Disclaimer: I do not own Veronica Mars. I have Rob Thomas to thank for my obsession. I also do not own Las Vegas, Gilmore Girls, X-terras or Iron Chef, although they have all come in handy this chapter.
Author's note: I like to update. I like when author's update in a timely manner. But, I like a lot of things without realizing how hard they are. School has gotten the best of me the last two weeks so I haven't been able to update for everyone. I broke my ideas for this chapter into two parts, which I am very excited to continue this, so you can expect another update soon. Thanks for understanding! As always, read and review!
Dedication: This is dedicated to the AMAZING website: marsinvestigations . net. They've helped me TONS with figuring out little details (timeline stuff, character background, etc).
A week had gone by since Veronica's last meeting with Lizzie Manning. A week had gone by with no new information to support her case. Veronica had decided on a drastic change of plans.
"Okay, since the subtle approach doesn't seem to be working, I have decided to change our plan of attack ," Veronica said, sitting on the edge of Weevil's desk.
"Plan of attack, V? I didn't think we were attacking," Weevil asked, worried.
"Well, I'm sick of waiting. I say we try to confront Grace. Go undercover. I'll be a school psychologist, you can be Neptune Elementary School's newest security guard."
"Veronica, I don't think that's a good idea. Lizzie said the Manning's brainwashed her. I think that if we confront her, she'll go to her parents and Lizzie can lose any chance at getting Grace away from them. I say we give it another few days or wait for a sign to move."
"Oh, Weevil. My dear friend Weevil. Waiting is a game that Veronica Mars does not like to play." Before Weevil could respond, the phone began to ring.
"Mars Investigations, Eli speaking." A voice screeched frantically into the phone. "Okay, calm down." The voice continued. "She'll call you as soon as possible." Weevil hung up the phone.
"Who was that?" Veronica inquired.
"Lizzie Manning. She hasn't gotten an email from Grace this week and her friend, a student teacher at the elementary school, called her and said Grace hasn't been at school all week. I guess you've got your sign"
"A huge neon lit, Vegas-sized sign." Veronica said, sliding off his desk. "I have a plan. I'm going to go very old school Veronica Mars on this one."
"That doesn't sound good."
"You worry too much." Veronica said, patting Weevil on the shoulder. "I'll be in my office, perfecting my plan. We'll act day after tomorrow and if everything goes as planned, which it will, Lizzie will have Grace back by the end of the week."
"You better be careful V."
"When am I not careful?" Veronica asked. Weevil began to count on his fingers. "Okay, fine. There was a few times but I now have a loyal assistant, who was the former leader of a motorcycle gang and a sheriff for a father, everything will be fine."
Veronica spent the rest of her Thursday and the better part of her Friday convincing both Weevil and Keith that her plan was flawless even though she knew that she would act no matter what tomorrow, but for tonight, she was ready to let loose.
"So Logan officially moved out of the Neptune Grand?" Wallace asked as Veronica drove toward the beach.
"Yep. He spent all of one day deciding that the gigantic house on the beach that went on sale that morning, was the way to go. The waves were just too enticing for him."
"Well there goes his college education," Wallace laughed.
"Oh, I told him he better go to class or else I'm running over his surf boards with my car. It was effective on Dick a few years ago. Made him cry like a baby."
"V, aren't you worried that one day everyone you know is going to be afraid of you?" Wallace asked.
"Fear is essential to a good friendship." Veronica and Wallace both laughed. "Wait, are you afraid of me?"
"Naw, well.. I'm not afraid of you but sometimes, I'm afraid for you V. Promise me that you're going to be more careful with stuff this year. Can you do that for me?"
"You're Lorelai. All this time I've been trying to figure out what Gilmore Girl you were and I finally did." Wallace rolled his eyes. "So yes, mother. I promise to be more careful only if you promise to publicly dedicate your next double-digit win for the Hearst basketball team to me,"
"For sure. For sure." Wallace said.
"We're here," Veronica said, pulling into the driveway of a house which looked almost as big as the original Echolls house.
"This is Logan's house? Damn. Oh yeah, this is definitely Logan's house. Look at the car," Wallace said as Veronica parked in the driveway and they got out of the car.
