Disclaimer: see chap. 1

Author's note: been a few days since I updated, but I've been doing holiday stuff! Now for the third chapter!

Chapter 3

They were releasing her from the hospital after spending the night. When her dad came to pick her up he said that he had to take her to the sheriff's office so that she could give her statement, and that it should only take 15 minutes. She got home, told her dad she was going to go sleep some, and then, after locking her door, slipped out her window.

She went to Dog Beach, since it wasn't far from her apartment, and just looked out over the sand.

"You know, you shouldn't be here alone, especially after last night," he tells her as he sits down.

"Ah, yes. But I knew that you would soon be here," she smirks at him.

"How the hell would you know that? I only just decided to come here myself!"

"Yes, but you forget. I'm the wonderful Veronica Mars, the one who can solve anything, and dig up dirt on anybody." With that she leaned in for a kiss, and he didn't disappoint. After they had spent an hour or two there, Weevil said "Your dad doesn't know you're here, does he?"

"Of course not. But in the last month, I've come hear without telling him plenty of times."

"But now it's different. You were almost killed yesterday, and I never would've forgiven myself if that had happened."

"Don't worry Eli. I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself, and if there comes a time when I can't, I have you on speed dial."

"I know, but I was right here and I couldn't do anything!"

"Someone did, and I'm safe now. I can't believe Duncan's dead, but with some time, I'll get over it."

"And I'll be right here to help ya V."

The next day was, unfortunately, a school day.

"Ah, yet another day in the hell called high school," Veronica said to Wallace as they entered the school. The bruises around her neck stood out, and made everyone painfully aware of why the prince of Neptune was no longer there (Logan being king).

She heard the whispers and felt the stares, but hey, that's all she's gotten for the past year, why should now be any different?

Logan comes up to her and says "how are you doin' Ronnie?"

"Don't call me that, you lost the right to call me that a while ago."

"Well, excuse me, for trying to make sure one of my friends was all right after almost being killed," he spit.

"Well, as you can see, I'm up, walking around, and not dead. So you can go back and play your idiotic games with whatever so-called friends you have," was her stinging answer, and with that she walked away.

AN2: ok, I know this is kinda short, but it's the holidays, and I actually have to work later today. I just wanted to put something up, try to keep ya'll interested. I'll try and up date soon! Happy New Years! Yeah 2006!

Queen Tigeress Alexa