I don't own VM or the characters. I make no money of this – I only lay claim to the plot.


A/N Thanks to Anjeela for betaing this chapter! Longest chapter yet. Debated whether or not it should be cut in half, but then I thought that it might take a liiiittle while until next time and this chapter sort of ends the cliffhanger from last time --so...I hope you enjoy! Some character's may be a bit OOC, but honestly I think their reactions are realistic - let me know what you all think, please!


As requested, here's a brief summary:

Veronica has an eating disorder, having lost all desire to eat due to her home life. Lianne Mars has divorced Keith Mars, publically blaming him for everything. Lianne has an affair with Jake Kane. Veronica is in love with Logan, best friends with Lily. Duncan Kane hates her guts, blaming her for everything. Last we heard from her was that she had collapsed into Logan Echolls's pool.

Lily has a scar from the accident that has altered her self image greatly - she's still Lily Kane, but without the whoring around. Fiercely loyal to Veronica and Logan, who she is no longer dating. Has begun to cut ties from her biological family because of their treatment of Veronica. Was cornered by Jake Kane in her last chapter so they could "talk".

Logan got a drug problem after the accident because of the pain involved. King of Neptune High and his hate for Duncan Kane - his former best friend - is larger than life. Aaron Echolls is still a violant father. Logan almost always comes to Veronica whenever he's been beaten. He's deeply in love with her, but thinks she'll never see him as anything other than a friend due to his promiscous ways and past involvement with Lily. In his last chapter he turned to drugs again...


CHAPTER ELEVEN

The dream was the same she'd had for about a week now. In fact it wasn't a dream, it was a memory. A memory Lily Kane would give everything to not have lived through.

She opened the door and stood face to face with her father - The local billionaire hero of Neptune – the city of ass kissers to the rich and popular. Lily blinked as he stated that they needed to talk and the following silence stretched on for several minutes.

After that he lost his patience and gestured for her to come closer. Lily sighed and did just that in a cautious manner. A small part of her – barely acknowledged actually – still loved the man, who at one point in time had always taken her side in her endless run-ins with her darling mother.

"Okay," Lily said a moment later as she sat down on her bed and crossed her arms defensively. "I'm listening." Jake smiled a friendly smile and Lily resisted the urge to mock him as per her usual behavior. "Good," he said, "I'm just going to jump into it."

Lily rolled her eyes as Jake continued in a sweet tone of voice, "I love you Lily; you're such a force in my life. I've always been proud of you and normally I would stand behind you one hundred percent." The sweetness was then replaced by steel and Lily swallowed a lump of dread. "That said I want you to know I'm extremely disappointed in you."

Lily blinked. Why am I hurt? She thought, he's let me down so many times already – one more time shouldn't be such a big deal. Lily tried to act as though the words didn't faze her and she scratched her nose and asked, "Oh really? Why's that?"

She watched carefully as Jake's eyes turned somber and he sighed heavily as though he was about to tell her something devastatingly important. In his own way, he probably is, Lily thought and crossed her arms. "Your independence has always been an asset in my view, but I'd never thought you'd actually choose someone over your family. Veronica Mars is a troubled girl and…" Lily's temper rose and she immediately snapped, "I did choose the person, who's been more like family to me than anyone else. Stop trying to pin everything on her and keep telling me why I'm such a letdown to you."

Jake's eyes turned chilly and for a second Lily actually felt a bit scared. Then her whole world tumbled down around her when her father simply said, "Don't be so dramatic. I came in here trying to make you see reason, but obviously that isn't going to work." Lily swallowed a lump of dread when he quickly – but eerily calm – continued, "Now I'll be as blunt as you need my dear. Either you make Veronica accept her mother's devotion and care or else I'll rip her life even more apart then I already have…"

Lily froze for one long moment as all the hints and half clues she'd gathered over the year finally seemed to come together into one coherent thought, my dad is responsible for Veronica's home life situation. Lily finally shook her head and asked coolly – trying to act as though her father's words hadn't intimidated her, "Oh really? What ya gonna do daddy? Move her into the east wing of the house along with Lianne – I for one think that could be kinda fun; at least this way you'll cut your commute in half."

To Lily's annoyance, it was clear that Jake recognized the underlying fear under all her mocking words. He simply shrugged the words off and continued calmly, "Did you know Lianne and I had an affair around the time she got pregnant with Veronica? What do you think her and more importantly Keith Mars will do if they find out I might be his baby's daddy? I've already humiliated him a lot, but if you won't help me in my quest I'll make that look like child's play."