"Oh my god. I didn't think he still had that car." Veronica touched Logan's Yellow X-Terra as she headed toward the house. "Doesn't surprise me though. He parks his obnoxiously yellow SUV in front of his obnoxiously huge house."
"Obnoxiously huge house?" Logan said, opening the door and ushering them in. "You didn't mind when I let you help me decorate,"
"Help?" Veronica said, giving Logan a quick kiss on the cheek. "If it was up to you, all you would have is one couch in the living room, a 95 inch television and a king size bed,"
"The essentials of life," Logan said. Wallace nodded in agreement as the two shook hands. "Wallace, everyone's in the living room hanging out. Veronica, I need your help with something in the kitchen."
Wallace headed toward the living room as Veronica followed Logan into the kitchen.
"Oh my, I love what you've done with the place." Veronica said as Logan pulled her into his arms, leaning her against the marble countertop.
"That's because I have the best decorator in all of Neptune," Logan said, kissing her softly on the lips.
"Really? What is she like?" she reciprocated with another kiss.
"Well, first off, she's gorgeous, but she doesn't know it. Her eyes are amazing, she could go pro in kissing," Veronica leaned in and gave him a kiss. "Oh, and she's really sexy when she tries to be funny."
"Tries?" Veronica pulled away but Logan wouldn't let her go.
"Fine. She's sexy when she's funny."
"Good." Veronica said, giving him another kiss then quickly pulling away.
"Huh? You left that one a little unfinished." Logan said, grabbing her hand.
"There are five people sitting in the next room over," Veronica said, raising her volume slightly, "WHO ARE PROBABLY LISTENING TO EVERY WORD OF OUR CONVERSATION."
"Ronnie, Logan. When you two are done making out, bring us some chips." Dick yelled from the other room.
"See! Let's go. If you're a good host, maybe we can continue this conversation later," Veronica said. Logan pulled her in for one last kiss.
"THE CHIPS!" Dick interrupted. Veronica pulled away and reached for two bags of chips that were sitting on the counter. She grabbed Logan's hand and headed for the living room.
"Well, it's nice of you two to join us," Mac said as Logan and Veronica plopped onto the couch across from her.
"Come on babe, they're getting reacquainted." Dick said, leaning over to Mac. "Maybe we can get reacquainted later."
"DICK!" Mac said, swatting him on the leg. "There are other people in the room."
"So, it's just Ronnie, Logan, Parker, Piz and Wallace.. I'm sure they don't mind."
"I'm going to speak for the group when I say, we do mind, just a little." Piz chimed in. Parker giggled and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Well, this is uncomfortable. Seems like I'm the only one not committing a PDA crime tonight," Wallace said, reaching for the bag of chips.
"Is Wallace having trouble with the ladies?" Veronica said sympathetically.
"No trouble. There's just too many to choose from," he said, arrogantly.
"Ah, I miss life without a girlfriend," Piz joked.
"When did you ever live that life?" Veronica asked.
"Back in Beaverton, I was a playa. I had ladies crawling at my feet, just hoping I'd give them my number." Piz said.
"Riiiiiighhttt," Dick said. "The only playa in this room is me. Well, before my Mackie here turned me into a one woman man," Dick said, leaning over to Logan. "Or at least she's tried."
Mac said, swatting him on the leg. "Tried? Really? You want to say that?"
"Sorry would be a good answer," Wallace offered from the other side of the room. "Girls love it when you say sorry. That and a little pouty lip, makes 'em go crazy."
"I have no idea who that actually works on," Veronica said, Mac and Parker nodding along.
"You," Logan said.
"He is right,' Piz agreed. "I mean, that one time with the tape, you definitely caved into my pouty lip apology. Uh, sorry Logan. I didn't mean to, uh, crap. I knew this would get awkward. Just when I thought we were all becoming friends. I mean, we are friends? Right?"
"I think what Piz means is we are all friends and since we were in past relationships with other people in the room, it's okay to bring stuff up. Especially since they are now happily dating each other's exes, it's fine. Just not the tape, never the tape." Parker offered.
"Amen sister!" Veronica laughed, leading over to clink her glass with Parker's. Logan did the same with Piz
"Enough with the love fest. I'm starved. What's for dinner Logan?" Dick asked.
