Summary: AU Season 2. Over the summer it comes out that Veronica is in fact Jake Kane's biological daughter. Unhappy, she files for emancipation, transfers to Pan High School and is living with Keith Mars. She is reluctantly tested and agrees to donate the bone marrow Jake needs. After the surgery she has difficulty breathing and before she passes out calls to Lilly. Veronica after getting out of the hospital is quiet and depressed. She moves in with Jake Kane and keeps busy with a lot of activities. Duncan asks her to talk to him about whatever is bothering her. Veronica meets with Logan and Duncan and tells them about seeing Lilly when she was unconscious in the hospital. She tells Logan she wants to be his friend but can't right now because she still loves him. Veronica at the father/daughter banquet reveals to everyone that she and Connor Larkin have been dating. It is apparent that they are close. Logan attends the performance of Veronica's play. At the after party, they talk and decide to be friends. .... Now on with the story....

Duncan, Meg, Logan, Diana and Veronica are sitting in loungers by the Kane pool.

Meg lazily looks over at Veronica and says, "What time is the limo coming tomorrow?"

Equally lazy, Veronica answers, "Ten am."

Meg lifts her sunglasses and says, "Are you excited?"

Shrugging Veronica answers, "Not really. Most of the day I will be at the salon getting my hair, make up and nails done. I'll only see Connor at lunch and then later before we go."

Duncan from his lounger on the other side of Meg observes, "You are probably the only girl who would not be going crazy over going on a date with him."

Logan is lying in the lounger on the other side of Duncan. He looks over breaking his conversation with Diana and says, "I don't get why the girls want him."

Diana confused, "Who?"

Logan rests his head back and says, "Connor Larkin."

Diana's voices rises with each word, "Connor Larkin?" She sits up and looks over at Veronica. She queries, "You're going out with Connor Larkin?"

"Meg squealed when she found out." notes Duncan as he sips from his water.

Meg with her dimples showing says teasingly, "He is squeal worthy!"

Turning to look at Diana, Meg asks, "Why are you so surprised? He was her escort at the Ball."

Diana settles back down and says her voice a little pouty, "I thought that was a publicity stunt."

Duncan explains when Veronica doesn't seem inclined to, "He met Veronica last year at Logan's Christmas poker game. He asked about her then but Veronica was only seventeen. He called her when she turned eighteen."

Diana looks at Logan. She asks, "Logan. You know Connor Larkin?"

"He did do a few movies with Aaron," Logan points out.

Diana in a cajoling voice, "You should introduce me to him."

Logan snorts, "Not likely!" He looks over and notices Veronica is smiling at his answer.

Meg asks Veronica, "Can I see the dress you're wearing?"

Shaking her head, Veronica explains, "Connor arranged for a consultant to select a few outfits for me to choose from once I get to LA."

Meg frowns obviously wondering why Veronica would not be more concerned about what she is wearing on the red carpet.

Diana looks over at Veronica and questions, "Where is he taking you?"

Meg excitedly answers, "The LA premiere of his new movie; then to all the after parties. Veronica is staying in LA overnight."

Diana frowns and then covers her expression with an expression of worry, "I can't believe your Dad is OK with that!"

Veronica has seen Diana's frown. She smirks and tells Diana, "Actually neither Dad was happy. Father wanted to send a car to get me after. Dad just said no."

Diana says, "I guess you are not worried about your reputation."

Logan frowns and looks over at her. He opens his mouth to speak when Veronica's voice says dryly, "I have it covered but thanks for your concern."

Logan leans over to Duncan and asks quietly, "How does she have it covered?"

Smiling Duncan tells Logan, "Mr. and Mrs. Mars are staying at our apartment in LA for the weekend. Ronnie will go there after."

Logan nods and says, "Mr. Mars will protect her."

Smirking Duncan asks Logan, "I wonder if Connor will enjoy the talk."

"It makes me smile just to think about it." Logan laughs as he sits back in the lounger.

***

Logan plops down on the lounger next to Veronica's. He leans in to talk quietly with her, "You'd better not burn today."

Veronica turns her head to look at him. She notes, 'I'll have one hundred pounds of makeup on tomorrow so no one would notice."

Logan frowns a little and says, "You don't need make up Ronnie."

