A/N: I've never wrote a fanfic, so hopefully it is ok. I really have a good idea with where I think I'm going so hopefully I don't mess it up too bad. Enjoy

Disclaimer: Although I love the characters they don't belong to me and I am doing this for entertainment! I make no money. Thank you Rob Thomas for fueling my imagination!

Chapter 1

She shut the door behind her the single room studio was now in complete darkness. In one fluid movement she had slipped off her shoes, and tossed personal belongings on a small side table, and without missing a step fell back over the arm of an over stuffed chair. The agile blonde let out a sigh of relief. Veronica then called out to "cat", and laughed out her corny humor. "Cat" had been her lucky bamboo and had outlasted all other relationships. Tonight she had been to drained to even order takeout via phone besides food was overrated instead she closed her eyes to rethink the day. Everyday was the same up at 4am, shower, dress, coffee, work, home, repeat times six days a week. Works only variable was solving a old crime on a new clue. Three more days of grueling field work chasing long forgotten shadows, and then Mars would be rewarded with a day of rest. Maybe this weekend she would rebel and leave the stale box to hit up the book shop, but who was she kidding even on her days off Veronicas mind was wrapped around a file, or five. This was the life she had always wanted- over achievements, being the best, solving crimes. This had been her passion since Lilly's death. It was stable, and never let her down. Several people had made appearances during her career, but never got close enough.

In the past seven years the quirky blonde had a few awkward one to two night stands, and off and on again coworker, and one serious mess up that still weighted on her mind. It had ended badly because she realized he was loyal, but had no passion to thrive. His happiness was only to please her. He was to nice and be default that made him a liability. Cappie had loved her. He ran a produce stand at the local farmers market, drove a hybrid, and did only for the greater good. Piz had introduced them under Parker's insistence. For two years Veronica and Cappie had courted. She felt the need to be in a relationship it had sounded like the right thing to do at this time in her life. For months he had requested she take a long weekend from work. Only out of sheer guilt she finally caved in. The two hopped into his overly priced hipster car and took the two hour drive from Portland to Astoria. As the radio tuned out to fuzz her mind tuned in to the compiling observation of the drive. Cappie had worn a polo shirt, not a hoodie, and it had been pouring down rain. His hair had been unusually trimmed up. He wanted to forgo their favorite cafe along the way. The suspensions had only been growing. Veronica despised surprises, but tried to humor him. After all he was a decent guy. Upon arrival Cappie insisted she put on a blindfold, but in almost an instant she shot him down. He then apologized and kept driving through some residentials on a small hill. As he turned off to park- her head began to spin. Everything was coming into focus now. The familiar cars all lined in a row. The Piznarskys' family suv with all six stickers , eight including the dogs, his parents, and last but not least her dads. As he nudged her along a white picket fence she realized this wasn't a surprise, but part of a conspiracy or ambush. Anxious but surely not confused by now Veronica felt the need to go back to the car, but Cappie had already opened the beach homes door only to reveal several people holding up letters that coordinately spelled out M-A-R-R-Y M-E. That moment she felt all the color drain from her face. Veronica had another epiphany in her life- this too had been a facade. Maybe she couldn't be happy as a two. Less than a week later the relationship had ended. Luckily Cappie had been able to cancel the loan paperwork on the house, and being so attentive to her needs to and overly obedient point he didn't even bother to try and convince her to stay. Another disappointment to the bed post that was her life. Besides she knew that he would have wanted more attention, the one thing he did on his own and surprise her with the ring and a house. This only proved her her he wanted Veronica to share his dreams which included the nine to five job, relocation to a safe neighborhood, and a possible American dream with 2.5 children. Although a beautiful dream- it had been just that. She couldn't commit. A few months after the split up, and several single serve ice creams later the mother of lucky bamboo once again submerged herself in caffeine and bad guys.

Sometime around midnight she woke up with a crink in her neck. Still in full work attire she rose up and made he way across the room to her kitchenette. She felt like a zombie. Veronica shifted manilla folders to the side uncovering her holy grail the coffee pot. With only a few hours before work and a restless sleep she decided to start the day early. She flipped on a lamp, sat down in the chair and opened the first folder in reach. This particular case had been about a senators son. She began rambling motives and stared off into space only to notice a tiny flickering light from her cell phone. She picked it up to discover fourteen missed phone calls.

"Well aren't I popular tonight", she said out loud as she dialed her voice mail to see what was so urgent.

