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Title: Symmetry 2: Leave My Heart Behind

Pairings/Characters: Lianne/Jake, Lianne/Keith, Jake/Celeste (eventually: Logan/Lilly, Duncan/Veronica, Logan/Veronica)

Word Count: 5,254 (5,154 without lyrics)

Rating: PG-13 (for mention of sexual situations and adultery)

Spoilers/Warnings: Everything to 3.17 (Debasement Tapes), especially Season 1
Pre-Series

Disclaimer: None of its mine, and if it was it would all be going different right now. So dont sue, because I have nothing and itd be a waste of both our time. The Song is Say Goodnight, Not Goodbye by Beth Neilsen Chapman.

A/N: Theres dialog in this chapter, but its closer to the middle





Lianne got the folded up announcement from the paper shortly after her own mother had sent hers. There was a short note, him claiming hed always love her and be there for her. That in his heart, he was still waiting. She simply tucked it into the shoebox she kept in the closet containing the engagement clipping and several others. Sometimes she went through the box and looked at the pictures of them gazing adoringly at each other in high school. So young and so in love that they she was shocked they werent together now. Other times she looked at the pictures and remembered how nave they had been, thinking that they would be together forever. Like they were some kind of fairytale. Once and a while she would cry for him, for herself, for the love and life they could have had. Because they were a fairytale. Today she just placed the new addition to her box of memories and replaced it in the closet.

Keith had never seen the box. He knew nothing of Jake Kane and their high school romance. Some days she resented him a little for that. He didnt know that she had been broken by someones lack of faith in their relationship. That she had been left behind in the story, forgotten. Other days she loved the fact that he hadnt known her then. When every girl in school wanted to be her and every guys wanted to date her. When she had been humiliated to find out that her boyfriend of two and half years might have gotten a girl pregnant during a short summer break up. Then devastated that she had allowed herself to be manipulated into losing him when six months later it turned out to be a lie. Her history was unknown and he couldnt pass judgment on it.

Still she longed for Jake. Even as she accepted the gold ring with the small round cut diamond Keith had presented to her while down on one knee. They had been in the park on one of his few days off when he had done it. And she couldnt help but think that the caf she had written her last letter to Jake was right across the street. That Jake wouldve known she preferred silver to gold and oval to round. But Keiths bright smile and happy laugh when she said yes made her stomach plummet and her heart tighten. She loved Keith, it just wasnt the same as when she had loved Jake. She had once read that you could never love two people the same way. Maybe it was true. Keith was a safe kind of love, one that she felt that she might be able to relax into someday. She may not be able to be herself fully around him but that could simply be because she hadnt known him forever. Or because she was growing up, becoming who she was supposed to be, someone else.

It was her own fault. She had forced herself to be more of what she thought he expected at first and that was a hard pattern to break.



She had sent Jake a clipping of her own wedding announcement, but had waited months to do so. She didnt include a note, though. A year later she found that she was still waiting for a reply. The realization came while packing up the Fresno apartment. Keith had a couple more days of work before the move and had left her to finish the packing. She nearly forgot to forward their mail and only remembered when she took out her Jake Box. It had reminded her of the clipping she had sent him and that she never got a reply about it. It panicked her a little that if he came for her she wouldnt be here. That if he sent for her shed never get the letter. Thats when she knew.

Lianne Mars was a horrible wife. Still in love with a man she hadnt heard from in over a year, and hadnt seen in nearly five.

She forced herself to throw away the box then. She would not pack it up with her husbands things and bring it to their first real home. It would never enter the house that they had found on their trip up there seven months ago. Her mother was sick and had been placed in an assisted living complex. It didnt seem like it would be long before she passed and it made Lianne realize that she hadnt spent nearly enough time with her. Keith was tired of the Fresno police force and all the bullshitas he put it. More crooked cops than straight ones was his constant complaint and he couldnt help but jump at the chance of a new location. She had told him some stories of Neptune, and it was probably her fault for making it sound more ideal than it really was.

A week after she packed all their things and threw away her dreams Lianne pulled to a stop in front of their new house. Neptune. Home. A unexplainable rush went through her and suddenly she felt giddy about it again. Something about this place always sent a chill down her spine, shocks through her fingers. She could never decided if she liked it or not. But she knew one thing. She like the dangerous feel of it.



