Author's Note:

The prologue is really just a short transcript from the part of the final Season 1 episode "Leave it to Beaver" where Veronica and Duncan discover the video tapes. I've only included it here as a foundation for my "Chapter 1" which takes place immediately after that scene, and which is where my story goes down a different path). If you are super familiar with the series (and I know you probably are), feel free to skip the prologue.

Also, FYI… this is my first ever fan fic for Veronica Mars (or anything else, for that matter). I adored the VM series, and like many other loyal fans, I felt that season one could have ended differently. What follows is my attempt to do exactly that… I am devoted to Logan and Veronica as a couple, and rest assured, a happy ending awaits them in my version of this tale.

As you know… Rob Thomas is the genius behind it all, and I am merely attempting to play with his characters a bit. Forgive me if/when I don't do them justice.

Comments welcome!

Prologue

VERONICA VOICEOVER: Dad says that though his deputies found the shot glass Logan left for Lilly, the break up letter Logan says he wrote was never discovered. If Lilly wanted to keep it a secret, I have an idea where she would have kept it.

Flashback to Lilly's room as Lilly and Veronica lounge on the bed. "Wannabe" is playing in the background. Lilly reminds Veronica about a guy she met in Italy the year before, and offers to show her some pictures. Lilly has moved off the bed and grabbed a chair which she sets under the air condition vent."Doing some rewiring?"

Lilly smiles down at her friend, "Celeste is a bit on the nosey side"

"Yuck"

Lilly retrieves something from the now open space in the wall, and heads back to the bed to show Veronica the pictures… End Flashback

VERONICA VOICEOVER: If Lilly kept Logan's letter, that's where she would have hidden it. Now, what does one wear to meet the governor?

Veronica (dressed as a server) has snuck into the Kane Mansion, and slipped upstairs. She reaches Lilly's bedroom door and dumps her tray on a nearby table. She had misjudged the space though, and the tray falls to the floor with a loud clatter. Undeterred, she quietly enters Lilly's bedroom and goes straight to her friend's desk. Turning on the lamp, she retrieves a screw driver from her pocket and pulls the desk chair under the vent high in the bedroom wall. As she gets closer, she notices one of the screws is partially undone. Behind her, the bedroom closet door moves a bit (Veronica doesn't notice). She continues loosening the first screw and has started on the second when Duncan bursts through the door.

Duncan is livid, "Who the hell are you? What are you doing in here?"

He tackles her off the chair, and she pulls frantically at the wig covering her blond hair, "Duncan, Duncan, it's me."

"Veronica! What are you doing?"

"I'm looking for something."

"Well, shouldn't you be looking in my room?" Duncan's clearly bitter and angry, "I mean, that's where all the clues would be, right? Yeah, yeah, come on. You didn't put on a whole costume an-and sneak into my house, just to leave empty handed."

"Duncan, stop." Veronica is trying to free herself, but Duncan holds her arm tight.

"No, come on let's see what you can find out. Really, I want you to. Find out everything. Uh, maybe I left a confession on my Etch-A-Sketch." He begins to lose a bit of steam, and lets her go.

"Duncan, Duncan, calm down, okay. I don't think you killed Lilly, Duncan. I think Logan did.

Duncan is stunned, "No, no way."

"He wasn't in Mexico the day she was killed. Dick and Beaver lied for him. He came back early because he found out Lilly was seeing someone, Weevil, I think and he admitted that much, but he said he wrote her a letter on the day she died that would prove his innocence. I remembered Lilly used to hide things in her air vents…"

"Let's see what's in there."

Veronica returns to the vent and finishes removing the grate. She reaches in.

"Well?"

Holding out three video tapes, she says, " There's just these."

She hands them to Duncan who studies them as Veronica replaces the grate. Finally, he says, "I've got a camera we can play 'em on."

They leave Lilly's room and a shadow moves in the closet. In Duncan's room. He adjusts the television, then stands back with Veronica and presses the remote. The tape starts. It's the same room in the pool house that Veronica found the videotaping equipment in after Logan's faux "birthday party".

"Where's this?" Duncan asks.

"Logan's. The pool house." Veronica shudders a little.

Lilly appears on screen.

"That's her pep squad outfit. This…this is the day she died."

On screen, Lilly calls out flirtatiously, "Come here, lover. Time to earn your keep."

She lounges back on the bed, looking up, she spots the camera in the fan and the one at the head of the bed.

"What happened?" Duncan is unsure as the tape cuts out.

"Let's see the other tape."

