This is my very first VM story, and I know it is completely irregular but I had a feeling and just went with it. I don't own any of the characters, the song referenced is by Glenn Miller and is called "I Know Why (And So Do You)". Please please let me know what you think, good and bad, reviews are love :)

22 September 1945

Sometimes she preferred the steel conveyor belt, the smell of hot metal and feel of grit under her nails to being dressed up, well-manicured and stifled behind a pristinely polished desk. Today was definitely one of those days. The phone only rang three times in as many hours, all the paperwork had been filed in the first ten minutes of her shift. The floor was spotless, windows gleamed, and even the overstuffed couch in the waiting area had been wiped down and shone in the bright California sun. Veronica Mars was clearly a woman on a mission, and, today, it was simply to keep her mind from wandering. She silently cursed herself for keeping the office so clean regularly. It's been three years since she started working at VLM Investigations, and due to her fastidious nature, it ran like a well-oiled machine. She sighed loudly. There was nothing left to do. She slumped back in her chair, missing factory work more and more, wishing she had something tedious to be doing, praying something would keep the thoughts at bay.

"Hey Veronica?" Vinnie Van Lowe stepped out of his office and crossed over to her desk, his slow and steady gait amplifying the injury that kept him securely on the home front. "Would you mind closing up tonight, I got a date tonight with a real 'able grable'. It's a good thing tomorrow is Sunday, but if everything goes to plan, I might not be here Monday either." He sat on the edge of her desk and she mock heaved at his implication. While he certainly ranked highly on the sleazy scale, he was a good man at heart. Her family hadn't been in Neptune a year when Keith and Vinnie met and decided to go into business together, both their reputations lending weight in the PI arena, which was suddenly booming in Southern California. They'd built a successful and lucrative business, and though it had slowed as of late, the return of thousands of troops meant business as people started looking for love ones who may choose to disappear after the war.

"Sure thing, Mr. Van Lowe. I'll be glad to hold down the fort while you and your latest lady chucklehead do whatever gross thing it is that you do." She shuddered at the thought as he shook his head, laughing at the young woman he couldn't help but look at like family. Bowing his head in thanks, he took his leave, trying to shake off the sadness her expression instilled in him. When Keith had left, he assured him that Veronica would be taken care of, no matter what. Vinnie was sure no one suspected Lianne would just take off, but as she did, Vinnie made sure Veronica had everything she needed. It was shortly after her father left when Veronica noticed the changes in her mother's behavior. They were little things at first. Showing up late for bond rallies she'd help organize, it quickly escalated to her being there completely intoxicated. Then she stopped showing up at all. She was rarely even home. Veronica only knew her mother had been home because her father's letters had been opened, the money he'd sent back for them to survive on, gone.

While she finished her senior year, she'd stayed with him, working after school at the office. He knew she had hoped to go to college, but the kid never got a break. After graduating she took a second shift job at a factory, working at least ten hour days, seven days a week during the peak of the war. But she never complained, she did her jobs and went back to the small studio apartment she'd rented. Her one best friend was at school on the other side of the country, the other had been in England helping with the codebreaking effort and decided to stay when she'd been accepted into Oxford. The majority of the males in the group had enlisted after graduation, except one who was currently enrolled at Georgetown, but they had come home already. The realization came full circle and took the breath from her lungs.

He's coming home. Or well, perhaps he would be if she knew where he was, if she actually had known anything about where he had been the past three years. When the Germans had laid down their arms in May she allowed herself to hope. Not much, but enough to hold on. Just maybe she'd be able to get lost in those brown eyes again. When she hadn't heard anything by July, she retreated back into her own head. Anyone who knew her could see the light dimming in her eyes, the flickers of hope were less and less, and glimmers of happiness past haunted her face now. Now Japan had surrendered and her dad was coming home, she knew that much for certain. She could only wonder if the boy she had been missing would make his way back to her as well. So caught up her in own thoughts Veronica didn't realize the pen she was holding tapped the mirrored beating of her heart out on the desk. It was frantic, as if she had been dancing… a quickstep? She thought, almost reluctantly. The memory of the last dance they shared, the night that started it all, weighed heavy in her heart. If she could just get the smell of him to stop suffocating her, surely this memory would pass and she could go about her day.