She had been in a store when caught a glimpse of Celeste, looking positively annoyed with the saleswoman. She had to do a double-take to be certain that it was the same pointy-face peaking over the top of a clothing rack. She wasnt really a fan of Celeste, not now and definitely not then. But it wasnt until Lianne had rounded said clothing rack that she truly hated her. With a large protruding stomach it was hard to deny that she and Jake were expecting a baby.

Lianne halted in her tracks and made a quick exit even as she felt Celestes glare hit her back. She had gone in there for a reason, looking for a dress for her mothers funeral and now she would have to wait. She didnt exactly have a lot of time, but there was no way she was going to make small talk with Celeste. Not while shed rather kill herself with one of the ice daggers that woman would certainly be throwing at her with her eyes. Celeste had already seen her, been alerted to her presence in Neptune and that would be enough.

Then another realization hit her. If Celeste was here, so was Jake. Even if they didnt live here, there was no way that Jake would let his heavily pregnant wife travel on her own. Lianne tried to calculate how far along Celeste must be. It had to be at least six or seven months, but really there was no real way of knowing unless she spoke to either her or Jake. And there was no way in hell she was going to submit herself to a conversation with that woman. She quickly found a phonebook beneath a broken payphone and looked him up. He was living in the 90909 district now and she wondered briefly what he had made his millions on. Didnt matter, she decided as she ripped the page out and rushed to her car. She sped out of the mall parking lot and briefly thought that she might get pulled over before realizing that if she was it would be her husband doing it.

Slamming through her front door she dialed the number on the sheet of paper she held in her shaking hands. He answered on the fourth ring, sounding out of breath and tense. His voice relaxed when he heard hers, offering condolences for her mothers death. Instead of an awkward and stilted conversation over the phone she opted for one face to face. They made an arrangement to meet for coffee and catch up, two days after her mothers funeral. Three days from now. Sunday. She smiled as she placed the phone back in its cradle, and grinned as she got back in her car and drove to the mall. She sang along with the radio in the car and hummed along to it inside the stores. It wasnt until she spotted the black dresses that she started to mourn again. A silver lining. Thats what Celestes presence had been today.

Then funeral had been quiet. She had cried and Keith had held her hand tightly before she had pulled it away. Keith wasnt who she needed right now, he hadnt known her mother. He didnt understand that now, in the middle of October, all Lianne could think of was the fact that in a month shed be having her first Thanksgiving without her mother. And soon after that her first Christmas without her as well. That there wasnt going to be anyone to call and complain to if her dinner hadnt turned out. He simply helped her into the bedroom after everyone had left and tucked her into bed, kissing her on the forehead.

He said nothing when she left to go shopping early the next morning. Didnt protest when she hadnt made it home in time to make dinner, simply muttered about picking up some Chinese food. When she insisted that it was okay for him to work the next afternoon he simply thought she needed time to herself. He kissed cheek goodbye as he patted her hair, reminding her that if she needed him to call the station. She nodded and sent him on his way, returning to her bedroom to change into the new outfit she had bought.



Jake must have been nervous, because she arrived fifteen minutes early to find him waiting for her already. So much for her prep time. He stood to greet her, enveloping her in a tight hug before she could protest. She squeezed back and the embrace went on a bit longer than they both obviously intended for it to go.



She settled herself into the chair across from Jakes even though she really wanted to sit next to him, up close.

How are you? Jake asked, his eyes flitting nervously over her. Her hair was still just as golden blonde as it had ever been, the hair he had practically worshipped as a teenager. Her eyes still deep and dark, giving away all her emotions. She still hadnt looked him in the eye though.

Right now Im doing better. Its good to see you Jake. She paused. You dont know how good. Her eyes darted up to meet his for a moment before glancing away. A second later they were back to his and held.

Its good to see you too. He replied, his voice thankfully not catching on the lump in his throat. He made the first move. His hand snaking out to cover hers on the table, his breath catching when she didnt pull it away.

Lianne looked down at his hand covering hers, settled between her water glass and the edge. it looked older and tan in comparison to the paler tone of her own skin. She smiled a little at the warmth before looking back up.

Ive missed you. He hadnt meant for it to slip out, especially not this early in the conversation. But it was out there and he was unable to take it back. The startled look on her face almost made him wish he could reach out and catch the words, shove them back in. But the combination of hope and joy in her eyes urged him to continue. So much.

Ive missed you too, every single day. Liannes voice was barely above a whisper and her focus had moved back to their hands. She pulled back a little and felt his grip tighten a little before it loosened again. Instead of pulling away completely she threaded her fingers through his until their palms were pressed together. His hand tightened again, but this time not in the fear of losing contact.