"This one's dated October 1st." He returns to Veronica's side and point the remote. In this video, Lilly is lying on top of someone in the bed. Duncan is uncomfortable but forces himself to watch. After a few different camera angles, the someone's face appears on screen.

Veronica and Duncan stare in shock. She speaks first, "Oh my god."

On screen, Aaron knowingly poses for the camera.

Duncan freezes the tape with the remote control, "Mr Echolls?"

Veronica flashes back to the carwash."I've got a secret. A good one." Lilly is grinning, mischievously… End Flashback.

Veronica starts to hyperventilate, stepping back to sit on the bed, her mouth agape. Duncan comes to sit beside her, " Veronica?"

"I know what happened. I know what happened," and with those fateful words, Veronica Mars tells Duncan what really happened to Lilly Kane.

Chapter 1

While the glitzy Governor's Ball is happening downstairs, upstairs two estranged friends (Duncan and Veronica) have just finished watching the illicit videos that (in a moment) have changed everything they thought to be true up to this point. The shock hangs in the air, thick and choking in its intensity… Veronica goes on to explain to Duncan how it all happened…how Lilly had been having an affair with Aaron and how it had all gone horribly wrong, ending in Lilly's tragic death at the hand of a famous movie star.

Unbeknownst to them, none other than Aaron Echolls lurks in the shadows – listening to their conversation.

"But, could he really do that? Aaron?"

Veronica nods, "He's psychotic. I watched him beat a guy into a bloody mess once and then ask Logan how his school day was. He beats Logan, you know?"

Duncan nods, "Yeah, I know." His face is ashen, "He's here. Aaron I mean. He's here right now – came to meet the governor."

Veronica grabs the tapes, "I have to get these to my Dad. Will you help me? Keep Aaron in sight until I call you."

"Yeah, of course."

Veronica heads for the door, but stops short. "Damn." The look on her face is agony. "Logan.

He doesn't know any of this…and I accused him earlier of being Lilly's killer…I'm such a jerk. He's going to hate me – even more than he already does…" She brushes away a tear angrilly. "I can't deal with that right now. I'll find him as soon as I have talked to my Dad, and try to make it right." She reaches for the door knob.

"Wait Veronica." He goes over to her, and places a concerned hand on her shoulder. "Taking these tapes to your Dad can wait one minute. Let's call Logan. He doesn't hate you. He can't – doesn't have it in him. And besides, you need to let him know you don't think he killed Lilly. He's probably going crazy. I know I was when my parents told me they thought I'd killed her..." he trails off for a moment, "and when you thought I killed her too."

Veronica sighs. "You're right, and I'm sorry about that by the way." She glances at him sheepishly as she reaches into her pocket. Pulling out her cell phone, she hits a speed dial number and holds the phone to her ear. "Voice mail."

"I guess he may be screening? You are kind of on the outs right now."

Logan's voice plays in her ear, "You've reached Logan and here's today's inspirational message: Adversity is the diamond dust with which Heaven polishes its jewels."

Veronica waits for the beep, but is clearly frustrated.

"Yeah he's probably screening, I just hope he's okay – wait –Logan! It's me. I'm sorry this is via a phone message – and a short one at that, but I know you didn't kill Lilly, okay? I'm really sorry. Can't explain now. I'll find you later and we will talk… really talk, about everything. I'm so sorry." She hits the disconnect button on her phone, and stares into space for a moment – eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Duncan smiles sadly at her, "Hey, I think everything is going to work out."

She looks at him closely, "You know, you are way calmer about all this than I would have expected. We just figured out who killed your sister, and its Logan's DAD, and you aren't going crazy at all or yelling or anything." Her voice trails off, and smiles ruefully, "What meds do they have you on, anyway, and where can I sign up?"

Duncan laughs, "I am taking some medication, that's true; but honestly I'm okay. I think I came to terms with Lilly dying a while back – on some level anyway, and knowing now that I didn't do it – well, that is a huge relief. And maybe I'm in shock too, ya know?" His eyes wander a bit as he talks, "I'm sure it will all settle in and I'll have a fit" He looks back at her quickly, "not THAT kind of fit, just a regular 'hey you bastard, you killed my sister' fit." He frowns and his attention is caught by a snap shot on Lilly's bulletin board. It is of his sister. She is wearing a red tank top and jean shorts. She looks spunky and fun and mischievous and wild and totally Lilly. He smiles sadly and touches the photo reverently. "I'm going to be okay too. We all are."

