A/N: I haven't written fan fiction in a while, so I'm feeling a little rusty. I wanted to read a LoVe story set in the world of the season 4 mini-pilot/pitch trailer Rob Thomas made for the CW. This is the story I wanted to read, so I'm writing it for myself. I hope other people like it too. Feel free to give me feedback. I'm writing this on my breaks, so it's not always as smooth or error free as I would like, but I'll edit as I notice errors or have them pointed out to me. Thanks!
Disclaimer: Rob Thomas and Warner Bros. retain all rights, but I'm a proud Kickstarter of the movie. Woo!
Agent Hendrix stood at the front of the room, breaking down new tasks. Veronica was still waiting for her coffee to take effect, needing it more than usual after a string of sleepless nights due to a stakeout earlier in the week.
The word "Neptune" startled her into full alertness. Agent Hendrix flashed up a slide of the River Stix, and Veronica leaned forward in her seat.
"The local law enforcement has been working on a case against a crime syndicate in Neptune, which is about an hour south of here, for those of you as yet unfamiliar with the geography of Southern California.
"Due to some extensive drug transportation across both state lines and the US-Mexico border, we're getting called in to represent the Feds. We will be working with the ATF and DEA as well."
A few groans were heard throughout the auditorium. Veronica was very familiar with the territorial tendencies of law enforcement, and didn't make a sound.
Agent Hendrix ignored the groans and continued, "We'd like to plant an undercover agent. Seth?"
Seth nodded his assent, and Veronica's hand shot up.
"Special Agent Mars?"
"That's not going to work," Veronica offered.
"And why is that?" Hendrix asked.
"The Fitzpatricks are a family. Literally. 12 criminals and 1 priest, unless they've added to their number or died. They won't accept an outsider."
"How did—" He trailed off momentarily before changing the course of his comment, "You're the agent from Neptune. All right Mars, you're on this team. You can help figure out a cover that will actually work to get Seth into the Fitzpatrick organization."
Seth shot Veronica a look, but she stared straight ahead, trying to sort out her feelings about this unexpected homecoming. The Sheriff would certainly be glad to see her, she thought.
"Any other volunteers for this task force?" Agent Hendrix asked.
Both Callie Farmer & Carter raised their hands and Agent Hendrix pointed at a few other agents.
"Prepare to leave for Neptune this afternoon. You have a meeting with the rest of the task force at the sheriff's department this evening at five."
Veronica couldn't stop a small smile from expanding across her face. Her father would be happy to have her home, and she couldn't wait to see him.
*-*-*-X-*-*-*
Veronica drove down to Neptune with Callie, Carter, and Olsen, one of the agents Hendrix has assigned. She was glad she didn't have to share a car with Seth. It was still uncomfortable between them, although he wasn't intentionally excluding her from events the same way he had the first few weeks of their posting.
She wished that she was returning home for a vacation instead of work. Having her own car and getting to stay with her dad and his still fairly-new wife would have been ideal, but being with her team was important, so she'd be enjoying one of Neptune's many fine hotels. Or motels, most likely, since the Bureau didn't usually spring for places like the Neptune Grand. They ended up in places like the Camelot. She was willing to bet they actually would be staying at the Camelot.
She remembered a DEA undercover agent staying there when she was in high school. She also remembered a lot of stakeouts at the Camelot. More powerful than any of those memories, she remembered it was where she and Logan had their first kiss. The Camelot would never fail to remind her of him and that surprising kiss.
Veronica pushed that thought away. It had been three years since she'd seen him. As far as she knew, he hasn't been home to Neptune in that time. Dwelling on him would only make this assignment harder.
Returning home for work was strange. Neptune was where she got her start, but she hasn't expected it to be a part of her life in the FBI. Knowing Neptune, there would be more to this case than she expected. She was a Mars though, and for them, Neptune was home.