# The author of this fic is very sick and was hospitalized. She asked me to edit and publish the fic and thank cainc3 for beta'ing the fic. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayer. Thank you.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this fic. I really can't continue without your support. I am glad some of you really enjoying this fic, and your kind feedback would help me to become a better writer and hopefully I can keep writing and entertain everyone. To those who dislike this fic and saying that nobody should read it because I wrote a PG-rated story, I'd rather take constructive feedback that would help me to write a better story than vitriol ones that generate nothing to everyone. Thank you so much, everyone. Please enjoy the story!
Veronica: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
"Piznarski!" Veronica greeted her boyfriend on the phone. She held her phone between her shoulder and neck, and then she stood up while leaving a tip for the waiter. "How are you, babe?" She asked lightly.
There was a pause at the end of the line, and then Piz said, "I can't find my girlfriend. I think she's missing. Can you help me?"
"Aww, have you checked under the bed?"
"I did. I even checked the cupboard under the sink."
"Ha-ha."
"You know, because you're so –"
"Short. I get it!"
"I was gonna say tiny."
Veronica smiled from their banter. That was one thing she loved about Piz; their easy going relationship and their normalcy. They joked around and loved each other like a normal couple. She really enjoyed being with Piz. Who wouldn't? Every woman wanted a steady relationship with a nice boyfriend who treats them with respect and love. Piz was always nice and treated her with kindness. He never would pick an argument about anything, most of the time he would agree with her about certain subjects and topics. Once or twice they would banter about light topics, but nothing too serious. Piz was always been dependable.
"Well, you know –"
"When are you coming back?" Piz asked, cutting her off.
Veronica stopped right in front of the 'Java the Hut' entrance. She blinked hearing her boyfriend's flat tone. The teasing tone seemed to be gone… or maybe it wasn't there from the beginning? After a pause, she answered. "I just got here last night, Piz."
"Yeah, I know. I tried to call you but you didn't answer."
Veronica exhaled and looked up, annoyed. "I was so tired last night, Piz. I picked up my dad at his office, we had dinner, and then we talked for a while. I must've gone to bed immediately afterward because of the jetlag."
"Why didn't you text me or call me when you arrived?"
"I am sorry about that. Piz… I swear I wasn't ignoring you."
"It seems you were."
Veronica, rather defensive and ticked-off that her boyfriend was accusing her of ignoring him said rather tersely, "So the next best thing was to call Wallace and whine that I didn't pick up the phone?"
"I had to call someone, Veronica. I was worried. I didn't know whether you arrived safely or maybe something bad had happened on your way to your dad's office – I didn't know anything! So yeah, I called Wallace and asked him if you were okay."
Piz was always an easy going guy, so to hear him being emotional about her, it touched her a bit. He was definitely concerned about her. It made Veronica feel guilty about it; he cared about her well-being.
"I'm sorry, Piz. I should've call or something to let you know I arrived safely."
"I just…" Piz seemed distressed, but he tried to cover it. "I really miss you. And I am really trying here to give you some space. I am really sorry too that I freaked you out about the whole proposal thing…"
"Piz, you didn't freak me out. I was upset that we didn't talk about this before and you were asking me in the middle of a public place."
"So if we talked about this, and I'd proposed to you in a private setting would you have accepted my proposal?"
Veronica went quiet.
Marriage was really far off in her mind.
After a very long pause, Veronica said in a quiet tone, "I haven't thought about it, Piz. Not yet."
"You said that you would think about it. Isn't that the reason you left New York?"
"I just arrived, Piz."
"When will I get an answer?"
"Give me some time to think about it. Dear God, Piz – I haven't even cleared my jetlag yet."
"I thought you would think about it on the plane or something, and then when you arrived, you already made a decision."
"It's not that simple, Piz."
"Why is it not simple? I love you, you love me, and we love each other."
Yes, she loved him. But…
"Please give me time to sort things out. We need to talk about this after I get back from Neptune. Why do we have to rush things?"
"I don't see a point of waiting when we have something good," Piz said. He sounded tired. Maybe dating Veronica Mars was always tiresome, but he never noticed this because they never had fallout. This was the first time that he felt overwhelmed. "I love you, Veronica. I want… I want to be your husband. I want us to have a normal life. We have awesome times together and…" He exhaled. "I also want to share our happiness with my family and friends because they are important to me. John and Mary are my best friends, and I asked them to be there at the restaurant when I proposed to you because I wanted them to be a part of our lives too. They are important to me. Just like Wallace and Mac are important to you too."
Veronica listened, and her heart clenched. He was right – if it was the other way around, she might want Wallace and Mac to be there. They were important people in her life. You wanted to include the people who matter.
Maybe she was selfish, maybe she thought that he was a better person than her, so when he proposed, she didn't feel like she deserved it.
Or maybe she just didn't…
"I know, Piz." She said. She looked at the window of 'Java the Hut'. She could see the reflection of the new hip looking diner across the street, but she didn't pay attention to her surroundings. "I'm just…" She closed her eyes. "Of course I would want Wallace and Mac to be in our lives too."
"Just… think about it." Piz quietly said. "I really love you. And I know we joked around about it, but when I proposed… I poured my heart and soul out. What I said in that restaurant was the truth."
Veronica bit her lip. She couldn't remember what Piz said in the restaurant when he proposed. It was all a blur as she was trying to comprehend what happened after Nancy told her about the surprise proposal.
"Piz…"
"You remember what I said, right? About how much I love you and how much we are meant for each other?"
She got the gist of it. "…Of course."
"So please, Veronica. I need you to think about this and… come home."
Veronica suddenly felt tired.