Jake Kane knew from the defiant look in her eyes, that Lily had just lost any respect or love she had for him. He had known it would happen, but had told her anyway.

"It'll kill her to know there's a possibility of that," Lily slowly muttered after a long minute of ice cold silence. Jake nodded and smiled emotionlessly and Lily continued, "What will you do when the golden donut finds out? He'll kill you for allowing him to fall in love with his half sister…"

For one split-second it looked as though Lily had gotten through to him, but then he sighed and answered, "I love Duncan; he's the ideal child. He'll understand eventually. Besides, he hates that girl now and would probably enjoy her further – and very public – humiliation."

Lily looked away from her father's eyes – eyes that she'd inherited and now couldn't stand to look at anymore. The hurt she felt hearing Jake's favoritism was hidden away with practiced ease in a corner of her mind as she tried one last desperate time. "What about mom? Doesn't she mean anything to you? Anything at all Jake?"

Jake got up from his seat and walked over to the door. Then he stopped and said, "She only stays with me because of the money I provide and the son I've given her."

Again the pang of hurt was hidden away before Lily stood up as well and said with shiny eyes, "Why? Divorce mom and go live with Lianne and let Veronica stay with her real father." Lily emphasized the last two words and noticed the immediate darkening of her father's eyes. Might as well go for broke, Lily thought and added coldly, "at least Keith Mars knows how to be a devoted parent…"

Jake straightened up and said with a final tone in his voice, "I will destroy Keith Mars and in doing so your friend will suffer too. Make her love her mother so Lianne won't be so heartbroken. Veronica has refused to act like a real daughter. She doesn't appreciate all of Lianne's hard work to make them a unit. Now, will you help me make my beloved happy?"

Lily looked at the expensive carpet beneath her feet and knew she couldn't put her best friend through more pain. It's better that she's gonna hate me than lose even more of her father than she already has. A second later Lily looked up and stared Jake in the eyes and answered with a broken voice and a heavy heart, "Yes, I'll help you…"

"LILY!"

Celeste's shriek jerked Lily out of her dream of her meeting with her father and she quickly sat up with a pounding heart. "What?" she yelled back and in the next moment the door was opened with a bang. "That friend off yours is on her way up the driveway! Get her away from here, I don't want her here."

Lily's already aching heart turned literally painful as she hurried out of bed and threw on some clothes. For almost a whole week I've tried cutting down my time with her, Lily thought and ran out to the bathroom and quickly combed her hair, I know she's hurt about my abandonment, but I just can't figure out how to start doing my part of the deal to make her "love" Lianne.

Finished with the superficial grooming, Lily grabbed her bag and ran down the stairs and ignored Celeste, who was now talking tightlipped with a sour looking Duncan. I'll try to start today so Jake won't threaten me again, Lily thought with new found determination. I won't have him ruin my best friend!

A few steps later Lily exited the front door and locked eyes with Veronica. In that moment her determination wavered again. I miss you; her mind screamed out along with a profound, please don't hate me! Then she all but flinched when she realized that Veronica was staring at her with a confused look in her blue eyes. "Veronica? What are you doing here? I was supposed to pick you up in," Lily checked her watch and blushed when she realized just how late she really was – driving Veronica had been the one thing she'd still allowed herself the luxury of doing, "…ten minutes ago," she finished and looked back up with sheepish smile.

Veronica didn't smile back and Lily recognized the stubborn look in her eyes and wasn't surprised when the smaller girl asked bluntly, "What's wrong?" Careful Kane, Lily told herself, she's like a dog with a bone now, gotta distract her! "Everything's just fine Veronica. What's up with you today; I know I'm running a bit late, but that's no reason for you to walk over here "behind enemy lines."

Veronica deflated and Lily hid a relieved sigh and a moment later she started the car and listened to Veronica's rant about her morning so far. Lily resisted the need to whimper and whine, when she realized that in ranting so passionately about her stupid mother, Veronica was setting things up perfectly for Lily. Here goes nothing, Lily thought and took a deep breath before she began phase one of her father's stupid plan.

