Chapter 9: Got the Boot
*****Where We Left Off*****
Wallace approached the group playing volleyball and couldn't resist calling out, "Am I hallucinating or is that Weevil playing a game of volleyball with Logan and Dick?"
Everyone paused in the game—Buffy was about to serve—and looked at the new arrival.
"Mac? You do physical activity?" Wallace asked with a grin.
"Volleyball is barely physical," Mac said. "I just stand here and hit a ball if it comes my way."
"So who's your new friends?" Wallace asked.
"This is Buffy Summers," Mac introduced.
Buffy smiled at the newcomer. "Hello," she said.
"She and her friends just moved here. That's Willow and Tara. Willow's a computer girl like me," Mac introduced.
"Willow's also the bio sister of my sister Trina," Logan added.
Wallace's eyes widened as he realized why she looked so familiar. "Cool," he said. "I'm Wallace Fennel. This is my little brother Darrel."
"I'm Xander," Xander said, extending his hand to Wallace. "Do you want to play?"
"He's athletic, so he can't be on Buffy's team," Mac said. She, Logan, Dick, and Xander were on a team while Buffy had Tara, Willow and Weevil.
"He can if he wants to!" Buffy insisted.
"No!" each member of the opposing team said.
"Buffy's freakishly gifted in anything physical," Willow explained. "It's already ten to one."
Logan still couldn't believe how gifted the woman was in pretty much thing physical they did. Skiing and now volleyball—she was something to behold.
"Well, then, you guys can have Darrel, and I'll join you," Wallace said.
"All right! Now we have Wally-world, so we might have a fighting chance," Dick said happily.
Buffy served, and the ball went back and forth several times until Tara knocked into Willow, who caused Buffy to miss the return.
"Yes!" Dick exclaimed. "Now, it's game on!"
They handed the ball to Wallace, who served just inside the boundary on the other side where Willow was standing. She didn't get her hands up in time, and a point was lost.
The game went on another hour, and the score was five to fifteen.
Mac, though, had enough. "Okay. This is more exercise than I get in a month! I'm done," she said.
"What? We totally almost have them!" Dick said, not wanting to quit.
"I don't know what world you're in, Dick, but we managed only four more points in an hour," Mac said.
"I agree. We won," Buffy said, looking smug.
"They're right, Dick," Logan said. "We were never going to beat Buffy."
"Hey, it was a team effort!" Willow insisted.
"That's right," Tara said, smiling.
Weevil snorted. Buffy was definitely an incredible athlete.
"Next time, we have gotta try basketball," Wallace said.
Dick's eyes lit up. "That's a great idea! Buffy's so short that we're bound to have some advantage," he said.
"Because Wallace is so tall," Logan said with a smirk.
"I'm tall enough to have basketball scholarship," he pointed out.
"That's right. Height can't replace speed or agility," Buffy said.
"I need something to drink," Willow said.
They went back to their set up and had some drinks, talking companionably.
Wallace sat down next to Mac while Darrel tried to convince Dick to let Darrel bury him in the stand.
Buffy was chatting a mile a minute with Xander, Weevil, and Logan with Willow interjecting some comments.
"The new girl is something else," Wallace said.
"How was Africa?" Mac asked.
"Amazing," he said. "I'll have to come by and show you my pictures. It was so incredible."
"If you're trying to figure out which guy she's into, I'll save you the trouble," Mac said. "She is best friend's with Xander, who grew up with Willow as his best friend. Tara is Willow's girlfriend, and Buffy is dating both Logan and Weevil."
Wallace's eyes widened in surprise. "Seriously? And the guys both know and haven't come to blows?" he asked.
"She said she's not sleeping with both of them—just enjoying getting to know them," Mac said.
"I take it she's the opposite of our other short blonde friend?" Wallace asked in amusement. "You have to sign your name in blood to get that much information out of Veronica."
Mac grinned. "Very true," she said. "Sometimes, she reminds me a bit of Veronica as she's got so much energy. The first time I met was at a clothing boutique. I found out that she'd walked the five miles there and thought it wasn't a big deal. She loves shopping, but she's not at all like the 09er girls here. Buffy's not exactly like anyone—she doesn't even own a cell phone or rather didn't when I first met her. She got one just this week."
Wallace shook his head. "She's so animated," he said. "I can see why the guys like her. But I don't get how she's managed to make Logan and Weevil spend time together—not even V could do that."
