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. Diana, Logan's girlfriend is unhappy as Logan and Veronica become closer. Veronica and Connor break up..... Now on with the story....

Wallace holding Georgia's hand opens the door of the movie theater. Georgia smiles when she sees Veronica waiting for them by the door. Wallace greets his best friend, "Hey Superfly. What's up?"

Veronica puts her hand on her hip and complains, "You're late."

Wallace looking down at his girlfriend says, "Blame Georgia. She had to change outfits ten times."

Putting her arms around Wallace, Georgia flirts, "Trying to look good for my man."

Wallace hugs her back and says, "Your man appreciates it."

Georgia gently slaps his chest and says, "He'd better!"

Wallace looks back at Veronica who is smiling at their banter. He looks around and says, "So where is your date?"

Holding out their tickets to them, Veronica says, "Since you are so late; Casey is getting our movie refreshments."

"Does Casey mind dating the woman having Connor Larkin's child?" Wallace says as he takes the tickets from Veronica.

Veronica makes a face at Wallace and says, "Funny!"

Wallace laughing looks at Veronica appraising, "I don't see the bump yet."

Georgia smiles at Wallace's comment.

Frowning Veronica threatens, "Keep it up and you just might see a bump."

Taking Georgia's hand, Wallace pulls her gently to walk with Veronica over towards the concession. Wallace says mildly, "Your dad did not appreciate the article although he hopes it is a girl."

Georgia starts to giggle. Veronica smiles a little at Wallace's teasing. She makes a move towards Wallace and says, "That's it! Start running."

Laughing Wallace pretends to be afraid of the petite blonde's threatening manner.

Georgia's smile fades and she takes Veronica's arm and looks at her seriously. She says quietly, "Veronica. The tabloids today show Connor is dating his costar in New Zealand."

Shrugging Veronica says, "He always dates his costars."

Wallace tries to lighten the mood, "So you aren't waiting for him to come back and make an honest woman of you?"

Veronica digging through her purse says, "Where is my taser?"

"Sorry V. I'll stop." Wallace puts up his hands in apology.

Veronica wags a finger at him, "Bad BFF."

Throwing his arm around her smaller frame, Wallace says, "Do I need to go to New Zealand and beat up a certain actor for you?"

Smiling Veronica shakes her head, "No but I appreciate the thought. Ah... Here's Casey. Let's go into the theater."

****

Dick swallows his bite of his sandwich. He looks across the table at Duncan who is sitting with his girlfriend Meg. He says his voice loud in mostly quiet time while everyone is eating, "So Duncan, you're going to be an uncle?"

The 09ers at the table and the students sitting at the tables around Dick's table stop and look at Duncan. Frowning Duncan answers, "Funny man."

Diana jumps in and says, "So it's true. Veronica is pregnant."

Logan looks over and frowns at his girlfriend. He says, "The tabloids are most often not true. You know that Diana."

Shaking her head Meg says, "I imagine Casey wasn't happy about the tabloid stories."

Dick asks, "Casey as in Casey Grant?"

Meg nods and explains, "Yeah. Veronica and Casey are dating. They have been for a while."

Diana says, "What about Connor?"

Duncan tells her, "He's on location in New Zealand."

Raising his arm Dick cheers, "So while the cat's away, the mouse will play. Way to go Veronica!"

Puzzled Diana frowns a little, "Who is Casey?" she asks.

Dick readily answers, "His grandmother ran Grant Publishing. She died last year and left him everything. He's loaded!"

Madison chimes in, "I'm not surprised Connor wised up and dumped Veronica."

Dick seeing the anger on Logan's face says, "Well now she's dating Casey."

Madison missing Logan's anger says, "She moved onto another rich man. Why else would Veronica date Casey?"

Intervening, Meg says her voice dreamy, "Well he's gorgeous and a college man!" Madison and Diana look upset.

Duncan smirks a little at his girlfriend's defense of Veronica. He leans over and says to Logan quietly, "Dad wants to know why V can't date someone who lives in Neptune."

Logan smiles at Duncan's tone. He says, "I bet Mr. Mars is going crazy."

****

Veronica is in her Taekwando outfit by the front door searching in the closet for her shoes. Her cell phone rings just as Duncan, Meg, Logan and Diana come in the front door. Veronica has her back to the door and doesn't see them come in. Logan eyes how tiny she looks in the outfit.

Veronica talking on her cell phone, "Hi." She continues to rummage through the closet. She finds one shoe and puts it on.

Stepping farther into the closet looking for her elusive shoe, Veronica says, "I'm on my way to Taekwando."

After a short pause the group in the foyer hears Veronica's voice a little muffled from searching the closet, "Friday night? Nothing much. Big Frat party we have to attend?"

Veronica steps out holding her other shoe. She stops obviously surprised at whatever she is hearing. She says her voice rising a little, "Really?"