Who are you kidding, Veronica? It's been a whole month (a new record) since you've replayed this in your head. There were no details you missed. And apparently nothing you could have done to stop him. Nothing has changed. Except the war is really, really over now.

She tried to stifle down the hope that continued to rise, she bit it back as if it were bile. She could deal with being angry, had perfected lonely as a matter of fact, but she refused to be blindly hopeful. While the modicum of happiness was genuine, her father's return was the only bright spot that had broken through the darkness she'd used as a shield the past few years. It had been so easy for her to bury herself in school and work. And now, well, she was completely and utterly alone with her thoughts.

21 March 1942

"Come on Veronica Mars!" the voice bellowed. "This is our first Hollywood party," Paused and in a slightly more reserved tone continued, "…and group sleepover in Los Angeles, live a little!" Lilly Kane's voice carried through the dressing rooms causing Veronicas eyes to roll involuntarily. Their friend Mac just laughed as they argued about the cost of the dresses, their hair being done, and just how much was too much sex appeal.

"Lilly, we are barely seventeen. This may be our first large social outing in Los Angeles but it probably won't be our last." She looked at her form in the mirror, right now her slight frame was completely overwhelmed by the full skirted dress she'd chosen. Frowning, she ran her hands down the bodice, satin giving way to effusive tulle; she looked more a little girl playing dress up than the young woman she was.

"Of course, Ronica, when you become Mrs. Logan Echolls you'll be Hollywood's golden girl, a never ending buffet of fancy! And Princess Lilly, here, will never miss a soiree in New York next year, or probably here for that matter. Just tonight, for me, don't be a drip!" whined Mac. Lilly clapped her approval knowing Veronica would surely indulge Macs fancy.

"Mac!" Came the mockingly chastising reply. "Need I again remind you that we're only seventeen? I mean, who's to say Logan and I will last the year let alone get married…" her voice fell away, the abrupt halt to her thought processes covered by the raucous laughter in the corridor. The mere thought of marrying Logan put her in a tailspin, it also brought a sickeningly saccharine smile to her face she couldn't stop if she tried. Could she really have a future with Logan? They'd been steadies practically since they started high school. The former best friends were happy just to be in one another's orbit, but as time passed and they got older and grew closer, the once distant future began looming on a much closer horizon. These thoughts bore heavy weight, certainly nothing to be decided in a dressing room. Except for one thing, the question on everyone's mind. Would she even try it on? The last dress they'd pulled for her, what the conversation had been about until the abrupt segue into fantasized matrimony, maybe she would start asking the fates for answers tonight.

"Do we need to send someone in there?" Mac called.

"She's probably drowning in all the chiffon and petticoats." Lilly said wryly, smirking at Mac who bit back her own laugh. Before the next catty remark could come, Veronica emerged, stunned silence greeting her.

The dress was red, lace, and tight where it stopped, just above the knees. Lilly took in the appearance of her friend and smiled in devilish approval. The wiggle dress, with, its capped sleeves and daring v neck fit Veronica like a glove, amplifying her feminine form, making her look the part of the vixen Lilly and Mac knew was lurking on the inside.

"It seems your evil plan is working Miss Kane."

"Why Miss Mackenzie, whatever do you mean?" Lilly asked sardonically. "If by plan you mean us taking over LA tonight, then yes. It is working spectacularly!" she giggled. Looking at herself in the mirror once again, she knew she had made the right choice. Her floor length, black velvet gown covered more skin than she usually liked, but its heart shaped bodice and barely there back more than made up for it. Wallace Fennel had no idea what he was in for, tonight, Lilly Kane would teach her friends a thing or two about living for the moment. She peeked at Mac, whose full amethyst dress made her glow. She looked radiant, and that was more than she could ask for. Fully smiling she looked back at Veronica, who had added red satin pumps to her ensemble, yes, tonight would be the start, she thought.

"Red is definitely your color Veronica Mars. Logan won't know what do with you, or well, he will…that boy is totally clobbered over you!" she said with a wink. Veronica tried to roll her eyes but couldn't help the smile that stayed plastered on her face.

