Disclaimer: The words are mine, a few characters are mine, the vast majority is not. Veronica Mars belongs to Rob Thomas and a lot of other truly awesome individuals and companies (and some less awesome ones who canceled it) I have no intention of ever profiting from this, and request that it not be reposted elsewhere.
Explanation: Veronica Mars was canceled at the end of Season 3. In an attempt to get the show renewed Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell made a pilot sort of "What if?" for Season 4 that had Veronica Mars in LA working with the FBA as a recent academy graduate. This pilot can be found on youtube, it's about 12 minutes in 2 parts, starting with LG_dqD9RrKM This story is a continuation of that Season 4. This first chapter, though, tries to fill in some of what happened between Season 3 and Season 4, after that I'll move on.
Summary: Veronica is working for the FBI in LA. She's spent the last 3 years out of California, and now that she's back, some things haven't changed. Veronica has to deal with being back, working on a large crime ring case, all along with a non-sanctioned investigation on the side.
So, you're probably wondering how I got from a voting booth in Neptune to a tiny apartment with my gun drawn on a man who is, based on his hostage taking approach, probably the mad bomber I'm supposed to be investigating. The answer? Three and a half years is a long time, so I'll stick to the highlights.
Between his vendetta against underage drinking and his alleged evidence tampering, it wasn't much of a surprise that Dad didn't win sherif. He went back to the PI biz and good ole Vinnie took office. And, since Van Lowe was more than happy to substitute money for justice, the Fitzpatricks had free reign.
Liam Fitzpatrick smiled as he strolled into the Sherif's department the morning after the election. Keith was in the main office, placing a picture frame into an already full cardboard box on the desk.
"Such a shame." Liam's grin widened as he shook his head in mock sympathy. "Sheriff Mars loses yet another election. Who wouldda seen that comin."
"Liam." Keith replied with a curt nod, before taking the now filled cardboard box in his arms.
"You haven't seen Vinnie yet, have you? I've got a little something for him…" Liam patted a pocket suggestively, showing the outline of what appeared to be a stack of money.
Before Keith could reply Vinnie's head poked around the office door, as his knuckles rapped on the wooden frame. "Lookin for me?" He stepped around the door, revealing his new uniform. His hands gestured at himself, and he spun in a small circle to show off. "So, whatdaya think of the new duds? Pretty hot, am I right? You know, I never thought brown was my color, but it's growing on me."
Keith adjusted the box in his arms, and did his best to smile, though it seemed more than a little forced. "No hard feelings, Keith. You always did make a better private dick anyhow. Now, if you'll excuse us. Mr. Fitzpatrick here and I have some business to attend to."
My internship in Virginia went well. Information gathering and background checks were Dad and my bread and butter growing up, so I fit perfectly at the Bureau. Getting away from Neptune was amazing. I used to blame my mother for running away from her problems, but by the end of that summer, I understood.
A ringing broke through Veronica's small Virginia apartment and she hurried to answer her cell phone. She smiled as she flipped it open, seeing 'Dad' scroll in large letters across the screen.
"Hey, Daddio, what's the hap?" Veronica answered with a genuine smile on her face.
"Mind filling me in on your flight plans? Wallace is getting back on the 12th too, so I figured maybe Alicia and I could drive down together, pick you both up?" Her dad's voice explained through the phone.
"You and Alicia?"
"Nothing like that, no. We're friends, Veronica. Your old man not allowed to have friends?"
"Of the single woman, ex-girlfriend variety? No, no you're not." Veronica was raising an eyebrow suspiciously, even though her dad couldn't see her.
Keith only laughed on the other end. "Not everything has a deeper meaning, Veronica. Things can occasionally be innocent." His tone was light, and heartfelt, but Veronica wasn't convinced.
Taking on a fake mobster voice Veronica replied, "You gonna make me tighten the screws on this one? We'll loosen those lips yet."
Caving Keith sighed into the phone. "It's nothing serious. We weren't going to say anything to you kids yet, we're just seeing how things go."
"So Wallace doesn't know then?"
"No, Alicia wanted to wait." Keith explained, "And, back on the topic of you, missy, when can I expect my daughter back in town?"
"Listen. Dad. About coming home…" Veronica's voice trailed off slightly.
Dad was a bit upset at the news, but he understood when I transferred to University of Maryland. The best criminology professor at Hearst was in prison, and between Gorya Sorokin's humiliation in the food court and Lilith House's lawsuit against The Castle, well, let's just say I wasn't too popular back home. And, Dad still doesn't know, but the tape and the attention that went with it- definitely a factor.
Opening the door to her dingy little apartment with a shove, Veronica flicked on the light switch. She shut the door behind her, and kicked off her heels. Pulling her hair tie out she was left looking slightly disheveled and completely exhausted in a navy blue skirt suit. Sighing heavily she plopped down in a light green chair and grabbing the remote she flipped on the TV.
