Story so Far: Veronica wakes up one morning in her fifteen year old body before that fateful day in October. Her memories are intact. She makes a list of crimes and a list of personal things she wants to prevent and change before she gets sent back to the time she belongs in. She follows Lilly and finds out she is dating Weevil. Checking her mother's cell phone records she finds out her mother is seeing Jake Kane. Veronica is not the pink, sweet, virginal fifteen year old she was back then so she cuts her hair and goes shopping for new clothes. At school the next day her classmates are shocked by the change in her appearance and attitude. Lilly and Logan like the new look and attitude. Duncan likes the old Veronica better.

Veronica walks towards lunch in the quad. God classes today were horrible! She has a huge paper on a bill going through the state legislature. She remembers doing that paper and how long it took her. Why couldn't she have been sent back with her papers?

As she walks she sees Casey at his locker. She stops momentarily and says, "Casey, can I walk you to lunch?"

Casey looks at Veronica and shuts his locker. He cannot believe the change in her appearance since yesterday. She has always been sweet, almost virginal. Now she is dressing in tight clothes and she seems to be more assertive and confident. He gallantly tells her he would be happy to have her walk to lunch with him.

He watches her as they walk together towards the quad. Yesterday Veronica had been excited to see him and had asked him about his grandmother and parents. Casey had been surprised that she even knew his grandmother was sick. He doesn't remember ever talking about her to Veronica but Veronica seemed interested in her health and then had asked him about how his parents were handling her illness. Casey had told her they were fine and she had briefly looked at him as if she didn't believe him and then had seen someone she needed to talk to so she had excused herself.

Now today she is walking him to lunch and she looks so hot! She asks him if he needs help with his homework since he is so busy visiting his grandmother.

Casey hesitates. Veronica is one of the Fab 4 and she is dating Duncan Kane. It would not be good to upset Duncan, Lilly or Logan by seeming to be going after Veronica.

Veronica stops and looks at Casey as they walk. He stops and looks down at her.

She tilts her head at him and says, "Casey, I am not hitting on you."

Casey looks a little embarrassed.

Veronica looks at him and says, "You are a hot guy and there are plenty of girls who would be happy to date you. I don't think of you like that. I was thinking we could be pretty good friends if you would be interested in that."

Looking at her he can see she is serious. He can see the openness in her blue eyes.

Casey is surprised as the Fab 4 tend to stick to each other and not look to the rest of the school for friendship.

Veronica seems to be reading his thoughts as she says, "I love being friends with Lilly and Logan. I just think it would be good to have a bigger group of friends."

She tilts her head towards the doors to the quad and says as she starts walking, "I was thinking we should partner together in chemistry this year. I'm a whiz in chemistry and I could do our lab work."

She continues as they walk. "It would free up some time to visit your grandmother and study for your other courses while still leaving you some time for fun."

Casey looks at her in surprise. He is really surprised that she understands how busy his life is. His grandmother is teaching him how to run the business before she dies. She wants to see him after school everyday. Then he gets home and barely has time to do his homework before falling exhausted into bed.

He has been feeling the stress of the homework in the advanced courses he is taking this year and the school year has just started. His grandmother wants him to get good grades for college so he agreed to take the difficult course load. He would do almost anything for his grandmother.

Veronica is in most of his advanced classes. She gets excellent grades. It would really help him to have a good partner in chemistry. Mr. Wu gives a lot of homework in advanced chemistry.

Casey tentatively says, "Chemistry is not my best subject."

Laughing, Veronica says, "Well unfortunately they don't give credit for jackassness."

Casey's mouth falls open in shock. She adds, "You and Logan would get straight A's."

She continues on as if she is not aware of Casey's shock at her words, "I think we will make great partners."

They walk into the quad talking. Veronica is talking to Casey about the party at Dick's on Friday night. She is asking him what time he can get away from his grandmother to come. She says, "Your parents probably won't be home will they?"

Casey still reeling from his conversation with Veronica says, "No probably not."

Veronica says, "Good you need to come to the party and break out. I'll be there and make sure you get home OK."

She walks with Casey unaware of all the looks she is getting and unaware of the speculative looks she is getting from the 09ers for looking so comfortable with Casey.

Veronica goes over and sits next to Duncan kissing him hello. She turns to look at Lilly and says, "Why don't you come over for supper?"

Lilly looks at Veronica and says, "Sure, I'm always up for missing dinner with mother dearest."

Veronica looks carefully at Lilly. She is especially brittle today. Veronica says, "You can drop me off at the Sheriff's department after school and then meet me at home later."

Lilly looks at Veronica and sees her friend knows that something is up and is semi demanding to see her later. She wonders briefly if Veronica knows she is meeting Weevil after school. She doesn't know how she would know though.
Lilly is frustrated. She dated Weevil partially because he is a biker and a bad boy. She just wanted to make out with him and have it mean nothing. Now she feels something for him.

