AN: Thanks everyone for the reviews, that make writing worthwhile :) I've gone back and done a little formatting over the other chapters. (I.e. I've added an inspirational quote to the beginning of each chapter haha.) Hope you like the addition.

Enjoy this chapter!

"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might has well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default." – J.K. Rowling

Chapter 23

The Saturday of the same week of Veronica's 'Palm Springs mission' found the usual suspects at the Kanes house, enjoying the late autumn Southern California sun.

They had moved their Thursday night gathering to Saturday for lunch, as the Echolls were still recovering from Veronica's activities with the FBI. Thursday was too soon, they needed some down time, and family time.

For the first time since Lily was young and had dated in high school, there was an outsider at one of their gatherings.

Aubrey had asked if Dan could come, and her parents had complied.

"Well, if you think about it, spending time with Aubrey's boyfriend seems pretty tame compared to kidnapping, secret agent work and death threats," Logan had said with a comical air of defeat.

"I think it will be a good opportunity," Veronica had agreed. "I'd like to get to know him, Aubrey's really quite attached to him, you know."

"Oh I know," Logan had retorted. "Crisis tends to draw people together in a special way."

They shared a tender smile, thinking of the way they had been drawn together in a crisis. They both chose to overlook the way in which they had dissimilarly been torn apart in a separate crisis. The past was the past, and they knew which moments were worth reliving and focusing on.

So Dan was also at the Kane's house. He was sitting with Aubrey, Justin, Caroline and James, Aubrey snuggled into his side, their hands clasped. They were on the outdoor seating, sprawled across the couches that overlooked the beach.

Dick, Duncan, Logan and Wallace were presiding over the grill, Wallace making sure the three spoiled, grown men, dinner burn the burger patties. The three of them had had almost 20 years of married life in which to improve their general household skills, but none of them were particularly adept, including the art of grilling.

Logan was having particular trouble, as he was busy glowering at Dan and Aubrey, irregardless of the fact that their contact was completely innocent.

"Logan, you're going to burn a hole in that poor kid's head," Duncan said with a chuckle, prodding Logan with a pair of tongs.

"Laugh now, DK," Logan retorted. "Lily may be approaching thirty, and be married, but you've still got to go through it all again with Honey."

Duncan's eyes narrowed a little at the thought, but he replied calmly, "It's not the end of the world. You've just got to let them begin to live their own lives. Watching over them is fine, stepping in if something serious happens is right, but scrutinising their every act is just causing yourself pain."

"Did you take that from one of Logan's Inspirational Greetings?" Dick asked mockingly.

"No Dick, it's called common sense, you've probably never heard of it," Duncan said pityingly.

"I think it would be common sense for me to hit you now," Dick said, lunging at Duncan.

Wallace chuckled, and Logan watched on in amusement.

Duncan merely swatted Dick away, and their playful banter went no further.

Mac and Veronica had however been watching them through the kitchen window.

Mac turned to Veronica and said, "I wonder if clouds ever look down on us and say hey look that one looks like an idiot?"

"You married the idiot," Veronica replied with a laugh.

Mac shook her head ruefully. "Well, my life is never dull, that's for sure."

"Hey, I thought that was because I feature in it!" Veronica exclaimed, pretending to be wounded.

Mac's face became serious at these words, and Veronica realised she'd potentially re-opened a can of worms, one that had only just been closed.

Veronica just gave her a weak smile and said, "I think I'll just say 'sorry' again, and we can move on to more pleasant things."

Mac nodded easily, it wasn't part of her nature to be fussy.

Veronica had spent the past few days, following her Palm Springs Drama, cleaning up from it.

On Tuesday morning she had made her way, bright and early, to the FBI in L.A.

She had met with Casper and Butterfield, and presented them with all her findings on Keating, culminating with the previous day's findings, and mishaps.

She'd completed a full report, with both agents convinced she'd retrieved more than enough evidence to nail Brandon Keating to the wall, and take down his organisation with him.

So they'd slapped her wrist for engaging in risky behaviour on her watch, then thanked her for her service and hard work, and asked for her badge back.

"I hate asking for your badge, it makes it look like we want to lose you as an agent," Casper said ruefully. "If I thought I could persuade you in returning to The Bureau, I would."