Come on, Jake whispered, sliding out of his chair and pulling her from hers. They stood there for a moment, staring at each other, hand entwined awkwardly between them. He let go of her for a moment before changing his grip and its angle, then tugged her towards the door. They hadnt even ordered the coffee they had come to drink.

Sliding into the passenger side of his car she watched him hurry to the drivers side door. In the seconds it took him to get there reality began to sink in. What she was doing. What she was about to do. She wasnt stupid, she knew where they were going and what they were going to do there. But his door opened and he slid in beside her, smiling and clutching at her hand.

The trip to the hotel was silent but not awkward as she wouldve thought. Shed always wondered how people got themselves into affairs. What sequence of events had to take place to get them alone together and in bed. After this shed never have to wonder. Shed never doubt the phrase it just happened again. Because these things apparently do just happen. After all, she hadnt planned on doing this when she went to see him. She figured that he would be a comfort her husband failed to be.

Oh god, her husband. And his wife. Keith would be devastated by this if he ever found out. Celeste would throw a fit. She would probably scream and throw things, breaking vases and picture frames like the clich wife. Lianne supposed she should feel guilty about this, but she didnt. This was the way she should have been.

That letter broke my heart you know. Jake said, starring straight ahead. They had parked in front of the Neptune Grand a few minutes ago, but neither had made a move to exit the car.

It broke mine too. Lianne replied, moving her focus from the dash to his profile. She bit her bottom lip as she waited for him to turn to her. When he finally did she had tears running down her face.

I love you, he whispered as he cupped her face, rubbing the tears away with his thumbs. Leaning forward he chastely pressed his lips against hers for the first time in almost seven years. He pulled away from her to stare into her eyes. Never stopped.

Me either. It wasnt a whisper this time, and her eyes flitted away from his and too the front of the hotel.

Ill go in, and get us a room. You wait in the car and well drive around to the side. Jake made the move to leave before she grabbed his sleeve. His plan was too risky, the two of them walking up there together. Shed been gone for over half the decade but she still had friends here and so did he. Theyd be recognized and people would know.

How about you come out to get your briefcase after you get the room. Ill stay in the car until you come out, you tell me the room number. Ill got to the bar and then meet you up there in about 15 minutes? Lianne suggested, her heart thudding at how quickly the plan had come to her, how easy this was for her.

He nodded his agreement, looking in the backseat to make sure he had actually had a briefcase. Sliding out of the car his hand slowly detached from hers, her hand dropping to the center console as contact was lost and his door slammed shut.

I need a room, just for the night. He said, walking up to the desk, pulling out his wallet. He probably should have cash for this, a credit card was traceable. It would show up on the statement and Celeste would wonder what he had been doing there. Especially so soon after her tantrum that Lianne was back in town. Shed know something was up. Shed been angry with him for a good 72 hours now, complaining how Lianne would never be out of their lives. Throwing that damn letter in his face again, the way she had been since she found it. Her name hadnt been signed at the bottom, but Celeste had known it was from Lianne when she pulled it from his nightstand drawer.

A key was slid across the counter to him, shiny and silver, with the number 412 engraved on the top. Sentimentality washed over him and he tried to find a way it could be significant to them, a tie to their past. The only thing he could come up with is if you added all the numbers together youd get seven, the number of years theyd been apart.

Jake was back at the car, opening the rear door and saying the room number clearly so she wouldnt mistake it for another room. Shutting the door just as quickly he tossed the keys to the valet and disappeared through the glass doors of the hotel.

Lianne slid out of the car and made her way to the hotel bar. She ordered a glass of wine, Chardonnay. She sipped on it while starring at the clock, shed go up in a few minutes and officially be an adulterer. Or she could use the house phone to call up and tell Jake that she couldnt.

She slid off the stool, leaving her glass behind, and made her way to the elevators. No going back, not now, not ever. She was in this and it had been too long since she touched him.

One knock on the door and its all it took. Wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her lips to his and she was gone. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kicked the door shut behind them.



Two months later and it was almost Christmas. Jake had told her he had a gift for her, that she would get it the next time they met. They met once a week for the first three weeks, but as they got more comfortable in the situation they got more daring. The frequency of the trysts grew as November wore on. But with Christmas just three days away they came to a screeching halt. For the past three weeks they had been meeting no less than four times a week and last week they had met every day except for Tuesday. Celeste had had a doctors appointment. She was due soon and Jake promised that as soon as the baby was born and Celeste was recovered he would leave her. They werent happy together and things had been worse since the pregnancy started.

