Disclaimer: I own nothing.

AN: Here is the dreaded Keith-Jess meeting.

First Impressions

Chapter 7

Everything was quiet. It was as though the entire world had conspired to make this moment happen.

On one side was Keith Mars. He had a fixed glare on his face. On the other was Jess Mariano, who was trying to fix a polite expression on his face. In the middle of it all was Veronica Mars, who kept darting nervous glances at both men.

"So what exactly is it that you do Jess?" Keith asked as he stabbed a carrot on his plate viciously.

Veronica looked at Jess hopefully, remembering that only a few days ago Wallace asked him the very same thing, only now he didn't have Addy around to brag for him. And she was hardly in any position to sing praises about him.

"I'm actually starting my new job on Monday." Jess answered politely.

"And what does this new job entail?"

"I'll be working for a publishing company."

"And the position?"

"I'll be assisting the CEO."

"Did you get this job based on merit?"

"Dad!" Veronica interjected.

"Keith rolled his eyes at his daughter, "What? I'm merely asking if he got the job because he deserved it or because he happened to be best friends with the CEO."

"Nepotism does occur in the work place. I wouldn't be the first person to get a job because of my connections." Jess shrugged as he answered.

"So it doesn't bother you that several people have been passed over just so you can get a job?"

"I realize my appointment as chairman was not well-received, but the board actually prefers me over a nineteen year old girl. My friend, Adriana, has done an adequate job of handling the publishing business, but she lacks the passion for that specific area, she wanted someone she trusted and she knew I am particularly passionate about the world of literature." Jess replied patiently.

"I don't think they are particularly pleased that a high school dropout is taking over a million dollar venture." Keith commented offhandedly.

"You really did investigate him didn't you?" Veronica asked, disgust tainting her tone.

Jess just smiled at Veronica's reaction, glad that she had no part in looking into his past.

"I was young and stupid. My father showed up out of nowhere after abandoning me and my mother for eighteen years. I stupidly decided that I wanted to get to know him better." He opted for honesty.

"From what I know you were actually failing all of your classes even before you run away to Venice beach."

Jess bit the inside of his cheek to hide the smirk that he felt compelled to flash. The man was good, too good. He knew intimate details of his life. It was amazing if slightly disturbing.

"I don't see the point of this entire Q and A if you know all his answers." Veronica once again tried to interject.

Keith merely waved off her objection and looked at Jess expectantly.

"I was." Jess conceded.

"Is there a reason why you failed most of your classes? You were actually doing pretty well in New York."

"It was my way of rebelling against my exile." Jess smiled sheepishly.

"Veronica happens to take her studies seriously." Keith's gaze hardened at his response.

"I'm aware of that Mr. Mars." Jess replied with such seriousness. "And if it'll make you feel better I've been taking online classes since last year. I did have to undergo a series of tests that the board of directors' of Writers' Inc. administered to make sure that I would act on the best interest of the company. They haven't found me lacking."

Keith stared at him for a full minute. And then he nodded.

"So tell me, what is your book about?"


Veronica was putting away the dishes while her dad toweled them dry. Jess left an hour ago. He offered to help with the dishes but Keith just waved him away, claiming that he and Veronica needed some daddy-daughter time.

So she had to walk him to the door, kissed him chastely on the cheek and sent him on his way.

They did the dishes quietly without conversation and Veronica was beginning to wonder if her dad would even comment on how the 'meet the parent' had gone.

"So…" she looked at him expectantly.

Keith finally faced her and looked her straight in the eye and said, "Eh."

She looked at him incredulously, "What does that mean?"

He shrugged and continued with his task.

"Is it eh good or is it a bad eh?" she prodded.

Keith sighed heavily, "He's honest I'll give him that. But Veronica do you really want to be with someone who is older than you?"

This time it was her turn to roll her eyes, "Really dad, it's not as if Jess is twice my age, he's only twenty-three."

"Fine. He's okay." he grudgingly admitted. "He's been pretty straightforward with me."

"It's not like he had any other choice since you practically memorized all the intricate details of his life." She shot him an annoyed look.

"Look sweetheart, it's my prerogative both as a dad and a private investigator to find out all that I can about the guys you bring home to meet me." Keith patiently explained to her.

"You're the one who insisted on meeting him."