This relationship wasn't supposed to be this complicated. Whatever happened to the easy going life they were having back in New York? She didn't realize that Piz wanted more in this relationship – and not just something a little bit serious, but marriage.
Veronica cleared her throat, "I will think about it, Piz. Just give me some time, and I will come back home."
She could hear Piz sigh in relief when she said that she would come home. "Okay… just call me… if you want to… talk or anything."
"I am not opposed to phone sex." Veronica shrugged. She heard cars were honking in the background but she didn't pay attention.
"I can do that…" Piz had never done phone sex before. He hardly talks dirty, even in their bedroom. He always thought that Veronica wasn't into it. "Uh, talk to you later…b-bitch?"
Veronica snorted, "Boo! Whore."
Piz laughed uncomfortably. "O-okay. I'll text you tonight."
"Bye, Piznarski." She hung up the phone and grunted loudly. "I really can't get a breather –" She turned around, and almost had a heart attack when she saw a tall handsome man standing in front of her, smiling at her.
It was Logan Echolls.
Veronica's mouth was opened as she stared at the tall lean figure that had suddenly appeared; someone who she hadn't seen for almost a decade. It took her a long time to move on and forget about the man who haunted her dreams and fantasies.
"Hey." He greeted her. He was smiling. God, she hadn't seen that smile in forever.
What the hell just happened? A few minutes ago she was having a conversation with her boyfriend, when out of nowhere, her past was dropping by.
"Hey…" Without realizing it, she smiled back. It was a genuine smile.
Logan: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
Holy crap, it's Veronica… Logan's thoughts were swirling around his head as he looked at her. She was definitely Veronica Mars - blonde, short, and so beautiful. For a moment there they were staring at each other. Both of them didn't believe what was happening right now; they were standing facing each other and smiling like idiots.
"I…" Logan began as Veronica also said something.
"Lo –"
"You –" They both chuckled nervously. "Oh, wow. Veronica Mars." Logan nodded as he drank her appearance.
"Logan Echolls. Long time no see." Veronica nodded as well.
After a pregnant pause, they moved closer and hug awkwardly. Logan noticed that she smelled nice, and her scent was so familiar. He hugged her tightly, and then released her. Veronica grinned, happy to see him.
Logan closed his eyes and then opened them again. Nope, she's still here.
"What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?"
They said at the same time, and then they laughed awkwardly again.
"Ah, I'm having lunch there across the street at Cho's Diner. You remember Hamilton Cho?"
"Yeah, of course. Didn't his father own Cho's Pizza?"
"Yep. He opened his own restaurant." Logan didn't know why he was talking about Hamilton.
"Okay, sure…" Veronica was still smiling as she looked at him appreciatively. Logan thanked his lucky stars that he was wearing decent clothes, and not just shorts and T-shirt after surfing. He was wearing a tight Henley and a pair of nice jeans. He was glad that he'd washed his jeans.
Java the Hut sidewalk café had a speaker outside their building that was perched above the windows. It was playing music for the patrons outside. Emperor X's 'Go Captain and Pinlighter' was playing, but both Logan and Veronica didn't pay attention.
"H-how are you? You look great."
"Ha, thanks. You look great too." Veronica chuckled.
"Are you having lunch?" Logan pointed at Java the Hut.
"I actually just had a brunch with Wallace and Mac." Veronica pursed her lips and nodded.
"Oh, how are they doing? I haven't talked to Mac for a while."
"They're doing great. Annoying, but great nonetheless."
"What do you mean?"
"Nothing…" She shook her head, grimacing. "You said you were having lunch."
"Yeah." He remembered that he just left his daughter at the diner. "Oh, shoot." He grimaced and looked at the diner. "We just ordered food."
"We?"
"Uh…" Logan looked at Veronica. "Me and my daughter."
Veronica blinked in surprised although it wasn't shocking news. She knew about him and Carrie from all the tabloids and news media years ago. She knew about Logan's relationship with Carrie and how he'd become a single father. She remembered how much she was surprised to hear the news, but then decided that it wasn't her business and Logan wasn't part of her life anymore.
She nodded at him. "I've heard, of course."
"Yeah… You and the rest of the world." Logan shrugged.
"I am sorry about Carrie," Veronica said sincerely. "I remember her in high school."
"Yeah, thanks…"
"I am glad that you have a good life with your daughter." Veronica looked at him in the eyes. She knew that Logan had been doing great taking care of his daughter. Although she didn't keep up with Logan, but she heard things here and there and most of them were good.
"Well, she's gonna be pissed at me for leaving her with Dick at the Diner." He chuckled.
"Dick?"
One word, one syllable, and Logan knew he shouldn't say Dick's name.
"Yeah… Casablancas."
"You're still hanging around with him."
"He's sorta the godfather of my kid." Logan watched as Veronica's eyes widened, and he wanted to laugh to see her face after hearing that statement. "I know, I know, it's weird. But he's all I got."
Veronica nodded. It wasn't her place to judge – especially knowing the bizarre friendship between Logan and Dick after all these years. "I am glad that you have a good support system."
"Dick's been… great." Logan rubbed his neck, nervously.
"So… they're at the diner?" Veronica looked at the diner across the street and saw there were people looking at them through the window.
Logan looked back at the diner and saw in horror that Dick planted his face on the window of the diner. His nose, mouth, and cheeks were pressed firmly against the glass window, and he looked like a blowfish. Beside him, his daughter was also pressing her face against the glass window. "Uh…"
Veronica grinned to see them, especially the little girl beside Dick. "So… that's your daughter?"
Logan bared his teeth, grimacing when he saw Lorrie and Dick were making faces. "She is… something." He then looked at her, "Do you want to meet her?"
Veronica looked surprised. "Oh, I don't want to bother or anything!"
"No, you're not. I told her about you actually."