"It's hard to explain," Mac said. "Xander lives in Weevil's building and works with him. Xander is a really good guy. Kind of like you—comfortable with the ladies."
"It takes a special kind of guy to have a girl for a best friend," Wallace said with a cocking wink.
Mac grinned. "Buffy just has this way about her. I'm not sure how to describe it, but I do know that she can kick both their asses as she's an expert in martial arts," Mac shared.
"You're joking," Wallace said.
"Joking about what?" Xander asked, moving to sit down. "Buffy has convinced the guys to now go surfing." The trio of Dick, Logan, and Buffy were walking to Dick's truck. Weevil sat down on the other side of Xander.
"I was telling Mac how Buffy can kick your guys' butts, so that's why Weevil and Logan are getting along," Mac said.
Xander laughed. "She's not lying. Buffy's a badass all the way," Xander said.
"I find that really hard to believe," Wallace said.
"Well, Logan and Dick saw it firsthand when Gorya's Russian friends tried to jump him in on the beach a few weeks ago," Mac said. "Buffy kicked some ass."
"She's all about the ass kicking," Xander said.
"Wallace, I wanna go swimming," Darrel said, growing bored with the sand since no one would let him bury them.
"Knock yourself out," Wallace said.
"I'm hot. I think I'll join you," Tara said, taking of her t-shirt.
Wallace blinked—the girl was very well-endowed. Her one-piece bathing suit didn't hide that fact.
"She only likes girls," Xander said, catching Wallace checking out Tara.
"Who only likes girls?" Willow asked, joining them.
Wallace was very uncomfortable as he realized the position that he was in. He gave Xander a beseeching look, hoping that he wouldn't say anything.
"Tara," Xander said. "Wallace here was checking out your girl."
"No, I wasn't," Wallace said quickly. He gave Xander a glare. Of course, Xander just grinned, unconcerned.
"Hey, it's okay," Willow said, grinning proudly. "My girl's hot, but she only likes girls."
"That's cool," Wallace said. He considered joining his brother swimming just to get out of the awkward conversation, but that'd be worse. It would look like he was trying to get close to Tara.
Weevil saved him by asking, "So have you talked to V? How's the FBI think going?"
"I've gotten some emails from her mostly," Wallace said. "She's learning a lot she says. I think she's been in trouble at least once, though, for not following the rules.
Weevil smirked. "That's not a surprise," he said. "She loves to break the rules."
"Then a career in the FBI might not be the best fit for her," Xander said. "They love the rules the way a cop loves his donuts."
"Did you guys tell Fennell that Buffy's mom's dating the Sherriff?" Weevil asked.
Xander and Willow both looked confused while Wallace looked surprise.
"Joyce isn't dating the sheriff," Willow said.
"She's dating the P.I. guy," Xander said.
"Keith Mars was sheriff a long time," Weevil said. "That's how many of think of him still."
"So Buffy's mom is dating Veronica's dad?" Wallace asked. "Does Veronica know?"
"I don't think that's something Mr. Mars would say over the phone," Mac said. "Should we tell her?"
Wallace shook his head. "No way. It was bad enough when he dated my mom," Wallace said. "There's no way I wanna be in the middle of that. Veronica doesn't like to share."
"She's possessive of her dad?" Willow wondered.
"More like protective," Mac said. "She's an only child."
"Keith did jump through a real fire to save her from Logan's psycho father," Wallace said. "He's like a real-life hero—her hero."
"That'd be cool to have a dad like that," Xander said. "My dad wouldn't jump through water to save me. He might throw me a life preserver if one was in plain sight."
Weevil grinned. Then glanced out at the water. Buffy was surfing with Logan, and he really didn't like it. However, she was both warm and elusive as water. Just when he thought they were growing closer, she'd pull back before things got too serious.
Now on a major holiday, she was forcing him to spend time with Echolls, too. Why was he still here?
He got up. "Okay, well, it's time for me to go," he said.
"Already?" Xander asked.
"I played volleyball for two hours with two guys I loathe," Weevil said.
"That's true," Wallace said with a smirk.
"What about Buffy? Don't you want to say goodbye to her?" Willow asked.
"I'll call her later," he said easily. He wasn't sure that was true, but it made his escape easier. "My family is having a big celebration, and I promised my abuela that I'd stop by."
