Chapter Seven: Scared

Lamb knew for a fact that if he hadn't nearly died from the baseball bat, he never would've changed. He never would've fixed his relationship with Veronica or Keith. If it hadn't been for the petite blonde that caused trouble everywhere she went, he probably would still be an ass to the people around him.

Lamb sighed and leaned back in his chair. Paperwork sucked. There hadn't been any big crimes in Neptune for a while. Part of Lamb was glad while the other part-the bored part-was just waiting for someone to do something stupid.

"Sheriff," Sacks said, sticking his head in the office.

"What?" Lamb grumbled.

"Veronica Mars is on line two."

Lamb sighed. Talking to Mars was better than doing paperwork. "Thanks." He picked up the phone and hit line two. "Hello?"

"Hey there Deputy." Despite their renewed relationship, he was still deputy to her.

"What do you want Mars?"

"Can't I just call and say hello?"

"Normal people can."

She scoffed. "Fine, whatever. I just called to say that I can't make it tonight."

Tonight? Lamb thought for a moment. Oh, right. It was Wednesday. "Why not?"

"Homework. It really sucks still being in school."

And there she goes reminding him how much younger she is than him. "It's fine. Besides, if you fail, your dad would come after me."

She laughed. "Yeah he would. Anyway, I better get back to work."

"So should I."

"You work?"

"Bye Mars."

She snickered. "Bye Deputy." She hung up before Lamb could say anything else. Lamb put the phone down and thought about doing something for the blonde. After all, she stuck by him during his recovery. That was when Lamb started to feel scared. When had he become so close to Veronica? He knew that Keith would shoot him (or hit him with a baseball bat) if he realized that his daughter had become very close to him once again. One part of Lamb was absolutely terrified about how much he cared about Veronica, and the other part was calm, like it was natural.

Lamb groaned and let his head hit his desk. What the hell have I gotten myself into?

That thought haunted Lamb's mind as he absentmindedly picked up a pizza and drove to the Mars' apartment. He had no clue what possessed him to do this, but it was too late to back out…considering he just knocked on their door.

"What are you doing here?" Veronica asked as when she saw him.

"Hungry?" Lamb held up the pizza.

She tilted her head and smirked. "Maybe."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Thought you could use some company."

"How'd you know I didn't have company?"

Lamb pushed past her. He laid the pizza on the counter as he said, "Because I know you."

She closed the door. She didn't say anything as she placed two paper plates on the counter. They opened the box and each took two pieces.

"Want some beer?" she asked right as Lamb took his first bit, making him choke.

"What?"

"Beer," she repeated. She stood expressionless as he stared at her in curiosity.

"You're underage."

"So?" She opened the fridge and took two bottles out. "No one has to know."

"You do realize I'm the sheriff, right?"

She shrugged as she opened both bottles. "And your point is…?"

"Your dad will murder me."

"Then he doesn't have to know." She was completely serious. She took a sip, never taking her eyes off his.

Finally, he sighed and reached for the other bottle. They ate pizza, and when they were done, Lamb watched TV as Veronica sat cross-legged next to him on the couch doing her homework. When they finished their beers, Veronica got up to get another up.

"Get me one!" Lamb called after her. When she came back, she was holding one bottle.

"All we have left," she explained as she plopped next to him.

They stared at each other for a while, neither breaking eye contact.

"It should be mine," Veronica started, "but I'll be nice and share." She opened the bottle and took a sip before handing the bottle to him. He took a sip. That's how it went for a while. Both took small sips as they went back to their previous activities. When Veronica finished her homework, she settled back in the couch.

It was around mid-night when Keith arrived home. As he unlocked the door, he was surprised to hear the TV. Veronica had told him she was doing homework. He would've thought she'd be in bed by now. Maybe she fell asleep on the couch. Keith opened the door and closed it behind him. He turned towards the couch after locking the door and just about fainted at the sight he saw. There was an empty pizza box and three empty beer bottles on the coffee table. Lamb had his feet on the table. Veronica had her head on his chest and an arm thrown across his stomach and Lamb's arm was around her shoulders. Lamb's jacket was covering Veronica, telling Keith she had fallen asleep first.

Sighing, Keith turned the TV off. He threw away the pizza box and beer bottles. He decided he'd chew Veronica out for underage drinking tomorrow. And Lamb…well he'd let it slide this once. He was glad Veronica had some company tonight. He knew she would've caused some sort of trouble if she'd been on her own. But he hadn't realized the sheriff and his daughter were so close…and that scared him.