V.

'What is this?' She peered suspiciously at the package next to her plate on the breakfast table. 'An early birthday gift? Or should I thank Santa in advance?'

'A simple 'thank you' would suffice, kid,' her dad huffed. 'Can't your ol' dad buy you a present every once in a while?'

'You're a sheriff, not a sheik. I hope you didn't spend too much on this…'

'I can spend my money as I like, honey. It's one of the many blessings of being an adult. Now stop complaining and open the box.'

'What's in it?'

'Ah, see, that's where the wrapping comes in. It's used as a device to conceal the contents of the package, not reveal them. If you just open your present, you'll find out soon enough.'

'Okay, okay, no pressure.'

When she found what was inside, she squealed and threw her arms around her father's neck. 'Just so you know, I think you're the best.'

Her dad had bought her a photo camera, one she'd had an eye on for weeks. The model, a Nikon 8800, was more expensive than she could afford herself and definitely a big improvement on her old camera, a cast-off of her dad's. She'd always liked taking pictures, even though her knowledge was still pretty limited. It also provided her with the perfect alibi for what she was going to do next.

'Hey, would you mind if I leave Neptune for the day? It's only an hour drive to Cleveland Forest and I'd love to take some pictures there.'

He didn't answer straight away, but she took the fact he was considering it like a good omen.

'Well, alright. Just make sure you take some lunch and a bottle of water, I wouldn't want you starved or dehydrated. And make sure you stay on the tracks, I don't want you hunted down by wild animals either.'

'Well, I'll do my best.'

When she reached the high way, she took the exit to San Diego instead of Cleveland. She hadn't been totally honest with her dad about her plans for the day, but she knew this was for the best and simply hoped her dad hadn't put a tracking device on her car.

She'd chosen a post office in downtown San Diego for the delivery of her paternity test. Today, she'd gotten an email to confirm the arrival of her package. Taking no risks, she'd ordered the test in the name of Lilly Kane.

She might be crazy for trying to conceal the truth for her dad so badly, but she simply didn't want him to suspect anything before actually knowing, before having her facts clear.

From now on, facts before feelings would be her mantra.

She walked over to the information desk and gave the woman behind the counter her sweetest smile. 'I'm here to pick up a package.'

'Alright miss. Can I see your ID please?'

She took out the card she'd made for Lilly, altering it slightly by swapping their pictures, and hoped the woman wouldn't see her own craftsmanship. 'Yes, we've got a package for Lilly Kane here. Would you please sign that?'

She signed the paper, mimicking Lilly's signature quite nicely, and handed the papers back to the employee. The package felt heavy as she lifted it off the counter, but she wasn't sure whether it was just a figment of her imagination.

After her trip to San Diego she headed to Cleveland National Forest anyway, positive that her dad would ask about her pictures and quite happy to try out her new camera too. Once again, she reveled at the multi-functionality of her combat boots – like you could actually go on a hike wearing them. She changed her plain white skirt for khaki's and slung an old army jacket over her shoulders – how very Lindsay Weir of you – before getting out of the car and taking up the blue route, which would lead her back to the same starting point. It was already well past midday, which meant the quality of her pictures would only improve over the hours. The sunlight seemed to set the treetops on fire and the lake was burning as well. She snapped shot after shot, almost feeling calm and peaceful again. She should do this more often.

When she returned to the car, it was almost 5 o'clock and she still had an hour-long drive ahead. She decided to give her dad a call to let him know she was heading home. 'About time, kid.' He seemed slightly annoyed, but bought her explanation about how she'd been carried away and lost track of the time. It wasn't like he was back from the office already, probably completely invested in a certain case or handling off piles of paperwork. He always found a reason to work overtime, and she couldn't really blame him.

It hadn't always been like this. There had been plenty of good times too.

Garden parties with music and laughter and friends. Lazy weekends with sleeping in and breakfast in bed. Dinner in front of the television, the three of them fighting for the remote and the final say in what program to watch. Holidays spend at the beach, or driving an old van through the Rocky Mountains.

She could tell herself she hated her mother, and put all the blame on her, but did she really? The answer was a short, plain 'no'. She couldn't hate her. She'd have to sell her soul to the devil first.

She was in the kitchen making cookie batter. When her eyes met Veronica's, she saw a flash of emotion – Guilt? Pain? Sadness? – before she smiled and beckoned at the bowl. 'Chocolate chip. Your favorite.'

'Hmm… that smells delicious!' She quickly wrapped her arms around her mother's waist before pulling back again. 'Cleveland Forest was really beautiful today.'

'I'm glad you had a nice day.' Conversations between mother and daughter were always forced, but at least they were trying.

'I'm going to load up the pictures on my laptop. I'm really excited to show them to you when I'm finished.'

'Sure, sweetheart. I'll bring up some cookies and milk in a minute.'

She went to her room, carefully placing her bag on the bed and her camera on her desk. First things first. Before she opened her laptop, she took the paternity test out of her bag and read the instructions thoroughly. She couldn't mess this up.