Previously... This past week, Logan tried to talk about future plans with Veronica to no avail. Mac ended things with a guy before they even began. Marcie Jacobs, a famous TV star asked Veronica to find the person(s) who may be responsible for Connor Larkin's untimely death. Veronica visited Connor's friend Alexander Webster, a TV producer for the CW, and Veronica found out Connor was having an affair with writer/director Katelyn Renner. She is filming an indie flick in Neptune that surprisingly stars Trina Echolls. Unfortunately, Katelyn is hard to get a hold of and after meeting with her assistant, Lee Humphrey, Veronica was left to find alternative methods. Marcie suggested a meeting with Greg Bua, another close friend of Connor's to retrieve information. A young wannabe actress from Neptune, Leah Vance, was also found dead after overdosing on prescription drugs. Similar deaths only days apart, Veronica believes they may be connected especially when she realized Katelyn Renner made a movie that featured Leah in a small part. Weevil requested the help of Veronica in trying to catch the deputies involved in planting evidence and getting PCHers convicted of crimes they may have not committed. She visited Theo Gonzalez, a PCHer drug dealer, who in return explained that his ex-wife might know information pertinent to Veronica's investigation. However, nothing is as easy as it seems...

Chapter 7

This was the type of predicament Veronica tried to avoid for the benefit of her father. Yet, he surprisingly orchestrated it this time. She purposely stood sandwiched between two coke addicts because of her compulsion to find the truth through any means necessary. Her flower pin live streamed everything and so the occupants of 1627 Glendale Drive were screwed either way. Keith acquired enough evidence to hand over to the landlord. All Veronica needed was the certainty that Anita was behind selling the specific drugs found in Leah and Connor's autopsy. Veronica knew Neptune basically had a drug dealer within every fifteen mile radius. What Marcie asked her to do was no simple task. The trail of bread crumbs broke off in too many directions.

Her poker face in full effect, Veronica remained unruffled. Caught amidst a staring contest, Anita persisted. "Well?!" The woman crossed her arms and began tapping her foot impatiently.

"Like I said before…" She thought very carefully what her next course of action would be. Out of her peripheral vision, Veronica made a surreptitious glance at the man who had now stood up. He was taller than she had first judged. At least six-foot-two and burly, even without the gun, he could easily overpower her. Veronica would have to play it safe if she wanted to walk away unharmed.

The man placed a hand on top of his gun in anticipation. He positioned himself like a statue, emotionless, abiding his time before he would enter the ring.

"You think I'm stupid?" Anita regretted allowing Veronica inside her house, but there was no turning back. Agitated, her voice rose an octave. "DO YA?"

"Check the bag." The man, who had stayed silent during the entire time, finally opened his mouth before Veronica had a chance to respond. He had a thick Mexican accent. "Vamos a ver si la perra está mintiendo." (We will see if the bitch is lying.)

Veronica held out her black studded bag willingly. "I have nothing to hide."

Anita snatched it immediately. She dug her hand inside and pulled out the empty wallet which only contained the fake ID.

"Shauna Claiborne." She read aloud. Anita began checking every nook and cranny for cash in the wallet as well as the pockets inside the bag. "For someone who planned on buying Oxy..." Anita paused as she watched a photograph slip out and fall onto the floor. She picked it up and stared at the portrait. "Who is this?"

Veronica struggled to mask a smirk. "Look, let me go and you won't go to jail," she lied. Anita Santos was useless, a dead-end in the ever growing corn maze. "You're just wasting my time now."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Anita jerked her head back, perplexed. She threw the bag down at Veronica's feet. "Get the hell out of my house!" She moved to the right giving Veronica the space to leave. However, the man interrupted Veronica once again just as she put her hand on the doorknob.

"Stop." He bellowed. Veronica froze knowing full well the man had just pulled out his gun. She turned one eighty and faced him. His right hand slightly squeezed on the trigger. "Who are you working for?"

"No one." Veronica deliberately played innocent. "Let's be civilized here. Put the gun down and no one will get hurt." Any minute now, Dad. Veronica kept saying over in her head hoping she mastered the ability to communicate telepathically. She didn't want to risk reaching for her gun in case one of them got spooked.

