Of course Rob Thomas is God and I own nothing of Veronica Mars. I'm just borrowing the character to occupy my idle mind.

A/N: This is a story I started. It will have a few more chapters. I just I can keep up with it. I have been not only writing the first couple of chapters but also working on the middle and the end. I've been kind of all over the place with this because I have so many ideas to work in. Please feel to toss in any ideas or criticisms constructive or otherwise. This will eventually be a crossover. Thanks to all who read

Note: Italics are Veronica Mars voiceovers. I know it's probably implied but I didn't want to take any chances on this one because she spends way to much time in her head. At least in my story she does…enjoy!

Part 1

The End of the Beginning

Graduation is sneaking up on me. I know full well time is running short. It is the end of the beginning and a start of a whole new life. There are choices to make. Big choices. These are the kind of choices that could be life altering. It scares me that I might make the wrong ones. I have spent months weighing the pros and cons and possibilities.

Winning the Kane scholarship provided the stepping stone I needed. It really is ironic now that I think about it. No matter where I run I will never be able to out run the Kane's. There is no way to escape them especially when they start sending in the tuition checks.

It never mattered whether the founder of a multimillion dollar software company was my father or not and I'm willing to bet he never figured me to be the dark horse in all this. I've always had the best grades but I never advertised. I acted like your average California valley girl, blonde and stupid. I know it's a scholarship. It's free money but still they will forever be apart of me because now I will owe my college education and new life to the death of a Kane. I was awarded the scholarship named in honor of my murdered best friend, Lily Kane. I guess I feel kind of guilty being rewarded because Lily is no longer on this Earth. It's crazy and I hope I grow out of it. This is probably the scariest time I've ever had in my life but I'll survive. I always do.

In the mean time I started pulling College/University names out of a hat. I applied to the true blue local schools of San Diego State and Hearst. I even chose a couple of Big 10 schools mostly because I love college football so much. Could I make a new life after say Ohio State University Law School or University of Michigan Medical School? Or if I were determine to be as far east as possible without going abroad there was always Penn State. I still can't believe I applied and was accepted at the top three of Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. That was unheard of. No one is ever accepted to all three. I never really considered the Ivy League. But now anything was possible. Thank you, Lily.

She went to her father, Keith Mars, smiling at him brightly, "Dad what do you think about Yale?"

"Yale? As in across the country? Are you that determined to get away from your old man?"

"Never that Daddy, I just want some new scenery. You know what I mean? It's just that so much has happened. I need to get away from Neptune."

Keith stepped to his daughter and took her into a hug. He spoke into the top of her head, "I know honey and if moving to Connecticut is what you need to do to find some peace and happiness…well I won't be exactly thrilled about the idea. I love being able to see you everyday but if it means you're living my life and not your own…Veronica, I will support your decision. What about Wallace?"

"I'm trying to talk him into Southern Connecticut."

"Really? I don't think Alicia will go for it."

"I know. I want to get away from Neptune but I'm not sure I'm ready to go alone. If Wallace is there then I know things won't be so…daunting."

"Good luck with that sweetie. Alicia can be absolutely brutal. She is a hard woman to argue with. I think she was the captain of the debate team."

"Lost a few?"

"More than few."

Veronica looked pointedly at her dad when he said, "you know I let her win, right?"

"I know you do, dad. I understand completely it's the noble thing to do."

"That's me, honey, THE knight in shining armor."

"Last one in Neptune for sure. Mrs. Fennel is the luckiest woman around. So, when is she going to be Mrs. Mars?"

"Do you think she would say yes?"

"Absolutely, Daddy she would be crazy not too. Besides she makes you happy and from what I hear you make her pretty happy, too."

He smiled at her, "thanks sweetie. You better get going if you're going to met Wallace."

"Okay bye dad. Don't wait up!"

"Have a good time."

"Thanks Dad. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetie. Be careful."

After kissing her Dad on the cheek and running out the door Veronica met up with Wallace 30 minutes later. She parked in front his houses waiting for him come out. Five minutes after pulling up Wallace was jogged to the passenger side smiling happily.

We made plans to spend the day together weeks ago. It kills me that we have yet to discuss the future. Wallace has been avoiding the subject like the plague. He has to know the future is here and no matter how grand a fight he puts up he can't win. This heavy silence is killing me. But knowing the subject we need to talk about I'm not thrilled about breaking the silence any more than he is.

As she drove Veronica stole glances at Wallace. She was gauging his mood as he was doing the same with her. One glance over and their eyes met. That's it in five seconds I'm reenacting a scene from Kill Bill out of the car and he can drive himself. I've been practicing that move to perfection albeit in my head but I have confidence.

"Where are we going?" Wallace finally asked.

Thank God.

"I want to hang out on the beach. I have some food and blankets in the trunk. It's just something we haven't done before and I thought we could talk for awhile", she told him revealing their destination.

