This is the last chapter before I go back to the original purpose of this story.

Chapter Nine: Dance

Lamb sighed when he finally entered the cell block. He had been getting ready to leave when Sacks said it was his turn to watch the jail-bird. Lamb knew it was better than sitting at home bored out of his mind so he didn't argue. He also didn't say anything when Sacks left his jacket at his desk.

"Wow I'm surprised," Lamb said when he saw the blonde doing push-ups on the floor. She looked up, and that single look made her lose her balance and fall on her stomach.

"I thought Sacks was supposed to stay," she said as she got to her feet.

"He had a date," Lamb said, plopping into a chair. According to one of his deputies, she had been caught trying to sneak into Vinnie Van Lowe's office. Of course, Van Lowe was threatening to press charges, but everyone knew he wouldn't go through with it. He was doing it mostly to scare Veronica, though it took a lot to scare her.

"Don't I get a phone call?" She leaned on the bars as she spoke.

"You got one already," Lamb replied. "According to Smith, you used it to call your dad, who's out of the town for the weekend."

She groaned and flopped onto the cot. They sat in silence for a while before Lamb spun around in his chair. Veronica silently watched as he turned on the radio. She slowly sat up as old country songs filled the room.

"What the heck is this?" she asked.

Lamb just smirked. "Music," he replied.

She covered her ears. "I think my ears are bleeding." When he rolled his eyes, she added, "Seriously, what kind of music is this?"

Lamb shrugged. "Just…music is all." He didn't elaborate, and she didn't ask. They settled into a comfortable silence. Lamb did paperwork while Veronica stared at him.

"You wanna know something?" she finally said.

Lamb barely glanced at her when he mumbled, "Hmm?"

Veronica leaned on the bars. She wanted his full attention. Paperwork be damned. "You're kind of sexy."

Startled, Lamb dropped his pen. His eyes were wide when he turned to face her. "What?"

Veronica smirked. "Just wanted your attention," she declared. "I was actually going to say that this music is kind of soothing."

Lamb grinned. "So you admit it, huh?"

"Shut up before I slap you."

Lamb laughed. "I'm all the way across the room."

"Then come closer."

He laughed again and shook his head. "You really are something special Mars."

She beamed. "I know." She grabbed the bars tightly. "Do you listen to this often? Is that why you always act like a cowboy?"

"Act like a cowboy?"

Veronica mimicked him by hooking her thumbs in her belt loops.

He shrugged. "Habit, I guess. I mean, I did grow up in Texas."

"Ah." She grinned as she pressed her face against the bars. "You were born a cowboy."

Lamb rolled his eyes. He decided to change the subject before he strangled her. "You doing anything for Valentine's Day?"

"Why do you care?"

Lamb shrugged. "Just trying to pass the time, but if you want to sit in cell quietly-which I don't think is possible-then be my guest."

Silence fell once again. Lamb finished his paperwork so he was now stuck with playing with his pen. Veronica debated whether or not to do push-ups again, but ultimately decided against it. She stuck with drawing a tattoo on her wrist. She paused when she heard a slow song come onto the radio.

"Lamb," she suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

"Come in here."

He finally looked up at her. "What?"

She rolled her eyes. "We're both bored. Why not come and dance?"

"Dance?"

She shrugged. "It's better than sitting here drawing on ourselves."

Lamb sighed, but stood up. "Even think about trying to escape and I'll keep you here another day."

"Whatever. Just get in here."

Lamb slowly unlocked the cell door. When Veronica made no move from the center of the cell, Lamb opened the door. He stepped inside and closed it behind him. He walked up to where Veronica was standing.

"You seriously want to dance with me?" he asked.

She nodded. "Yes." She wrapped her arms around his neck, expecting him to wrap his arms around her waist. She wasn't expecting him to push her back some.

"If we're gonna dance, we're gonna do it the right way." At her confused look, Lamb took one hand in his and held their joined hands slightly away from their bodies. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. Veronica smiled and draped an arm over his shoulder. The only person to dance this way with her in her life had been her father. She honestly hadn't expected Lamb to do that.

"I can honestly say I didn't expect you dance this way," she said after a few moments of silence.

"What can I say? My mom wanted me to be a gentleman."

Veronica stifled a laugh by burying her head in his shoulder. Somehow, they started swaying. With each song, Lamb and Veronica got closer. At one point, Lamb surprised Veronica once again when he spun her out and back. Her back was against his chest as they swayed softly. He spun her out again and back in, this time taking hold of her hand and waist.

"I have to admit," Veronica said, "that you're an okay dancer."

Lamb smirked. "Is that all? 'Okay'?"

"Fine I admit it. You're an amazing dancer." She paused. "And tell anyone I said, I'll kill you, sheriff or not."

Lamb chuckled as he pulled her closer. "Good to know." Neither were aware how long they danced, but neither cared. Lamb was enjoying being close to the blonde and Veronica enjoyed feeling loved again. She hadn't had a boyfriend in a while and had forgotten what it felt like to be held this way. She missed feeling a warm, comforting arm around her. She missed feeling a man's warmth beneath her cheek. She missed everything about having a boyfriend. Lamb's better than nothing, she thought.

"Can I ask you something?" she asked.

"Sure." When he spoke, Veronica could feel his chest vibrating beneath her cheek.

"Don't you ever miss this?"

"Miss what? Dancing in a jail cell?"

"No." She rolled her eyes with a sigh. "You haven't had a girlfriend in a while, right?"

She could practically hear him roll his eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious, Mars."

She pulled away enough that she could look at him. "Don't you miss being held or holding someone? Don't you ever miss being loved?"

He was silent for a while, staring at a spot above her head. When he finally answered, it was in a quiet voice. "I don't really think about it." He still didn't look at the blonde in his arms. "There are just no good women in Neptune anymore," he said. Except one…he adds in his mind. He wasn't sure when his feelings for Veronica decided to show up, but they were there, no doubt. He knew he wouldn't be telling her anytime soon. She had too many boyfriends to even think about him. Maybe that's why she dodged the Valentine's Day question. Stop, you're being stupid. Lamb sighed inwardly. This blonde had no clue what turmoil she put him through daily. He wasn't sure if he loved her, but he knew that's where he was headed. He was slowly falling for Veronica Mars and he had no clue whether she even liked him or not.

Neither spoke again. They just danced closely and silently. Veronica was still stuck on her earlier thoughts while Lamb tried hard not to try and kiss her.

Sacks got all the way home before he realized his jacket was still at the station. He thought about leaving it there until tomorrow. He had gotten dressed for his date, and afterwards, looked for his wallet. He was about to check in his car when he realized it was in his jacket…at the station. With a sigh, Sacks headed back towards the station. On the way, he called his date and told her he'd be late.

The first thing Sacks heard when he opened the door to the station was soft music. He thought he was imagining things (Lamb and Veronica wouldn't be listening to music…would they?) and quickly grabbed his jacket. He slipped it on (after checking for his wallet, which was in the pocket), and was about to leave when he heard the music again. He knew he wasn't imagining it so he went off in search of it. He opened the cell block door slightly. He stuck his head in. Never in a million years did he think that he'd see the sight that greeted him.

Veronica had her head resting on Lamb's chest as they swayed to the music. Both looked…peaceful.

Sacks took his phone out and snapped a picture of them. Inga owed him twenty bucks.