Disclaimer: I do not own anything-thus the show and all of its characters belong to the proper authorities.
A/N: Okay, first off- wow, the reviews. I am so amazed people are still reading this and liking/maybe loving this story. Reviews for this story rank right under coffee as far as Things I'm Addicted To and Favorite Things Of All Time. Next, when reading the following please note that during French class the italics are to be understood that January and Isa are speaking French again, the scenes with the Grant House and Kane House are occuring at the very same time, and I made a wild guess as to Lynn Echolls full name. (I tried hard to find any reference but there were limited returns...) Lastly, I only have a few parts left remaining...including the Epilogue which oddly enough has been written for several months- the "getting there" is the hard part and practically killing me. Once more, with even more feeling, thank you for the reviews! Keep reviewing the good, bad and ugly.
Ella
NOW enjoy!
Vice Principal's Office
Oh, what wrath of God hath I called down to land myself once again in the Vice Principal's office?!? WHY GOD?!?
Seriously, I should be an actress, I thought. Here I was sitting in the VP's office for the third time…this week. I don't think the other two times count since I was skipping Coach Casablancas' class and had got caught. I mean its gym/health class. If I wanted to be healthy, I'd join a club. I'd hire a trainer. I'd join a sport's team. But as far as I was concerned my athleticism was bound to running from crazy parolees, the law, and at times, both. Or chasing the police to follow a lead- does that count?
Mr. VP Fenell walked in with a slight grin- was that a grin? What did this grin mean? Was it the grin of "Look who's in trouble again…" or the grin of "We've just awarded you a full-ride out of Neptune and back to New York…" or perhaps the grin of "You're doomed. We're all doomed."? He walked over to a small table in the corner of his office- under it was a small fridge he opened up.
This wasn't like a drug test thing, was it? Because, really, I may pull some stupid crap as my parents' say but I'm not that dumb. He pulled out two sodas and handed one to me. I opened the soda and began to drink. I wasn't particularly thirsty but I figured it's what polite people do when offered drinks from their Vice-Principals. He opened his and began to drink as well.
"I understand you met the infamous Veronica Mars."
I shook my head. He wanted to talk about me meeting Veronica- SERIOUSLY?!? Alright, I'll humor him. "Yes, I did. She's still somewhat of my hero."
"She was everyone's hero." He muttered under his breath. He looked back to me and took another sip of his drink, which I mimicked. "You know Veronica is a good friend."
"I got that. The photos kind of clued me in and the fact you both graduated Neptune together and you both attended Hearst for awhile too."
"You know how we became friends?"
I shook my head and took another sip of the soda still confused why the VP was playing share-time with me.
"I got taped to the flag pole by Weevil's gang. She cut me down. She got me out of their "bad graces" and stood by me ever since."
"You got taped to the flag pole?"
"Yeah… let's just say it was the PCHers' way of handling problems. You got taped and below you- you were tagged for whatever offense you had committed against them. Me- I was a supposed snitch. Till V bailed me out…"
"Um…wow Mr. Fennel…" I stuttered, 'cause really what do you say to that?
"I'm telling you this because I need you to understand the Mars family mean a lot to me. I wouldn't want to see any of them hurt."
"As I mentioned earlier I worship at their feet so I don't see where this would be a problem…"
"That's what I thought. Good." He spoke distinctly, as if reassuring himself of something.
There was a very long awkward silence as I took three more sips of the soda and set the drink on the table near my chair. "Is there anything else?"
"How's the newspaper?"
"I think you know the answer to that- Hannah Kane hates me and I have been relegated to every trite and ridiculous article she can think of to give me. I'm still working on the Cheerleading case and hope that will break me out of her "shit" box. We'll see…" I shrugged. No need to lie to the VP- they always know everything anyways.
"If there are any problems January, please come and see me."
"Sure, thanks. Can I….uh….go?"
"Yeah, yeah. You can go. Have Miss Daily give you a pass to your next class."