"You're right there, plus Logan would probably cause you some bodily harm if you convinced me," Veronica said lightly.

Casper had chuckled and told Veronica he'd be in touch soon, as he'd volunteered to take a part in stopping the attacks on Aubrey, and the Echolls.

Veronica had returned home, reported the news to a thankful, but still hurt Logan.

He had been as caring as possible, but there were still moments where he was filled hurt, or anger, or fear.

The children had coped quite well with Veronica's return, her absence had been hardly noticeable.

It did add to their stress levels, for even children are affected by death threats and bruised parents, regardless of the fact that it was Neptune after all.

Back in present time, Caroline and Aubrey were planning the Winter Formal. Caroline was sitting on the committee that was organising it.

James had listened to his sister for as long as he could, and the words, "Colour palette" was the phrase that broke the camel's back.

"Well, I'm going to see what mischief the others are up to," James said hopefully, standing.

He saluted Dan and Justin and mouthed, "Save yourselves," and left.

Dan grinned at him, but was content to sit with Aubrey snuggled against him.

Frankly, he wasn't going anywhere while Justin stayed near his girlfriend. It wasn't that he didn't like Justin, he did. It was just that he had seen the looks of pained longing Justin had directed Aubrey over the last six or so weeks. He'd decided to let it go, as Justin had been nothing but a good and respectful friend to both of them, and seemed to be trying to hide his unrequited love, and deal with it. Not to mention he'd been friends with Aubrey since they were born. Plus their family ties went way back.

Dan hoped that for Aubrey's sake, that if Justin really did have a crush on her, it wouldn't be unearthed. It would just add more mess to Aubrey's already currently stressful life.

"So we're going with a Winter Formal at the Neptune Grande?" Aubrey asked.

"Yeah, there are only so many dances you can have in the gym. I mean, the gym is all well and good for Homecoming, but we should have a nicer dance too," Caroline reasoned.

"You mean especially because you like the finer things of life," Aubrey teased. "Are you working on a theme, or will there be other themed dances later?"

"Oh it has to have a theme, and there will also be other themed dances. The more dances the better, I say!" Caroline suggested.

"Because you need as many dances as possible to be asked to by as many guys as possible," Dan teased astutely.

Caroline maturely stuck her tongue out at him, then to Aubrey, "Well, I'd been thinking about a 'Winter Wonderland'."

"Care, in case you haven't noticed, we're a little short of snow here in Neptune," Justin pointed out dryly.

Justin's words floated across the deck to Dick and the other's ears.

"It's our party, we can do what we want to," Dick said in a taunting, sing-song manner, in reference to his daughter's dance planning.

"It's actually my party, because it's my house, so you can do what I want you to," Duncan countered humorously.

"Actually, they're the lyrics to a silly song from 2013. That's so 25 years ago," Veronica said teasingly, approaching them from the house, accompanied by Evelyn. "Besides, everyone knows that men are only allowed to do what their wives tell them to."

"So, I think that makes it my house, and you'll do what I want you to," Eva said with a grin. "So how about you large children bring the dishes out from the kitchen so we can eat?"

Duncan assented with a kiss to Eva's cheek. Dick followed suit, kissing her cheek and heading inside. Wallace copied their actions, as did Logan, who kissed Veronica as well with a roughish grin.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I glad Lily and Liam are not here, I don't think I could've coped with another kiss," Eva said with a laugh.

"Well I bet Aubrey wishes she wasn't here, I could just sense her cringing at that public display of affection from Logan and me," Veronica commented accurately.

Ninety minutes later, the food was all gone, much socialising had been done, and most of the children were engaged in some form of play or other.

The older set were however milling around near their parents, with the exception of Dan, whose parents were not there of course. They all had hopeful expressions on their faces, though Dan's was a little better masked than those of Aubrey, Caroline and Justin's. Their younger age, and the permission they were yet to seek and receive from their parents were the factors in the difference.

The adults were all talking, and pretending not to notice their silently waiting children, who surely wanted something.

"Well Veronica, it seems to me that our children would like our attention," Amanda said to Veronica in a serene voice.

"Perhaps, though I could not be sure as they are rather silent," Veronica said musingly.

