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1. Keith Mars
Veronica was his pride and joy, regardless of how often she pushed his buttons or stressed him to the point of panic. Keith never cared if she was his or not. He was the one who had been there all of her life, raising her and loving her. Saying it to her whenever he could and making sure she understood that fact. But he never told her how proud he was of her, for standing on her own as a teenage private eye. He never told her that he wanted to see her as his equal as a PI, that after solving Lilly Kane's death... he wouldn't mind if she kept working cases with him. Even with the risks. Even with everything that could go wrong. Keith stood outside of those ER doors, chest heaving as his heart clenched painfully in his chest.
"Don't take my little girl from me. Not Veronica, please." His voice broke on the last word.
2. Cindy "Mac" MacKenzie
Veronica blew into her life like a chaotic tornado, asking for her help on one case before slowly letting her into her precious inner circle when Veronica realized the fast one Mac had pulled on her. It was safe to say that Veronica was her best friend, someone she couldn't see not being in her life anymore. Mac had been at home, lounging in her bed when her phone began to vibrate on her night stand. She'd thought it was just another one of Veronica's late night calls for technical help, but she couldn't have been more wrong. Wallace called to tell her something horrible, something that had her getting dressed and running out of the house without a second thought. Her hands gripped the steering wheel as she sped towards the hospital, heart pounding as tears welled up in her eyes.
"Veronica.. you can't go without me telling you want you mean to me. Just hold on. I'm begging you."
3. Wallace Fennel
His phone fell to the floor when his mom, Alicia, told him about Keith's phone call to the house. He couldn't hear anything else from her, the ringing in his ears wouldn't stop as scenes flashed through his mind. Veronica walking over to him without fear when he was duct taped, butt naked to the flag pole after snitching. How she defended him against the PCHers without hesitation even before knowing him, the snickerdoodles, saving his basketball career without blinking. Selfless, loyal, loving. His marshmallow of a best friend, of a sister. Wallace grabbed his keys and ran for his car, yelling to his mom that he had to go and missing what she called after him. Mac was the first person he called as he drove to the hospital, memories still playing in his mind.
"Veronica, I'm on my way to you. Just hang on for me."
4. Eli "Weevil" Navarro
Standing on the bridge, his gaze hard as he watched Logan Echolls make a drunken fool of himself. Weevil was about to ruin this man's life for what he thought he did to Lily, until his phone rang from his pocket. K. Mars. The former sheriff had no reason to call him, the leader of the PCHers. So he held up his hand so his boys wouldn't make a move as he stepped back, answering the call with clear irritation in his voice. Then his heart stopped. V, his V, was in danger. Life threatening danger. He moved fast, faster than his boys could stop as he grabbed Logan by his jacket and hauled him close. All he could think of was how V smiled at him, the hilt of her head, how she smelt when standing too close. His get out of jail free cards. The way his heart skipped a beat whenever she looked his way with those beautiful eyes. V meant more to him than his club right now. Weevil saw how sobering the news was to Logan as he dragged him over to his bike, shoving him towards it. He also saw how fast Felix Toombs moved to his own bike, getting on it and waiting for his brother without hesitation. Felix never hesitated for V.
"V would kill me if something happened to you while you were drunk. We need to go, right now. So don't say shit about being on my bike until we get to her."
5. Logan Echolls
Logan's head was swimming from the news as he held onto Weevil, who was going faster than he thought possible on a bike. He glanced back to see the rest of the PCHers were following them, but he couldn't remember their names. Veronica had slowly wormed her way into his heart, or maybe she had always been there. How much it hurt to push her away after Lilly's murder, how he lashed out at her to make her hate him but hoping to draw her in close. Yet, Logan also remembered how she supported him after his mom jumped off the bridge. How it felt to hold her as he broke down, being comforted by her perfume. The softness of her lips when they kissed. Sure, he'd mentioned how much she meant to him but only in the most basic manner. But Logan knew he couldn't live if Veronica wasn't there to jab back at him, if she didn't push him to be a better person.
"Veronica..."
