AN: Disclaimer of various sorts located in previous Chapters. First, thank you to those who read, those who review, those who simply mock... please keep it up. Secondly, clarification, I am of the assumption the remaining Manning sisters lost all they had between Mum and Dad in prison for child abuse and their placement in foster care. Poor girls had went from riches to rags. Next, sorry about the shortness that is this chapter. Life is busy and this story is hard. Lastly, any notes or whatnot- please send my way. Enjoy at own risk!

The Pipe Warehouse

The smell was unbearable. It reeked of fifty year old chemicals, dead rats, sewer back-up and the stench of abandon. The Neptune Agricultural Pipe Warehouse was in the early forties and fifties an economic staple for the blue collared American in Neptune. Over five hundred men and women (Sadly, at times children…) were employed by the Berger's Agricultural Pipe Company. Here in the warehouse they stored and fixed pipes from across the nation that aided in the agricultural boom. Pipes used to move water to parched fields was the business and Neptune was proud of the "little" warehouse that could pay the dime.

The Warehouse stopped paying the dime around 1980 and had since been used for underground criminal activity, drug dealing, and the occasional overnight stay for the transients that traveled through Neptune. The city had wanted to tear the reeking warehouse down for nearly 20 years but the deeds belonged to an old miser who would not see the glory days of his wealth lost. He had just passed away a year ago and the city had the wrecking ball ready. In just three months, the warehouse would give way to fancy and luxury loft apartments for far more than a dime.

Right now, deep within the bottom floor of the warehouse, where the women workers carefully packaged the pipes was another package of sorts. It was an odd item in the room not quite belonging. It was a 7 ft by 9 ft freezer. It was running and the sound of its gentle hum went unnoticed by even the rats. The freezer was old and dented; most likely bought at a yard sale. It did however serve its purpose.

It kept them quiet.

No more cheering. No more games. No more flirting or teasing.

In neat little pieces the bodies of four missing cheerleaders sat tidy in the freezer. Their bodies frozen together and the smell hidden and decay prevented.

It was amazing what a dime bought.

Newspaper

Darn my brilliance!

I had uncovered not one mystery but two. I sat at my "designated" computer and sighed. (By "designated" I mean the fact Hannah Kane is still fairly pissed off at me and has put me on a computer on the other side of the room from my friends. Oh and she has assigned me the re-pavement of the school parking lot. I don't like her.)

Here's where I am-Previously on our regularly scheduled program:

Veronica M. is Veronica Mars, daughter to famous P.I. Keith Mars. Keith Mars (Married to former Sheriff's Department secretary Inga…) is a famous private investigator who worked three major cases in his lifetime: the murder of Lilly Kane, the deaths and suicide of Cassidy Casablancas, and the death of Sheriff Lamb. He is responsible for the temporary downfall of the late Jake and Celeste Kane and for putting Aaron Echolls behind bars. Keith has turned down numerous bids for Sheriff and employs an old chum of Veronica's, Eli Navarro.

Eli Navarro was a reformed convict and former leader of Neptune's infamous biker gang, The PCHers. Eli Navarro is married to Carmen, a former classmate at Neptune. The two have three daughters: Anna, Bella, and Callie. Carmen is a nurse at Neptune County Hospital.

Veronica's other good friends include Wallace Fenell and Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie. Wallace Fenell, Mr. V.P. and all-around badass basketball coach remains in contact with Veronica. He's a graduate of Hearst University and father to seven year old son, Malachai. Wallace's wife, Jackie, another former classmate and acquaintance is a stay at home mom.

"Mac" married Dick Casablancas their senior year of college at Hearst. (That is a mystery best left unsolved.) They have a set of twins, Meredith and Michael. (Both are tolerable 09ers.) Mac works for Duncan Kane and was responsible for helping him raise the Kane name back to the level and status and glory it once knew. She doesn't speak to Veronica and apparently has issues with her. (Still a little grossed out about Coach Casablancas and Mac…aren't you?)

Duncan Kane was an ex-boyfriend of Veronica's and brother to Veronica's best friend-deceased, Lilly Kane. Duncan has a daughter from a one night stand with Meg Manning (Deceased aunt to Alex Guan…) and her name is the devil. (I mean, Hannah…) Duncan left Neptune with daughter in tow and didn't return till the death of his parents. He returned with a wife, Nichole, and a son- Scott. The new generation of Kane moved in and moved up. Duncan doesn't care for Veronica and for the obvious and not-so-obvious reasons.

Veronica dated Duncan's best friend, Logan Echolls. Logan once dated Lilly but lost her when his dad beat her to death after their affair. Logan moved onto Veronica and their relationship had a rocky start and ending according to what little has been said. Neither talk and Logan hates her with a fiery vengeance. As to why; who knows?

The mystery is: who is Veronica Mars and why does half the town of Neptune either hate her or love her? What is going on?

This mystery wouldn't have made it to my screen had it not been for the even bigger over-lying arch of the disappearance of four cheerleaders- one from Pan High School (Neptune's arch nemesis) and three from Neptune High. The only items recovered were their cars (No forcible entrance or exits…) and one piece of random jewelry. The girls have been gone for the exceeded amount of time most criminal experts allow for finding them alive. That's not to say it can't happen but I've seen it, heard it, and witnessed it too many times. My gut is telling me I'm not looking just for kidnapper but now a serial killer with a vendetta against pom-poms and Spirit Week. While I have the information on the three missing cheerleaders from Neptune I still need information from Pan.

