Hey, I've been looking for a fanfiction, and I'm wondering if you guys can help me?

Okay, it's a Veronica/Mac fic. I really can't remember that much about it, but Veronica's at home, and Mac turns up. Somethings happened, or she wants to ask Veronica something. Anyways, they end up sleeping together. Also, Veronica's dad may have been in the house during it? I'm really not sure.

If you guys know of anything that sounds vaguely familar to this, please link it.

Thanks heaps, Jeanne.

Title: Protection
Fandom: Veronica Mars
Pairing: Veronica/Mac
Rating: PG-13 I guess
Disclaimer: I don’t own Veronica Mars though I’d love to. She rocks.
Spoilers: All three seasons
Summary: Veronica wants to protect Mac all the time.
A/N: It makes more sense if you read while listening to ‘This Is the Day’ from The Cranberries.
A/N 2: This is a old one, I decided to post my stories that were only posted on F.F.net on LJ so here it is. No beta so if you find mistakes please let me know.

http://doesnt-go-away.livejournal.com/6541.html#cutid1

title: Time to Land
fandom: Veronica Mars
characters/pairing: Veronica, Meg, Wallace, Mac -- Veronica/Meg
rating: PG-13
spoilers: Season 1
words: 11200
summary: A reworking of season 1 with a little fantasy element thrown in.

Looking back on the past year, Veronica can't put her finger on how it happened, how she managed to get herself inside such a tight, slippery shell and place said shell out in the open, but here she is, scowling under and glaring over the bandage, cutting some new kid off a pole.

Title: A Midsummer Day's Misunderstanding
Fandoms: Veronica Mars/Gossip Girl
Pairing/Characters: Meg/Blair, Serena, Veronica
Rating: PG-13
Words: ~600
Summary: It happens in Paris, not unlike it does in the movies. Disneyland is noisy around them, and Meg is waiting for Lilly to get off a tea cup.

Title: Next Step
Part: 1 of 1.
Author: ninamazing, or Nina
Word Count: 662.
Rating: PG-13.
Spoilers: Through 3x13 "Postgame Mortem." Ish.
Characters: Veronica/Mac.
Excerpt: The girl in question snuggles against her side. It's something you can do when you've known a person for almost three years, but Mac feels it keenly: Veronica's soft and solid shape, cozy in flannel.
Author's Note: Written for oxoniensis's ever-fabulous Porn Battle VII (The Seven Deadly Sins). Best. Show. Ever.

( She's always been the prettier one. )

Title: Average Everyday Superhero
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer x-over
Pairing: Veronica/Faith
Rating: R, though it will possibly reach NC-17 later
Spoilers: : Post-Chosen for Buffy and through Season 2 Veronica Mars.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters or places, nor do I profit from writing about them.

Timeline: Roughly 3 years Post-Chosen; Midway through Veronica Mars season 2. Most of what you know in VM Season 2 hasn't happened. Veronica is single, though Logan is still pining over her. The only thing we know for sure is that the Fighting Fitzpatrick's are getting more and more powerful, Weevil and the PCHers are about to declare war, and Veronica is smack dab in the middle of it all.

Summary: After being saved from the grasps of Liam Fitzpatrick by one of his own family members, Veronica finds herself questioning the girl and her growing attraction to her.


Chapter One

Title: Reasons 18/?

Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to  “I know What You’ll do Next Summer” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using… it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

 

“Reasons”
Chapter Eighteen of Unknown:

(Look What the Credits Rolled In)
Veronica was torn on the cosmic question of, under the shirt, or no? She wasn’t sure how they’d gotten like this, but she was sure she hadn't put up a fight. The arm of the couch held her head up for Buffy’s kiss in a way that might have been highly convenient, but it wasn't exactly comfortable. However, Veronica could stand the awkward angle so long as Buffy’s hand kept drawing those tickling, arousing patterns with gentle ferocity on her stomach.

 

It’d started out so simply, so like their other kisses had. For some reason, mostly likely many small ones, the thought hadn’t much entered Veronica’s head of doing much more than just kissing the older blonde. Sure, Veronica might have idly thought of what type of under clothes she might find should she ever get the chance to know what lay under snug jeans and appealing blouses – but all too often the next thought was, How gay does that make me? And then she would become distracted. 

 

Here there was no room for distraction – no room for much movement either, with Buffy on top of her pinning her down in the most non-domineering way. In fact, it was odd how in control of the entire situation Veronica felt, which further confused the question of how the hell they gotten double-play status on what was supposed to be a clean-sweep ‘not-date’. 

 

They’d talked, they’d kissed, then Buffy had done that slight gasp thing - and then Veronica was clutching at her, desperate to make Buffy do that sound again. She kissed her deeper, and got a moan. She nibbled her bottom lip and Buffy sighed warmly against her cheek. Her breathing deepened and quickened, and Veronica’s well-honed control slipped a little more with each intake of breath.

 

She remembers her hair coming down and feeling Buffy’s hands in it with such clarity it arouses her again to think about it. She’s gentle, the older woman doesn’t pull or tug; there’s an intimacy in it, from knowing what it’s like, and somehow that leaves Veronica’s heart racing. So the young woman she’s been called all too often since this kissing-thing started, now has it in her mind to prove Reason 413 completely false – and to not even use her words in the process. Hands at either side of Buffy’s face, her thumbs stroking the fine hairs at Buffy’s temples, Veronica cradles those beautiful features in her palms and no longer cares if this makes her gay now – it makes her on fire, it makes her squirm, it makes Buffy make those sounds which she wants to hear more of and wow, okay, maybe she is a little gay.

 

The thought hits her for a second and Veronica lets out a slightly shuddering breath, and soon there are hands over hers and Buffy is leaning in, connecting their lips once again. All thoughts gone again. Then her arms wrap around Buffy’s neck, dragging her closer and more and faster and she feels Buffy’s hands snake around her hips and the word turns a little. Veronica has a brief moment of awe that such a feeling really can be caused by a good enough kiss… until her head feels the armrest of the couch press against the back of her neck, and a small chuckle tries to squeeze past her lips. It doesn’t really make it, but she feels Buffy smile against her warming skin as they keep kissing one another.

 

Veronica thinks it goes without saying that she’s a passionate person – she’s had those sweeping moments when the music rises and lips collide and want betters reason – but, slow as all this had built? This felt like one of those moments. They’d repeatedly tried to talk themselves out of it, had a hundred flimsy reasons that wrinkled like paper when they came within arms length of one another. There was something in the way that the older woman had saved her and never wanted to have to do it again… much as she might not want to admit it? That was kind of hot. Then add in the fact that Buffy herself was actually some kind of… vigilante? Was that the word? She hoped there was spandex involved in the near future.

 

At the same time? There was something to be said for Buffy’s drapey, loose peasant blouse and the way it came away from her body as she leaned over Veronica on the couch. Sliding her hands from her hands from around the older girl’s neck, Veronica made her decision. She started at Buffy’s hips, then slowly and determinedly drew them up, her heart skipping like a CD as she felt the fabric of the shirt gather at her wrists. Under the shirt it was, then. If the way the muscles along her stomach shivered were a sign, Buffy wasn’t too bothered by her decision. In fact, Buffy made that little gasping sound again. Veronica smiled, and pulled their bodies against one another. 

 

That was a new kind of a thing. There were… hills and valleys and they connected strangely. Good strange. Frictiony good sorta strange. Different maybe was a better word, because it felt sort of… Fuck it, Veronica could define it later, right now she just wanted to enjoy it and that was easy. Because Buffy was now kind of straddling her and their hips fit together in this way that had Veronica gasping now. Buffy’s kisses moved from her lips to her neck, down along the column of her throat to where she’d been bitten and Buffy seemed to be trying to sooth it away, as though she could pleasure it’s existence into nothing. Veronica wasn’t about to stop her trying; she was really enjoying the efforts.

 

Veronica’s hands had been stroking up and down Buffy’s sides, slowly making their way higher with every pass, until she felt her thumbs reach the sides of Buffy’s bra. Then she froze, breathing and all. Then, so did Buffy. The older woman lifted her face from where she’d been nibbling at Veronica’s collarbone to connect eyes with a heavy pointedness. Buffy shifted her weight a little on her forearms to lean off of the younger girl a little bit, but then Veronica squirmed a little at the loss of contact. The corner of Buffy’s lip quirked up almost immeasurably before leaning down to lightly kiss the girl again.

 

“I swear,” Buffy murmured against her lips between kisses, “Pull an Amy Bradshaw, and I will not be laughing.”

 

Veronica stopped kissing her immediately. “You saw D.E.B.S.?” she demanded. Buffy just smirked.

 

“You’ve obviously seen it,” Buffy smirked, “How many gay roommates do you have?”

 

Veronica decided to ignore the jab and instead hold Buffy’s gaze unflinchingly as she slid both hands up Buffy’s back and began undoing the small hooks of her bra. Buffy’s face went a little unsure but flushed. 

 

“Okay,” Buffy let out shakily as she felt the clinging garment loosen itself. Veronica reached up with her lips and kissed Buffy slowly as she ran her fingertips the full length of Buffy’s back from shoulder blades to the tops of her jeans. It left the older woman moaning. Veronica grinned into her kisses, before making them deeper. “Your skin is so warm,” She muttered, kissing Veronica with a renewed ferocity. Veronica felt oddly complimented, but had no idea why. 

 

Keeping one hand, veronica changed the angle of her wrist and began stroking Buffy’s soft, flat belly with the backs of her fingers, tickling over her bellybutton with her knuckles. Buffy laved at Veronica’s lower lip and nodded wordlessly. Veronica moved higher. Her palm, thankful not-clammy despite her nervousness, made it’s way up her stomach and along the separation of her ribs. She could feel the now loose, hanging fabric of the bra against her hand. She could just brush the underside of Buffy’s left breast against the back of her knuckles… she could also hear a gasp from the doorway.

 

“Willow!” Buffy shouted, then grunted as she promptly and gracelessly rolled off Veronica and hit the floor. She tried to straighten herself out only to remember that some of her under clothes had been removed. Crossing her arms in front of her chest nervously, Faith soon came traipsing in behind the redhead with about six grocery bags on her. Veronica shifted so that her legs were swung over the edge of the couch as she tried to look calm and innocent. 

 

Faith gave a nod in there direction before continuing on to drop the bags of food on their kitchen counter. The music from the movie’s credits played quietly as all the people waited in a pointed silence. Buffy took Veronica by the hand and walked her briskly past a frozen and wide-eyed Willow still standing in front of the doorway. 

 

“Hey! Don’t leave on account of us!” Faith yelled, amused, “We don’t mind!” she chuckled and Buffy closed the door with a bit more attitude than the doorframe could handle… it left the walls rattling. 

 

They had soooo been caught. 

 

When Veronica tore her eyes away from the fragile door she saw that Buffy was very pointedly turned away from her. Left feeling very on edge and very, well… annoyed at life’s comedic timing, Veronica calmed a little when she saw Buffy fling something into her hamper from under her shirt. She smirked briefly despite her better judgment. With a huff, the older girl whirled around and groaned as she threw her arms into the air.

 

“Great! I might have well have put a coming out announcement in the weekly newsletter!” Buffy angrily whispered, “Did you see Faith’s face? I didn’t think you could fit so much evil smugness in a single expression…” Putting an exasperated hand to her forehead. Buffy sighed and closed her eyes. “Everyone is gonna know it about 3 hours. Less maybe.”

 

“Are you worried about Satsu finding out?” Veronica asked, feeling a little left out of this whole internal crisis. Buffy’s eyes snapped open, wide.

 

“Aw fuck, I hadn’t even thought of that.” Buffy muttered.

 

Veronica felt a little pleased that she’d managed to drive thoughts of Satsu so far from the older girl’s mind. She wrapped her arms around her middle and stared out of the small window. She remembered how the light had woken her when she’d stayed over after her incident in the ally. She wondered if they could fit through it to escape the loaded hallway on the other side of Buffy’s door. 

 

“If we don’t leave soon they’ll get a whole other slue of ideas about why we haven’t gone,” Buffy said, seemingly reading her thoughts. She approached Veronica and laid a hand on her shoulder, near the remnants of her bite. “Sorry about your neck.”

 

“What?” Veronica demanded, raising a hand to it. She scurried over to a mirror on Buffy’s dresser and inspected it. It was pink, not quite a hickey, but… “Well, back to high-collared shirts it is.” She sighed.

 

“Would you be disappointed if I promised it would never happen again?” Buffy ventured, sounding oddly vulnerable in a thinly false-playful voice. She chuckled nervously. Veronica smiled sadly.

 

“Walk me to my car, Summers.” Veronica challenged playfully, “It’s the least you can do.” Buffy reached for the knob and paused. 

 

“What would I have to do to see you again?” she asked quietly. Veronica laid a hand on her hip, coming up behind her.

