Disclaimer: Only borrowing these wonderful characters from Rob Thomas. I sadly own nothing, but wish I did.

Chapter 3 – Masquerade Ball

Mac arrived early enough to pick up Veronica so they could grab some dinner before heading off to the fundraiser at the Yacht Club. They agreed to try out the newest Sushi restaurant that had just recently opened in Neptune. Mac volunteered to be the designated driver for the evening so Veronica could enjoy herself.

Shortly after arriving at the restaurant Mac's cell phone beeped, and she checked it and sent off a quick text in reply. Veronica tried to catch a glimpse at the message, but Mac strategically kept her phone out of her view. Her phone continued to go off in about 15 minute intervals. Veronica finally makes a comment about how popular she is, and Mac just laughs it off dismissing it without actually giving her an answer.

They talk a little bit about the fundraiser during dinner. Mac explained how the benefit was started a couple years ago by the Mayor and the funds go to a non-profit organization in town that works with abused kids. They sell tickets to the event as part of the fundraising effort and then the Mayor's office recruits single male volunteers to sell off dances slots with them through out the night. While the tickets are only $100 to attend the event, each dance with one of the eligible men costs another $200. She briefly mentions how they had to create a rule that a woman could only buy 2 dances with the same guy due to some issues they had the first year they started it. They have it set up so that there are usually short breaks between each dance to swap out the new partners and then they put in a few longer breaks for people to mingle and have some time to rest and get drinks.

She goes on to explain how the Yacht Club had donated use of their facility for the event and all of the catering and event work is donated as well so all of the proceeds go toward the charity organization. Mac had been involved with it initially helping to set up a system to easily take payment at the event and to keep track of all the financial information. They normally had about 15 single guys volunteer and they sold off 15 dances during the 2 hour event, so they normally raised about $60,000 each year for the organization. It was an event attended by couples as well as single ladies who wanted to dance with the towns eligible single men while donating to a good cause.

Mac finally finished up her dinner after Veronica commented several times that she didn't remember her being such a slow eater. Veronica wasn't quite sure why Mac seemed less than thrilled about going to the event. Lauren had made it sound like a total blast the night before, but Mac seemed to be hesitant even then about having Veronica join her. Given her obvious delay to get there, Veronica was starting to get suspicious about what sort of secret Mac was hiding. She hadn't really been forth coming yet about whether she was currently seeing anyone special, and Veronica wondered if the barrage of texts were coming from a certain guy waiting for her at the fundraiser.

As they finally arrived at the event, Mac realized she had the bad luck of getting there between dance sets as she notices the dance floor is clear and people are standing around mingling. She cringes to herself and hopes that Veronica doesn't pick up on her nervous behavior. She tried to casually glance around to assess where various people might be in the giant ball room without raising Veronica's suspicions.

After checking in their purses with a coat check girl, they walked farther into the room and Veronica finally had a chance to really take in the scene. The ball room at the Yacht Club is a gorgeous venue, with large windows along the side that faces out to the water with all the yachts and sailboats moored there. At one end of the room was the dance floor and at the opposite end was a bar with tables and chairs spread around. While Veronica wasn't sure what to expect, it looked like people were enjoying themselves and there's a very excited vibe floating around the room. It was easy for her to understand Lauren's excitement about attending when she was older now that she was there.

Veronica's focus shifted to a tall, well built man across the room with quite a group of ladies around him all seeming to be vying for his attention. He was in a very expensive looking black tux with a very distinctive gold and red mask that coordinated with a red bow tie. Even from across the room, Veronica could tell that he seems to be in great shape with broad shoulders and a chiseled look even in his face that would go along with being athletic. He had a small amount of facial hair, which normally Veronica didn't like, but he still seems to have a handsome look about him. Although Veronica was quickly realizing that with all the masks, it really was hard to identify anyone. She briefly chuckled to herself thinking about old TV shows like Zorro or the Lone Ranger.

"Who's the guy the women are falling all over?" she asked Mac, pointing in his direction.

Mac turned and looked before replying, "Oh that's just the Mayor."

"Wow, much younger and fitter than any Mayor I remember when I lived here." Veronica replied nonchalantly.

Mac just chuckled softly and decided to steer her toward the bar, but before she can make it more than a few steps farther, a deep familiar voice sounds from just a few feet away.

