Sorry folks! There was an issue with the previous version of this chapter. I have since repaired it. Thank you for all your support and comment, they're all very much appreciated, enjoy!

P.S If you're disappointed by the way this chapter ends, the final scene isn't over so don't worry.

Veronica lumbered into the apartment. She fought to pull the warped door back over the thickly-layered carpet.

'How are Julius and Vincent doing?'

'We're struggling to decide between Arthur and Ben 10,' Logan shrugged.

'Well,' She set her bag down in the 70s crushed velvet armchair, 'Hunter, you should probably go brush your teeth and put your pajamas on before Mom gets home. Then you and Logan can watch whatever you want. Go crazy,'

Hunter looked from Veronica to the remote carefully. Weighing the possibilities. He picked up the remote and turned it over in his hand.

This kid is more calculated than we give him credit.

'Oh okay…' He huffed, before running down the hallway at break-neck speed, a gust of wind blowing through the foyer as he left.

She looked at Logan, who was comfortably planted on the sofa, a serene smile enveloping his mouth. It wasn't leaving any time soon. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen him that content. Like perfection was in reach. As if everything he wanted now surrounded him, showering him in a pure glow that reached from head to toe. Either it was his newfound friendship or the words she said on the way over there. Maybe both.

He looks the Cheshire cat.

'You do such a good Raising Helen,' He mused, patting the thread-bare couch cushion beside him.

'I try, I do,' She fell in next to him.

'We chatted…' He added triumphantly.

'Oh?'

He searched her face meticulously for a second.

Oh no, he's been watching Lie to Me again. That or practicing for the polygraph.

She kept her eyes fixed, her mouth close, after a twitch his smile didn't waver.

Safely under the radar.

With that she fell further back into his side.

'Yeah, you know, he wanted to know if his mom will be doing the 'Jail House Rock,'

'What did you tell him?' She kept her eyes on the TV, a tightly clad broad was tumbling along a sidewalk in what looked like New Jersey, flicking her hair extensions back of her shoulder as she flailed.

Veronica stretched her legs and lounged lazily across the sofa.

'I-' He breathed, 'I told him that it wasn't his fault and that we'd make sure he'd be safe,'

She grabbed his arm from where it hung over the back of the lounge, looped her fingers through and drew both their hands to her chest, feeling the electric warmth of his palm.

'I need you,' She mumbled, so quietly it was barely audible.

He drew his lips to her ear, his chin resting on her shoulder, she could feel herself grow ticklish 'I am right here.'

'I'm here!' Hunter proclaimed, re-entering the room.

'Hey dude, nice PJs,' Veronica approved.

He was dressed in long, Lego Starwars pajamas, a pillow shaped like the Batman insignia cradled under his arm, his tangled hair hiding one eye.

Hunter nodded sheepishly, 'What are we gonna watch?'

Veronica yawned.

How about the inside of our eyelids?

'How about Ninja Turtles?' Logan reached for the remote and changed the channel.

'Yeah!'

After a moment, Hunter's expression dropped, having noticed how close they were on the couch. He shifted awkwardly, moving his cushion from hand to hand.

'Hunter, do you want to sit with us?'

The little boy looked from the dilapidated looking armchair to the sofa and back again.

'Okay,'

She sat up straighter and drew her legs back down to the floor, leaving enough room for Hunter to slot in, he offered her an appreciative smile as he sat down. Logan ran his hand playfully along her knee. Meanwhile Hunter adjusted his cushion and sleepily let himself be drawn into the TV.

'Can't believe we've only just met,' She raised her chin to look at Logan.

'And look at the glowing impression you're already making,' He gestured to her little brother, whose eyes were already fluttered open and closed, his little hand reaching for hers across the cushioned divide. She took it, surprising herself.

What was it that Astrid Lindgren said? "Give the children love, more love and still more love."

The door jutted open and in dawdled Lianne, Keith followed closely carrying the McDonald's tray.

'Desserts up!' Keith announced.

'Shh!' Veronica hissed, peering down at the slumbering youngster, she shifted away from Logan instantaneously.

'Oh, sorry,' Keith gritted his teeth, before handing the tray to Lianne and swiftly made his way over to the lounge, arms outstretched.

'I can do it, Mr M-'

'Keith' He smiled reassuringly, 'You sure?'

'Yeah, I'll do it,' Logan got off from the couch, bent down and cradled the sleeping boy in his arms, his hands now resting around Logan's neck, his shaggy head on the man's chest.

'His bedroom is just down here,' Lianne shepherded Logan down the hall.

"Your icecream?' Keith trailed back over to the kitchenette, pried Veronica's container from the cardboard rack and offered it to her.

'Thanks Pops.'

Logan emerged first and contentedly made his way back to Veronica's side. She licked away some strawberry sauce from her lip. He observed her flirtatiously.

'I guess I'll put his dessert in the freezer,' Lianne yawned squinting.

