Disclaimer: See chapter one.

AN: So, I checked the stats, and it turns out that I have had over 1000 hits so far, and yet I don't have a 1056 reviews. What's with that? If you like it, review. If you don't like it, tell me what to improve. Just review! Please?

My tangent of this chapter: I was watching "Weapons of Class Destruction." I especially enjoy that scene at the Camelot; Logan and Veronica express so much with their body language. It was perfect, well except for JTT. That scene at the Camelot never fails to elicit a "squee" from me. My dad has stopped coming in to check to make sure I'm okay! I think that the original airing was the first time I really got into this show, yes I admit I started late. I actually think that the first episode I saw was "Russkie Business" but I officially became an obsessed fan at the aforementioned one. And I, of course, have read all the scripts, which I have been using to help me with this (thank you, TwizTV.) I have taped/watched every episode since, but as you know they didn't replay every one. I can't wait until VM comes out on DVD!

To those who do bother to review: I love you guys so much. Your reviews make me very happy, and write quicker.

Anyway, I decided to play nice and try to write a few more chappies before I go away. Don't worry, my vacation won't be long! I'm going away on Saturday and coming back to NY on Monday, sometime. I won't be able to write/post on Tuesday until the late afternoon. I want to get this out there so I can get to the next chapter, which I am going to try to have up ASAP. Also, when I uploaded the last chapter, my new email was omitted. If you want to contact me, the address is my username, (moondust0109) at move

Don't talk out of time

Don't think

Don't worry

Everything's just fine

Just fine

Don't grab

Don't clutch

Don't hope for too much

Don't breathe

Don't achieve

Or grieve without leave

I feel numb.

"Numb" U2

---

Chapter Five:

Logan was driving over the speed limit, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He didn't want to think about what his father was doing to Veronica. He didn't want to see anyone else he cared for die. Especially if he could stop it. He absentmindedly glanced back to check on Weevil and his gang. They couldn't keep up to his fast pace, but they would provide backup, if Duncan couldn't handle it.

He turned on the radio, already set to his favorite station. An angry rock song came belting out of the stereo, matching his mood perfectly. He checked for cops and seeing none, increased the speed a little more. He settled back in the driver's seat and estimated the time remaining until he picked up Duncan at his house. Until then he was alone in the car with only his thoughts and the music, as Weevil had insisted on riding his bike. Suddenly, the song ended and the disc jockeys began to talk.

"Did you hear about Aaron Echolls? It turns out that not only was he cheating on Lynn, but he was also sleeping with his son's teenage girlfriend. You know, the one who was killed. Do you think he killed her?"

"I really don't know," the other DJ answered. "If he cheated on Lynn, who was a major hottie, with an underage girl...well, he seems reckless enough for that sort of behavior. Call in and tell us what you think!"

Logan gritted his teeth and shut off the radio angrily. However, he was now left with his thoughts, which as much as he tried to avoid, seemed to haunt him.

Was he in love with Veronica? Weevil had certainly thought so. Logan really didn't know. He cared a lot about her, as she had been the one to pick up the pieces of his heart, broken by his mom and Lilly. However she had broken it again just as badly. There was definitely something between them, he just didn't know what. They hadn't parted on friendly terms, and he couldn't stop himself from thinking, what if she dies and I don't get to apologize?

Thinking of his Ronnie dead at the hands of his father re-ignited his temper. He could not believe his father was capable of single-handedly destroying everything good in his own son's life: driving Logan's mother to either commit suicide or run away (as Logan still wasn't convinced she was dead,) sleeping with and killing his girlfriend, beating him, and now he was probably trying to kill Veronica, too. Logan was ready to kill Aaron. But could he really kill his father?

---

Keith Mars couldn't get there fast enough. He had tried to protect her, but she was determined to solve this case. He should have known that she would have unwittingly put herself in danger. He was not going to let anything happen to his daughter.

He stopped by her wrecked car, but she wasn't in it. He noted that the passenger seat door was open: someone else was here. He drew his gun and approached the house, calling her name. He heard Veronica calling out to him and looked up to see Aaron on the roof holding a walkie-talkie. Before he could react, Aaron jumped down and the two men began to fight.

Veronica screamed as the smoke from the flames threatened to overcome her. It was getting hot and she had never been more scared in her life. She coughed and shouted for her dad again.

Keith stood still at the sound of his baby girl's terrified voice. Aaron confirmed his worst fears by nodding toward the fire.

" She's in the fridge, Keith. You might want to check up on her."

"Hang on, honey!" Keith tried to think of the safest way through the inferno but gave up and charged through. He held up his arms but he could feel the fire spreading onto him. The pain was intense but he was so focused on getting his girl out of danger that he hardly noticed. She rolled out, for the most part okay, and she managed to get them both past the deadly ring.

Veronica's father was on fire. She didn't know what to do. She looked around panicked and finally grabbed a tarpaulin. Once the fire was out she cradled her father; she didn't know what she would have done without him.

"I love you. I love you so much. I knew you'd come, I knew you'd save me. Dad."

Together, they just lay there and breathed.

---

Aaron had just managed to escape the bulldog in Keith's car, though it had taken a good bite out of him. "Stupid dog," he muttered. He ran the other way, hoping to get out of this place as soon as possible.

He didn't notice the car coming toward him until it was too late. He was thrown into the air at impact. When he landed, he heard a sickening crunch and distantly noted that he had broken at the very least a couple of ribs. He finally stood up. Someone got out of the car.

"Hi dad," Logan said.

TBC