--

"Let me out of this damned car Lily!" That's gotta be a record for me, Lily decided as she followed Veronica's demand and pulled over so Veronica could leave the vehicle. I've alienated my best friend in less than three minutes. Go me…

Lily watched Veronica in the rearview mirror until she couldn't see the other blonde anymore and then the tears came. Angry at herself, Lily didn't allow them to grow into a full on cry session and she quickly wiped her eyes and drove the last mile to school without letting the betrayed look on Veronica's face haunt her. Well, she tried to at least.

When she arrived at school, Lily jumped out of the car and walked to class – eager to throw her mind into something else. She slid into her seat and listened carefully to the teacher's long explanation of the war in some country, but it didn't last more than ten minutes.

Lily sighed and looked around the classroom and spotted Madison and Shelley Pomeroy. Madison was giggling with a mocking expression on her face, but to Lily's satisfaction she paled and stopped smiling the moment she laid eyes on Lily. Apparently she hadn't forgotten their last meeting.

I wish it was that easy to intimidate Jake, Lily pondered as she gave up listening to the teacher completely and began filing her nails. I threatened Madison and she won't do anything because of it. That's the same tactic Jake used on me –and on Veronica's dad. What if I could turn the tables on him?

Suddenly Lily was struck with an idea so simple she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it sooner and she ignored the class's mutterings as she gathered her things and stood up and proclaimed arrogantly over her shoulder to the befuddled teacher, "I just got a visit from my monthly friend – going to the nurse for some tampons; I hope you don't mind…" She was out the door before the blushing male teacher could work out a decent reply.

--

Lily hurried outside and scanned the parking lot for Logan's car. She found it a moment later and sighed with relief. I'll need his help; she thought and turned back around to locate her ex lover. Fortunately for her, it seemed like Logan's interest in class that morning was on the same level as hers and she ran right into him a few moments later.

"Whoa," she heard him chuckle lightly and Lily frowned immediately. "Are you drunk?" she asked without even saying good morning. Logan's chuckle turned into a small laugh. "Yeah, you could call it that," he answered and ran his hand through his hair.

I'll deal with that later, Lily thought and jumped right into her explanation. "Whatever – I was actually looking for you. I need your help." Logan copied her earlier frown - albeit slowly due to his before mentioned state – and said, "What do you need? Everything cool?"

Lily smiled, happy in the knowledge that no matter what Logan would always help when he was needed. "Yeah. I'm in trouble. I need you to track down Cindy Mackenzie, a dark haired girl with blue bangs …Or at least they were blue the last time I saw her, it tends to change a lot, but anyway," Lily shook her head and continued with her quick explanation, "Track her down and convince her to go talk to me one on one in the girl's bathroom after lunch, please?"

Logan crossed his arms and said, "Uhm, you know I'd do anything for ya babe, but why do I have to talk to the weird kid, whom I've never spoken a full sentence to before, when you could just as easily just corner her and talk to her about whatever it is that needs talking about?"

Lily smiled a bit embarrassed and decided to answer truthfully, "I'm not proud of it, 'cause Veronica always told me to be nice – even before the accident – but there was an incident once where Madison, Caitlin, Shelley and I sort of stole her clothes during gym so she had to stay in the locker room naked until the janitor found her and borrowed her some work clothes and…well, let's just say there were pictures involved and leave it at that. The girl likes V, but ain't happy about me. Which I completely understand –that's why I need you, who can charm the pants off anyone. Please."

Lily let all her desperation shine through her eyes and even in his obvious intoxicated state, Logan didn't appear to be immune and he agreed a few seconds later. "Fine, I'll find her and send her your way. Now can I go – I was on my way outside for some fresh air."

Lily beamed – feeling almost happy for the first time that day, now that her plan was underway and nodded. "I'll come with; I need a breather before next class too." To Lily's surprise and slight sadness she saw Logan look almost annoyed about her presence. Why doesn't he want me to tag along? she thought, but the thought instantly vanished from her mind, when she spotted Veronica talking to Weevil in the quad.

Lily expected Logan to stiffen in jealousy beside her, but when it didn't happen, she turned her head and looked closely at him for the first time that morning. He was paler than usual with big bags under his eyes and his nose was a bit red and swollen. As she watched him, Logan muttered blankly, "Stop gawking, I'm just going through a killer cold Lils." Then he sniffed as though trying to emphasize his point.

