Authors Note: This is a not for profit fiction that rips not only from Veronica Mars but from Dickens Christmas Carol as well as a few others. Reviews, as always, spur updates. So speak up if you enjoy!

-Gestalt

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Neptune California produced a lot of things; software millionaires, either spoiled or disgruntled teens, myriad conspiracies and lately… Dead people.

Not that you'd notice that last one so much if you lived in Neptune. But it was becoming an increasingly obvious fact to the people spending their afterlife there.

Lynn Echolls fluttered happily about the afterlife. "Places! Places everyone!" She called out to the bustling crowd while clutching her clipboard. "We're down to the wire people! Let's make this happen!"

Mr. Fennell, a small and wiry man who had followed his sons and wife to town, smiled at Lynn as she passed and she blushed slyly in reply to Wallace's step-dad.

"How's this look Mrs. E?" A voice called out.

"Oh! That's perfect Gustavio! I wouldn't change a thing dear… Except your hair. Do something with your hair before you go on, will you? That's wonderful."

"Mrs. Echolls?" A meek voice asked softly. "What do you think of this dress?"

"Meg, please, call me Lynn and…" Lynn stepped back and gasped slightly. "Oh, Meg! It's stunning!"

Aaron Echolls slid up beside her. "Lynn! I don't know how anyone expects me to…"

"Aaron!" She barked, silencing both him and those close by. "You're helping some old friends and you're not in The Pit. Now shut up and sit down!"

"Yes dear." He shrank away.

Lynn beamed at Meg. "Oh, don't you just love Christmas? I just love Christmas!"

"It's a good time for this." Meg said slyly. "I miss being involved… Over there."

Lynn looked down at her clipboard and Meg interrupted her.

"Is it true?" Meg said it softly but it silenced the entire crowd all the same. "About Lilly? About…" But she couldn't go on.

Lynn swallowed slightly and then looked out to the group. Tears stung at the back of her astral throat and she took a long, slow breath in through her nose before she smiled. "Please, gather around, everyone…"

And the large crowd moved in to surround her, giving her their undivided attention.

"A lot of you have questions… About Lilly. And that's understandable considering the situation… But we have two missions to accomplish tonight."

Everyone hung, almost embarrassed, on her words.

"We have two souls to save and only one night to do it!"

Everyone murmured in appreciation and agreement.

"… And I know we can make it happen." She added softly.

And again, the crowd felt a swell of agreement and camaraderie of focus.

"When we've done that… I promise. I will tell you everything I know. But for now…" She smiled.

"Let's do this thing!" Someone called out from the back of the crowd and they broke in to a cheer and each broke for their position.

All, that is, but one.

Lynn stepped up and took Curly Muran's hand in hers. "Are you ready?"

He looked like he'd been crying and he nodded repeatedly.

It was well known that David 'Curly' Muran harbored a lot of residual guilt about his all-but-accidental involvement in the Neptune bus crash.

"Are you sure I can't…" He swallowed and looked down at his feet. "I thought, if they needed someone to…"

"David." She smiled. "You've got the right job tonight already. You'll see. I promise."

He smiled sadly and meekly. "If you say so Lynn. I'm behind this all the way."

"I know you are." She patted his arm. "We all do. Now, places, right?"

He nodded and shuffled quickly off to make his final preparations.

Lynn took a deep, cheerful breath.

She knew it would happen.

She knew they could do it.

Before tonight was over… They were going to change the world.

"People, places… I can feel it coming… In five, four, three…" She held up two fingers, then one and then clenched her fist over her head and…

The theme song began.

A long time ago

We used to be friends

But I haven't

Thought of you lately

At all…