So with their last meeting until after Christmas Lianne prepared longer, taking special care with her hair and make-up. Keith had left an hour ago for his shift. He hadnt seemed to notice anything was different, but their timing had been perfect when they started this. He thought she was still in mourning and she did nothing to correct him. They had only been together once since her mothers funeral and he hadnt questioned her on it.

When she arrived at the hotel Jake had a small gift-wrapped box sitting on the small dining table. But it would have to wait until after their usual activities.

They moved quickly tonight. Forgetting to put the lock on, the do not disturb on the door and on the phone. And the box of condoms lay unopened on the table beside the bed.

She didnt worry, just moved onto her gift while they waited for room service. Snuggling into the white terrycloth robe she tore into the shiny red paper. From the black velvet box she extracted a pair of round diamond earrings in a silver setting. She kissed him and thanked him profusely.

They moved slower this time, but still managed to forget the protection sitting on the table next to her gift.



Lianne drove calmly to the hotel. It was almost the end of January and Jake had called her two days ago to cancel due to the fact that his wife had given birth. He called this morning to reschedule, one more tryst before his wife and child were released from the hospital and he no longer had as much free time. But soon she wouldnt either.

She was pregnant.

And god help her she couldnt definitively say who the father was. She had been with Jake for nearly four months now, but they had always been careful except for right before Christmas when in their passion had forgotten. Their time before had ended with him assuring her his marriage was over and her excitement had carried over into the next time. They had been stupid.

And she had been with Keith once before that and then again on Christmas. An even dumber move that she would now have to explain to her lover.

She knocked on the door. 412. Always the same. She wasnt sure but she had a feeling that Jake had some sort of deal with management. She knew he had gotten a new credit card, and the statements were sent to his office. A credit card that Celeste knew nothing about. An account that listed Lianne as the secondary and had sent him a copy with her name on it. It had been tucked neatly in her wallet until yesterday, when she learned she was pregnant. Now she prepared to return it to him, along with the earrings he had gotten her for Christmas and the matching necklace he had presented her with a week later.

The door swung open to reveal a grinning Jake. A grin that didnt falter at the solemn look on her own face. Instead he began to prattle on about his daughter, Lillian. Apparently she was beautiful and Lianne would love her. So far the child was blonde and blue eyed and if it stayed that way shed look a little like Lianne. So when Lilly was staying with them people wouldnt wonder. Wouldnt ask.

As he chattered on about the baby Liannes stomach dropped, and for a moment she thought there would be another bout of morning sickness. But when the nausea didnt kick in she realized it was from what she was about to say.

Jake. She said, her voice low and weak. He continued on though, he didnt hear her. She cleared her throat and spoke louder, stronger. Jake.

He stopped, his hands froze in mid-gesture. Yeah baby?

She swallowed. She hated that he was calling her baby now, hated how it made her want to melt. Made her want to change her mind.

We cant do this anymore. She insisted, surprised her voice hadnt cracked over the emotions threatening to choke her.

What are you talking about? Jake asked, confusion evident both in his voice and on his face. Its only a little while longer. Until Lilly is more than two days old.

Lianne side-stepped Jakes out-stretched arms. She wouldnt look at him, couldnt look him in the face for the next part. Knew the hurt she would see there would gut her as she gutted him.

Im six weeks pregnant. She said in the same low, weak voice she had used earlier. She couldnt help it, she chanced a look at his face.

He looked happy. Joyous even.

Were going to have a baby? He asked, but before she could respond he continued. Ill have to start divorce proceedings sooner, and so will you. Well work something out to get partial custody of Lilly, and shell have a little brother or sister closer to her age than I had originally thought. But

No Jake, Lianne interrupted, her voice strong and full of sorrow. I cant. Because theres no guarantee she trailed off, hoping he would catch on to what she was saying.

Ill leave her Lianne. I thought for a moment that I might stay with her because of the baby. But I want to be with you, and if its a choice between you and our baby and her and Lilly I choose you and the baby. Ill get custody of Lilly, joint for sure, but Ill file for full. Itll work out.

It might not be yours Jake. This was the part she had dreaded. Actually telling him that she had cheated on him. In truth she had been cheating on Keith with him. But in her heart it hadnt felt that way until now. Now she felt the guilt of her betrayal. It might be Keiths baby.

Jakes face fell and his knees shook. He had to sit, and when he did he almost missed the chair behind him. Lianne still stood nervously by the door, looking like she was ready to flee at a moments notice. She hadnt even taken off her coat. That should have been his first clue.

