The next morning dawned cold, wet, and rainy. It was the kind of day that would miserably fade into a snowy night far too early. Veronica opened her eyes. She was completely alone. Now that was a surprise, and not the kind that made the best kind of prizes. She supposed it was only because of what had happened the night before. She wondered if he was sequestered in his room now, too embarrassed to look at her now that they were back in the light. But this thought was banished as she heard the lock click. She closed her eyes, so that she could just barely see, and pulled the covers up around her face. She was going to see how Wonka managed to startle her every morning. She watched, letting the blankets conceal her growing grin, as Wonka opened the door, ever so slowly, then tiptoed in. He looked at her for a long moment, as if trying to discern whether or not she was really asleep, then, seemingly satisfied, he sat down very carefully on the edge of the bed. Then he leaned over, quite close, and grinned.

"You're already awake, aren't you?" He whispered astutely.

"How did you know?" Veronica pouted, sitting up.

"Because." Wonka replied with a mysterious grin.

"That's not fair! My last morning here, and I still don't know how you really do it!" Veronica whined.

At her words, the thought of sweeping her off her feet with a kiss flashed through Wonka's mind. He tried very hard not to make a face as he banished this thought, insisting inwardly that he would leave it up to Veronica.

"You… don't have to leave if you don't want to. You can stay here and learn the finer points of candymaking. With me." Ok, that hadn't come out exactly like he had hoped. He had hoped to be much more subtle, but… there you have it, since when was Willy Wonka ever subtle? Veronica smiled.

"I appreciate the offer, but like I said, I can't boil water without burning it."

"Oh, it's real easy, see you just…" Wonka began, but Veronica cut him off.

"I can't stay, Mr. Wonka. I would just get in the way."

"Poppycock."

Veronica smiled. He was waiting, on the edge of his seat, hoping she would just say yes. And she knew it.

"I can't." She said quietly. "At least not right now." Damn her conscience! That little line meant that he would be pulling her back in next week. She had to make a decision, life on the outside, or life on the inside. And seeing as there seemed to be no real place for her on the inside… She sighed.

"But… You'll be back?"

"Of course I will." Veronica looked at him. What was she gonna do? Abandon him when he had just bared his soul (Well, his hands…) to her? "I told you I'm not going to just leave you. If you need me, you can find me."

She had no idea how much he was bursting to say 'I need you.' at that point. But he kept his mouth shut. This wasn't the time or the place for that. Besides, he could last a little while without her around… couldn't he? He was Willy Wonka, the amazing chocolatier! A chocolatier should be free and unfettered. Not with some girl hanging over him like… Stop that!

His thoughts were traveling into one of those dusty corners again.

Veronica, meanwhile, was thinking again too. She didn't really have a purpose anymore outside of the factory either… no. She had to go home. If she was still paying rent on that place, she would have to go home. Besides, how weird would it be to say she lived with Willy Wonka? That would bring up a lot of strange questions… Then again, who would she be saying that to anyway? Her mother had died when Veronica was 20, she was an only child, and she didn't even have a cat she could talk to. She was completely unattached in the world outside now. Ever since she had handed in her resignation at the Health Agency, all ties had been cut. She had friends here. But that would be unnecessary. She would get a new job outside the factory, she would make new friends. He had simply helped her shrug off that sense of responsibility to her old life and helped her find the correct mindset for a new one. She couldn't just take advantage of his hospitality, and give him nothing in return. Besides, if she got too attached here, she would only start insisting on his taking time from his work, and she couldn't ask that. It was better she go. At least that's what she told herself. She was suddenly aware that he was staring at her, and wondered how long she had been lost in contemplation.

"Having a flashback?" He asked. Evidently she had been mentally absent long enough…

"No, just thinking…" Veronica said, ears going pink. She pushed her glasses slightly up on her nose, probably the first time she had done so while staying here, and rose from the bed, preparing to pack her things. She looked around at the Spartan white room that she had called home for the past few nights. It was the first time she really looked at it. White walls, white bed, white sheets, a small white side table with a white lily growing in a white pot, even a small but very comfortable white chair in the corner. It was like a dream of perfection, and yet here it was, real. She never would have had the courage to decorate a room like that at home, but she had to admit, she liked it. It was such a contrast then, to see Wonka sitting on the end of the bed, looking like a peacock in the desert. Even his blue eyes seemed deeper, like he lived in Technicolor, though the room was black and white. And she wondered, for there was no mirror in this room, if she looked the same, or if she was drab and dull when he was with her. She became conscious that he had risen and was now following her around the room as she picked up her things and packed, and though he would crouch down beside her every time she picked something up off the floor, he wasn't helping. He was just… taking her in… making sure he had fulfilled his day's quota of her before she left and he had to go back to making those shamrocks. Maybe he would teach Charlie how to make them today…

It was then that Veronica noticed what had become of her suitcase. The Oompa Loompas had indeed added wheels to it, very colorful wheels that swirled inside like lava lamps when they were in motion. Veronica smiled. At least she would never lose this bag at the airport… She turned to pick up a few more items, not noticing that Wonka had mysteriously materialized another one of his wine colored coats out of thin air, pinned a small scrap of paper to it, and stuffed it in her suitcase. In fact, every time Veronica turned around, Wonka was putting something else in her bag that she had not packed when she came, from the coat to a pillow, to a pair of his heeled boots, and some purple gloves. Veronica saw nothing, but she certainly noticed that her bag was mysteriously heavier, even with wheels… Finally, with an innocent grin, Wonka led her to the elevator, preparing to escort her to the gates, and home.

This time, Veronica tried extra hard not to scream as the elevator spun and leapt through the factory. She whimpered and closed her eyes, but opened them just a crack midway through the ride to see Wonka grinning absentmindedly, watching the scenery flash by. She, however, thought she would be sick, and squeezed her eyes shut again almost immediately. As soon as she did, Wonka stuffed a large glass jar full of buttons and a pair of Charlie's socks into her suitcase. Finally, the elevator slowed, and the pair disembarked in the front foyer, the place Veronica had first really looked at Willy Wonka. How different they both were now. She took up her suitcase and looked back at the chocolatier. He seemed to be making it plain that he wasn't going with her to the gates, but instead was going to abandon her at the door.

"Well… I had a wonderful time… for the most part." Veronica said awkwardly.

"Yeah." Wonka sighed. He looked at her to say something else.

"So… umm… goodbye I guess."

"'Bye."

Veronica turned and was halfway through the doors, suitcase clunking down the stairs.

"Veronica!" She turned around. Wonka was standing in the doorway, seemingly without purpose. He beckoned her to come back. As soon as she was within arm's reach, he grabbed her, pulled her in the door, and kissed her, literally sweeping her off her feet. And then he released her, face nearly the color of his coat. She stared at him.

"Well… g'bye." He mumbled, then turned on his heel and walked very quickly back toward the end of the hall.