Thanks for the reviews and following the story. Sorry it's slow-coming, but I really hope you'll hang on. There's so much in my head, I have no idea how long I plan on making it, but there are several MAJOR plot twists left. I hope to put more time into it and can update more often. Please hang in there and keep the comments coming! THANKS!

Chapter 17: Part of the In-Crowd

A weekend getaway had been exactly what Veronica needed. She and Logan relished their time together. She tried to put all thoughts of Bureau and Sorokin troubles out of her mind. She couldn't help but wonder why the mobsters continued to follow them without making a move, and even more, why the Bureau wanted to use her as bait when it was Logan they seemed to be after. Luckily, Logan was much smarter about their protection than she had imagined he could be. He picked a perfect rental for their beach weekend. It was quiet and private, but not too secluded. There was enough of civilization around them to keep them out of danger. She knew the Sorokins were probably waiting on a time when no one was around to see or hear. She felt nervous when she thought about that fact, so she tried not to. She knew that before all was said and done, there would be a lot of trouble and her father and Logan would not be happy with her. But for the time being, she forced it from her mind and just enjoyed her time with Logan.

Monday morning came all too quickly. As she sat at her desk she wistfully dreamed of the wonderful weekend she and Logan shared. She remembered the special evening they had Saturday:

Logan had taken her to a local beach club where they worked up a sweat dancing the night away. One particular song echoed in Veronica's mind. The music started slowing and soft piano notes rang out. Logan reached for Veronica and pulled her close. He wrapped his arms tight around her small waist and breathed her in deeply. Adele's soulful voice cried out as they held each other tightly.

You've been on my mind
I grow fonder every day
Lose myself in time
Just thinking of your face…

"Did you make a special request, Logan?"

"I wish I had. This song is kind of perfect."

"You know it?"

"Yeah. I've heard it before."

God only knows
Why it's taken me so long
To let my doubts go
You're the only one that I want
I don't know why I'm scared
I've been here before
Every feeling, every word
I've imagined it all
You'll never know, if you never try
To forgive your past, and simply be mine.

Veronica managed a small laugh.

"Ah, irony."

Logan just smiled back and held her tighter. He breathed all of her in one more time.

Damn she smells good, he thought.

Veronica couldn't help but feel total and complete bliss at the feeling she had right now. Being in Logan's arms…breathing in his smell…she was completely happy—happier than she can remember since before Lilly died.

…I dare you to let me be, your
Your one and only
Promise I'm worth it
To hold in your arms
So come on
And give me a chance
To prove I am the one who can
Walk that mile
Until the end starts…

"I love you, Ronnie," Logan whispered.

"I love you, too, Logan," Veronica whispered back, content and blissful.

She sighed. Back to the real world. Back to work. Back to her problems.

"Mars—need you in my office now," Special Agent Fuller barked.

Veronica groaned inwardly and headed to the SAC's office.

"Yes, Special Agent Fuller?"

"We've come to suspect that the Sorokins will wait until you return to California to make their move. They'll wait until you're on their territory. Lot less security there. That being said – even after you leave this summer, the plan remains the same."

"So, I'll still be the bait, huh?"

"Are you comfortable with that?"

Veronica paused only for a moment. The images of her father and Logan flashed before her, a flash of the anger that would be upon her if she kept this from them, but more prominent in her mind was the consequences of not stopping the Sorokins before they could harm her or someone she loved.

"Of course, but…"

"But what?"

"I'm just confused. Logan was the one getting the threats. It's him they seem to be targeting, not me, so what good does it do to use me? Isn't Logan the one you should be protecting?"

"Mars, don't tell me that you're supposed to be this top notch detective and you don't know."

"Know what?"

"Well, for one thing, there seems to be quite a lot your father and boyfriend are keeping from you."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the threats Logan Echolls have been receiving are not directed towards him at all."

"But I saw them. I saw the texts."

"Those were the first. Just to get his attention. The real threats have been towards you, Mars. You are the target. Don't you know how these thugs operate? They aren't interested in hurting Logan…yet. They want to punish him first. They are going to go after everything that he holds dear first, then they'll decide what to do with him, depending on how he responds. Unfortunately for you, you're it. I mean, really all. Your boyfriend has his money and he has you. The money he doesn't seem to give a shit about—so you're all they have to go after."

"But…they said…"

Veronica felt dizzy. She tried to process this. She felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She sat down and took some deep breaths.

"Are you alright, Mars?"

Veronica took one last deep breath.

"Yes. I'm fine. I'm just…disappointed…in myself. That I didn't put all this together from the beginning. I thought I was smarter than that."

"I don't mean to interfere in your personal life, but I think your personal relationship with Logan Echolls is getting in the way of your detective smarts."

"Am I being bugged? Do you people listen and see everything I do?"

"Not everything. But I didn't get where I am by being oblivious, Mars. You of all people should know that. I have a unique gift for reading people. A gift I see in you, too. I think you understand. I don't know anything about your relationship with him, but if you want to keep yourself and your boyfriend safe, you're going to have to seriously compartmentalize and keep your personal feelings out of this business, because that's just what this is…business. You are now in the business of busting thugs and mobsters and whatever other nefarious sort that needs busting. You have to think of it that way. If you don't…you won't hack it long here."

Veronica tried to process all that Agent Fuller had told her. Not only did she find out that her dad and Logan had been keeping some pretty heavy stuff from her, she realized that she wasn't just an intern anymore. She was about to get neck deep in some shit and she needed to pull it together.

