Previously on Veronica Mars….
"Did it involve me being naked?" "It did."
"Where did you get this?" "It's going around in an email. You think Veronica knew there was a camera in the room?" "No."
"Just so you know. The best way to show that you're still in love with your ex-girlfriend is to beat up her new boyfriend." "She's your friend, too! Aren't you angry for her? Do you realize what this will do to her?" "Do you realize that we just broke up? Yeah, I didn't think so."
"You sure you want to do this? It's quite a commitment and Africa is a long ways away." "I'm positive."
"Whoever you are, you're gonna die." "Yeah, some day."
Hearst College cafeteria:
Slezoid responsible for my collegiate embarrassment bleeding on the cafeteria floor? Check. Ex-boyfriend defending my honor? Check. Current boyfriend walking in on the entire fiasco? Check. All things required for an inevitable awkward moment? Check and check mate.
With thumbs twisting in her belt loops and a mixture of bafflement and awe painting her features, Veronica took small clumsy-like steps towards Piz. Adrenaline pumped vigorously through her veins, making human speech a tad more difficult than it should have been.
"So good news!" In attempt to interject a hint of normalcy, Veronica spoke cheerily and extended her arms in presentation. "I know who's the tom behind the peeping and let me tell you..." She lifted a hand to her mouth as if she was passing some vital hush-hush information. "I don't think he'll be doing that again anytime soon. Not a pretty consequence."
"Heh, yeah…so, what's the bad news then?" Piz buried his hands in his pockets.
"Hmm, well…" Veronica teetered her head in feigned contemplation. "I'm pretty sure Logan is going to get himself killed." Unwittingly, her lower lip lifted with repressed worry.
A crooked smile formed as Piz took a hold of Veronica's shoulders. "And you? How are you? All parts where they should be?" He ruffled her hair playfully. "Mind fully intact and perfectly functioning?"
Veronica released a breathy laugh. "All's a go in the world that is Veronica Mars."
"Good. That's good." His posture slouched forward, shoulders pulling into themselves. "It'll make this easier."
Veronica furrowed her brows as Piz guided her away from prying eyes. Out of the cafeteria, Piz shuffled them into a nearby storage closet. The smell was beyond rank, but the close quarters caused Veronica to smirk with a blush.
"Why my darling Piznarski." Veronica spoke in her southern belle accent. "What kind of girl do you take me for? I do believe my Pa would not approve of this little tryst."
Piz spat out as quickly and as bluntly as he could. "You're still in love with Logan."
Veronica's eyes fluttered as her mouth slung open in shock. "Wha-what?" Tumbling her fingers, she gestured in a back peddling fashion. "Step back. Rewind. Repeat."
"You're still in love with Logan." He said very matter-of-factly.
"Love? With Logan?" She startled backwards, and in a rare Veronica moment, her mind stuttered to form a complete thought; no quip or comeback in sight. "What makes you…why would you…what is…love?"
"If you continue that with 'Baby don't hurt me,' I will run away from you. Fast. Like lightning fast." Piz's expression lit up with amusement as he pointed readily at the door.
Veronica sighed; her opened mouth curled upwards, slightly resembling that of a grin.
"No, no, it's cool, you know. I get it. Guy goes on a fist to face rampage on anyone who harasses the pretty girl. Women swoon for that sort of thing." Piz shrugged, hands returning to their pockets. "I don't know, maybe with you going to Virginia and me going to New York, we should maybe…take time to think? Figure things out. Not, you know, cut ties or anything, cause seriously, look at you, you're like massively hot, but just, I don't know…think."
Time to think? Come on Piznarski, we both know what that really means. Why sugarcoat it?
"Right, think." Veronica nodded. "I can do that."
Parker's and Mac's room:
"So I did what was right, right? Right? Yeah, I did…didn't I?" Parker's expression twisted unpleasantly as she paced around the room, her thumb nail finding a permanent home between her teeth.
"You're babbling" Mac bemoaned into the hand that was propping her chin up. Parker had been going on and on about whether she was right or if she overreacted since she got back from Logan's and Mac tiredly listened to every word. Compared to anyone, Mac really deserved that 'friend card' that people seemed to hand to her so willingly.
"I know. I'm sorry." Parker scrunched her fingers and face with similar anguish. "It's just I did do what was…"
"If you say 'right' one more time, I will kick you out." Mac very seriously teased.
Parker flung herself backwards onto her bed and drowned herself within her blanket with a cry-like groan. "I'm pathetic. Really, just say it. Parker, you're pathetic."
"Parker, you're pathetic."
"Wow, thanks Mac. I will treasure this moment for-ever." With a roll of her eyes, Parker sat up and threw a pillow at Mac's head.
"Think about it. You guys went out for what? A month? Boys make us stupid and blind. You're pathetic if you actually insist on wallowing." Mac said, throwing the pillow in retaliation. "We both know those two are like totally destined to be together, you were just smart enough not to be blind to it. It's all about…perspective…" Mac raised an eyebrow as her eyes searched for a fleeting thought. Something about being 'blind' and having 'perspective' triggered a horrifying realization.
Hearst College hallway:
"You got Wallace." Wallace held his phone between his ear and shoulder as his hands tossed a basketball between them.
"Whatcha doing." The perky voice, the very voice that insisted on drawing out every syllable when she was about ask for a favor, on the other end brought a wide smile to Wallace's lips.
"Whatchoo need?" He said, mimicking with a similar tone.