"Tell me, why exactly are you so against this dinner anyway?" Keith crossed his arms across his chest and gave her a serious look.

"I don't know. As you recall the last time I brought someone here it wasn't exactly what we can call a success." She was referring to the time that Logan had dinner with them and the interrogation had to be thoroughly mediated by her.

"Well, this time you can call it a success. Jess seems a nice enough young man and he didn't waver on any of the questions I asked him. Just remind him once in a while that I am licensed to carry a gun and I'm buying a machine gun as a Christmas present for myself." He kissed her temple and smiled at her warmly.

Veronica rolled her eyes again, glad that her dad actually approved of her boyfriend, "I already warned him about that, he was actually supposed to come to dinner wearing a knight's armor but he figured you might not appreciate it."

"I still got it." He grinned at her. "Where would he get an armor anyway?"


Veronica was restless. It was already midnight and yet she was unable to sleep. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that Jess didn't even bother to call and ask what her father thought of him. Or maybe it's because he just didn't call.

She had no wish to come off as clinging; she was unused to being dependent on anyone. But Jess is different she reminded herself.

Just when she was about to pick up her phone and call him herself her sidekick vibrated and Jess' picture flashed on the screen. Veronica couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Hey."

"Hey." Jess greeted back, but before she could get another word out Jess spoke but not to her. "Aw jeez would you turn that thing down?" Jess practically snarled.

"Who are you talking to?" Veronica couldn't keep the amusement from her voice.

"Dude, why don't you turn it down? Can't you see I'm watching here?" this time Veronica laughed as she heard the familiar voice.

"I was here first!" she heard Jess counter.

"Whatever dude. Addy said mi casa su casa."

"Why is Logan over at your place at midnight?" she interjected as Jess launched in a tirade that only he was capable of understanding.

He sighed heavily and she could hear it loud and clear from her end, "Logan was being a baby about Addy's entire trip so she offered to let him stay here while she was away. Would you hold on…" he didn't even wait for her answer and the only thing she heard was Logan asking if Jess would get him some more popcorn and Jess telling him that he better lock the door behind him before he sleeps.

She was giggling when Jess came back on the line.

"What's so amusing?" Jess asked her upon hearing her giggles.

"I heard Logan's 'request' and I'm using quotation marks when referring to said request." She answered, still not over the hilarity of the situation.

"Jeez, and it's only his second night here. He's going to be the death of me or better yet I'll be the death of him." Jess was considerable more cheerful at the thought.

"So any particular reason why you called?" she switched gears, hoping to keep Jess from having murderous thoughts.

"I was going to call earlier but the jackass messed the place up real good. The kitchen, man my only solace is the knowledge that Addy will kill him when she sees what he did to her favorite frying pan. Anyway, I was calling to see if I passed the dad test."

"Unfortunately my dad thought you were eh." Veronica answered.

"Huh?"

"Well that was the first word, if you can call it that, out of his mouth when I asked."

"So was it a good eh or a bad one? Should I start packing my bags and head back to Philly?"

"Don't you dare Jess Mariano!" Veronica returned forcefully.

"You know I'm kidding right? So he didn't like me?" she could hear the hesitation in his voice.

"It wouldn't matter if he likes you or not, I lo-like you and that is that." Veronica could feel herself flush at her slip.

"That's nice to know. But I would prefer that your dad likes me enough that I won't have to really buy a bullet-proof vest." Jess' voice was filled with so much emotion that she was unable to process them, but she knew that he caught what she almost said.

"He said you were an alright guy but that I should remind you once in a while that he is licensed to carry a gun." She returned flippantly, hoping that Jess won't dwell on her words any longer.

"I've been aware of that since before I asked you out. I don't think I'll forget that fact any time soon. So what are we doing tomorrow?" she was glad that he got the hint.

"Well, I was hoping that we could hang out at your place. You know; have a movie marathon or something." She answered teasingly.

"Oh no, tomorrow we are going to stay as far away from this house as humanly possible. Otherwise Logan's blood will be in your hands." Jess shot back with such ferocity.

"How far away are we talking about?"

"Oh the possibilities Veronica Mars. I've just been informed that I have the company jet at my disposal." She could tell he was smirking as he uttered the words.

"Tell me more about these possibilities Mr. Mariano."