~~Kane Residence: Saturday Morning~~

The clock ticked to 6:25 am when Jake Kane descended from the stair case and spotted the three teenagers spiralled out on the couch. The three occupants were Logan, Veronica and Duncan. If it were any other parent they would never smile at the scene before them but Jake's lips curved upwards. He was pleased that they were becoming friends again. He knew that the three had undergone emotional trauma that no teenager should. While he was glad that Duncan still had his best friend, his heart ached for Veronica's isolation. It was difficult for him to understand their emotions. Each had changed so much. Veronica had been a sweet, shy and good-natured girl and Duncan exhibited similar qualities. Yet now they were fire and ice. They were the two that never fought and were the peacemakers of their little group yet now it seemed to have reversed. It seemed as though Logan and Lilly were what had kept the two from total destruction. It amazed Jake that Lilly had so much control even in her comatose state, he sighed heavy-heartedly. He longed for his rebellious daughters return; he only wished that he had gotten there sooner. He couldn't change the past but he could take control of the future and he would protect his children no matter what.

A wistful smile settled on his face. The image might not mean much to most but Jake felt that this was a step forward, a step toward Veronica and Duncan accepting their sibling relationship. He wasn't entirely sure about how he felt about the nature of Veronica and Logan's relationship. But he knew that he needed to be more involved in their relationship, Lilly had sprung out of control, and he didn't want the same thing to happen to Veronica. He could only hope that he could get it right this time and that maybe whatever deity that was out there could give him another chance with Lilly and allow her to arise from her unconsciousness.

His eyes flickered close for a second as he said a silent prayer, a second later and he was out the door to Kane Software.

It had been 7:30 am when Celeste appeared with her jogging attire. She took in the sight with a glare; Veronica was a bad influence on her son. Duncan was supposed to be in his bed and asleep in a dignified manner but here he was on the couch, looking rather 'trashed' for a lack of a better word.

Celeste stared at the image of the teens and for a moment let her stone-faced expression disappear as she remembered Lilly. It used to be four teens instead of three recovering from their late night activities.

She knew that Lilly had thought that she had hated her. It had been a regret that had now stung her heart when she thought of it. The truth was that she did love Lilly. She just knew that Lilly needed tough love. She knew that she had to handle both of her children differently. She had to shower Duncan with love and keep him safe from the big bad world, Duncan was special, and he needed protection. She had toughened Lilly up so that Lilly could provide the protection Duncan needed in his life. It may seem selfish but Celeste knew that it was necessary. Duncan needed to be gentle and Lilly needed to be hard. And her decision had all boiled down to one reason; Duncan had epilepsy. So if Duncan saw the world as a bowl of sunshine and candy coated clouds it was for the better but Lilly needed to see the world for what it truly was, a battlefield and she had to protect her brother from the guns and bulldozers that he couldn't see. Celeste knew that Lilly could handle it because she had hardened her daughter by giving her tough love.

Celeste sighed, she wished that she had taken different decisions, perhaps another way to ready her children for the world ahead but she honestly could not think of any other way. Her eyes fluttered to Veronica and Celeste's expression hardened, but it wasn't Veronica that her hatred was aimed at, no, she didn't despise Veronica, not at all, Celeste despised her mother and much to Veronica's misfortune the blonde hair and petite figure had reminded Celeste too much of Lianne Mars. Celeste tried not to think of the woman that ruined her life, Lianne was gone and that was for the best. No matter what happened, one thing was for sure, she would protect Duncan at all costs.

It was 8:03 when Veronica started to stir awake. Her eyes slowly crept open and she cringed at the slight migraine that spun on her. She swallowed as she rubbed her eyes to clear her vision. She felt disorientated, her pillow seemed to be harder than usual and she felt weight on her lap. Her head ached and she felt weight over her shoulder. She looked down and saw Duncan's head was on her lap while his legs dangled in the air and he drooled on her skirt. She swallowed, if this was Duncan then beside her would be… Logan.

She sighed; last night had definitely been a turning point but she wasn't sure if it was good or bad. She brushed it to the back of her mind before she made her migraine worse. She gently started to slant Duncan's head upward as she slid herself from underneath Logan's arm. She feared that either of them would awake and she just could not deal with them now, especially while she had yet to wrap her mind around last night. She gulped as she shifted out of the sofa and positioned Duncan's head onto Logan's lap instead, Logan's arm fell to Duncan's head and Veronica's eyes widened but when there was no movement relief flooded out of her. She closed her eyes and silently thanked the Gods for being on her side for once.