You slept with him. He didnt throw it out like an accusation, shed already admitted as much. This was just him stating a fact.

Hes my husband. And thats all there was to it. Lianne slid the credit card onto the hotel room desk. Beside it she placed the necklace and earrings he had gotten for her. He didnt want them back, any of it.

Keep them. He stood and crossed the room in three long strides. Scooping the jewelry up and placing them back in her hands. His hands came up to cup her face, his thumbs gently rubbing the tears from her cheeks. Slowly he leaned down and pressed a chaste to her lips.

This breaks my heart more than any letter ever could. He whispers as he backs away from her and picks up her abandoned credit card, never breaking eye contact with her. Finally he turns and walks out of the hotel room. He stoically leaves her, riding the elevator and leaving the hotel before he change his mind and beg her to still be with him. Before he begs her to take the chance that it might be his baby.

Lianne sits on the bed for nearly a half an hour after he leaves, staring into space, hand resting on her stomach. Before she leaves she glances around the room one last time. They wont be returning to the room again and with all the time they had spent in it she had grown rather fond of the dcor. She lets the door close softly behind her and she takes the elevator down to the lobby. She makes her way numbly across, ignoring the people at the front desk and the bell boy. They all knew her. Not her real name, but they had seen her enough to recognize her. Shes sure they all knew what she was doing here.

It takes her until shes in her car to break down.

She tells Keith later that night, when he gets home early from his shift. He looks happy enough but theres something in his thats different. A look that tells her that he knows. Knows she hasnt been faithful and that the baby may not be his. A look that tells her that he trusts her to have ended things with the other man over this.

It isnt until well after dinner that he finally says something about it though. And its indirect, and subtle enough for her to not have to question it or make any excuses or explanations.

I heard that Jake Kanes wife had a baby girl a couple days ago. A mans got to be happy with that, a good wife and healthy little girl. Keith says it almost out of the blue. If it werent for the fact that he just found out that she was pregnant it would be almost be like he was calling her on it. That he was actually bringing up her affair. But the look in his eyes says he doesnt want confirmation that theyre having and affair. Just confirmation that its over.

Good for him. I hope theyll be happy together, the three of them. Is her only reply before she excuses herself to go shower. After she steps under the spray her faade breaks and the happy mask shed been wearing since she gave the news cracks. The tears come hard and fast, disappearing into the water.



Shes six and a half months along when she hears the news. Celeste Kane, pregnant again. Lilly is barely five months and theyre already expecting again. It seems that Jake back to his marriage quickly.

She had only seen him once since they ended their affair. They had passed each other at the post office. She had been sending Adrianna a letter and had dropped her bag. When she looked up he had been frozen in the post office doorway, staring at her. He hadnt come in. Instead he had gone out and sat in his truck until she was finished and in her own vehicle.



She had a fairly easy birth, without a prolonged labor. Keith had coached her, squeezed her hand and encouraged her.

She had cursed his name and threatened him, taking the time to glare at him in between the doctors shouts for her to push. She threatened violence to the overly perky nurse who seemed more excited than either she or Keith. Baby thief had crossed her mind more than once. At one point she had told Keith to keep an eye on her.

Veronica Lynn, named for her grandmothers, was tiny. She had a mall tuft of blonde hair on the top of her head and seemed to already have a good disposition. After crying for a bit at the beginning she had settled down and sleepily cuddled up to her fathers chest.

Her father. Keith would be the only father Veronica ever knew. Lianne had long ago decided against a paternity test. There was no way she could take this away from Keith. She had seen how excited he was throughout the pregnancy. How in love with his daughter he already was. Veronica already had him wrapped around her tiny little finger and all she had done was sleep.

As Keith began to speak to the baby and cuddle her closer into his arms Lianne reached up to fiddle with her necklace. The diamond pendant rolled between her fingers. Jake had Lilly and another baby on the way, Keith could have this one.

Whether it was his or not.