Out of the corner of her eye Lily spotted Veronica getting up and wobbling a bit and she forgot Logan and his bad excuse as she remembered that Veronica had looked seriously sick in the car before she'd demanded to be let out. I really hope my plan will work so I can focus on V's health again…

To Lily's relief Veronica seemed to quickly recover and she watched her sickly thin friend coming over to them. Or Logan as it was, because Lily watched in silent hurt how Veronica completely ignored her and made plans with Logan without her.

"…meet up after school and then you can drive me home too." The words was like salt on an open wound for Lily and she understood that this was Veronica's way of letting her know that she no longer was needed for anything. It won't be forever, Lily tried to comfort herself when the pain seemed almost unbearable. I'm doing this to make peace in the end.

--

The bell rang and Lily stood next to Logan and watched in sad silence as Veronica disappeared to class. It's for the best; she tried to tell herself once more and took a deep breath. In the midst of her inwardly pep-talk she spotted Weevil's eyes in her direction. Without really allowing her mind to decide, her head turned fully in his direction and they locked eyes.

Logan muttered something unintelligible and began walking away. She nodded without really listening and just said, "Remember to tell Mac that it's important that we meet as soon as possible, okay?" Logan didn't answer, but Lily didn't notice as her mind was being taken over by Weevil's intense stare. God I miss him, Lily thought out in a rare act of reality. But he thinks I'm disgusting, the more pitying and unforgiving part of her added and with a tremendous amount of willpower Lily managed to rip her eyes away from Weevil and walk to her next class.

Except for the fact that she never did make it to her next class.

Halfway there, Lily suddenly felt a warm hand wrap itself around her waist and unceremoniously drag her into the eraser room. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" she yelled – already knowing who her kidnapper was.

Weevil's chuckle was dark and Lily's breath hitched as her body vividly remembered other times spent in this very room. "I wanted to chat with you," was all the biker boy said. Lily didn't get a chance to respond, because Weevil quickly took a few steps towards her and invaded her personal space. "I think we need to, don't you?"

Lily shot down the memory of the other conversation which had started a lot like this one and said with cool arrogance that would have made Celeste proud, "I think you've said all there is to be said, don't you?"

Weevil smiled, but it wasn't the usual evil smirking smile and Lily didn't quite know how to deal with that. "No, I don't think so," he replied after a long minute of heavy silence.

"Well, I do," Lily said and stepped back until her back hit the wall behind her. "You can go talk with Veronica if you have any issues you need help with."

Weevil's smile turned softer and he reached out a hand to her injured side and said, "I've talked enough with V for today. Now I wanna talk to you – we do have things that need to be said."

Lily almost leaned into the touch, but then she felt a wave of revulsion hit her when she remembered just how hideous she was now and turned her face away from his warm touch. He is disgusted by me, so this is obviously some kind of scam to humiliate me, Lily told herself and tried to tell her aching heart she didn't care.

A warm hand gently grabbed her chin and turned her head towards him again. "I like looking at your beautiful eyes Lily – don't shy away from me-"

"Stop that," Lily interrupted harshly and tried in vain to rip her head away.

"No," Weevil said and stepped closer, "I think you need to hear me out for once. There's no chance of escaping this time." He paused and then continued when she still wouldn't look at him. "I love you Lily and I want a second chance."

Lily felt her entire body freeze. Inside her mind was screaming. How can he love me? I'm hideous! Off course he doesn't love me; he's trying to get me to do something so I'll be humiliated! Then she met his dark eyes and a small part of her realized Weevil was being truthful. "You don't love me," she told him with a quivering voice. "You just want me to sex you up – preferably in dark rooms where no one can see you with me, I'd imagine," she added with bitterness laced in her voice.

Weevil sighed and hid his head in the crook between her neck and shoulder. "I love being sexed up by you," he admitted a moment later, but then he looked back at her with unwavering honesty in his eyes. "But that's not all there is to us. You know the real me and I know you; the loyal, sweet, fiercely protective woman, who's heartbroken about her parent's abandonment. I love the entire crazy package."

"But you said," Lily tried again – almost desperate to make him understand that he couldn't love a disgusting person like her.