"Wha… you did?"
Logan seemed embarrassed about it, so he recovered. "I mean, I told her about you… Lilly, Duncan… you know, about our friendship when we were kids." He looked down and put his hands in his pockets. He glanced up through his eyelashes and saw Veronica tilted her head and smiling. He could feel his heart almost jumped out from his chest seeing her like that. When Veronica tilts her head, it usually made men weak on their knees.
"That's so great, Logan…" She looked down too. Logan could see her cheeks were pink.
"So… come on." He offered her his hand.
Veronica looked at Logan's hand that stretched in front of her. Should she take it?
She cautiously put her palm on his, and he gripped it. They both smiled at each other.
Dick: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
"No!"
Dick ignored the splashing water and immediately went to the window to see clearly what happened. Both of his hands, arms, face and whole body pressed firmly against the glass window. Lorrie frowned to see Dick's behavior.
"Is that Veronica Mars?" Hamilton asked as he saw Logan dashing out from the diner and crossed the street, ignoring the traffic.
"This is bad, this is bad, this bad…" Dick muttered. "What the hell is she doing here?!"
"Casablancas, language." Hamilton chided him.
"What's wrong, Uncle Dick? Who is that woman?" Lorrie asked as she moved closer to the window too. She saw her dad stood behind a blonde woman who was on the phone across the street. He didn't do anything, but then the woman turned around, and her dad gave the biggest smile she ever saw.
Lorrie realized that her dad looked very handsome smiling like that.
She had seen her dad smiling and laughing, but most of the time, he usually looked serious. But this… this smile looked different. It was like a relief, happiness, and other things combined into one, that Lorrie didn't completely understand yet.
"A devil woman," Dick grunted, answering her question. His nose bent sideways from pressing it to the glass window.
Lorrie looked stricken and afraid. "Is she going to hurt dad?"
Hamilton, who was watching Logan's interaction with Veronica by the window, rolled his eyes. "Jeez, Casablancas. Way to go in making her scared." He then turned to their table and wiped the spilled water. "That's Veronica Mars, your dad's old friend."
Dick scoffed hearing that. "Old friend." He muttered.
"Don't worry, kid. She's alright." Hamilton explained. "She was actually pretty nice. She helped a lot of people."
"What do you mean?" Lorrie asked.
Hamilton scratched his head. How could he explain the complexity of Veronica Mars? She did find that Hamilton's father was the one who harassed Sabrina Fuller back when they were in high school, but he never put it on her; she was only doing her job. In fact, he knew that she had helped a lot of students back then like that one kid being accused of being a bomber, or solving Lilly Kane's murder, and solving the bus explosion that killed so many students. He looked at Dick and remembered that Cassidy Casablancas was responsible for the explosion… No wonder he thinks that she was the devil woman. People tend to blame the detective…
"Ah, look kid. Your dad and Veronica were really good friends." He didn't want to mention their relationship. Everyone knew about the explosive relationship Logan and Veronica had had. A seven-year-old little girl wouldn't understand what happened. Heck, he didn't even understand the whole thing back then. All he knew was that Veronica solved Lilly Kane's murder that she was killed by Logan's dad, and yet they were in a relationship. That was one complication he didn't want to touch with a ten-foot pole. "So she's not that bad. And she's definitely will not hurt your dad." Hamilton gave Dick a snide-eye.
Lorrie didn't say anything. She just looked at her dad who looked bashful. Her dad never behaves like this – he was usually very confident with everything. But looking at him, it was like a side that she'd never seen.
"She will trample his heart again." Dick's voice was very low so Lorrie wouldn't hear him. But Hamilton heard him. He shook his head, and then returned to the counter.
Lorrie frowned and then opened another book. Hamilton said that her name was Veronica Mars? She read about the 'Mars' name in the book of gods and goddesses if she was not mistaken.
She read a few paragraphs about a Roman god named Mars.
Lorrie whispered as she read the book, "So she's a goddess?"
'A muse doesn't have to be a goddess from ancient times. Many people find inspiration from normal people of today.'
She looked up to see her dad offering his hand to the blonde woman. The blonde woman looked at him with a look that Lorrie couldn't interpret. But for a moment, Lorrie's heart seemed to be beating so fast at seeing them holding hands. She didn't understand whether she was happy or upset about it. But one thing for sure, she was paying attention now.
Logan and Veronica: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
Logan held Veronica's hand very firmly as they walked towards the diner. He waved his other hand so the cars were slowing down and they could cross the street. Veronica followed him with her hand being held by him, and it made her a bit embarrassed. She could cross the street without somebody holding her hand, she wasn't a little girl, but she kept her hand in his and even gave it a gentle squeeze.
The two walked in awkward silence, and neither of them knew what to do. Finally, Logan broke the silence when they were almost to the other side.
"So when did you arrive here from New York?" Logan asked. Veronica didn't ask how he knew about New York, or whether he'd been keeping tabs.
"Last night… so I'm a bit jetlagged."
The two let go of each other's hands when they arrived at the diner. Their body language was awkward because they were such strangers. They hadn't seen each other for a decade; of course, they didn't have that familiarity back.
"Here we are…" Logan glanced at the window of the diner. Thankfully, Dick wasn't anywhere near the window but he could see him eating next to Lorrie. His daughter was staring at them curiously behind the window.
Veronica winced from the sunbeam, "Wow, there's the sun. You ever get tired of all this fabulous weather?"
Logan chuckled, realizing the situation was a bit weird. "Yeah. How about them Dodgers?" He saw Veronica smiled awkwardly at him. "Look at us, falling right back into our old rhythms." He then opened the diner door for her and let her go in before him.
Hamilton greeted them. "Wow, Veronica Mars!"