"Someone's dodging the question." A vain bulged out of his forehead. "Perra es un policía encubierto o trabaja para Danny!"

Did he think she couldn't comprehend Spanish? Veronica chuckled. More of a nervous laugh, her left hand betrayed her and started to shake. She mustered enough strength to reply coolly. "I don't know a Danny, but I see the bags of what I am sure is not flour on the table. I got you on possession. You want to be charged with first degree murder as the icing on the cake? Prison for life isn't as glamorous as you see on TV. It's better for the both of you if I am free to go."

The man kept his aim on Veronica's chest. He sneered. "You don't want to test me, woman."

Anita shuddered picturing what would happen if her friend lost control. "That's enough, J.D. No quiero sangre derramada sobre mi alfombra." (I don't want blood spilled on my carpet.)

Veronica tuned them out, listening closely to the footsteps outside.

J.D lowered his arm only marginally. Veronica instinctively moved swiftly over to the left. It was within those seconds that Keith knocked down the door. Norris Clayton followed behind him. Guns in their hands, they pointed at Anita and J.D. The man dropped his gun in surrender while giving Veronica one last look of disdain. "Hands up in the air. NOW!" Norris exclaimed. He ambled over and began reciting their rights and putting handcuffs on the two addicts.

In the distance, sirens were heard. Another Crown Vic sped down the street and parked outside flashing its lights.

Veronica snagged her belongings and exited the house with Keith once the criminals were detained. Deputy Lyles greeted them with a condescending look. "Keith and Veronica Mars. It figures I'd find you two poking your heads in where they don't belong." He grimaced at Veronica. "I could have you arrested."

"Who would do your job for you then?" Veronica quipped refusing to bite her tongue. At least, we catch the guilty. Although, Theo and his ex-wife definitely deserved their matching prison jumpsuits, Veronica didn't forget Weevil's request. She would still investigate who was screwing who figuratively. "You're welcomed, by the way."

Keith shook his head in disapproval and signaled for Veronica to stop. She reluctantly listened.

After giving their statements, the father daughter duo reached Veronica's car first. "That was fun." She jokingly remarked. Internally, Veronica wanted to snap a pencil in half out of frustration. She was back to square one with the confirmation Theo and Anita were not involved in any capacity with selling prescription drugs. Okay, trying to track down every dealer who may have connections to Connor or Leah is going to get yourself killed. Veronica thought. LA seemed to be the best course of action. Veronica tilted her head after noticing Keith had a look of sadness strewn across his face. "What? We caught bad men red-handed. I'm healthy as a horse. All is well."

When Veronica first decided to abandon the life she built in New York City for Neptune and the family business, she wanted nothing more than to seek her father's approval. She received the validation in the same week she forgave her mother. The words spoken aloud by Keith established officially something they always were. However, maybe it was still the child in her that wished for a pat on the back or a thumbs up, something inane but further recognition nonetheless.

"I shouldn't have put you into that situation to begin with." Keith replied solemnly. "Poor judgement on my behalf." He averted his eyes, resignation apparent in his voice. "You did great back there though."

Veronica exhaled audibly. She leaned up against her car while fiddling with the keys. "You're always going to see me as ten years old kid, aren't you?"

Keith considered her question. "Five actually with pig-tails and a penchant to disregard my authority."

Veronica hugged him. "Thanks for still being my knight in shining armor."

His resolve wavered. "I believe there is another man in your life for that now, honey. My armor's rusted."

"Blasphemy!" Veronica half smiled. "The Round Table seats for four." She made plenty acquaintances in the years she lived in New York that she had since lost touch with following her decision. Everyone she ever truly cared about and equally had her back lived in Neptune.

"On that note, how does O'Mally's sound for dinner? I'll buy."

Veronica checked her watch. At 6:30 pm on a Sunday, O'Mally's would be packed, but Veronica couldn't pass up free food. Her stomach rumbled. "Sounds good to me."