I began to pick up my can and toss it but he stopped me. "Don't worry about the can January- we recycle them. All proceeds go to…go to the Art Club."
"Sure." I replied and grabbed my bag and left.
I never saw him take the can carefully with a pencil deposit it in a plastic bag he had stored in his desk drawer. I never heard him make the call, "I got it V." I was already on my way to 6th period.
6th Period---French 2
"How is Vice Principal Fennel?"
"Wonderful. We smoked a little weed, drank a beer, and talked about the good ole' days."
"Was this before or after he busted you for something?"
"He didn't bust me for anything Isa. He just wanted to know what I thought of Veronica Mars. Apparently Veronica was the VP's BFF in high school."
"Sure. I don't buy it Jan. People just don't go into that office for chit chat with him."
"And a soda."
"He offered you a soda?"
"Yes. See it's all about who you know."
"Yeah, I get that. So you should know everyone is talking about your performance at Cups of Stone."
"Great- maybe I can finally get an agent."
"In all seriousness Jan, since when can you sing and play?"
"Since forever. As any good privately educated young woman I've been taking lessons since I was old enough to hold something to play. Everything else is all natural God-given ability, dawling."
"Really? What did your public-display of ability get you?"
"Now is it really so hard to believe that I just did that to show off?"
"Yes and what did you get?"
"Mr. Kane's experts' files- basically everything Duncan Kane has collected since he ceremoniously removed Keith Mars from the investigation."
"Woah."
"Yeah-woah."
"Speaking of Kane- where's his spawn?"
"Bring Your Brat to Work?"
"That was good."
"I know- I am getting so much better at my 09er quips."
The bell rung and Isa and January paused their conversation to write down the assignment of which they hadn't been paying any attention to and grab their bags. Before they could leave Heathe and Alex walked-in to escort the girls. Heathe seemed to hold back a little and motioned for January to do the same. January waved off Alex and Isa; the first whom gave the pair a slightly concerned look.
"What's up Heathe?" January asked, attempting casual conversation with her resident crush.
"I was wondering- for being such a good sport about dinner if maybe you'd like to get some with me…just me."
"Like a date?" She all but spat out.
Heathe gave a gentle laugh. "Yeah, like a date only I think under California law- it is one."
January blushed and shifted nervously. "That'd be nice." She replied a little softly.
"Great. I'll meet you at your house tomorrow night at 6 pm?"
"Sure."
He gave her another smile as they both exited the classroom and caught up with Alex and Isa. Isa felt great about what was developing between her newest friends. January was blissfully unaware of everything the rest of the day. Heathe was blissfully flirting with January the rest of the day. And Alex felt in him that this was the start of something incredibly horribly wrong.
Grant House
I drummed my fork on my plate. Something was right for a change. I was talkative. I was lively. Heck, I even engaged my brothers in conversation about the latest gaming system they were bugging Mom and Dad for. Both parents continued to look at me as if I had undergone an alien-body snatch experiment.
"So angel, how's school?" My dad asked, not wanting I think to break my happy bubble.
"Fine." I replied, a little more school girl-dreamy than I intended.
"Newspaper? How's that going? Has the editor let you in on anything of importance?"
"Ummm…don't know. I turned in my first draft of my first piece on the Kidnappings. She's going to proof it tonight. We'll see if she'll take it to print. Although, speaking of newspaper class…do you remember me telling you that Heathe Mitchell is in class with me?"
"Of course, you had dinner at his family's house. How did that go by the way?"
"Fine, fine." Lying comes too naturally to me at times. "You see the reason I bring it up is Heathe and I have gotten to know each other and… he asked me out for tomorrow night. He's going to pick-me up here at 6. Is that cool?"
"No."
I jerked my head up to Dad's direction. "What did you say?"
"I said no. January, four girls have gone missing and they were all your age and all apparently going on dates. No dates till the matter is cleared-up."
"Seriously?!?" I retorted.