 

"We both spend our days on the same grounds, and you have access to security cameras...the answer to that question seems kinda obvious. Undeniably creepy, but obvious." Then Buffy shoots her a look, and Veronica continues. “I’ll call you the next time my dad’s out of town.” She said quietly in the older girl’s ear. Buffy turned her head to the side and smiled at her out of the corner of her eye. She pulled the door open. 

 

They walked down the hallway, not saying anything, allowing the eyes of the older brunette and redhead to follow them out the door and down the walk as they made their way to Veronica’s car. As she climbed into the drivers seat, she rolled the window down. Buffy kissed her briefly and smiled sadly. Veronica just nodded. “Good luck with Faith.” Veronica offered. Buffy rolled her eyes.

 

“Don’t worry,” Buffy assured her, “I have a few secrets on her that might help keep her quiet.”

 

“If not, you know who to call.” Veronica offered. 

 

She started her car and drove the few short blocks home. As she pulled to a stop in front of her apratment, she saw that her dad must have been inside. He was probably cooking dinner and about to watch the Sharks game. He wasn’t expecting her back so soon. She pulled the car into reverse and got back on the road.

 

She needed to speak with Mac.

 

.

 

(To Be Continued…)

 

 

 

Kung Fu Fighting Temptations

Title: Reasons 17/?

Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to  “I know What You’ll do Next Summer” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using… it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.


“Reasons”
Chapter Seventeen of Unknown:
(Kung Fu Fighting Temptations)


Now, Veronica might have been the queen of “I told you so”, but she was pretty sure Buffy saw this coming too. Hell, she’d bet it was half the reason Buffy’d planned it. 


They had both agreed that this wasn’t a date, good though those kisses were – and they were really good – neither girl was about to redefine their lifestyles for the sake of frivolous titles and clarified pronouns. They were Buffy and Veronica, and that’s what they’d be to each other. They hadn’t been ‘dating’ before now and there had been kisses, Veronica reminded herself, so that didn’t mean there couldn’t be kissing if this wasn’t a date – right?


So when Buffy answered the door in that shirt and those jeans, Veronica knew the answer.


A couple of shy smiles to start off with, followed by an opening question as to where Faith and Willow were off to (the implied “when do you expect them back?” hidden in there too), and soon the two blondes were settled on the couch, appropriate, safe, non-date distance apart to watch their movies. Once the first movie started, things got a lot less tense on the couch.


They laughed about the bad guys’ quest to steal a sacred Buddha head, how much he reminded them of Jimbo’s hunting buddy Ned from South Park, and their inability to pronounce any of the main characters names – so they started giving them new ones. Veronica had thought everything was going well until one of the fight sequences started… Then she noticed Buffy fidgeting, looking uncomfortable.


“You okay?” she asked, seeing Buffy wince.


“Ahh,” Buffy muttered before gritting her teeth a bit. “This is painful to watch.” She groaned.


Veronica raised an eyebrow, turning back to the screen. The fight raged on and Buffy kept wincing at intervals. 


“What? Too fake? Not up to your high Chan standards?” Veronica prodded.


Buffy grinned briefly, turning to look at her companion, “More like too real,” she laughed, shaking her bangs into her eyes. “I’m having sympathy pains.”


“What d’ya mean?” Veronica looked closer at the screen – not really seeing the difference. 


“Thai fighting,” Buffy said, pointing to the screen, “look at how they kick.” Veronica did. She didn’t see it.


“What?”


Buffy eyes widened. “They don’t kick with the heels of their feet or the flat of their toes – they use their shins.” Veronica’s eyes snapped back to the screen. Moments later, when another kick landed, she let out a sympathetic groan when a man had been spin-kicked in the head.”


“Ow.” The younger girl muttered, gritting her own teeth.


Buffy nodded. “Yeah, it’s hard-core stuff… I couldn’t do it.”


“What do you do?”


“What do I do what?” Buffy asked back, confused.


“Fighting?”


Buffy just stared back at her blankly.


“That night on campus, when you… saved me, from that cheap knock-off security worker. You had some moves on you.” Veronica hated admitting she’d been saved. Buffy actually blushed shyly at this, like she was flattered.


“I didn’t…” she tried to deny, quietly. 


Veronica reached out a hand, laying it over Buffy’s as it fiddled with the hem of her shirt nervously. “You did.” She said quietly. Buffy just shrugged in response. 


“It’s just a mix of a little bit of everything, I guess. The guy who taught me knew a lot and I guess you could say he was formally trained... I just use what works, what’s useful, what I know.” She chuckled here, smiling at Veronica, “I admit I make up a lot of it on the fly.”


“Gotta respect a girl with her own style.” Veronica vowed, smiling broadly. The movie was forgotten.


“Satsu taught me some stuff about Samurai… but that was mostly philosophy, I guess you’d call it.” Veronica’s smile became slightly tighter than it’d been before this statement. Buffy’s grin just grew. “…Jealous.” Buffy sing-songed at her quietly.


“Excuse me?” Veronica could hardly believe the accusation,


“Isn’t that what you asked for, on this very couch?” Buffy countered, “More honesty?” she joked playfully.


“I’m starting to think I’m getting all the raw ends of this deal.” She muttered, turning so her back was against the armrest, pulling her feet under her. Buffy laughed and scooted closer. 


“There are a few upsides,” Buffy reminded, extending her arm over the back of the couch towards the younger girl. Veronica couldn’t help but notice the very deliberate movement. She smiled.


“Oh yeah? And what are they?” She countered, tilting her head to the side, baiting. Buffy’s eyes settled on her neck.


Veronica’s bite had healed for the most part, but this was the first day she’d left it uncovered. The skin had patched, but was still pink as a fresh scar. She’d worn a jacket over here but made a point to have it exposed in the older girl’s presence… Her plan had worked.


The hand slid from the back of the couch and those fingers trailed over Veronica’s neck with such a light touch it almost tickled. As they brushed the slightly raised skin of the two, narrow-lined scars, Veronica watched closely as Buffy’s vision became focused on her completely. 


“Value of declarative statements? Rarely have to repeat yourself.” Buffy said quietly, here eyes finally reconnecting with the younger woman’s. “You’re not gonna ask me to stop again are you?” she half joked, letting her fingers gently stroke the back of the girl’s neck just as she had on the night they’d kissed.  Veronica’s eyes drifted shut briefly as she steadied herself.


“So, I get you, and in some small measure I get to ‘have’ you – but I don’t get to know anything about you?” Her voice was still kind of breathy, but she knew her point came across. Buffy’s face saddened, her touches became slower – almost a little mournful. Buffy nodded.


“I won’t lie to you, Veronica,” The older girl said honestly, “Sometimes it’s just easier to skip over the details – makes it easier not to dwell on them.” Her hand slid up into the base of Veronica’s hair and she sighed when the younger girl seemed to involuntarily lean into the touch. “Why is this so hard?” Buffy asked, sounding like she really wanted an answer. But Veronica knew she wasn’t the one being asked.


“Wasn’t the whole point we were doing this was because it was so easy?” Veronica asked the same no-one. Buffy chuckled.


“I guess nothing’s ever easy, for anyone.” Buffy chuckled, sounding at least somewhat genuinely amused. Veronica smiled and leaned further into the hand in her hair.


They kissed, slowly at first, and it was nice but brief. When they pulled back, Buffy pressed Veronica’s forehead against her own. Her eyes were sad, but her posture was a forced sort of playful, her next words somewhat hollow.


“They should call me Buffy the Mood-Killer.”


Wrapping her arms around Buffy’s shoulders, Veronica laced her finger together at the back of the other girl’s neck. “You’ve always brought my bad-moods to an untimely end.” Veronica countered with a small but genuine grin. Buffy chuckled. It seemed Veronica could achieve the same. Buffy suddenly sat up straighter, her eyes narrowing slightly.


“How many older guys?” Buffy asked, her tone displeased, “How older?” Veronica just laughed, wondering what made her think of that, now!


“None as old as you.”


“Good.” Buffy nodded once, pleased – though only briefly. “Eww.” She grimaced, “But still.., I guess that’s a good previous record…”


Veronica started laughing uproariously at this, though she didn’t know entirely why. She just felt so relieved, she guessed. Burying her face in older girl’s shoulder Veronica tried to stifle her laughter against the woman’s warm, bare skin. She smelled so girly… but it was nice, clean and subtle, and her skin was smooth and soft and…


“What’s this?” Veronica asked, suddenly pulling back.


“Uhh, the run to first base? Which, I hear – not being a baseball fan myself – is usually the hardest.”


Veronica let out one single chuckle through her nose, quickly followed by an eye-roll and a head-shake. “No, I meant here on your neck.” Veronica clarified. Buffy blushed profusely.


“I knew that cheap cover-up was just… well, cheap.” She grumbled. Buffy reached up and ran the tips of her fingers over the raised skin. Veronica drew back a bit.


“Uhh, not to sound stupid if I am but – are you …” she trailed off, realizing how senseless the words were as soon as they were coming out of her mouth. Buffy just smiled reassuringly as she tilted her head the right way, showing the mark under her makeup.


“Proof of purchase for this sorta life, I guess. But then again – those are multiple bites, so it’s a multi-layered scar.” Veronica brushed her fingers over the marks as the older girl spoke, all-too-calmly, “Trust me, yours would only look this bad if you’re one of those people who poke bruises and make them worse rather than better… assuming I’d still been there in time to save you.” Buffy tacked on, sounding regretful again.


Her expression serious, Buffy thrust a finger into the younger girl’s face, “But I won’t always be around! So promise me that you won’t go looking for those things again – ‘cause, these scars? So – Not – Sexy!” 


Something about the whole delivery made Veronica want to laugh again, so she did. But her hands still lingered. Veronica maneuvered herself so she was crouching over the older girl’s lap, fingers once again laced behind her head, and pulled her up into a kiss. Buffy did not need much encouraging.

(To Be Continued… but it may take some time!)

Title: Reasons 16/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to  “I know What You’ll do Next Summer” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using… it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Sixteen of Unknown:
(Facts are For the Reference Section)


“Satsu was…” Buffy started delicately, choosing her words very carefully, “about your age when we met.” She chuckled, looking fixedly down at her hands. “I was twenty two, having almost-independence was new, and it took me a while to remember who I was supposed to be. I was way more alone than I planned on.” This all came out a little too methodical for Veronica to pull too much from it except the twinge of disappointment she picked up at the end. “Me, my friends...we had control over our lives for once. Again - very new experience. My friends loved it, grabbed with both hands and ran. Continents away from me.” Buffy sighed as she said this but kept going.

“I'm not kidding. We were separated by hemispheres at one point. Then the next thing I know I’m in Japan standing over an ash pile that I didn't cause. And that’s how I met Satsu.” The older woman’s smile was a bit proud at these words.

“Was that how you found out? About…?” Veronica trailed off pointedly. Buffy shook her head, her smile amused.

“A world of no,” Buffy mumbled. “I was fifteen when I found out.”

“How?” Veronica asked quickly.

Buffy tilted her head from side to side, thinking. “Sorta like you did, I guess. Someone told me – but I would never have believed it if they hadn’t shown me.”

“But when did you start, you know… tracking them?” Veronica asked, the word ‘tracking’ sounded weird to both their ears, for different reasons.

“About two weeks after I first had the crap scared out of me." Buffy said, "The person who showed me? Well he also… taught me how. Before he died.” Buffy sounded as though to this day all she could remember from that time in her life was the loss of whoever this man was.

That sent a cold chill down Veronica’s nerves. She’d felt seriously in danger when that Thing had found her on campus, and then again when she had been cornered in the alley – but both times Buffy had rushed in and saved her so quickly she’d never really had that moment of oh-my-god-this-is-life-threatening peril register. And when it did hit her, it was quickly followed by a lot of comprehension all at once; Buffy had known about this for more than ten years, and had obviously lost some things dear to her to make it a part of her life. While in any other context it might have seemed cliché to Veronica, this knowledge had aged Buffy more than the ten years she’d lived since learning it.

“What?” Buffy asked when the younger woman had been quiet for too long.

“He meant a lot to you? Satsu?” Veronica asked slowly. The corner of Buffy’s mouth twitched upwards briefly. “Was he…?” Veronica trailed off.

“Present tense, please. Satus is alive and well. We’re just… we’re, uhm, taking a break from one another right now.”

“Because of the age thing?” Veronica ventured. When Buffy’s eyes snapped to her a little too quickly, Veronica gave a confident shrug. “Intuitive leap – you were 'bugging out' about it with me, so -”

“Oh, age was only the half of it, Mars.” Buffy chuckled, her gaze on Veronica distant but somewhat guilty. “Maybe even less. Like 28.3-percent.”

“And the rest?”

“Complicated other stuff. Namely? Feelings that, while appreciated, were not really reciprocated.”

“Which direction?” Veronica asked quickly.

Buffy smirked, “Which feelings?”

Veronica glowered but withheld a grumble that wanted to escape her throat.

“You were the one that said you just wanted more honesty between us, Veronica.” Buffy’s grin got wider, “Is this when you admit to feelings of jealousy?” she accused playfully. Veronica could feel her face heat up a bit but kept her cool.