Logan sitting across the table sees non verbal discussion between Veronica and Lilly. He picks up that Veronica is demanding Lilly see her later.

Casey sits down on the other side of Logan taking his attention away from the interchange between Lilly and Veronica. They greet each other. Logan says, "Hey man. Haven't seen you around much lately."

Casey nods back but doesn't really answer Logan why he has been so busy. Lunch arrives and both guys take their sandwich and start eating.

The talk around the table turns to Dick's party on Friday. He is telling everyone about ordering the kegs and about how his Dad is going to LA to see his new girlfriend. She's a Laker cheerleader.

Cassidy arrives and when he tries to sit down Madison bitches him out because she is saving the seat for Kim.

Veronica speaks up from across the table and says, "Madison do you have to be such a bitch all the time?"

She looks over at Cassidy ignoring Madison's outraged expression and says, "Cassidy, come and sit by Casey."

Cassidy obeying Veronica's commanding tone walks over and sits next to Casey.

Madison frowns at Veronica and says, "Who are you to talk to me like that?"

Veronica eating her sandwich frowns. She looks at Madison and says, "I'm already bored talking to you."

Veronica pointedly turns back to her sandwich and takes a bite.

Lilly listening starts to laugh. Logan, Cassidy and Dick look shocked. Casey bows his head to hide his smile.

DK ever the peacemaker says, "Here Veronica, have some of my chips."

Veronica smiles at him and continues to ignore Madison's exclamation of anger.

Dick sits shocked at how bitchy Veronica is. Logan although surprised is kind of enjoying bitchy Veronica. It's like an alien took over her body.

Veronica sits quietly listening. The talk around their table becomes generalized about school, teachers, student gossip. Casey talks about the car he is getting for his birthday.

Dick starts to talk about a new video game he bought. He loudly laughs and says, "Beav, here really sucks at it."

Veronica's head snaps over to Dick. Her gaze narrows. She says, "Dick, what did I say about what you need to call your brother."

Dick and the rest of the table look at Veronica surprised at her tone. She continues as if Dick is a child needing further instruction, "He prefers to be called Cassidy."

Dick pissed at her tone says, "He's my brother. I'll call him what I want."

Cassidy looks surprised at Veronica's defense of him.

Veronica says, "Fine then." She turns to Cassidy and says, "Dick's your brother. What nickname shall we call him?"

The table including Dick looks at Veronica in shock. Veronica continues on as if everyone is having an ordinary conversation. She says, "What about pussy? It's close to Beaver."

Cassidy's mouth drops open in absolute shock that Veronica would talk like that. If Veronica were to look around the table she would see that everyone around the table has identical expressions to Cassidy.

Still looking at Cassidy she says, "What about Alvin, Sparky or LD for little Dick?"

When Cassidy remains silent, Veronica claps her hands excitedly and says, "I know, if you are Beaver, he can be Wally."

After a shocked pause, Lilly laughs and says, "I like it."

Logan getting over his shock starts to laugh at the look on Dick's face. Casey laughs amused by Veronica's pushy manner.

Dick complains he doesn't want to be called Wally. Veronica says, "Well tough luck Wally."

The lunch bell rings and Veronica gets up as if the discussion is over. Lilly walks over and puts her arm through Veronica's. She says, "See you," to the group and adds an overly sweet, "Bye Wally," to Dick.

As they walk away, Dick can be heard complaining about his nick name telling the guys he is too macho for a Wally.

Logan follows walking with Duncan. He can see Duncan is obviously unhappy and put out by Veronica's pushy manner. Logan smiles because he is finding this Veronica very entertaining. He can see Lilly is as well.

When they get to Veronica's locker, Logan watches as Duncan tries to calm Veronica down about Cassidy. He is surprised to hear her tell Duncan that it isn't always the right thing to sit on the sidelines. She adds clearly, "We are not all grooming to be senators."

She walks off leaving Duncan unhappy. She can see he doesn't like how she is now. She turns and says, "I'm not going to change back to the pink adoring perfect girlfriend."

She leaves Logan and Duncan standing there as she walks off towards her next class.

Logan sees Duncan is upset and frustrated with Veronica. Logan can't believe how she talked to Duncan. They are the golden couple. She never speaks up to him.

***

After school Veronica meets Lilly at her car and gets Lilly to drive her to the Sheriff's Department. She tells Lilly that she called her mother and supper is going to be at 6:30 pm. She adds, "It's hamburger and milkshake night."

Lilly says, "So we get to listen to old rock and roll music."

Veronica laughs and then gets serious. She says, "You need to be there Lilly. I think you need to talk to me."

