Veronica Mars Fan Fic part 4 

Veronica ran out of the closet and literally, smacked into Logan,

"Again, so eager to be around me, aren't you V?" he smirked before seeing the distress plastered across her face, "Wait, what's wrong? Veronica?" Gasping for air, Veronica started to relay to Logan, what she'd heard. And as he stood there, with every word, his eyes grew wider.

« We've gotta tell the captain," Veronica said, pulling Logan to the steps which led up to the Captain's cabin. But as they got there they realised, that this just got a whole lot worse. Veronica gasped as she saw the Captain's battered body slumped up against the cupboard. And as she gasped, a suit-clad security guard turned around and smirked,

"Why Hello there," before saying into his headset, "NOW!"

Logan and Veronica heard the music stop and a gunshot as someone shot into the air. Below, she heard the boat move as about 40 people ran around screaming. Staring at Logan, Veronica cried,

"They've started, RUN LOGAN, WE'VE GOTTA RUN!" And with that Veronica kicked the security guard as he tried to pick her up and let Logan grab her by the hand and pull her down the stairs,

As they were running round to the front of the boat, Veronica noticed two security guards appear.

"Logan, where do you plan on hiding?" she yelled above the screaming,

"I don't know, where's that closet you hid in before?" he said scrambling over some deck chairs, as Veronica tried to make sense of her surrounding,

"Erm, it's over there, on the le..." but she didn't get to continue before her scream became muffled, as a cloth was placed over mouth. As her eyes closed, and her body became limp, Logan tried to get her out of the arms of the security guard but he was stopped by another ex-wrestler turned Security guard.

"VERONICA! Oh crap," he muttered as he tried to duck punches and get to Veronica at the same time. But as he turned around and saw Veronica being carried away, he yelled, "Veron..." but he didn't finish what he was saying either, before being knocked out by the ex-wrestler.

Meanwhile, downstairs, havoc was taking place. When the shot had been fired, everyone had realised that something was very wrong. Wallace was looking for Jane and after spotting her, his initial main concern took over; Jackie, and Veronica of course. He searched for Veronica's blonde hair in the crowd before remembering seeing her go up the stairs about 15 minutes ago and not seeing her since, so he assumed she was up on deck. Then he searched for Jackie, before seeing her being cornered by a leering security guard, he ran up to the guy and shoved him out of the way, and dragged her out of his way and over their booth, surprisingly including Dick, but excluding Veronica were huddled together in genuine fear. Life in Neptune had always been pretty eventful, but never were the gang as deeply involved as they were now. As Jane buried her tear streaked face into Wallace's chest, and Jackie sat there petrified with fear, Wallace knew he would have to make a choice sooner rather than later. Mac turned her face to Cassidy, and wiped her eyes to prevent her from crying; Cindy 'Mac' Mackenzie, does not cry, she told herself as she hugged Cassidy and as he looked for reassurance from his brother Dick who had sat there fiddling for the past three minutes.

Over on the other side of the room, was the group of 09ers fitting into 3 booths; all the girls were crying, whilst most of their boyfriends sat there frigid in fear. Weevil stood in the middle of the room with a small group of people, who weren't exactly rich, but weren't poor. People who weren't exactly cool, but weren't nerdy either. Weevil motioned for them to go sit in the booth next to the people he would call his 'acquaintances'. He stood in the room, and was about to tell the 2 security guards that were walking towards him and enclosing him, that if they wanted to have anybody, they would have to go through him, when Mac stood up and broke the sound of crying and screaming,

"Weevil, are you an idiot? Just sit down with us, don't give them a reason to hurt you." Weevil turned and looked at her, just as an unconscious Veronica was being brought down the stairs, with an equally alert Logan behind. "That was quite out-of-character Mac, Veronica seems to really be rubbing off on you, but I'm afraid they've just given me a reason to hurt them." He sneered motioning to the unconscious petite blonde that had practically been dropped on the floor. Jane cried out as this happened and Wallace jumped up and dragged Dick over to help Veronica and Logan.