"Speedy!" the tall blonde man says as he sweeps Mac up into a big hug and spins her around planting a chaste kiss on her lips. "I was starting to worry about you!" The man doesn't immediately notice Veronica standing there with Mac.

Mac quickly teases back "It's a masquerade ball, you shouldn't be able to tell who I am." He laughs and flicks at the pink tips of her cropped dark hair and rolls his eyes.

He continues on with his focus only on Mac, "You look absolutely gorgeous tonight, Babe. Oh, before I forget I better give you your dance tickets. I got your text in time and put you down for spots later in the night since you were running late. I bought you a couple with the Mayor too since you know how fragile his ego is and how he pouts like a little girl if his dance card isn't full for the night." He starts to chuckle as he looks at the small cards in his hand, "You've got me for 7 and 10 and him for 8 and 12. I'm glad you finally made it since they just finished up 5 and I need to get ready to go back out there for 6. I was starting to worry that you'd miss our first dance." He stops and gives her a seductive grin.

"Dick?" Veronica finally interjects into the back and forth that she's been silently watching going on between the man and Mac, an obvious amount of shock in her tone. Even behind a mask, with his voice, demeanor and mop of blonde hair it's unmistakably Dick Casablancas.

Dick finally registers that there is a petite blonde woman standing with Mac, and as he recognizes the voice, his eyes grow wide in disbelief. He stares at Veronica for a moment as his mouth drops open, but no words come out. Then he shifts his attention back to Mac, who sheepishly says "surprise?" turning up one eyebrow to indicate it more as a question than a statement.

Dick continued to stand there in disbelief for a few moments with his gaze quickly shifting back and forth between the two women for a few seconds longer before finally blurting out "What the hell?" He shot Mac a slightly angry look for a moment then turned back to Veronica with a look of utter confusion on his face. "Ronnie?" Veronica smiles and gives him a little wave. Dick still seemed to be processing this revelation and finally decides to give her a tentative hug. "Wow, it's… it's great to see you," although it seems to come out as more of a question than a statement. Standing back closer to Mac he leaned in and whispered to her "You have a lot of explaining to do and you'd better keep her away from you know who."

"Speedy!" Another male voice coming up from directly behind Mac and Dick calls out. This time both Mac's and Dick's eyes grow to the size of saucers as the man gets closer. "See, I told you she wouldn't stand us up Dick." All 3 faces turn to the voice, and Veronica sees the distinctive mask of the Mayor on the man who just spoke. He quickly swept in, wrapping Mac in a big hug.

"Hey did you bring a friend?" The man asks as he realizes there's another woman standing in their vicinity who is also staring at him as he releases his hold on Mac. He shoots a quick look at Veronica and then gives her a slight nod and a friendly little smile before turning back to face more towards Mac and Dick.

Veronica freezes immediately as her brain starts to process that the voice she's hearing actually goes along with the man in the mask that Mac previously identified as the Mayor.

"Thank god for that 2 limit rule we added," he continues on, clearly shifting his attention from Veronica back to the other two. "You-know-who is here and she already drove me nuts having to listen to her drone on for two back to back spots. Hopefully that means I got the most excruciating part of the evening over with already."

This drew a chuckle from both Mac and Dick, perhaps for different reasons, and Dick quickly replied, "Ah, the Mayor's very own personal fan club. I wonder if she'll ever figure out you made them add that rule just because of her."

"Just you wait buddy, the night's still young and if you keep it up, I'll personally go and buy her a spot with you if she hasn't already done it herself. I'm sure Gia would enjoy talking your ear off just as much as any one else's." Turning more towards Mac, "You really should find some guy to set her up with to save all of us other single men from having to suffer her agonizing torment. There must be some guy you have a vendetta against that you could find it within yourself to punish him by hooking him up with her." His expression changes to a pleading pout as he holds his hands up, clasped together as if he's praying for her help.

Mac laughed and shoved his hands back down to his sides, then nervously glanced back at Veronica which draws the attention of both the Mayor and Dick back over to her. Unsure of Mac's reaction, the Mayor seemed to grow concerned that he may have rudely barged in on a conversation that they were already having. "Sorry if I interrupted you all with my tales of suffering and woe." Turning back to Mac he continued on, "are you going to introduce me to your friend, or is that breaking one of the sacred rules of the Masquerade mystery." He dropped his voice to more of a mocking secretive whisper as he mentions the 'sacred rules' part. Before Mac can answer, a voice came over the PA system that the men need to return for dance 6 to begin. His gaze shifts momentarily back to Veronica and his eyes squint for a moment as if he's trying to place who she might be behind her mask before he turns back to Dick.