Lilly looks at her friend in a little wonder. None of her other friends understand and love her like Veronica loves her. Veronica doesn't approve of everything she does but accepts her. She doesn't have to be the life of the party or happy around Veronica. Lilly knows she could be poor and Veronica would be her best friend.

To Lilly, Veronica is the sister she never had. Her parents don't understand her and barely tolerate her. They have big plans for Duncan but only hope she leaves and doesn't embarrass them too much. Duncan disapproves of her but he does love her. Veronica is her best friend and Lilly plans on being Veronica's friend forever.

Veronica leaves Lilly knowing she is probably going to see Weevil. Veronica can see Lilly is upset about Weevil. She thinks that Lilly is falling in love with Weevil.

Veronica doesn't think Weevil lied to her when he told her that he loved Lilly and he Lilly loved him. She thinks that Lilly really hurt Weevil when she went back to Logan and then when Weevil found out she was sleeping with Aaron. It made Weevil feel like he was not worth a rich girl because of his background. Lilly really hurt Logan as well.

Tonight Veronica was going to really talk to her best friend. She needed to make her understand that she was hurting the two men she cared about. She needed to take control of her life.

Veronica enters the Sheriff's department. She goes over and talks to Ingrid for a few minutes. Ingrid is excited about Veronica's new haircut and likes her new clothes. Veronica asks her about her dogs and her family. Saks walks by the desk and stops to say hello to Veronica. She happily says hello teasing him about his moustache. She leans on the counter and tells them that she was walking Back Up and noticed a lot of lost dog notices on the bulletin board. Ingrid obviously feels bad for the owners and the poor lost dogs. Veronica nods and says, "I also noticed that the ones that had a big reward got found and the ones that did not have a large reward did not get found. She pulls a bunch of flyers out of her bag and says, "I was wondering if you took one of the flyers of a missing dog that there wasn't a large reward and put a fake large reward and reposted it; if maybe the dog might be found."

Saks says, "You think someone is stealing the dogs and then giving only the large reward dogs back."

Veronica nods and says, "Ingrid could put her cell number on the new flyer and then agree to meet the guy and Saks you could follow and see where whoever brings her the dog goes after he gives her the dog."

Saks frowns a little at the thought. Veronica says sadly, "I would be devastated if I lost Back Up. I couldn't afford a large reward and I would never get him back if he was taken on purpose. They would probably resell him to someone else to get money."

Veronica points out all the dogs that have been returned for rewards and how much money it adds up to. She also points out that the dogs that don't have large rewards may be killed or resold."

Ingrid turns her blue eyes on Sacs and says, "The poor dogs."

Veronica leaves them knowing that Saks will agree to help Ingrid because he is a softy and can't say no to her blue eyes.

Veronica stops and knocks on Lamb's office door. She puts her head in and says, "Hello."

He does a double take at what she is wearing and her hair cut. Veronica says, "Hey Don, I have a hypothetical situation I wanted to talk to you about."

Deputy Don Lamb sits back in his chair and says, "Hypothetical hey?"

Veronica nods and says, "Hypothetically say a high school athlete were to want to get a college scholarship or get drafted by the pros so badly that he listened to bad advice from say his trainer who is an adult and works at say a prominent health club…"

Don nods and says, "I'm with you so far."

Veronica meets his gaze and continues, "Further suppose this high school student was persuaded to go to say Mexico and bring back the magic medicine for this adult trainer…."

Don sits forward and says, "You have to tell me what you know Veronica. This is important."

Veronica shakes her head a little and says, "I told you its hypothetical." She raises her hand to stop Don's next comment.

"Further suppose that this high school athlete was persuaded by a friend to stop doing the magic medicine."

Don nods and sits back.

Veronica tilts her head and says, "I was thinking that hypothetically this trainer from this prominent health club would have to go to Mexico himself and get the steroids."

Veronica finishes. "If this guy's picture was to be given by a Neptune police deputy to the border patrol officers and his car was to be checked on his way back to Neptune….."

Veronica looks at Don and says, "You look like you work out. If you were to hang around the health club and see which trainer works with the high school football and baseball team and then perhaps take this guy's picture."

Don smirks and says, "A lot of rich 09er guys work out with personal trainers."

Veronica nods and says, "Yes but not every Tom, Dick or Hank is personally requested by the student athletes."

Don smiles and says, "Don't you mean every Tom, Dick and Henry?"

Veronica smiles back and says, "Oh, didn't I say that?"

Don laughs and says, "I'll handle it."

Veronica says, "Handle what? I was just talking hypothetically." Veronica leaves his office with a wave and heads over to her Dad's office.

Veronica pokes her head into her father's open office door. She says, "Hey Dad."