Veronica tilts her head and smiles teasingly at Logan, 'That sounded like a compliment."

Logan shakes his head at her, "You look good all the time."

Touched Veronica says, "Well I hope they don't put as much on me as Connor wears."

Logan laughs and pronounces, "I told you they drew on his abs."

Veronica shakes he head a little and says, "I remember."

Logan sits up and turns to face Veronica. He says quietly, "Ronnie seriously, be careful dating Connor."

Veronica pulls off her sunglasses to look at Logan. She frowns, "Why?"

Logan pulls off his sunglasses and meets her gaze. He says, "He goes through a lot of women. He's really fixated on his image."

Veronica frown deepens, "Are you saying he couldn't be serious about me?"

Shaking his head a little Logan immediately says, "He's lucky to date you. It's just I know how it is with Hollywood stars."

Veronica's frown softens. She puts her hand on Logan's arm and gently says, "I know Logan. I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks for worrying."

Logan stares at Veronica. His eyes darken as they look at each other.

Diana noticing the moment raises her voice to get Logan's attention, "Logan sweetheart. Come and put some sunscreen on my back. You wouldn't want me to burn, would you?" She pouts over at Logan.

Logan looks away from Veronica. He says, "Sure."

He gets up out of the lounger and puts his sunglasses back on. He looks down briefly at Veronica and says, "Have fun tomorrow Ronnie."

Veronica puts her sunglasses back on as well saying, "Thanks."

***

Meg is reading the paper at lunch. She looks up and says, "Veronica's dress and look got a thumbs up. They called her hip and sexy."

Diana says scathingly, "You don't think Connor Larkin is really serious about her do you?"

Agreeing Madison says, "He can have anyone he wants. It's just a publicity stunt."

Cassidy interjects, "Didn't you see the paper? Connor bought a huge diamond ring last week. The rumors are he was going to give it Veronica after the premiere."

Logan looks startled.

Frowning Diana says, "What? He wants to marry her?"

Cole turns to Duncan and asks, "Did he give her a ring?"

Duncan shakes his head and says, "She's not back home yet. I don't think so because they didn't report his murder in the papers today."

Cole exclaims, "What?"

Duncan explains, "Mr. Mars was up in LA with her and I'll bet he would freak if anyone wanted to marry his baby girl."

Dick says, "He is one scary dude!"

Duncan smiles. He adds, "She called Dad to let him know that Connor is coming back with her tonight and will be over for dinner."

Dick laughs and pats Duncan on the back. He says, "Maybe Veronica will be the one to hook 'Hollywood's Sexiest Man'."

Madison angrily says, "That is ridiculous!"

Meg thinking aloud says, "Maybe they are going to tell your family the news tonight." She turns to Duncan and says, "You have to let me come over for dinner tonight."

Meg grabs Duncan's arm and shakes it saying, "You have to!"

Duncan smiling at her excitement says, "You are always welcome sweetheart."

Dick says, "It could be true. Veronica only dates rich guys and Connor's rich."

Meg caught up in her excitement misses Logan's reaction. Duncan doesn't. Meg gushes: He's totally hot. Wouldn't it be perfect?

***

The next morning, Logan catches up to Duncan in the parking lot. He says, "So are you gaining a brother-in-law?"

Duncan turns to look at Logan shaking his head, "I don't know man. He mentioned at supper that he asked her to go on location with him to New Zealand this summer."

Logan asks, "Is she going to go?"

Sighing Duncan says, "I don't know. I didn't talk to Ronnie last night. She and Connor had dinner with us and then he took her for a sail on his boat. He talked alone with Dad for a few minutes before they left. I think he asked Dad's permission first and then he took her for a sail to ask her.

Logan grabs Duncan's arm stopping him. He says, "Do you think she'll say yes?"

"Meg thinks so." Duncan tells his friend. Looking at his watch Duncan says, "I have to go and meet Meg. I'll talk to you later." Duncan heads off towards the gym.

Logan watching him leave says, "Later." Logan looks after Duncan with a pensive look on his face.

***

Duncan and Meg talk to Wallace by his locker. Wallace is telling Duncan about how much he enjoyed the game. Wallace tells them that the Lakers won on a last second basket.

Meg says, "There is a picture of you in the paper."

Surprised Wallace asks, "Really?"