She puts a hand on his arm, "When you need to talk (and you will), I'll be here, okay? I think we can be friends again." She opens the door and steps over the threshold. She pauses there when Duncan clears his throat.

"Hey, I'm sorry. You know, for breaking up with you the way I did and everything. I just didn't know what to do and with the whole sister/brother thing…"

She looks blankly at him for a moment and then slaps her forehead with the palm of her hand, interrupting him, "Crap! I forgot to tell you!"

"Tell me what?"

"My Dad had a paternity test done. We are NOT brother and sister. I just found out myself." She smiles as she watches the news sink in, "Relieved right?"

He smiles back – really smiles. This smile even reaches his eyes, and for a moment Veronica glimpses the Duncan of long ago. "Yeah, way relieved. Now, we can-"

"Oh God, I have to tell Logan about that too…"

"You told him about…that?"

"Duncan," She pauses, collecting her thoughts, "I think I kind of love him, you know? I mean, that's why I came here – to find the letter and prove he's innocent… so, yeah. I told him."

The glimmer of hope that had been there only a moment before faded from Duncan's eyes. "No big deal. I get it. Go. Get the tapes to your Dad. I'll watch Aaron until I hear from you and then I'll see if I can find Logan. Maybe give him a heads up. Okay?"

"Okay" She pulls her phone out again. "Gonna try him one more time on my way."

She starts down the hall and has almost reached the end when she turns around and looks at her old boyfriend standing there, alone in his dead sister's bedroom doorway.

"Thanks Duncan. For everything."

"You're welcome Veronica. You are always welcome." Sadly he leaves the threshold of the bedroom, closing the door behind him, he heads down the hallway in the opposite direction. Duncan can hear Veronica's quick footsteps as she rushes down the back stairs. He stops, remembering the photo of Lilly that had caught his eye. Smiling a little to himself, he reverses direction, walking the way he'd just come. Arriving at Lilly's room, he opens the door he'd closed only moments before.

Aaron Echolls is calmly standing there, holding the photo of Lilly in his hand. "She sure was a hot little number, but such a bitch - your sister." He holds the picture so that Duncan can see it, and slowly walks toward him. Duncan is stunned in frozen silence. "I always thought you were a nice kid – a good friend to Logan. Maybe a bit slow, but not everyone can be as fast as your sister was, eh?" He chuckles, but there is no humor in it.

In seconds, Aaron is standing nose to nose with Duncan. "I need those tapes, Donut."

Anger is pouring out of the older man, and Duncan knows he should be afraid, but hearing this monster use the nickname only his sister had ever called him, broke some dam inside the younger man and in a moment, he too is overcome by rage. Without conscious thought, Duncan's hands become fists and he leans in and yells. "YOU KILLED HER!"

"Yep. Sure did." Aaron smiles as he says it, and reaches blindly to the desk just behind him – quickly finding what he is looking for. As Duncan pulls back a fist to punch him, Aaron bashes a stapler into the side of Duncan's head.

Duncan falls to the floor. He does not move.

The famous movie star looks down at the second Kane he's felled, and frowns. This is not at all going according to plan. "Damn" he mutters. He wipes the stapler on Duncan's shirt, and drops it to the floor. He then tucks the photo into the inner pocket of his dinner jacket and straightens his tie.

Collecting his thoughts, he puts years of acting to good use and smiles – a mask of self assured confidence slides into place. To anyone who doesn't know him well, he is once again - the handsome star of the big screen. His face - just moments earlier bent with rage, is now once again that of the man who has graced the "Sexiest Man Alive" magazine cover on more than one occasion.

His composure slips for just a moment as he reaches for the doorknob, and mutters through clenched teeth, "Now to find that nosey little bitch and get my tapes back". His voice trails off. He takes a deep breath, and the mask slides smoothly back into place again.

Fully composed, Aaron Echolls (dashing movie star and complete psychopath) casually steps over the still form at his feet, and exits the bedroom of Lilly Kane.

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

On the Coronado Bridge on the other side of Neptune – Logan sits on the railing his mother vaulted not so long ago - a bottle of Jack Daniels firmly grasped in one hand, his ringing cell phone in the other. He looks down at the display, and though his eyesight is already blurry from the booze; he can clearly make out the name of the caller.

"Well, if it isn't Veronica Mars calling, again…" he says to himself. Taking another swig of whiskey, he hits the 'ignore' button for the third time in twenty minutes. Shaking his head, he turns the phone off and shoves it into his pocket. Logan takes another drink, and leaning over, he stares into the black water far below.

To be continued…