It was 9:46 when Veronica had come back down, she had expected the two boys to have awoken by now but they were still asleep. Veronica took a second to watch them and realised that the two BFFs were cuddling. Despite her aching head, her lips twitched as a giggle passed her lips. Veronica was not about to let an opportunity like this slip through her fingers, she grabbed her camera and quickly snapped a picture of the two boys cuddling with each other. A soft smile remained on her face; it wasn't often that she saw this peaceful side to them. They probably wouldn't feel peaceful when they woke up but for the moment they looked as though they were asleep on clouds.

Veronica had decided to allow them a few more hours of dreamy peace; she knew that it wasn't often that they had it. She grabbed her bag and headed back to her room.

Last night had seemed so surreal to Veronica. Logan kissed her, multiple times and each time had ignited a fire within her and she just wanted it to spread all around her. Logan had a special pull on her, and no matter how much she wanted to stay away she couldn't help but be drawn in. And once she was in, it was like pulling two magnets apart.

At the moment she felt conflicted. She had allowed herself to be pulled into Logan's world and allowed herself to pretend that everything was okay and that they were normal. But now she realised why she and Logan had separated. She had honest to god had been stunned when Logan had revealed his truth to her.

She remembered the tearful eyes when he'd revealed the bitter truth.

"I had to say all of those bad things to keep you away from me, to keep you away from him. That's why I broke up with you and that's why I took the blame. I told him that I was the one that told your dad by mistake under the influence; he couldn't do anything to me because I was under the lime light but you- he could have hurt you. And I will do anything in my power to make sure that doesn't happen."

He had lied to protect her; he'd lied to his family, to everyone, including her.

She remembered she had once told him, "Sometimes I just feel like I'm in this big hamster ball and everyone is standing around it," She sounded frustrated. "My dad, my mom, Lilly, Duncan and you."

She began to feel that way again, she felt like there were all these secrets.

"Don't keep things from me because you're protecting me, okay?"

Yet she could not be mad at him. Despite her words and beliefs, she had done the same thing. She took the blame to protect him. She took the blame to keep a secret.

Veronica wasn't sure if she should tell Logan the truth. What if he got mad at her? What if he did slip up? But Logan had kept the secret when he had thought it was her. She couldn't lie to Logan; even if she wanted to she knew that somewhere along the line she'd get caught. That's why it was easier when they 'hated' each other, she wouldn't have to lie to him.

When he'd told her than he wanted to work with her she'd truly been shocked.

"You what now?"

"I want to be your stake-out partner," he replied calmly. Veronica wasn't sure but he seemed to be sobering up as they continued to talk and he seemed to be growing serious every passing second.

After a few minutes of debating on the decision Veronica sighed, why was he so difficult? She thought. "Okay, how about this, if I feel that the case is particularly dangerous I will ask for your help," she tried to compromise. She knew that Logan meant well but she knew that his choice was because of her and not because he would enjoy it. She knew that Logan would get bored of her job, it wasn't as adventurous as he thought it was, but he'd never quit. The time she spent working, he could be like surfing with Dick or something.

"But all cases can be dangerous!" He exclaimed with frustration building up. Veronica frowned, that wasn't true, it was true that it had the potential to be dangerous if she got caught but she was pretty sleek and she was a good sleuth.

"Logan, I can take care for myself, I have been for these past five months. And here's the shocker, I'm still alive."

"You won't always be so lucky Veronica," his eyes pleaded with her to understand his predicament.

She did understand but she felt that his worry was unnecessary. She was touched that he cared but it was quickly growing into annoyance. "It's not luck Logan, I'm good at what I do that's why I don't get caught."

"Veronica-"

"Logan, please don't make me feel like I'm incapable of doing my job because right now that's the only thing that is going well for me." Now it was her pleading with him.

Logan touched her cheek and held her hand, his boring into hers. "It's not that Veronica, I won't be able to handle it if something had to happen to you."

Veronica didn't know how to respond to him, his pained face and pleading eyes. She didn't want to agree but at the same time it was difficult for her to refuse him. It would be like kicking a puppy.

