I know its been a little while and I'm sorry, but it wasn't my fault. My computer died, with my completed chapter on it, and I only got it back yesterday. So here's a cute little chapter that will hopefully sustain the desire for some LoVe.

As always, thank you my wonderful reviewers. Its so much more rewarding when people appreciate it. And I promise to update regularly until the end.

My head was hanging and it hurt to open my eyes. Where am I? was my only thought. And why couldn't I move?

My wrists were bound behind my back. Now, in full panic mode, I fought to lift my head. Immediately, I wished I hadn't.

The room was dark and I could barely see in front of me but I knew this couldn't be good. And it wasn't. My spidey senses were tingling.

"Well, well, well," Gory emerged from the shadows, "Look who's finally come to."

I tried to yell. I tried to ask what was going on. I tried to beg for my release. But the clothe that gagged me kept me from making any coherent noise at all.

"Nice touch, isn't it?" He referred to his own mouth, "You're just so chatty."

He held up a finger, signaling me to wait a second before disappearing again into the shadows, like I was going somewhere. He reappeared but this time he wasn't alone. Two guys followed him, holding a body by its limbs. It wasn't just a body; it was Logan.

Again I tried to cry out but only a muffled moan escaped the clothe. For some reason, Gory and his goons thought it was funny.

Gory squatted in front of me so we were face to face, "I told you to stay out of this but you just couldn't do that, could you?"

I was full on crying now, choking on the gag. It was the only response I could give him.

"Now I have to take care of both of you," He stood up again, knees cracking as he did.

He made his way over to Logan's slumped figure, pulling is head up by a tuft of hair. His breathing was labored. His nose was bleeding and his eyes were swollen shut, so even if he were conscious, there was no way he could see what was going on. At least he was that lucky.

Gory laughed and it sent chills down my spine, "You ruined my life. Now you get to watch me ruin yours."

Without anymore of a warning, Gory pulled out a knife, stabbing into Logan's chest. Back and forth, in and out, giving the knife a slight twist each time. A line of blood trickled from Logan's mouth and with one final laborious breath, he stopped moving altogether. Logan was gone.

Then, and only then did Gory remove the gag but there was no one to scream for.

"You're turn," He came at me with the bloody knife and then…

"Veronica, wake up," Someone shook my body and slowly the hospital room came into view, "Wake up."

Instead of shielding my eyes from the sight, I was shielding my eyes from sunlight. To my surprise, Logan was sitting in the chair next to the bed. My heart skipped a beat. It was only a dream.

"You were having a bad dream," He explained. In reality, it was my worst nightmare.

"Yeah," I croaked out. My throat was dry, probably a result of breathing the cool air in all night. Jumping at the opportunity, Logan poured a glass of water from the pitcher on the nightstand and handed it to me, "Thanks."

He scooted his chair closer, "So, how'd you sleep?"

"Besides the obvious," I adjusted my pillow, "Like a rock. You?"

"Eh, I've slept better," He replied coolly, "The nurses kept waking me up."

"Hm," Was all I said. I didn't even though they kept checking on me.

The door swung open, "Good morning, Miss Mars. How are you feeling this morning?"

"Much better," I said truthfully. Well that was disregarding the huge knot in my stomach from my nightmare.

"Great," He smiled, "Well everything looks fine. You're going to have a bruise for about a week but other than that you're in perfect condition. Just stay away from stressful situations and take it easy."

I nodded in agreement but I knew that was easier said than done, "Okay."

"Just fill out the discharge papers at the Nurse's station and you're free to go," The doctor took the chart from the end of my bed, "I don't want to see you in here again until you're delivering that baby."

"Me either," I smiled, "And thanks again."

Logan handed me my bag of clothes from under the bed, "I'll go take care of whatever paperwork I can."

Destress? I didn't know how. Though this was the first time I've ever had a panic attack throughout the years. I don't know what it was about this whole Gory Sorokin situation but it rattled me more than anything in my past. My best friend was murdered and yet that didn't stir my anxiety. I was being burned alive in a freezer and though I freaked out, I don't think that constituted as a panic attack. Even my encounter with Beav—I mean Cassidy – didn't warrant an attack. I just didn't get it.

I strolled out of my hospital room, adjusting my tight pants and met Logan at the Nurse's Station.