Keith Mars looks up at her voice and smiles when he sees her. He gets up and goes over to her and kisses her forehead. He says, "This is a nice surprise."

Veronica smiles and walks into his office. She pointedly shuts the door before she walks over to sit on a chair across the desk from her father.

Keith goes over and sits at his desk wondering what his daughter wants to talk to him about.

Taking a deep breath Veronica looks at her father and says, "I have to tell you something. It's been bothering me for a while."

Veronica sighs and says, "It's just a hunch I have and I need you to keep it between us."

Keith sees the worry and frustration on his daughter's face. He says, "It depends on what it involves."

She clarifies, "I want you to check it out." She pauses and looks at her hands. Finally she looks up at her dad and says, "I only have my instincts to go on and it's asking a lot for you to trust the instincts of a fifteen year old girl."

Seeing that something is really bothering his daughter Keith gets up and goes over to sit in the chair beside hers. He leans in and takes her hands. He says quietly holding her gaze, "You can tell me anything."

Veronica nods and says, "I know Dad."

Keith gently squeezes her hands in encouragement.

Veronica says, "It's Meg."

Leaning in and speaking quietly Veronica tells Keith about her hunch about Meg's psychological abuse. When she finishes she says, "I know it's not much to go on and I know Meg hasn't admitted anything but I'm worried about her, Lizzie and Grace."

Keith says, "I can see that."

Veronica stays quiet. Keith asks, "The other morning when you said you had a bad dream, did it involve Meg?"

Veronica nods and says, "She was in it."

Keith looks at her and says, "This is a serious charge."

Veronica nods but doesn't say anything. She gives her father time to think about it.

He says, "I'll look into it but I will have to be very discrete." He adds, "It may take time."

Veronica nods again. She says, "I know Dad. I just needed to tell you what I was thinking."

Keith smiles pleased his daughter trusts him and is so caring towards her friends.

He leans in and hugs her. Veronica happily goes into her father's arms. She knows he will handle this.

Before Veronica leaves the office she says, "Dad?"

He looks at her from his desk. She says, "I was thinking about the strangler guy and how he kept his victims quiet…"

Keith says, "We caught him Veronica."

Undeterred Veronica questions airly, "Oh was he working in a recording studio?"

Frowning Keith says, "No, why?"

"Well, I was shopping with Meg the other night and we went past that sound booth at the mall." She clarifies, "The one where people can record songs or just sing to popular songs and tape it?"

Keith nods. Veronica says, "A guy was singing and when we walked by we couldn't hear anything through the sound proofing. It occurred to me that if you screamed in there, no one would hear you."

Veronica turns and walks out the door. She says, "I'm glad you caught him."

After she leaves the room she quickly looks back and sees Keith opening his desk and pulling out a file. She smiles.

When she walks out front towards the exit she sees that Ingrid has made a new flyer with a thousand dollar reward and her telephone number on it.

Saks with a copy of the new flyer says, "Do you need a ride home Veronica? I'm going to the beach to put up this flyer. I could drop you on my way."
Veronica thanks him and says, "I'm so glad you are going to catch whoever is doing this."

Veronica walks into the house to find her mother in the kitchen cooking supper. Veronica greets her mother. Veronica goes to the bathroom and washes her hands.

When she comes out she gets out the condiments and starts to set the table. They talk generally about both their days.

Veronica reaches in the fridge and grabs her mother's water bottle pretending she didn't see it was already opened. Before her mother can protest she twists off the top and takes a drink.

After a brief second Veronica rushes to the sink to spit the drink out and she bends over and coughs a little.

Her mother gently pats her back.

Veronica stands and looks her mother in the eye. She says, "Mom why are you drinking during the day?"

Her mother rushes to reassure her it is just she is under stress right now.

Veronica puts her hands on her mother's shoulders and says, "You need to get some help Mom."

Her mother brushes her off stating she doesn't have a problem.

Sadly Veronica says, "Mom I know about your drinking. I'm not five anymore."

She steps in front of her mom and says, "You are an alcoholic mom."

Veronica listens as her mother gets angry with her telling her to mind her own business and telling her that she doesn't understand.

"Please just go to an AA meeting and listen." Veronica begs.

Her mother leaves the room and Veronica hears her bedroom door slam.

She sighs and finishes getting the table set. Lilly will be in here in a few minutes. Veronica doesn't know if her father is going to make it home tonight now.

Veronica pulls out her phone and dials it. She says, "Mac, I need a favor."

As Veronica walks towards her bedroom she tells Mac about needing to copy AV recordings from a security type camera and asks the best way to do it.

Veronica listens to Mac's advice as she walks past her parent's bedroom and looks at the closed door. Veronica hopes her conversation goes better with Lilly than it did her mother.