"You're right, Special Agent Fuller. I'll get my head in the game. I can do this."

I have to do this!

"I know you can. You wouldn't be here if I didn't. And don't worry, Mars, you will be well prepared. We have three more weeks to make sure you are capable of handling yourself when the time comes. And we'll be close by. You'll have a team following you everywhere back in California."

"A whole team?"

"Yes. I, of course, will be the lead. We will coordinate every move you make and we will know where you are at all times. Here," Special Agent Fuller handed her a small box, "this is the first step."

Veronica took the box from him and opened it. There was a tiny, shiny, round piece of metal inside. It looked like a watch battery.

"I'm guessing this isn't a watch battery."

"Actually," Special Agent Fuller said, rising from his chair to approach Veronica, "it is. It's a special battery. It contains a GPS tracker. You'll put it in this watch," he said pulling a watch from his desk, "and we can find you at all times. Don't take this watch off. Ever. It's waterproof, fireproof, and Armageddon proof."

"What, is this my Inspector Gadget watch?" Veronica joked.

Fuller couldn't help but manage a grin. Among the agents he was considered a hard-ass, but something about Veronica Mars brought out his sense of humor. Maybe she reminded him of himself at that age.

"Mars, come on."

"Sorry. Gees. So what does it do?"

"Well, as most watches do, it tells the time…"

Veronica managed a grin this time.

Smart-ass wearing off on you, Special Agent?

"…and," he continued, "with the special battery, it will act as a GPS tracker and transmitter. It will also act as a communication device – one way only – when paired with this."

Fuller held up something that looked something like a tooth.

"It's a molar cap. It picks up vibrations in your mouth when you talk. The watch detects those vibrations, turns them into sound waves, and transmits them to the person listening on the other end. We can hear you at all times, but only you. It's not a microphone, so we won't be able to hear others around you."

"I'm guessing this new little piece of dentistry is to be with me at all times as well?"

"Yes. This particular one is just for show. You'll have to be fitted for your own. We'll get that next week. We'll make sure everything is 100% before you go back home. Go ahead and start wearing the watch now so you get used to having it on all the time, and there won't be any suspicion when you're seen wearing it all the time when you get home."

"And what story do I make up for my boyfriend about this?"

"You're smart, Mars. You'll figure something out."

Veronica groaned. That would be a lot more difficult than Fuller realized. Logan was sure to suspect something funny when she started wearing a megalithic watch on her wrist all the time. It was quite a bit larger than her usual one, which she didn't wear near as often as she wished now she did. And Logan was sure to…

Shit! Logan…this tooth device. Does it pick up EVERY sound I make?

"So, Special Agent Fuller," Veronica started. "this molar cap…Will you be tracking everything I say, every noise I make, or…"

At first Fuller didn't catch on. He made a quizzical face at Veronica and retorted, "Well, of course, but…"

Suddenly the light bulb went on and he realized what the young, healthy woman with a Hollywood boyfriend was asking.

"Of course, you may take it out for brief instances when the need arises," he said, trying hard not to crack a smile, "but discretely, and only when necessary. We of course, won't be monitoring twenty-four-seven, but it will be recording constantly. Once they fit you, they'll show you how to pop it in and out easily. You'll have no trouble with that, you'll just have to figure out how to hide it and keep its existence private."

"Yeah, okay, I get that."

"There's still some more field training you need before we turn you loose back in California. Tomorrow you'll be heading back to Quantico for a three day exercise. Pack a bag, but you won't need much. You will be training with several other agents on how to manage a hostage situation. You, of course, will be the hostage. I warn you, they intend on making this as real as possible so that you'll be fully prepared for your encounter with the Sorokins."

Veronica swallowed hard. Now it was getting serious. Now it was getting real.

"Fortunately, you will be training with the team that will be accompanying you back to California. As a matter of fact – you'll be training with them for the duration of your stay here."

"How are we covering that with the rest of the interns?"

"Funny you should ask that…you need to go clear out what things you have here."

"Huh?"

"Today will be your last day at this office. We will simply tell the others you had to leave unexpectedly. I warn you, rumors will circulate. In fact, we'll probably start most of them. Everything from caught stealing to… sleeping with an agent…it probably won't be good for your reputation."

Great, just when I thought I had escaped that little reputation of mine for a few months…

"I'm used to it."

"I'd imagine. I've read your file, remember?" Fuller said with a grin.

"Lucky you," Veronica joked back.

"Anyway, you'll be in Quantico from now until you return. No one, of course, outside this office is to know this."

"I know, don't tell Logan or my dad."

"Exactly. Now, get your stuff. Go home and get some rest. You'll need it. Tomorrow is the first day of some pretty intense training."

"Aye, Aye," Veronica saluted and turned to walk out of the office.

"And Mars…"

"Yes, Special Agent Fuller?"

"I think we're on a last-name-basis at this point. I know my job title, I don't need to hear it every time you open your mouth. Fuller will be sufficient."

Veronica nodded and left the SAC's office. She grinned. While she felt an enormous sense of pride that she was "in" with the FBI – the gravity of the situation weighed heavy on her. She was now a part of a real FBI "team".

Holy shit! How in the hell am I going to keep this from Logan and my dad?

A/N: Okay, so I understand that this song wasn't out in 2000-whatever this would have been, but just go with it, okay? It's One and Only by Adele.

Also, if anyone notices that I stole the "tooth transmitter"—look the other way. It works for this, so I stole it. It may be cheesy – but it works.