*x**x**x**x*

When they entered one of Keith's favorite joints, the duo selected an empty booth in the back. Like Veronica deduced, O'Mally's was crowded and not one person was safe from knocking into someone or something else like a monstrous game of bumper cars. The clanks of plates, chatter, and the shuffling of waitresses maneuvering between tables were heard throughout the restaurant. A waiter dropped off silverware and two glasses of water for them. A family of four sat adjacent.

Keith stowed his jacket off to the side as he said, "Why don't you ask Logan to join us."

"Are you going to play nice?" Veronica gave Keith a dubious look. There was a part of Keith that would always have reservations about the other men in Veronica's life. Above all, he wanted Veronica to be happy even if that meant envisioning the Echolls boy as his future son-in-law. A thought that seemed even more palpable as time wore on.

"That's always my intention." He took a sip of water and waited.

Veronica sighed. "Alright, but I have a feeling he's with Dick. After that messy divorce, he gets custody of Logan every other Saturday and Sunday."

"Should have negotiated for a better settlement," Keith replied in a deadpan manner.

"Atlas, Cliffy did what he could." Veronica quipped. She took out her iPhone and dialed the first number that appeared in her most frequented contacts. It rang a few times before Veronica got his voice-mail. She rolled her eyes as she listened to his inspirational message. "Rumi once wrote: 'Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.'" Veronica hung up, sliding the iPhone back in her bag's pocket. "He's busy." Veronica pictured his phone dead as he and Dick squared off playing 'drunk driving', their video-game version where the boys would pull their race car over after every lap and drink. Whoever lost the round would then have to chug an entire beer.

"Just as well. We will have to plan something another time." Keith paused. "Everything going well between you two?"

"If something changes, you'd be the first to know." Veronica stared down at her menu pretending to decide between two options.

A few elongated minutes later, the waitress eventually arrived at their table. She took out a pen and a little notebook from the pocket of her navy apron. "Hi, I'm Jaime. Are you ready to order?" Her voice sounded like wind chimes being blown by a gentle zephyr. Way to eager to please, she was on a mission for good tips.

Keith and Veronica ordered their usuals and went back to small talk. A little while later, after their food arrived, Veronica's eyes would drift over to the booth across from them. Two children no older then five played with their chicken nuggets. The husband and wife engaged in their own conversation, both smiling at each other. It was a Hallmark picturesque moment that made Veronica somewhat envious. She gave up New York because that life would have bored the shit out of her. Yet, Veronica wondered if being with Logan after everything made her realize what she truly wanted but thought she could never have... Was it worth the risk?

Keith followed her glance. "Have you thought about what Logan might do after his contract is up?"

Veronica double-blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "I'm not sure." In truth, Veronica hadn't really asked. She didn't know what he wanted in the long run by always avoiding the topic. Their jobs were too demanding. Would he reenlist and continue his military contract for another six to eight years? Would he discharge? Would she be able to handle him leaving for months on end year after year after year? Veronica never heard Logan talk more passionately then when he brought up his aircraft, which he named Laila after the famous boxer. Logan owed his sanity to the Navy. While she knew he had definitely thought about it, Veronica had been just too stubborn, or quite honestly scared, to really inquire further. Veronica shook her head and cleared her throat. "It's something we have to discuss."

*x**x**x**x*

After the slightly awkward dinner with Keith, Veronica drove around Neptune. She went to certain areas that had been bought up by the developer and waited to catch one of the officers in a compromising act. An unknown private company with infinite funds continued to buy up locations all over the popular beach town. Some areas had already turned into luxury homes affordable only amongst the six and seven-figure income variety. Whoever was in charge set a plan in motion to chase out the riff raff and managed to make the Sheriff department appear like heroes on paper to those living in the prestigious zip code.

A half hour in, high-beams flashed behind her. Veronica had been parked in a neighborhood near Weevil's house. She checked the information within her father's private files to select the location. Three months ago, this was the spot where two of Clifford's clients had been arrested over stolen contraband.

The car behind her, which Veronica couldn't make out, suddenly turned around and drove off. Veronica shuddered. After a fun filled day of having a gun pointed at her, Veronica took it as a sign to just drive home.