She did the only thing that she knew wouldn't hurt either of them for now, she kissed him.

Logan slipped his hand around Veronica's waist and leaned in to drop a kiss on her shoulder, and slowly inched up her neck with pepped kisses that sent shivers all over her body ignited with tingles.

"Logan," she breathed out and slowly turned around, his arms still draped on her waist, only slightly tightened when she moved to face him.

"Hey," he smiled as he gave her a chaste kiss on her cheek and then tiled her chin upwards and slanted his mouth to give her a proper kiss. As always Veronica fell into his kisses and wrapped her arms around his waist. Logan let out a groan from the back of his throat and pulled her in closer.

Veronica was in a daze; when their lips parted she just stared at him. He remembered.

Logan licked his lips as he smiled at Veronica, he took in her beauty – she looked fresh from her morning bath, even with her messy bun and no make-up on she looked breath taking.

He met her lips for a brief second and rested his forehead on Veronica's. They stared at each other for a moment and then Logan touched her cheek. He leaned down and captured her lips with his, this kiss was much softer and gentle than last night's. It was soft and sweet yet it was deep. Logan's hands cupped her face while her hands gript his waist. When they broke apart, Logan rested his forehead onto hers and he chuckled. She let out a small giggle of her own. Their lips still touched and their breath mixed.

"God, you have no idea how long I've wanted this," he held her tightly against him as if afraid that she'll leave him if he doesn't.

She pressed her lips against his and smiled, "Glad I wasn't the only one."

Logan smiled, happy with her response. "We can't-"

She pecked his mouth and said, "I know."

"It's just that my dad," he pleaded with her. He wanted to be with her so badly but he didn't want to risk his father hurting her.

She nodded, "We'll just keep it to ourselves until everything's okay again." She smiled reassuring. Logan took a deep breath and nodded, if Veronica said it, it had to be true.

"Do you think it will ever be okay again?" His voice was soft with hinted insecurity at the unforeseen future.

"I know it will, Logan." She brushed her hand over his hair and looked into his brown earthly eyes as she assured him and that was all it took for Logan to believe her.

He pecked her nose and whispered, "We have to be extremely careful 'cause we can't get caught."

With her arms around his neck and his hands on her waist she was able to stretch forward and whisper into his mouth, "I'm a PI Logan." And then she closed the distance with a kiss. Logan smiled through the kiss and let their tongues dance together for a while.

When the kiss broke, Logan had made sure that they were still in the same position as he rested his forehead against hers and let out a sigh. "Oh, well okay. You know, we can meet in mop closets and pass each other secret notes in the hallway."

Veronica let a laugh escape her lips. "Whatever you want sugarpants."

Logan grinned, "Secrets are kind of hot."

Veronica smirked and lifted an eyebrow as she let out a flirty whisper, "Is that your way of telling me I'm hot?"

Logan let out a low chuckle and edged his lips toward hers and let his breath mix with hers. "Is that your way of fishing for compliments?"

Veronica pulled back a little bit but Logan held her grounded close to him. "Are you saying I'm not?"

Logan leaned in and brushed his lips against her cheek and let his voice vibrate against her skin. "You are definitely hot."

Veronica's face flushed, as much as she flirted with Logan and vice versa she couldn't help the blood rushing to her face and her cheeks tinting a shade of pink or red when he said things like that. Not many people realised it but Veronica was very self-conscious which was why Logan took every opportunity he could to assure her that she was beautiful, and that he saw her as extremely attractive. Even if she weren't self-conscious Logan still would compliment her because he loved to see her face flush and that cute coy smile tug at her lips.

Veronica gave him a peck on his lips and her heart yearned. She felt guilty, last night Logan had been honest with her and she still kept a secret that really didn't need to be kept from him. His confession last night had proven that.

Veronica swallowed hard and pulled back from Logan's hug. "Logan… I need to tell you something."

He looked at her with curiosity and concern. Veronica looked at him helplessly and Logan felt his stomach drop, for some reason he felt that he wasn't going to leave the room as happy as he was when he came in. "I don't know how to say this." She drew back from him but Logan didn't seem to want to let go of her. "I have a confession of my own."

"Confession?" Confusion clouded his features.