“That depends.”

“On?” Buffy countered, her smile fading only slightly.

“What you’re willing to be honest about.”

Buffy’s eyebrows met, a mix of hesitation and confusion. “I haven’t lied to you. About anything.” She admitted slowly. Veronica took a confident step towards Buffy in her chair, placing a hand on it’s back.

“Do you honestly think your lack of details have escaped me?” Veronica’s tone implied that this was some pitiful, laughable insult to assume that it had. “So how about you share some real honesty – put an actual card on the table, and I might consider a trade. One. I dare you.” Her smile was somewhat predatory.

“Veronica,” Buffy stated, holding out a hand. The younger woman took it – and before she knew it she was pulled into the older blonde’s lap, a serious stare pointed her way from worried eyes not inches from her own. “One step at a time.” Veronica noticed her breath shallow out about half a second after she’d felt Buffy’s own against her face.

“So take one.” Veronica hated how light her breathing sounded just then.

Buffy smirked and her hand went to the younger girls neck again, an intimate gesture that was quickly developing between them. Those troublesome fingertips against the last vestiges of her bite made Veronica want to bite her lip and she hated it. And suddenly Buffy’s other hand was at her hip and she was drawing Veronica’s body closer to her, raising her chin like to kiss her and Veronica’s eye slipped closed and she sighed.

And she kept waiting.

No kiss came.

When she opened her eyes again, frustrated and disappointed, the smug look on Buffy’s face made those two feelings grow ten-fold but for somewhat opposite reasons.

“My ability to play you like a fiddle has nothing to do with either age or experience, Mars.” Buffy stated smugly, though Veronica could detect a hint of humor under all that hubris.

So Veronica shifted her weight in a way that made Buffy clench her jaw and her eyes almost drift closed. There might have even been a whimper in there somewhere.

“I’m sorry… what was that about a fiddle?”

Buffy blushed but only a bit. “There are worse things than being fiddle-like.” She let out, a little shakily.

“There are worse things than being played.” Veronica grinned, leaning in. If Buffy wasn’t going to strike up this inevitable tune, then she was.

Buffy stopped her with both hands but let her stay close.

“No.” Buffy’s voice was firm again. Veronica groaned.

“I didn’t mean play –”

Buffy cut her off, “Veronica, we’re not dating. You don’t want to, I don’t want to, neither of us want the life-style rearranging.”

“So first base is out?” the younger woman tried to summarize. Her tone was an angry one. Buffy smiled sadly.

“Veronica, if I kiss you now? If I let myself think it’s okay? Then I’m gonna think it’s okay to kiss you any time we’re alone. And then there’ll be new reasons for never being around people. So the kissing can be pretty much always.” Her smile became a little less sad and a little more playful at this, her fingers traced over Veronica’s collarbone, “I’ll admit that … if you admit – You and me? Alone? On purpose so I can kiss you?... Sounds a heck of a lot like dating.”

“I’d never admit to anything that could be used against me… it’s a quirk.”

“So I guess this is solitaire I’m playing?” Buffy accused lightly.

“Don’t you mean a playing a solo?”

Buffy shook her head. “There are too many metaphors in this soup now.”

Veronica’s eye widened, “Way to drag in another one. God!” she sighed exasperated.

Buffy chuckled. “Thank god we’re not dating.”

“Why?” Veronica asked, preparing to be playfully offended.

“Because,” Buffy smirked, “Dates can be so awkward – especially with people you really like. You and I thrive on coolness in otherwise heated situations…” Her smile became a little less confident here. “And because we’re not dating, if I ask you over to my apartment to watch some movies, then…” she sighed, her gaze falling on Veronica’s lips before glancing away. “Then there’s nothing to be nervous about. We’re just friends. And everything’s cool, even if you say no and especially if you don’t – say no, that is.”

Veronica’s ears turned pink. She held in a smile but it took an almost inhuman amount of effort.

“Movies? You place, and no first base?” Veronica clarified. Buffy nodded, looking at her again

“Heard about this Thai fighter called Tony Jaa, supposed to be the new black of action stars.” Buffy smiled again, “Does all his own stunts, more intricate than Jet Li and all done without wires. His gimmick is ‘No Strings Attached’ or something.” Veronica’s grin broke through at this with a vengeance.

“You know, your love of the action movies plays into a whole new context these days.” Veronica murmured, her arm going around Buffy’s shoulder so she was now sitting across her lap. She enjoyed how Buffy’s arms moved to cradle her wordlessly.

“When?” Veronica asked.

“Tonight, if you’re free,” Buffy offered, her smile subtle but genuine. Veronica clucked her tongue disapprovingly.

“I have to study for my PI Exam.”

“How about after you take it on Saturday, post celebratory gloat for trouncing your dad’s score?”

Thank god we’re not dating, Veronica found herself thinking before she could stop herself, This one is too good – and losing her might really ruin me.

A shot of cold ran over Veronica’s skin at realizing she’d just had that thought – and realizing that even having that thought meant it could already be too late. She hadn’t noticed her back had stiffened so suddenly or she’d been quiet for so long until Buffy’s hands were on either of her cheeks, pulling her attention back. The slightly-older woman looked a little concerned.

“What? Did I just jinx you?” Buffy asked, sounding genuinely worried.

Veronica shook her head and took a steadying breath, “No, but I might have.” She muttered. She got up off of Buffy’s lap and ran a hand over her hair. Buffy got out of her chair, looking even more apprehensive.

“Veronica?” she asked, hesitant. You really couldn’t blame Buffy for her confusion – all that she was, she still wasn’t a mind reader.

“I really should get back to studying.” Veronica blurted, finally turning to see the older girl’s expression. “And yeah. Saturday. I’ll call this time, I promise.” She chuckled a little uncomfortably, remembering their original topic from seemingly ages ago.

“Good luck.” Buffy offered, walking towards the door and leaving Veronica to whatever had just occurred to her. The younger woman waited until she heard the main doors of the library close again before letting herself leave the conference room.

Packing up her stuff, Veronica forced herself to slow her breathing. She could not jinx this with a mere thought if there was nothing to jinx. Someone couldn’t leave you if you were never really with them – wasn’t that the unspoken agreement between her and Buffy?

Yes. Yes it was. There was nothing between them – nothing serious, at least. An attraction maybe but nothing more. It was “casual”; they were casual. There was nothing, she told herself. Veronica tried to feel comforted by that, and she even came close to convincing herself. But not quite close enough.

(To Be Continued...)

 

Title: Reasons 15/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to  “I know What You’ll do Next Summer” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using… it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Fifteen of Unknown:
(Return of the MAC)

Earlier that day, Buffy had gone to do a little digging of her own. Standing outside the door, she tried her hardest to wipe the amused smile off her face at the unmistakable sounds coming from within the next room. She straightened her Hearst Security uniform, cleared her throat, and put on her best ‘Serious Face’ before knocking. The sounds paused, and there was a lingering silence. She knocked again. She could hear scrambling coming from inside.

“Who – Who is it?” was shouted toward the door.

“Security, would you open the door please.” She barked. A boy walking down the hall paused to watch so she sent him a glare and waved him on. Leaning in closer to the door she could hear the two people whispering frantically.

“Why is security knocking on my door?”

“I dunno, could it have something to do with –”

“No – I took care of that!”

“Maybe another one heard about it and is looking for a hand out?”

“I don’t have enough cash on me to get rid of them!”

“Well do something! Answer the door!”

“Where are my pants?”

“Under your desk!”

“Sir, could you open up please?” Buffy could hear the boy shushing the girl as he tripped across his room to open the door.

“Uhm, does there a problem -” He sputtered then paused when he really took in what was standing outside his bedroom. Clearing his throat and shaking his head, Max tried to clarify. “Uh, w-what seems to be, uh,” he stammered.

“Sir, we got a few complaint calls from your neighbors about the noise.” Buffy drawled, doing her best impression of that pompous sheriff Lamb guy. Max turned bright red.

“Oh. R-really? Huh… well, okay, I’ll just uhm – people could hear me?” he asked suddenly. Buffy nodded curtly.

“Yes sir, they asked me to tell you that the volume at which you watch your pornography was interrupting their ability to study,”

Max’s eyes bugged.

“My what?”

“Sir, are you twenty one?” Buffy asked suspiciously, hearing someone else moving around behind the door now. “Because the state of California has very strict laws as to the control of certain materials. If we could just step inside and verify both you age and the type of content you were viewing –”

“Max,” Mac cut in, wearing only a pair of boxers and a men’s shirt as she pulled the door open wider. “It’s okay. She’s a friend of Buffy’s.” He glanced between the two women, still kind of jarred and in shock. Buffy gave a sedentary wave, her grin pure sadistic satisfaction. “Porn?” Mac accused, Buffy shrugged.

“Can I talk to you for a second?” She asked the brunette. She nodded and opened the door wider.

“Uh!” Max cut in, blocking her entrance, “I don’t think, this isn’t such a good idea. I’d really -”

“You know, for a kid running an unethical yet blossoming cheating business – you’d think he’d know his student handbook a little better.” Buffy pulled a copy from the pocket of her coat and tossed it to him. “Why don’t you refresh on chapter seven while I talk to Mac for a bit.”

“Uhh,” he mumbled, not sure if he should be placated or worried – she did admit to knowing.

“I’m just gonna talk to her… Clearly states I can’t investigate the room unless given cause, and if I had been called here on a noise complaint – which I wasn’t, by the way – then anything I found in relation to any other illegal or unethical activity would be inprofferable.” She said reciting the section verbatim. Max flipped through the pages as he warily stepped out into the hall, trying to get to chapter seven.

“I kind of just wanted to ambush your girlfriend. I’m not gonna dig through your stuff – I don’t even have jurisdiction to open the mini-fridge, let alone your file cabinets.” She said walking past Mac into the room, “I’m just going to sit here on the be- ” She glanced down at the rumpled sheets and cut herself off before sitting against the edge of his desk. “Uh, here… and ask her some girly stuff. Alright?” He nodded, pecked Mac on the cheek, and wondered down the hall, nose-deep in the handbook. Mac closed the door.

“Girly stuff?” The hacker clarified, sitting on the bed herself. Now it was Buffy’s turn to blush. She folded her arms a little tightly over her chest and nodded. “Veronica.” Mac stated, realizing. The older girl nodded again. “She hasn’t called.” Buffy looked up, a combination of worry and sheepishness. Then nodded again.

“I know you know,” Buffy started out, “When she found out you were the one she ran to, the first person she would have told. You’re her Willow.” For some reason this made both of them smile a little bit. “So I assume that she told you what happened on Sunday?” she guessed, though there was hesitation. This was a test – she was waiting for the right answer.

Mac smirked. “Are you talking about the fact that you kissed her, or the incident in the alley and the bandage on her neck?” she asked smugly. Buffy just nodded her head and smiled.

“Okay.” Buffy muttered.

“What about them?”

Buffy’s expression became serious at this question, her smile fading. “Mac, what do you know? How much do you know?” The younger girl pulled her legs up under her as she sat ont he bed and sighed.

“Being smarter than most people? It's like Veronica's curse. 'Cause then she finds out whatever they're lying about really easy. Too easy. It's kind of what she does best, and it's great for when she's doing her P.I. thing, but she can't...turn it off. So eventually, everyone lets her down, 'cause she digs for stuff 'til they do. I don't think she can help it." Buffy had the barest smile.

“I meant more like, what do you know about what I do…” though Her voice had a hint of gratitude. Mac thought and shrugged.

“She asked me to look into it; search engines and message-boards. She has better access to things like police reports, medical records, stuff like that. I found a lot of crap, Ann Rice LARPers, fetishists, even found an entire dating site for ‘OtherKin’ – but besides that? Not a whole lot.” Mac sighed.

“Found some stuff about that town not too far from here, the one that had a massive cave-in; a bunch of the survivors were talking about weird stuff that went on there, urban legends from before the disaster. But sadly, those seemed to be the most congruent.” Mac gave a derisive snort at this.

“I told Veronica all this, but she still went out looking for them anyway.” Mac muttered somewhat guiltily.

“They are, Mac. They’re here, in town.” Buffy tried to stress as calmly as she could. Mac nodded,

“I know, I saw –” she stopped herself, realizing Buffy didn’t know about the picture Veronica had taken, “I saw her bite, Buffy. It was… realer than real. Not like, someone who’s watched too many movies real. This isn’t at all like in the movies.” She took a deep breath. “I just didn’t want her going out without something in her arsenal. But she was…” she looked kind of pointedly at Buffy and the older girl blushed. “She needed to know. So she went.”

“That’s why I followed.” Buffy continued for her. “I thought maybe, if she got a little bit of a scare in her she wouldn’t feel tempted to dig any deeper – that she’d just trust me… But I think I know Veronica too well to still think that now.” Buffy and Mac shared a brief smile.