"You just need to sign here," Logan pointed to an X with his finger while handing me the pen he had been using. And I was free.

The only thing that worried me is that I was probably safer in the hospital.

"So I was thinking," Logan began once we got into his Range Rover, "Maybe you shouldn't be driving anymore with your newfound love for animals. I mean, I could be your chauffeur. It's no problem at all. And if I'm not available I'm sure Dick would help out. Or Wallace. Or Mac. Or your Dad. Hell, even Piz."

I felt my chest start to pound just thinking of yesterday. Curb the anxiety? Yeah right."

"Logan," I started, my voice quivering, "It wasn't a turtle in the road."

He glanced over as he pulled onto the highway, "A bunny? Squirrel? Please don't tell me it was a frog."

I shook my head, "I was run off the road."

"What?" Logan did a double take after my confession, "Why didn't you tell the Deputy that?"

"Because he can't help me," I admitted. It was the truth.

"What do you mean?" Logan had pulled over to better grasp the information I was feeding him, "He could've caught the guy. Brought him to justice. The Sheriff's department is a little more competent these days."

He didn't understand, "It would have made things worse."

"How? How could things get any worse?" Logan pounded his fists on the steering wheel, "You spent the night in the hospital. Things aren't just about you anymore, you know."

"Do you not think I know that?!" I snapped, immediately regretting it, "It was Sorokin."

"Are you sure?" Now he understood and it hit him like a ton of bricks.

I nodded, "I don't know what to do anymore."

"You're the victim here, Veronica," Logan lowered his voice, "He taped you. I beat him up. His beef is with me, not you."

"Well, um actually," I stuttered out. Of course my withheld information would come back to bite me in the ass, "I confronted him."

Logan's eyebrows furrowed, "About…"

"He's the one who was slashing your tires," I couldn't look at him, "Well he was behind it at least. He's not one to do his own dirty work."

"Veronica, are you serious?" When I didn't flinch he continued, "How could you be so stupid? Why do you have this need to put your life in danger?"

"Oh but you're allowed to?" I spat back, "I told you to leave him alone and you had to be all macho and go beat him up."

He shook his head, "I can handle myself. You, you're pregnant. You're not only risking your life, but our baby's as well."

"I can't raise a kid on my own," I admitted, "I can't lose you."

"You're not going to," His voice dropped again to its normal level, "I'm Logan freaking Echolls. This punk doesn't what he's gotten himself into."

He took the opportunity to cup the side of my face in his right hand, gently caressing my cheek with his thumb. It was the look in his eyes that told me not to be afraid anymore. It was the look in his eyes that calmed my racing heart.

His hand dropped to my thigh as he pulled back onto the road towards home. And by home, I meant my home. Upon arriving, Logan insisted on staying with me until my father got home. It was nice to have company to keep my mind from wandering.

Together we watched filthy talk shows and then Garden State, which always seemed to put me asleep.

Some time later I awoke to the smell of something wonderful wafting from the kitchen. I sat up, having been covered while sleeping with the throw blanket from the back of the couch. The sight of Logan, in the kitchen, stirring a pot was one that would not last but it nonetheless brought a smile to my face.

"Mr. Echolls," I diverted his attention from the pot to me, "You cook?"

"There was a time," He began, pretending to think back, "When I lived in a house. And had socialite parents who were seldom home. A boy can't grow up on take-out, you know."

"Who would've thought…" I pondered Logan cooking, "Whatcha making?"

"Spaghetti," He turned back to the pot, "I was going to make meatballs too but you don't have any meat. But if you still want balls that could be arranged."

"Ahh!" I covered my ears in disgust, "Way to ruin the moment."

"I'm sorry," He held up his hands defensively snickering to himself over his joke.

"Just what I like to see," The front door burst open, revealing my dad in his uniform, "My lovely daughter at home with dinner cooking."

I sprang from the couch wrapping my arms around his neck, "Congratulations, Sheriff Mars."

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" He stepped back to be all serious and fatherly, "I was going to come down to the hospital but Logan assured me you were fine."

I shrugged, "It was no big deal. Just a tiny panic attack."

"No big deal my as—butt," Logan spit out in amazement, "She has a bruised stomach from her seatbelt and she needs to take it easy. That means no cases."

"But—"

"No buts, Veronica," Dad said sternly pointing a finger in my face.

"She can't drive either," Logan was quick to add.