"January Grant, I said no and I expect you to obey it. Are we clear?" Dad's voice reverberated loudly.
"Since when have you ever been worried about me going out?"
"January, the matter is over. I am not letting you go out and run into danger once again and get in trouble or worse…hurt." Oh good Lord, he was using his legal voice now. This usually meant there would be no chance for any rebuttal; except for tonight because I wasn't finished discussing the matter.
"So that's it? You're not really worried about my safety but me getting into trouble and running down the family name, right?"
Wow, I was angry.
"January, your Dad is worried about you. I am too. I heard the other mothers today also talking about how they aren't letting their girls go out. Please, understand this is for you own good. You mean a lot to us. You're our only daughter." Mom interjected.
"No, I'm not." This came out before I could think. Okay, maybe I was more than angry.
My Dad guffawed. "What? You know something we don't?"
"Nope." I said, as I stood. "I know something you know but don't think I know. I know I am adopted. I know that I'm not your daughter. So you both can stop worrying about what I'll do to the family name or worrying about me at all. How lucky did you guys get?" I finished with pure dramatic flare, in between sobs, and running to my room. I pillaged through my purse till I found my cell phone. I scrolled through the names till I found the one I wanted and hit SEND. I listened as the phone rang. One time. Two times. Three times. Voicemail.
"Hello, you've reached Alex Guan. Not here. Leave one."
"Hey Alex, it's me- January. I just needed to talk. Call me. Bye." I hit the END button and threw myself back on the bed. My door was locked so I wouldn't have to worry about the fallout from my admission. And my head hurt as tears poured over something I had held in for so long- they weren't tears of release but just more confusion. Did anybody understand what this felt like?
Meanwhile at the Kane House….
Hannah Kane drummed her fork on her plate. Something wasn't right. Her "gut" hurt. Her quietness had permeated the usually lively dinner table.
"So sweetie, how's school?"
"Fine."
"Newspaper? Are your staffing woes getting any better?"
"Actually I got January's first rough draft of her first take on the kidnappings."
"Oh." Duncan Kane choked out.
Hannah took note of her father's reaction. "I'm proofing it tonight and then I think I will run it in next week's Navigator."
"You will?" Scott had just now boarded the Who-Are-You-And-What-Have-You-Done-With-My-Sister-train.
"Yes, I will. It's probably the best piece written since I've been on the Navigator and this is just the first installment."
There was more than awkward silence; an "elephant" that refused be ignored had entered the room.
"No."
Hannah's head jerked up and to her father's direction. "What did you say?"
"I said no. That piece can only harm or hamper the investigation. At the very worst, her piece will cause hysteria amongst Neptune. I think the decision to publish is in no one's best interest Hannah. I would have also expected you to use better judgment in this case."
"Are you serious?!?"
"Hannah, I said no and I expect you to respect my decision."
"Funny thing, you have no right to tell me what I can and cannot publish."
"Actually I do. One phone call and I will get gag order on all press concerning the case." Duncan replied- his voice was firm and final.
Well, to everyone but his daughter. "You would do that? You would go to such great lengths to stop my high school newspaper just because you happen to hate the girl writing the piece?"
"Hannah this isn't about January. She's just a girl…"
"A girl who works for Keith Mars- your ridiculous self-imposed nemesis and happens to know more about this family than most; that's the girl you want to silence."
"Hannah this is about the case. There is new information concerning the case I don't want it to be public knowledge. Cindy and I have invested a lot of money into solving the kidnappings and bringing the girls home."
"I can't believe you're that stupid."
"Hannah Kane!"
"What dad?!? You know more than anyone that those girls are dead! January knows it and her article may open a lot of eyes to what is really going on…"
"Hannah, I said no. I have had enough of your back talk as well."
"Well, get ready for some more because I'm not finished."