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Title: Symmetry 3b: When Its All Unraveling

Pairings/Characters: Lianne/Jake, Lianne/Keith, Jake/Celeste (eventually: Logan/Lilly, Duncan/Veronica, Logan/Veronica)

Word Count: 3,167 (2,916 without lyrics)

Rating: PG-13 (for mention of sexual situations, adultery, alcoholism, and character death)

Spoilers/Warnings: Everything to 3.17 (Debasement Tapes), especially Season 1
Pre-Series

Disclaimer: None of its mine, and if it was it would all be going different right now. So dont sue, because I have nothing and itd be a waste of both our time. The Song is In the End by Linkin Park

A/N: This was getting kind of long and I thought that it could be split into 2 parts, but I didnt want to make it two chapters so





Lianne drove to the beach and parked her car. She got out and settled in on the hood of the car. She was supposed to pick up Veronica from her pep squad thing, made sure to meet Jake early enough as to not be late. And here she was, getting later by the minute and not caring. She hadnt slept with Jake since just before Lilly was born but he still affected her. Dammit. She had gone there to make a point, but all she did was get them caught by his wife. Celeste probably thought that they were starting up their affair again or worse, never ended it.

It had been hours, the sun had set and she knew that Veronica had either walked to the station or Lilly had taken her home. Lianne had abandoned her daughter for the afternoon. She slid off the car and back into the drivers seat, and started home.



She had only been home a few minutes when a squad car pulled in front of the house. The lights were going. Lianne squinted through the glare of the lights and the sheerness of the curtains to see Veronica climb out of the front passenger side door. Deputy Lamb got out and made sure she made it into the house. No doubt following Keiths orders.

Veronica was sobbing when she came through the front door, and it took a moment for Lianne to realize the loud bang was the sound of her dropping to the floor. She rounded the corner of the foyer to find her daughter crying hysterically on the tiled floor.

It took Lianne ten minutes to coax Veronica into standing up and walking to her bedroom. She laid on her bed and continued to cry silently, offering no explanation for her current state. She just lay there, curling into a ball until she was in the fetal position, her low sobs echoing around her.

Then Veronicas phone began to ring. Consistently.

The machine picked up.

Veronica? Its me, Ashley, I just heard on the radio that something happened to Lilly. Do you know anything about it? Call me.

Veronica, its Caitlyn. My dad just told me that something happened at the Kane house, something about Lilly and an incident. What the hell is going on? Call me back.

Veronica? Its Lynn Echolls. Logan just heard the news about Lilly. Hes left and I dont think he went to the Kane house. If hes there will you have him call home? He left very quickly and Im afraid hell wreck.

Lianne could hear the clink of ice in a glass in the background, the pouring of liquid. It seemed that Lynn would be getting an early start on her weekend blitz. So much for being worried about her son. Shell probably be drunk and passed out by time anything turns up on Logans whereabouts.

There was a stuttered and hesitant knock on the front door. She didnt want to leave her daughter here alone, but if it was Logan he could offer more comfort. He knew what had happened.

Lianne swung the door open as Logans slumping form started to turn away from the door. He looked up to her with wide, scared eyes. Tear tracks making their way down his cheeks.

Logan? She greeted him questioningly, hoping to get some answers.

Is Veronica home? Does she know? Logans voice was hoarse and cracked, like his sobbing had been uncontrollable like Veronicas.

Shes in her room. You can

Logan pushed past her without waiting for her permission to go on in, muttering a thanks as he disappeared into Veronicas room.

Lianne stood and listened at the doorway.

Logan? Veronicas voice had that same harsh quality to as Logans had. She sounded so broken. There was a creak of the bed as Logan sat down, then the crying started back up again full force.

Lianne peeked in to find the two teenagers wrapped in each others arm, lying on the bed sobbing.

Something was definitely very wrong.



It was an hour and a half before she finally got to speak with Keith. She had called the office at least a dozen times. But he was the one who called her this time.

Keith, what happened? Veronicas upstairs sobbing after being dropped off by Don and Logan showed up a little while later. Now theyre both up there crying and I had to unplug Veronicas phone because I swear everyone in her class has called. Lianne didnt even greet her husband, simply launching in the spiel shed gone over and over in her head each time she had dialed the station.

Hasnt Veronica said anything to you? Keiths voice was full of confusion and concern.

No. I couldnt get her to stop crying long enough. Then all those kids from school called and left messages. Something about Lilly? Whats going on? Lianne was starting to get irritated. Why wouldnt anyone tell her anything?

Lianne. Lilly Kane was murdered this afternoon. They found her by the pool. Keiths voice was like stone as he relayed the message.

She felt the phone slip through her fingertips and heard the Oh my God she yelled out at the news. But it didnt feel like it was her, it felt like it was someone else. Lilly had been murdered by the pool in her backyard that afternoon. Murdered. Her daughters best friend had been murdered.