"Hamilton. How are you?" They both shook hands. "Nice place you got here."
"Thanks. I haven't seen you in a while."
"Yeah, I've been living in New York."
"No kidding. Awesome place." Hamilton pointed with his thumb at the kitchen. "Have you tried a New York's Chopped Cheese before?"
"Wow, I've actually never tried one before."
"Do you want some?"
Veronica grimaced, "I just had brunch right across the street. Rain check?"
"No problem. Nice to see you again, Veronica." Hamilton nodded at her and then gave Logan a look as he went back to the kitchen, which Logan ignored.
Dick stood up from the booth and then sauntered towards her. He expanded his chest and straightened his spine. He then belched loudly. "What's this? Logan, I specifically told the agency 'an eager-to-please-redhead'. Why is that so hard?"
"Dick." Veronica raised her eyebrow.
"Ronnie. Long time. You have some work done? Your boobs look bigger."
"So do yours."
"These are called pretty pecks."
"Enough. Dick, go back to your food. Lorrie, come here please." Logan called for his daughter who was watching the interactions between the adults. She climbed out of her seat and walked shyly to her dad and Veronica. Dick sat back in the booth, grunting. "Veronica, this is my Lorrie," Logan said to Veronica. He then turned to his daughter, "Lorrie, this is my friend Veronica."
Veronica looked down at a pretty girl around seven years old, who was wearing a jean jacket, a blue tutu, orange stockings, and purple shoes. She looks exactly like Carrie with her jet black bob hair and wide eyes. She was a beautiful little girl… with a bad taste of fashion. Veronica was mesmerized when she saw her; it was like looking at Carrie again. "Hello. I'm Veronica Mars." She smiled at the little girl. "Nice to meet you."
Lorrie's first impression of Veronica was how beautiful she looked. With her blonde ponytail and kind blue eyes, she looked like a goddess. Maybe she was a goddess… But it was obvious that Uncle Dick disliked her. But according to Hamilton, she was a nice woman and obviously her dad likes her… what other reason would he run after her?
"Nice to meet you. I'm Lorrie Echolls." She looked at Veronica with wide eyes, "Are you a goddess?" Logan sputtered nervously, seemingly embarrassed that his daughter blurted that. Veronica didn't know what to say, but her cheeks were definitely turning redder. "Your name is Mars. And Mars is a Roman god."
"Oh. Yes, that's my name. Mars." Veronica laughed. "I don't know about gods, but my dad's last name is Mars. It's a family name."
"That's a cool name," Lorrie said. She smiled at the pretty woman. She then turned to her dad, "Daddy. I am hungry. Can I eat now?"
"Yes, pumpkin. I'm gonna talk to Veronica a bit, okay? And then I'll eat with you."
Lorrie nodded and went back to their booth. Dick stood up to let Lorrie get inside the booth while giving Logan and Veronica a dagger look.
"She's sweet." Veronica looked at Logan. "Fatherhood suits you, Logan."
"Yeah, who knew I'd be following Donut's path?" Logan looked down, regretting he'd said that. "Thanks anyway."
"Hey, no problem. I think… I think this is great." Veronica touched his arm to assure him. "You have a beautiful daughter. I'm so happy for you."
"Thanks… Veronica." He mumbled. His heart was beating so fast when she touched his arm. "Uh, listen. Do you wanna have lunch with us?"
Veronica looked at Dick and Lorrie who were eating together. Dick couldn't take his eyes off of them while chomping on his food. "Thanks for the offer, but I really have to go. I'm meeting my dad at his office for my own daddy-daughter quality time."
"Okay…" Logan was a bit disappointed but relieved at the same time. "Say hi to your dad for me."
"I will."
"Um… listen. Do you wanna grab a drink sometimes? How long are you in town?" He blurted.
Veronica chuckled nervously, "Sure. I'd like to grab a drink. I'm staying for a week, helping out my dad. Do you still have your old number?"
"Actually I do. I haven't changed it for ten years." Logan snickered. "It's easier."
"About all these years..." Veronica tried to find words. They did part in a bad way…
"You're out my life. Forever!"
"Bygones, Veronica." He looked her in the eyes. His eyes seemed to penetrate her soul. Logan always had an intense gaze about him, and it usually made her heart beats fast.
Veronica bit her lip. "So…"
"Let's catch up," Logan said.
"I'd love that." She stood on her tiptoes to give him a hug. Logan hugged her back, and he felt like he was alive again. He knew it was ridiculous to think like this, especially with a woman he hadn't seen for a decade. They were practically strangers and yet, at the same time, all of these feelings surged back into his body.
They separated and Veronica gave him the sweetest smile. She walked out of the diner, and waved goodbye to Logan. Logan waved back, and he kept staring at Veronica until she turned the corner.
Logan went back to his booth and sat as Hamilton put a new plate of Chopped Cheese down since Dick ate his. He looked at his daughter who was eating; she looked at him curiously. Dick was avoiding eye contact as he stuffed his mouth with food.
"How's your food, pumpkin?" Logan asked Lorrie.
"It's very good." Lorrie nodded and ate a piece of fry. "Who was that lady?"
"Remember I told you about my friends Lilly, Duncan, and Veronica?"
"Oh yeah, I remember." Lorrie nodded. Dick still didn't say a word but he gave Logan a look, which made Logan raised his eyebrow. "She's pretty."
"You're pretty too, cupcake," Logan said. Lorrie smiled and giggled hearing that.
"Daddy is handsome," Lorrie said. Logan winked at her. It was their thing; calling each other cute or pretty or handsome, just to keep the day going.
Dick rolled his eyes hard. He was going to say something, but Logan cut him off. "Not here."
With a mouthful of food, Dick grumbled. "Fine."
