Feel free to scroll down to actually read the next chapter. I just thought I'd show some gratitude for you reading this story first
Firstly– thanks a million to everyone who read and reviewed. Reading through all of them absolutely made it worth me not having just slept through the day. (when I first woke up this morning, I was very tempted. I kicked myself for actually going to school. I get home, read everything you wrote, and my day wasn't so bad after all. )
A couple of responses to those who were confused or something:
Thelma -the idea was that Duncan knew it was her, and wanted her to come back to Neptune, yeah. Thanks for the review
Basketballsuzie – probably, yes, she would. I didn't really like writing her as being (marginally) stupid at not recognising him/herself, but that's the way it worked out. Thanks for the review – glad you liked it
Mssexymixx – I haven't decided who lilly's dad is yet, it could go either way… also, yes, Veronica was still attacked at Hearst, the only difference being that Mercer successfully raped her. (though at the moment, no-one knows about that…)
Quick disclaimer: I own nothing. Not even a dvd. (only two more months until my birthday, though… crosses fingers)
Chapter Two
Duncan arrived back at his hotel room just as his cell phone rang.
"Hello?"
"So you and Logan are friends again?"
Duncan laughed, "Yeah. It took a while, but it happened."
"How's Lilly, Duncan?" She smiled at the thought of a baby Lilly Kane.
"She's… big. She's going to college in the fall," her said, thinking back to when Lilly had treated Veronica as her mother.
"They grow up so fast. Anyway, who the hell is having a 30th birthday party?"
Duncan laughed again, "Guess."
"Madison Sinclair?"
"Yeah. Though she's technically Madison Lamb now,"
"Lamb as in the Sheriff?!"
"Yep. Never woulda guessed, huh?"
"Ew. I'm really invited?"
"I know, it's shocking, isn't it? The invitation has a plus one, just… please don't bring a date. For both my and Logan's sakes," Duncan pleaded.
"Okay. I have just the person in mind," she smiled to herself; her daughter was going to go insane. "Will you come by and give me the invitation tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll see you first thing, Vee."
The next day, Duncan arrived at the Mars, Inc. office at nine o'clock once again. Immediately, he greeted Veronica with a tight embrace.
"Hey, let me breathe a little!" she laughed.
"Sorry, Vee. I don't want to let you go, just in case you pull another disappearing act, y'know?" He explained, only half joking.
"Well, you found me once, you could find me again pretty easily, I'm sure."
"You'd think, but I don't think Logan can last another sixteen years without you," he looked at his feet, embarrassed for his friend.
"Yeah? If I remember Logan, he'll have had no problem moving on quicker than you can say "Get over it!"" she laughed, but was greeted with a sullen look.
"You should know, 'Ronica, I'm practically dragging him to Madison's party. He doesn't know that I've found you, but I told him that showing up would be something you'd do for whatever reason. He agreed. So please, at least think about it," Duncan pleaded.
"I wouldn't miss it. Are you taking your Lilly?"
"I certainly am, I want her to meet you again," he smiled, ignoring the use of "your", which would ordinarily perplex him.
"Great, I can't wait to meet her. So tell me, when and where is this get together?"
"Neptiune. The address is on your invitation. The only worrying thing is that it's on Saturday. Sorry about the short notice, but you're a tricky person to find."
"That's okay, I'm still as unpopular as I used to be. Prior engagements are non-existent. I guess I'll see you on Saturday. By the way, it was really, really good to see you again." She hugged him once more, then he slowly left, not wanting to let her out of his sight.
After he left, Veronica eyed the invite suspiciously. Pink and scented, it declared Madison's birthday part was at her parents' house – slightly unorthodox for a thirtieth birthday party, but knowing Madison, it was probably because the lighting there was better, and she would look thirty as opposed to thirty-six.
She broke the news to Lilly over dinner.
"So Lil, do you have any plans for the weekend?"
"Oh yeah, about that… Suzy and Sarah are having a party. I can go, right?" she beamed.
"Wrong. I have a party to go to myself," she stated dramatically. Lilly laughed.
"Yeah, right. Come on, Mom. No offence, but who would invite you to a party? You don't even know anyone!"
"Someone I went to high school with is having a birthday party. You're invited, too. I was thinking we could make a long weekend out of it…"
"Long weekend? Where is this party?"
