Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own any of the characters or any lines you may recognise from the show.


Of two things Veronica Mars was certain. The first; somebody was cooking in her kitchen and the second; she had made a big mistake last night. Groaning, she pulled her pillow over her head to block out the early morning sun, and hopefully her own failings in the love department. She was momentarily considering the idea of smothering herself when the smell of bacon cooking reached her nose. Maybe she was being a little hasty, she thought, after all her problem would still be there after she stuffed herself with the greasy meat, wouldn't it?

Pulling the pillow from her head, resigned to face the world, she opened her eyes and blinked, then blinked again;

"What the-?" She murmured, all thoughts of bacon and Logan flying from her head. Why on earth were her walls pink?! And for that matter, why was her Dad cooking?! He never cooked breakfast unless there was bad news he had to tell her.

"Veronica sweetie, time to get up." A voice called from the kitchen, a voice Veronica knew well.

Mom?! Veronica thought, springing upright. Slowly Veronica took in her room, the pink walls, the pink comforter, the girly bed, the white dresser and stuck in the dressers mirror were pictures she'd long since hidden away of her, Lilly, Duncan and Logan from before Lilly's death when they were still the Fab Four. A knocking sounded at her door.

"Veronica?" Her Mother's voice called again. Jumping out of her bed she swung open her bedroom door and came face to face with her mother for the first time in months.

"Mom what are you doing here?" Veronica asked, really beginning to panic. The last time she had seen her mother she had told her that she needed to leave, and she had, taking the $50,000 Celeste Kane had given her Dad.

"Making sure you were awake Sleepy head." Lianne grinned. "Now come on, your breakfast is getting cold." She said, turning around and heading back toward the kitchen. Veronica's eyes followed her, taking in the familiar surroundings of the house she had grown up in but had not called home in almost three years.

"Veronica you're going to be late if you keep standing there." Her mother called. Turning back into her room and shutting the door behind her, Veronica, who was still in a state of shock, stood still for a moment, before making her way over to her dresser. Staring at her reflection, she took in her long blonde hair and bright pink pajamas. Surely this had to be a dream, people just didn't wake up 3 years in the past every day, surely there would have been news reports and prodding scientists. Of course it was a dream, calm down Veronica, it's just a dream. Just to be sure she pinched herself.

"Ow!" She gasped. Ok, so pinching hurt. This had to be a dream right, right?!

"Veronica I don't hear movement in there." Her Mother's voice called. Ok so the time for action was upon her, obviously this reality's version of her mother didn't care that she was currently in the midst of a break down, she just wanted her daughter to get to school on time. Maybe she should play along, maybe if she played out whatever this was she'd wake up and be back in her own bed in her crappy little two bedroom apartment with her dad and her dog.

Decision made, she wrenched open the door of her cupboard and blanched at the outfits she had to choose from, it screamed 'Peppy Princess', and maybe that's who she was in this reality, but it wasn't who she was anymore. Resigned to her fate of a vomit inducing pink preppy outfit, she started shuffling through the hangers before her eyes landed on a long white dress. A dress she had long since thrown out in her reality. Pulling it from its hanger she stared at the dress that represented the night she had lost her last shred of innocence. Maybe it was fate that she saw this particular dress sitting in front of her never worn, or maybe it had something to do with taking back what she had lost that night, her control over her own body. Maybe it was just a silly coincidence, especially since she had bought the dress, still she found herself stripping off her pajamas and putting on the dress. This time around this dress would hold only happy memories.

Pulling on a pair of wedged sandals, she quickly visited the bathroom, before heading down the hall to her mother.

"Morning Mom." She said as she entered the kitchen.

"Oh Veronica, don't you look beautiful." Her Mother cooed and came over to place a kiss on her cheek. "Doesn't she look beautiful Keith?" She asked of her Husband, who already sat at the table in his sheriff uniform. Veronica took in her Father, who looked happier and younger looking than she could remember seeing him look in a long time.

"Absolutely beautiful." Keith Mars said, smiling at his only child.

"Thanks Dad." She said, making her way over to him and kissing him lightly on his balding head.

"Morning Honey, did you sleep well?" He asked.

"Well enough." She smiled back at him, she didn't realise how much she had missed seeing her father look this relaxed. Lianne walked over and placed a plate of bacon and pancakes in front of Veronica.

"Eat quickly, your ride will be here soon." Now focused on the bacon in front of her, her Mother's comment never quite registered until she heard a car horn beeping.

"Looks like your rides her Sweetie." Her Dad reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty.

"Have fun Honey." She stood up and was quickly ushered toward the door by her mother, reaching over to grab the money her Father offered before a pale pink backpack was thrust into her hands and she found herself out the door.

"Hurry up Ronica, we're going to be late!" A voice called, making Veronica's eyes snap towards the calling voice. She should have known, her Mother was still around and her Father was still sheriff, it was only natural her dead best friend would still be alive...