Logan tasted the Chopped Cheese. It was really great. As he ate, he glanced again at the corner of the street where Veronica went. It was near her father's office. Maybe, he could visit her or something… What happened just a few minutes ago, made his whole body energetic. He smiled while he took another bite of his food.
Dick stared at him, contemplating.
Keith: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
At Mars Investigations, Keith was talking to a tall woman as he escorted her out of his office to the reception area.
"I'll try my best to find her, Mayor Landros," Keith said to the statuesque woman. "I'm glad you're concerned about the well-being of this city."
Petra Landros was a beautiful woman in her 40's. She was the owner of the Neptune Grand, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and also the Mayor of the city.
"The media has been hounding me about this, Mr. Mars. After the girl went missing, and now her parents are thinking about suing the Sheriff Department, which will reflect badly on this city, I am hoping for a good result." Petra Landros was a former supermodel who had a knack for business. After the death of her husband, former Mayor George Landros, she took over the hotel business and single-handedly made Neptune one of the best tourist attractions and spring break destination. Spring breakers flock to Neptune, and that won her the popular vote, and she became mayor.
"It would be best if you… talked to the Sheriff about his policy of blaming the missing victim every time he's being interviewed by the media." Keith smiled politely.
"I'll handle Sheriff Dan Lamb, Mr. Mars. Please just do your job." Petra raised her nose upward. Keith nodded.
As the mayor walked out, Veronica walked in. She turned around and watched the beautiful lady with long legs walk downstairs.
"Hey, honey."
"Is that…?"
Keith shrugged and sat on the couch, exhaling. Veronica kissed his cheek and sat next to him.
"That's our mayor."
"Wow. She looks hot." Veronica made a comment.
"Eh."
"What do you mean, eh? Are you blind? Aren't you gonna tap that ass?"
"Don't talk to me like that, child."
Veronica chuckled. "Have you eaten?"
"Yeah, I had a sandwich." Veronica rests her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "How about you, my little bottomless pit?"
"Very funny."
"I am a funny guy, see?" He talked with an exaggerated old gangster accent.
"So why was she here?"
"She asked me to handle a case."
"What case? Don't tell me her boy toy's been cheating on her."
"I really can't divulge that information," Keith said. "But no boy toy. Surprisingly, she's not the type who mixes business with pleasure."
"With that ass?"
"Stop talking about her ass."
Veronica buried her face on Keith's shoulder. She missed her dad so much, and she really needed him right now. After what happened over the last few days back in New York, the brunch this morning, the phone call from Piz, meeting Logan again…
"I'm so happy to be home," Veronica mumbled on his shoulder. She then hugged her dad fully from the side. She just needed her father right now. Keith frowned to see her behavior but didn't say anything. He hugged her back and kissed her head.
"I'm glad you're here too, honey." Keith wanted to ask about New York, and why she was here, but he decided maybe it wasn't the right time.
Veronica turned her head and looked at the reception area. "This room is blah."
"It is the epitome of a detective agency office. It supposed to be blah."
"I kinda like our old office. It was colorful."
"I really don't have time to hire a decorator, sweetheart." Keith patted her head, kissed her temple, and then stood up. "I got a lot of work to do."
"I was thinking about spending some time with you."
Keith paused by the door and turned around. "We'll see each other at home tonight."
"You know what? I'm gonna clean up here." Veronica stood up and went to the reception desk. "Geez, dad – look at all of these files!" She started gathering some files and tidying up.
Keith opened his mouth to say something but then decided against it. He knew this maneuver; cleaning up was her M.O when she had something on her mind. He didn't know what was on her mind, and he desperately wanted to ask… He wryly looked at her as she gathered more files. Finally, he said, "Okay honey. Just don't mess around with the filing system."
"Yes, because your system works wonders."
Keith smiled and sat back at his desk. There were more scattered files everywhere but he managed to clean some when Petra Landros came by. As he sat at his desk, he could hear the rustling of papers and files from the reception desk, and his heart clenched.
There was something wrong in New York, maybe her relationship, and the fact that Veronica boarded a plane and landed here in Neptune, gave him a bit of scare. Sometimes he wondered whether the reason she left Neptune in the first place was because she was running away from something… Maybe her guilt when he lost the Sheriff election. It didn't take being a detective to figure that out. He let go of the anger and the disappointment when he lost the election – and maybe he blamed Veronica a little bit. After a while, and after missing her, he realized he shouldn't feel that way. Veronica was his daughter, through and through. When everyone left, she was the one who stayed. Him losing the election means that it wasn't meant to be. He was meant to be a private investigator.
But it didn't mean that he wanted her to come home and throw away her career like that and revert to her old life.
She was in the next room, cleaning files, and he was hoping that was about it – that she would just reboot herself in Neptune, and that she wasn't planning to stay.
"So honey, how long are you going to be in Neptune?"
There was a long pause which made Keith set his jaw. "Uh, probably a week?"
"Don't you think that's a bit long? Don't you have a job or something in New York?"
"I haven't had a break for a while now. I desperately needed a vacation."
"Ever think of Bora-Bora or something?"
"Ha-ha, I thought I might hang around here with you."
"I might not be here all the time, honey." Keith leaned back and listened to her cleaning the desk. "Spring break is here and there are a lot of cases."
"That's okay, dad. I can help around here."
That's what he was afraid of.
"You don't have to, honey…" Keith closed his eyes, suddenly tired. "You're on vacation."
"Dad, that's fine." Keith didn't say anything else. He listened as he heard Veronica busy with putting some files into boxes. "Hey, do you think we can get an internet connection here?"