Meg pulls the paper out of her bag. She hands the paper to Wallace. He looks at the paper and says, "V's going to be upset about this."

Logan and Diana arrive. Logan overhearing asks, "What is Veronica going to be upset about?"

Wallace shows Logan the paper. He says, "The paper is talking about her being pregnant."

Logan looks at the picture of Connor, Veronica and Wallace at the Laker's game. Connor is holding Veronica's hand and talking to Wallace. The second picture has Veronica standing in front of Connor on his boat the day before. He has his arms around her resting on her lower abdomen. The paper mentions Connor buying a huge diamond ring and is questioning whether Veronica is pregnant.

Diana says, "Well that explains why Connor would want to marry her."

Logan frowns warningly at Diana and asks Duncan what is going on. Duncan shakes his head and says, "I don't know man." He takes Meg's hand and says, "We'll see you later."

Logan watches them walk away. He knows there is something his friend is not telling him.

***

Logan arrives home and when he opens the door, he hears voices in the kitchen.

He walks to the kitchen and recognizes Mrs. Navarro's voice talking to a woman.

As he gets closer, he realizes it is Veronica she is talking to.

Veronica is saying, "Thanks so much for teaching me how to make tamales. Actually thanks for all the cooking lessons."

He hears Mrs. Navarro say indulgently, "It was my pleasure. Thanks for teaching me how to make snicker doodles."

Logan looks in the kitchen and sees Veronica taking cookies off the cookie sheet and putting them on a rack to cool. He listens as she tells Mrs. Navarro, "My pleasure."

Leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed, Logan asks, "What do we have here?"

Veronica and Mrs. Navarro look over at Logan. They both smile. Mrs. Navarro is the first to speak, "Veronica made tamales. Would you like some?"

Logan puts on a look of terror, "Ahhhhh…."

Veronica puts her hands and her hips and says with mock anger, "Nice Logan!"

Veronica walks over and takes Logan's arm. She pulls him into the kitchen saying, "Just for that you have to try them."

Logan laughs and allows himself to be dragged to the island. Mrs. Navarro makes him a plate and Veronica pours him a glass of water and adds ice.

Logan tastes the tamale. Both women are watching him. He says, "Wow. These are pretty good!"

Veronica dryly says, "Thanks for sounding shocked."

Mrs. Navarro says proudly, "Miss Veronica is becoming a good cook."

Logan smiles fondly at her, "If anyone could teach her, it would be you."

Smiling at the compliment, Mrs. Navarro says, "Thank you Mr. Logan."

Logan swallows another bite of his meal. He says, "Why don't you go home early? I am sure you are traumatized by having to teach Ronnie."

Shaking her head at Logan, Mrs. Navarro scolds, "Stop teasing her Mr. Logan. She is a good pupil."

Veronica makes a face at Logan and mocks, "Yeah Logan. I am a good pupil."

Logan smirks at her but continues to eat.

Veronica goes over and hugs Mrs. Navarro. She says sadly, "Logan is being so mean to me, why don't you take the snicker doodles home to your family."

Logan quickly says, "No. I'm sorry."

Mrs. Navarro laughs and says, "I will leave you some Mr. Logan."

Logan watches her gather her things and leave. He thinks about how happy he is to have Veronica in his home and how great it felt to have Mrs. Navarro and Veronica cooking for him in his kitchen when he arrived home. Logan finishes eating his tamales enjoying the happy feeling.

Veronica watches Logan for a minute says, "How was school today?"

"Well Mom. The other children teased me and made me cry," Logan says in a childlike voice.

Tilting her head Veronica retorts, "Are you sure that wasn't you teasing the other kids?"

Logan laughing says, "So it was! You know me so well."

Veronica laughs with Logan. She looks at her watch and picks up her bag, "Well I had better go."

Logan not wanting the moment to be over says, "Stay and talk to me for a minute. We hardly see each other."

"Sure," Veronica puts her bag down and goes over to the cupboard. She comes back to the island with a plate of snicker doodles and sits across from Logan. She tells him, "Mrs. Navarro made these. Now you will be able to have them whenever you want."

Logan reaches for a cookie and says sincerely, "Thanks."

Logan takes a bite and moans in appreciation, "These are delicious."