A very put together woman appeared behind a news desk, and began to read the days stories. 'Secret societies beware.' the woman began as a small thumbnail of a man with a finger to his lips appeared in the corner of the screen, 'Sources say an anti-discrimination lawsuit is being filed against nearly two hundred wealthy business men supposedly associated with a secret society known as The Castle from Hearst college in California. Alison Williams with more.'
The screen flashed to a small black woman dressed sharply in a business suit standing outside the Kane estate in Neptune. She was attempting to interview Jake Kane who brushed quickly past her as security, namely Clarence Wiedman, shielded him from view. 'Mr. Kane has no comments on the allegations.' Weidman insisted, before the screen returned to the anchors and their theories.
Piz and I broke up mid-summer. The long distance really didn't work, he was a great guy, but I think we both knew it couldn't last.
"Piz, hey." Veronica bit her lip as she spoke into the phone, her finger twirling her hair nervously.
"Veronica! " Piz's voice was full of excitement as he answered. "Hey! Feels like forever since you called. Thing's slowing down? You settling in alright?"
Veronica winced at his excitement, but knew she had to respond before she started worrying him with silence. "Yeah, everything here is good. Listen, Piz, we need to talk… are you free?"
"Of course. Sure thing, Veronica." Nerves were creeping into his voice now as well. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, I've been thinking, Piz."
"About us?" Piz asked, his tone already laced with sadness, as though he knew what was next.
"About everything. But, yeah, that's part of it." Veronica nodded, leaning back on her kitchen counter, hanging her head slightly and taking a deep breath.
"So, you're breaking up with me then?" Piz's voice was a little harder now.
"Please… it's not like that…" Veronica started, but she'd had enough break ups to know that upfront was the only way to go. "I just- I'm sorry."
"No, no. It's cool." Piz insisted, "You're surrounded by special agents. Guys who can win in a brawl, defend your honor. Being with a midwestern disc jockey doesn't have the same appeal. I get it, Veronica, I do…"
"Piz, really, it's not like that!" her voice was pleading, but it didn't seem to convince him of anything.
"Don't worry, Veronica. It's alright.. I understand." Piz laughed a little too harshly. "I should've known. You know, I've gotta go. See you next fall."
Piz didn't want to talk after that, but Mac set me up to video chat, so I kept in touch with her and Wallace at least. The first few months were hard, Wallace yelled at me more than once for running away, but in the end they both understood. When Jake Kane figured out that Mac was the one who hacked his hard drive he hired her on the spot, and she's been a high level programmer there since graduation. Wallace was so inspired by his work in Africa that he went back every summer, and after graduation he joined Engineers Without Borders.
The screen of Veronica's MacBook lit up to Mac and Wallace's smiling faces. They were both dressed in their caps and gowns. Veronica beamed back at them as she looked into her own webcam.
"Hey there, supafly!" Wallace joked, unable to wipe the grin off his face. "We finally made it!"
"Congrats you guys! I'm so sorry I couldn't make it. Stupid profiling final!" She looked at them apologetically but they just shrugged it off.
"You better ace it!" Mac joked, grinning as she pulled the cap off her head. "That way at least I'll be able to come to your graduation next week."
"Well the professor has been flirting with me. I'll just write my number at the top, I'm sure I'll pass." Veronica joked, and the slightly lagging image of her friends laughed along too. "Any chance you can switch your lay over to Maryland, Wallace. Say a last goodbye to your best friend before you run off to the land of no reception?"
"Sorry, V, no luck." Wallace shook his head. "My flight leaves Monday. Mac here's gonna hook me up with a satellite phone though. Kane Software's been making some new ones. They're pretty bad ass!"
Laughing warmly, Veronica grinned at them, "Q just gives out gadgets to everyone now, huh?"
"Sorry, Bond." Mac deadpanned back, "Double-0 6 needed my help too." She gestured towards Wallace and broke down joining her friends in a fit of laughter.
The University of Maryland was good for me. I maintained a small PI business to cover tuition, and even without the 09ers' trust funds to pad the checks, it did the trick. Between business and classes my social life was a bit lacking, but given my track record, I count that as a blessing.
Veronica stood in the front of a large stadium full of people. She adjusted the sashes over her gown around her as she approached the podium, leaning over slightly towards the microphone. "I transferred here at the start of my sophomore year." She began, keeping her voice steady as she saw her father on the verge of tears in one of the front rows. "Since then the University of Maryland has become like a home to me." She smiled warmly as she continued addressing the student body, looking out on the caps and gowns that filled the stadium.
"We graduate today, knowing so much more than we ever did coming in. Most of it, of course, we'll never use." The audience laughed along with her, and she smiled warmly. "But somewhere in between the late night studying and the late night partying, sometime here, on this campus, we prepared to face the real world. And, if we're lucky, the real world out there is ready for us too. Because, University of Maryland class of 2010 is here to take it by surprise! So ready or not, here we come!" The audience cheered, and Veronica smiled as a Dean approached her and shook her hand vigorously before introducing the next speaker.