"Sounds good. Veronica, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I've just been thinking."

"Dangerous."

"You're telling me but it has to be done by someone. It might as well be me", she said smiling at him.

They reached a small secluded section of beach not many people used. There were still a few hours until sunset and Veronica looked forward to it. They parked and gathered everything from the trunk. Together they spread a blanket out and crawled onto it. They ate the food Veronica put together then lay back onto the blanket covered sand. They lay on their backs soaking in the sun and listening to sound of the waves breaking against the beach.

"I love the sound and feel of the beach", she told him.

"I know. It's the perfect place to escape the daily grind", he told her.

There will be no more thinking today.

He turned onto his side facing her. She looked over at him then she mimicked his movement. She scooted her body until she felt him against her back. He hesitantly laid an arm across her abdomen. The warmth from his body filled her and the feel of him against her gave her a sense of security she hadn't had since the Aaron Echolls trial. She felt herself drifting to sleep but didn't fight it.

The sun made its way across the open sky. There wasn't a cloud in sight. They sky was a brilliant blue rarely seen anywhere else. Wallace lay there with Veronica snuggled against him. It was a comfort to know she felt safe enough to fall asleep in his arms. He stroked her hair as she slept. He could hear her even breathes and it was then he knew he wouldn't trade this moment for any other.

He knew she hardly slept with everything that had happen in Neptune. He also understood why she was so desperate to leave. She had been beat up, shot at, chased down, and stalked. It was enough to make your average teenager a basket case for life. As per the usual she never once failed to surprise him since the day she cut him down from the flag pole on his first day at Neptune High.

As the sun were about to touch the horizon he bent his head down to Veronica's ear and whispered, "V you're going to miss it."

"Hmmm" was the only response she gave him.

"Don't you want to see the sunset?"

She stretched and opened her eyes slowly looking at him, "I fell asleep. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I know you don't sleep at night."

She looked at him with surprise written across her face, "How do you know?"

"Because I know you and you have a brain that never quits." He pointed in the direction of the setting sun and said, "You're going to miss it."

She turned her head in the direction he was pointing telling him, "I wouldn't want that."

Together in the solitude of a California beach they watched the sun go down. As it disappeared beyond the ocean the temperature dropped. Wallace could feel her shake against him and knew she didn't want to leave the safety of his arms to find one of the extra blankets. That thought surprised him momentarily then made him smile. He shook his head then spread the blanket he was using as a pillow to cover her.

"Wallace?" she asked quietly.

"Yeah."

"I'm leaving Neptune and I was hoping you'd come with me."

"Veronica…" he started but he hesitated.

Veronica being the astute listener she was heard something in his voice when he spoke her name. She turned over to look at him. He raised his arm to allow her freedom to move. When she could look into his eye she spoke, "Wallace what is it?"

"I have something I have to tell you. At the moment I'm not sure how to do it."

"Just tell me."

He sat up to reach into his back pocket and slowly placed a folded brochure into her hands.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Read it", he whispered.

"The Few the Proud…Oh my God!"

"Veronica…"

"You joined the Marines?" she asked with shock and surprise lacing her voice.

"Yeah."

"Wallace, why would you do that? They are going to send you to Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia…what if you don't come back?"

He could see tears trailing down her cheeks. He gently brushed a thumb across her skin to catch them, "it's something I need to do, V. I'm not much of a college man no matter what you or my mom think but just like you I need to get out of Neptune. I need to live my life. I need to escape. Besides I'll look damn fine in uniform."

"But the Marines? Wallace, are you sure about this?"

"To be honest I'm not sure about anything but 'the journey begins' at the end of the summer about the time you leave for Yale."

"That's the Navy's motto and how did you know I chose Yale?"

"My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment…" he quipped. "And I knew you were thinking about Yale because it's Ivy League and it's about as far east as you can go without going to London or France. Besides I saw the brochure on your desk along with your pro/con list. I didn't know you hated New York and Jersey so much."

She laughed as Wallace rolled onto his back inviting her into his arms. She put her head on his chest allowing the rhythmic thrump of his heart to lull her as he held her in a tight hug. She told him sleepily, "Wallace I will miss you more than I'll miss anyone else even dad. I love you."

"I love you too Veronica. Now sleep", he could feel her entire body relax slowly on top of him. He was glad and beyond content when he heard her soft breathing even out and letting it drag his conscious under.

They lay on the quiet beach all night. Neither wanted this moment to end. It was likely to be the last they had together. Graduation was two weeks away then Wallace would go to his dad's in Chicago for a month. When he got back there would preparations to leave for both of them.

The beach stayed quiet all night except for the crashing waves. Ignoring the forth coming wrath of the parents they silently agreed this is where they would stay. It was the perfect moment after all.