Disclaimer: Don't own as of now only the plot in this story;)

A/N: Very short I know, but really wantedto give you something today while I finish up the next "real" chapter...

Chapter 20: Worries and interrogation

Keith Mars was not a particularly happy camper. Over a period of time he'd felt something odd was going in, but he was unable to grasp it completely - and it made him confused. And that was one emotion Keith Mars didn't appreciate.

Keith sighed and sat down at the worn desk in his old office – the beloved centre of Mars Investigations. In his hands was a picture of Veronica – his pride and joy.

Keith snorted to himself: "Well, when she's not out giving me grey hairs."

The loving father absolutely ignored that little teasing inner voice, which informed him that having hair was a necessity for growing greys.

Keith eyed the framed picture carefully. Veronica was tilting his head and smiling up at him as if she was challenging him to do something he knew he really wasn't suppose to do.

The father sighed tiredly and gently caressed the picture with his right thumb.

"That right there is one of my problems hon…you never seem to smile at me like that anymore. What's going on with you?"

"Talking to yourself Sheriff? Never a good sign, ya know."

Keith almost fell out of his chair at the surprising sound of Weevil.

Resetting the picture on the desk Keith met the former gang leaders dark eyes and asked a bit embarrassed:

"If it aint my favourite juvenile delinquent, so what can I do for you Eli?"

Weevil chuckled – some things just never changed and he was actually happy about that.

"Actually I was kindda looking for V, she promised me some help with a little problem of mine."

Suddenly inspiration struck Keith and he jumped up and gestured for Weevil to sit down.

"Well, since you haven't quite located that busy daughter of mine – please sit down and let's talk – man to man…"

Weevil sighed inwardly and did as requested. He definitely had a bad feeling about this.

Keith waited for the teen to sit before he walked in front of him and leaned his hip against the desk in a mock impression of relaxation.

"So," he began slowly," Mr. Navarro – how's things been treating you and the general student population at Neptune High?"

This time Weevil sighed physically and copied the older mans so called calm by leaning way back in his chair.

"V. aint got her mojo from strangers that's for sure," the Latino thought to himself.

Finally Weevil decided to answer just as evadingly as he normally did when the little blonde herself was interrogating him.

"Well, it's always sunny in California and it aint that much different in Neptune High. School is school, rich people still think their shit…err, ya know, don't stink and the poor still feel greatly misunderstood and swears to rule the world by the end of their 25th birthday. Poor us right?"

Weevil felt a chill shiver down his spine as Keith simply crossed his arms and smiled excruciatingly slow.

A minute, which felt a whole lot longer to Weevil, passed by in complete silence before the elder Mars cleared his throat and said:

"Look Eli…I'm not as subtle as the fruit of my loins so…" Keith pushed away from the desk and leaned in over the still sitting Weevil before continuing in a much more serious tone of voice:

"…What's going on with Veronica?"

Weevil felt like a deer caught in the headlights of a very big truck and couldn't stop his skin from paling drastically.

"Err…V's doing just fine Sheriff…to my knowledge that is…"

Weevil mentally patted his own shoulder:" Good boy Weev, don't lie o the determined and very protective Dad – just tell the half truth's that Barbie taught you…"

Keith was a brilliant detective and over the years as an officer he'd developed a very strong BS – detector and something about the dark eyed teen shone of fear of being caught lying.

The former Sheriff wasn't too worried – he knew that Weevil couldn't possibly outsmart him and simply said:

"I'm an easygoing guy like the rest Eli and I know I've been busy these last few months trying to help Jackie's dad and so on, but contrary to popular beliefs here in our beloved Neptune – I'm not stupid and I know something is different with my baby girl. And something tells me you might know a little bit about it…"

Weevil cursed his uncharacteristic sounding voice as it squeaked:

"Different?"

The teenager swallowed a lump of dread and tried to force out all the bravery he knew he had somewhere deep – deep down inside him:

" Sheriff – It's our senior year and with the bus crash, her cases and the whole Duncan thing V's got a lot on her mind these days. I'm sure that's all there is wrong with your daughter, dog…err, sir."

Keith briefly admired the other male's ability to sound sincere under pressure before irritation set in.

"Mr. Navarro something is off with my daughter. She hardly smiles at me anymore, she acts like all awkward around me and…"Keith lifted a finger to emphasize his final point, "last night she only ate three portions of my lasagne and refused dessert, because and I quote "she was full". That is a sentence I've never ever heard uttered from that girl's mouth!"

Weevil cursed inadvertently and swore to make Logan ("that stupid ass rich boy) pay for his bad acting skills.

"Maybe she really was full Sheriff."

Keith arched a disbelieving eyebrow at him and Weevil avoided his gaze.

"I know Veronica has her secrets Eli and I respect that, but I also know my only child and she's not her self right now."

Weevil almost smirked at that completely true statement, but his it with a fake provocative yawn…or at least as provocative he dared be in front of the dangerous P.I, who'd taught Veronica Mars all her tricks.

Keith watched his daughter's friend stand slowly and carefully meet his eyes.

Another minute passed by before Weevil said calmly:

"Sheriff…Mr. Mars – I wont pretend to know all about Veronica, but I do know that when she's ready – when it really matters she'll come to you, like always. Okay?"

Keith sighed in defeat. He knew he wouldn't be able to get another word from the young man.

"Sorry I kept you from your own search," Keith said in such a respectful tone that had Veronica been there, she might have just taken a picture to immortalize the unfamiliar event.

Keith watched the teen nod towards him and then turn and leave without a word. Keith took in a deep breath and exhaled deeply.

After a few minutes Keith went back to his seat behind the desk and took Veronica's picture in his hands again.

"Please come to me soon Honey – I'm a nervous wreck already."

Suddenly the phone rang and Keith shook of his personnel worries so he could do what he did best. Concentrate on other people's problems and hopefully fix them. At least those people couldn't hide things from him – not for long anyway.

"Mars Investigations – Detective Mars speaking…"

A/N:

Hey all…so…. please don't kill me for this interluding and very short chapter. I just thought Keith deserved to be recognized as a clever individual. Off course he'd know something was up with our heroes. Veronica and Logan will return with vengeance in the next chapter, don't worry and this time I wont make you wait weeks and weeks, since I've done the smart thing and already written most of it. How do you think Weevil did avoiding Mars Sr. s questions? Please review and let me know even if you didn't like it or thought it was too OOC…( but did put this in to help the wait...sobs miserably over possible flaming...)

Pwetty Pweeease…

Ditte Mai

As always: special thanks: Firebirdgirl, Maiqu, Christykq( well, let me put it this way, they aren't exactly gonna make sweet sweet love right now…giggles evilly), Ruk( totally), Jen6891, Frost Merry Darkness Luver, Jump in a hole( yay, new reviewer, welcome!), lilkaykay( thank you, you're making me blush, thank you!), IluvVM( sorry to make you wait a little longer, but I promise that next chappie is going to be…err…funnier then this imho), Rory Ace Huntzberger( glad you liked hope this pleases you too!).

Love ya guys and if I could without causing major food poisoning I'd give you all homemade cookies!