A/N: Thanks to lex83, my muse. I was worried that I had written myself into a corner with the last chapter, but I worked it out, and I think some of you will be shocked. As always feedback is a lovely thing and italics are VMVO.
Veronica stared at the sleeping body tucked into the hospital bed, curled up in a nearby armchair. The only sound in the room was that of the machines, beeping and churning, informing those in the room that the bed's occupant was still alive. To Veronica, it was one of the best sounds in the world.
Ok, so I wouldn't download it from itunes, but it's pretty damn good none-the-less.
She frowned at the sleeping figure though, wondering how she was going to tell him. Wondering what her dad would say when she informed that her mother had run off with his daughter's college money, wasting it for a second time. Her only hope was that it wasn't too much of a strain on him, setting back his recovery. Her father's eyes opened, and they rested their gaze on her with a smile.
"Hey." She said, talking quietly.
"Hey yourself." Her father, answered, shifting stiffly under the covers and grimacing a little. She noticed, and sat up straight, concerned.
"Do you want me to get the nurse?" Veronica asked. Keith shook his head.
"The pain meds make me sleepy." He explained, going still.
"But if you need them..." She protested. He smiled.
"I'll be fine." Keith reassured her. She took his hand, rubbing a thumb comfortingly over his knuckles.
"I'm so glad your ok." She told him, tearing up a little. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Same here." He said, wearing the same distraught look she was. "How're you feeling?"
Like I crashed my car into a tree, then got knocked unconscious and locked into a freezer by a psychopath who them proceeded to light it on fire.
"Not bad." Veronica replied. "The doctors prescribed something for the pain to help me sleep, so I was out like a light two nights." She fidgited with her jacket's zipper. "I wanted to come see you yesterday, but I kinda slept the day away." She explained.
"It's all right. I'd rather you were at home getting your rest, than here worrying about me." Keith said.
"Dad?" She began, biting her lip and staring at her hands.
"Yeah, honey?" He asked, noting the change in her demeanor.
"I kicked Mom out." She said in a rush, barely raising her gaze to check his reaction. He seemed surprised.
"Can I ask why?" He replied.
"She's still drinking." Veronica answered. "I told her that she couldn't be around us anymore, not until she could get her act together."
"If that's what you want, Veronica, then I'll keep her away from you." Keith promised. She smiled her thanks before turning serious again.
"There's something else, Dad..." She trailed off as Alicia entered her father's hospital room.
"Hello, Keith." Alicia said, walking over and greeting her father with a kiss on the cheek. "Veronica, how are you feeling?"
"Better." Veronica answered. "I'd better go." She moved to get up.
"What were you going to say, honey?" Her dad asked. Veronica forced a smile, seeing how happy Alica's arrival had made her father.
"Nothing." Veronica replied, turning to leave.
Nothing that can't wait until your better.
"I'll call you tonight." She promised her dad, pausing in the doorway.
"Take it easy, ok?" He reminded her. Veronica nodded, and left her dad in Alicia's capable hands.
She wandered down the hall of the hospital, thinking about the events of night before. She lost track of her surroundings and after a few minutes, bumped smack dab into someone. Veronica looked up, an apology on her lips. She stared up into the surprised face of Duncan Kane.
What did I do to fate that pissed her off so much? Really, I want to know.
"Duncan...sorry, I wasn't paying attention." She apologized.
"Clearly." He said, the corners of his mouth pinched tightly. Veronica sighed, and pushed her hair out of her face. She'd been in such a hurry to get to the hospital that morning, that she'd neglected to pull it back.
"I was just visiting my dad." She finished up lamely. Duncan's gaze softened.
"How is he?" He asked.
"Better, I think." Veronica answered, shifting her weight.
"That's good." He finally replied.
"Yeah." Her tone was soft. She finally met Duncan's gaze. "How is he?" She was practically whispering.
"The doctor's think he'll live." He told her. "but until he wakes up, there's no way of knowing what happened to him." She nodded, her relief showing on her face. "Listen..." Duncan began. Veronica averted her gaze. "About last night." He continued.
"It shouldn't have happened, Duncan." She tried not to wince at his wounded expression.
"I don't have any regrets, Veronica, and you shouldn't either." He said, reaching out to touch her arm. She stepped back, and he dropped his arm. "We were both upset. It was perfectly natural."
"Natural?" Now she was upset. "We slept together, Duncan! Logan was lying in the hospital, maybe dying, and we were off together..." Veronica felt the tears spill over.
I have to get out of here.
"Veronica." Duncan's tone was pleading.
"It shouldn't have happened." Her tone was final, and she brushed past him. Duncan watched as she disappeared around the corner, and then let his own tears fall.