Disclaimer: Not Mine

Thanks To: My Betas, Hoppit1104, aka Sam, and my roommate who both do a wonderful job at telling me when I mess up. Still, all the mistakes are mine...

N/A: That was a long wait and it's a pretty short chapter, sorry about that. Who dare calling Thanksgiving Break a break? Anyway, thank you so much for all the reviews!

"Duncan, what are you doing here?"

"Hey. I was hoping that you would still be awake," Duncan said, taking in Veronica's appearance. She was pretty badly bruised up and the dark circles under her eyes didn't help any. "I had to talk to you."

Veronica stepped outside and closed the door behind her.

"No invitation, huh?" Duncan said with a mixture of disappointment and resentment in his voice.

"Wallace is on the couch sleeping," Veronica responded, very matter-of-fact.

"Oh."

Veronica's arms crossed in a protective manner. She looked on at Duncan as an awkward silence settled between them.

"I just drove Logan back home," Duncan said, finally looking at Veronica rather than his shoes.

"How is he?" she asked, her interest visibly picked.

"Ok, I guess."

Another pause.

"I'm sorry about everything," he said in a breath.

She looked at him quizzically.

"You know. The break up. The cold shoulder. Everything."

Veronica gave him a half nod.

"I meant what I said the other day," he went on, a hint of hope in his voice.

Veronica just looked at him, eyebrow slightly raised in question.

"You know. About still loving you."

There was no denying the hope in his voice now. Veronica opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it again.

Duncan reached to her and caressed her cheek. For a second, Veronica didn't move, and then, as if she had just woken up, she gently took his hand off of her face and gave him and apologetic smile.

"It's late. I should go back inside and get some sleep," she said in a soft, tired voice.

"Sure. I'll see you tomorrow at school."

She gave him a noncommittal smile.

"Goodnight," Duncan said before turning around and walking away.

Veronica's eyes followed him for a few seconds before she finally decided to try and go to bed. But sleep didn't come easy, and when she finally drifted off, it was not in a peaceful slumber.

In the morning, Wallace was driving as Veronica was talking on the phone.

"Yes, Dad. I am on my way to class as we speak."

Pause.

"In Wallace's car."

She looked at Wallace and rolled her eyes, smiling. He smiled back at her, and tried with little success to suppress a chuckle.

"I will."

Pause.

"I love you too. Bye," said Veronica before hanging up with a very dramatic sigh.

"Second check up of the day, huh?" said Wallace, amusement clear in his voice.

"Yeah," she said thoughtful. "With the attack of the psycho, I consider it an achievement not to have a wall of bodyguards following me around."

Wallace chuckled.

"He was actually calling about the check this time."

"Could they get it back?"

"Cliff said that, as my parents are still married, there is no legal option," Veronica answered with a big yawn.

"That sucks," Wallace stated, giving Veronica a worried glance.

"Yeah," she sighed, putting her forehead against the window and once again getting lost in her thoughts.

Less than thirty minutes after the end of her last period of the day, Veronica was back at her apartment, Wallace had just dropped her off after one of the longest school days so far. She had been exhausted all day, teachers and students alike kept throwing glances her way as if she was a bomb threatening to explode any second, and Duncan had been very sweet, but it had just helped remind her of how much things had changed in the past year. There had been no sign of Logan.

"Are you even listening to me?" asked Wallace, breaking her train of thoughts.

"Wallace, stop worrying. I will be fine. I don't plan on going wandering in dark alleys or even well light ones."

He looked at her, clearly not amused, and for less than half a second, she actually looked sheepish.

"Plus, apparently, my dad threatened my teachers so they would keep me busy with homework for the next month or so," she added with a smile.

"I'll come back after work to check up on you," said Wallace, doubtful.

Veronica's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Did my dad threaten you too?"

Wallace didn't answer and after a quick "see you later", disappeared through the door.

For a full minute after the door closed, Veronica didn't move. Then, as soon as she was fairly sure that Wallace was actually gone, she grabbed the leash and called Backup who was by her in an instant.

"Come on, buddy, let's go find that check now."

A/N: Such a long wait and no Logan... I promise you guys that he will be there in next chapter so don't hate me too much :)