"Okay," Xander said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"You making breakfast?" Weevil asked with interest.
"Probably," Xander said. "It is the most important meal of the day!"
"So are you two a couple now or what?" Wallace teased.
"Hey, for his quiche, I'd consider it," Weevil said with a wink as he headed to his motorcycle, Xander's laughter ringing in his ears.
Wallace couldn't help but notice Buffy's frown when she was told that Weevil left without saying goodbye. However, she didn't see too upset and enjoyed herself with Logan and her friends. Wallace wasn't sure what to think, but he couldn't help but like the friendly blonde.
*****The Next Day*****
Keith was in his office, whistling while he typed up notes. He couldn't believe how well his summer was going. He had lunch nearly every day with his new work neighbor, and Joyce had gone out to dinner with him about six times. Last night, though, he'd convince her to stay the night since Buffy was staying with her friends on campus. Their first time together had been everything he had hoped it would be.
Joyce hadn't had any serious relationships since her divorce several years ago, but he knew this was more than a fling.
His office door opened, and he looked up.
"Veronica?" he said in surprise, standing up. "What are you doing home?"
Veronica looked sheepish as she said, "Would you believe I was homesick?"
"Not even a little bit," Keith said. Then he went over to hug her. "I'm very happy to see you. I missed you like crazy."
Veronica returned the hug, holding on a bit longer than normal, so Keith knew something bad had happened.
Then she sat down in the chair, so he sat back down in his and waited for her to explain.
"I got the boot," Veronica admitted.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. What happened?" he asked.
"What didn't?" Veronica said. "I don't work well with others. The definition of team escapes me. I don't follow the rules or try to go by the book. Basically, I am not cut out for any type of police work, especially not the FBI."
Keith winced. "They said that?" he asked.
"That's just the cliff notes," Veronica admitted. "They told me on the third, but it was too expensive to fly back yesterday."
"Well, it's good that you know before you get much further in your education," Keith said.
"I suppose," Veronica said. "I just feel like such a failure. I wanted it so much, and it was within my grasp."
"You know regular police work isn't nearly as restrictive as federal," Keith said. "Or you can think about the law."
"Go to law school?" Veronica asked.
"I could really see you as a district attorney—going after the bad guy," he said.
"Or a defense attorney defending the little guy," she countered, smiling.
The door opened to his office. "Keith, I just sold a painting!" Joyce said excitedly. Then she realized he wasn't alone. "Oh, I'm so sorry for barging in!"
Veronica looked at the woman with interest. "It's okay. I don't mind," she said.
Keith stood and surprised Veronica when he placed a light kiss on the woman's lips. "Congratulations, honey," he said. "Joyce, this is my daughter Veronica. Veronica, this is Joyce Summers—my special lady friend."
"She's so lovely, Keith," Joyce said, giving Veronica a warm smile. She held out her hand to Veronica, who stood and shook it.
"Thanks," Veronica said. "So how did you two kids meet."
"I moved to town and opened an art gallery next door," Joyce said.
"Really? That's great," Veronica said. "An art gallery is just the thing that place needed."
"It's gotten us some new foot traffic," Keith said with a grin.
"I thought you weren't coming home until next month?" Joyce asked.
"That was the plan, but the FBI and I decided to part ways," Veronica said with a careless grin. Was she happy about this new woman in her father's life? She seemed nice enough—owned her own business.
Her genuine display of compassion, though, convinced Veronica that she was at least a compassionate person.
"I am so sorry to hear that," Joyce said. "My daughter's been kicked out of school more than once for things that weren't necessarily her fault."
"Really? If something happens once, it's an accident, but if it's twice, that's a pattern of behavior," Veronica pointed out.
Instead of getting offended, Joyce laughed. "Yes, that's true in some cases," Joyce said. "Buffy does have issues with authority."
"Sounds like another girl I know and adore," Keith said, giving his daughter a fond smile.
"Buffy is your daughter's name?" Veronica asked.
"Yes," Joyce said. "I have a daughter who is your age, and she's going to be a sophomore at Hearst."
Veronica wasn't sure how she felt about sharing her father with a woman, who had a kid her age, and she was suddenly interested in getting to know her dad's new girlfriend.
*****Chapter End*****
Yep, I decided to bring Veronica back early. Also, since she did go to law school in the movie, I figured that either the FBI summer thing didn't happen, or she crashed and burned during it.
