Post series Veronica in the FBI, Lamb still alive, Veronica transferring a witness.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Veronica Mars or any of the characters.
Chapter 2
Keith hugged his only daughter tightly. He couldn't even remember how many months it had been since they had seen each other. But sadly what came to his mind was, it had been years since she was home for the anniversary of Lilly's death. Is she going to handle it okay? Celeste and Jake had split, but she knew that. What she didn't know was that her mom was back in town. How am I going to explain that one?
"That answers my question, I guess," Seth just had to speak, and ruin the moment.
"Veronica, we are ALL going to need to talk about," he motioned to everyone but landed on Lamb, "all of this." While Sherriff Mars was speaking Don Lamb had walked over to the rest of the group. Very skittishly he extended his arm to Keith Mars; his former boss, friend, mentor and regrettably enemy; "Hi Keith, it's good to see you."
"To be honest Don, I knew you were coming, not many people take a baseball bat to the head and have knowledge to the case that you're testifying at. I'm glad you're alive," Keith ignores Lamb's extended hand and goes in for a hug. Lamb does not refuse it, he was hoping this would happen, he remember Keith's words when he was in the hospital.
*Flashback*
"Donald Lamb, age 29, Sherriff of Balboa County. That's all your file says, Lamb. But we both know there is more to you than that. I know, by the way, I've always known. You love her. You really do, she was yours from the moment you laid eyes on her. She has a way of doing that to people. And I know things have not been on good terms with us for years now, I regret it. It was my fault, you just did what you thought was right; I shouldn't have acted so betrayed. You didn't betray us. We betrayed you," Keith was crying know. "You are not allowed to die Sherriff. You are not allowed to leave us like this!"
*Present time*
Don remembered it all. That too kept him going. The men finally separated from the embrace, only to have Sacks nearly attack Lamb with his own. It was evident that Sacks had missed his best friend, and Lamb too. As much as Sacks loved Keith and was one of his supporters, he never wavered his alliance with either Keith or Lamb.
Lamb released Sacks, "It's good to see you, guys," was all he said. It was all that needed to be said on the subject for now.
Two cars were brought, Deputy Sacks' and Keith's; not the cruiser though, their personal cars. Lamb and Veronica climbed into the backseat of Keith's car; while Seth rode with Sacks.
"I'm bit surprised, Keith that you're not all that surprised that I'm here. Alive," Lamb asked after five minutes of some awkward silence.
"Agent Morrison, Veronica's boss, called me and told me everything," there was a brief pause, Keith looked directly at Donald Lamb through the rear view mirror, and added, "Everything". Keith had a small smile on his face while Lamb looked a bit terrified. Veronica was following the conversation, "I told him years ago about us, there's no need to worry," she said to reassure him that he was not going to be castrated for touching his only daughter. Veronica giggled a little in to the crease of Lamb's neck before she kissed it.
Keith was happy that she was happy. He remembered when he had told Veronica the news of the former Sherriff's death.
*Flashback*
Veronica answered the phone that interrupted their little spat, "Mars Investigation," she said. When she walked in to let her father know who it was they continued the conversation about Josh, before she left the room she reminded him that the County Commissioner's Office was on hold. Keith took the phone call and listened intently. Veronica walked towards the office door when she heard Keith say "I am very sorry to hear that," she focused in on his words trying to figure out what was going on. Her face looked as though she could already guess what the news was; it took a while for Keith to think of the words to tell her. He stood at his desk, "Yeah umm… He says, he says Sherriff Lamb is dead,". Veronica looked confused at first, and then it finally registered. She didn't know what to say, or what to do. So she merely stood there in the door frame between the lobby and her father's office.
Keith thought it was a natural reaction, over the last couple of years they hadn't been friendly, actually they seemed to downright hate each other, but he knows that she missed the old Deputy Lamb that she grew up around. That was her best friend. Until everything went downhill, that is. He thought she was just morning the loss of what the man once was. But alas, he was wrong.
When Keith came home that night, he heard faint cries coming from Veronica's room. Keith goes to open the door but changes his mind, and continues to his own room.
As the days passed, she acted normal during the day. Continued the usual banter with friends, kept her grades up, kept her cases up to date, and even went out with friends. But Keith always heard her muffled cries at night. He never confronted her but he knew she mourned the death of Lamb, she missed him. She cared for him far more then he knew. Something had happened but he never asked questions. She would tell him when the time came.
*Present time*
"So Sheriff how's the department?" Lamb asked.
"Well you know how it goes, lots of hard work. Maybe you don't actually," The sheriff begins the old banter between the two of them; "I don't need a teenager girl to solve all of my cases for me".
"Yeah well as her father you should have seen all the laws she broke. Do not remember how many times I had to arrest her?"
They all laughed at the words that were spoken, it was just like old times. The jokes continued they all went back and forth make comments about past mistakes and stupid comments that the past contained.
"Okay, I hate to bring things back to a serious note, but are you ready for the trial?" Keith asked in a serious tone with a hint of worry.
"Uhhh… yeah. A little nervous though."
"Why's that, Lamb? You had the case practically solved before, well, everything."
"You mean to say dad, that our local sheriff actually solved a case without ME!" Veronica played her best fake offensive comeback.
"Yes, dear, he did. "
They continued to vaguely speak about the case. Their talk was so ambiguous that Veronica began to get frustrated that they weren't filling her in on the good stuff. But eventually she, decided Lamb would tell her when he was good and ready, she didn't want to push now that she finally had him again.