"Time to get back to work," he chuckled and slapped Dick on the shoulder. "You'd better be dancing with me later Mac," he said as he turned to head back to the front of the room.

Dick shook his head and turned to return to the dance floor as well, but he shoots one last angry glare at Mac before he follows the Mayor through the crowd.

Veronica was still standing there in complete shock. She finally found her voice and blurted out "Logan is the Mayor?" slapping her hand over her mouth and looking around once she realizes how loudly it came out.

"Let's get you a drink," Mac mumbled as she gently grabbed her arm and started walking to the bar area.

"What the…." Veronica started then trailed off as they marched toward the bar. "Am I in some sort of bizarro world? I… I don't understand…" She looks at Mac for an explanation.

Mac again looks sheepish as she replies with the same uncertain response she gave Dick only a few minutes earlier, "Surprise?"

"What?.. How?.. When?..." come stumbling out of Veronica mouth.

Mac ordered them two martinis and handed a glass to Veronica with a sigh. "It's sort of a long story, but yeah, Logan is the Mayor now."

Veronica's initial shock started to wear off, but it was slowly replaced by the fact that Logan either didn't recognize her or intentionally pretended not to. Mac can practically see the gears turning in her head as her expression changes from shocked to confused to calculating.

Her expression finally settled on one of grim determination as she turned to Mac. "Give me your dance ticket with him."

"Um…" Mac stalled for a minute. "I don't know if that's a very good idea Veronica," she replied quietly.

"Mac!" Veronica replied firmer now, "give me the ticket, please."

Mac took a moment to look around the room. Veronica could tell that she was looking for someone to come and rescue her from this situation, but finding no one she finally gives up and turns back to look at Veronica. "Do you promise you won't cause a scene?" Mac asks hesitantly. Veronica gave her a slight glare as Mac regained back a bit more of her confidence and demanded, "Promise or no ticket!"

Veronica sighed and replied, "Fine, I promise I won't cause a scene." Mac lets out a huge sigh and hands the ticket for dance number 8 with Logan to Veronica, gripping it a bit firmly before Veronica finally snatches it out of her fingers. She shook her head and began to worry about how badly this was going to turn out. Not only was she dreading dance 8, but now she was also worrying about how badly dance 7 with Dick was going to go. As if on cue, they announce that dancers for 7 should make their way to the dance floor. Mac is resigned to her fate and says she'll find Veronica after the dances as she makes her way to the dancing area.

Left on her own, Veronica made her way closer to the dance floor so she could get a better view of the room. She quickly found Wallace on the dance floor as well. He makes eye contact with her at one point and she gives him a little wave. He nods his head in recognition, but returns his focus to his dancing partner. She also spotted Dick and Mac, clearly in a heated debate rather than just enjoying a quiet dance. She decides to move out of their line of site so that Mac doesn't try to reclaim the ticket before the next dance starts as it's abundantly clear that Dick is not happy with the situation.

She spotted Logan next with a tall brunette in a low cut shimmery gold ball gown, cozied up and dancing with him. She sees the woman toss her head back laughing at something Logan had just whispered in her ear as they danced together. Veronica's a bit taken back at the feeling of jealousy that suddenly rips through her. She hasn't seen him in all these years, and is caught by surprise that seeing him with another woman would actually bother her. She continued to watch them dance, clearly flirting back and forth and having a great time together on the dance floor. As the song comes to an end, she watches as he takes her hand and places a quick kiss on the back of it before they part and go separate directions.

A moment later, they announced that dance number 8 would be starting. Veronica walked to the front of the dance floor where the men were all waiting for their next set of partners. Wallace noticed her approaching and at first he was happy to see her, but then he realized she wasn't there for him and he grimaced as he realized that she'd probably figured out who the Mayor was and wonders what sort of hurt he's in for later.

"I guess you're lucky number 8." Logan said as she walked up to him holding out her ticket. "Hey you're Mac's friend right?" Veronica nodded with a small smile and handed him the ticket. He glanced down at the ticket and smiled more to himself than her, "Nice to meet you… Miss Honey Ryder." Logan chuckled before continuing, "I see Dick filled out the dance cards for Mac again this time. At least he didn't go with Pussy Galore for this one. I thought Mac was going to clobber him when they had to page her for that dance last year. At least he picked the original Bond Babe this time. Gotta love the classics."