'So Lianne,' Keith started, gulping back a lump of caramel sundae, 'Do you want to go over this now?'

She wandered back to the door mechanically. A sea of forced limbs and functions all predetermined. She pulled the security chain across the door and shut the blinds.

'Yes, Keith,' Her face was taut and grey, her hair wiry, her frame too thin.

Talk about Sleepless in S-Neptune.

'I am just going to ask you some simple questions first,' He reassured her as he leant against the countertop.

'Okay…'

'When were you born?'

'June 18th, 1962,' Her voice was monotonous, stricken with insomnia.

Veronica peered at Logan, who shared the same concerned look, it became evident that he felt like he was half-intruding. Like the exchange should be done elsewhere.

'How long had you-'

'Ron Fox?' Veronica cut in.

'What is it, honey?'

'Logan and I are going to go, we've got plans and it's getting late, so…' She moved over to where her mother stood and pushed her into an unexpected hug, 'We'll see each other soon,'

'Thank you for tonight, Veronica-and Logan,' Lianne turned on the electric kettle and offered a genuine, yet brittle smile.

'It's fine, Mom,'

'Make sure you get someone to look at that roof leak,' Logan reminded her.

'Ah! Yes, I totally forgot, this place is a money pit,' She surveyed the crammed apartment and sighed.

They talk renovations now?

'Anyway, Mom, I'll see you next week,'

'See you then,' She directed them back to the front door, unlatched it quickly and gave a final wave.

Trekking down the steps of the dingy apartment block, Logan took Veronica's hand in his, in less than a minute they were standing beside the BMW.

'I'll drive,' She offered, reaching into his pant pocket to get the keys.

'So that wasn't too bad,' Veronica

'Yeah, your mom only tried to stake me once. You know, she went from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to chirper Strawberry Shortcake in three point five nano-seconds. What was that all about?' He fell back against the headrest.

I told her you knew Cmdr. Harmon Rabb –She's a bin fan,' Veronica added coyly, looking away from the road.

'But seriously folks, that women could make Liam Neeson cry,'

'What can I say she doesn't know her own strength,'

'Are you okay though?' He murmured and from the corner of her eyes she could see him loweing his head. Testing the waters, just in case she turned clam-like and deviated from their conversation, like he was accustomed to.

Define alright?

'Yeah,' She stammered, 'I guess I am just used to Lianne's charm,'

'She…you know, looks like she's struggling,'

'Nothing some mother's little helper wouldn't fix,' She gave a sardonic smile, so forced that at the corner's that he thought it might crack and splinter into a million pieces.

'What did she say?' She could feel him leaning forward, moving in closer, his concern erupting from the inside out.

That she hates you. For no good reason, Logan, but she hates you.

'Veronica?' He waved her from her stupor.

'Nothing, she's just feeling overwhelmed, she's worried about Hunter,'

And she hates you.

'That kid is something,' He chuckled low and hearty.

'Yeah?'

'Yeah, he seems like a good kid, could probably win the spelling bee,'

She delighted in his approval, simpering as she checked her rearview mirror, 'He's really into music,'

'Yeah, he said that you bought him a ukulele and have taken to calling him Mozart?' He ran his hand through his mousy brown hair.

She let the wind lap at her hair, took a deep breath and savored the moment, tucking it away for a rainy day.

'Thanks for tonight,'

'Its fine, Veronica, we're well past the obligation and politeness,'

'You just met the parents,' She sing-songed, half-cringing at the thought.

'Somehow, I doubt your dad has worked for the CIA - In counterintelligence no less,'

'You obviously haven't seen him operate a polygraph machine. You'd be surprised,' She quipped and shook her head in mocking despondence.

The night was covered in low staunch clouds, so thickly layered that moon's usual luminous glow was barely visible, a comfortable breeze sailed in across the Neptune skyline. Just like it did every night. The silence was safe. She could sense him watching her, breathing her in, every moment liberating and a reminder that eventually their days would run out. A bittersweet ticking time bomb. Days number, seconds savored. His dark eyes lifting her veil wordlessly. She didn't need to say anything, she never did, he knew. He'd always known.

She pulled into the driveway.

'Well, tonight was worth it,' He said proudly, just as she shut of the engine.

'Oh yeah?' She reached for her bag and climbed out of the car.

'Seeing Florence Nightingale at work, it just send me all aflutter,' His broad, yet willowy silhouette moved around to her side, slipping his arms around her waist.

She could take him to task on his medical diagnosis later. She kissed him instantly. She could feel the static-like tingling of his skin against hers as they clung to one another. Her mouth moved down to his neck, slowly caressing, taking in his scent. The woody musk of his aftershave, the salty-humid smell of the surf and the slightest hint of leather, each working in tandem against her. Filling her with longing.

They moved towards the front door as Logan fumbled with the key. His eyes were still transfixed on her as his free hand strayed beneath her silk blouse. Fondling her breasts playfully. The door swung open and in one fluid-like spin they moved through the kitchen into the bedroom.