AUTHOR: Nicky Ji
RATING: PG
TIMELINE: Post 2.01 Manhunt

REMEMBERING VERONICA

"She always wanted to become a lawyer. Even before she'd even begun thinking about going to college and what degree to do, she knew she wanted to study law. Vee was one of those people who believed in doing the right thing; helping people; trying to make the world a better place. I guess she was like you. She could see the faults in the world, but she could also see a way to fix them.
I think that's why she stuck with Lincoln despite everything.

You know, Veronica was the only person who managed to persuade Linc to have good old-fashioned fun instead of getting stoned and drunk like his friends did. I remember when she was going through a phase of taking day trips to random places. She would sit on the floor and point to a place on a map. Didn't matter where she pointed, she and Linc would always go there.

She was definitely a spontaneous person. Veronica always liked eating at different restaurants - she would rarely go to same one twice, saying 'been there, eaten that' - and she was constantly trying out new clothes and hairstyles. Once, she actually bleached her hair blond.

I think that's why Lincoln liked her. She kept him guessing. You never knew what she would be interested in the next week. But she always remained sweet and kind. She cared for Lincoln and gave him the stability and comfort he needed.

She gave me that too."

You look up from his twisting hands to his downcast eyes.

"You miss her a lot."

He nods in response, his lips curled back.

"When she died, I was so busy dealing was everything else that I never gave myself the chance to process the fact that she was gone. But now I can't stop thinking about and reliving the past year...It's hard to believe I'll never see her again.

It's harder for LJ. I'm not sure he'll ever fully forgive Lincoln for not telling him about Veronica straight away. She wasn't a mother to him, but she was like an aunt. At times it felt like the four of us were a family, me, Lincoln, LJ and Vee. We went through so much together. She was the one who helped him deal with his mother's death. It's ironic that she helped Linc do the same back when we were kids."

His voice cracks and a single tear seeps through his lashes. He won't tell you - he's said sorry enough to you - but he is filled remorse and regret over Veronica. You take a deep breath because you know one of you is going to have to say it.

"Michael..."

"I know. But I still feel guilty. It may have been her choice to help, but I was till the one who asked for that help."

He lifts his eyes and meets yours. Beneath the film of tears, you see a glint of acceptance swimming in the sadness. Reaching forward, you straighten his black tie and smooth down the lapels of his jacket.

It's time to mourn Veronica with the other people who remember her.