There is a pause, and then Veronica questions, "Dinner with your parents?"

She continues to hold her shoe and stand unmoving as she listens to who the group assumes is Casey on the other end.

Veronica says uncertainly, "Isn't that kind of a …….?"

Veronica listens and then sighs. She says quietly, "Casey maybe it is too soon."

"I am testing in Taekwando on Saturday morning so I really need to attend one of the classes on Friday. I could go to the early one and be ready for supper about 7pm. How is that for you?" she adds.

Veronica drops her shoe to the ground and is pushing her foot into it. She says, "What does one wear to a meet the parent's soirée?"

Veronica turns towards the door now she has both shoes on. Her face is exasperated as she says, "I am sure you would like that but it would not make a good impression on your parents."

Veronica smiles at the group and then says, "OK pick me up then. Bye."

Meg watches Veronica hang up. She says, "Was that Casey?"

Veronica puts her phone in her bag. She smiles at Meg and says, 'Yes. He is coming to Neptune for the weekend."

Meg questions, "You're meeting his parents?"

Frowning a little Veronica answers, "Yeah." She pauses and looks at Meg considering. She says, "Hey maybe we could go shopping after school tomorrow?"

Immediately excited Meg says, "Sure. Let's go to the boutiques downtown and then have supper."

Putting her bag on her shoulder Veronica says, "Great".

Veronica hugs Meg and then waves at Duncan, Logan and Diana. She looks at her watch and exclaims, "I have to go. If I am late I end up doing push ups or sit ups until I have learned respect. See you!"

Veronica practically runs out the door.

Meg turns to Duncan bouncing a little. She says, "Meeting his parents; that is kind of big!"

Duncan smiles at his girlfriend's excitement. Thinking out loud Meg shares, "She hasn't really been seeing anyone else since she started seeing Casey."

"Maybe it's time for a brother to boyfriend talk?" Duncan tells Meg teasingly.

Meg looks horrified and says firmly, "Don't you dare. Veronica will kill you."

Duncan continues innocently, "I have to look out for my sister's best interests, find out his intentions; you know that kind of thing."

"Well just don't scare him away. I think Veronica really does like him." Meg says as he walks over to Diana.

Meg grabs Diana by the arm and they walk ahead.

Logan looks taken aback by the news. He can hear Meg ask Diana if she wants to come shopping with them and then state, "We need to find her an amazing dress."

Meg enters the living room and starts telling Jake and Celeste about Veronica's date on Friday.

Jake after greeting the teenagers says, "She has been seeing a lot of him. Maybe it's time for a father to boyfriend chat?"

****

Meg sits beside Logan in the theater room. Diana and Duncan are next door in the game room playing pool.

Meg looks over at Logan's face as they watch the movie. Logan feeling her stare looks over at her. He says, "Meg, didn't your parents teach you it's not nice to stare?"

Flushing a little, Meg looks back at the screen.

Logan looks back at the screen but he notices that his comment did not put her off for long. Too soon for Logan's piece of mind, Meg turns back to look at Logan, This time her face is more determined.

She says a little tentatively, "Logan, do you love Diana?"

Logan snarks at Meg, "Am I getting the friend to boyfriend talk?"

She shakes her head and meets his gaze saying quietly, "No it is more like a friend to friend talk."

Logan looks at Meg and sees the honesty in her eyes.

Meg adds, "I feel like we can be friends Logan."

Touched Logan says, "I would like that."

Tentatively she says, "It's just, Diana is kind of…."

Logan supplies, "A bitch?"

Meg blushes and chastises, "Logan!"

Logan smiles a little and teases, "There are not too many girls as nice as you, Princess Meg."

"Why do you date someone who is not nice?" Meg asks him frowning at the wording of his answer.

Sarcastically Logan says, "Do you really need me to explain the birds and bees to you?"

Meg blushing continues, "I just think you should find someone who really cares for you."

Logan deadpans, "Meg, are you offering to dump Duncan for me?"

Meg now totally embarrassed exclaims, "Logan, stop that!"

Logan laughs. He reaches over and squeezes her hand, "I'll just wait for Miss Right then."

"You had her already," Meg points out.

Logan looks startled and his gaze meets her. He says, "What?"

Meg quietly says, "Veronica."

Logan looks away from Meg towards where Diana and Duncan are playing pool. He says, "We are just friends."

Meg says, "You love her and she loves you."

Logan looks at Meg. His brown eye glitter with emotion. His voice is quiet though as he says, "We just didn't work out together."

Narrowing her gaze Meg clarifies, "But you're friends."

Logan nods answering, "Yes."

Meg asks easily, "Don't friends trust each other?"

Logan wondering where she is going with her questions says, "Yeah."

Meg pushes, "Veronica told me you broke up with her because you couldn't trust her and she didn't trust you. Is that true?"

