Thanks for the reviews last chapter.
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I do not own these characters
"Are you sure?" Veronica's partner asked. She could practically see his furrowed eyebrows as he tried to wrap his head around what she had just told him.
"It's Waylon's M.O., but last I checked he was in a coma," Veronica replied pacing back and forth across her father's office. "The symbol, the fact that the victim was raped, the stab wounds… it's him, but it's not him." She was quiet for a second. "Who could it be?"
"I'm not sure, and we won't know until he wakes up."
"If he wakes up," Veronica muttered, slowly sinking onto her father's couch. "I actually thought this was all over."
The two sat in a heavy silence for a few moments. Her partner was the first to break it, "I'll let you know if his condition changes."
"Thanks Dixon."
"No prob, Mars." His next question had Veronica holding back a groan. "So, how are you doing?"
"Still sore, but it's nothing I can't handle," she replied vaguely, wishing people would stop asking her if she were okay. She was fine, couldn't they see that?
The door opened and Veronica looked up, her eyes settling on Keith. "I need to go. Keep me posted."
"Okie dokie," Dixon responded.
Veronica hung up her phone and smiled at her father. "My partner said he'd let me know if Waylon wakes up," she said, waving her phone. "I can't believe he had a partner," she murmured running her hand through her hair. "How did we miss him having a partner?"
"It could be a copy cat," Keith said taking a seat next to her.
"Yeah, but what are the odds that the copy cat is living in Neptune?"
"Since it is Neptune…"
"Fairly high," Veronica finished softly. She remembered when she was a PI, it seemed a lot of screwed up crap happened in Neptune. This shouldn't have come as a surprise to Veronica. "This was supposed to be over," she sighed in frustration, leaning forward as best as she could with her sling. "We tracked this bastard for three years, he killed thirty women, and now we find out there's another one out there."
"I'm sorry sweetie," Keith said softly.
"It's not your fault, Dad," Veronica replied giving him a one armed hug. She missed moments like these with her father. They were quiet for a few moments, sitting in their odd embrace, but Veronica eventually broke the hug, sat up, and asked, "Why does Logan need the coroner's report?"
"He sometimes works with me," Keith responded vaguely, getting to his feet. He moved across his office, picking the report up. "I should probably get Leo to make a copy."
"What do you mean he works with you?"
"You know, if I need his help he's generally around."
"So, you made him an honorary junior deputy?" Veronica teased. In all honesty, she couldn't see her father doing something like that. He had never been a huge fan of Logan.
"He's a PI now, Veronica," Keith stated slowly and walked out of the office.
"Wait what?" Veronica struggled to her feet, chasing after her father. "When did that happen?"
"About four years ago," he replied handing the coroner's report to Leo. "Can you make a copy for Logan?"
"Yeah," Leo replied and headed towards the copier.
"Dad!"
"He needed an outlet, so he reopened Mars Investigations with Mac and Eli, and they help me from time to time."
Keith left Veronica standing by Inga's desk, heading back into his office. For a few moments Veronica stood by herself, trying to wrap her head around what she had just learned. Her ex boyfriend was a PI? He was a PI with Weevil and Mac? Her father was willingly accepting his help? When the hell did Neptune become The Twilight Zone?
Veronica finally snapped back to reality and headed back into her father's office. "So, you're saying I'll be working with Logan?"
"No, I'm saying I will be working with Logan. You will go home and let your shoulder heal."
"Dad, you can't seriously think I'm going to let you guys work this case without me. I'm the most qualified to track him down. If he's following the exact same pattern as Waylon, you're going to need an expert on Waylon."
"Then get your partner to come out and be that expert," Keith countered, sitting in his chair. "You were shot, honey. It would be very un-parental of me if I let you work this case."
"Dad, I'm not a kid anymore. You can't stop me from working this case."
"Veronica…"
She knew her father was just worried about her, but he had to understand that she had been responsible for putting Waylon away. If this guy was a partner, she should have known about him. She knew everything about Waylon, right down to his shoe size. To have missed his partner made her sound incompetent.
