Okay, so here is a new story from me. Again it's very AU, but I hope you guys like it, because I find it easier to write stories that don't stick exactly to the story line, and frankly this one is very different in a couple of respects.

So, here are some things that you need to know for the story to make any sense:

Lilly Kane is not dead, but she was raped.

Keith Mars accused Jake Kane of Lilly's rape and was made to resign as sheriff.

Same as in the real show, Veronica took her father's side, even though she wasn't really sure if Jake did it or not.

Lilly remained popular and spunky etc, but, again as in the show, Veronica has become an outcast, and Logan and Duncan sided with Lilly.

The story starts on the first day of Junior year, so Veronica has been a loner for about a year, just like in the show.

Enjoy…

Veronica pushes through the crowd surrounding the flag pole. Although there are a few whispers and knudges as she passes people, most of the high school students have their attention on the figure in front of them. A boy, probably about seventeen years old, is taped to the flag pole and being scrutinised by all the kids. Veronica notices all these things, as she sweeps a practised eye around the quad, along with something rather more crucial; the kid is naked, and being taunted by none other than Lilly Kane, her ex-bestfriend.

"I don't know who did this, but whoever you are I totally love you!" Lilly shrieks, leaning on her boyfriend, Logan Echolls, for support. "The new guy must have totally got what he deserved!"

She continues on in this manner, and no one does a thing to stop her, not even her brother, Duncan, who is looking slightly uncomfortable about the way his sister is acting. Veronica can't stand it, the way that everyone does what those three say, and never question their judgement or motives. She also hates the fact that up until last year, she was one of those sheep, albeit a favoured sheep, following Lilly's command. Unable to watch this disgusting display of power any longer, Veronica steps forward, pocket knife in hand.

"Don't even think about it, Mars." Lilly's voice is suddenly harsh.

Ignoring the taller girl, Veronica moves towards the boy and cuts him down. She pulls off the men's shirt that she has on over a tank top, and hands it to him, smiling. He takes it gratefully, and wraps it around his waist to hide everything.

"Thanks." He speaks simply, and Veronica is glad that he doesn't make a big deal out of her good deed.

"I'm Veronica, welcome to Neptune High. We need to get you some clothes." She says, leading him towards the boys locker rooms.

"You'll regret you ever did that, Mars. I will ruin you!" Lilly yells after them, annoyed that her fun has been stopped, and that anyone had the guts to stand up to her.

"What more can you do to me, Lilly? I'm already ruined by the lies you tell about me." Veronica calls back, levelly.

"So, am I the first guy they've done this to?" The boy watches Veronica as she seeks out a certain locker and bangs it open.

"Well, that depends on who did it to you." She replies, handing him a pair of jeans and boxers from the locker, along with a t shirt.

"It was some biker dudes." He tells her, as he turns and pulls on the underwear and jeans. "I don't know what any of them were called, but they wrote, 'don't forget the lesson taught to you by the PCHers' on my…uh.." He trails off, embarassed to be talking about this kind of thing in front of a girl, but she's looking at him intently, and obviously is less squeamish about this kind of thing than him.

"Well, that's a pretty good indication of who it was. The PCHers are Neptune's biggest biker gang," She explains, as he pulls on the t shirt. "Do the clothes fit?"

"Yeah they do, thanks. Why, uh, why do you have a locker in the guys lockerroom?" He asks, nervously. He isn't sure how this hardcore chick is going to react to any kind of question about herself.

"I don't. but I do know how to get into a couple of the lockers here, and specifically an ex-boyfriend of mine always keeps spare clothes in his locker." She explains.

"Okay then, I hope its not gonna be blamed on me when he gets pissed, though." The boy laughs. "I'm Wallace, by the way."

"Good to know. Don't worry about Duncan getting pissed, he's still hung up on me, whatever he says to the contrary, so all I'll have to do is make some comment about him dumping me for no reason and you'll be in the clear." She laughs, but suddenly looks serious again. "You don't have to worry about me selling you out, though. I'm not one of the androids outside, I stick by my guns, and my friends and allies need never worry about me turning on them for no reason."

Wallace is comforted by this, especially since from the sound of it, he's now become either a friend or an ally.

"So what's your first class?" She asks, as they walk back into the main corridor of Neptune High School.

"History, with Mr Rooks." He replies, trying to ignore the stares and whispers that are following them down the hall.

"Same here, I can keep on protecting you." She laughs, but stops when she notices his discomfort. "You don't need to worry, you know, the whole flag pole thing is old news, all the whispers are about me. Probably saying that I'm corrupting you, or you're my newest piece of ass or something." She doesn't look bothered, but Wallace can tell that she isn't as indestructible as she wants people to think.

They sit down next to eachother in the History room, just as the lesson is about to begin. "Why do they say things like that about you? And what were you talking about before when you said that girl had ruined you?"