Weevil stepped back before she managed to finish her sentence and turned on the light in the dark room, so she was entirely bathed in light. Lily blinked and they stood for a few seconds, waiting for their visions to return, before Weevil said, "I know I've said a lot of stupid shit to you baby, but I'm human. The whole time we were together, you were publicly with Echolls, who you're still hanging around like a loyal puppy – despite the fact that anyone with eyes can see he's totally hung up on V. I…" Weevil hesitated and Lily leaned forward unable to resist the story. "I put up with that, 'cause I loved you back then too. Then I found out about the accident and yeah, I panicked the first time I saw you, but not 'cause I couldn't stand to look at you. Because I know you and I knew how you would feel about the whole thing and I felt sorry for you because I knew your self-image would explode after that. But don't you see," Weevil added with a gentle look in his eyes that made Lily's water. "To me, you're still the most beautiful girl in the world."

Weevil reached up to the ceiling and grabbed hold of the lamp screen and pointed the light onto Lily's upper body and face. Lily immediately shied away, feeling vulnerable in the sudden burst of light. "Don't," Weevil demanded and walked over to her. "Don't turn away from me. If you'd let me I'd walk outside with you next to me – letting the world know you're my woman."

Lily closed her eyes to shield herself from the brutal and caring honesty in his face. A second later she felt his soft lips touch hers in an even softer kiss. Warmth spread out into Lily's entire body, just like it'd always done whenever they'd kissed before the accident. Lily sighed into the kiss and without realizing it; she opened her mouth so Weevil could deepen the kiss. His tongue entered her mouth and they played together as brilliantly as ever. I love you too, Lily thought in the midst of the gentle growing passion.

Suddenly the images of Veronica, Logan, and Duncan flew into her mind and the memory of all the secrets she had to keep brought Lily back to life. She ended the kiss with a dry sob and pushed the PCH'er away and ran out the door before he even got a chance to try and stop her from leaving. "I'm sorry," she murmured and ran to the nearest restroom and locked herself inside an empty stall.

--

How long she sat in there Lily didn't know or even care about. She was too caught up in her crying. Whenever the door opened and someone entered the restroom, she tried to hold it in long enough so that no one would notice. Which was why Lily jumped in surprise when she heard a gentle voice ask outside her stall, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," she answered and blew her nose without caring about listeners anymore. "Come on Kane," the voice continued and Lily finally recognized it as Mac's of all people, "I've been standing here for a long time and listening to you – and you're not fine."

Lily rolled her eyes and slowly straightened up. A few seconds later she exited the stall with her chin held high as she made her way to the sinks so she could splash some cold water on her face. When she had dried her face and reapplied some much needed mascara, Lily turned back to Mac with a fake smile. "I'm so glad Logan managed to convince you to come and find me. Sorry about the whole weeping willow thing, I'm always a bit weepy when I have my period."

Mac smiled and shook her head when she heard the lame and clearly not true excuse, but then she furrowed her brows in confusion. "What did you mean about Logan? Logan Echolls? I've never really talked to him. Does he need someone to do his homework for him, 'cause I'm telling you right now, I might be a proud geek, but I'm not doing algebra for two people, I'm barely coping with my own load."

Lily crossed her arms and leaned up against the sinks. Hmm, I guess he hasn't gotten around to talking to her yet; she mused and quickly explained how she'd asked him to bring Mac to her. And then she apologized sincerely about the whole gym incident.

Mac's face turned serious for a second and then she said, "You're forgiven. You can't be all bad if Veronica likes you." She smiled at her own joke, but then turned serious again, when Lily didn't smile back. "About that," Lily said, "I need two things from you and I'll pay you whatever you want. First off, I need your loyalty. What I'm about to tell you goes no further or else I swear to God I'll go to jail for murder. Okay?"

Mac nodded without joking and Lily smiled a small smile, "and secondly," she continued and stood up straight and looked Mac straight in the eyes, "I need you to hack Jake Kane's personal files, which I'll get you the password to, and find something – anything that I can use to blackmail him with. It's truly a matter of life and death."

Mac's eyes widened at the thought of hacking into Neptune's own golden child's computers. "If I get caught?" she asked quietly – all business.

Lily's respect for the independent girl grew and she answered, "I'll take full responsibility." Mac looked thoughtful for another minute or so, but then she cracked a beaming smile and said, "Well, I'm always up for a challenge!"

This time Lily answered the smile and took a deep breath – pushing the rendezvous with Weevil out of her mind so she could focus on fixing her friend's life. And then Veronica will be back to her old kickass self again and we can put this whole thing behind us… "Okay, here's what I need from you first," Lily said and Mac listened attentively for the next fifteen minutes as they came up with a workable plan to take out the problem that was Jake Kane.