“Willow’s the master of this searching realm, as I’m sure you know,” Buffy added. Mac nodded. “She’s been B.P.R.D almost as long as I’ve been doing this and she’s the best. But Mac,” Buffy paused here, pulling off from the desk to stand a bit above the brunette girl, “The world isn’t ready to take the red pill. And I don’t want Veronica to get any deeper into this than she already has.”

“You know she can’t just drop something.” Mac stated. “You have to give her a good reason to.” Buffy sighed, running a hand over her hair.

“I’m not trying to hide things from her, Mac. I’m trying to hide her from the things. I don’t want her to do this.”

“Then come up with a way to convince her. And Buffy?” She warned, “Two bits of advice about Veronica?” Buffy nodded, listening. “Always assume she knows twice as much as you’ve told her, and secondly; if you really haven’t lied so far – then keep it up. If you’re being honest and hurt her, it’s still better than lying to her. If you have nothing else, she’ll know you respected her at least that much.” Buffy nodded, and turned to leave.

She stopped her, calling “Do you need any help finding her?” The older girl gave her a small smile, turning the knob.

“I’ll know where to look.”


 

(To Be Continued...)

Title: Reasons 14/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “I Know What You’ll do Next Summer” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Fourteen of Unknown:
(Libraries are for Learning New Things)



“You know,” a familiar voice said from behind Veronica, making her jump out of her skin a little bit. The library was about to close, near empty already, and her mind had wondered so far out of reality that the reentry was jarring. “After that little speech you gave me the other night? I really didn’t expect it to be you avoiding me.” Buffy finished, leaning both elbows on the edge of the librarian’s desk. “You’re wigging out, aren’t you?”

Despite the content of her statement, the older girl’s tone was playfully accusatory, and she was smirking. Veronica hated cockiness, but she felt the need to take note of the fact that prolonged exposure to that particular Buffy-smile induced a kind of coy smile in response. The battle for control of the corners of her mouth was hard fought, but in the end – all for naught.

“Cell phone.” Veronica explained, “I turned it off so my dad wouldn’t know I was wondering down dark alleys at 2AM chasing junkies in the bad part of town, and I forgot to turn it back on. With the events of Sunday night being
 well, what they were – I forgot to call to say I wouldn’t be home. So when I never returned to the apartment – ”

“He decided to trace you, but couldn’t because your cell was off,” Buffy finished, nodding, her teeth gritted in regret, “Which, knowing the legend of Keith Mars, only increased worry and suspicion.” Veronica just nodded, placing palms on the counter.

“When Mac and I got to her room, he was already there asking Parker if I’d spent the night with them in the dorms.” Buffy’s face went pale.

“And?” she asked quickly.

“Parker did some quick thinking; said she had spent the night at Logan’s. Claimed she’d only just gotten back and had no idea
 After some pointed eye contact with Mac the gaps got filled.”

“How did you explain keeping the cell off?”

“Said I was on a case and it was a personal favor, didn’t want him horning in. Which of course made him worry, but I told him I was dropping the client – there was nothing to the case and the client was just paranoid, looking for excuses. I think he was just happy to have confirmation that Logan was seriously seeing someone else. Pretty sure that’s where he thought I’d spent the night.” Buffy’s grin returned the barest bit.

“While he can’t really ground me, being an independent adult-type person of a college student variety and nineteen? Been making an effort to be more of a home-body the past couple of weeks. Besides,” Veronica held up the book she’d been reading. It was a textbook for how to study for the California Private Investigator’s Examinations. “Who better to study with than the man I come home to?” she said somewhat whimsically.

“But,” Buffy drew the word out slowly, “Are you really going to drop it?” she asked delicately. Veronica smiled, taking a deep breath before responding. A clatter could be heard as a boy with a stack of books up to his chin clambered to the desk. Buffy vanished into the stacks as the younger girl finished scanning the books’ bar-codes. A few students filed out as she flicked off most of the lights and locked the register. She didn’t look up until she heard the heavy thump-thump of the lock at the library’s main doors. Buffy turned around with a smirk.

“All clear.” Buffy smiled, “Speak plainly.” Then Veronica had a thought, glancing around. Her eyes fell on the small camera hidden in the glass bauble in the ceiling.

“Is that - ?”

“On? Always. But it’s aimed at the desk, so if you wanna have the serious talk in the History annex, then -”

“I meant is that how you knew I was here.” She clarified, though she was eyeing the camera wearily. Buffy nodded towards the adjoining conference-looking room.

Veronica was shocked when she found her back being pressed against the rear of the door once it closed behind them
 because this was the opposite of what she’d just tried to do. But rather than the kissing Veronica had planned to initiate in Buffy’s position, Buffy just seemed intent to smirk. Her eyes, however, were serious.

“Firstly, I appreciate the secret-keeping. I know you don’t like keeping things from your dad and the last thing I wanna do is ruin that relationship, Mars. And secondly, nuh uh,” Buffy grunted, shaking her head, though her hold moved from the younger woman’s shoulders to around her waist, “You still could have found me, could have called – hell, a text message would have settled this in less than a minute – and you didn’t. Avoidy. Why?” Veronica blushed.

“I dunno if ‘wigging’ would be the right word,” Veronica began, somewhat diplomatically, “But to say that all this is clear-cut and entirely non-murky to me is just pure lies.” Veronica felt her hands move to grasp the hands on her hips. “I have no idea what I’m doing. And if Speed has taught me anything, it’s that Keanu will always sound like Bill S. Preston and relationships blooming from events fit for Action Blockbusters are kinda doomed.” Buffy laughed, nodding.

“Kinda why I’m content to be single most of the time.” She admitted, a little shamefully, “So I can’t say I would blame you if this is the point where we both decide pull the ejection-seat lever.” Veronica shook her head at this,

“No, see, that’s what I mean – exactly. Me too.” Buffy was starting to look confused, “Okay, so different kind of Action Movies, but same premise. There’s always the guy with that irresolvable conflict, the love with that perfectly impossible someone who will never really understand, you know? And they mess up sometimes, and they make your life harder all too often but then there are the moments, the ones most romantics wait for and never get and I’m rambling-and-I-think-I’ll-just-stop-now
” she mumbled off at the end. Buffy laughed, leaning into her a little bit, full on grinning now.

“I’m with you; finish the thought.” The older woman responded quietly, her voice had a kind of intimate understanding to it and Veronica felt her blood rush a little.

“And you get it.” Veronica sighed, her words warm against Buffy’s face. “You get all of it, and there’s understanding and
 I’m not dropping it. I’m here, I just need to get comfortable with not being uncomfortable or over-thinking the why.”

“You do get it,” Buffy mumbled, biting her lip, “Sounds like you’ve been through all this before. More than once?” Veronica nodded. Buffy did too. “Yeah.” She leaned her forehead against Veronica’s. “Just to warn you, I’m having that I’m the sober one feeling again. Like I should be talking us out of this, or not even giving you the choice I mean what if it’s me and I just
 I’m old.” Buffy blurted. “I’m old, you’re amazing and I’m not sure I can do this. I shouldn’t do this.” Neither saw Veronica’s smile at this, their eyes were shut.

“It’s kind of too late, it sort of already started,” Veronica said, leaning back and opening her eyes, “Or did you miss that whole kissing thing? And the jealousy and the protectiveness and possessiveness – this is here, Buffy. I’d say it’s kind of already way too late.” She knew her smile was the cocky one now, but the way the fingers grasped at her hips a little tighter at the mention of putting an end to this made her confident.

“Yeah, but I already know how this is going to play out,” there was sadness there, worry and regret, “It’s gonna end. And I’m going to be the one that ended it. But should I do it now, or risk ‘mores the pain’ and see how it ends later?”

“Alright,” Now Veronica was annoyed; “I’ve already gotten this speech this term – so let’s skip it, shall we? Who’s this Satsu guy?” Buffy’s eyes bugged suddenly. “Tell me, and it might end later - don’t tell me and it can end right now. Who is he?” Buffy was frozen, her eyes wide, her feet having moved into a stance that made running away easier.

“He who?” Buffy demanded, “Satsu?” Buffy asked, confused. Veronica nodded curtly.

“Yeah. Is he one of your perfectly-impossibles?” her tone was somewhat accusatory, and Buffy’s face slowly split into a smile.

“You want to know about Satsu?” The older girl asked. Something about the amused tone told Veronica she had no idea what she was really asking.

(To Be Continued
)

Title: Reasons 13/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Debasement Tapes” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Thirteen of Unknown:
(Suspended Reality Check)


Veronica had lain awake, almost unmoving, since the light from Buffy’s bedroom window had all but slapped her across the face. The older girl had insisted that she take her bed for the night – but take it alone. While both were in agreement that separate was wise, at least for that night, it was a decision that seemed far easier for Buffy to make.

Despite the fact that she had been exhausted and the pills the clinic had given her made her loopy, Veronica was shocked she managed to fall asleep at all
 even if to only wake up two hours later by the sun. She couldn’t get up. Well, she could, she rationalized, but she just couldn’t make herself do it. Last night had been, well
 It had been last night. It was so much in so little time she couldn’t boil it down to a single adjective. Whatever it was, it was big.

And as long as she stayed in this bed, and Buffy didn’t come through her bedroom door to wake her – they could say in this suspended place. Where the night before could still have room for interpretation, no one had to make excuses or explanations or think about the ‘where do we go from here’ conversation that they both must know was inevitable. Veronica had asked for change – but she was not so naive as to believe she could completely control what it changed into.

But then she heard the door to the apartment open down the hall.

Scuttling out from under the sheets, she opened the door a sliver just as Faith dropped a large, leather valise next to the front door. Faith had a smirk on her face as she pulled off her coat and threw it on one of the hooks meant to hold keys. As she walked forward, past the boundaries of the mouth of the hall and out of Veronica’s line of sight, the young blonde sucked in a breath and held it.

“B,” she could hear Faith muttering gently. “B, wake up.” Veronica heard the blonde stirring on the couch and winced, and could already feel something slipping away like sand through her fingers. “What happened? You fall asleep watching the SciFi channel again?” Faith joked.

Buffy sighed and cleared her throat. “Faith,” Buffy began, her voice tired – Veronica could already hear the tone preparing to calm Faith.

“Will went straight to her class,” Faith cut her off, “She found out Kennedy has a new girl, and so now she’s on one of her keeping-busy-so-she-doesn’t-have-to-think-about-it kicks.”

“Oh god, poor Willow,” Buffy muttered.

“Poor us, you mean. But tell me about it,” Faith chuckled, “and the girl’s human, younger than Kenny too
 Willow’s having a multi-level crisis at this point.”

“Listen, Faith, there’s something –”

“Mission went well, or at least nothing worse than scrapes and broken fingers so no worries. G-Man said the ones with screws loose are getting good at finger-painting and knife-throwing – rubber knives, mind you; most of them are a little ‘off’, you know?” Faith rambled as she moved into the kitchen-nook and flipped on the coffee maker.

Scrapes and broken fingers? What the hell? ‘Mission’?

“Faith!” Buffy whispered loudly, trying to cut her off, “Veronica’s here.” She could see Faith glancing around and Veronica narrowed the crack in the doorway.

“Jeez, B, What’d you do? Knock her out and drag her back here? Last I heard she didn’t wanna even speak to you, much less –” She saw Faith’s jaw drop slowly and her eyes widen – it was a kin to actually hearing the gears turn in a person’s mind. “Holy shit, B! You didn’t – I mean you couldn’t – there’s – what the hell were you – Whoa!” she all but shouted at the end, clapping her hands together in front of her mouth.

Buffy was frantically shushing her. “Of course I didn’t, are you insane! But Shut Up! She’s still asleep!” She whispered urgently.

“Where?” Faith asked, her face conspiratorially excited. Buffy blushed, shoving a hand into the back pocket of her jeans. Giving a slight head tilt, Faith’s eyes snapped right to Veronica’s hiding place.

“No. Way!” she shouted. “Shit B - What did you have to do to get her here?” Veronica and Faith both saw the pink drain out of Buffy’s face until she appeared white. Veronica knew the other blonde was debating telling Faith about what she actually did at night.

“She got bit. I took her to the hospital last night.” Or maybe not, Veronica realized, as Faith nodded sadly. Veronica had assumed that Willow must have known – but Faith too? Did all these people know about Buffy’s vigilante status? “She was... investigating. Trying to figure out,” Buffy waved her hand and Faith brushed it off, as thought what had happened the night before was old hat to them. Veronica pressed her ear closer to the door. “She got blind trapped in an ally. She tried to tase the thing.” The two older women shared a single chuckle, but it was mirthless. “I had to pull the guy off her but
 it still broke skin. I kind of forgot she wasn’t -”

“A card-carrying club member?” Faith asked. Buffy Just gave a lop-sided grin, leaning back against the kitchen counter as she nodded.

There’s a club, Veronica wondered?

“You know B,” Faith began hesitantly, so hesitantly both Buffy’s and Veronica’s eyes were boring into her expectantly. “She isn’t Satsu.” Buffy huffed and shoved off the counter. Turning around she grabbed mugs from the cabinet and set them down, gripping the counter-top hard.