Logan, Lorrie, and Dick: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
They were at home, and Logan found himself recharged and full of ideas. He brought his laptop to the dining room and sat at the dining table. Books were opened around him and he started writing. Occasionally he would hear Lorrie chatting with her friends via Skype in the living room while watching TV. Dick came by later after doing some errands, and went straight to the kitchen, putting beers and sodas in the fridge.
Logan was typing like mad.
Ideas and stories were flowing like water as he typed.
He wouldn't admit it, but his run-in with Veronica today had awoken something inside of him. He thought it was missing, but it was always there. For some reason, when he drove home, he had already formed a novel inside his head. So he wrote and wrote for hours, living in his own world when writing his novel.
He didn't see Dick come in, watching him while drinking. He leaned back on the wall and stared at his best friend typing furiously on his laptop. He saw Logan was muttering something, and chuckled to himself.
Dick didn't want to bother Logan while he was working, so he went to the living room and sat next to Lorrie who finished her girl talk with her friends.
"I wanna learn how to play Ukulele."
"Why?"
"I wanna be a singer like Grace Van Derwaalt."
"Who?"
"You know, the Ukulele girl."
"Sure."
"You think dad will let me learn?"
"I think he'd be okay with it."
Lorrie looked at Logan who was glued to his laptop, typing and reading like a possessed man. "He's busy."
"Yes."
"I guess he found his muse, huh?"
That made Dick pause. "What do you mean?"
"That lady at the diner – I think she's his muse."
Dick clenched his jaw, but his voice was steady. "What makes you say that, little girl?"
"Well, her name is Mars. Mars is a Roman god name. So that makes her a goddess."
Dick snorted loudly, which surprised her. "A goddess. Right."
"You don't think she's a goddess, Uncle Dick?" Dick didn't answer. There was no way he would tell this innocent girl what he really thought of Ronnie. "A muse is a goddess. So I think she is helping dad right now."
"If you say so, buttercup." Dick wrapped his arm around Lorrie. "Do you want to watch Frozen?"
"Don't you get bored watching Frozen, Uncle Dick?"
"Hey, I like the movie."
"You're so in love with Anna."
"I do not."
"Do too."
"Do not."
"Do too."
And they were going back and forth about Frozen until they decided they'd rather watch Howl's Moving Castle instead because it was a better movie and animation.
Logan cracked his back after a while. Now he was stumped after a few hours of writing. He checked the pages of the book and noticed that he had written 100 pages. Not bad for a day's work. He looked at his watch and noticed that it was dinner time.
He went to the kitchen and started to warm up the food from Jade. He heard that familiar song of Frozen and realized that Dick must've been home.
Logan went to the living room and saw Lorrie was lying on the carpet, drawing. Papers and crayons were scattered around her, while she was on her stomach, very seriously coloring a drawing. Dick was watching Frozen, for the umpteenth time.
"What are you drawing, pumpkin?"
Lorrie stood up and hugged him. "Daddy! You're finished!"
"You okay, Lorrie? You're not watching a movie with Uncle Dick?"
"I watched Howl's Moving Castle and The Swan Princess with Uncle Dick, but he wanted to watch Frozen again, so I rather draw."
Logan wanted to make fun of Dick watching Frozen, but then he saw his face. Dick's face was taut and he was drinking his soda, solemnly. It was obvious that he didn't enjoy the movie because there was something on his mind. Something like…
Veronica Mars.
Of course, he knew that Dick didn't like the idea of Veronica suddenly appearing out of nowhere. When Veronica left, and he was at rock-bottom for a while, Dick was the one who pulled him out from the despair. When Carrie died, he was the one who was beside him. He and Logan practically raised Lorrie together. Veronica was a complication for Dick. For everything that happened in high school, for everything that happened in Hearst, for everything that happened in Neptune altogether.
Also, there was the matter of Cassidy.
Cassidy raped Veronica all those years ago. He wondered whether Dick knew the truth. Logan never asked… he was afraid of the truth as well; whether Dick goaded his brother to rape Veronica because they were such bad teenagers.
Dick was a mess when Cassidy died. Maybe that was one of the reasons he wanted to take care of Lorrie; he wanted to help Logan not screw up this child's life.
But he knew that Dick had a sore spot for Veronica.
"Let's have dinner, and then you can go to bed early. You had a long day today."
"I woke up at 6 AM!" Lorrie said, proudly.
"I wish you would wake up early for school too, young lady." Lorrie shrugged and went to the kitchen. Logan looked at Dick who was still staring at the movie, but not really watching. "Do you want something to eat, Dick?"
Dick didn't say anything for a while, and then he turned off the DVD and TV. He stood up and stared hard at Logan. He exhaled loud, "Do you want me to yell at you or let's just skip to where you tell me that I should just mind my own business and evaporate?"
"Dude…"
"You RAN out of the diner to her." Dick's voice was full of emotion. "She didn't even know that you were there, but she already had her hooks into you."
Logan glanced at the kitchen. Lorrie was humming a song and was grabbing a glass of juice. He didn't want Lorrie to hear Dick's outburst.
"Can we talk about this later? Let's just eat dinner like a normal family, okay?"
Dick grimaced, gave a chuckle, shook his head, and then said in a biting tone, "You know what? I think I'm gonna head into town. I'm sure if walk in a straight line, I will find a party. Who knows, it might cleanse me of all of the kiddies stuff and Ronnie Mars!"
"Dick…"
"Lorrie! I'm leaving now. Give me a kiss and hug!"
Lorrie walked out carrying a plate of chicken quesadilla. "You're not having dinner with us, Uncle Dick?"
Dick gave Logan a side-eye, "I have to meet some chicks, Lorrie. Uncle Dick needs some lovin'." Lorrie just shook her head; she was used to Dick's antics. "Come 'ere, baby girl." He picked her up and hugged her, while she tried to balance the plate with her small hands. "I love you, monkey butt."
