Title: Not Everybody Likes You
Author: irmak
Pairing/Character: Lamb/Veronica
Word Count: 1218
Rating: PG-13 (for now)
Summary: What if Lamb had saved Veronica from the fire?
Spoiler: Season 1

"Well, well, well. Look who we have in here! I have a visitor. And of all of the people it could be, it's Veronica Mars! Mark me cynical but this has to be about me saving you from a painful death."

You don't know what brought you here. You knew he wouldn't be any friendlier than yesterday. You could have send him flowers, or visit him in the morning to show some appreciation and leave quietly. But it's almost midnight and you were here anyway. It's not like you wake up everyday with a sudden urge to see Don Lamb. But today, everything changed. You know better than anyone that how one second can change your whole life. The "What if's" have always ruled your life. You certainly didn't have this urge earlier today. It wasn't until he found you there, kicking and screaming in a freezer, while the psychotic father of your ex-boyfriend was trying to kill you. Then, you had the urge.

"I came here to see..." Your voice shatters and you hate this. You wonder if this is how it's going to be with him from now on. Would you spend the rest of you life thankful to the man you despise with every fiber of your being? The same man who sent you down this path the day he told you to go see the wizard, ignoring your tears. "How are you... Sheriff?"

"Aww, don't be so distant, Mars. I did save your life tonight. You may call me Mr. Lamb."

"Do you need anything?"

"I just needed a good pain in the ass and then you came in the room. It's miracles like that, that make you wonder how people can lose their faith."

You want to say something, that you owe him big time or you'll hate him no matter what, but the words won't leave your throat. You just can't think of anything good to say. So when the nurse comes in with an injection in her hand, you take the opportunity to turn to leave without really saying anything.

He just looks at you with an amused expression. "See? I always get more than I ask. The Gods must be laughing by now!"

As you leave, you promise yourself that you won't come over tomorrow, but honestly, deep down, you know this won't be the end.

---

When you find yourself outside his hospital room the next day, you know you're in deep trouble. You know what it's going to be like for the next few hours, but you don't feel like going back. You slowly look inside the room, and there he is, sleeping. He has many visible wounds, like the small cuts on his face and a bigger one on his shoulder. Then there are the two broken ribs and severe burns you know are hiding under the blankets. You go in, sit in the chair next to his bed, open your book, and decide to read silently. Almost half an hour later, he wakes up. Your eyes never leave your book, but you know he's awake due to change in his breath. A moment ago he was breathing deeply and now he doesn't make the slightest sound. He's looking at you, and you can feel his eyes on you, just like Logan's eyes always did.

"Gees Veronica, Will you just say what you want to say and leave?" Finally looking up at him, you can see a fire burning in his blue eyes.

"I don't have anything particular to say." That's actually the truth.

"How about a 'thank you', Mars?" There's a little weariness in his voice.

"That would be understatement; after all, you saved my life... Don."

He looks surprised and you can swear to God that you saw something in his eyes, other than that fiery anger, for the first time.

"Veronica, what do you want? You're welcome, OK? To protect and serve, remember? You're free to go now. Fly bird, fly away!"

"I want to stay here for a while... If that's okay with you."

He scowls at your suggestion. But you gather courage from his silence and slowly open your book again. As you read, you hear him to let out a sigh, but you can feel that he's almost happy to have someone with him.

---

"So, Mars, does Daddy Dearest know that you're here?" You put you book aside and take in his gaze. He has this half smile on his face, and he's looking directly into your eyes, trying to read you. You are about to open your mouth, but you know your eyes have already given you away. "So he doesn't. And why is that? I saved his precious little girl, and he hasn't come here yet to thank me."

"Don't you remember? He brought you here."

"Did he, now? Oh..." He looks defeated for a split second, but you already know that Sheriff Don Lamb never gives up, not when there is a chance at a good insult. "Well then we're even. Thank God. See, I really can handle you, little Mars,..." -he can hardly raise his arm, but he's so determined to point at you, God knows why- "...running after me, but Daddy Mars? I really can't take him being nice and all."

"Why are you alone?" He understands what you mean, and the fire in his eyes that was almost died down fires back up once again.

"I'm not alone, Mars. Thanks to you, that's not even an option anymore. You just don't understand when you're not wanted." He wants to hurt you but you both know he is failing miserably.

"Where is your family, Don? Your parents?"

"That's not any of your fucking busin-"

"Your girlfriend? Boyfriend?" Now it's your turn to smile. It's the first time since he saved you. He doesn't want to respond back, you see the hesitation in his eyes. You wonder if he is like this with everyone, or is it only you that gets to him so quickly.

"Do you see me asking you about the Echolls boy? Why should you, then?"

Logan... You don't know when you'll find the courage to face him again. He tried so hard to make this work, but you've always been able to find a way to sabotage things. You didn't mean to, but the harm is already done. You can't undo anything and you don't even know if you would want to. You just don't have the strength to fight for him or with him. Your hard edges softened when you were stuck in that fridge, and he loves them sharp. You may not be back to the bubble gum pink version of yourself, but you know that you aren't the same girl you have been for the past year. You just can't go back to that, and for now, you can't move forward. You're stuck right in the middle, and you suddenly realize who you need. And of all people, it's Don Lamb.

"Cat got your tongue? Don't tell me you guys broke up! Aww! And they say turning your other half in to the police brings out the love."

"Well, obviously, it doesn't." You nod half heartedly, and for the first time he doesn't jump at the opportunity to hurt you.

"Obviously."

You go to the hospital everyday that week, until he's discharged. Sometimes you just sit there and read, mostly because he made it clear that he's not into talking. He likes to keep his distance. But even though the ice is slowly breaking down, you still can feel the tension in the air. You've always fought, but what happens when you call the truce?