"You think you'd be full." Logan said to Dick, watching him grab another handful of chips. "But of course you aren't. I thought I'd grill some steaks and of course, a veggie burgers for Mac."
"You? Cook?" Veronica asked.
"Ronnie, man, Logan is the king of the grill. He smuggled one into the suite. We spent many a summer night grilling on the patio. They called the fire department on us four times."
"If Logan's such a great grill man, then why did they have to call the fire department?" Veronica inquired.
"Ask Dick who was grilling when they got called." Logan offered.
"How was I supposed to know that a little lighter fluid goes a long way?" Dick laughed, lifting up his bangs. "Since my eyebrow is finally growing back, I'm so up for being grill assistant. Co-pilot. Grill wingman. Second in command. Vice-president of grilling. Prince of the.."
"I get it. Stop." Logan interjected. He looked toward Piz and Wallace. "Well, since my only offer of help is from a guy who seared his eyebrow off last time he attempted to grill, you guys want to help?"
"Sure man, I'll help," Wallace offered. Piz nodded along.
"What? Girls can't grill? Is this some sort of male sexist 'man know fire' thing? Because if it is." Veronica said loudly.
"Do you even know how to grill?" Logan asked.
"No, but I think that Mac, Parker and I deserve to at least be asked to help."
"Ladies," Logan said. "Would you like to help make dinner?"
"Thank you. And no." Parker and Mac laughed. "We are fine here, plus, we need to catch up on some girl talk. Now, go men, make your women some food."
Logan got up, kissing Veronica on the head, and walked toward the kitchen. Dick, Wallace and Piz followed him.
"So girls? My nails are looking wretched, manicures tomorrow?" Veronica said in a peppy voice. Parker and Mac laughed, moving from their separate couches to the one Veronica was sitting on.
"I love girl talk!" Veronica said, wrapping her arms around the two girls.
Logan pulled out six steaks, wrapped in paper, and a package of veggie burgers from the fridge. He headed out to the deck where Wallace and Piz had already gotten started lighting the grill, making sure Dick was busy chopping up vegetables on the other side of the deck.
"So instead of giving Dick the chance to burn off both of his eyebrows, you two gave him a knife?" Logan asked, placing the steaks and veggie burgers on the table.
"Well, we figure a knife would only allow him to cause injury to himself, not the rest of us." Wallace said.
"So I assume you've never seen him play Iron Chef?" Logan said, looking over at Dick. "Hey Dick, show Wallace your left hand." Logan walked over to Dick and pointed out to Wallace a scar that went straight across his left index finger.
"This is from the time when Dick was chopping up carrots, imitating the red-headed Iron Chef, and accidentally cut pretty deep into his finger."
"Eight stitches man. It was worth it." Dick said, continuing to carefully chop up the onion. The four guys prepped the food, Logan placing each steak on the grill after Wallace seasoned them. Piz and Dick worked on making vegetable steamers out of tin-foil and put those onto the grill as well. As the food grilled, the four sat at the patio table.
"So how are you and V?" Wallace asked.
"If there is an elephant in the room, you must always point it out." Logan said. Wallace looked at him uneasy. "No, don't worry about it. We're good, really good. I'm just worried that we're going to fall into the same trap again."
"What trap?" Piz asked.
"The one where I'm constantly worried for her safety. You know, I got a call from Weevil this afternoon and he said Veronica was planning on taking immediate action with the case she's been working on."
"You mean with the Manning's?" Dick asked. Logan and Wallace nodded. "Dude, Meg's dad is crazy! One time me and Cole dropped her off and Meg wanted to give Cole back his math notes. So we follow Meg to the door and before we could even walk in, her Dad started screaming at her then us. It was scary dude."
"Exactly. That's why I'm worried about her. I feel like even though she knows Mr. Manning is a dangerous guy, she's going to do something stupid and get herself her again." Logan said.
"Well, I don't know if it'll help man, but I can bring up the case at dinner. Maybe if she hears it from all of us, you know, telling her to be safe, she'll actually listen."
"Good idea." Logan said, getting up to pull the food off the grill. "Food's lookin' good."
"DINNNEERRRRRRRR." Dick screamed excitedly. The girls' came out to the deck, plates, forks, drinks and salads in hand.
"Smells good out here," Parker said, putting the plates out on the table.
