added under his breath, "But no honeymoon suite this time."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

Veronica laughed and leaned over to kiss him.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly for a moment. "I suppose I'll have to brush up, then. It's been quite a while since I took French in Professor Dream's class, and I've gotten rusty since."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Well, you're a step ahead of me then," Veronica said. "I'm starting from scratch."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"I might as well be starting from scratch, with all I've forgotten," Archie replied. "We can learn together."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Sounds like fun," Veronica said. "We'll need to get passports, but I was kind of thinking it would be fun to go at the end of the summer."

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"One last chance to get away before we go on with the next phase of our lives, eh?" Archie squeezed her hand. "That sounds like a fine idea."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad you approve," Veronica grinned.

Then she sighed. "It's going to be kind of weird sleeping alone tonight," she said softly.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Gotten used to it, have you?" Archie asked with a wistful smile.

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"After three nights in a row, yeah, kind of," Veronica admitted.

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie grinned. "I'll miss it too. But I'll appreciate it more once we get back to the dorms. Unless you want to set a bad example and sneak off with me some night."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Who me?" Veronica asked innocently. "I would never do such a thing."

She leaned close and whispered, "How about Thursday after Caritas?"

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

"Veronica Mars, you shameless girl," Archie teased. "I suppose we could always get 'lost' on our way back."

[marsheadtilt.livejournal.com]

"Or maybe just conveniently 'forget' we're supposed to come back here instead of the dorms," Veronica suggested.