The phone broke apart at her feet as she realized something else with horrifying clarity

Lilly had been murdered that afternoon. She had been alone because Lianne had called her father to the Grand and her mother had followed. They hadnt been home as a result to the meeting Lianne had insisted upon.

Lillys death was Liannes fault.



Lianne sat comfortably on the bar stool. Eight days. It had been eight days since the murder, and yesterday had been Lillys funeral. A big spectacle with cameras and paparazzi and people intruding on others grief.

Two more days. Thats all they had left. Two more days for Veronica to be a regular teenagers and two days for Lianne to enjoy a little time with her friends. Two days before Keith brought all of their worlds crashing down around them.

He was going to accuse Jake.

Lianne stared at the shot of vodka in front of her. Crystal clear and tempting as hell. Her fingers wrapped around the small glass as the guilt gripped her. She threw her head back as she took the shot, slamming the shot glass back down and scooting it closer to the bartender. It was her fifth shot and she had worked on two beers before that. But the alcohol wasnt numbing her to anything this time. Instead it just made her a drunken mess.

Theyd call her husband soon. Theyd call and if she was lucky hed send another deputy to pick her up and take her home. She hated they way he looked at her with those judgmental eyes.

The eyes that shed seen the truth in over the past sixteen years, the eyes that judged her for Jake. The eyes that would judge her for taking another shot like the one sitting in front of her right now. Like the one that she was picking up and letting slip down her throat right now.

Veronica was home right now, still devastated over her best friends death. Still reeling from the funeral yesterday. Logan had stayed the night Friday and had barely left her side since then. Neither he nor Veronica could get through to the Kanes to speak with Duncan.

Lianne sat inconspicuously at the bar as a several women came in, taking up space at a booth.

Have you heard anything about whether or not theyve done anything about that Kane murder? A brunette womans voice carried above the sound of the jukebox, already loud and slurred.

Nothing yet. But I heard that Sheriff Mars has a suspect, theyre having a press conference on Friday. The paper is sending Joe, even though hes been trying to get a quote from Mars since Saturday. Lianne recognized this brunette, shed run into her at many of the Department fundraisers. She always came with her husband, who always did the articles for the paper.

Lianne nearly fell off her stool as she got down, stumbling into the bathroom. Once there she locked the door and leaned against it, taking a moment to try and regain her composure.

She moved to stand in front of the mirror, staring at her haggard looking reflection. She hadnt been sleeping well, not since they night Lilly was murdered. Not since Lianne realized that she had officially ruined everyones lives. After sixteen years of not letting it ruin her daughters life, her affair finally did.

Veronica had lost her best friend, and possibly her sister, and soon she would lose everything else as well.

Lianne knew that the rest of Neptunes elite wouldnt stand for Keith accusing their beloved Jake Kane of murdering his precious daughter. In her death Lilly had been romanticized, and it hadnt even been a full week. But shed gone from hellion and out of control girl with too much time and money, to a sweet and enthusiastic girl. To a innocent teenager that was brutally murdered for no reason.

She splashed some cold water on her face and left the restroom. Keith would be home from work soon and it wouldnt do well for him to find Veronica alone.



It happened Friday. One week from the day Jakes daughter was murdered he was publicly accused of it.

He had known it was coming. Keith had told Lianne on Wednesday what he thought of it. Had actually given her the chance to play the alibi. But the phone call from Jake Monday night, before the funeral, had convinced her not to try and save him. He had convinced her not to.

Keith had told Jake Thursday that he was announcing that he thought Jake had something to do with Lillys murder at Fridays press conference. Jake took that opportunity to prepare himself she supposed. Because after Keiths announcement inside the city building Jake had made an announcement himself outside on the steps.

He told the world that he missed his baby, his daughter who had been attacked and killed by someone last Friday. That he loved her and wanted nothing more to find her killer. He didnt know where Sheriff Mars got the idea that hed been involved, but instead of looking at him he should be out looking for the real killer.

It was over now. Keith had pointed the finger at Jake and the rest of the town would react accordingly.



It had taken two hours before Lianne saw proof of the damage that had been done. Logan Echolls showed up on the doorstep again. This time he didnt look scared and grief stricken. This time he was angry and looked ready to blow.

Veronica answered the door this time and stepped out onto the porch. Lianne could hear her daughter trying to calm him down.

Logan, just calm down. Veronicas voice pleaded.

What is wrong with you? With him? Dont you know what this is doing to Duncan? To Jake? There was no mention of Celeste. None of the kids cared about Celeste, and Lianne guiltily felt a twinge of satisfaction.

