Hello to all! Thanks for keeping up with this story and for the encouraging reviews. I feel blessed! Here's a little filler before the action starts again. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own it unless it's the prize at the bottom of the Cracker Jacks I'm currently munching on. Fingers crossed.

The days that followed Duncan's visit were weird and unsettling for Veronica. Duncan's advice and the decisions she made that night weighed heavily on her. Honestly, she decided to give her best effort toward making changes in her life. She didn't deny or belittle the difficulty making those changes would be for her. Obviously, she decided to start with things that would be easiest for her. That, of course, would be her Uncle Keith.

As soon as she got up the next morning, Veronica quickly got ready for school so that she could have some time to talk to her uncle. Quickly downing a glass of orange juice, Veronica sent a tentative glance at her uncle who sat at the breakfast nook reading the morning paper.

"Uncle Keith," she said nervously to get his attention.

"Yes, blood of my blood," he answered dropping the paper and looking into his niece's apprehensive eyes."

"I-uhh-I just wanted to say how umm how glad I am that I have you in my life and.."

"Veronica, I'm," Keith interrupted wanting to ease his niece's nerves.

"Please let me finish. I know that I haven't been the easiest person to be around. I've pushed you away so many times, but that was more for my own protection than about you. I didn't want to get close to anyone because I was afraid that if I did, they would be taken from me too. I'm sorry. Uncle Keith, I'd really like it if we could be closer," Veronica almost pleaded with watery eyes.

Keith leapt up from his seat and pulled Veronica into a vice-like hug. "Oh, honey. You don't have anything to be sorry for. You couldn't lose me if you tried. You're my family. Of course, how closed off you were was worrying me but I knew my charm would wear you down soon."

In reality, Keith felt like crying tears of joy over his niece's new perspective. His worry over her had resulted in his doubting his own worth to help his niece and physically, he had the beginnings of an ulcer. Keith mentally sent a thousand thanks to what or who helped Veronica.

"I always was a sucker for a little man with a big personality," she joked.

"Ha! Ha! I'm laughing on the inside of this superior packaging. But seriously, what brought on this Pointer Sisters' new attitude?" he asked.

"Let's just say that someone that I love convinced me of the error of my ways."

After Veronica's conversation with her uncle, Veronica felt even better. Keith urged Veronica to phone her aunt and uncle to talk to them as well. She promised her uncle that she would call as soon as she came home from school that day. With that, she headed out the door and to the campus of Neptune High.

Veronica found that her outlook only carried her so far. Almost immediately, she caught Lilly smirking at her and joking about her with her minions. Maybe she would have to settle for not being mean. Nice, Veronica, and Lilly did not belong in the same group. Ignoring Lilly, she ran over to where Weevil was hanging out by himself. Apparently, the other members of the PCH bike club did not bother with getting to school early. She approached her gruff friend with new enthusiasm giving him a hug and kiss on the cheek.

"Take them happy pills?" Weevil quipped leaning against the wall in a manner that evoked a contemporary James Dean of the Latin persuasion."

"About a whole bottle along with a prescription for tip-toeing through the tulips, sighing over rainbows, and being obsessed with cute, furry puppies."

"Right," Weevil deadpanned instantly recognizing but not questioning the change in Veronica. "As long as I don't lose my smartass friend who doesn't blink at taking down members of the NYC (Neptune Yacht Club), I'll live. Sometimes annoyed by your chipperness, but I'll live."

"Don't worry. I won't go full Pollyanna on you unless you piss me off," promised Veronica.

"Noted."

With that the couple waked into the building with Weevil's arm thrown around Veronica's shoulders and Veronica's arm around Weevil's waist.

Neptune High was shocked. What was up with that Mars girl? She went from almost fading into the walls (with the exception of Lilly's constant 'jokes') to being dare they say it, outgoing. Teachers were pleased that Veronica now answered their questions and even initiated provocative debates in the classroom. Other students were taken back by her kindness.

This especially applied to two student, Wallace and Mac. Both had tried to be friendly to Veronica before only to be rebuffed. Now, Veronica had apologized to them and started making overtures of her own. Mac and Wallace were tied to the 09er crowd, but she could live with it. Wanting to start her new friendships right away, Veronica invited both of them to get something to eat after school. Regrettably, Wallace and Mac could not come because Logan was having a small get together. They invited her to come with them knowing it would not be a problem. Logan had went out of his way to help and prove himself to Veronica, so Wallace and Mac knew he wouldn't be upset with her joining them. Veronica told them no but promised to see them later.

When they invited her to Logan's a rush of queasiness went through Veronica's body. Although she saw Logan several times that day and had he whiplash to prove it (from turning quickly so he wouldn't notice her looking at him), she couldn't bring herself to talk to him. Not yet. Her behavior with him was what she was most sorry for. He didn't deserve it. "Why was it so hard to apologize to him?" Veronica thought but she knew the answer already. It was because she had feelings for him. Apologies were hardest when feelings were involved. This would be no exception.