A/N: Um...what can I say? I know that its been months, but I'm preparing to transfer from my junior college to a four year university! Its been a hectic four months for me. Also, excuse me if I show that Veronica doesn't have any 'true' emotions towards her father's death. She does she's just not comfortable with showing emotions in front of the community, especially the Kane family. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Yeah I don't own anything that has to do with the show.

Chapter 3

Veronica glared at the limo Jake brought to take her to her home. "I don't need to leave in a limo," She said turning to look at Jake. "It will bring to much attention." Sure she really didn't want to go in a limo, but what she really didn't want is to be alone with Jake. "I rather walk then ride home with you." She ignored the look of disgust on Jake's face. She knew he would get his way, but she would fight him the whole way. She was a Mars, genetics or not, and stubborn was one of the best traits her father taught.

"You're a Kane," Jake frowned. "Attention will always follow you."

"I'm not a Kane."

"You are Veronica," he said, ignoring her scowl. "Now get into the Limo."

"No."

"Well fine," he said. "We were going to stop by your former residence, but we don't have to." She glared at Jake as he smirked at her. Veronica could see the pleasure on his face and thought about declining, but she needed to go to the house. After all, the murder of her father needed to be solved.

"Whatever," she mumbled and got into the limo. The driver gave her a disapproving look when he closed the door behind her. Thomas, Jake introduced to her, would be the driver and the person to help her whenever she needed it. That was Jake's way of saying he would follow her around to make sure she didn't embaress the Kane name.

At least, the ride was silent and Veronica was relieved that Jake had not tried to have a conversation with her. He was a difficult person even when she was dating his son (she shivered at the thought of dating her brother) and had only briefly showed that he had a sense of humor. "This is where you lived?" He asked her when they arrived at the apartment. "This place looks like the dumps." He grimaced at the dilapidated building. "How did you live here?"

"I lived here just fine," Veronica snapped at him. "I was perfectly happy."

"How?" the limo pulled to a stop and the apartment occupants looked out their window. "I am so glad that you don't live here anymore. I am pleased that I saved you from this dreadful place. I knew you were poor, but this place looks worse than a pig stile. I do not want you going back inside the building." He went to touch her, but she flinched away. "I'm just saying that maybe I should send Thomas in there instead."

"I'll be fine," she snapped at him. "Plus, Thomas doesn't know what I want."

"Fine, then I'll be coming-"

"No, you won't," she said, opening the door to the limo. "I'll be back at the Kane mansion in a few hours Wallace said that he will take me back." She walked out the limo before Jake could protest and closed the door behind her. "Bye, Thomas," she laughed at the glare he sent her. "Great, meeting you!" She didn't hear what Jake said, but the limo driver gave her one last scathing look and drove away.

"Veronica," she heard Sarah. "I took care of Backup when you were gone. He really missed you." Sarah, her neighbor, gave the leash to Veronica and Backup gave her this look of pity. "I heard about your dad I'm really sorry. He helped so much I don't-"

"No," Veronica, had to leave she couldn't continue this conversation anymore. "It's okay." Sarah looked startled at the outburst, but continued to nod her head like she understood. "I have to leave, but the funeral is this Saturday." In two days Veronica would have to attend the funeral of her father. She was secretly glad that she didn't have to plan the funeral, on top of breaking her arm, having to deal with solving the mystery of her dad's murder, and then dealing with being in custody of Jake Kane it couldn't be any worse. Is it horrible that I didn't want to plan my own father's funeral? "Thanks for taking care of Backup." She left before Sarah could continue the conversation. "Backup, I missed you boy."

He whined in response and followed Veronica's tug up the stairs. "Now, where is the spare key?" Her father was a Private Investigator and would never keep a 'spare key' in a turtle or a frog. That would be stupid with a safe full of files and a business they ran partly inside their apartment. "I found you," she laughed at where the spare key was. It was in a crevice in the wall right near the doorknob covered by a piece of rock. "Very clever dad." It would have saved her a lot more grief if she asked him in the first place. Veronica opened the door disbelief covered her face. "What the hell?"

"Veronica, is going to be home soon," Jake said to Celeste. "I told her that we were going to prepare something big for her homecoming." He ignored the glare Celeste gave him. "She has a broken arm and three cracked ribs, but besides that she is doing fine."

"I told you I don't want her here," she finally said to him. "Jake, I have taken a lot from you over the years. I have let the affairs escape by and have not even told your children, but this! This is enough," she said glaring at her husband. "To allow your bastard child to live with us? That is embarrassing. What will people think? What about Duncan?"

"I have to Celeste."

"I have to Celeste," she mocked. "Just because your bastard child is here that doesn't mean she'll replace Lilly."

"I never said she would," he sighed. "Celeste, you can't keep calling her 'bastard child.'"

"What do you expect me to call her?" Celeste snapped. "You bring that child into this house and you expect me to take care of her? She disgusts me!"

"Celeste," he tried to keep his voice calm. "This is my house and that is my child be nice to her or I won't hesitate to put you on the streets."

She laughed. "I dare you to try."

Jake lost that battle and he knew it. He could only hope that Celeste wouldn't call Veronica 'bastard child' in front of her. It was enough to lose Keith, but to have to deal with the evil stepmother on top of that. 'God, help us all', he thought to himself. He could only hope that this would be the end of the drama. "I'm going out for a run." He didn't wait for his wife to respond and left.