"Hannah!" Nichole finally spoke up. She like her son had been watching the battle of words hoping it would subside as most arguments between father and daughter did. This obviously was a rare occasion for them both. Never had either heard Duncan lay such a heavy unsubstantiated law upon his daughter's love of journalism and never had they heard Hannah so openly disrespect her father. "Hannah, listen I'm sure you father has very good reasons for him not wanting the article to go to print…yet. Maybe when they have followed these new leads…then you can print the article. I'm sure it will be just as well received." Her voice was smooth and polite.
"Would you stop?!?" Hannah now reared her head toward Nichole along with her rage. "You have no idea why this is so important. Two of these missing girls are my cousins! I didn't know them- I don't know them and here's a new girl who knows them better than me and obviously cares more about them than I do. How entirely screwed up is that?!?"
"Hannah you will stop now!" Duncan's voice pierced his daughter's tirade. "You owe your mother…"
"She's not my mother! You screwed up her death…remember! You let her die and then you kidnapped me! YOU'RE NO WORSE THAN PSYCHOTIC CREEP WHO'S DOING THIS! YOU DON'T GET IT AND IF THEY ARE DEAD- I BLAME YOU!!!" Hannah threw her fork down on her delicate plate- shattering it into pieces before escaping upstairs to her bedroom.
She slammed her door with such force the entire mansion shook in fear. Hard tears, a long time coming, began their way down her face as she rummaged through her purse. She pulled out her cell phone and made through her contacts and held it there. 12 years she had had held her finger on the SEND button over this number- always too afraid to dial. This time her fear had been over run by a flood of guilt and the anger of lies and betrayal. She hit SEND and put the phone to her ear. It rang two times, before a slightly familiar voice answered.
"Alex Guan."
"Alex, it's me Hannah Kane."
There was a silence. "Umm….Hannah, is something wrong? Do you need something?"
"I'm sorry." And the flood within her released. She was sobbing and rightfully so. "I'm sorry I never contacted you or Kami or Kara. I'm sorry ignored you. I'm sorry I was a total bitch to all of you. I…am…so sorry." She placed her hand over mouth, catching herself just a little.
"Hannah…"
She braced herself. Whatever he handed her- she had deserved. She was not however prepared for what he said next.
"I'll meet you at Cups of Stone in five minutes, if you can. I think it's about time we talked."
Hannah pushed back the feeling of joy and rushed to grab her purse and keys. "I'll be there." She responded. She hung up and ran down the stairs and out the door before a word to her could be spoken or anything done to stop her. It was time Hannah Kane faced the truth and began fighting on her own.
THE NEXT DAY:
Neptune Memorial Graveyard
I'm not sure why I came here. Before I knew it- I was in my Hummer making my way to the graveyard. I guess I just needed to find one answer to one mystery in my life. All I wanted was one answer to a question that was swirling in my massive-over-analytical head. I knew if I came here I could find something but was it something I wanted to see?
Since Alex had told me about the missing gravestone and the newly erected memorial I had planned on coming here. I wasn't sure what I expected to see; maybe to see nothing more than what Duncan, Logan and Cindy saw. Maybe, just maybe, to see what Veronica saw in them when she took the picture.
I parked my Hummer on a side rode and walked through the too green grass to the memorial. It wasn't hard to miss. Here in the middle of the cemetery stood a large angel with eyes turned up created with a glistening marble stone. At her feet were carved flower petals and an inscription:
Magdalynne Lester-Echolls
March 02nd, 1963 – January 11th, 2005
Logan's mother? Keith had briefly touched in his book about the death of Lynn Echolls but even if he hadn't- it had been plastered over the media. I wasn't even born but her suicide haunted the legacy of the Echolls name and her famous son. Then something within me cracked to some extent. Logan Echolls, jackass extraordinaire, had been abandon by his mother. Left with no answers or reason- like me- he was in all senses left alone. At least I had two parents who had taken me and loved me; as best they could or knew how- right? I was mucked by my own thoughts that I never noticed him approach behind me. He stood at my heels and he spoke evenly in a tone I had never heard from him- a tone of loss.