6 & 7. Celeste and Duncan Kane
They were watching the news when it happened. Breaking News about the fire, about the arrests. Celeste gazed at the TV in horror as Duncan gripped the back of their couch. Jake Kane arrested for hiding the murder of Lilly Kane, and Aaron Echolls for murdering her. But, the most important part. Who was taken to the hospital in the aftermath, and how she was fighting for her life. Celeste stood suddenly, grabbing her purse and keys with Duncan close on her heels. She didn't like Veronica for a stupid reason, but she couldn't say that she didn't love the girl in the same breath. That was her daughter's childhood best friend, the girl she watched grow into a strong willed young woman who stood up for herself and stopped getting pushed around. The girl who fought for the truth behind her daughter's murder while she'd hidden it to protect her son. Duncan couldn't focus, not like usual though. His hands shaking as Celeste's driver wove through the streets. Veronica was his first love, the girl he thought he'd marry until his mom drove them apart over a misunderstanding on her paternity. He remembered how it felt to see her with Troy, with Logan, with Leo... but that pain is nothing compared to what was blossoming in his chest now.
"We'll get to her, Duncan." His mother's warm hand gripped his shaking ones, "Lilly won't let her leave us. Not like this."
8. Felix Toombs
Weevil hadn't left the hospital since they got there, and Felix doesn't leave his side either. They both watched the doors leading towards the OR, the duo had stayed there while everyone else went to stretch or get coffee. Felix held Veronica in a high regard, even after she'd tazed him when he had gotten too close to her car. But she still came through for their group with no judgements, at least none that aren't warranted. That blonde spitfire had wormed her way into the hearts of many of the PCHers, but especially Weevil and Felix. He respected her, and he loved her like a sister. He wanted to protect her, keep her alive so that she could keep them in check still. Hell, even with this. Veronica had stopped the group from jumping the wrong man for the murder of Lilly Kane, she protected all of them without meaning to.
"She'll pull through, Weev. She's too strong to leave like this, without seeing Echolls nailed to the wall."
9. Sheriff Don Lamb
Leaning back in his office chair, Don drummed his fingers against his desk as he gazed at the door. Sacks had sworn to give him updates on Veronica as soon as they came in, yet even hours later... nothing. The annoying blonde gnat that buzzed around him constantly, pushing and poking him much to his annoyance. Yet now? He couldn't stand how quiet his office was without her remarks, her taunts. His gaze shifted to the tapes on his desk, the file that was open on Aaron Echolls' confession to everything that happened between him and Lilly Kane last year. That overconfidence now mocked him in the silence. Veronica had come to him, time and time again. But he had waved off her comments like she was just trying to prove that her father shouldn't have ever lost his role as Sherrif... and now, he felt the same thing. Don sighed and leaned forward, covering his face with his hands.
"Veronica, you better pull through to rub this in my face."
10. Meg Manning
Meg rested her head on her forearms, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath. Duncan had called her to tell her that there still hadn't been any updates. She couldn't focus on anything anymore, not even the scriptures that her father wanted her to read. Veronica had been a steady friend for her, someone that her parents actually kind of liked. She had cleared her name just because of basic kindness that Meg showed her, helped her find out her secret admirer, and even gave Duncan to her. Though, he wasn't hers to give up. Veronica didn't treat her any differently after she got over the awkwardness of Meg being with Duncan. Yet... Meg treated her poorly for no reason, at least not a reason that Veronica caused. Jealousy at how much Duncan still loved Veronica despite being with her. Meg took a deep breath and pushed her fingers through her hair as she sat up once again, standing from her desk.
"I'm not waiting here anymore. I need to go to Veronica."
1.
Dull aches were the first sensation that Veronica could feel, then it was the gauze covering the burns from where Aaron had locked her in that freezer. Flexing her fingers to feel the scratchy hospital blanket under her hands, Veronica couldn't understand how she was so lucky. She slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times as she breathed in sharply. Almost immediately, Keith appeared above her. Tears already dripping down his cheeks as he gently touched hers. They studied each other for a few moments before her dad hugged her as tightly as he could.
"Oh, Veronica.." His voice cracked, "I thought I lost you. Before you try to defend what you did, I need you to know that I'm so proud of you. My stubborn, hard-headed girl. I'm proud of the PI that you are, proud to be your dad. And I love you so much."
"I love you too, Dad." She whispered, her throat still raw from the smoke inhalation.