Logan takes a deep breath and lets it out. Surprisingly he chooses to answer her prying. He says, "Yes."

Meg points out, "Well lack of trust is not a problem anymore, is it?"

It is obvious that Logan does not like the direction this conversation is going. He says firmly, "Meg, I don't want to talk about this."

He sees that Meg is determined to talk to him about Veronica. She says, "Neither does Veronica."

Logan a little exasperated says, "There you go. That should tell you something. I'm with Diana now. Veronica's with Casey. You shouldn't be talking to me about this."

Meg deflates a little and looks at Logan with her big blue eyes. She says, "It's just….. you had something special together. You just go together."

Sighing he says, "Yeah like nitro and glycerin."

Meg comes back with, "More like Romeo and Juliet."

Logan shakes his head a little. He says quietly, "It was too volatile. I knew it would blow up."

There is a pause and the Meg says, "I think that's passion Logan."

Logan deflecting the uncomfortable conversation says, "Are you saying you don't feel passion for DK?"

Defensively Meg says, "I do." She pauses and then adds, "It's just you and Veronica are both emotional people. You each can have higher highs and lower lows than the average person."

Logan looks at Meg and he sees she is having difficulty explaining what she means. He also sees she is sincere and does care.

Logan says, "It was the low that finished us Meg. I can't go through that again."

Meg sees the pain in Logan's eyes and she says earnestly, "But the highs Logan; it's more than the average person can dream of ever having. Don't you see that?"

Logan's eyes glitter with emotion. He takes a deep breath and says, "I can't Meg."

Meg looks sympathetically at Logan, then states, "You're scared."

Logan turns his attention to the movie. There is silence for a few minutes.

Meg leans over and puts her hand over Logan's on the arm rest. She apologizes, "I'm sorry I upset you. I just want you to be happy."

Logan turns and looks at Meg. He puts his hand over hers on his arm. He says, "I know."

Taking a quick glance to see that Diana and Duncan are still busy playing pool, Meg lowers her voice and says, "Just think about what I said. You need someone who can handle all your passion."

Logan teasing asks, "Are you offering Meg?"

Meg a little frustrated says, "Logan!"

****

Duncan walks into the school with Meg. Logan and Diana walk up to them as they walk down the hallway towards their lockers. Logan bumps fists with Duncan. He says, "Hey. Glad you're back. How was Napa?"

Smiling Duncan, "How do you think?"

Logan guesses, "They loved her."

Nodding Duncan tells him, "She was pretty nervous on the flight there. I think she was worried about what they would think about her being illegitimate and Lilly's friend and all."

Logan says, "I guess it went OK."

Shaking his head Duncan tells Logan, "Grandma absolutely adores her and of course Grandpa had no chance against her baby blues."

"Of course!" Logan agrees.

Duncan tells the teens, "Grandma took her to all her teas and functions to show her off. Veronica cooked an authentic Mexican meal one night. I was surprised. It was good. I thought she was a menace in the kitchen."

Logan explains, "She's been taking lessons from Mrs. Navarro."

Duncan says with disbelief in his voice, "That's what she said."

Diana looks at Logan and says incredulously, "Your maid is teaching Veronica how to cook?"

Logan answers, "Yeah. Mrs. Navarro has always had a soft spot for Ronnie."

Frowning Diana asks, "Why is she learning how to cook? It's a waste of time."

Logan shrugs and says, "I guess she just wanted to learn."

Seeing the tension between Logan and Diana, Duncan goes on, "Anyways she baked Snicker Doodles and Grandpa is addicted to them."

Logan observes, "It sounds like a good time was had by all."

Duncan smiles sharing, "Yeah. It was nice to see them all bond. I missed Meg though. I think she will have to come next time."

Meg blushes and looks at Duncan. She asks, "Really?"

Duncan bends to kiss her gently. He softly says, "Yeah really."

****

Logan and Diana sit beside Meg and Duncan at lunch. Logan says, "Congratulations man. Big win last night."

Nodding at his friend, Duncan says, "Thanks."

Smiling at the memory, Logan says, "Although I think I am still deaf from sitting next to Ronnie and Meg."

Duncan bumps his shoulder gently against Meg and teases, "They are screamers, that's for sure; all that cheerleading training."

Meg smiles at her boyfriend's teasing. She looks at the 09ers around the table and says proudly, "Did you hear Duncan won MVP for the season?"

Logan cheers, "Way to go! Jake and Celeste must be over the moon."

A little sheepishly Duncan says, "Yeah." He adds, "Dad is excited that Veronica's team won and will be in the championship game too."

"Now he can really brag…" Logan says.

Meg says, "He is a proud Dad, that's for sure!"

Diana putting her hand on Duncan's arm says, "I think your Dad must be more proud of you Duncan. You are first in your class, class president, Editor of the school paper, MVP of your soccer team and in the championship game."

