Veronica reaches her porch, only to hear Alicia berating Keith about Veronica's involving Wallace in bugging Wiedman. Keith defends Veronica and says she's not your average seventeen-year-old. Alicia: "How can she be, when you treat her like she's forty?" I hope he's not really treating her like she's forty, because if he is, his repeated use of "Who's your daddy" is even squickier than we'd imagined. Veronica enters and tries repeatedly to apologize to Alicia, but Keith orders her to her room. Veronica: "Fine. But he bugged me first." Now there's the reaction of a seventeen-year-old! Or at most a thirty-five-year-old, given that that's exactly what I would have said. When Veronica's gone, Alicia asks, "He bugged her first?" God, Alicia, he is Eeeevil. I know he wasn't wearing his black hat, but his nature goes beyond accessories.

In her room, Veronica's moping and listening to music when Keith enters. He tells her that Duncan's safe at home. She apologizes for the bugged plant, and Keith tells her it's okay, but mentions Mommie Sneerest's refusal to pay the reward. Keith thinks, though, that she'll eventually cough it up, and that she's just enjoying the moment. Veronica: "She's a witch." According to fairy tales, many stepmothers are. Keith averts Veronica's gaze as he suggests that Veronica find another occupation, since he thinks working for him is ruining her life. Veronica sits up: "You're the best father in the world." Awwww. Veronica gets him to look at her as she tells him she's healthy and happy. I'd think that was the exact sentence for which she wouldn't want him looking her in the eye. She adds that she wouldn't have gotten through the last year without him, but he counters that if not for him, she wouldn't have had to. She looks discomfited at that revelation, and he kisses her on the forehead and leaves. Jeez, way to burst her bubble, Keith, but it adds up that you'd be good at that. At least, if the apparent demise of her waterbed is any indication.