"Don't let smell fool you," Mac said, unwrapping the salads. "One time, I ordered chicken nuggets from a fast food restaurant. They smelled amazing, until I bit into one and found a feather. Haven't eaten meat since."
"Really?!" Parker cringed, looking at the steaks being placed in the middle of the table.
"No. I read it in a magazine though but it doesn't get the same response when I say that." Mac laughed. Logan ushered everyone to sit down around the table. Parker sat next to Piz, Wallace, Dick next to Mac then Logan and Veronica.
"Dig in everyone," Logan said, passing the plate of food around the table. Once everyone started to eat the table got quiet until Wallace broke the silence.
"So how's the Manning case going V?" Wallace said, shifting his eyes to Logan.
"Not as quickly as I would have liked it to but we finally got a lead yesterday. I'm starting my plan, Operation "Get Gracie Out." tomorrow."
"What kind of plan?" Piz asked, his mouth full of food.
"Well, I mean I haven't talked to my Dad yet or Weevil but I'm going to tail the Manning's, wait for them to leave and then let myself into their house to look for evidence. But like I said, I haven't cleared this plan with my Dad or Weevil yet so things may change."
"So what your saying is you plan to break into the Manning house?" Parker asked bluntly. "You don't even know them. Isn't that against the law?"
"Well, technically my Dad is the law so I don't think it will be that big of a problem and yes, I do know them." Veronica said, defensively. I've broken in once before to try to save Grace, right before my friend, the mother of my ex-boyfriend's daughter, died."
"And do you remember how that one turned out? Mr. Manning was ready to attack you and Duncan before Lamb showed up." Logan said.
"What, is this gang up on Veronica day? Yes, Logan, I do know how that one turned out that's why this time, I'm going to use backup from my Dad and Weevil. Everything is going to be fine, trust me."
"What if it isn't Ronnie? I mean, I know I haven't been the greatest amigo to you in the past but I've seen what Mackie, Wally and Logan have had to go through when you put yourself into danger. I don't want to see you get hurt." Dick said. Mac intertwined his arm with her, leaning onto his shoulder.
"We all love you, V. We just want you to be careful. I don't think any of us could risk seeing you get hurt, again." Wallace pleaded. Veronica's memory jumped back to the many situations, many, she got herself into. Her mind drifted to Aaron Echolls, Liam Fitzpatrick, Cassidy Casablancas, Mercer Hayes and the many other 'encounters' she's had over the past years.
"Wallace is right, Veronica. We just want you to be safe." Piz added. Parker nodded along, rubbing Veronica's arm. Before anyone could say another word, Veronica got up from the table and headed inside. Logan, Mac and Wallace quickly stand up to follow her in.
"I'll take care of it. If I need back-up, I'll motion." Logan said. Mac and Wallace nodded, motioning for him to follow her. Logan walked into the house to find Veronica sitting on the couch holding a picture of the fab-four from their last Homecoming dance together. Logan sat down next to her, placing his hand on her leg.
"You know, I was always afraid when she was alive. When she died and I saw her body lying there, something inside me changed. I wasn't afraid anymore. I guess sometimes I forget that other people are afraid, can be afraid for me. I can't be scared, Logan, I can't because if I am, nothing will ever change. Nothing will ever get better for the people I help."
"I know." Logan said quietly. "I know."
"The last thing I want is for you guys to worry about me. I promise, I mean, really promise I'm going to be careful. Things are different this time, I have too much to lose. Too many people to lose, to not be careful." Veronica said, leaning onto Logan's shoulder.
"Maybe you can go back out to the deck and repeat that to Wallace, Mac, Dick, Piz and Parker."
"Maybe you can do it for me?" She said, giving Logan her best pouty lip.
"Yeah, no. That won't work." Logan said, standing and pulling her up with him. "Go, apologize. Promise you'll be careful. Go."
Veronica and Logan returned to the patio. Veronica reassured her friends that this time, she was going to be careful. But, Veronica Mars was an old dog, and old dogs don't learn new tricks that easily.
A/N2: I really wanted to include more in this chapter but it was getting long so I promise, next chapter, Veronica will be working on the Manning case. Any thoughts on what should happen? How bout LoVe? Good, Bad? I love reviews, they're like sunshine on a rainy day..that was corny. Review please!!