"Well ladies, I suppose we should change out of our finery and move on to the next step in our transformation. The salon awaits!" Mac went back into her dressing room to remove her gown, leaving Lilly and Veronica to follow suit. Taking one last look in the mirror, Veronica said goodbye to the girl and hoped that the woman who emerged had the strength to carry her through.

The boys, minus Duncan who was driving up with Meg later in the day, had spent the morning surfing. They'd grabbed lunch at the Brown Derby before heading back to Logan's parents' house. Tonight, Aaron and Lynn Echolls were hosting a soiree at the Millennium Biltmore, part bond drive, part fundraiser and farewell as they were leaving to join the USO on their current tour in Europe. The boys lounged around the pool a bit before they realized time had caught up with their leisure and decided it was time to get ready. Being from families of good repute, each young man donned their own custom tuxedos, each personality reflected in the spats and pinstripes they'd chosen. Dick and Wallace teased each other mercilessly. Dick had insisted that Wallace was completely unprepared for the torrent that was Lilly Kane, but having been from Chicago, Wallace assured him he'd be able to handle whatever she threw at him.

"Your funeral, my friend." Dick laughed. "That girl is something else altogether."

"I am way more man than Lilly Kane is used to." Wallace aggrandized, causing Dick and Logan to laugh hysterically, then they gently broke to Wallace that Lilly wasn't like most girls her age, and had no qualms about going after everything she wanted. And they were positive Wallace was on the menu tonight, and as much as he wanted to be the predator, he was most likely the prey. "How long have you and Mac been together, Dick?" he asked, more consigned.

"Almost six months….right?" He looked to Logan, who just nodded.

"And you and Vee?"

"Oh, this'll be good." Dick muttered. Wallace raised an eyebrow, imploring Logan to continue. "It's a hotly debated topic. And it depends on the mood either is in when asked."

"That is not true." Logan interjected shooting his friend a dirty look as he worked to smooth the cowlick at the front of his hairline down. "Ronnie and I met when we moved to Neptune. We were twelve. She and Lilly were best friends, and DK and I became close so the four of us were always together." Of course he doesn't mention how often he stayed over at the Kane's with the hopes she would too.

"So, you started dating at twelve?" Wallace asked incredulously.

"Annnnd here it comes." Logan rolled his eyes at Dick.

"No, we didn't start dating then. But that's when I knew she was it for me. It took me two years of relentless romance to even get her to look in my direction." Dick coughed loudly.

"No. No, you moped for two years when your advances got you nowhere. She told you she wasn't allowed to date until high school. You just followed her around with puppy dog eyes until the week before freshman year when she showed up at your house, and kissed you." A grin spread across Logan's face as he remembered, vividly, her flushed cheeks and swollen lips. His mind wandered now, thinking about her getting ready down the hall, what she could possibly be wearing…or not wearing at the moment. Dick and Wallace's voices brought him back to the present.

"Okay, so officially we've been together three years, but since I met her, I haven't dated anyone else…which is why I say five. Hence, the hotly contested portion of our relationship."

"Ronnie's a dish, really Lo, but haven't you ever thought about anyone else?" Visions of a future with her by his side, his wife, the mother of his children pass behind his eyes and he can't help the butterflies that flutter in his stomach.

"Never."

"Damn." Wallace conceded. Nodding in understanding he went back to tying his tie.

"Gentleman!" the newcomer greeted as he entered the room, his suit in a garment bag slung over his shoulder. "Looks like we have some catching up to do!" he said removing a flask from his breast pocket, took a swig and passed it around the room.

"Meg all settled?" Logan asked handing him back his flask. Duncan nodded, they went back to dressing, the conversation turning to the war effort, none wanting to give up how terrified they were at the prospect.

"Logan and Veronica will arrive with us," Aaron stated, talking only to the boys as the girls were finishing getting ready with Lynn. "The rest of you will follow in the limo." He said clapping Logan on the shoulder. He flinched despite his best effort to bite it down. No one seemed to notice and for that he was thankful. His father instructed the housekeeper to fetch the ladies, it was time to go.