This is what Coach Casablancas' class is for and my Hummer. Oh and a new student ID I produced myself today while Keiser Kane has me working at my own computer in my own little corner. (I finished the re-pavement piece five minutes ago. I did a similar assignment in fifth grade. All I had to do was pull up my online stored files, re-word it, and brilliance! What did I tell you?)

Tonight, I get to meet Heathe's family. I know I go there with a purpose but… is it wrong that a little piece of me hopes that the Southern hospitality extends to a little unmediated making out too? I am a multi-tasker, I just might be able to do both.

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Pan High School

"America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between." Oscar Wilde

Hello, my name is August Ford. I am a new transfer to Pan High School. I am popular and cool and…a complete fake.

I am marveling at Pan High School. Where Neptune seems to the be the gate to prosperity and rubbing everyone's face in it- Pan remains a solid "normal" middle-class school. Sure, ya got your bullies and cliques but in the end it doesn't matter as much. Everyone here is in the same tax bracket and the only thing that separates one student from another is one's extracurricular activities. I like it.

I managed my way into Pan High School, to the front desk and to the administrative assistant to the Vice-Principal. (Okay, seriously, she looks like she could be our V.P.'s secretary- like they're cousins, identical cousins…) Vice-Principal Howard was definitely bought at Vice-Principal's-R-Us. This man is putty in my hands. I portray myself as the daughter of a working class father and para-pro mother who just moved from Omaha, Nebraska. I was a cheerleader there. I was a farm girl, too. I will fit in well at Pan.

Needless to say, Vice Principal Howard is my newest fan. He hands me a schedule and walks me to my homeroom class.

So, this is public school…

No upgraded computers. No up-to-date pretentious library. Lockers with stickers and graffiti everywhere. The bathrooms smell like bathrooms. And my homeroom teacher, Mrs. Kind, is one notch above being full on drunk for class.

As she nurses her hangover and merely mentions the "new girl" I sit at my desk.

"Hi."

I turn around to see what appears to be a handsome jock (Noted by his jersey…) who could possibly be sweet too. Did I just see a pig with wings?

"Hi." I smile back, remembering I am a cheerful farm girl from Nebraska.

"You're the new girl?"

"I guess so- not a lot of new kids 'round here?"

"No. And definitely none as pretty as you."

I blush. "Thanks. I guess the proper thing to do would be to introduce myself…"

"You're August Ford."

"How did you ever find that out?"

"Not a lot of new kids and I was in the office when you came in."

"Oh. Well, you know my name. What's yours?"

"Eric Howard."

"As in Mr. Howard's son?"

"Yeah, what can I say? I'm cursed." He laughed.

"I wouldn't call you cursed…" I laughed back. Way to overtly flirt Jan, I thought.

"Listen, why don't you sit with me and my friends at lunch today? We could use some new blood and everyone there is pretty cool."

That was it! Pan High School was an alternate universe of Neptune- here people invited you to sit with them at lunch. No judgment calls, no walking the line, no sizing you up by your zip code district. "I'd love to."

"Good, then it's a date."

"I guess so…"

I turned around. I was pleased with myself; pleased that I had pulled it off. Now I had to pull of lunch, any information about the missing cheerleader, and if I could- get the girl's file. And I had to do this all before 6th Period French. Although, I'd be lying if spending the entire day here wasn't appealing. Maybe just spending one day feeling like I wasn't Ponyboy in the Outsiders didn't seem like a bad thing at all.

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Saenurts' Deli

"One Elena Rusa, please." Veronica Mars replied, as she placed her order at Saenurts' Deli. She had been cooped up in the Mars home for nearly a week or more, staying away from prying eyes. It was 1 pm and the lunch rush was over. Most of the people that would have recognized her were gone. She could venture out for awhile and then return back to her hiding place.

Plus, she had been really craving one of these sandwiches. She had dreamed of them all the way from New York and D.C. She had tried several different variations but none had lived up to the reality.

Ironically, this is exactly how she felt about Neptune. She had lived all over the world. She lived in exciting places and did exciting things. Nonetheless, even though Neptune bore plenty of painful memories, no other place had lived up to it. Neptune was her home.

Too bad it was his home too, she thought as Duncan Kane walked in the door. She met his gaze as he entered the Deli. His immediate look was shock; then complete disdain. She didn't really expect anything less from him. In fact, she expected more. There was no away around it now, she was officially back. And the world would know.

Duncan strode behind her in the line. He placed his order and then focused on the menu board as he talked.

"What are you doing here, Veronica?"

"I was hungry. And you know how much I love the Elena Rusa."

"I meant here in Neptune…"

"Oh. I thought you knew. I have a Dad. He works and lives here…well, more lives now because I heard this rich billionaire guy paid to have him removed from his job. You know money in Neptune…"

"Veronica…"

"Listen, Duncan let's dismiss with the un-pleasantries. It's a waste. I don't have anything to say to you other than congratulations once again for mucking-up yet another case. Kudos, seriously. I am in Neptune because I have a break from work and so does Dad and I thought we'd play catch-up." By this time, Veronica was paying for her sandwich, for good measure she paid for Duncan's too. She turned to him, sack in hand. "No mistakes, Duncan this is probably the last time you'll see me but a word of advice- get over me. Get over me and over yourself and for once let justice work in this town rather than stopping it."

"Once again, you are completely wrong Veronica…"

"I know, like father like daughter---or in your case, like father like son…" She turned and left on that quip. Outside she breathed again.

Neptune was home but what was the other part- you can't ever go home.