And if it was a copy cat, it was her sworn duty to take down the Waylons of the world. And, like she said, she was the most qualified to track him. Her father wasn't keeping her off this case, no matter what he said.
Once he realized that, they could move on with the investigation. She'd just have to deal with the fact that she was working with Logan; who happened to be a PI.
This is going to be an interesting week.
Logan sat at his desk, fiddling with something. He heard the door open, but he didn't acknowledge who stepped inside until she was standing over him.
"Not that again," Mac said exasperated, her hands on her hips. "You didn't call her did you?" Logan didn't respond; his eyes locked on his desk. He wasn't proud of it, but sometimes he'd steal Veronica's number from Keith, just so he could call and hear her voice. "You need to stop torturing yourself with this, Logan. She left you ten years ago; it's not going to…"
"She's in town," Logan finally said, cutting the computer whiz off. He looked up, noticing the uncertainty and worry in the brunette's blue eyes. "She was at the police station."
"Why's she back?" Mac asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowing.
"I don't know," Logan replied shrugging. "Though, it looked like she hurt her shoulder." He spun the object between his fingers, watching it twirl in a quick circle. "But that doesn't matter," he stated, pocketing the object. "What are you doing here anyway?" he asked looking up at her.
"I was going to ask you over for dinner tonight. Funny thing, I almost stopped by your apartment; I'm glad I didn't otherwise that would have been a wasted trip." She looked around his office, spotting the sleeping bag on the floor. "Did you even go home last night?"
"I stopped and took a shower," he replied shrugging, "made some coffee; got a change of clothes."
"Well, at least you paid your place a visit," Mac commented sarcastically. "It could start to feel awfully neglected if you didn't stop by once in a while."
"So, dinner tonight?" Logan questioned changing the subject.
"Dick is trying a new recipe." She made a face, and Logan cracked one of his rare smiles.
"I don't…" his phone rang, cutting him off. He answered it without glancing at the caller id. "Echolls."
"Are you at the office?" Keith asked in way of greeting.
"Yeah."
"Good because I'm bringing that coroner's report over on my way home,"
"I could pick it up," Logan said, halfway to his feet, even though a part of him wanted to do anything but that.
"I'm on my way. Oh and about earlier…"
"Hey, don't mention it."
"I probably should have forewarned you or something," Keith stated, obviously wanting Logan to accept his apology.
Yeah, you probably should have, Logan thought, but ended up saying, "She's your daughter. It's not like I can stop her from visiting."
"How ya doing, kid?"
"Let me get back to on that," Logan replied with enough snark in his voice to mask how badly he was taken Veronica's sudden reappearance. "Are you almost here?" he asked turning his chair to avoid Mac's concerned stare.
"I'll be there in five," Keith said.
"I'll be here," Logan responded glancing over his shoulder at Mac. She was looking at the ceiling, but Logan knew she was listening in on his side of the conversation, trying to piece together Keith's contribution.
"You know if you just talk to her…"
"I'll be here," Logan repeated and hung up, turning back to face Mac. He tossed his phone on his desk, burying his face in his hands.
"I'm assuming Keith is on his way," Mac commented softly. Logan grunted in response. "Do we have a case?" He grunted again. "Would you like me to stick around and help?"
"Nah," Logan replied, lowering his hands. "Spend some time with Richie. I'll get a jumpstart and fill you and Weeves in tomorrow."
"What about dinner tonight?"
"Mac…"
"Dick told me he'd drag you to our house if you said anything but yes," Mac interrupted triumphantly. "Besides, I've invited Weevil and Carmen and they're bringing Ophelia. She's home for spring break. Come on Logan." She clasped her hands together and pouted. "Please. Richie really wants to see his uncle Logan."
"You've become manipulative in your old age," Logan commented shaking his head. He drew in a deep breath and said, "I guess I can make an appearance. I can fill you and Weevil in tonight."
"No work!" Mac exclaimed. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. Tonight is just friends getting together and eating pizza."
"Dick's attempting to make pizza?"
"No, but I have the pizza place on speed dial, and there is a fire extinguisher under the sink. The last time we had a cookout, Dick almost burned our patio down. We are going to try and avoid that this time."