When the girls came downstairs, all the men commented on how lovely they looked. Meg in green was a vision; Mac's violet dress was striking against her skin and eyes, her brown hair pulled away from her face in a sea of softly pinned curls; and Lilly looked like the heroine out of the pictures. Her makeup was bold and daring, much like her personality, she embodied the dress that ensconced her…Wallace was definitely not expecting his heart to leap into his throat at the sight of her. Veronica was still upstairs with Lynn as his friends got into the limo, he was anxious as he stood in the foyer alone with his father.

"Now son, I know you and Veronica have been together for a long time, but I need you to know how important being responsible is." Logan choked down the scoff that stuck in his throat, he hadn't even really thought about that. Okay, maybe a little, but not in any realistic way. "Your mother and I will probably be staying at the hotel tonight and we're trusting you to not go and fuck up our lives by knocking up your sweet little girlfriend." The anger burned in Logan's veins, he was certain if looks could kill that Aaron would have keeled over.

"Gee, thanks for having faith in me Dad. I assure you, I am capable of keeping it in my pants." He said pointedly. Aaron's face tightened as he turned toward his son, the nasty comment on the tip of his tongue as he heard Lynn and Veronica come down the stairs. All thoughts of his father flew out the door when he saw her. His breathing was shaky as he took her in, the red dress and shoes, full red lips and smoky eyes, her beautiful blonde hair pulled back in sleek victory rolls with large curls gathered at the back of her head, he couldn't stop the smile that came, or mask the desire in his eyes.

"Wow," he said breathlessly. "You are incredible." He took her hand and spun her around in front of him, blushing as he continued to drink her in. He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, wishing more than anything his parents weren't in the room. "You look lovely, too, Mom." He said kissing her on the cheek as well, though he never let go of Veronica's hand.

"Oh, Logan," she smiled. "Shall we?" Lynn hooked her arm into Aaron's and led the way to the Rolls Royce Phantom.

"You look quite handsome yourself, Mr. Echolls." Veronica said flirting, fingering his red tie, taking in how perfectly they complemented each other.

"I love you." He said softly before they walked out the door and kissed her sweetly on the lips.

"I love you." She slid across the back seat, entwining her fingers with Logan's as he settled next to her.

"Oh I love this song!" Lynn exclaimed and turned up the radio.

"Why do robins sing in December

Long before the Springtime is due

And even though it's snowing, violets are growing

I know why and so do you…"

"You'll have to ask Glenn to play it for you tonight." Aaron says, his eyes flicker to the mirror and notice the intensity between his son and his girlfriend. They haven't broken eye contact and their hands remain tightly interwoven as Logan lifts them to his lips. He can't help but smile to himself as he remembers how truly wonderful love can be.

"Lilly, we need to slow down! My feet are not made for shoes like this!" Mac exclaimed as she and Dick made for the refreshments.

"Don't be a quitter Mac! Tonight we are digging the jive until we can't jits no more!"

"I'm afraid I am all jitterbugged out." Meg and Duncan came up next to Mac and Dick, equally sweaty and tired. Noticing Logan and Veronica making their way to their friends, Lilly relented and finally gave Wallace a minute to breathe.

"Damn girl. Had I known you danced like that I wouldn't have worn my wingtips." Lilly laughed and kissed him, softly at first, but deepened the kiss as they made their way off the dance floor.

"Oh get a room!" Veronica exclaimed laughing, still tightly holding onto Logan's hand. She knew being with his father caused him a great deal of discomfort and she would do anything with in her power to keep him happy and uplifted. Broody Logan was no fun, and tonight, there was no time for that. She knew his parents wouldn't be home, that's what Lynn had kept her upstairs for. She had gotten a crash course in contraception, her options if something were to happen and how happy Lynn would be when she and Logan married and could legitimately start a family. The 'M' word…again. It couldn't be a coincidence, she thought, especially if her boyfriend's mother had brought it up. Maybe there was more at play than she knew.

"Well look at the Bobbysox Brigade!" A voice slurred near them. Veronica turned to find three young sailors approaching their group.

"They don't look that young, Sammy. I mean this girl here, she could definitely show us a good time." He said reaching to touch Lilly. Wallace stepped in between them, noticing how all the males seemed to move their dates behind them.