At ten pm, Veronica had changed into a baggy t-shirt and shorts with the place to herself. She eventually passed out after planning everything for tomorrow. Logan came home a little while later to find Veronica out like a light and sprawled out on top of the bed. He placed a blanket over her and fell asleep with his arm draped over her waist.

...

Veronica entered into the hallway and dropped her bag off at the bottom of the staircase. She was greeted by a little girl with blonde wavy hair, soft brown eyes, and a large grin that stretched across her face. She came in running and stopped at a halt before tugging at Veronica's leg.

"Come look, come look!" She said with exuberance.

"What is it?"

"Follow me!" The little girl led the way into the dinning room where the chairs had been pushed off to the side. Paint tubes, brushes, and cups of water cluttered the table. Drips of red paint splattered the hardwood floor.

Veronica noticed the dried paint on the little girls hands. She bent down and checked the palms. "Oh no, I caught you red-handed!"

The little girl chuckled. "Am I under arrest?"

"I'll let it slide." Her eyes darted around the room realizing paint now seemed to be everywhere. Smears of red paint covered parts of table. "Did your father let you finger-paint again? You gotta stay within the paper."

She nodded and then quickly grabbed Veronica's hand. "Look, look." Four paintings laid flat on the floor near the back wall. She pointed to the first red blob. "A rose! See! And, look, a lily." The second painting was shaded with mostly greens and blues except for a white, organic shape in the middle. A water lily. The last two paintings were other flowers. Veronica assumed the third to be a yellow daisy and the last possibly red tulips which looked more like three lollypops side by side.

"I think we have a little Georgia O'Keefe on our hands." Someone announced from another room.

Veronica stared at the lily for a long time. It appeared to be the one most carefully painted.

"What do you think?!" The little girl asked, wide-eyed at Veronica. "Do you think she'd like it?"

A loud thunk woke Veronica up in a cold sweat. Slightly disoriented, Veronica sat upright and glanced around the dark room. The clock read 3:34 am. "What the hell was that?"

"What happened?" Logan muffled, eyes still closed.

She caressed his face. "Never-mind. Bad dream." Veronica then gently got out of bed and added, "Go back to sleep." Entering the bathroom as quietly as possible, she flipped the light switch up. Lethargically, Veronica pulled open a drawer full of products.

A moment later–for the first time ever–she could have sworn she felt a very small tinge of disappointment in getting her period.

*x**x**x**x*

In the morning, Veronica woke up early and gazed up at the ceiling. Temporary insanity, that's what she called it. Her mind was too wired to sleep any longer but too exhausted to get out of the bed just yet. Her dad's words amongst other things echoed inside her head.

"You okay?" Logan wondered while getting ready for the day. "Did something happen yesterday? I noticed your miss call after I got home. You were already asleep."

"Yeah. Dad wanted to invite you to dinner. Nothing major." Veronica didn't have the heart to tell him about the drug bust or the car headlights that made her feel as though she had been the one who was being watched. Detailing the dangerous aspects of her job would just make him worry more. "Listen, I'm hoping for a break in the case this week. I'll be in LA all day, maybe all night..."

"If you leave me for a movie star, I'll understand."

"I'm perfectly content with my jet-flying son of a movie star, thank you very much." There was a tone of finality in her voice.

Logan bent down and kissed her forehead. "As they say on the Family Feud, good answer."

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed seeing my version of an adult relationship between Keith and Veronica. Thanks for the reviews. I hope for some more; its an invaluable tool in helping me write! Did the Previously... help or should I just scratch that?

In my mind, Veronica deep down wants all the same things Logan does (with reservations of course) so we'll see if they can finally communicate that but this is noir so light moments will be met with dark ones...

For those who answered my question: MaDi will possibly happen but it will be a slow-burn and definitely believable if it does. That's all I'll say not to spoil anything else. Slowly setting up the dominoes to fall, folks. I've completed the outline of my story and now it's just the matter of filling in gaps. Be patient. The pay-off will be good...

***Oh and I'm actually insane and trying to keep this fiction in a timeline. ONE WHOLE WEEK has gone by since we first were introduced to the characters and mystery. It's now Monday the 23rd in the fiction. (Connor was found dead on the 14th.) The following Monday in my story will be MDW and so forth.