Veronica smiles at Logan. "The way to a man's heart is through his stomach," she observes. "I didn't believe Mrs. Navarro when she told me that."

"Is that why you are learning to cook?" Logan asks.

Veronica puts a hand to her chest adopting a snobby tone, "Logan. I am scandalized! I am rich now. The rich don't cook, they hire chefs."

Logan smiles at her imitation. He observes teasingly, "You really have adjusted well to being a Kane!"

Veronica laughs. She looks at Logan and says, "I just wanted to learn to cook. My mother didn't really make time to teach me."

Understanding, Logan says, "The booze was more important?"

"Something like that." agrees the tiny blond.

Logan looks curiously at Veronica. He leans towards her a little and asks, "Do you know where your mother is?"

He sees her sigh and then she admits, "Yeah. I have been keeping tabs on her."

Watching her closely Logan asks, "Are you going to contact her?"

Veronica shakes her head sadly, "Not now. I have already put her through rehab once. She is still drinking. I guess I will have to wait for her to hit rock bottom. Then maybe she will be ready for help."

Logan puts his hand over hers, "Sorry."

"Thanks." Veronica looks at their hands.

Logan observers, "You sound like you have accepted her drinking. You don't sound as hurt or angry."

Veronica thinks about Logan's statement and then says, "At times I still feel hurt that I wasn't important enough to her. Do you still feel that way about your mom?"

"At times." Logan says slowly, "I guess time has passed and I am less angry about it now. I think more of the good times."

They are quiet for a minute.

Logan pulls his hand away from hers. He says, "Veronica. Can I ask you something?"

Nodding Veronica says, "Sure."

Taking a deep breath Logan asks, "What happened with you and Connor?"

Veronica stays silent looking out the door at the back yard.

Logan voice is more insistent, "Ronnie, what is going on?"

Veronica voice is quiet. She looks down at her hands in her lap before she answers, "Nothing, we broke up."

"Ronnie?" Logan's tone is soft.

Veronica looks up and meets Logan's eyes. He sees the sheen of tears in hers, "I don't want to be serious about anyone Logan."

Logan immediately understands, "So the rumors were true and Connor bought you a ring?"

Veronica bites her bottom lip and looks back down at her lap. Her voice is husky as she admits, "He did."

Logan stays quiet and just looks at Veronica. She is twisting her hands in her lap like she does when she is upset.
Veronica continues in a soft voice, "I hurt him."

Logan's brown eyes are fixed on Veronica. He can see she is upset. He feels pain in his chest watching her obviously beat herself up.

"Tell me what happened Ronnie," his voice insistent.

Veronica blurts, "I'm a selfish idiot."

Not understanding what she means, Logan asks, "Ronnie?"

Veronica takes a deep breath and then says, "I should have broken it off before he became involved. I should have told him I am not available."

Veronica pauses for a few seconds and looks up and meets his gaze. She says a little brokenly, "It's just I missed being with someone so I went along with the dating. It was nice."

Logan quietly tells her, "We all need to be with someone sometimes. It's not a crime."

"I was selfish," she adds.

Shaking his head Logan says, "It's not selfish if you both know the situation ahead and you both enjoy yourselves."

Veronica looks outside and is obviously thinking. Logan watches her.

Veronica finally asks, "Is that what you do Logan?"

It's Logan's turn to be quiet for a few seconds. He finally answers, "I guess it is Ronnie".

Veronica looks down at her hands which are clasped on the counter, "I wish I could do that."

Logan quietly tells her, "It is not always so great."

"Well I wish I was more like Lilly sometimes, " Veronica admits. "Just take what pleasure you can and enjoy the situation and not worry about the future. I just can't have sex with someone I don't love."

Logan asks, "So the reports of you being pregnant were greatly exaggerated?"

Veronica firmly answers, "Greatly."

Logan is silent thinking about what Veronica has said.

Veronica continues musingly, "In fact I have never…." She stops her sentence.

Logan waiting asks when he realizes she is not going to finish the sentence, "You have never what?"

She looks down at her hands again and says, "Nothing."

Logan leans over the island and takes Veronica's hand this time. He says, "You can talk to me Ronnie."

Veronica looks Logan in the eyes. She says quietly, "I have never been intimate that I can remember."

Veronica quickly looks back down at her hands.