“I know she isn’t. Thank god she isn’t.” Buffy’s back was stiff as she said this but Veronica wished she could see her face. Who the hell was this Satsu? “How is
?”

“Asked about you.” Faith muttered, arms crossed, leaning back close to Buffy. “Wanted to know how you were
 If you were, you know, happy.”

“And your answer?” there was a calculated flatness to the older blonde’s tone Veronica couldn’t remember hearing before. Faith shrugged, shaking her head. “Really, Faith
 What did you say?”

“I said ‘ask her yourself’. But something tells me that the margins get more reading than the text, the files you send back.” Buffy let out a sad chuckle, hearing this. As the pieces slid into place Veronica realized, whoever this ‘Satsu’ guy was, there had been something between him and Buffy. “There’s a lot of guilt there, B. Satsu thinks you came out here because –”

“No,” Buffy cut Faith off, “That’s not why, Satsu knows that –”

“You’ve been gone for months, B. A lot of people are wondering why you haven’t come back yet. Maybe it’s time you sent back something besides the standard W2 forms
?” The coffee maker’s light turned off and Buffy carefully poured three cups. Shaking her head slowly, staring down at the two remaining mugs, Buffy carefully considered her answer. Faith just drank hers, eyebrows raised as she waited.

“I’ll have to go back eventually. But not yet, I don’t want to.” Buffy’s voice got really quiet. “I’m kinda happy here. If the question comes up again?” she offered, taking a mug in each hand, making her way towards her own bedroom until Faith put a hand on her shoulder.

“If it’s because of her B,”

“Faith, for the last time! It’s not –”

“Veronica, Buffy. You gotta think about her, B. You keep making exceptions for her – and not the ones you should be making. She’s not like you and me, Buffy. She’s -”

“It’s kinda hard to forget, Faith, so stop trying to reminding me.” She shrugged the hand off her shoulder, leaving Faith in the kitchen. “It’s kind of why she’s made it this far.” Veronica climbed back under the covers quickly but draped a leg over the side. When Buffy came through the door, she smiled at finding Veronica awake.

“You smell the coffee?” Buffy asked. Veronica nodded, smiling, though she knew it was a bit shaky. Glancing at the clock on her bedside table Buffy handed Veronica her mug. “You can probably catch Mac on her way back to her dorm,” she sipped her coffee, “Sorry I let you sleep so late – I kinda passed out myself.” The younger girl shook it off, her mind still racing with all she’d overheard. “You okay?” Buffy asked quietly, concerned. She reached for the bandage at Veronica’s collarbone, but her hand got caught on the way. Veronica held it briefly before asking.

“Are we?”

Buffy smiled, lacing their fingers together. “I think we could be,” she answered playfully, shrugging, “Guess we’ll find out.” She dropped the girl’s hand, standing up. “I’m gonna go take a sprinting-fast shower while you get dressed. We should get back to Hearst in time for you to find Mac and for me to not get fired. Plan?”

“Plan.” Veronica confirmed. Buffy paused at the door before turning around.

“Her Mars,” The older girl began, her face anxious, “Do you think you could not tell anyone about all this? I mean, besides Mac obviously, ‘cause you gotta tell someone and
 please?” Buffy asked, seriously. “I know you and your Dad
 and if it comes up on a case and you can find a way to phrase it without sounding crazy then – by all means.” she stopped her ramble. “Anyways. I just
 I don’t want the rest of Neptune to think I’m an even bigger freak than is readily obvious.”

Veronica couldn’t help but smile at this. “Okay.”

“Promise?” Buffy already looked relieved.

“Yeah, I promise.”

Buffy turned and left. The smile remained.

(To Be Continued
)

Title: Reasons 12/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Debasement Tapes” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Twelve of Unknown:
(Reasons 414 and Up)



The sudden realization of how awkward it was to be the only one kissing hitting her like a splash of cold water, Veronica pulled back. The older girl had such a frozen, shocked look on her face. Licking her lips, trying to assess the situation, Veronica tried to come up with a way out – with honor and dignity, if at all possible. But as she took a breath in to try and make some kind of argument or excuse, she heard a choked sort of sound
 Buffy’s face was trying to suppress a grin, and had not been entirely able hold off an onslaught of laughter.

“Wow
 I think I just found reason number four hundred and thirteen to date someone older.” Buffy chuckled, bringing a finger up to her lip before pulling it away to look at it. “They certainly know how to kiss better.”

“Objection,” Veronica cut in, her relief palpable through her indignation.

“To what?”

“Uh – your wide generalization!” she scoffed playfully, smacking Buffy’s hand away from her mouth, “I’m guessing manners aren’t among the first four hundred and eleven, though?”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, it’s just polite to kiss back – ”

“Oh, polite? You want to talk about polite?” Buffy mocked, though still smiling, “Since when is forcing affection on someone polite?” Veronica was shocked that she only started blushing now. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“Hey – you admitted it! Don’t forget, you said want –”

“But was pointedly not followed by take-have, Mars.” Buffy’s forearm now rested on Veronica’s un-injured shoulder, and the younger woman was glad that the smile was still playful – despite her slightly accusatory nature.

“Well, I still say it doesn’t count.”

“What doesn’t count?”

“Well, if you can’t back it up - it doesn’t count,” Veronica insisted, keeping her tone competitive, “I mean, I’ve kissed a few people older than myself, and I was ready to just accept your argument – but you di-Mmm!” Veronica was silenced
 Reason #413 confirmed.

Like, seriously confirmed.

Buffy’s kiss was, to state the obvious, very different. There was a softness, a sort of slowness – like she knew it was better to take the time to do it right than try and rush to the good parts
 it was all good parts. And though she’d not expected it, kissing someone her own height kind of had it’s advantages – an unexpectedly even playing-field, leaving them to duke it out for control of the kiss based purely on their ability to leave the other one’s head swimmy
 Buffy was winning. And for once, Veronica was really enjoying someone getting the better of her at something. Buffy seemed to bring that out pretty often.

Veronica could feel Buffy’s other hand slowly sliding up towards her right collarbone, a finger playing at the edge of her bandage. Veronica slid her thumbs into the belt-loops at either of the older girl’s hips, trying to tug her closer - and finding herself being drawn forward instead as Buffy deepened the kiss. She could feel the blunt teeth pulling at her lower lip just as the slightest pressure was applied to the scrape at her neck. The whimper that managed to escape was certainly pleasurable – the only issue she took with it was how utterly submissive she sounded even to her own ears.

“Withdrawn,” she gasped as Buffy pulled back. When her eyes opened, she did not see the shit-eating grin she’d expected, instead a glazed-eyed kind of nervousness. “
 Buffy?”

“Yay for me,” Buffy’s voice was distant, her gaze still on Veronica’s lips. She shook herself out of it, the grin slowly making its way across kiss-swollen lips. “I love winning.”

“I’m not ready to concede defeat.” Veronica said, still slightly short of breath. The grin grew.

As Veronica leaned forward, she rested her forehead against the older girl’s temple and felt her sigh. The world had not ended; this was a good sign. Her thumbs were still woven into Buffy’s belt-loops, lightly clutching her hips in her palms, a vague sense of the other woman’s knees at either side of her own. Despite the fact they were no longer kissing, no longer moving save their breaths in and out, Veronica couldn’t help but notice her attraction to Buffy had yet to plateau this evening.

Her pulse had not slowed down, though her breathing had; remaining shallow. She was glad Buffy hadn’t noticed.

“It’s getting early and you must be exhausted,” Buffy mumbled gruffly, obviously tired herself, “And you and I need a little space.” She said slowly, though her hand still soothed over the bandage at Veronica’s neck. Her teeth clenched, but Veronica forced herself to put on a smile – knowing that if she argued Buffy would merely become convinced of her own opinion
 they were stubborn in very similar ways.

Buffy finally pulled back, resting her hands on the younger girl’s elbows, whose hands were still at Buffy’s hips. She was not letting go just yet. Despite everything Buffy smiled, looking worn out. “If in the morning you plead intoxication because of those antibiotics,” she joked, “I warn you now – I will not be laughing.” She stood up and walked towards the back of the apartment, Veronica trailing behind her.

As they entered Buffy’s bedroom one after the other, Veronica couldn’t help the fluttering in her stomach as the older girl led her to the bed and sat her on it. Gazing down at it, she noticed that it was not a full-sized bed, but a single. Looking up, she found Buffy rummaging around in her closet. When she turned around, she had an armful of blankets and spare pillows. Her smile was sad and Veronica knew she must’ve done a bad job at hiding her disappointment.

“Take the bed, you’re wounded,” Buffy insisted, “I’ll take the couch.”

“Besides,” Veronica mocked playfully, “It’s not like there’s room to spare.” She said, patting the tiny bed. Buffy’s smile was not embarrassed.

“The place came furnished,” she defended, “Besides, as previously stated – I was not looking for someone to keep my sheets warm
 Willow was, so she got the ‘grown-up-sized’ room. I drew the line at the Jurassic Park themed bed-sheets though –I got rid of those.” Veronica smiled but couldn’t bring herself to laugh
 she was actually very shocked at how disappointed she felt, the night ending this way - especially considering how their being reunited began. Buffy tucked everything under one arm,

“I’ll come wake you in the morning – what time do you need do you need to be out of here by?”

Veronica suddenly realized that it was a Sunday night – she had classes tomorrow. “Uhm, my first class is at noon but I should probably –”

“Meet Mac on her way out of Willow’s class so she knows you’re still alive?” Buffy guessed. Veronica made a grumpy sort of face at being so predictable, but it dissolved as Buffy just smiled at her, brushing some hair away from the younger girls forehead with a few fingers. They remained until they moved to hold her chin in a soft grip, Buffy leaning down to place a chaste but certainly lingering kiss before leaning up again.

“If the smell of coffee doesn’t wake you then I will.” Buffy stopped in the doorway to turn around again, “You know where everything is in the bathroom; toothbrush, shampoo, gauze?” Veronica nodded. They both smiled slightly as Buffy shuffled back to the small couch in the living room.

(To Be Continued...)


Sorry for the Lateness! i'll try to keep it from happening again!

Title: Reasons 11/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Debasement Tapes” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Eleven of Unknown:
(412 Reasons)


Buffy’d been right – there were no stitches; four of those little pinching strips and a layer of gauze later, the doctor was asking where the blood-test results should be sent. Veronica was shocked when the older girl gave him a real address. Buffy’s address to be exact. The two women hadn’t spoken since being led into the examination room, and that didn’t change when Doctor Sheehan left to get her antibiotics.

Maybe it was the late hour or taking pills on an empty stomach – or possibly the codeine in the Tylenol 3 she’d been given – but during the car ride home Veronica started to feel a little loopy. Buffy must have noticed it too. She kept glancing over at Veronica with this almost sad and vaguely worried expression on her face. It wasn’t until she was sitting on Buffy’s couch in her strangely empty apartment that Veronica realized – Wait, what am I doing in Buffy’s apartment?

She could remember being in the car and staring out the window, but it never registered what direction they were heading in. She remembered the car pulling to a stop and Buffy getting out, then following suit
 up the walk, through the front door, right onto the couch where Veronica curled up with her chin on her knees.

She’d been trying to still the world and her swimming thoughts so she closed her eyes. She felt the depression of the couch as Buffy sat down next to her only a moment later, hearing her breath being sighed out as she did. The feel of the older girl’s hand soothing over her hair felt so calming that it seemed to bring her back into reality.

This is not her home, this is not her place, Buffy is not the person in whom she should seek comfort
 So how had getting to this place felt so easy, so natural in it’s progression?

“You’d still be exhausted at four in the morning –never mind the kind of night you’ve had.” Buffy said quietly, voice rough. She felt like Buffy was doing her a service, not whispering. She would have felt belittled. “I heard your dad’s out of town on a case, and you shouldn’t be alone. If you want I can drive you back to campus; crash with Mac and Parker, or Wallace – But considering what you’ve been through? Thought it might be good if your company could, you know, follow along.”

Veronica shook her head but made no move to get up. “I’ve been through worse.” She muttered, wishing Buffy would stop doing that thing she was doing with the backs of her fingers against the nape of her neck.

“Death had it’s hands on you tonight.” Buffy stated seriously, her fingers finally still. “You sought it out, stalked it. It had you and would have killed you and no one would have known where you were or what you were really doing.” Her tone was disappointed and a little angry but her volume remained gentle. “You were damn lucky I was there – but hear me on this,” she insisted suddenly. Veronica lifted her head from where it’d been resting and opened her eyes so she could look at her. “I will never have that much faith in you again” she vowed.

“What?” Veronica asked, confused, suddenly free of the spell the older girl’s serious words had lulled her into. Buffy sighed and turned towards the younger blonde on the couch, keeping a leg tucked under her.

“I was stalking you.” Buffy stated, as though it were the most obvious conclusion. “You’ve been avoiding me since the other night on campus, and your track record doesn’t exactly scream healthy-acceptance of the freakish, scary and dangerous.” Veronica just stared. “Look, you don’t want to see me? Fine. I can understand that! But I knew that, in your mind? That left only one way to find the answers to questions you couldn’t seem to let yourself to ask me.”