Keith helped sit Veronica's bed upright after the nurses came in to check on her, verifying that she was out of the worst of it. She already felt exhausted even though she hadn't been awake for long, yet that exhaustion vanished as Alicia and Wallace Fennel came in with breakfast and coffee. Neither were looking up yet.
"Keith, I have... Veronica!" Alicia gasped, dropping the bag of doughnuts to cover her mouth.
Wallace's head snapped up as Keith took the drink carrier of coffee, he rushed to his best friend to hug her tightly without a care if he hurt her or not.
"Oh god, Veronica! You're okay!" His voice was thick with emotion, "You can't leave me in this hell hole alone. You're my sister."
"And you call me a marshmallow, Fennel."
It was twenty minutes later that Mac rushed in, hair messy and clothes clearly just thrown on without a care in the world. The brunette stopped herself from launching at the blonde, choosing to hold her hands instead.
"You can't scare us like this again, Veronica. You're my best friend, like ever. If you do something like this again, take Weevil or Felix as backup. Please." Her voice sounded desperate.
Veronica watched them in her hospital room, her eyes already beginning to droop as she let herself fall asleep once more to drive of being on that pool floatie with Lilly floating next to her. She slept peacefully until a gentle hand stroked some of her hair away from her face, her eyes opened once again to see Logan sitting next to her bed as his other hand gently held her bandaged hand. He pressed a soft kiss against her knuckles.
"I know why you did it, why you faced that danger alone. But I told you he had a temper, he nearly killed you after killing Lilly. You can't leave, Veronica. Not while our story is still ongoing. I love you too much."
"He was hiding in the backseat of my car, there was nothing I could have done except for what I did." She whispered, her fingers curling around his hand.
Felix and Weevil showed up after Logan left. Weevil gently cupped her cheeks in his hands, tilting her head from side to side as he slowly examined her bandages body. The anger turned his dark brown eyes nearly black as he studied the damage done. Felix stood close by, his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket while watching Veronica and Weevil.
"V. Baby. You scared the life out of us. When you're discharged, the PCHers are behind you. Always." Weevil gently tilted her head, kissing her forehead softly, "You mean too much to us, to me. I can't tell you just how much without overwhelming you."
"Ver, you're like my sister." Felix stepped closer, touching her shoulder, "You stopped us from making a serious mistake, but you can't risk your life like that girl. Who's going to use her tazer to keep me in line if you joined Lilly away from us?"
"I should have called you guys, but I was scared you wouldn't answer me. So I tried to handle it myself. I'll always bring backup from now on." Veronica swore, watching them.
Celeste sent flowers and gift baskets, paid for her hospital costs. She never said anything to her directly. But Veronica could feel what Celeste couldn't vocalize. She was sorry, and she still cared deeply for Veronica. Duncan and Meg visited together the next day, having let Veronica rest after how many visitors she had before. Meg cried as she hugged Veronica, unable to stop for awhile as Duncan just watched the two young women.
"I'm sorry for treating you so horribly recently, you're someone who stood by me when everyone else gave up on me. I'm sorry, Veronica. I'm so sorry." She almost wailed, clinging to her tightly, "You're so brave, so amazing.."
"Veronica..." Duncan tilted his head slightly, placing his hand on her hospital bed, "Thank you, for everything. You've given us proper closure about Lilly. Anything you need, it'll happen."
Almost a week later, Veronica was finally getting discharged. Her breathing was normal again and her burns weren't hurting with every movement. She was dressed in a loose pair of pants and a hoodie, wanting to hide the bandages covering her arms, chest, and neck. The blonde was adjusting her hood when someone cleared their throat from the doorway, her eyebrows raised when she saw Sherrif Don Lamb standing there with Deputy Sacks.
"I owe you an apology, Veronica Mars. I treated you like shit, dismissed everything you ever brought to me outside of the ID scam." He looked like the apology pained him, "Your name will be on the reports about Aaron, about who actually solved Lilly Kane's murder."
Sacks then cleared his throat again, which caused Don to glare at him briefly before he looked at Veronica again.
"You're welcome at the station, always. And we collected a reward for you, from everyone in the station. You're one well of a PI, Veronica Mars. Keep it up. Keep me on my toes."
With that, Don turned and left without letting the stunned teenager respond. She stood there, replaying everything that had happened before a smile touched her lips.
"Maybe I'm the marshmallow after all. That made me feel all warm inside."