--

Several hours later Lily was fuming as she pulled up at her house. "I can't believe she'd compare me to Celeste!" Lily was muttering angrily as she entered the house a moment later. Consuela quickly dove out of the way when she saw and recognized the angry vibes that the eldest Kane child was sending out.

Duncan wheeled in front of her and stopped her path. Lily's anger grew and she snapped, "What the hell do you want now Donut?" Duncan's face reddened and Lily relished at the sight. I'm not gonna be the only one in my life with a crappy day, she thought.

"Why was Veronica here this morning?" Duncan yelled when he'd gotten control over himself. Lily knew that if it had been possible he might just have stomped his foot in a childish fit.

"That's none of your damn business," Lily screamed, "according to Celeste and Jake you hate her, so butt out of my life!" Filled with a rage that she'd seldom had been before Lily grabbed hold of her brother's wheelchair and pushed it out of the way before she ran up to her room and locked the door behind her.

"I hate all of you!" Lily roared childishly and threw the nearest vase into the wall and she loved the sound of the crash, so she quickly scanned the room and took all of her breakable items and threw them into the walls with gusto. Ten minutes later she sank down to the floor, spent after an emotional day. Two fights with my best friend, a emotional conversation with the guy I love and a secret scheme…Lily sighed at the thought of her day and then laughed darkly, at least this day can't get any worse, she added mentally and hid her face in her hands.

In the next moment her cell phone rang and something cold ran down Lily's spine and she just knew that her day had gotten worse than ever. She answered the phone – holding her breath. "Hello?"

"Lily! She's…I'm…I don't know what to do – I was doing CPR and then they finally came and… Oh God, oh God, oh God," Logan's broken voice hurt Lily's insides more than her previous sadness ever could. There were frantic sounds in the background and Lily clearly heard someone yell that the blood pressure was dropping fast. Logan continued wildly when she didn't respond immediately, "Oh God, they're taking her to the hospital! Lily please come! It's all my fault – if she dies…"

"Logan!" Lily yelled firmly, bringing him back from his panic attack, "Find out what hospital and then I'll be right there!" An agonizingly long minute later Logan told her and Lily ran to her car and drove faster than she'd ever driven before, all the while trying to talk sense into a now completely silent Logan.

It took Lily ten – almost fifteen – minutes to reach the hospital, and she ignored the screaming orders to park elsewhere as she carelessly stopped in front of the entrance and ran inside to find out if her best friend was still alive.

The next thing Lily knew, she was standing next to Logan, who looked more dead than alive. She embraced him, but quickly let go when he flinched at her touch. "Logan," she said softly, "have you heard anything?"

Logan looked down at her and Lily's breath hitched when she looked into his eyes. They were dead and completely devoid of emotion. "The paramedics said she'd recovered consciousness in the ambulance and that her blood pressure was getting better. They're keeping her at least over night to observe her, because her heart stopped…and they mentioned something about her weight."

Lily nodded, she was itching to go find Veronica and make sure for herself that the other girl was indeed alive, but the empty look in Logan's eyes scared her shitless – the frantic boy, who'd called her not even thirty minutes ago was no longer there, and she chose to stay next to her other best friend to offer silent comfort.

They stood beside one another for more than an hour and neither of them broke the silence once – content enough to just wait for news from the doctors.

Suddenly their silent moment was ruined by Aaron and Lynne Echolls, who came rushing in with different expressions on their faces. Lynne looked pale and distraught and her eyes travelled from Lily to Logan full of unspoken concern. Aaron's face however chilled Lily to the core. He looks livid, she thought. Why's he so angry? It's not like Veronica did it on purpose – and Logan hasn't done anything wrong.

In that moment her last thought was proven wrong by Aaron as he withdrew a small see-through bag full of very easily recognizable white powder and Lily felt her jaw go slack as she began to understand Logan's odd behavior over the last week. "What do you think you're doing with this?" Aaron's voice was evil and quiet. Lily didn't have another word for it and she stepped back before she even knew she was doing it.