"I believe their silence is supposed to be a show of respect and good behaviour," Mac suggested thoughtfully.

"They certainly didn't get that from their fathers," Veronica said with a snicker.

"Hey! I object!" Wallace said with feigned indignation. "Supafly, you know I was a much more obedient child than any of these other goons even pretended to be. You fall under that category too, V."

Dick, Logan and Duncan just sat quietly, grinning. They had no defence, and it didn't really even bother them.

Caroline decided it was about time for her to cut in, time was dragging by, and she knew that if she let the parents' banter continue they'd be in for a long wait.

"Um, we would like to talk to you, please," Caroline began.

"We just wanted to check that it's okay for us to head off now," Aubrey continued.

"You know, meet some friends, maybe see a movie or something," Justin added.

The three sets of parents in question all pretended to look seriously at one another, whispered nonsense for a minute, then turned to the children.

"Have fun, be home some time before dawn," Dick announced comically.

"That means midnight, Caroline," Mac added, knowing her daughter would use Dick's words to her advantage, if not stopped.

"Saddened though we are by your wish to leave this auspicious gathering, we acknowledge your desire to embark on activities that are more intriguing for a teenager," Logan said, his eyes twinkling roguishly, his choice of words bringing him particular amusement.

"See you home before eleven," Veronica added.

"Justin, we'd rather you stay here," Wallace said, his face completely serious.

Justin began to splutter, and Amanda quickly put him out of his misery by laughing loudly.

"You can go, son," she said, between laughs. "Make good choices."

The three of them conveyed their thanks, and left as quickly as possible.

"Well, that was an experience," Dan said with a chuckle, as he and Aubrey got into his car, headed for the Neptune Mall.

"They're a bit much sometimes," Aubrey said, with fondness in her tone.

"They are something alright, but it was nice, you know," Dan remarked. "They're all important people, who've done or do important things, but they're real, you know. My parents and their friends aren't really like that."

"They are pretty great," Aubrey said proudly. "I'm glad you came."

"I'm glad I did too," Dan replied, kissing her swiftly, managing to keep his eyes on the road.

Back at the Kanes, Violet was sitting in an armchair, a sullen pout on her adorable lips. She had given up reading the book that was perched on her lap.

"What's up with you?" James asked, sitting down on the chair next to hers.

"I hate being younger than Aubrey," Violet sulked. "Don't you hate watching Caroline go out, have fun with her friends, act all grown up?"

"Well, a bit, but not much. I mostly hate that she can drive and I can't," James replied with a grin. He'd had a year of Caroline being in high school already to adjust to the fact that she went out more and was more independent. It helped that they were brother and sister, not two sisters, close in age, use to doing most things together.

Violet's face brightened at James' remark. "At least Aubrey can't drive yet," she said with a smile. "But still, she has a boyfriend, who can drive, and a best friend who can drive, and I'm stuck here."

"There'll be plenty of time for you to go out and have fun, Vi," James said wisely. "Where's Dakota? Don't you two usually spend these gatherings giggling about boys and reading magazines?"

"We had a fight," Violet disclosed reluctantly. "It was stupid, don't ask."

"Well, if it was stupid, why don't you make up?" James suggested.

"Because I'm still mad," Violet answered petulantly.

"Well, how about we go for a walk on the beach. You'll soon have sand everywhere and you'll be more annoyed by that than whatever happened with Dakota," James proposed.

Violet giggled and stood up, saying, "You can always make me laugh, Jamie."

Over at Neptune Mall, Aubrey, Caroline, Dan and Justin had met up with some of their friends from Neptune High and were busy engaged in the usual social activities of the adolescent rich and famous.

No one, not even Aubrey's security detail, noticed the quiet figure, unobtrusively taking photos of Aubrey.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," another shopper said, as she knocked in to the figure taking photos.

"No worries," the figure replied in a feminine voice, then muttered, "Screw you," under her breath.

She was filled with a lot of pent up rage, that only grew as she plotted the downfall of Veronica Mars. The only thing that kept her from exploding was the knowledge that she grew ever closer to her goal.

AN: Brandon Keating may be disposed with, but something else evil lurks ahead. Will Veronica solve this case in time?

Up next, some lighthearted fun :)

Please review!