"California. Specifically, Neptune."
"Do I get to see Grandpa whilst we're there?" Lilly asked eagerly.
"Yeah. And you'll meet all the people I went to school with… I can tell you horrific stories about pretty much all of them. It'll be fun," she added, trying to make the trip even more of a positive.
"Mom, you had me when you said 'Neptune'."
"Great. Whilst I think about it, you really need to be careful about what you drink whilst you're there, okay?"
Lilly rolled her eyes, "Yes, Mom. Can I go and outfit-plan now? Are we leaving on Friday?"
"Yeah, I even booked us flights earlier."
The following day, Veronica completed her work in record time and cleared Friday of appointments. Rushing before the best shops closed, she quickly drove to the mall to buy a dress for Madison's party. Three shops in to her excursion, she spotted a black strapless knee-length dress, shaped but simple, elegant yet elaborate. She smiled, it was absolutely perfect. She knew that in a closet somewhere, she had the perfect pair of kitten heels to go with it, and her makeup was always easy.
Twenty-four hours later, a sense of deja-vu overwhelmed her. The receptionist at the Neptune Grande had told her that the only room left for the weekend was in fact, the Presidential Suite, and Veronica had no choice but to take it. After ten minutes inside the suite, Veronica was sure she had seen Logan fifteen times, and had to get out of there.
"Kiddo, you want a tour of my town, or what?" she called out to Lilly.
"I thought you'd never ask," Lilly grinned.
Fifteen minutes later, Veronica Mars was sitting outside Neptune High, telling her daughter about some of the best times she'd had, "There was this one time, in my junior year. We had this awful 80s themed dance. My friend Meg dragged – literally, dragged – me there, to find out who her secret admirer was. The ironic thing was that it turned out to be my ex… God, you would've loved it here, Lil," Veronica sighed, thinking of Lilly Kane and how she'd ruled the school.
"Then how come we moved away? And if it was so great, how come you never talk about your time here?"
"I left Neptune for so many reasons, sweetie. And my years here weren't that great, if I'm entirely honest. After Lilly… I had a year and a half of being shunned and picked on. After that, I had a year of being popular or the most hated person in school, all depending on who was around that day," she shrugged.
"Wait. Who's Lilly?"
"Lilly was my best friend. Until she was murdered." The pair of sentences was so succinct, so short yet precise that it urged the listener to ask questions, yet also implored her not to.
"I'm sorry, Mom," Lilly whispered, instead offering a hug.
"Sweetie, I know I never told you, I'm sorry but that's only cause I was trying to forget and leave it behind. It didn't work, but I tried."
"To be honest, I'd probably do the same… where are you gonna show me next?"
"How about the Camelot? The hub of sordid infidelity, fugitives and all things illegal?"
"Sounds… awesome!"
Three minutes later, Veronica stopped the car. "There it is, Lilly."
"It looks… nice. Any memories?"
Veronica laughed, "Finding the town billionaire was having an affair with my mother. That's something I've never quite forgotten."
"Ew. No wonder you left this place. I meant any good memories?"
Veronica drifted away from reality, remembering the first kiss shared by Logan and herself. The passion, that explosive feeling, their later dates. Suddenly it had all come flooding back.
"Seriously, mom, what was his name?" Lilly laughed, observing the far-off expression in her mother's eyes.
"Logan," Veronica whispered, suddenly both dreading and unable to wait for the following evening.
"Ooh, he sounds hot. What happened?"
"Long, painful story, sweetie. It includes cars being shot at, tracking devices, serial rapists…"
Lilly looked shocked, "Suddenly, I'm sorta glad I didn't grow up here. Can you at least tell me how you met him?"
"He was Lilly's boyfriend. We got together a year or so after she died," Veronica watched as her daughter visibly winced. "Don't look at me like that. Lilly had regularly cheated on him. And she would've wanted us to be happy."
"Ohkay. I'm considering pointing out that you're not very happy, but I'll decide against it. Am I gonna meet this Logan some time? She asked, hopefully.
"You certainly are. So I was thinking… next stop your grandpa's office?" Lilly grinned, excited at the prospect.
"Yay! Will he mind us disturbing him at work?"
"Nah, I can't think why. I'll probably end up doing a bunch of filing, anyway," Veronica laughed.
"Fun," Lilly stated sarcastically.