A/N – The characters you know and love aren't mine – but you knew that. All the crazy OCs that you could do without (but I couldn't), those are mine

Some brief interludes...the night before the wedding

She fell into a fitful sleep, not anticipating seeing him later that day, despite desperately wanting to.

~~Sacramento, CA~~

Duncan Kane looked at his phone in minor irritation. He could understand why Dick Casablancas hadn't invited him to his wedding. The two were never the closest of friends, Logan being the glue that cemented them. He also suspected that Veronica's poor reaction to his reentry in her life had cooled the dumb surfer on him. Yes, Casablancas has been surprisingly loyal to his Veronica. The text message from his source told him that both Veronica and Logan were in Neptune for the weekend. Duncan frowned again, his source would make sure men stayed away from Veronica, except for Logan. Better she is with Logan, than defiled by any other male, after all, she will always come back to me from him.

He looked up at a sudden swell in the soft music that had been leaking though the patio doors. His mother was standing at the door, looking stern. Her face soften though when she spied him. "Duncan, why are you hiding out here?" She sniffed the air disdainfully, "Please tell me you haven't taken up smoking?"

Duncan chuckled, "Only cigars with the boys, mother. And I was just getting a breath of fresh air."

"Well do come in, I want to introduce you to the Governor and Senator Kampfer." Celeste turned imperiously and reentered the house, confident her son would follow. Rolling his eyes, Duncan straightened his tie and dutifully went to attend her.

Armed with a fresh glass of scotch, Duncan found that making small talk with the Governor, the Senator, and his mother was not difficult. The men were intelligent enough, and spoke the language of money and power. It would be easy to live this life, it would be easier with Veronica at my side. Bettina and a young women he didn't know walked up and joined their circle.

The Senator smiled broadly and placed an arm around the younger women's waist. "Duncan, let me introduce you to possibly the only other person under 40 here, my daughter Lucy." He was beaming with the type of possessive pride that one has of a prized racehorse, "She has just graduated Harvard law, with honors, and has taken a position the Los Angeles office of the Poverty Law Center."

Lucy Kampfer smiled confidently at Duncan and extended her hand to shake his. She was prettier when she smiled, her eyes danced with humor and a certain calculated intelligence. Instead of shaking her hand, Duncan took it in his and bowed over it, pressing his lips to her fingers briefly. Standing back up, he winked at her.

The Governor and her father chuckled, while Celeste smiled with her own calculated look. She steered the group away from the younger pair, leaving them alone to get acquainted.

~~Folsom, CA~~

Mercer was irritated. His plaything had opted to go to Neptune for the weekend rather than come and visit him. Mercer was confident of his hold on her though, a year ago she had agreed to fake paperwork to prove they were "legally" married for California conjugal visits. Certain arrangements had been made to make them regular affairs, rather than the typical good behavior twice a year that was normally allotted, and he had been enjoying her regularly. While the sex was relatively plain, he was confident that the groundwork was laid for him to really begin training her to service all his needs once he was free. It was a new experience for him being in a relationship but he had hopes for her that would make the Marque de Sade blush.

Also, his favorite uncle had sent word through the lawyers that his trust was fully transferred and by the time he was released next summer everything would be in place for a smooth transition to New York. All in all, everything is working out, and the slut will be back next week, with the latest news from Neptune. Smiling darkly, he knocked on his cell wall, "Harry, arrange for me to have a bitch tonight." Just because I am in prison, there is no need to be deprived, he thought.

~~Las Vegas, NV~~

Sandeep was pleased. Not only was his sweet princess out of town for the weekend, leaving him free to pursue other forms of entertainment, she had not noticed when her spare key went missing from her condo last month. He now had the perfect chance to replace the key, by using his copy of course, and set up some special equipment for his viewing pleasure. Humming a tune, Sandeep smiled as the key turned easily in the lock.

~~Neptune, CA - The Grand, Veronica's Room~~

Veronica was having trouble sleeping, tossing and turning. She reached for the bedside table and grabbed her cell phone. After a minute, her blue eyes focused and she stared at Logan's number. Taking a breath, she hit send.

After two rings, the phone clicked and went dead. Veronica stared at it for a long minute, then sighing heavily threw it to the foot of the bed and tried to get back to sleep.