"WEEVIL DON'T!" Mac yelled as he went to punch one of the guards, "You'll just make it worse, just go get Veronica," But by this point, Wallace had picked up a semi-conscious Logan and draped his arm over Dick's shoulder and Dick was helping him over to the booth, whereas Wallace was picking up Veronica by placing his arms under her armpits. Veronica didn't weigh much, but Wallace wasn't that much taller than the female half of the Mars crime-fighting duo and so Weevil sighed and brought his arm down and went over to help carry the legs of Miss Mars.

When they had settled in to the presently crowded booth, the foremost security guard (the obnoxious, sarcastic one who had been steering the boat) started to articulate what the plan was,

"We are not here to purposely, destroy your senior year trip," he said pacing up and down the formerly teeming dance floor, before stopping, putting his large hands together and laughing, "Oh who am I kidding, that was part of the attraction of this scheme. But, on a more sincere note, we are here today to take as much money as humanely possible from your parents in exchange for your survival and wellbeing." He said surveying the nervous crowd. "Now, I understand and have contemplated the likelihood that several of you will desire to be heroes and try and intervene with our scheme. But," he said pointing to Logan and Veronica, "Those two, had only discovered what we were going to do just mere seconds previous to it's happening, and look what happened to them." He shook his hefty head, prior to continuing, "Now, presently, each and every one of you will record a short plea for help that we are going to email to your parents. You will ask for all of their savings." Looking at some of the traumatized faces of those pupils who lived on the wrong side of the tracks, he added, "I understand that a quantity of you will not be capable to meet the expense of your continued existence, and so we must ask of your parents' services and qualities they may have to present us as a substitute." The ringleader was a very well spoken, well educated man. However, it was apparent to everyone that he had clearly pursued the wrong path in life. Either that or his trust fund had run dry, and so a life of violence and criminality, were what awaited him. As the guards took out their guns, one of them dragged a table out from behind the bar, and another placed a MacBook on it and opened. In a few minutes he had set up the webcam and was able to transmit the video recordings. "Well now that's set up, let's get started." The main security guard yelled as he walked over to the nearest booth, and dragged a small, brunette from the 09er table; Lara Macken. Lara screamed as she was dragged over and her boyfriend; John Enbom attempted to get her back but he was knocked out with one smooth punch. Lara started to cry hysterically, but she was simply forced into a chair and forced to record a message to her parent; both of whom were Movie directors. As she sat there tears, streaming down her face, her make up running, Logan awoke from his violence induced slumber and found himself being kept upright by Dick,

"Dude, I know you love me and everything, but seriously, a little too close for comfort," Logan laughed before seeing everyone's strained faces, "Hey wha' happen?" he said trying to lighten the mood, but then he spotted Lara Macken crying to her parents and saw Weevil holding Veronica upright, trying to get her to wake up. Logan's face went from smiling to anger, he went to get up, but Dick held him back, "Seriously, man, just sit down, she'll be fine, but you won't if you try and attack them." Logan just shrugged him off and slid over people in the booth in order to get to Veronica. When Weevil saw him, he sighed, "Take care of her," and he placed Veronica leaning against Logan. Logan patted Veronica's face, as Weevil sighed, "Look, I've already tried that, why don't you give her something to drink," he said gesturing to Logan's flask that was poking out of his tux's pocket. Logan rolled his eyes, "I'm no doctor, but I don't think that will help matters,"

"No, Richie rich, I think it will. The alcohol will wake her up and help her recover from the shock. And if she doesn't wake up you could just splash some on her face." Weevil said nonchalantly with a shrug. Logan's face set into an angry stare as he said,
"Wow, Weevil for a moment there I actually thought you cared about someone other than your motorcycle."

Weevil hit out at Logan, but Logan hadn't realised and was carefully pouring the alcohol, on Veronica's face. However, the punch made him lose his steadiness and Veronica woke up spluttering; a sure result when you've had nearly an entire flask of alcohol poured on your face.

"Great, my make up's ruined now isn't it?" she said turning around to the two boys, "Don't worry, you can tell me if it is," she said pretending to brace herself, "I can take it." Logan stared at her open mouthed. Weevil just chuckled and tapped her on the back. However, Logan was a little bit more concerned,

"I'm glad you're alright and everything Ronnie, but seriously, look around, we're being held hostage, if you can't pay you'll be shot," He said holding her by the shoulders, "Surely, that's something to be worried about."