"Alright swabbies, time to move on." Dick said coolly, pointing them toward a group of clearly single, age appropriate women.

"Nah, I like the view right here." Sammy, presumably replied. "What do you think J.B.?" He looked up and down each of the girls as if she was a piece of meat, and when he got to Veronica, a lascivious grin spread across his features.

"No, I found what I want to dine on tonight. Step aside boy, let me show her how a real man moves." Veronica swallowed thickly feeling every muscle in Logan's body go rigid.

"You really need to move along. You clearly don't know who I am. Or where you're at for that matter."

"Oh, we know just fine, right Sammy?" He nodded. "Matt?" he took up the remaining flank staring down Logan. "We know, you kids, in your fancy duds and daddy's money will never have to worry if they ship home your body, or just your tags. You think you have the world boy, but it is changing out there, and when this war is over…you'll still be rich, sure, but you'll be soft. And no woman wants that when she can have a real man."

"You clearly have no idea what women want then." Veronica said from behind Logan. "Because respect is pretty high on that list," she ducked under his arm and secured it around her shoulder. She could feel Logan seething, rage was rolling off him, as well as Duncan, Wallace and Dick. Presumably, they were right, they'd never have to go to war…lay down their lives for their country or fight for their next meal, but it was hardly their fault. Logan hated that because of his parent's fame it was assumed he would never be anything but a poor, little rich kid. He was so much more, and if only Veronica saw it, so be it. At least that's how she felt, that way she didn't have to share him.

"Oh sweetie," J.B. stepped forward, cheap gin on his breath as he closed the distance between them. "I can give you something so much better…and bigger, than respect. And you would love it." Logan's fist clenched as went to strike.

"Logan! Is there a problem here?" His dad asked as he walked over to the gathering crowd.

"No, sir. These fine men were just leaving after they told us how thankful they were to be here with us tonight, before they shipped out." J.B. stepped back, smirk still firmly ensconced on his face.

"Yes, Mr. Echolls. We are so happy to be here, living the high life for just one night before we leave our homes, maybe forever. We were hoping that before the night was over, we might have a dance with these lovely ladies, you know, just in case we don't make it back. I'd die happily if I got once dance with this dame." He said pointing to Veronica, who trembled slightly next to Logan.

"We humbly thank you for your service, gentleman," Lynn breezed over and instantly diffused the tension mounting in the air around them. "But alas, as these girls are not yet of age, it would be highly inappropriate. Can I offer you a dance instead?" She held out her hand and he gladly led her to the dance floor, his friends backing away to find willing partners of their own. It didn't stop Logan's anger from growing, his friends laughed and dismissed their comments but he could still feel Veronica shaking next to him. He was seething. What was worst though, is that he was right. It was unlikely that they'd ever be faced with leaving everything they loved behind with the very good possibility they'd never come back. And that shook him more than he'd like to admit.

"Lo?" Veronica said quietly, bringing him out of his thoughts he noticed the song that was playing. A soft smile replaced the scowl as he turned to his girlfriend. He simply held his hand out to her and led her to the floor. Her body fit perfectly against his as she tucked her head in the crook of his neck, the melody of the song wrapping around them, pulling them closer. "I can't wait until we get home." She said softly, her voice taking on a husky edge. Logan swallowed his astonishment and looked at her with hazy eyes. She could get lost in that molten chocolate stare for the rest of her days, she was more in love with him at that moment than she had ever been and knew it could only grow from there. Logan kissed her, fully, careful not to draw too much attention but trying to convey all he was feeling in that kiss. It worked, because not long after she asked if they could go. Home together. Now if only he could feel like he deserved that chance with her.

The ringing of the phone snapped her back to the present. She was thankful for the distraction, her thoughts were about to slip into something she wasn't ready to delve back into just yet. That night was sacred for her, and without the appropriate amount of wine, she couldn't handle it. Finishing up her call and the last of the office duties, she was happy to finally be free of the confines that held her ensnared all day. Not that going home was a reprieve. Not when that same Rolls Royce Phantom sat in her garage. Not when the house she was living in was once his. Not when every memory she wanted to escape assaulted her when she stepped through the doors. It was going to be another very long night.