Logan lifted his head and stared emotionlessly into his father's angry eyes without answering. Aaron's displeasure about the lack of reply was almost touchable and Lily wondered if she should call security. Logan's an ass and in so much trouble when we get out of here, but if Aaron touches him I'll have to step in. Logan is still suffering from the last beating…

"Answer me boy! I come home just as an ambulance is pulling out of my driveway," Aaron almost yelled and then he threw the bag of drugs into Lynne's arms and took a firm hold in Logan's shirt and pulled him closer to mutter quietly, "If you and your little blonde bimbo have been getting high in my house, I'll kill you. Do you have any idea what the press will think of my parenting when they find out about your drug use?"

Lily wanted to roll her eyes and scream at the much larger male that he wasn't exactly a role model parent even without the drugs, but she was frozen in place by her fear. Aaron continued a bit louder, when Logan still didn't reply, "If that little whore dies because of an overdose you're responsible for then—". "Don't. Call. Her. That." Logan's voice was even colder than his father's and Lily realized that Aaron could have said anything to his son, except badmouth Veronica Mars.

Aaron's expression was almost comical and Lily resisted a nervous giggle at the sight. "What did you say to me?" he asked and Logan simply repeated his earlier words in the same tone of voice.

"Maybe we should just try to relax," Lily said quickly when she noticed Aaron's clenched fists. She stepped closer, ignoring her fear as she tried to calm down the two large men.

Aaron jumped a little and Lily doubted he'd known she was there until she'd spoken, but then he turned towards her with a menacing glare on his handsome face, "Keep out of this – this is family business Kane! Now that we're in a hospital, maybe you should see if there's a plastic surgeon who can fix that god awful face of yours."

Lily's temper rose and she was about to throw a major fit, but she never got the chance, because in the next moment Aaron was on the floor – out cold. She looked up at a panting Logan, who was looking down at his unconscious father with an almost awed look in his face. Then he looked over at her with a weak imitation of his usual smirk, "I finally got him…"

Lily nodded and pressed a hand towards her fast beating heart and tried to come down from her adrenaline rush. Lynne quickly stopped the arriving security from taking Logan with them and pointed down at Aaron. "He threatened us and insulted us and my son didn't know what else to do. Put him in the maserati outside and I'll take him home. No wait," Lynne added with a thoughtful look in her eyes as they all watched the guards hoist Aaron to his feet, "I think I want to press charges. Let's all go to the police station where I can reveal how much my husband has beaten me over the years and then get him the heck out of our lives for good."

Lily watched in growing respect how much Lynne changed in front of her. In a matter of minutes she'd taken control over things for the first time in her marriage and judging from the loon on Logan's face, he too was dumbstruck by his mother's sudden dominance and take charge attitude.

"Well," Lily finally said after they'd watched Aaron being carried out, followed by a cheerful Lynne, "I guess this means you're free from him."

Logan nodded slowly and flexed his hand and winced. "Maybe," he said and Lily rolled her eyes when he didn't call out for a doctor to check out his hand. She quickly did it for him and watched the doctor examine him expertly right out in the hallway.

Lily used the free moment to track down another doctor who confirmed Logan's earlier assessment on Veronica and for the first time Lily relaxed. After Mac has found what I need, then I'm gonna sit us all down and then we can let it all out in the open, she promised herself as she made her way back to Logan's side.

He was sitting with his head leaned back against the wall and Lily saw that he'd been graced with a bandage around his right wrist. Lily sat down quietly next to him and they say in silence for a few minutes before Lily yawned and placed her head on his shoulder and stated calmly, "I'm so gonna rip you a new one later about the drug thing."

Lily could feel his answering sigh in her whole body as he said, "Yeah, I kindda figured that one out for myself. But you have to get in line behind Veronica," Logan added.

Lily smiled a little. "I can deal with that."

A little while after the doctor took them to Veronica's room and they watched her sleep without speaking – both too engrossed in their own thoughts. When the nurse came in fifteen minutes later to check up on things, she found both of the visitors sleeping peacefully, curled up around the still sleeping patient.

--

TBC...


A/N Corny ending? Why yeah it is, but I thought it was fitting after such an emotional day. I hope you liked it none the less!!! Next time we'll among other things see the pool incident from Logan's POV and maybe get a little glimpse of LoVe *hehe*

Thanks for all the reviews - I got 30! I've never gotten so many in one chapter before, so yay! And once again thanks to all the unsigned reviews too, I can't reply to you, but I love that you're willing to take the time to do it, it means the world to me!

Until Next Time

Ditte Mai