Then there it was the voice on the other side, a very concerned Wallace, "V you need to come home now, its your dad, there's been an accident".

The next message started to play, " Veronica please call us"... before the message had finished she had hung up and speed dialed her former friend, now step sibling. The few rings before connected seemed forever to her. She already placed some items in a small messenger bag.

Wallace had answered, " Veronica please come home", he said.

"What happened", she demanded as a million thoughts flew through her head.

"Your dad got shot tonight- hes not looking good. It had been awhile before someone had found him". By that statement she was out the door and heading to her car.

" Ill be there as soon as I can", frantically she ran to her car and began making arrangements. Being that she had refused any sort of personal days, sick days, or vacations her boss at the bureau had been easily swayed, and told her to take as long as she needed. For one of the first times she was a a loss. She had to beat traffic and flew out of PDX as soon as she could.

In flight questions circled head how, what, where and about all WHO? Veronica mars was already trying to solve this one. The place had landed As she walked out the gates she felt the warm sun and brighter climate soak into her vitamin D deficient body. She wondered what this warmth was because she had grown accustom to the cold wet overcast that was Oregon. With only a carry on bag she completely skipped over baggage and continued in route to hail a cab and head straight for Neptune. She left her life behind here many years ago swearing never to return,

"Veronica is on her way. The plane has touched down", Wallace said in a hushed voice. Alicia, Daryll, and Wallace acknowledged him with concerned looks on their faces. Logan hadn't moved- one arm propped against the window. the other resting on the back of his head. The room now stood at an awkward silence aside from the frequent beeps of medical equipment. Logan turned around, flipped a peace symbol and left. Wallace followed him.

"Dude she might need you", prodded Wallace.

"Ronnie need help maybe not, but I'm around if he wakes up", nodding at the former sheriff. And with that he walked away.

Logan Echolls hit the rest rooms on the way out from West Neptune Medical Center. He looked in the mirror and splashed cold water on his slightly rugged face. He had spent the last several hours next to Keith Mars side. The two had became unlikely friends over the last few years even despite of Mars uncommon threaded daughter. Little to Veronicas knowledge the guys had bonded over coffee and pancakes at least once a week. Logan purposely never brought up her name. Veronica was his catalyst- she was selfish, arrogant, annoying the list went on and on, but she was also the one that matched the his jaded levels in almost each way. Not a day went by with out some fringed thought about her. Sometimes good things, familiar smells, silly mementos, and some days the bitter man woke up pissed off at the world because of her and would curse her in his mind for the rest of the day. Damn her, and damn her again because to an extent he had to credit her for making him a better person. Occasionally the cynical mess would see a tabloid featuring pictures of himself labeled playboy, surfing vacay scandal, prostitution ring love interest etc. none of which were really true maybe slightly misconstrued, but he would laugh and wonder what Veronica had though of his exploits. The last time he had seen her was their sophomore year of college. They had been back together for almost a year when she started avoiding him. He could tell she was feeling anxious and not willing to work things out. What was new. After several attempts of communication- which neither was a strong suit of theirs he finally told her he was done. Before she could tell him (which he was already aware of) that she was leaving school early to start her FBI career, he shut her down and told her he was going to study abroad, and wanted to see other people. This was a blatant lie, he had finally chose a major and had no plans on leaving nor did he want to see any other girls, but he figured this would be the only way she would leave without being broken again. Besides even though he loved her- their lives had been an epic mess. After she left Logan had focused on school. He a had since finished college with film and went straight into producing. His favorites tended to be documentaries and indifilms. He finally found something he knew, but could step out from his fathers shadows. The industry was already paved in platinum, for the golden boy. And as was Veronica, he too was a prodigy. Who the hell cared how she saw him now. He was Logan Echolls.

As she entered the double doors people began to stop and stumble some new, some old. Veronica held he composure, and pushed through. As she approached the reception desk a red head spun around. She sported the nsme tag Mandy. It was very apparent that Mandy had been aware of Veronica's reputation given how she nervously delivered Mr. Mars whereabouts without asking to home the blonde was. Veronica was unsure to take this as a compliment or an offensel Eitehr way she was back. The smell of sterility and fake floral aromas drifted through the drab halls. As she reached room KCM-24 she held her breath and sneaked through the paisly curtains. She forced a smile the snarky essence of this V.I.P. brust i with her first bit.