“So
 you stalked me?” Veronica clarified, half mocking sarcasm half disbelief that she’d not noticed.

“Uh - - Yeah!” Buffy challenged right back, as if to say My logic is just as wonky as yours! “You were gonna find out, it’s what you do,” she began, conceding, “You take pride in it, and you are very good at it. And I knew I couldn’t talk you out of it –especially if you refused to talk to me!... So I figured, why step on your gumshoes?” both girls looked a bit sheepish here, though the other probably didn’t really know why. Buffy let her arm fall along the back of the couch as she once again connected gazes with Veronica.

“So I followed you, made sure you were safe -”

“Uh – Hello!” Veronica shouted, pointing at her bandaged neck. Buffy actually rolled her eyes.

“I was trying to give you a chance! I mean, you are a bit of a control freak -”

“Excuse me?”

“Well? You are! You hate not being in charge, the fastest, the most well-informed -”

“Hey! I-”

“You’re a smart girl Veronica! How was I supposed to know that all you brought with you was a taser?” Now Veronica really did look sheepish. But the smile on Buffy’s face grew slowly as she raised her hand, brushing her fingers back and forth against the back of the young P.I.’s neck. For a long moment Veronica indulged in this simple, easy intimacy before it struck her - - that’s what this was. Reactively, she shrugged away from the pre-offered comfort.

Buffy froze, her fingers stilled.

“Stop it.” Veronica said quietly. For a moment that stretched languidly like a cat between them Buffy remained still with her eyes lingering, focused on Veronica. The atmosphere had taken a turn for something unknown and the older woman was trying to gage where this horizon could possibly lead.

“I’m sorry.” She began. Veronica felt suddenly fidgety and hugged her legs tighter to her chest to resist the urge to give away her unexpected nervousness. “I wasn’t letting you get hurt to make a point, I really thought you had a better handle on the situation than you actually did -” she stopped abruptly, and Veronica worried that maybe this time Buffy would stop seeing just the surface in their moments like this. The older girl was too good at seeing what was real with her to not know the root of all this tension. “Sometimes I forget what your limits are.”

Buffy had said things like this to her before, and though she knew they were a kind of compliment on her ability, strength and intelligence they were always in situations where she’d somehow fallen short in Buffy’s eyes
 and nostalgia. She was definitely picking up on some kind of nostalgia in there as well. Either way, it never really made Veronica feel better.

“I’m only human.” Veronica muttered, staring fixedly at her knees. That was as close as she wanted to get to admitting any more vulnerability tonight – and if Buffy couldn’t see it as that well, then
 maybe she was glad Buffy couldn’t see what was really making her uncomfortable after all.

Hearing Buffy chuckle at this brought such a sudden wave of ease Veronica audibly sighed.

“Well thank god for that
 You should count your blessings, Mars.” Veronica glanced at her out of the corner of her eye and saw that Buffy had this wide, genuine smile. She smiled back. As she did so, she felt those fingers on her neck return and that happy feeling melted right out of her again. She shrugged away.

“Please stop.” She said more quietly, and yet was somehow more effective this time. Buffy drew both her arms back into herself, crossing them a little awkwardly over her chest and stood up. She paced for a moment before stopping in front of Veronica.

“Willow and Faith decided to take a trip up to San Francisco and had no idea how long of a drive it actually was, so they’re not gonna be home tonight. I’ll get stuff to make up the couch for you – you can watch TV if you can’t sleep, and there’ll be no one to wake so -”

“Are-are you going to bed?” Veronica asked, finally releasing her legs and scooting to the edge of the couch. Buffy nodded, pointing vaguely over her shoulder with her thumb.

“Uh, yeah. I might take a shower first, get that ammonia-alcohol hospital smell out
” she trailed off, turning to look in the direction of the bathroom as it was pointedly away from Veronica herself. “You’re free to take one first, I know you love the fact that we
don’t run out of hot water here -”

For some reason this just made something in Veronica snap. She couldn’t take this anymore; the tense muscles, the averted eyes, and worst of all – the pretending to not understand exactly what the other was really saying because of some idea of politeness or courtesy. So she straightened her back, griped the couch cushions in her now tight fists and took the first step.

“I changed my mind.” She said solidly, calmly. So solidly, Buffy looked confused – as she had no idea how this statement related to their previous conversation. She, after all, had not been privy to the exchange in Veronica’s head.

“About what? You want me to drive you back to Hearst?” Buffy asked, trying to clarify. Her misunderstanding was genuine this time. Way to go Veronica – you take the first step, and stumble


“No, I – About-” She resisted the urge to groan in frustration, “At Velvet, the night we met? I’d stalked you, and the entire time you hade me made. It threw me off my game, which granted was not at it’s best that night anyway - but what completely derailed me was you asking what I wanted. And I didn’t have to succumb to outing you or to blackmailing you, you just offered. You just seemed so intrigued by the lengths I went through, it was like you’d thought I’d already earned it.”

“I remember having to ask you a few times what you wanted.” Buffy said flatly, her tone non-committal.

“You asked me why I was there, and what I wanted from you,” Veronica said slowly, trying to fight that urge to just shut up and run – she’d made her choice. She was sick of this. She could suffer the pain of embarrassment and vulnerability by putting herself out there, especially if it stopped the continued tension
 one way or another. “You wanted to know what would be worth the lengths I went to, just to get next to you. We agreed to collude,”

“Veronica,” Buffy cut in, raising a hand to try and top her.

“No – Buffy, I’m changing
 this.” She forced out vaguely. She stood up, facing the older girl. “I want,” she began, taking a deep breath. “I want a partnership.”

“You don’t play well with others,”

“I do with you.”

“Mars,”

“Stop!” she shouted, “Buffy, please! If it’s not what we know this is, then what is going on?” she shouted. “You and I? Never a misunderstanding since we met – we know what’s between us. We keep finding ourselves here, but then we avoid it – and the more we do that? The faster the road back!”

Buffy ran a hand over her hair. Turning, she sat heavily on the arm of the couch, not saying anything. Veronica knew she was trying to come up with some kind of explanation that wasn’t the truth.

“Buffy I’m not asking for things to change completely – I just want to hear the words, to know I’m not crazy.”

“You’re nineteen years old.” Buffy blurted, her tone one of mild disbelief.

“Which means I’m legal,” she tried to insist.

“Legal? Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it right.” Buffy countered, raising her head. “Veronica, you don’t even know me. A week ago,” she scoffed “Hell – there were a lot of things you didn’t know about a week ago!”

“I want you.” She finally said. Buffy became so still Veronica wondered if she’d channeled Evie Ethel Garland for a moment. “I’m saying I want you, not that I love you or I want to marry you or even that I’m gay – I’m just saying that I want you and it makes being around you hard because there are times when,” she let out a shuddering sigh because Buffy was still frozen and hadn’t moved. “There are times when I want you, and I feel like you want me too
 But we never do anything about it, and I don’t know why.”

“You’re nineteen years old!”

“And you never were?” she shouted back – now she was really irritated! But at this Buffy seemed to break and she looked down, shaking her head.

“No, you’re right. I was your age once
 and that’s why-” she cut herself off here. She cleared her throat and Veronica was shocked to realize – Buffy was actually upset. Her eyes unfocused like she was trying not to get emotional.

“When I was younger than you,” Buffy stated carefully, starting again, “I dated someone even older than I am now.” She glanced at Veronica and saw her grimace, “Whoa! No! Not, like, grave-robber old! Just – you know, older.” She corrected. “And at that time – I loved him so much. Like, world-ending illogical love that you’re only in when you’re 16 and stupid, you know?” Veronica nodded. Yeah, I guess you could say Veronica was pretty familiar with it. Buffy continued, taking her time.

“You don’t necessarily notice it at the time, but every kid’s life at that age is just fast-paced chaos. It’s not as obvious when you’re still in the thick of it but – someone older? There’s a lot of appeal
 They’ve survived it, they’re familiar with it, and they have that helpful hindsight-advantage way of looking at your life and can help you through it. They have patients and knowledge and a multi-layered life that – for some reason? They want to make you a part of. You feel special, grown up, and thankful for that someone who helps bare what feels like a crushing weight
 and you trust them, ‘cause they’ve carried the load before
”

Buffy stopped here and just stared hard at Veronica for a moment. Veronica felt like she was being evaluated
 She wasn’t about to admit it, but once again – Buffy had read her almost too well. Again.

“I wouldn’t change it. I never would have gotten through the tough stuff without him, but – I won’t deny that he caused me a few problems I never would’ve had to worry about if I’d not been dating an older guy.”

“But this isn’t Rape in the Third-”

“Veronica!” Buffy interrupted, holding up her hand and pinching her eyes shut. “You and I never got to be teens – we went straight from being kids to being adults and that can have drawbacks. Teen years are all about making mistakes and learning from them, and no one really holding it against you.” Buffy opened her eyes again, she looked nervous. “I’m not sixteen, I’m not nineteen, I will be held responsible – and you don’t know me well enough -”

“You’re the one who’s always insisting that you’re not that much older than I am,” Veronica pointed out.

“It wasn’t until he and I had been broken up for a couple years and I was in my twenties that I stopped and thought about all of it. I could think of about four-hundred and twelve reasons why he was exactly what I needed. But I don’t think I could come up with more than five for why he needed me so badly.” Buffy finished quietly.

And there it was – the heart of the matter. Buffy leaned up, placed her palms on her bent knees and gave the young woman the serious look this conversation deserved.

“Veronica, I am not gay. I never slept with Faith, I asked you to go with me to those gay bars because I enjoy your company, and I am not a child anymore
 But, I am attracted to you.” Veronica sighed, and Buffy smiled sadly. “I really like you Veronica and I don’t know all the reasons why. Lately I have been feeling so old, surrounded by so many young people who don’t really know me or what I do.” Buffy held out a hand and Veronica took it. “You remind me too much of me –or, well, the me I wish I could have been
 Let’s face it; you’re smarter and cooler and prettier than I ever was, no matter what age and I don’t think that’s going to change.”

“So what? You want me because you wanted to be me?” Veronica asked, half sarcastic. Buffy shook her head.

“I like who you are, all the many parts of you. And because we have so many similarities but just enough differences, we get along smoothly. And it doesn’t hurt that you’re kind of a stone-cold fox.” Buffy managed a playful grin here for the first time in –again – too long. “But you still don’t know me, Veronica.”

“I know enough!” Veronica insisted, leaning into Buffy, forcing their bodies together until they were just inches apart. The older woman still resisted, “You think I’m attractive, you think I’m smart, we get along amazingly well – and yet you say I don’t know you well enough?” She could feel Buffy’s breathing shallow out.

“I’m not saying let’s be exclusive, I’m not even saying we should date! I’m saying let me call you on it when you’re acting jealous, or when I act jealous around you
 let me kiss you, without having to make excuses for the why
” Veronica trailed off and watched Buffy wet her lips and close her eyes, but when she tried to lean in the older woman pulled back just enough. So she leaned in faster, harder and further until she felt their mouths connect.

She shut her eyes and breathed, letting relief wash over her entire body as she felt “Finally!” shout through every cell in her body. All this was so distracting it took her a couple of seconds to realize that Buffy was not kissing her back.

( To Be Continued...)

Title: Reasons 10/? (Short)
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Debasement Tapes” (for now)
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
(short) Chapter Ten of Unknown:
(I Miss Julianna Margulies)


“Sit.” Buffy ordered, and Veronica – feeling far too much like a child waiting outside the principal’s office –complied.

“I need forms!” Buffy barked impatiently at the half-asleep nurse, playing SNOOD behind the plastic partition. Reaching over, the middle-aged nurse shoved a clipboard through the narrow opening towards her interrupter –and all without lifting her chin from her palm. Buffy stared at her for a moment before sighing, shaking her head and walking back to the plastic chairs. Veronica watched her as she flipped through the attached pages in a way that read all too much familiarity.

“Why are we here, exactly?” Veronica asked. She lifted the gauze again to check the bleeding; it had stopped. She tried not to squint in the bright, florescent lighting as it bounced back up at her from the white tile floors. Her eyes lingered on the patches of grout where stains lingered. Buffy tossed the stack of papers into her lap.

“Pick an alias, one your dad won’t be able to readily decipher. A pop-diva maybe.”

Veronica thought for a moment before scribbling down a name.

“We are here because if we go to the regular ER then this’ll be on record – both on your Hearst Student Insurance and on file at the hospital. He may not be actively checking now, but it might be safe to make it as hard as possible for your dad or anyone else to just stumble upon this information.” Buffy leaned her head back against the wall. “Besides. They don’t check IDs here
 Beauty of a 24-hour free clinic.”

Veronica knew and agreed with all these points, but her eyes still strayed from the bullet-proof nurses’ station, then to the chair opposite them which possessed a sad looking stain on it’s seat.

