Neptune High - Day

"So, how's the case?" Penny asked as she sat at the table picking at her food.
Unless you're a part of something "important" like sports or cheerleading, you got stuck with something less than apetizing.

"Well, my only lead was Claire, and she claims she didn't do it." Chris said as he ate a bite of a pickle.

"But then again, she's Claire Casablancas." Penny said with a shrug. "Why are you helping Lincoln again? Don't we hate him?"

"A little more every day." Chris said with a smile as he took a bite of some kind of meat product.

"Then why?" Penny asked again.

Chris sighed. "Okay, I'll tell you, but you can't say anything or freak out in any way."

"Cross my heart." Penny stated.

"Okay...he kind of caught me with someone...a girl." Christ started. "It was Ms. Montgomery." He said with worried about what she was going to think.

Penny's mouth dropped, but quickly closed. "Okay. I guess I should be happy that you at least told me, but are you crazy? No...nevermind...I'm not judging." She said with a shrug.

Chris sighed. "So, that's why I'm helping."

"Morning, Partner." Claire stated as she sat next to Chris. "We ready to begin?"

Penny gives Claire a weird look and then looked to Chris. "Oh yeah." He smiled.
"Claire here wants to help with the case."

"Isn't that nice of me?" Claire said with a smirk.

"You a peach." Penny responded as she took a sip of soda. "I've got to head to the library, so I'll catch you later, Chris." She said with wave.

"Don't worry, Penny, I'll keep him safe." Claire said antagonizing her, but Penny just ignored her and walked away. "So, Sherlock, what's are next move?"

"Why again are you helping me?" Chris asked.

"Can't very well have pictures of my mother and ex-boyfriend getting into the wrong hands, now can I? Do you know what that'd do to my reputation around here?" Claire stated.

"And here I thought you were worried about your mother's potential jail time for sleeping with a minor." Chris said with a roll of his eye.

"Please. She didn't have a problem sleeping with my boyfriend." Claire said allowing some emotion to through.

Chris gave her a sympathetic gesture. "Well, does Lincoln have any enemies?"

Claire laughed. "Well, you, and half the school who he's been a asshole to."

Chris sighed. "Why can things ever be easy?"

Mars Investigations - Night

I haven't seen Gramps in a while. Between my owns cases, my paternity, and my mom's murder investigation, my time at home is limited.

"Hey Grampa." Chris said as he walked into the office.

Keith shuffled some papers on his desk and looked up to Chris. "Hey, Sport"
He said with a smile. "Long time no see." He said with a sigh.

"Yeah, I've been busy." He said with a shrug. "So, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Chris. Anything." Keith said as he stood up from the desk.

"Why did you go see Logan Echolls that night at the bar?" Chris said blantantly.

"Chris. This again?" Keith said frustrated.

"You never gave me an aswer." Chris stated firmly.

"I don't want to get into this." Keith said.

"If you thought he was connected to mom's murder, you wouldn't have gone to see him." Chris deduced.

"Chris." Keith said hoping to stop him from questioning.

"You think he's my father." Chris said as he tried to read what his grandpa was thinking.

"No. Yes. I don't know. He contacted me." Keith replied.

"Why?" Chris asked.

"Why do you think?" Keith asked, but not really expecting an answer. "You had just come to town. He wanted to know if it was possible that he were your father." Keith sighed.

"So you never suspected him of murder?" Chris stated feeling as if Keith had sent him on a wild goose chase.

Keith sighed. "No...I didn't want you getting involved in this. I won't let what happened to your mother happen to you." He stated.

"That's not your call to make." Chris said upset as he grabbed his stuff and left the office in a huff.

Java the Hut - Night

Did I overreact? I don't think so. I've spent weeks...months trying to figure out who killed my mother, and for Grampa to mislead me to keep me safe? Sure,
I expected it, but not that way. Luckily, I had a case to occupy my mind, but I'm not so sure that it'll work.

"Hey, Tiger." Claire said as she walked up to Chris' table. "Miss me?"

"Oodles." Chris said sarcastically. "Did you bring the list?"

"Yep. Everyone who hates Lincoln as much as I do." Claire said as she handed it to Chris. "What's our next move?"

"I honestly don't know." Chris said annoyed.

"What's your problem?" Claire stated.

"What's my problem? I'm working a case for someone I hate. I have a million other things on my mind like who my father is, and who killed my mother, and there's just not enough time in the day." Chris released.

Way to go, Christopher. THat's how you should break your cover.

Claire looked to Chris with a sympathetic look...the first Chris had ever seen. "I took the pictures." She blurted.

"What?" Chris said confused.

"I took them. I couldn't let anyone see them." Claire responded. "I just wanted to make him sweat...to make him scared. I wanted him to feel what it was like to..." She stopped. "Anyways. I'm sorry I wasted your time"
She said as she stood up and kissed Chris on the cheek.

Chris was a little dumbfounded at this revelation, and the kiss wasn't expected as well. Claire smiled softly at him as she turned and made her way to the door. Chris stared after her and jolted out of the haze he was in before he walked over to her and turned her around and kissed her.

They parted, and they both had confused looks on their faces. "Umm...I gotta go." Chris said as he left the building and left Claire to sift through what just happened.

Wait to go, Chris. Like your life wasn't complicated enough.

Mars Apartment - Night

Chris walked into the apartment. All he wanted to do was sleep. He saw his grandpa sitting on a chair with a letter in his hand. "What are you still doing up?" Chris asked.

"This letter came for you yesterday." Keith began. "It's from DNA Testing Company." He said with a sigh. "I should have given it to you then, but I thought...I don't know what I thought, but I'm sorry." Keith said as he walked over to Chris. He handed the letter to him, and rested his hands on Chris'
shoulders. "I just wanted to protect you. To give you a life away from this"
He said with a sigh. "But you're your mother's son, and you can make your own decisions...so...if this is something you think you're ready to know...then open the letter." Keith said. "I'll see you in the morning."

Keith turned and headed towards his bedroom, taking one last look at Chris before he entered his room and shut the door.

The answers to one of the millions of questions that I have. Am I ready to know who my father is? No. I'm not, but that doesn't matter. I HAVE to know.
I need more answers. I need to know if Logan is a concerned parent or a scared murderer, or I need to know if I'm the product of some one night stand.

Chris opened the letter and unfolded the single piece of paper inside. As he read the letter, his eyes widened.

Well, isn't this interesting.

I know, I'm evil, but I only promised that Chris would open the letter. Never said you'd find out who his father was. Gotta keep you guys wanting more.
Anyways, the usual, please review and respond, next chapter you'll find out who Chris' father is, and we'll begin delving more into Veronica's murder. What did you guys think of the Chris/Claire situation? Any last guesses on who Chris' father is?

Something to look forward to: A new character will be joining our "cast" next chapter, as well as, an old character's return. Who will it be?