She sucked in a breath and hoped that she wasn't about to make a mistake. "I wasn't the one who told my dad about Aaron."

Logan did a double take when he heard her words. "What?"

Veronica felt nervous and a bit tremble-y as she shook her head. "I didn't break my promise Logan. Honestly, I didn't tell him."

The colour seemed to drain from his face. "Why didn't say something-"

Veronica didn't allow him to continue, "Because I honestly had no idea why you were breaking up with me and when I figured it out, you were gone."

"You-"

She feared of what he might say and quickly interrupted, "I was gonna tell you but I needed to know how my dad knew. Apparently he'd been working the case for a year, unofficially." She bit her lip when she realised that she had let that bit of information slip. Logan seemed to be in a state of shock as her words processed in his mind. "He needed time, he needed time to build a solid case against him but when he had it, the timing wasn't right. When everyone turned against him, he knew that he needed more to guarantee Aaron went to jail."

She felt her eyes tear but she was unwilling to allow them to fall so she sucked them in as she continued, "I just wanted you to be safe Logan; I wanted you to be free of him so I agreed to be the scapegoat. I agreed to let you hate me for something I didn't do for the same reason you took the blame for something you didn't do."

After what seemed to be an eternity to Veronica but was actually a couple of minutes of silence Logan finally asked, "Who were you covering for?"

Veronica looked at him as though she was stuck in a confliction. "Logan I can't tell you, I wasn't supposed to tell you any of this."

Logan grunted with hurt mirroring in his eyes. "Veronica! This is my life, I deserve to know."

"Logan please," she frantically pleaded. Her father had specifically said that she must not reveal that it was Lynn who had sought help for Logan, especially to Logan.

Logan felt his heart ache at Veronica's with-holding of information. "You always say that you feel like a blonde in a hamster ball, you say that hate people keeping things from you to protect you but here you are doing the same."

Her pleading blue eyes sharpened as she snapped at him, "You did it too Logan! After you promised that you wouldn't!"

"I didn't know something like that would happen. This isn't an 'I was scared I'd hurt your feelings' situation Veronica, this was life or death." He knew his father, Aaron Echolls would stop at nothing to keep his 'good' reputation and Logan didn't want to take a chance on Aaron physically hurting Veronica.

She snorted and pointed her finger to him and then herself as she said, "And you think I wasn't feeling the same way when I had to make my decision? It killed me to know that you were hurting but I couldn't do anything about it."

"Really? And what did you think I was feeling, huh?" He spat out the sarcastic words. "You think I enjoyed being angry at you?"

Veronica hadn't flinched nor did she back down. "And whose fault is that?" She countered. "You broke up with me!" She accused with her glaring eyes.

Logan finally snapped at her and raised his voice, "Because I thought you told your dad! I thought my dad might hurt you! But you didn't care to tell me the truth; you just decided what was best for me and decided not to fight for me, for us. You let us end."

Veronica huffed as she led the blame to him instead of letting it fall upon herself. "You decided what was best for me by breaking up with me!"

Logan didn't miss a beat, "You decided what was best for me by letting me break up with you!"

A disbelieving sound escaped her lips as she settled her arms on her hips. "So it's my fault you broke up with me?"

"You knew the reason. I gave you a reason. You could have told me that it wasn't true." Logan used his finger to point between them during each 'I' and 'You' to emphasis his point. It tore him inside when he realised that their relationship could have been salvaged but hadn't been because of tedious secrets and lies.

She knew it too. She knew that they could have been together but they wouldn't have been happy because he was being abused by his less-than-scum-on-a-shoe father. "You were a jackass, maybe I didn't want to date jackass," her voice was less hard but still had an edge to it.

"You love my ass," he immediately responded with his usual reply to her accusation of him being a jackass.

"Doesn't mean I love you," was her brisk reply. But she did love him.

Instead of hurt, a light lit in his eyes. "No, it doesn't but doesn't mean it's not true."

"You're a pompous jerk, you know that?" She remarked but all he knew was that she hadn't denied it.

"And you're someone's scapegoat, I wanna know who." The light gone as his eyes narrowed, he refused to allow the matter to lie.

Veronica sighed heavily, "I shouldn't have said anything."

Logan continued to push the topic, "But you did because you couldn't keep down the guilt that crept up every time you looked at me knowing that you had a secret. Tell me who Veronica."