“The doctors are still doctors, and you’re not that poor off anyway.” She muttered by way of reassurance before leaning back forward away from the wall. Indicating for Veronica to turn towards her in her seat, Buffy’s vision focused on her bite. As the older girl’s fingers rested along her collarbone Veronica was suddenly glad they were alone in the waiting room. “Yeah, this isn’t so bad
 Couple of butterflies.”

“Excuse me?” Veronica asked. Did that come out kind of breathy? She didn’t mean for it to.

“You won’t need stitches,” Buffy clarified, “That’s my guess. Prob’ly just a few of those little butterfly bandages to help them seal. You’re lucky, too, not very high on your neck
 You might get out of this without one of those ever-conspicuous turtle-neck phases.”

“And scarves.” Veronica added.

“And hooded jackets.” A small smile returned to Buffy’s lips for the first time briefly in
 well, too long in Veronica’s opinion. “All of which would be hard to convincingly pull off, winter though it may be
 Neptune is just too warm a place for such a repeated wardrobe to be casual.” Buffy sighed at this, almost nostalgically. “Wearing a hooded sweatshirt with the strings lightly pulled so it sits higher on the shoulders.” She chuckled, “Ah, high school
 hickies
 normalcy
 I sometimes forget what it was like to not be weird.” She’d pulled her hand back but remained leaned in to her companion.

“I’m starting to feel convinced I never really was.” Veronica mumbled.

“You’re miles ahead of me, Mars.”

Veronica restrained the urge to shake her head and laugh, instead taking aim and tossing the used roll of gauze into the wastebasket in the opposite corner.

“I will admit, however: I never thought I’d be hiding my neck because of something that could genuinely pass for a monkey bite.” Buffy nodded, holding in a chuckle.

“There you go – your cover-story. Just say you were checking in with Gil Thomas and his little friend Oscar got a little too friendly.

Just then a haggard looking doctor walked out of the sealed doors. He was leading a man with such thick bandages wrapped around his forearm the girls wondered if it was all that kept it attached. Watching the man leave, they felt the exhausted doctor’s eyes on them.

“Ms. Selina Kyle
 And what is she - you’re partner?”

“No.” Buffy said solidly, pulling herself out of her chair, “But I know her.”

“Well, come on in miss
.?” He waited for Veronica to fill him in.

“Underwood.” Veronica blurted, “Carrie is fine.”

“Of course it is,” he sighed, holding open the self-locking doors for them. Veronica raised an eyebrow at Buffy out of the doctor’s live of vision. They followed him into the back. “I see that crazy homeless person is still out nibbling people
”

(To Be Continued
)

Title: Reasons 9/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Post Game Mortem” (for now).
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.
Author’s Note: What the Genius Bar at the Apple store does for Mac Computers? Pat Kelly did for my Mac dialog. I owe him big time


“Reasons”
Chapter Nine of Unknown:
(If Blow Up Had a Sequel
)


“Veronica...not that I’d ever tell you what you should or shouldn’t do, because, well, you’re you, and that look in your eye? Means you’ve already made up your mind, and I’m just here for background color.” Mac got up off her bed and stood with her arms crossed. “You can’t help it, can you? You’re like my nine year old cousin. My aunt says he can’t watch his damn Yu-Gi-Oh DVD for the fiftieth time, but he just says screw it, and once she’s gone...” She managed to smile despite the situation. It was brief.

“Explain how a Japanimation analogy works in this context.”

“Exactly – it doesn’t. That’s the point. This is something else entirely. This is
 so far beyond Aaron Echols. It’s more like that horror movie he did.” The detective had to agree – she was out of familiar waters here.

“‘Fangs for the Memories.’ Classic.” Veronica took a beat. “So what am I supposed to do? Just forget?” when Mac didn’t answer right away she was shocked to realize that the computer genius was actually considering it. “Mac, this isn’t something that I can just fade out! Do you have any idea what I just saw tonight?”

The brunette leaned back and glanced at her computer screen once more. The image from Veronica’s camera lay bare and enlarged, the high pixel resolution allowing for undeniable detail. Much as she might boast about it in a more humorous situation; Veronica had perfect timing. The captured image even allowed the viewer to see the area around the weapon – what they were both refusing to name –as it turned to ash and moldy-looking dust.

Night time, silent stalking, the teeth she’d seen in the lamp-light, his face when he’d been given the round-housing of his (un?)life
 then there was the piece of wood (they had determined to was wood and not an impact baton only after closer inspection of the image) being shoved into the heart of what was clearly some kind of super-natural
 thing. Noooo – no one had ever used the term ‘Vampire’ in this room, hell no
 But the thought was running rampant.

There was a knock at the door.

The two girls glanced at each-other. Parker was in Mexico with Logan for the weekend, Wallace was pulling an all-nighter in the modeling studio and Piz was filling in at the radio station.

“It’s Buffy.” Came through the door in a strong voice. Veronica turned and jumped away from it as though she’d just been told it had ‘The HIV’. The two girls started mouthing frantically to one another, gesturing at and thinking the other understood – but they were both doing it at once and getting nowhere.

“Look, I’m off duty so if you’re trying to hide alcohol or whatever don’t bother – it’d be harder for me to explain what I was doing searching a student’s room off hours without cause
” Veronica slammed Mac’s laptop shut and dove into Parker’s closet, shoving all the hanging coats aside. Waving Mac towards the door with a look of panic she closed the closet all but a crack so she could listen. Mac opened the door.

Framed in it, looking oddly smaller than usual, Mac could see what she hoped Veronica could only hear.

Buffy’s natural confidence that made up for her diminished size seemed gone from her. Oddly, after all that had happened tonight, she seemed so much more human than before: fragile and flawed. Mac held her breath as Buffy took in a long, slow breath, “I only have three questions, so I won’t be long.”

Mac nodded.

“Is she here?” Buffy asked quietly.

“Veronica? Nope.” She said, shaking her head and tilting it to the side, trying to feign casualty. She’d blown it – she over did it by drawing the words out too long. Buffy nodded, and the trace of a smile that there’d never been? Now it seemed even more absent. They both knew Veronica was in there.

“Is she alright?” she asked, a bit flat. “Physically.” She clarified and a bit of that human weakness snuck in again.

Mac nodded again at this, the “yeah” coming out in a genuinely relieved sigh. The older girl nodded too, trying to say she understood.

“Will you take care of the rest? You know, the non-physical part?” Mac smiled briefly and started closing the door. “Thanks Mac.” She muttered, turning to go.

“Buffy?” Mac called. The older girl turned around and stopped. “Thanks.”

Buffy made her way down the hall, not saying anything. When the brunette closed it again she found that Veronica had extricated herself from amongst the halter-tops and jackets.

“God that was scary.”

“She likes you.”

“What?” Veronica demanded, angry.

“She didn’t have to come here; she didn’t have to see you. It was a risk and she did it any way.”

“She didn’t know I was here-”

“Hell yes she did!” Mac said gesturing at the door, “She-”

“Because you are the worst liar ever! That was embarrassing!”

“Veronica!” Mac cut in, “She cares about you. She obviously knows that you know – hell, she probably followed you here!” she got out in a rush “The point is, she was reaching out. She wanted to make sure you were safe because, yeah danger, but also ‘cause she wanted to make sure you were alright – you know, with her?”

Quiet stretched out in the room and Veronica still had her arms crossed, disbelieving. It was then that Mac realized something: for all the good that Veronica’s determination and resolve brought to her that was good? It certainly had a flip side. She’d convinced herself that whatever feelings Buffy had for her were not the kind she had for Buffy. She was a great detective, but when it came to the Case of the Girl with an Overly Broken Heart, Veronica only seemed able to collect evidence that supported what she wanted to believe. And not what was true.

“Look, all I’m saying is, you might want to try another approach.”

“Such as?”

“Such as,” Mac reiterated, losing her patients, ““Don’t shine a light in her face, get her blind, and then subject her to the ‘Veronica Mars’ ninth degree.”

“But it’s so cute!”

“She’s not a bad guy, Veronica. Or a case. For some reason, she almost cares about you, so just, try to trust her? A little? Don’t find the facts by yourself just so you, I dunno, can trap her in a lie or something. She saved your life tonight. For once, don’t be who you usually are, and endanger it again. Just try talking to her instead. Hear her out.”


***

“Oh frak.” Veronica breathed, suddenly so very, very sorry. How many alleys had she walked down? How many shady places in this tiny little town had she seen? How many men with feet of advantage over her had she managed to take down before? She’d lost count – and this one wasn’t backing off so easily.

When Veronica followed this stranger down a narrow patch of street, she’d thought he was trying to lose her. When he’d disappeared somehow in the blind alley they were now in, she’d been sure it was just a matter of him knowing a way out that she didn’t. But when he’d appeared from nowhere – just as her previous Midnight Stalker had? Well, the satisfaction of knowing she’d found the right mark was short lived. Veronica was pretty sure she’d drained the battery pack of her taser before she realized it was having no more effect than a bee-sting.

His hands were frozen and hard, his clutching fingers gripping her jaw and clamping it shut as he forced her head back and away from his metallic-smelling lack-of-breath. Veronica didn’t feel the heat of his breathing on her neck but she knew that if he’d been alive she would have for that one brief moment. Through the corners of her now watering eyes she saw inhuman, animalistic teeth for the second time.

And just as Veronica felt the flesh of her neck give to the points of his fangs, it was his head being jerked around and to the side. A loud series of pops echoed off the surrounding brick walls, sounding like knuckles cracking or cartoonish bubbles bursting. At the exact same moment a jagged piece of wood was shoved into the Stalker’s chest and his body was shoved away like an unwelcome advance. He burst into that sickly green ash the moment his body mad contact with the cement.

The look on Buffy’s face was a disappointed rage. It softened again so quickly Veronica seriously wondered what could have happened. Reaching out a hand to the younger woman’s shoulder and one at her collarbone –just where the man’s hands had been – Buffy’s gaze became far more focused than merely on her distressed damsel but specifically on her neck.

“I got it.” She muttered, and out of an inside pocket of her coat she produced a roll of gauze. Not even unrolling it she pressed the bulge of it against Veronica’s neck. It was at the wound whinging that she remembered that the thing had actually managed to bite her. The lump in her throat, the ache in her chest and the hot tears in her eyes at seeing Buffy there at just the nick of time made fine misdirection. She felt it now. “I got you.” She said again quietly, and Veronica doubted if the woman knew she’d even said something entirely different.

“Hospital.” Buffy said, lifting the cotton and checking the bite. Veronica’s eyes widened. “It’s not that bad,” the older woman assured, her tone disappointed even if her expression had changed. “But, he was squatting in the store-room of an old factory and feeding off Meth addicts. Blood tests and some antibiotics – just to be safe. Besides, some painkillers might not go amiss. Sometimes, the shock
” she trailed off not wanting to finish that sentence. Veronica felt Buffy’s hand on her upper-arm give a comforting squeeze.

“I know what he was.” Veronica said, trying to get Buffy to look her in the eyes, trying to get her strength back and her body to move. It worked.

“I very much doubt that.” Buffy replied, the voice of I’m so much older than you should ever be surfacing again. The hand slid down her arm and into Veronica’s bag, taking her keys from their hiding place in an inside pocket. Turning around and nodding to the mouth of the alley Buffy made no sign of letting go of the bandage at Veronica’s neck.

(To Be Contniued
)

In honor of my being sent home from work sick without pay - on my 2nd day... here you go:

Title: Reasons 8/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “Post Game Mortem” (for now)
Setting: After Josh Barry gets accused of murder, things get ugly

Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Eight of Unknown:
(Just the Fangs, Ma’am
)




Veronica had been working over-time lately. Literally. She’d picked up some late shifts at the library, closing it most evenings, as an excuse to have access to books on reserve after hours. The man that had replaced Landry was somewhat
 Petty. He didn’t like competition, so naturally he hated her. Add in what was going on with the Hearst Basketball team? The Barry family and Josh’s plea for her help? Yet more stakeouts
 and she’d had to do this last one alone.

He father had been called away on a Bail Jumper and asked her to watch Mrs. Barry’s house to see if anything suspicious was going on. Buffy said she needed to get some stuff done around town that night, so Veronica has spent a boring evening in her car until Mrs. Barry herself took pity on her, having walked out to her car, and sent the young PI-in training home. Veronica figured since she was up anyways, and she knew Wallace would be pulling an all-nighter working on his mid-term project, she thought she’d drop in and watch him work for a bit – maybe bring him a Redbull. She was half way to the Architecture building when suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck started to become undeniably standing on end.

“What are you doing out so late?” finally came the voice from behind her. Veronica had felt the vibrations of his foot-steps just behind her for what felt like forever, or at least since she’d left her car in the parking lot, but every time she’d looked over her shoulder she had been alone. The campus was silent and dark and though she couldn’t hear the footfalls, she had known she was being followed, watched


Glancing around she realized that she and this sudden stranger were standing on the walk in front of the Technical Engineering center, the vast deserted quad behind them. She’d glanced behind her just seconds ago – she’d been alone
 where had this man come from? Glancing at his clothes she saw this thin, ropey man was wearing a Security uniform, but not for Hearst College. She knew those uniforms well - this looked like a cheap knock-off. Why would someone even want one?

