AUTHOR'S NOTE: If you hadn't already guessed, this is a LoVe fic. It will include some…less than positive stuff on Duncan. So, fair warning to Doughnut fans.

CHAPTER 2

Veronica looked like shit.

That was the thought that flashed through Logan's head when he caught sight of Veronica getting out of her car. Her eyes were red rimmed and sad. It was the sadness in her eyes that got his attention. He hated when Veronica hurt. He hated it almost as much as he hated not being able to comfort her.

She was wearing a black dress that would have been somber if it hadn't been on her. Only a woman could think that covering herself up would make her less attractive. Logan had a sudden urge to see what was underneath.

"Veronica, you're late" Duncan said in an accusing tone. Veronica's head snapped up and she looked quickly to Duncan with a blank look. "You were supposed to be here half an hour ago" he continued.

Logan couldn't believe how dense Duncan was being. What kind of boyfriend didn't notice that his girl was destroyed.

Veronica rubbed a hand over her face, wearily pasted a fake smile on her mouth. "I'm sorry Duncan, but I can't hang out right now" she said in a normal tone. She began walking towards her front door, her keys still out in her hand.

"What?" Duncan said, frustration showing in his voice. He made a move to follow her.

"That's okay Veronica" Logan said quickly, wanting to spare her any more of Duncan's frustration. "I wanted to steal him for a boy's night anyway. Come on Duncan" he said, taking Duncan's shoulder and leading him to the X-Terra. Duncan didn't struggle too much, letting himself be led to the passenger side door.

When Duncan was settled in the car Logan took his place in the driver's seat. He looked once at Veronica before driving away. She sent him a grateful smile that warmed his heart and made guilt burn in his stomach.

She was Duncan's girl, not his. So why was he the one that knew she was hurting? Why was he the one that wasn't oblivious to what she did for her father? And why was he the one who wanted to hold her for the rest of his life?

God. What the hell was he going to do about his fucked up life?

Veronica watched as the SUV drove away. Only when it was out of sight did she go into the apartment.

She knew that her father was out of town looking for a bail jumper and didn't bother calling out for him. He not being there was the reason that she had chosen now to go see Aaron. She knew that afterward she would only want to be alone. It was one thing to analyze your life and emotions, it was another for your dad to try to do it.

She sighed deeply and put her purse down on the kitchen counter. She hesitated for only a minute before she kept moving.

How could Duncan be so dense?

That's all she could think as she moved down the hallway to her room. It went through her mind over and over again. That, and how Logan had automatically known that there was something up.

She had known that he had noticed as soon as she saw his face. It had held concern instead of the mockery she was used to. Veronica chuckled ruefully to herself. She must really be a mess for Logan to give a shit.

She flopped down on her bed and looked up at the ceiling.

Logan always did see right through her. Even before Lily had died and everything had changed. He had seen the inner bad girl that she had squashed down her whole life. She could still remember how he had joked with her. A smile warmed her face a second before melting off.

Duncan didn't even know what she really did at her father's office. He was so caught up with the person that Veronica used to be that he was blind to the new her. And she was letting him stay that way. She sighed deeply and covered her eyes with an arm.

What the hell was she going to do about her fucked up life?