"You see that girl over there?" She points at the blonde girl who had tormented Wallace that morning, talking to a teacher in the hallway. "That's Lillian Kane, eldest child of Jake Kane, the software giant. And that guy over there?" A boy withbrown hair and a brooding expression sitting in the corner was her next target. "Her younger brother Duncan – my ex. And then there's the surfer dude next to him," a blondy-brown haired due with a permanent smirk, "Logan Echolls, son of Aaron Echolls the famous movie star. He's Lilly's boyfriend, and the four of us used to be inseparable. They called us the Fab Four, and I was an honourary 09er because Lilly was my best friend, and then Duncan was my boyfriend. But pretty much a year ago, Lilly was raped and left for dead."

Wallace looks shocked, as his eyes go from one former member of the Fab Four to another.

"My dad thought that Jake Kane was the one who raped her, and of course there was this whole legal battle, and to cut a long story short, my dad was forced out of his position as Sheriff, and Logan, Duncan and Lilly made me choose between agreeing with them or standing by my dad." Her face gives no indication of sadness, but her voice is filled with emotion. "I chose my dad."

"Of course, wouldn't anybody?" Wallace asks.

"Well, that's what I would have thought, but apparently familial ties don't mean very much in Neptune, and I got completely cast out for being loyal to my dad. Neither of us think Jake did it anymore, but this dude came forward a few months ago and confessed and we're both sure that he didn't do it."

"Wow, that is one unbelievable story." Wallace looks awestruck.

"Well, welcome to Neptune, one big soap opera." She smiles wryly, and then turns her attention to the lesson.

By lunchtime, Wallace and Veronica are firm friends. He thinks she's the coolest girl he's ever met; not bothered by other people's opinion, funny, perky, saracastic and apparently a skilled baker. Veronica thinks he's exactly what she needs to keep her sane; nice, kind, funny, an all round good person, who won't be afraid to call her on bad decisions. When they sit down at Veronica's usual table, they're both glad of the blossoming friendship.

"So, Ronnie's got a new mantoy!" Logan Echolls' arrogant voice rings around the whole of the quad, as he stands on one of the benches at the 09er table. "I wonder how long it'll take the human flag to realise that she's using him for the man-parts we all saw this morning!"

Veronica clenches her fist slightly, but other than that gives no indication of having heard Logan's taunts. Wallace decides to follow suit and just ignore the rich kid as he continues in his tirade. The 09ers are all laughing at Logan's insults and digs, and the other students are all smiling and keeping quiet. It infuriates Wallace that no one has the guts to stand up to the bullying boy. When Lilly joins in with her boyfriend, Wallace tentatively puts his hand on Veronica's.

"Yeah, Logan, you're right. Veronica's such a whore that she's just got to have everyone!" Lilly's shrill voice carries even further than Logans, probably reaching the few people who are in the parking lot. At this comment, however, Veronica can't take it anymore, and stands up angrily.

"I'm sorry, did you mistake me for your reflection, Lilly, because let's get one thing straight, I'm. Not. You." Veronica's voice is quiet but furious, and the silence around the quad means that everyone can hear what she's saying. "But I do know you well enough to know that the reason you're being so vocal about my apparent sexual habits is that you hate the fact that now there is one guy that you most definitely can't have your way with, because I got to him first and he knows the truth." With that, Veronica picks up her bag and stalks into the parking lot. Before she leaves the quad, she turns to find everyone staring at her. "Oh my God, just get cable, you sad idiots. Cable or a spine."

Wallace follows her to her car, a rusty black LeBaron, where she is standing, breathing deeply.

"Are you okay, Veronica? You kinda blew up back there." He shyly touches her shoulder, and is shocked when the thick-skinned girl turns around and gives him a big hug.

"I'm so sorry. If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be a part of all this animosity. You'd just be one of those lemmings allowed to live quietly on the sidelines." She gushes into his shoulder.

"You forget, if it wasn't for you I'd probably still be taped to that flag pole, experiencing major chafing!" He says, trying to make her laugh. He doesn't succeed, but she pulls away from him and smiles bitterly.

"I hate the way they all follow her. She really is the Queen of Neptune High, and they are her humble peasants." She speaks bitterly. "And I used to be the Princess. How did I ever hold my tongue about all her antics."

"Seeing you now, I have absolutely no idea." Wallace admits, with a grin.

"Did you know that I used to be this quiet, meek, shy kid. I used to be all soft and cuddly, long blonde hair and candy cane dreams. And now look at me." She gestures to herself. "All angles and choppy hair. I can't stop myself from saying what I think, even if I try."

She looks like she's about to cry. "I've been forced to change so much."

"I may not be the best judge of this, having only just met you and never seen this 'old-veronica' you speak of," Wallace says, hesitantly, "But it seems to me that you're better off this way – if not happier then definitely truer to yourself."

Veronica looks up at her new friend in shock at his perceptiveness.

"Well well well, Wallace Fennel…oh! That rhymed, I'm a genius!" After her brief respite into what she would forever after refer to as her 'career as a poet' she becomes serious again. "Anyway, it seems to me that you know me pretty well already. You're right, I am better off."

They smile at eachother, enjoying a quiet moment in the parking lot, before they're interupted by catcalls coming from Logan, who had followed Veronica to the edge of the quad to torment her. Both Wallace and Veronica turn and flip the surfer off, before turning back to eachother and grinning widely.

"Wallace, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."