“Miss? I asked you a question.” He pulled out a long MagLite from a belt loop serving as it’s holster and shined it into her face, hostel; his voice was full of false concern and temper. “Ma’am, have you been drinking this evening?” The hairs on the back of Veronica’s neck seemed to be screaming at her all the things that were wrong here, making answering the man a little hard. Her mind was trying to piece together all the clues that her instincts were pointing out but the answer just would come – like a stalled engine, she stood there. And she could feel the man’s agitation growing, making her body all the more anxious as she raised a hand and blinked away from the light.

Through the glare of the bulb she could just make out a corner of his mouth turned up in a grin.

His large, yellowing teeth reminded her of the wolf in Little Red Ridding Hood and it was then her heart started pounding. This was a nightmare, her mind decided, something was happening here that was too off to be real. She was still in her car outside Josh Barry’s house having accidentally fallen asleep
 it had to be -

“Veronica get inside.”

Whipping around, there on the bottom step to the Engineering labs stood Buffy. She too seemed to have come out of nowhere – just appearing, silent and unseen. Veronica stared hard at her but Buffy’s eyes never left the lanky man. She dashed over to the blonde and only when she was at the older girl’s side did she glance back at the stranger. Veronica was surprised to see he looked about as ready to make a run for it as she was. Clicking off the light and changing his grip, he held it at his hip like he was going to have to hit someone with it.

“Veronica!” Buffy almost barked at her, eyes still fixed but attention divided. “Go, get inside – far inside – and don’t turn around. Follow the lit walks until you make it to Wallace’s or Mac and Parker’s. Don’t stop running.” Veronica nodded and glanced between the two locked gazes. “Now, Mars.”

Her body wouldn’t wait to be told one more time. She’d been held at gunpoint, repeatedly drugged, tazed, purposefully crashed her own car, and set on fire. By far what scared her most about the whole thing was Buffy’s tension. It was one thing to have moments of illegitimate, paranoid fear – but the woman’s appearing from seemingly nowhere and reacting the way she had
?

This thought made Veronica stop. As soon as she was through the doors she pressed herself back against the inside wall, all thoughts of seeking out Wallace as she’d originally intended now gone. She watched through the small glass panes in the doors as Buffy approached the guy and he backed away, raising the MagLite. They circled briefly, speaking in hushed voice that Veronica would have had no hope of hearing from this far. Then like lighting they were exchanging blows, Buffy armed only with a nightstick or billyclub. It was very fast and extremely violent.

Veronica dove into her bag, retrieving her camera once again. Using the zoom and focus to try and see better, she was shocked when Buffy suddenly seemed to spin on a pivot and her foot hit the man in the side of the head with such force he landed face-down on the ground. She saw him climb back to his feet quickly, as his face appeared once again within the plain of focus on her viewfinder - she was shocked to see his face had contorted monstrously after hitting the ground.

About half as shocked as she was when Buffy shoved her nightstick right through his chest until the tip was poking out the other side. So shocked, in fact, she’d pressed down on the capture button. As the clicking of the electronic shutter sounded loud in the empty hall, she looked up in time to see what used to me a man blowing away in the wind as his body never quite made it to the ground.

It was about a moment later that she realized Buffy was turned towards her, as though she could tell Veronica had seen. Tucking the weapon into an inside pocket of her coat as though it were nothing more than her wallet, she started walking slowly towards Veronica’s hiding place. Throwing the strap of her bag over her head, turning around she ran blindly, finally following through on the second half of Buffy’s instructions. Staying on the lit paths she booked it all the way to Mac’s, never stopping to look behind her, nor slowing down to see if the older woman followed.

(To Be Continued...)

Title: "Murder, Mugging and Morons...Oh My" (A "lost scene" from the BSaR-verse)
Author: Pat Kelly
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 735
Summary: 'Tis what it is. :-)
Spoilers: Takes place during VM S2, Ep 14, "Versatile Toppings"
Disclaimer: Joss and Rob, FOX and Warner Bros. All is yours.
Note: Okay, the series is still done, but I started getting ideas for going back and just doing a scene here and there set within the canon of both shows, so these may pop up from time to time. I like these girls too much apparently. :-)
----------------------------------------------------------

“Let your freak flag fly, ladies!” Dick called after the newly-outted Kylie and Marlena, as they walked down the Neptune High hallway.

Veronica’s reaction as she walked up to him? “How progressive of you, Dick.”

She might’ve been disingenuous in her compliment. At least that was one couple she didn’t have to prevent the “Pizza Boy Mugger” from blackmailing. She almost wished she wasn’t “out,” so she could take this case just a little more personally.

“Damn. What is it with you? Do you follow me around for fun, or what?” He tried to be humorous, but like all those other times it was intentional, he didn’t pull it off.

“Would it help if I started making out with *my* girlfriend in the hall?”

He perked up at this. “*Yeah*, obviously. I’d so pay.”

She nodded, having expected such an answer. Silently, she retrieved her call phone and dialed. After a couple rings, “Hey, bad time? Because it’s been requested that we publicly display our affections. Just thought I’d let you know. There was talk of compensation.” Getting a response, she smiled unsettlingly at Dick, but talked to Buffy on the other end. “Didn’t even need to guess.” She held the phone out to him. “It’s for you.”

Dick took a couple steps backward. “I don’t want that.”

Veronica looked surprised. “You’re sure?” She watched him take off in the opposite direction, his random pal in tow. “I expect a check to appear magically in my hand by the end of the day!”

Because he owed her for hitting her car. Not because there was going to be H.L.A for cash.

“So,” Veronica said to the significantly more pleasant person on her phone, beginning to walk through the hall, “how *you* doin’? Need anything? I.D.s faked? Bodies hidden? I know a good landfill.” Listening, she froze in mid step. “Hold on.”

Then she was running into the bathroom. Once inside, she shoved the stopper under the door, before going from stall to stall looking to make sure she didn’t see any feet.

“Okay, from the top. You and Faith what?”

#We...on patrol...we killed someone. It was an accident. I wasn’t thinking--we weren’t. I thought he was a vamp, an-and I grabbed him, and then Faith...I watched him die. God, his eyes were...#

“Give me two hours.” Veronica said, not liking the tone in her girlfriend’s voice.

#No, it’s...don’t. You don’t wanna be here.#

“Oh yeah I do.”

#I’m serious. Faith’s losing it, and the cops, they’re...I think I’m a suspect. The paper said he was the deputy mayor.#

The teen detective’s eyebrows hit the roof. “Deputy mayor, huh? Checking out Sunnydale’s back alleys. At night. Either he was hoping Roxanne would put on that red light one more time, or, he knew exactly what he was strolling into. And because I get happy when there’s corruption in City Hall...” As quick as she started to latch onto that bone, she dropped it just as quick. “Two hours. This? Why support systems were invented.”

#Support after. I want. But I’m calling because I need help--private detecting help. Giles talked to the Council...and they already knew. Means it was Wesley who spilled. Giles said they’ll probably send people to ‘rehabilitate’ Faith. I don’t trust Wesley, and I *really* don’t trust them. Not after my birthday.#

Veronica didn’t like the word “rehabilitate.” Not in this context. “Welcome to my worldview.” She exhaled. “I’ll make a call. You’ve got a P.I. in your backyard that, luckily, owes Dad a favor. Other than legally trying to change his name to ‘Sam Spade,’ he’s on level. And the guy can tail like nobody’s beeswax. Soon as I haggle him down, I’ll text you the address.”

#Thanks, Veronica. I’ll let you know what’s happening.#

Veronica heard the smile. “Damn well better. ‘Cause I still object.”

#Support after. Meant that.#

“Buffy? Watch your back.”

#Only if you watch yours.#

They hung up with each other, and Veronica was even less eager to face Neptune High now. Tempted to screw the case. She was here trying to solve the mystery of a bus crash she felt guilty over, and more immediately, trying to keep gay students closeted. All while her best friend was there, being a murder suspect. What a great year this was.

Didn’t like it. Nope. Nuh-uh.

On her way out of the bathroom though, she still made the call.

Title: Reasons 7/?
Genre: Veronica Mars/Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossover
Pairing: Veronica/Buffy
Spoilers: : BtVS season 7 and Possible reference to season 8 (through Issue #11), and Veronica Mars season 3 up to “There’s Gotta be a Morning After Pill” (for now)
Setting: PART ONE:Just before Veronica goes to the Neptune Grand and finds out about Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang on the O’Dell case
Warnings: WIP! And, okay, Femslashy. And slightly OOC, as I am making them attracted to one another.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Literally, I’m a college student. I don’t even own this computer I’m using
 it’s so sad. I don’t even own the idea -- Pat Kelly made up this ‘ship and I’m just mooching from him.

“Reasons”
Chapter Seven of Unknown:
(Making a move on her Queen)


“Don’t worry,” Veronica grunted as she shoved the Emergency Break down with a bit of excess force. “I’ve got an in with the Neptune Grand staff.”

They had been on another stakeout together, Buffy there to play her Second for more than a second time. Veronica had been trying to find out a few details for a case that, though Veronica insisted that it was not for friends or family, was too personal to share the details. Buffy trusted her discretion, and so the two freshman “CJ Majors” would stakeout and study. It was better than doing either alone.

But when the two girls walked through the entrance of the Neptune Grand? Well, what an in it was. She was tall, pretty and blonde, and genuinely sweet. Good sense of humor too. As Veronica asked her a few questions Buffy sat at one of the couches in the lobby not too far away. When she noticed the abundance of cleavage poking out of the girl’s uniform as she laughed, Buffy heard a creaking coming from her right hand. Looking down she saw she’d grabbed one of the small, starchy throw pillows and was squeezing it beyond the fabric’s tolerance.

Biting the inside of her cheek sheepishly, Buffy let go and tried to settle back into her seat as she put on a casual ere. Of course, no sooner than she was comfy than Veronica was standing there in front of her.

“Just have make one more stop. I have to check something with a disgruntled bellhop and then we can go.”

“A Concierge, a bellhop, a maintenance worker
 I’m starting to feel rather pawn-ish. I don’t like it.” She griped. Veronica scoffed.

“Pawn? Hardly. While they may be pawns, a security officer is worth many-a-more points when captured.”

“So what I am to you?” ignoring the obvious other possible answers, Veronica went with the analogy.

“A Rook, at least.” At hearing this Buffy dashed in front of her and stopped, forcing the younger woman to halt in her tracks.

“Strange though our relationship may be, and all creepy age-difference references aside – do I look like I’d caught dead wearing one of those giant pointy tiaras let alone hold a seat in the Church?” Buffy asked. Veronica blinked.

“That’s a Bishop. I was talking about the castle-looking things.” Veronica clarified, “And the hat’s called a Mitre, for the record.”

“Oh.” Circumnavigating the confused woman, Veronica made her way into the kitchens. “Then why don’t they just call it a castle? Or a turret or a battlement?” Buffy asked.

“I’ll be sure to ask Bobby Fischer the next time I see him.”

“I thought nobody’d seen him for decades?”

Sighing, Veronica couldn’t keep the smile from her lips – so she made a point to keep Buffy from seeing it.

“Kind’a the point.” the younger girl muttered, Wondering through the maze of aluminum tables and hanging copper-bottom cookware she kept her eyes peeled for the face of her petty classmate.

“Can’t I at least be a Knight? Way more self-explanatory, and rampant with future joke and ego-inflating potential.”

“I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess you were a checkers player, weren’t you?” Veronica noted. Buffy just shrugged at this as she looked around; though to be honest all she knew was that they were looking for a bellhop.

“Nah, Naughty Scrabble. Way more entertaining.”

Veronica snorted, trying to hold in a laugh. “Fine you can be a Knight. But first you have to slay a dragon and save the princess.”

“Done and done.” Buffy sighed tiredly. Veronica finally stopped to look at her.

“Pardon?” she asked. Buffy merely smiled in a way that reminded Veronica (on these rare occasions that she saw this particular grin) just how much of an age difference there was between them.

“I’ll have her call you to confirm.” The weird part was how serious Buffy’d managed to look while she said it. She nodded over the younger woman’s shoulder, noticing a boy in a stripped-vest uniform. He was putting together a tray of food on a cart. Veronica shook her head to tried and clear her thoughts. As conscious as they both were to never put words to whatever was between them, she felt kind of disappointed; Buffy hadn’t meant her.

To Be Continued


...

(Author’s Note: I know, it’s a short up-date. But I promise that it’s going to start to really pick up from here next week! I have a feeling the next installment will be exactly what many of you have been waiting to see
)

author: thingswithwings
pairing: Veronica/Lilly
words: ~3100
spoilers: none
rating: NC-17
warnings: none, surprisingly - there's no trauma here, it's just sweet and fluffy. both girls are fifteen at the time this story is set.

summary: "Wanna hear a secret?"

Cryptogram