"At least he has a healthy hobby," Logan replied shrugging and Mac snorted, shaking her head.
It was quiet for a moment, but she finally drew in a breath and asked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'll be fine."
"Okay," she responded, but he could tell she didn't believe him. He wouldn't have believed him either. "So, I'll see you tonight." Logan nodded. "Be there about six, and no work."
"No work."
Mac turned to leave, but suddenly whirled back around and asked, "Do you think her sudden reappearance is a sign?"
"What?"
"I'm just saying, maybe this is the universe's way of giving you two closure or something. It's possible, especially with the way you two left things." With those words, Mac walked out of Logan's office, not even giving him a chance to respond.
Logan leaned back in his chair, thinking over Mac's parting words. Maybe this was the universe's way of giving him closure. It could also be some sick, cosmic joke to get a rise out him. Whatever the case, he just wanted Veronica's visit to be over so he could get on with his life. Was that really too much to ask?
Keith didn't want Veronica working this case, not with her shoulder, but he also knew he couldn't stop her. He was in a pickle and he hated it. He was surprised he actually talked her into going home, but he had a feeling pain, fatigue, hunger, and the fact that she smelt like a airport convinced her to take a few hours to freshen up.
"We're heading back to the police station after I take a shower, right?" Veronica asked as Keith turned down a familiar street.
"Of course," he replied pulling up to his old business. "Just give me a minute to drop this off."
"The place hasn't really changed," Veronica commented, glancing up at the building.
"It's who runs it that counts," Keith retorted and opened his door. He started towards the entrance, nearly running into Mac. "Hey Mac," he greeted as he held the door open for her.
"Hey Sheriff… Keith," she responded with a smile. It had taken him a few years to convince her to call him by his first name, but she still slipped up from time to time. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, and yourself?"
"Good, just inviting Logan over for dinner tonight. You and Alicia should stop by if you have time. Maybe bring…" Mac's eyes flicked to the car where Veronica was leaning against the window, watching them closely.
"I don't know about me, and Alicia has book club tonight," Keith said slowly, a sudden idea hitting him, "but I bet if you asked Veronica she'd stop by."
"I don't know," Mac responded biting her lip in uncertainty. "Logan'll be there." she thought it over and eventually nodded. "Okay, I'll ask her."
"Great. See you."
"Good bye, Sheriff," Mac called over her shoulder before changing her direction to Keith's car. The older man glanced over his shoulder once more before letting the door close behind him. It was a low blow, but if it got Veronica's mind off the case, even for a few hours, he might have a lead for her when she returned. Of course, that's if she agreed to go at all, but it was worth a shot.
Veronica rolled her window down at Macs approached and brightly said, "Hey, it's been so long."
"Yeah," Mac replied vaguely.
"Sorry I haven't been in touch. It's been a crazy few years."
"Uh-huh." Mac nodded, shuffling her feet. "So, I was wondering if you wanted to stop by tonight? You know, Dick and I were having a few people over and since you're back in town..."
"Yeah, I don't know. We've got a case and…" Veronica glanced at the door her father had disappeared through, knowing her dad had put Mac up to this. "Who's going to be there?"
"Just a few people; Weevil, Carmen, me, Dick, Logan…"
"Logan's going to be there?"
"He probably won't stay long. He'll want to get a jumpstart on this case, and I was lucky he even agreed in the first place. Why, will that be a problem?"
"No, it's just…" what would an hour hurt? She had her cell phone, and could easily stay in constant contact with her father or Dixon. She could still work the case without actually being there. Besides, she wanted to see Logan for longer than a few seconds, get a read on how he was doing. "Okay, I'll be there."
"Good," Mac said, but Veronica caught something in the brunette's eyes, something that was gone before she could gauge what it was. "I'll see you tonight around six."
"Okay, see you then."
"Bye."
"Bye."
As Mac walked towards a bright green Nova, Veronica thought about the prospect of dinner tonight. She'd get to see a lot of her older friends, and Dick, but most importantly she'd get to see Logan. As necessary as their break-up was, it'd always been her biggest regret. Maybe tonight they could reach some sort of closure, especially if they were going to be working together on this case. It was worth a shot, right?
