Disclaimer: Same as always…
Summary: Keith's gone missing. It's up to Veronica to find him, with an unusual helping hand.
Veronica swore and grabbed her keys. She drove to the Sheriff's department and hurried into Lamb's office. Keith had promised he'd be back 11 days ago, and hadn't even called to inform his daughter of his change of plans. She'd started freaking out about 5 days ago, when she the tracking device in his phone had failed. She'd lost too much. She couldn't loose him as well.
Lamb knew it had to be one of the Mars'; no one else would just barge into his office unannounced and say nothing. "What?" He snapped, but the person didn't reply so Lamb finally looked up and was surprised to find Veronica standing nervously before him. Veronica never stood nervously or silent, so something had to be wrong. Avoiding Lamb's eyes, Veronica finally spoke. "My Dad's missing."
Keith was missing? Keith Mars was missing? That was both surprising and not. "How long?"
"He said he'd be home 11 days ago, and he hasn't called since he left 22 days ago." Lamb was sure that there was more to the story, because he knew Veronica, and she wouldn't come to him if she could find Keith herself. "The tracker in his phone isn't working. I tried and it failed. I called the phone company and his phone hasn't been used or turned on since he left." Veronica didn't have to tell Lamb that she was concerned for him to know, and he too felt worry for the missing man, a man he once considered a father figure, a mentor, and a friend.
"I'll help."
Veronica could not believe she'd gotten herself into this. She should have gone to Leo, he would've helped. But he didn't have as much experience as Lamb. Still, how she ended up agreeing to pose as Lamb's fiancée she didn't know. They pulled up outside a hotel in Riverdale, a small town Veronica had heard her father mention before he left. Tomorrow they planned to scout around and search for Keith, but for tonight, they needed to book a room.
"There's no way I'm getting into that bed with you." Stated Veronica as the door shut.
"We're supposed to be engaged. I'm not taking the ground. And I'm pretty sure you're not that innocent that you've never even shared a bed." Veronica glared at him as she went for the shower. As the water began to run in the bathroom, Lamb tried hard to not think about the fact that Veronica Mars was currently naked on the other side of the wall. Instead, busying himself with looking around the small room, double checking for any bugs. It was paranoid, but Lamb couldn't help himself, he had to be sure. Veronica exited the bathroom, now dressed in PJ pants and a singlet and Lamb went for a shower. By the time he came out, decked in a pair of boxer shorts and a 'South West Texas' jersey, Veronica was already under the covers with her eyes shut, but Lamb didn't believe she was really asleep. He switched off the light and climbed into bed behind her, leaving space between their two bodies.
She was mumbling, and tossing, but still asleep. In her struggles, Veronica had managed to hit Lamb and he was now awake, watching her. Quickly, he reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her closer, whispering, "Its okay. I'm here, I got you. Its okay," into her hair. She immediately stilled and relaxed. But Lamb was now stuck with an arm around the usually feisty blonde. Debating on moving away from her, Lamb decided to stay where he was and deal with the consequences tomorrow. It had been a long time since he had actually had a women, fully clothed, just sleep beside him. Resting his face inches from Veronica's, Lamb closed his eyes again and resumed his slumber.