I have officially died and gone to writer's heaven. I have more than 100 reviews. It means a lot to me, you guys. Thank you for being so awesome and consistent, following my story. I'm adding a lot of scenes and POV's for extra twists and turns. Hope you never lose interest!

Chapter 21
Dick woke up to the smell of rubbing alcohol and bleach. Hospital smells. He blinked in confusion at his surroundings until the events of the night before hit him.
"Ronnie!" he sat up and a gentle hand pushed him back.
"She's safe, Dick. She'll be visiting you soon. For now, we have to go easy on your ribs. There were 3 broken and a few bruised." Mac had a forced smile on her face, while inside she was still a mess.
In one night her boyfriend and her close friend had been hurt and ended up in identical hospital beds.
"Mac? Are you okay?"
"Not really. You could have died. At the hands of that… sick bastard." Mac, never one to curse, couldn't contain the disgust lacing her voice.
"I had to be there for Ronnie."
"I know. You're so loyal. You have this huge heart and you give unwavering friendship. I admire that in you. However, any more near-death experiences and I'll be upset."
"Gotcha, babe."
Mac smiled, a real one, and bent to kiss him.

There was a light rap at the open door of Dick's room. Veronica was there, face apologetic at her interruption.
"Sorry, I can come back later.
"No, I'll give you guys some time." Mac kissed Dick again and left, after a small smile and hug for Veronica.
"I owe her an apology. I almost got her boyfriend killed."
"Don't worry about it."
"People keep saying that, but I do have to worry about it. I didn't think of what could happen. I assumed Casey was out and didn't consider any other scenario. I was rash and stupid. My boyfriend and my friends didn't know where I was. I lied to my father too, so he was frantic at home. Not to mention risking my best friend's life at my expense. Logan told me you were hit by a shovel the Sheriff found nearby. You have broken ribs? God, Dick I'm so sorry." Veronica looked at the ground, holding in the damn tears that had become a constant fixture on her face.
"Ronnie, come here." He patted a spot on his bed.
She obliged and he hugged her.
"I'm sorry." She said again.
"I accept your unnecessary apology. But, do you want to know how I think of this whole experience? If you hadn't involved me in any of this, Casey would have gotten you straight away and no one would have found you in time."
"You're right." She sighed.
"Of course I am."
"You weren't always so smart, Blondie. Don't be cocky."
"Hello! My name's Dick. I can't help being cocky."
Veronica groaned at the sexual reference.
"Not funny."
"Totally was. Ronnie, I've got the greatest idea!"
"Enlighten me."
"We should get custom-made bracelets that say 'We survived a psycho together!'"
"And matching T-shirts that read 'Our concussions match too!'"
"Now you're talking!"

The best friends laughed and Veronica felt that one piece of the boulder of burden she carried on her shoulders was off. She'd found her rapist and her justice was served. Naturally, because she was Veronica Mars after all, she thought of what was left on said boulder. Lilly's murderer and the results of the paternity test.
After some time with Dick, Veronica returned to her room because Mac deserved some time with him.
Which reminds me… Where did my beau go?, Veronica thought seeing the Logan-less hospital room.
She sat on her bed, figuring senseless TV would help pass the time until her doctor signed the release papers from the hospital. She had just immersed herself in the drama of Days of Our Lives when her door opened. She heard it close and figured it was Logan so she kept her attention on the screen.
"What, no quip on my choice in television? You know you've watched it once or twice." she teased at her boyfriend's silence.
"Veronica."
"Jake Kane." She said, standing on one side of the bed.
"I think we have to talk about something."
"Oh?" she asked, feigning indifference.
"Yes, there's the matter of you being my daughter. It's worth a discussion, don't you think?"

Logan had gone down to the hospital's cafeteria, figuring a burger and soda would be nutritional enough for the day. He would have a quick lunch and return to Veronica's room. He didn't want to be apart from her longer than he physically had to. He was halfway through the burger when his cell phone rang. A table of nurses glared at him for the loud beeps of the phone. Logan flipped it open.
"Hello?"
"I need you at home. Now." His father's curt tone was not to be argued with.
"I'm at the hospital with Veronica. She needs me here." Logan always argued anyway.
"You have fifteen minute before I have to get you myself. I swear I'll drag you by your hair."
"Beautiful image, Dad."
"Now, Logan. It's a family emergency."
"Oh no, did the paparazzi take a day off? You must be devastated at the loss of attention."
Daddy Dearest made no more comment. He hung up and Logan cursed, knowing he had to go home. The table of nurses glared his way again.
"Really? You're not nuns. Don't tell me you've never dropped the f-bomb." Logan said, leaving the cafeteria.
He wanted to pass by Veronica's room for a goodbye, but knew he didn't have enough time. He couldn't risk another beating. That would keep him separated from Veronica even longer. He sent her a quick text and made his way to the mansion he hated so much.

"What do you want from me?" Lianne Mars asked the woman who hated her the most on the planet.

Celeste Kane gave a cold smile.
"I want you dead, but that would interfere with some of my arrangements. You know how little you mean to me. You ruined my marriage and the Kane name. You sicken me, Lianne. But, at the moment you are of use to me."
"What use? I don't see Jake anymore. I don't see my own family!"
"Don't lie to me. I know more than my husband thinks. He visited a hotel in another state last month for a supposed business trip. There weren't any scheduled. Since Clarence had been following you he tracked you to the same hotel Jake stayed at. Really, do you not get tired of being shameless? You're a home wrecker."
"If you think so little of me, why am I here?" Lianne's voice was shaky.
She was sober now, but her past and present whirled in her mind, making everything hard to comprehend. She never thought she'd be in front of Celeste Kane or back in Neptune.
"Your daughter. She knows."
Lianne's head shot up.
"Oh God."
"How did she find out? Keith wouldn't have told her. Knowing my Veronica, she took a paternity test, didn't she?"
"You imbecile. I didn't mean the damn paternity issue. She knows it wasn't Abel Koontz."
Lianne's face paled immediately.
"Please, Celeste she doesn't have any evidence. She's a teenager making lucky guesses."
"She's been investigating Lilly Kane's murder with a determination of no other. I can't allow that."
"Please, I beg you. I've done everything you asked. Left town. Left my family. I've kept the secret. No one was supposed to find out."
"But someone has. Or at least they've very close. You have three days to fix this."
"I-I don't know how."
"Figure it out. Get her off the case without actually showing yourself. If anyone heard you were back in Neptune it would be worse. We don't need the press speculating on Jake's affair again."
"Don't hurt my daughter, Celeste."
"I won't if you take care of the problem. Don't underestimate me, Lianne. You know what I'm capable of." Celeste dismissed the other woman, signaling for Clarence to escort her from the building.
Lianne sobbed into her hands. She had 3 days to get Veronica's investigation as far from the truth as possible. Celeste was heartless and cold-blooded. She had murdered her own daughter; nothing would stop her from murdering Veronica as well.

The plot has twisted, people. I was tired of the usual Aaron Echolls, murderer, plot. I changed that too.
Mwah-ha ha.(Evil laughter)