~~Neptune, CA – The Grand, Parker's Room~~

Parker was pissed off. Who does that Veronica Mars think she is? Not only did Mac pick her over me to be her maid of honor, she just had to sit so quietly with that judgmental face looking at her. Veronica, Veronica, Veronica! Everyone was all impressed with her career. They didn't even seem to care that she was a complete loser in so many ways. I bet she is going to try throwing herself at Logan again this weekend, disgusting! She ruined my relationship with him. She caused so much pain to my poor Michael. Someone should teach her a lesson, and I know just how to wipe that smug look off her face.

She got out of bed and rummaged through her suitcase. Parker smiled as she pulled out the red silk teddy from its tissue paper wrapping, glad she had made the purchase for herself earlier that day when buying Mac a gift. Stripping out of her pajamas, she pulled the lingerie on, smoothing it over her sumptuous curves. Ha! Veronica's got nothing on these curves. He isn't going to be able to resist. She carefully did her makeup and hair before throwing on a long coat and slipping into heals.

Parker winked saucily at the valet who hailed a cab for her, letting him get a glimpse of what was under the jacket before slipping into the cab. The driver left her at a darkened house on the beach. Steeling her courage, Parker walked boldly to the door and rang the bell, and waited. Nothing. She rang again, impatient now, her stilettoed foot tapping out a rhythm. Still nothing.

Undeterred, she walked around the back of the house to the wide porch overlooking the ocean. All the lights were on, as well as the trail lights down to a cabana. Ugh, the boys must be down on the beach. Parker hesitated between the stairs on the lights shining from the living room. Taking a chance, she crossed to the glass French doors and tried the handle. Unlocked!

Parker called out hello softly, in case any of the revelers had come back up to the house to pass out. The rooms remained silent, and Parker smiled. She took her time looking around Dick and Logan's bachelor pad. The furniture was simple, surf inspired, but obviously expensive. At the wet bar, she fixed a vodka tonic before continuing her exploration.

The first bedroom was large, it also opened onto the porch and she was sure it would have amazing views in daylight. Going to the dresser, she noticed the expensive watch casually disregarded on the polished top, a leather wallet, and some change. She crossed to the large bed, running her fingers across the luxurious bedding. It looked so soft and tempting, but Parker resisted climbing in, she had a mission. A glance at the bedside table confirmed that she was in Dick's room, a picture of Mac's face beaming out of silver frame.

Parker left the room, carefully opening and closing doors and she searched for another bedroom. At the opposite end of the house, she found her destination. Logan's dress whites were hanging pristinely in the closet, his hat on a self. She grinned to herself and put it on. Smiling at her reflecting in the mirror, she removed the jacket and ran her hands over the red material underneath, smoothing any wrinkles. Logan has a treat in store for him tonight!

Parker jumped, music started playing from the dresser. My life is cold; You put the flame on it; This heart of mine; You wrote your name on it…Logan's phone blinked from its charging spot. Out of curiosity, Parker picked it up. Her smile changed to a look of rage, Veronica! That fucking bitch! Does she have a tracker on me? Without thinking, she hit the button to answer the phone and then immediately hung it up.

She kept the phone with her as she went back and sat on Logan's bed. Making herself comfortable, she poised in various positions, imaging Logan's face when he saw her. After several minutes she realized she was bored waiting, her eyes fell on Logan's phone again. Parker smiled. He didn't have a password set, and it didn't take long for Parker to delete any trace of Veronica's call. After thinking a minute more, she deleted Veronica's number entirely, including from the text chains from earlier that night.

Humming with pleasure at her edits to his phone, Parker decided to leave him a little treat. After all, it must get lonely on the carrier, right? Resuming her provocative poises, she started to snap photos.

Sighing, Parker looked at the clock on the phone. She had been there for an hour, and Logan still wasn't back. Stay and risk falling asleep, or go back to the hotel? Parker pouted slightly, she had promised to help Mac get ready for the bridal brunch, and considering how much they had all drank that night, it might take a while. She grabbed her purse and called for a car to come pick her up. Seeing her lipstick, she grinned, she had time to leave Logan a message before she left.

~~Neptune, CA – The beach by Dick & Logan's house~~

In the end, only Dick, Logan and Casey made it back to the house. Other guys had begged off claiming they were heading home, while judging by the chatter on the group text, some of the guys had hopes of finding a bride's maid for the night. Laughing the three changed into wetsuits and headed down to the beach, cracking jokes about high school.