"Nothing. I just wanted to invite my very good friend Wallace to enjoy some no strings attached pizza with his favoritest petite blond. That's all, really."
"You got the Olsen twins?" Wallace tucked the basketball under his arm.
She laughed. "Of course! Both of them in fact. What you say? You, me, a couple of babes, party at your room in ten?"
"Yeah, yeah. Sounds good. I got something to show you anyways." He looked down, pulling the Invisible Children flyer out of his pocket.
"Ooh, color me intrigued! I'll see you soon, bring the drinks."
Piz's and Wallace's room:
"Damn girl, answer me something first." Wallace begged as annoyance plagued his tone. "Am I wearing high heels and not even realize it? Do I have a low v cut dress on, exposing my well experienced yet supple breasts?" He pulled down his collar, exposing his bare chest. "Am I holding a Cosmo instead of a basketball in my hand?"
Veronica squinted and tapped her chin in faux contemplation. "Well, I wouldn't go with supple exactly."
"Then why do you insist on turning me into a girl!" His voice cracked as he flailed his arms like a petulant child.
"Wallace, dearest bestest friend of mine." The earnest blond propped herself on her knees and clasped her hands together pleadingly. "Please oh please, be a girl for me. I'm in dire need of a vent-fest. Ooh look, free pizza!" Smiling wide, she held out a slice of cheese pizza alluringly.
"You played me Veronica Mars. You should be ashamed of yourself." Wallace's irritated expression faltered and was quickly replaced by that of joy and relenting. "Fine, vent away."
Neptune's Sheriff's office:
"Vinnie Van Lowe." Keith stood from his desk and gestured towards an empty seat. "What do I owe the pleasure?"
Vinnie spun around in circles, nodding with inherent approval for the interior of the Sheriff's office. "Just wanted to come and shake the hand of the better man." Keith eyed him suspiciously as Vinnie frantically shook his hand. "Sheriff Mars won. Fair as it is square. No doubt about it. Yep."
Keith shifted uncomfortably, adjusting his belt holster. "What do you want, Vinnie?"
"Nothing, nothing. Just wanted to experience the new Sheriff in action. Spiffy badge." Vinnie smacked his lips and patted his thighs anxiously. "Well, I gotta run. Bail jumpers to catch. Husbands cheating on their sweet vulnerable wives. You know how it is." Quickly, Vinnie tore out of the Sheriff's office.
Scratching his head, Keith eyed the mug full of pens he kept on his desk. With a harsh disappointed sigh, he reached for a pen and headed into the deputies' area.
"Leo, do me a favor?"
"What do you need Sheriff Mars?" Leo let out a little laugh. "Man, I never get tired of saying that."
"Arrest Vinnie Van Lowe for bugging an officer." Keith held out the pen, showing the deputy the 'Vinnie Van Lowe, P.I.' inscription.
Leo looked at the Sheriff skeptically. "Uh, seriously?"
"Oh, very seriously." Raising the pen to his lips, Keith increased the volume of his voice. "That is unless Mr. Van Lowe marches his sleuth self back in here and reclaims his property."
As if queued to enter, Vinnie came bursting into the station and snatched the bugged pen from Keith's clutch. "Spiffy badge." Vinnie said pointing at Keith's chest before bolting out of the office.
The newly elected Sheriff shook his head and sighed. "This is what I missed the most."
Piz's and Wallace's room:
"Are you seriously asking me to help you choose between my boy, the one who took a beating for you, and Logan, the one who administered the beating?" Wallace's brows knitted together in bewilderment. "Come on Mars, don't make me apart of this love triangle mess you got yourself tangled in."
"Right. I get it now." Veronica threw her hands up. "I'm crazy. Lock me up and throw away the key! I deserve to mingle with the nut cases of the world."
"You ain't crazy." Bringing his hand towards his eyes, he pinched his index finger and thumb together. "Just a little psycho."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Yuck it up funny man. I don't think you understand how this friendship between us works. I go through all this girly drama and self loathing and then you humor me. Ultimately it ends with you amusing me until I'm happy again. Go on, entertain me damn it." Veronica pouted and pounded a tightly closed fist on an open palm.
"Are you not entertained?" Wallace's boisterous voice broke with a chuckle. Veronica raised an eyebrow as her face twitched with a combination of stifled enjoyment and frustration. "Ok, ok. Chill. Considering you're not actually with either of them. Which one do you care more about? Decide who's worth attempting before you dive head first."
"Wow, Wallace." Veronica moved to sit at the edge of the bed. "And here I thought you were just a pretty face." She smiled warmly as her gaze softened. "Thanks Wallace, really."
Wallace shrugged, reaching for another slice of pizza. "You know me V, anything for free pizza…" Grinning, he bobbed his head up and down. "…and my favoritest petite blond."
Max's room:
"Hey Mac! Come in, come in." Max, licking Doritos cheese off his fingers, moved aside to let Mac through. "What brings you to the fortress of solitude at this hour?"
When Max bent forward with hopes of a kiss, Mac turned her head and offered her cheek instead.
"Max…" With hands fidgeting in her lap, Mac bit her lower lip. "We need to talk."
Neptune Grand, Logan's suite:
-Knock-knock-knock-
With toothbrush in his mouth and towel draped over his shoulder, Logan answered the door expecting to see Jeff Ratner with his buffalo burger, but was stunned when he was pleasantly greeted with someone better.
"Hi, Logan."
To be continued…