Prologue
**Setting: Immediately after Season 3**
When Veronica got on the plane to begin her summer internship with the F.B.I., she had no idea how much would change while she was gone. She was so used to being in the center of all the events that connected all those in her life that she never dreamed that all she cared about would move on so dramatically while she was gone. She was so relieved to leave Neptune behind that she never gave much thought to how things would be when she returned. Her dad had won the election in spite of the last minute attack ads and Kane-centric intrigue. She was comfortable leaving him because she knew Cliff would help him get out of the legal tangles erasing that tape for Veronica had caused him. While she was at the airport waiting for her flight, she was even more relieved she was leaving when she caught a news report announcing the return of the Kane Billionaire's fugitive son. The report said that Duncan Kane had returned to the United States with his daughter he had allegedly kidnapped. He was currently in New York being questioned by the F.B.I. The news report was surprising; especially in light of the fact that Meg Manning's parents were shown on either side of him. Meg's mom had Duncan's daughter, Lily, in her arms. Everyone was all smiles.
"One big happy family," Veronica thought cynically. She knew that the Kane money and influence were capable of anything. She also knew that the Manning's own horrific treatment of their youngest daughter that she and Duncan had witnessed put them in a vulnerable position.
"Clarence must have finally gotten the leverage the Kane's needed to force them into their current script," she thought. "Good for Duncan."
She was happy for him. Her life with him seemed like a dream even though it was a little over a year ago. She was just really happy that she could have the summer away from all the drama his return would cause. Returning to Neptune and contacting her would be a priority of Duncan's. She knew this as well as she knew how unprepared she was to deal with him. Filing for the F.B.I. would be just the mindless task she needed. Let the fun begin!