The waves were relatively calm, and the three men spent most of the time laying on their boards watching the stars. As the evening progressed, the joking became more subdued, and the three reminisced about some of the more dramatic moments of their childhood. Before they could turn maudlin though, Logan reached over and tipped Dick off his board.

Sputtering, Dick surfaced, "Dude, what the hell?"

Laughing, Logan replied, "Dude, we all survived, and you, Richard Casablancas are getting married tomorrow!"

Hoisting himself up on his board, Dick grinned, "I really am!"

Casey smiled at them both, "Race you to the house then, I think we have time for one last epic Mario Kart race before you truly join the grown up world."

Logan and Casey popped up on smaller waves and started back. "Wait, what? Mackie likes Mario Kart too, I don't think I have to give that up…do I?"

~~Neptune, CA - The Grand, Gordon's Room~~

Shelly and Becca giggled as the pushed open the door to room listed in the text message. The soft sounds of porn were coming from the television and they walked further into the room. A beautiful chocolate skin women was riding a fleshy white man, moaning her pleasure in loud and obvious delight. Shelly rolled her eyes, "Guess you really do have a thing for brown sugar, eh?"

Turning, they looked at the man on the bed. Gordon was sound asleep, one hand wrapped around his flaccid penis, the other on the television remote. The girls took in the scene and sighed. "Pathetic," Becca proclaimed.

"Ah well," Shelly grinned, "he left us champagne." She pulled a chilled bottle from an ice bucket. Smiling wickedly at Becca, "the least we can do is leave him a present before we go." Shelly pulled her panties off from under her dress, and left the thong by Gordon's hand. Grabbing a lipstick from her purse, she drew on the mirror. Maybe next time, XXOOXX – Brown Sugar.

Giggling the girls left the room and went off in search of their own bed.

~~Neptune, CA – Chip Diller's Apartment~~

Chip poured two steaming mugs of coffee and looked at the red-head sitting at his kitchen bar. "How do you take it?"

"Sweet and pale," she smiled at him.

"Just like you," he winked back at her as he added cream and sugar to her cup.

A blush creeped up her delicate throat, and she ducked her head. "Chip, you are very sweet, and you sound like you are starting to sober up. I really should be getting home."

Chip sat down next to her, and placed his hand on top of hers. "Honestly, I wish you didn't. And before you get the wrong idea, it's not for sex. I mean sex would be great and all, but, you are amazing. Not only did you put up with drunk jerk me at the bar, but you have been putting up with sobering up me, and are so easy to talk to. I feel like I have known you for years, and yet still have so much more to learn."

He broke off for a moment and looked embarrassed. "Look, as you might have guessed, both from my behavior at the bar, but from my friend's comments, I am not the best with the ladies. Ever since college, it has become clear that my standard routine is not actually charming and could border on the loutish and downright offensive. So, I have dived into the roll and relished it. But, as much as I want to kiss you right now," his hand drifted off hers and to her cheek, "and I really do, I would love to just keep talking to you. And I am afraid if you leave, that I am going to wake up with a hangover, wondering if this was all a dream."

Gloria pulled back from Chip. "Not a dream, but you might not like the reality. I know they told you at the bar, but I am not sure you really understood. I am transgendered Chip."

She looked a little afraid, and one hand was in her pocketbook clasping something. Chip wondered if it was a taser, if she was scared of his reaction. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her there was nothing to fear, but decided that he had already touched her too much without explicit consent. "Glory, I don't care. I told you, I am not very good with ladies, but one thing I am is honest. You are beautiful inside and out, and I really want to know you better on so many levels."

Glory smiled at him, her green eyes dazzling. She stood and walked towards the sofa. "Why don't we get more comfortable and talk a while then?"

Chip didn't have to be asked twice, it was the best invitation he had in years.

a/n – Lyrics – Charles Bradley – You Put the Flame On It – Victim of Love (2013). So I have left out one of my planned vignettes…what happened between Wallace & Jasmine – in my head it played out, sweet and sad and sexy and maybe a little hopeful, but as it left open questions that I didn't address in Vegas or Leaving Vegas, (and haven't really planned for in The Meadows) I decided against including it…so just know that Wallace had a good night and was glad he went to the girl's party.