"You know you didn't need to get shot for a visit", exclaimed Veronica with a poorly humored joke.

Everyone looked up. Wallace, Daryll, and Weevil smiled in unison, Alicia relieved, but slightly confused with her step daughters humor. Her dad still in a slumber. Weevil was first in line he picked her up in a hug and spun her around. Veronica missed this basic comfort. Her family- as strange as the term felt. She filtered through hugs and made a spot by her dad taking in the situation. Keith Mars has been secretive the last few months taking extra shifts as he sometimes did. Alicia aware, but not to Weevil who had helped him out on occasions. Bits and pieces of story following through. Last ight he had been found outside by a dumpster behind the Riverstyx. Of corse Veronicas head took over profiling each of the Fitzpatricks mugshots- all coincidentally, and permanently sprawled in her memory. Weevil went on and on about specifics to the case. Veronica selectively hearing. Between Wallace, Alicia, and the doctor the jist was Keith Mars would not be there. Her hero had taken a non critical shot through the upper shoulder and collar bone missing the sternum "miraculously" missing the heart, carotid artery, aortic arch, and all other main veins. Although this didn't kill him it also suggested with the broken bones, and bruising he had nearly been beaten to death, and tortured into submission before taking the shot. The Sheriff didn't have a chance to fight back. This was deliberate. Keith Mars had a slow bleed out, and mas amounts of swelling to the brain. The doctor continued to go on about the loss of oxygen causing his brain to shut down and not function correctly. He had fallen and his body now was on life support. Even if he woke up he would never be the same. With this news delivered Veronica wasn't sure how to process this. Weevil headed out to work on some leads and Veronica took comfort along side her family.

Holding her dads hand Veronica let out a small mumble, "Sunday".

"Exscuse me", Alicia looked up questioning with no attitude intended.

"The last time we talked. Told me he never intednded on me following his footsteps, and although proud. He said I needed to find a new hobby preferably one that involved me visiting more often and asking why I never show up for our traditional brunches."

"Well your here now and thats what counts. You know he is really proud of you? Right", she wrapped her arm around Veronicas shoulder pulling her in.

"Yeah...thanks", the pale uncomftrable blonde aknowledged the enderment nodding her head.

"Have you thought about reaquainting with some of your friends you know while your here", Alicia asked trying to make small talk.

"I don't know if you know my track record", Verionica started to say when Wallace interupted.

"Hey mom why dont you guys go get something to eat, and I can run V so she can get settled in", Wallace said with an over the top smile hoping his mom would drop the subject.

" Yeah thats a good idea. I think well wait until you get back", smiling at Daryll as he raised a eyebrowl in annoyed acceptence.

Veronica took a few minutes saying goodbye to her family and a few alone minutes with her dad and took off with Wallace. She thought about how she had once lived here, but it just wasn't home. Driving down the main roads Wallace pulled something out of the drivers window.

"I kinda figured you wouldn't want to stay at home, and my place is cramped so we made some other arrangements for ya", said Wallace.

With that he passed her a hotel swipe card for where else but the Neptune Grand. Being that she was utterly exhausted she didn't argure and went along with it. As she flipped the card over it hit her with which room she had...the suite. Not just any, but the one that she had frequently shared with Logan. The universe had already been working against her.

"Really Wallace, of all people you too? How could you? Who exactly is we and who made these arrangements?", her temper spiked, fueling her with energy.

"Does it really matter sis? No one has even mentioned his name. We are bending over backwards." Wallace said as Veronica spat back in anger.

"I didn't ask for anyone to sugar coat.", as she was interupted again.

" Whoa woman, I also had a plan B. or C. or even plan D. I never let you down", as he brought out a set of keys.

This set of keys were beat up and marked with the Camolot. Oh how she loathed this place, but even with a history of drugs and scandles, atleast it wasn't the Grand. The memory was still etched in her brain from their first kiss, but beggers couldnt be choosers.

"Only the best for you V", Wallace smiled.

Veronica seemed more content with this one. "What a fine establishemnt- and for that I thank you. I think unless there are bedbugs, because then you will pay. By the way one I am not apologizing. Two I never asked you to sugar coat anything".

"But you never returned- we miss you", Wallace said in all seriousness.

"I know", she replied and pulled back into her shell, "Hey by the way who paid for the grand", she asked already knowing the answer.

Wallace ignored and kept driving. He dropped her off, and told her to call when she was ready to go back to the hospital.