"She jumped off a bridge. Her body was never found. For years I believed she was alive…waiting for the right moment to come in and save me. I'm not sure why I expected her to save me; she didn't when she was alive." He shrugged; shrugging off the memories of a passive mother and abusive father. "I built her a memorial. Commissioned the best sculptor and the best landscapist; and had them build her a shrine." He paused as he whimsically ran his hand over the angel's bereaved face. "She would have hated it." He mused. He finally pulled away from the statue and looked at me. His eyes were deep with anguish and confusion. His demeanor was nothing I had ever seen from the man. His body was resolute. "Why do you care about a missing grave?"
I thought long and hard on that one. Why did I care? I had no reason other than natural curiosity, right? What drove me with such desperation to know who had been buried and erased?
I knew. I should have seen it all along.
"Three years ago, I found out I was adopted. Not just a simple old-fashioned adoption where some young girl gets knocked up and finds good parents for her baby. No, my biological mother and I assume my biological father wanted nothing to do with me. They buried the adoption deeper than Jimmy Hoffa's body." I pushed my hands deep in my jacket.
I hadn't told anyone, outside of my parents, about my little discovery. No one; not George or Lallie or Alex or Isa---no one. So why was I telling Logan Echolls? I continued nonetheless- finishing what I had started. "Three years ago I went to the nurse's office at my school. For the first time I noticed my blood type. I was curious. The notes mentioned my blood type as rare but I knew for a fact that both my parents had two very common blood types. When my brothers were born my Mom needed a transfusion. They were able to use my dad's blood and there was plenty at the blood bank. There was no way I could be their child…" I gave an ironic smile. "Confirming what all young children believe; I was adopted. I was able through my family's connections to do research. I found my actual birth certificate and date of adoption. I was born in London on Oct. 19th, 2009 at 2:25 am. Immediately after birth, I was named and legally adopted by the Grants."
Logan was silent staring not at me but at the statue looking for an answer in her face. Would he tell me what happened to the grave? Would he tell me why he had erased one single black and white memory?
"The grave belonged to my daughter."
Oh God, I had not expected that. I don't know what I had expected but I did not expect to hear that he had rid the cemetery of his daughter's burial site. I was confused- was it cruelty or remorse that possessed him to do such a thing?
"I never knew her. I never saw her. She never belonged to me. The…" He struggled to continue. His voice caught but he mustered on. "Mother of my daughter went away and didn't tell me she was pregnant. The baby was stillborn. I had no clue or idea. I had gone on with my life as normal until one day Duncan Kane saw a tombstone. A small new tombstone that read, "Little Girl. 2009. LoVed Daughter." He called and I came here. He and Mac came with me. They came with me to meet the child I lost and that…" He paused. "That is when Veronica Mars took her photograph."
"I don't get it. The grave didn't read anything about you…"
He laughed softly. "Loved was spelled big L and little o and big V and little e. It was a secret code between myself and Veronica- the first two letters of each of our names. Our own epic LoVe story—I use to say…"
The bitterness of the moment overthrew me. Veronica had abandon Logan and their child. She left him to deal with the grief he didn't know he could bear. And suddenly I hated her. I hated the photograph. I hated the memory I had pictured in my mind. My truth was not the real truth. My truth was a tainted one-sided blinded version of one angle of film. I wanted to throw-up. I wanted to run. I felt guilt and bereaved at my behavior to Logan, Duncan and Mac. They had every right to act as they had and I had invalidated their earned feelings. Hot tears of shame poured down my face as I looked at the angel. She had no words of solace; only silence. If only I had acted in her manner; quiet and gentle...
I felt Logan's presence draw closer to me. Closer and closer he came; till he had wrapped his arms around me. He pressed my head against his shoulder; my face falling at his chest and I cried. He lulled me with quiet whispers. And I continued to mourn- for his little girl and for me. Two children never knowing who they really were until it was too late. Only I was left to live with confusion and loss. For the first time in my life, I wished I had died in someone's stead- I wish I had never lived.