Veronica smiled again and nodded as he reached out and wrapped his left arm around her and the music started. Her breath hitches slightly as he pulls her closer and she can smell his cologne and feel his toned arm firmly wrapping around her waist while he extends his right hand for her to take with her left hand.

He continued talking as they started to slowly dance to the music, "I guess that's what happens though when Mac isn't on time. You'd think she would have learned her lesson after last year." He stopped talking and they danced in silence for a few moments. He was watching her with a polite smile on his face, but there still didn't seem to be any sign of recognition in his eyes. "Not much of a talker, are you?" He said with a smirk and she only shook her head in response and gave him a small tight lipped smile.

Finally after another minute of just silently dancing he spoke again. "You know you sort of remind me of an old friend of mine, well other than the being quiet part." He paused for a minute before continuing, trying to take in her expression, but with the mask it was really hard for him to get a good read. "But she moved to the East Coast and I haven't seen or heard from her in years." They danced a little longer in silence. "Of course you couldn't be her because she'd never go this long without speaking." He chuckled slightly to himself, "She always seemed to have something to say. Always one to voice her opinions, even when they might not be wanted." He danced quietly a bit longer before starting again. "I'm sure she's found some poor guy to torment with her bossy ways by now and is probably married and making his life miserable. She could be quite a battle axe and tenacious as a pit-bull when she thought she was right about something. And whether she really was right or wrong, she always thought she was right. I'm sure you know the type, the 'my way or the high way' type of girl". Veronica let out a little breath and nodded silently at him, but she was clearly starting to get a little annoyed.

Finally the dance ended. Logan leaned down closer to her ear before releasing her from his hold and she could feel his lips gently graze the edge of her ear and his breath tickled her skin. He whispered to her in the deep seductive voice she still remembered from all those years ago, "Nice to see you Veronica. Thanks for the dance." And with that he turned and walked back to the front of the room to meet his next dance partner.

Veronica stood there for a moment processing all of that before turning and heading back to the bar area. She spotted Mac sitting at a tall table with a full martini in front of her, and another full one off to the side waiting for Veronica.

"And how did that go?" She asked skeptically as Veronica approached her.

"No blood shed at least," Veronica replied as she took a seat next to Mac.

Mac tried her best to read her reaction, but the masks weren't making that very easy to do. She finally gave up and just asked. "So what happened?"

"He was his usual jackass self and gave me crap while pretending he didn't know who I was, but he actually did."

Mac wasn't sure if that was good or bad, but she was thankful that it didn't go worse than that.

"I thought you were the designated driver?" Veronica asked, glancing down at Mac's drink after she realized there was already another empty glass sitting off to the side of her.

"I decided I wanted a few drinks and that we could call a cab, or…." She trailed off without finishing the other option.

"Spill Mac," Veronica replied with a stern look on her face. "I can't imagine any other bigger secrets that you could still be keeping from me, so how bad could it be."

Mac continued on a little tentatively, "Dick always has an after-party on his yacht when the ball is over." She sighed and looked at Veronica to see her response. "I'm sure Wallace and Cora will be hanging out for a while too. We could stay the night on the yacht, or we could just get a cab later if we still aren't fit for driving."

Veronica sat quietly for a few minutes before she finally spoke again. "I didn't realize you were such good friends with Dick and Logan."

Mac proceeded a bit reluctantly, "You knew I was doing consulting work for Dick though, I've told you that before. You also were the one that gave us all the impression that you didn't really want to discuss Logan after you left, so we just didn't bring him up after getting shut down a few times by you. Though I did tell you I was doing consulting for the Mayor's office too."

"What's with the 'Speedy' nickname?" she finally asked after looking a bit annoyed and taking a few drinks of her martini.

"I guess they started calling me that a couple years ago," Mac replied thoughtfully. "It started because they were teasing me about how quickly I would fix all their tech problems and somehow they both started doing it and it just stuck I guess."

Veronica gave her a slight grimaced smile and then returned to downing the rest of her martini.

Mac finally focused her attention back to the dance area as song number 9 finished and they announced that they were taking another short break before starting with 10. She looked around for Dick and Logan and saw Dick headed their way. She looked around for Logan and spotted him in a some what heated discussion with one of the ladies who helps coordinate the night. "This can't be good," she mumbled quietly to herself.