Duncan says, "Thanks but Veronica is first in her class, made regional in track, had the lead in her school play, her soccer team is in the championship too....and she's got that head tilt."

Laughing Logan says, "You are so second man! Sorry."

Duncan, Meg and Logan laugh. Logan continues, "Wait until she throws in the hair toss, she'll own Jake."

Diana stands abruptly and says, "Let's go Logan."

Logan looks surprised but stands too. He says, "OK."

Logan and Diana walk towards the door to the school.

Meg watching them leave turns to Duncan, "She doesn't like when we talk about Veronica. I think she is a little jealous of her."

Duncan agrees, "She doesn't think Logan would cheat on her, does she?"

Frowning a little Meg observes, "I think she is scared of how close Logan and Veronica have gotten."

Duncan thinks about it. He says, "Logan seems happier now he is friendlier with Ronnie."

Meg questions, "Do you think he still loves her?"

Nodding Duncan answers, "Oh yeah. I think he has loved her since he was twelve. I don't think there is anyone else for him."

Her voice frustrated, Meg says, "Why doesn't he admit it and get back with her?"

"I think he loved her totally and then got crushed when they didn't work out." Duncan tells her. He adds, "He almost jumped off that bridge when they broke up. I think he is afraid to get hurt that badly again."

They are quiet for a few seconds. Meg asks her boyfriend, "What about Veronica? Do you think she loves Logan?"

Duncan says, "I don't think she stopped. I think she has given up on the idea of them being together and is just happy to be friends."

Meg shakes her head and says, "I don't think that is it. I think she is trying to make it until she leaves for college. I think she is hoping for a fresh start then."

Looking at his girlfriend, Duncan questions, "What do you mean?"

Meg explains, "Aaron's trial will be over, her Dad is happily married and she has gotten to know her birth father. When she is across the country in college, she won't see Logan very often. I think she thinks when she is away she may be able to get over Aaron, Lilly's death and Logan."

Duncan asks, "You think she is still faking being happy?"

Meg takes Duncan's hand and squeezes it. She says, "I do."

He sighs as he thinks about what Meg is telling him. "Do you think she is happier now than at the beginning of the school year?" he asks.

Meg nods, "I think so. She seems less depressed. She is still quiet and at times seems really lonely. I do see flashes of the old Veronica from time to time." She adds, "I hate to see her so sad!"

Duncan hugs her. He says, "Me too!" He pulls back and looks at Meg and says, "She'll always have us."

Megs leans up to kiss Duncan.

****

Duncan is sitting on the couch in the Casablancas' living room with Meg.

Cole, Madison, Dick, Cassidy and Wallace are sitting in chairs listening to Duncan's story. Logan and Diana walk in. Everyone greets them.

Duncan goes back to his story, "She looks at Dad and says in that sugary sweet voice." Duncan raises his voice to a girly level, "Father I am going to need more than my regular allowance this week."

Everyone smiles at Duncan's imitation. He carries on, "Dad tells her it is not a problem and then asks if she is buying new clothes or something. Veronica looks him in the eye, tilts her head and says, 'No I am going to buy a man.'"

Duncan is laughing as he continues, "Dad starts choking on his coffee and sputtering. Veronica doesn't crack a smile or anything and she says, 'So it's OK then?'"

The 09ers except for Diana and Madison start laughing.

Wallace shakes his head and says, "That sounds just like her. V loves to cause both her Dads to have mini heart attacks."

Logan laughs and says, "We should have warned Jake what he was getting into having the tiny blonde one around."

Cole puzzled asks, "What did she mean by buying a man?"

Meg is curled into Duncan's side. She tells Cole, "Veronica is planning on bidding on a bachelor at the Bachelor's Auction on Friday night. Celeste, Veronica and I are going together."

Meg turns to Diana and asks, "Are you going?"

Diana nods, "Yes I am going with my Mom and Aunt." She rubs Logan's arm and flirts, "I have to bid on my man."

Duncan frowns a little at Logan. He knows how much Logan hates these events. He says, "I didn't think you were going to be in the auction?"

Logan obviously unhappy says, "Diana twisted my arm."

Meg sensing the tension says, "I have strict instructions to make sure I buy Duncan."

Wallace looks at Meg and asks, "Who is Veronica going to bid on?"

Duncan shakes his head and says, "She wouldn't tell Dad."

Wallace observes, "Probably just to bother him."

Duncan laughs agreeing, "I wouldn't put it past her."

Meg says, "I think she is going to bid on Casey. They have been seeing a lot of each other."

Diana adds, "It's lucky her dad is rich because Casey is going to cost a lot of money."

Meg nods, "It is for a good cause though."

Cassidy says, "Are you ready to start the movie?"

*****

Thanks again for reading. I have really appreciated the great ideas you have been giving me. Keep your thoughts and ideas coming....