Logan? I haven't talked to him since the food court incident freshmen year. Between finals, the election, and moving to Virginia, we just didn't see each other. I guess he never got my new number either, so we just fell out of touch. Mac still mentions him sometimes, especially since she started dating Dick senior year, but she never pushes. I guess he's doing well though, he graduated, the tabloids barely ever mention him, and sold for a few million, so I'm sure he's fine.
"You're dating who!" Veronica asked, looking at the her computer screen in shock. "Q, I think you may need to get me some new software, this program is clearly spazzing out!"
"Calm down, Bond." Mac said shaking her head. "Dick and I have been hanging out a lot since Max and I broke up."
"You? and Dick? Hanging out?" Veronica shook her head, still not really comprehending what was happening.
"Yeah, I mean, with GradeMyAss going so well, I've been over at the Grand a lot with Logan, and Dick just started hanging around." Mac was blushing now, hardly even looking up at the screen.
There was silence, and Veronica paused for a minute, trying to figure out how to respond. "You really like him, don't you?" The blush on her face only grew at this, and so Veronica shook her head and smiled. "Well, congrats then, I guess. Never saw that one coming…"
"Getting senile in your old age, Bond?" Mac joked, laughing nervously at her friend.
"I must be." Veronica shook her head, "So when did this happen?"
"We've been flirting for awhile." She admitted, "Then the other day Logan told Dick to grow a pair and just ask me out, so he did. And I said yes."
"Well, congrats, Mac, I'm happy for you." Veronica smiled, genuinely, "Let me know if you need me to come kick his ass though."
"You're across the country and he's still terrified of you. I think fear of being tased was what kept him from asking for so long. But since Logan and I are selling the site, Dick was afraid I wouldn't be over as much."
"Well, I do still have my taser, if you need." Veronica laughed.
"He still asks about you, you know." Mac said after a short pause.
"Dick? Never would've thought he'd miss me, well huh, what do you know." Her tone was kidding, but the look in her eyes made it very clear that Veronica didn't want to discuss it.
"Veronica…" Mac implored.
"Hey now, no becoming that girl who as soon as she's in a couple has to pair everyone else off!" Veronica shook a finger at the webcam.
After graduation I went to Quantico. 21 weeks of intense training later, I got on a plane and came here, Los Angeles, with four of my fellow trainees. I didn't work much with Brady or Omar at the academy, but Seth and Callie I know pretty well.
Sitting in what appeared to be a state of the art lecture room, Veronica stood up and looked around. A group of several dozen twenty somethings were gathering, all dressed in business suits. They were partnering off, preparing to accomplish the task there instructor had just requested of them. Veronica scanned the crowd, hoping to find someone to partner with.
As she looked, a tall man with light brown hair and a dark suit with a dark undershirt approached her. "Hi. Veronica, right?" He asked, his voice almost too suave.
"Yeah." Veronica said, pausing and eying him strangely. "Sorry, don't think I caught your name, since you didn't give it."
"Right, of course, sorry. I'm Seth." He introduced himself, and held out his hand to shake. Veronica shook it lightly, before watching him take the seat next to her, apparently assuming himself to be her partner. Veronica waited a moment, almost conflicted, but having no other options sat down next to Seth.
"You're a bit of a name around here." Seth explained, eying her as she brought out a notebook and pen to begin working.
"Oh?" Veronica asked, looking up. "Now isn't that just what every girl loves to hear. So what's the grape vine got on me this time?"
"Not so much the grape vine as Callie Farmer." Seth corrected, smiling at her tone. He nodded in the direction of a woman who was scribbling feverishly on her own notebook several rows ahead. "I was in her group for profiling yesterday. She seemed to imply you were some sort of threat."
Veronica raised an eyebrow and glanced Callie's way. She wasn't surprised, Callie was very competitive, she'd made that clear from day one and Veronica was several steps ahead of most of the academy. "And yet, you come to me. You really think thats wise?"
"I'm a bit harder to scare off than most." Seth said, smiling almost too broadly for the situation. Veronica just nodded, unsure of how to react. Instead, she thought it was probably best to get back to work.
She turned her eyes back to her notebook and opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything he spoke again. "Speaking of. You up for drinks after work?"
Veronica looked up, eyes wide at the surprising invitation.
And all of that brought me here. An hour's drive from Neptune, with hardly any friends to speak of, and with my overly competitive partner being held hostage by an armed bomber. And here I thought high school was tough.
A/N: So, here is the first chapter, and my first time writing for Veronica Mars. I'd love to hear your feedback on how I've done so far. Just to let you know, moving on from here there's going to be a mix of characters. You'll have some of the characters Rob Thomas introduced to us in the Season 4 What If style preview (Seth, Callie, Hendricks, the guy eying Veronica on the stakeout), and some old characters (Keith, Logan, Mac, Dick, maybe Weevil), and probably some characters from the crazy short circuitry that we call my brain. I promise though, there will be LoVe, and plot, and hopefully just general epic-ness.