"I love you too, Uncle Dick." She kissed his cheek. Dick then peppered her with sloppy kisses on her face, while she just giggled.
Logan watched their interaction and felt heaviness on his shoulders.
Dick put her down and then walked to the foyer. Logan followed him, "Dick."
"Dude, if you –" Dick turned around, pointed his forefinger at him. He exhaled and looked down. Logan watched him, a little bit helpless. "You know I'm your dude. Not in a homo way, but I'm your dude."
Logan had an urge to roll his eyes but understood what he was saying. "Yeah."
"So help me, Superman. Don't let her –"
"Yeah, Dick. I got it."
Dick nodded and then walked out of the house. Logan watched as Dick's truck pulled away from the driveway and drove away.
Logan went back to the kitchen, just in time to see his daughter trying to reach a bag of candy on the top of the kitchen cabinet. She was standing on her tippy-toes, trying unsuccessfully to grab it. Logan hid it there because she had sweet tooth – which was not good because the last time she went to the dentist, she had a full blown tantrum and hysterical crying because the dentist had to fill cavities and placed protective plastic sealants on her teeth.
"No, Lorrie."
Because he was so tall, he grabbed the bag of candy and then put it higher on top of the kitchen cabinet. Lorrie's face fell and she sat at the kitchen island.
"Just one candy, daddy."
"No, pumpkin." Logan shook his head. He sat beside her and started to eat.
"Uncle Dick let me eat one…"
"I'll talk to your Uncle Dick later. No candy for you, young lady."
"So when can I eat a piece of candy then?"
"When I allow it."
They ate in silence in the kitchen. Usually, they would eat with Dick, or with Jade and Valentina, so there would be lively conversation. Logan and Lorrie like to talk about their days, but it was nice to have people around. Lorrie was usually the one who would prattle on, talking about anything – and Logan usually listens and laughs when she would make a joke. Even when they weren't talking, there was such a warmth and happiness in their world.
Logan and Lorrie had each other, and he wouldn't let anything bad happen to their little family.
"I think that lady from the diner is your muse, daddy."
Logan almost chokes in the middle of chewing. He had to hit his chest several times because the food went down the wrong pipe. "What makes you say that, pumpkin?" He asked after gulping a glass of water.
Lorrie frowned at her dad's behavior. "Her name is Mars. So that makes her a goddess. As a goddess, she must be your muse."
"I—I guess you're right…" Logan blinked rapidly.
"I hope you're going to finish your book, daddy." She smiled at him. "Maybe we should invite your muse to dinner here?"
"We'll see about that, Lorrie…" Logan seemed flustered.
"I liked her nail polish." Lorrie chewed her food. "Can I wear nail polish, daddy?"
Logan didn't answer. To tell the truth, he really didn't know how to answer anything today.
Veronica and Mac: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
Veronica was still at the Mars Investigations, filing documents and files, sweeping the floor, dusting the windows, even washing the cups in the small kitchen. Her father was out meeting some clients. She asked him about the case, but he didn't answer. Veronica decided it wasn't her business anyway, so she continued to clean up for a few more hours.
"I gotta hire an assistant for dad." She muttered.
She sorted the SOLVED case files and put them on the corner of the reception area. There were dozens of UNSOLVED case files and documents which she tiredly put away in boxes near the desk. A few times she answered phone calls and told potential clients that Keith Mars couldn't take new cases right now. She also had to sort out some messages which apparently Keith forgot to call back.
She hadn't realized how much time had gone by when she received a text message from him that he would be late and asked her to go home on her own.
She sighed.
Veronica wondered whether this was what he did on a daily basis. A sense of dread creeping into her heart, that her father worked so hard every day and every night, hardly taking any break, while she was in New York, taking pictures of naked models and celebrities. She worked hard, but compared to her dad's life? She looked out the window and realized it was already dark, but she didn't move from her spot, holding an open file.
"Penny for your thoughts."
Veronica looked up and saw Mac standing in the door. "Oh, hey. I didn't see you there."
"You were… somewhere else. You okay?"
Veronica sighed, "Yeah…"
"Uh-oh. That doesn't sound okay." Mac sat on the couch and saw boxes scattered around the area. "What are you doing?"
"Cleaning up the office, sorting files. My dad has a horrible filing system." Veronica shook her head. "Gotta hire an assistant or something, but I doubt dad would agree."
Mac checked her phone, "You don't have Wi-Fi here?"
"I don't think we have internet here."
"Your dad is old school."
Veronica scoffed, "Tell me about it."
"Where is he?"
"He's out right now, meeting a client or something." Veronica pouts. "I thought we could spend some time together, but apparently not."
Mac looked at her, raising her eyebrow. "Did he ask you why you left New York?"
"Ugh… nope, but I think he wanted to." Veronica exhaled and sat next to Mac. "I don't know how to answer if he would ask."
"That Piz asked you to marry him and you refused his proposal?"
"I didn't refuse." Veronica stubbornly said. "I just said that I need some time to think."
"Sure."
Veronica narrowed her eyes at Mac, which she only smirked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you need some time to think." Mac shrugged. "Nothing's wrong with that."
"Tell that to Wallace," Veronica grunted. "Or maybe my dad, because I think I know what he's gonna say. I've been avoiding this question all day."
Mac didn't comment. It wasn't her business as to what Veronica decided to do. Mac looked at her watch, "So are we gonna have dinner or not?"
"Yeah. I'm starving."
"You've been here in this office since after our brunch?"
Veronica tilted her head like she was thinking. "Not really…"
"What do you mean?"
Veronica looked at her best friend and told her carefully. "I ran into Logan."
Mac looked surprised, "Echolls?"