The main security guard had overheard their conversation,

"Ahh, Miss Mars, glad to see you're awake, and Mr Echolls I appreciate your concern. However, if you can't pay or your parents can't offer us anything, well you see, I don't want to have to kill anyone, so we'll probably just throw you overboard." At this point Veronica grew angry,

"But we'll freeze to death, so really you're just killing us but not by your own hand."

"Now when you put it that way Miss Mars, it sounds unjust and cruel," the guard sneered as Veronica stood up and Logan attempted to keep her from doing something that could get herself killed, but she shrugged him off and continued,

"Why how does it sound when you say it?"Veronica sneered back, whereas Wallace just wiped his face with his hands and just swore at his friend's stupidity.

"Well it sounds intellectual and smart, when I say it." The guy sneered, "And seeing as you're so forward with your words and ways, maybe it would be best if you recorded your message to your father now." The guard strode over and pulled Veronica out of Logan's grasp with such ferocity that she yelped in pain. He flung her down on the chair and pressed record.

Veronica was determined not to cry, but as she started to record the message, which could be the last time her father ever heard her voice her voice started to waver and tears filled her eyes, and the brave facade she had put up to keep everyone's hopes alive, came crumbling down.

She was about to start talking when a small explosion blasted her forward and the chairs and tables were flipped like a coin. With this bump adding to her previous Madison inflicted one, Veronica drifted in and out of consciousness, but as she turned her head she saw red fiery flames drifting from the bar. The explosion must have been caused by the alcohol, Veronica assumed as her head pounded and she drifted into unconsciousness with the screams of her classmates. Great Veronica, you could die and you're thinking about what caused the explosion, typical.

As the heat of the blast hit the gang, the room temperature sky rocketed. Logan turned around searching for Veronica, but not being able to see her. Turning around, with his mouth slightly opened, he saw Wallace who bore a similar expression, "Wallace, I'll find her; you get the others out," Logan said roaring over the screams. Wallace hesitated but nodded and guided Jane and Jackie out, and pulled Mac along behind who had to be dragged by Cassidy as well. "No I've gotta find her," Mac squealed.

"Mac, Logan is doing that, just get up top, she'll be fine," As Wallace finished a creaking was heard and a timber fell covering the area that they'd last seen Veronica.

"NO!" Logan yelled and he scrambled towards the area. The guards were already up top, trying to get away from the fire. He pushed past the screaming kids running for the stairs and tried to find Veronica. "Veronica" he called before choking on the smoke, "C'mon Veronica, where are you?"

He said as he scrambled around covering his hands with the sleeves of his tux and attempting to lift the burning timber to find Veronica. After a few minutes he heard a coughing; quiet and raspy.

"VERONICA, I CAN HEAR YOU, OK? I'M GONNA GET YOU OUT," Logan yelled before coughing and rubbing the back of his neck before clambering over more timber and trying to find his ex-girlfriend.

Hearing Logan's voice, Veronica attempted to call out, "Logan!" but she couldn't manage any more as the smoke was getting too much for her. But she saw a flash of black and white as someone in a tux turned round,

"Veronica?" Logan said before spotting part of her red dress poking out between the timber, and scrambling over to her, tossing bits of smouldering timber aside trying to get to her. He threw the timber off her and scooped her up in his arms,

"Veronica, it's gonna be alright, ok, c'mon we've gotta get you out of here." He said as she winced, "Jeez Veronica, why do I always have to save your butt?"

"Logan," she said sneeringly before coughing, "Put me down, it'll be quicker if I run with you instead of you carrying me," she said as he tried to move through the debris. The other beams were creaking now and it was evident one of them would plummet to the floor in next to no time. Reluctantly putting her down, he coughed,

"But you have to keep holding my hand at all times, okay?" he cried as they moved towards the stairs. The metal stairs would be boiling, and the rubber that was there for grip was melting away, turning to Veronica, Logan quickly yelled, "Run up the stairs," he said pushing her in front of him, as she turned round to face him with an apprehensive look, in her eyes, "I'll be right behind you, just don't touch the railings." Veronica swallowed and nodded before running and hoping for the best.