Logan has an expression of shock on his face as he understands what she is telling him.

There is an uncomfortable pause. Finally Logan says, "Look at me Ronnie."

Veronica continues to look at her hands. Logan gently shakes her hands and says more insistently, "Look at me!"

Veronica looks up at Logan. She sees caring and understanding in his expression.

Logan clarifies, "You mean since Shelley's party?"

Veronica nods.

Logan says slowly, "So none of the guys you dated since we broke up?"

Again she shakes he head but this time she says a quiet, "No."

"Wow." Logan lets go of Veronica's hands and sits back in shock.

After a short silence Veronica adds, "There is something else you don't know Logan."

Logan looks at her and asks, "What?"

Veronica gets tears in her eyes.

Alarmed, Logan gets up from his side of the island and goes over and sits by Veronica. He demands, "Tell me, please!"

Veronica remains silent and is looking in her lap.

Logan takes her hands in his and says gently, "You can trust me Ronnie. Please let me help you."

Veronica continues to look at her hands but speaks quietly, "I had Chlamydia."

Shocked Logan says, "What? When?"

Her voice very quiet, Veronica says, "At my physical last summer, the doctor told me I had it."

Logan is stunned silent as he thinks about what this means. Veronica pauses for a few seconds then continues quietly, "I snuck in and checked Duncan's medical records and he never had it."

Thinking aloud Logan says, "So that means…..?"

Veronica starts crying and mumbles, "There was someone else that night!"

Logan takes Veronica into his arms and hugs her tightly. She cries into his chest. He feels like his heart is breaking for her. He rubs her back and whispers soothingly into her hair. His guilt about that time in her life is like a knife through his gut.

Logan, his voice breaking says, "I'm sorry. I am so sorry."

He holds her letting her get her emotions out.

Veronica's cries eventually subside and she rests in Logan's arms. Sighing she pulls out and reaches for a tissue to wipe her tears and blow her nose.

She says, "It was easier somehow to think it was Duncan. Now….."

Logan supplies, "It's harder."

Nodding Veronica answers, "Yeah. I don't know if it was someone I know or if there was more than one guy…."

Logan's heart stutters as he thinks of the implications of what she is saying. His arms tighten around her again and she rests her head on his chest. Being in his arms is comforting. He is the only person she has ever told about the STD. He is the only person who really knows everything about her.

After a few minutes Veronica pulls out of Logan's arms again. She says quietly, "Thanks. You are a good friend."

Logan questions, "Is this part of the reason you went to Pan?"

Veronica nods and then says a little tiredly, "Yes. I know it was no one there. I don't walk down the hall and wonder when a guy looks at me if he is remembering…"

Logan takes her hand from her lap and holds it between his.

Veronica looks up at Logan and meet his gaze. She sees his feelings of guilt for that time and his worry for her. She says, "You are really the only person who knows the whole me, warts and all. I could never really talk about everything with Lilly. Wallace is great but he doesn't know me from before Lilly died so he doesn't really have the whole picture."

Logan squeezes her hand and says, "Well I will always be here for you."

Veronica's eyes tear and she bites her bottom lip. She says, "Thanks. I'll be there for you too."

Logan nods and says, "I know."

Veronica stands and Logan stands with her.

Logan leans down and kisses her forehead.

Veronica looks at her watch and says, "I'd better to run. I have to go home and change before Tae Kwan Do."

Logan says, "You started those classes right about when you found out about the… you know, didn't you?"

Veronica smiles at how perceptive Logan is. She says, "Yes, I feel more in control knowing how to protect myself. Also it is good exercise."

Logan wiggles his eyebrows lightening the tense moment, "I've noticed how in shape you are."

"Logan!" she chastises.

Logan continues teasingly, "What? I am a guy you know."

Veronica hugs Logan and says, "A great guy!"

She leans over and picks up her bag. She says, "Bye Logan."

Veronica heads out of the house towards the back door.

Logan calls, "Where are you going?"

Her voice carries back as she continues towards the door, "I usually park out back when I come. Mrs. Navarro gave me the code to the servant gate. By the way, you should give Mrs. Navarro a raise. She keeps good care of you and she could use the money. See you!"

Logan mumbles, "So that is why I didn't know you're here."

*********

Thank you for reading and for all the great feedback.