Veronica knew that if she told him that it was his mother, he would confront her. Demand answers to the secrecy. What if Aaron heard? She couldn't risk it. All their pain would have been in vain, Logan would have to wait three or four days. When Aaron was on an airplane going thousands of miles away from Neptune then she'd tell him.

Veronica was literally saved by the bell when her phone rang. Relief seemed to overwhelm her as she answered the phone, "Hello?"

Logan glared at the interruption as he listened to the one sided conversation.

"Yeah, this is she," Veronica stated and Logan couldn't help but wonder who it was on the other end of the call.

"Really?" She sounded disappointed. "That's earlier than I was expecting." Logan noticed that she bit her lip as she usually did when she was thinking of a solution. "Is there a later appointment that I can make?"

He noticed that as she listened she sounded relieved, it was probably good news then. "Oh, so you're closing early? No, I can make it. I really haven't been well. The constant sniffles and headaches. My nose is so red it makes me look like a clown. So the sooner the better."

Logan's forehead crinkled, Veronica was not sick. The only red that was on her face today was the blushes that appeared due to his kisses and sweet whispered words and of her flushed face. It was also because she was frustrated and yelling. His lips curved at the edge, one moment they were in the gates of heaven and the next at the gates of hell.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it; this is just not the time to be getting sick. Bye."

When Veronica disconnected the call, Logan watched her with narrowed, curious eyes. "You're not sick," he declared.

She clunked her tongue and stated, "And you're not a doctor."

"Is this for a case?"

"I'm visiting the doctor," she said dismissively.

"You hate doctors."

Veronica frowned. "That's not true, I love them. They save lives."

"They also carry pointy needles," he pointed out and she glared at him for knowing her so well.

"That cure people," she added and had wanted to end the conversation there. She knew that Logan would want to tag along and that was not possible.

"I'm coming with you," he said and she sighed.

"No, you're not."

"Yeah I am."

"No, you aren't."

"We agreed-"

"We negotiated-"

"That I would go on cases with you-"

"-Dangerous cases."

"The doctor is dangerous."

"Logan seriously, this isn't even a case, I just need some information that I couldn't bluntly ask so I had to tell a little white lie."

She couldn't allow Logan to go with her, she was about to sneak into the doctor's office and browse through his best friend's medical history. She knew that Logan would disapprove and would force her to respect Duncan's privacy. Oh, it was not because Logan was such a moral citizen but it was because Duncan Kane was his best friend.

"What information?"

"Health-related."

"Veronica," he warned.

"Logan no," her voice was authoritative and she felt pleased with her sternness.

~~Dr Levine's Office ~~

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm always busy at the end of the day. Ah, so those sniffles, they were just light allergies, not uncommon." Dr Levine assured her.

Veronica gave a fake smile of relief and asked, "So I can put my shirt back on?" She tilted her head and let out a nervous giggle.

"Uh, sure, yes, of course," he nodded as he left.

Veronica hurried dressed herself and made her way to the reception area and slipped into the bathroom without the receptionist noticing her.

One problem with doctors, besides their fetish for making you wait half-naked in cold rooms, is they won't just let you ransack their files, even if you ask real nice. So someone like me has to resort to methods the insurance companies would probably not support.

Out in reception, Dr Levine is about to leave.

"Goodnight, Nancy," Dr Levine had smiled on his way out of the office.

She smiled back as she said, "Goodnight." She turned off the lamp and picked up the keys. As she was about to leave a sudden noise caught her attention; she headed toward the bathroom to investigate but the door was locked. She swallowed hard as she knocked on the door, and when there was no answer she couldn't decipher whether that was a good sign or not. Curiously she opened the door with a key of her own but found nothing. Satisfied that she had done her job, she left.

The cupboard door from under the sink slowly pushed open and Veronica crept out the tiny space.

Yes, I am petite and it does come in handy every now and then.

Veronica was proud of her tactics and abilities. When she had reached Dr Levine's office she immediately went in search for Duncan's files. Oh, if they were ordinary people, she could have asked but no… Veronica knew that she needed to make photocopies instead of just reading it here. It would be too risky. When she began to put Duncan's file back in, she spotted another file of interest - Abel Koontz's file. Her eyes widen as she spotted the name as she snatched the file from the cabinet.