But when the pair got to the top, the havoc that had reigned downstairs just a few minutes previous, was reigning up here now. Running over to hug Wallace and Mac, Veronica shouted over the screams, and was concerned over her friends' panic stricken faces; even Dick looked like he would soil himself any second now.

"What's wrong?" she cried to Wallace. Wallace the King of Cool, was pale,

"The guards took the only life boats, we either burn to death or freeze," he said pointing to the water, which at this time, 10.45pm, would be near freezing and they all wouldn't be able to swim back to shore. Trying to take charge, Wallace said, eyeing the flames that seemed to be making their way upwards, making the deck increasingly more unstable and hot,

"I'd rather freeze and so would Jane here, so if you don't mind," He cried as he pushed through his class mates and climbed to the top of the railing with his petrified girlfriend,

"We're gonna jump," he shouted to the gasps of his classmates, before turning to Jane, squeezing her hand and both of them propelled into the water. Everyone gasped and some started crying even more, but Veronica just laughed,

"Y'know I think that was one of the only times he made a decision for someone else," she said before clambering on top of a table and beginning her speech...

"Okay, I suggest we follow, his fine example," she said with a slight smile, "And jump!" she concluded to the amazement of her peers. The smile started to disappear as reality came to Veronica again; she wasn't invincible like her dad was constantly telling her, she mightn't survive the night in the Pacific's cold temperatures. But then again, she wouldn't probably survive the fire either, so what do I have to lose? Veronica ran to the railings and saw Wallace resurface, and shouted down to him,

"Wallace, you've gotta start swimming, I'm coming," she said, as she took off her heels. But just as she was about to climb the railings, a woman pulled on her dress. Veronica turned around and saw a very distressed Spanish woman dressed in a chef's uniform. The woman started hurtling Spanish at Veronica, before she broke down in tears. As Veronica rubbed the woman's arm, she beckoned Weevil over with a nod. As he came over, she tiptoed and whispered in his ear,"I don't know what's wrong, can you translate and try and keep her calm." She said before smoothing her dress and smiling at the woman. As Weevil talked to the woman, Veronica clambered back on top of the table,

"Look, you either burn or you freeze, and believe me, you'll probably have a better chance of surviving if you choose the second option, so go wild and try and survive." She said before jumping down and running over to Weevil, who looked anxious.

"Weevil what's up?" she said becoming increasingly concerned.

"It's her daughter; she snuck her into the kitchen because her daughter didn't have school today and she can't afford a babysitter, but when the shots were fired, she put her in the cupboard to keep her safe an..."

"And she's still in there?!" Veronica yelled, before turning to run to the stairs, where the heat was getting more intense with every minute. But Weevil, caught her hand,

"V, I can't let you go down there, I'm going," he said, "And don't try and stop me," he said as she opened her mouth to interrupt.

Logan who had been standing just mere metres away had heard the conversation and turned to Weevil,

"I'm going to help you," As Veronica yet again opened her mouth to protest, Logan grew angry,

"Veronica, let me do this, we've got to save that little girl." He said before dragging Weevil towards the entrance to the stairway. Veronica realized something just before they could enter and called them back as she started to pour a bottle of water over some blankets, before tossing them to the boys,

"Put them over your heads, and when you find her, carry her under it." Veronica yelled as the guys nodded and went down below, "And be careful!" she said as she nibbled her lip before turning round and facing the rest of her classmates. As the courageous of the crowd prepared to jump, Veronica hoped Weevil and Logan wouldn't be too late. And that they'd escape from this burning hellhole.

Logan backed over towards the edge of the room and surveyed the burning mess, as Weevil tried to clear the way to the kitchen,

"Oi, Richie rich, come help jackass, we need to save a little girl's life," Weevil yelled and instead of retorting with a sarcastic comment Logan jumped and scrambled over burning timber to help the former biker. After lots of straining and grunting, they got the last piece of timber off and started to clamber through what was left of the door. The fire had originated on the stove, so the entire kitchen was ablaze and the heat was making the boys feel light headed. But they battled on flinging open cupboards trying to find a miniature, Latina girl before it was too late.