"Yeah… that's the one." Veronica rested her head on the headrest. "Oh God, Mac… I wasn't ready. He was just… there." She waved her hand in the air. "Like a dream or something. I turned around, and he was… THERE."
"What did he say?"
"I don't remember, man." Veronica sounded tired. "I was too stunned from seeing him."
Mac watched Veronica carefully, who was closing her eyes. "Was he happy to see you…?"
"Who knows? I mean, he didn't yell or anything or whatever." She told her. "He was there… smiling. Said hi… and then we were holding hands."
"Whut?!"
Veronica covered her face with her hands, fake sobbing a bit. "I KNOW! What the hell happened, I don't know!"
Mac rolled both her hands, like a wheel. "Take me through this, Bond."
Veronica opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. She noticed that it was dusty, and she made a mental note to clean that next. "You know that Piz called me when you guys left after brunch. I was talking to him, and when I finished…" The corner of her mouth quirked a little, but she didn't notice. "…he was there."
"Logan?"
"Hmm-hmm." Veronica nodded. Her eyes looked soft, and her voice sounded quiet. "He was just there, smiling at me. And I'm telling you, Q… I thought I had a heart attack, you know? I mean, I didn't expect him to suddenly appear outta nowhere – and there he was, standing in front of me."
"How did you feel about that?" Mac asked carefully.
Veronica shrugged. "Surprised… Happy… Weird… Overwhelmed… Nostalgic?" She looked at Mac. "I mean, it's like seeing your old friend again after a long time. It's like seeing you and Wallace again, but…"
"Of course it's different, Veronica. Wallace and I are your friends, but Logan meant so much more to you since you were a kid."
Veronica blinked hearing Mac's truthfulness. "Yeah…"
"And…" Mac pursed her lips. "He was your boyfriend for a while. You have so much history together."
Veronica stared at her nails, remembering that they were holding hands briefly. It was like a dream of some sort. She paused a while and said, "He introduced me to his daughter."
Mac raised her eyebrows. "Whoa."
"Yeah… I mean, I've heard about him and Carrie from news and tabloids. When Carrie died…" She shook her head. "It was like Lilly all over again. But this time, there's a child." Veronica put her hand on her chin. "I wanted to reach out to him. Tell him how I'm sorry I am about Carrie, but I wasn't sure about just calling him… I didn't know what to do. I thought it wasn't my business anymore. We parted in a really bad way…"
Mac nodded. She circled her arms around Veronica, and she rested her head on her shoulder. Today she really needed a shoulder to lean on. "Yeah… The whole Castle thing…"
"And not just that… I mean dad's election, Piz, and that Sorokin kid… Everything else was so…"
"Clusterbeef."
Veronica choked a laugh, "Thank you for keeping it PG for me."
"That's all in the past, right?" Mac sighed, "Things haven't been easy for him for the past few years; he lost Carrie, his daughter lost her mother. I don't think he's holding a grudge against you."
"No… I guess not." Veronica smiled. "You should've seen his kid. She looks exactly like Carrie." She chuckled. "She looks like Logan and Carrie, combined together." And then she added, "Although she needs guidance for her fashion sense… she definitely got it from Logan."
"What do you mean?"
"Just… terrible." Veronica laughed. "Don't tell Logan about it."
"I won't… I mean, are you gonna see him again?"
"I dunno…"
"Well, do you want to?"
Veronica gave a long pregnant pause, "I don't really know."
"Maybe you should."
Veronica raised her head and frowned at her, "You know I have a boyfriend, right?"
Mac snorted, "Veronica. Ask him out for a drink or something. It's not cheating." She shrugged and stood up, seemingly finished with the discussion. "Nothing's wrong with having a drink with a friend." Veronica didn't answer but she seemed to ponder it. "Come on, I'm starving."
Mac grabbed her purse and went downstairs while Veronica turned off the lights and locked up. By the time she made it downstairs, she had already made a decision.
Logan: Neptune, Balboa County 2016
After putting Lorrie to bed, in which she refused but kept yawning, Logan went back to the living room and cleaned up. Lorrie's papers and crayons were scattered around the carpet. He looked at the drawings and smiled. There were drawings of him and her, Dick, Jade and Valentina… The bald guy must be Weevil, Logan thought.
He frowned when he saw a drawing of a blonde woman with red auras surrounding her. He flipped the paper and saw Lorrie's handwriting on the back: "DADDY'S MUSE".
Logan was touched to see the drawing. After the trip to the library to get a book about muses, and now this, it was obvious that Lorrie loves her dad so much. He smiled to see a drawing of Veronica. He guessed their meeting today really gave her a good impression. He brought the drawing to the kitchen and placed it on the fridge.
The meeting with Veronica brought him a sense of nostalgia; a sense of retrouvailles that he couldn't describe. It was magnetic, and Dick was right that he immediately was drawn to her. It was like an unseen energy that he felt whenever she was near, and when he saw her, he felt the pull. He just ran after her.
Logan stared at the drawing for a long time.
He didn't realize how much he missed Veronica.
He hadn't thought of her at all after he had Lorrie. She was really someone from the past, that was part of his life, but was gone like dust in the wind. Logan didn't want to think of it like a cheesy song, but it was what it was.
Then she appeared again out of nowhere, looking so beautiful, and they were holding hands like it was something normal… everything bad that had happened in his life seemed to disappear. It was like a fresh start, even if only for a few minutes with her. His heart was beating once more, for something that might only be a mirage.
Logan sighed and cleared the dishes from the kitchen island when he heard a ping from his phone. He opened it, and his eyes widened.
It was a text message from Veronica. It was a picture of her. The picture was when she was in jail nine years ago.
"Wanna grab something to drink tomorrow? – V."
Logan smiled.