He doesn't need to say it, the look on his face is enough. Negative. The man in front of her is not her father, Veronica's world shatters. All they've got is each other; no father and daughter have a closer relationship than they do. And now it's gone, actually it never was. But that doesn't mean what they have isn't real. Should a piece of paper change the fact that they are the most important people in each other's lives, that they love each other? Can it? Maybe, because Veronica can see already her Dad is looking at her differently. She can't lose him. Her entire life people have come and gone but not her Dad. He's the only one who's been there through it all.
"Daddy?" it's a plea; don't leave me is the request.
"Veronica, I..." neither of them seems able to find the words which just goes to show how serious this situation is, it's not something that happens to the Mars' often. But then she's not really a Mars, is she? It's too much, Veronica can't hold back her tears any longer.
"Honey," her Dad says and the familiar endearment makes her tears flow faster because it feels like all this is slipping away. Veronica doesn't respond because she has no idea what to do. But her Dad does. He wraps his arms around her and it's exactly what she needed. To know he's still here for her. Veronica has no idea how long they stay like that, but they can't stay like this forever. Eventually it will end and what else will end with it? Her thoughts race, confused and fighting to be heard. Veronica hates her mother for this, for what she's done to both of them. But that doesn't matter because her Mum's gone and the damage is done. And if her own mother could leave her with a man who isn't even her father, why will someone who's not even related to her bother to stay? Maybe she's being dramatic, maybe she's being ridiculous but that doesn't mean she isn't scared. She'd do anything to make him stay. And then a thought occurs to her. If he's not her Dad then he's just a man. A man who's holding her tightly, a man she loves, a man she's not willing to let go. Veronica feels him start to pull away, he's leaving and she panics. What happens next isn't the kind of thing you should do with your dad but exactly the kind of thing you should do with a man you love. Veronica only has a second to feel her mouth on his before he reacts.
"Veronica! What are you doing?" her shocked Dad says, pushing her back. She doesn't like the way he's looking at her. God, what if she's pushed him further away?
"I...I don't want you to leave me," she offers in desperate explanation.
"Oh Veronica, I'm not going anywhere," he says pulling her into his arms again. It's a relief to hear but it's not the main thought occupying her mind now; it's the way her lips are still tingling.
AN: I know I'm a sicko but I like it. Surely I can't be the only one who wishes Keithy and V had hooked up?