"Noted," Dad nodded heading over to the pot of spaghetti, "Smells scrumptious."

"Thank you, sir," Logan smiled proudly at his treat.

Feeling utterly useless, I made my way to the cabinet where the plates and glasses were.

"Hey," My dad reached up to stop me from lifting the plates, "Go sit."

I frowned, "Logan cooked. You worked. Let me at least set the table."

"And you spent the night in a hospital," Dad pointed out, "So go sit."

I listened but I didn't go quietly back to the couch. Just like a young kid pouting, I stomped my feet, grunting as I plopped down on the cushion.

"Really, Bobcat?" Logan raised an eyebrow at my behavior.

I stuck out my bottom lip, "I just want to help."

"The best way you can help is keeping the baby safe and healthy," Logan added, obviously winning the battle. He headed towards the door, "Alright I'm heading out now. Enjoy your dinner."

"You're not ever going to eat what you cooked?" Dad said putting down the third plate.

Logan shook his head, "I got an extension because Ronnie was in the hospital but I still need to do it."

"Do it after some food," I pleaded feeling bad for taking up so much of his time.

He kept walking towards the door, "I really can't. I'll pick you up in the morning. Bye Mr. Mars."

I scurried around to get ready so that I wouldn't be late when Logan came to pick me up. After receiving a text last night informing me that he'd be by at 9 AM sharp, I knew that he meant business with this whole chauffeuring thing. And right on schedule, Logan pulled up in his Range Rover. Being restless and helpless, I had walked out to the curb to wait for my ride. Upon seeing me, he jumped out of the car to open his passenger side door. I guess chivalry wasn't dead.

"Morning sunshine," He said as he closed the door behind me and walked back to his side of the car.

He was smiling, drumming his fingers on his steering wheel, "My, it seems like someone overdosed on their happy pills."

He only responded with a wide grin. That meant that he either really did overdose on happy pills or he was planning something that he didn't want me to know. I was leaning towards the latter but then again, maybe my mere presence was intoxicating.

"Come on," He said, parking in an open spot out front, "I'll walk you to class."

I didn't comment or argue because I was savoring the moment. Logan wasn't this happy all the time and it seemed like forever since I'd seen him like this. So I'm soft for a cute boy with a smile; sue me.

But of course it couldn't last. Spotted on the quad surrounded by his friends was Gory Sorokin. Though it drew a frown from me, Logan's smile never faltered as he marched right up to the guy.

"Listen Sorokin," Logan started, clenching his fists but not using them, "You leave Veronica out of this. Your beef is with me so next time you run someone off the road it better be me."

"Such accusations," Gory feigned shock, "You two are meant for each other."

Logan got a little tense as Gory began his usual tirade, "Do you have an understanding? Because I swear to God, if you even look at her again, I will hunt you down."

"I'm scared," Gory's face got serious sending a shiver down my spine.

"You're not the only one with connections," Logan said, matter-of-factly, "When I'm done with you you'd wish you were dead."

Gory stood, squaring off to Logan, "You spit a lot of talk…"

"Logan, let's go," I tugged his arm not wanting things to escalate between the two of them, "We need to get to class."

"Try me, man," Logan began to back away with each tug of his arm, "I dare you to go near her again."

He finally turned around heading towards my building, shrugging off the grip I had on his arm.

"What the hell was that?" I asked as he stared straight ahead.

Not turning his head he answered, "I'm protecting you."

"By threatening him?" I questioned, "What's that going to solve? What's that going to prove? Who has more money?"

"This has nothing to do about money. I could care less about money." He retorted, "This is about you and your safety. But if he wants to fight me, he better realize I have just as much pull in this town as he does."

I stopped walking, stomping a foot, "Why are you so stupid?"

"What?" He was shocked, as if Gory had just come up and punched him in the chest.

"You're putting your life in danger to 'protect' mine?" I spat using air quotes around 'protect', "But what if something happens to you?"

"Nothing's going to happen," The realization hit him.

"Nothing can happen!" I yelled causing a few heads to turn. I instantly lowered my voice, "I can't do this alone."

He wrapped his arms around me and for a split second I felt safe, "You won't have to. I promise."

Okay, so we're halfway through the story. Hopefully I can keep all my readers until the very end because I promise I won't disappoint.

Read, enjoy and review.