I'm generally pretty cool with coincidence…

The door creaked and Veronica quickly scrambled away

But when Abel Koontz turns out to share a doctor with the Kanes, that's too much for me to ignore, even if it means getting caught.

When the door opened it is revealed that it is the cleaner and she is surprised to see Veronica seated on the examination table in a hospital gown.

"Is the doctor here? 'Cause I've been sitting for like an hour," Veronica let out a chuckle of disbelief.

~~VM~~

Logan drove with bitterness. He was mad at Veronica, not entirely mad but mad enough. Dick was beside him and Cassidy and Luke were in the backseat. The radio was on and 'Still In Love Song' by the Stills played out. Logan felt as if he were torturing himself because it reminded him of Veronica.

"When we were lovers
We were kissers
We were holders of hands
We were make believers
Just losing time and
You said you'd rather live in tepee land…" The song played out.

Logan frowned as he pulled into the petrol station, the song had been switched off as Dick, Cassidy and Luke jumped out of Logan's SUV.

Logan was partly out of the car when he yelled, "Hook me up with a beverage, huh?" As Logan headed toward the pump a beefy black guy walked toward his windscreen.

"And what goes with an icy, cold beverage? A nice clean windshield," the man said.

"No, man you don't have to do that," Logan glanced at him for a second before dismissing him.
The man seemed to ignore Logan's words and began to spray the windscreen and started to clean it as Logan got the pump. "The car was just professionally detailed," Logan told him with an irritated expression.

"Ah, they got a lot of nerve calling themselves professionals," the homeless guy shook his head as he wiped squeegee onto a cloth and showed Logan the dirt. "Look at that. They just move the dirt around."

"Man, A for effort but, uh, you're not getting paid for it," Logan stated.

"I don't remember asking."

The black man turned around and pointed to a board that had the words 'Homeless Vet. Donations Accepted. Logan gave a brief nod just as Dick came back to the car and stopped by Logan who was still filling the car. They both watch the man.

"Hey, what about him?" Logan asked.

"Pretty well fed for a bum," Dick nodded a little impressed.

"Yeah."

Logan finished filling the tank and looked at the man, "Hey, you army?"

"Hell, no. United States Marine Corps."

"That's even better, huh." Logan chuckled and walked back to the driver's side of the car. "What are you? About 240?" He asked the man.

"Uh, in my prime."

"Yeah?" He got into the car as the other 09ers exit the station. "Hey, I'm, uh, I'm putting together a little amateur boxing night. If you're interested."

Logan had a $100 bill which he stuck into frame of the open window as the guys hopped into the car.

"What, you want me to fight?" The man looked at him with disbelief and hinted disgust.

"No, man. I want you to win."

"What you'd think that you'd just come in here and buy me like that? Is that how it is?"

"Yeah, that's exactly how it is. I think we're on the same page."

"Get out of my face. Before I beat your ass down for free."

"All right, you suit yourself. Chhu-chhu. You have a nice day."

Logan threw the man a smirk and raced off.

~~Mars Investigations: Veronica's POV~~

Thank goodness Dad was in Mexico chasing a bail jumper or else I'd never be able to do this without the risk of getting caught. I squatted down to the level of his safe as I began to unlock it. Of course, Dad doesn't think I know where he keeps the combination to the safe. He's wrong. It's just that I've never needed to use it. I pulled out a bag of mini-cassettes and files on Lilly. I had taken out Abel's and Duncan's files and began to read through it.

I froze when I read Duncan's file, he had epilepsy.

Seizures

Drugs

Medication

The words stood out and I could hardly believe the black and white words. I had known Duncan practically my entire life and he'd never been violent nor had he been angry up until Lilly's accident. Even now he was hardly violent. He was hurt and angry but he hadn't gotten violent with anybody.

After a few minutes of digestion I looked through Abel's file and once again I was hit with a shock wave.

Cancer

Dying

Abel Koontz was dying of cancer.

I felt her breath get caught in her chest, Duncan had an illness that caused him to have violent seizures and experience blind rage and he couldn't remember the events taking place at the time of his 'fits'. And Abel Koontz was dying of cancer.

Common Denominator? Lilly Kane

Maybe mom was telling the truth before she fled Neptune…