I dont know why, but my dad had to have a reason for doing it. For thinking it was Mr. Kane. Veronicas voice was desperate, and a little scared.

So thats it then? Youve chosen. It was all Logan said before walking away to his SUV. Lianne wondered what this would mean. What choosing her father over her friends was going to do to her.



A little over two weeks later Keith had been ousted as Sheriff. Boxes of his things sat in the hallway, unpacked. There wasnt a reason to unpack them, theyd be moving soon anyway. They couldnt afford the house with the loss of Keiths job and he had already started looking for apartments.

Lianne tried to convince him to leave. Veronica was miserable, came home crying most days. Her friends had not only turned their backs on her, but theyd taken it upon themselves to torture her. And leading the pack was none other than Logan Echolls, who seemed hell bent on destroying her as some misplaced sense of loyalty. Logan had always been loyal to Duncan, taking his side in everything and this was just one more example. Starting the war against Veronica was his way of proving his loyalty, his way of showing that the ruling class was just that. The ruling class.

They fought constantly. Keith didnt want to turn and run away with his tail tucked between his legs. He knew that Jake was hiding something. So was Celeste. Their stories hadnt matched up at the time of interrogation, but they had supposedly been together.

She didnt want to stay here in Neptune. Shed always loved it here, but now it had become a war zone. There was a war between the classes. The working class and the reigning class, the poor and the wealthy. Those who lived in the 09er zip code and those who worked in it. And the Mars family was on the wrong side. They had no money and no status anymore. With the loss of Keiths job both her and Veronica had lost everything. Their places in society, the thing they could hold over everyone.

Theyd lost everything.



It wasnt until the end of October that Keiths humiliation was complete. They had been in the middle of a fight, yelling at each other while Lianne packed boxes. And Veronica sat in the background watching television and tears in her eyes.

When the news came on announcing that theyd found the killer. Abel Koontz. A former employee with a grudge against Jake and his billions. Disgruntled and crazy he had bludgeoned the first born of one of the worlds richest men in a twisted form of revenge.

Relief washed over Lianne. They had caught the killer and Keith would finally let this go. But he didnt. He still insisted that there was something off about Jakes story. About the whole thing. An anonymous tip, and no one ever picking up the reward money for it. It just started more fights, no matter how many times both of them assured Veronica that theyd work it out.

They moved into the new apartment the day after the Abel Koontz announcement. It was a new place for them, but the apartment was old and run down. It was worse than the first apartment that Keith and Lianne shared when they got married. In the years when they didnt have any money and Keith was just a rookie cop. They had less money now than when they were first starting out.



It was the middle of November when she got the first package. A slim manila envelope with no markings, no address on it. Nothing but her name neatly typed on a white label. It was in the mailbox when she got home from the grocery store. She had gotten two bills and the envelope.

She opened the bills first, hesitant to even touch the ominous package. It was something bad, she knew it. Nothing good came in things like this.

After staring at the envelope for what seemed like an hour she finally undid the flap and pulled out a picture. A picture blown up into an 8X10 photo that showed her daughter in her car, talking on her cell phone. Another behind it showed Veronica sitting at a counter talking to someone. Her face looked distressed and if Lianne had to venture a guess she would say it was taken at school while a classmate ridiculed her. Both photos had the crosshairs of a rifle scope drawn over Veronicas head.

It was a message and a threat.



It was another week before Lianne got another set of photos. One with Veronica leaving her therapists office. And one with her in the school hallway, a book fair banner behind her. The same crosshairs were superimposed over her head. It was the same message and the same threat. This time it came with a note. The word leave was typed out. It was all she needed.

She took the photos to the bank and got a safety deposit box. She placed them safely inside and headed to the school. Getting Veronica out of class had been easy, getting Veronica to leave had been harder.

The drove up to her sisters for the weekend, Veronica skipping Friday in order to spend all three days in Palm Springs with Sheryl. She had complained about missing a History test and a Spanish project on Thursday and skipping a Math test of Friday. But Lianne had ignored her, telling her she was excused and she could make it up on Monday. It was just a little more time to prepare.

When they returned on Sunday Veronica had gone to bed. Lianne had snuck in and placed the unicorn music box on her dresser before picking up the suitcases shed packed on Thursday morning.

Adrianna had agreed to let her stay. It would only be for a little while. Keith would be looking for her and with him just passing his detectives test he would have the resources to find her. But he couldnt.

She needed to disappear.



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A/N: This is the last of the Jake and Lianne chapters