Duncan didn't know what the fuck was going on. Time was ticking. The sun was about to come up, but Duncan hadn't even thought about sleep. Lilly had been in there forever without calling out his name. The police weren't there-she had probably lied about knowing they were coming. He couldn't decide if his sister had no fear of death or if she just let her sense of adventure overrule everything. He knew part of her was genuinely pissed on Logan's behalf that he had been raised by this man. But the other part of her… Well, that was crazy Lilly. There was nobody like her in the world and that was why most everyone adored her.

Duncan couldn't call Lilly so he quietly took out his phone and called Veronica. She answered sleepily on the third ring. "Duncan? Oh shit, I fell asleep. What's up?" Veronica and Logan had been sleeping in their chairs in the kitchen, their faces down on the table and a coffee pot in between them. Coffee going cold… Logan was now wide awake.

"Did your dad really go to the cops?"

"Yeah, they got a search warrant for his storage unit. My dad's still not back yet…"

"Are they coming to the hotel?"

"I don't think so… Duncan what's wrong?" The barely disguised urgency in his tone was beginning to freak her out.

Duncan spoke quickly, so quickly that he was difficult to understand. "Lilly-she's in there with Aaron. I don't know what the fuck she's doing. She said she just wanted to talk to him or flirt with him or something to distract him until the cops came so he couldn't empty the locker and I should wait outside in case things got bad but maybe I should knock-"

"Oh my God, Duncan!" Veronica cut him off frantically. Logan looked on in panic, not knowing quite what was happening but knowing it involved his father of course. "Ok, ok, stay put if you can, I'm going to call my dad and we're going to get the cops and head over there. Duncan, just stay calm and I'll get there as fast as possible. Keep your phone with you. Don't make any sudden movements-don't try to be a hero. Got it?"

Duncan was almost apoplectic. His breathing sped up as he tried in vain to remain calm. His breaths were becoming deeper and more rapid. He was fucking hyperventilating. Oh yeah, now was a great time to have a panic attack. Pull yourself together, Kane. Veronica waited for an answer from him-which involved not much more than a grunt-before hanging up and racing out the door. She hollered instructions at Logan, while simultaneously calling her dad on the phone and throwing the car into reverse. Logan's face was a sickly white, but at least it wasn't green. He couldn't help but feel like this was all his fault, because that's how Logan oftentimes couldn't help but feel.

"It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine," Veronica was repeating, more to herself than to Logan, like a mantra. "Jesus Christ, Lilly don't do anything stupid." Veronica and Logan were unarmed. Logan had never even held a gun before. They needed her dad and they needed him now.

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Sheriff Don Lamb pounded on the door. "Aaron Echolls, come out with your hands up."

"What right do you have to come to my home and throw me out!" Aaron was edging closer to the door, his gun pointed at Lilly as she moved along with him.

"This is a hostage situation, Mr. Echolls. We know you have Lilly Kane in there, now just send her out unharmed and come out with your hands up!"

"She came over to see me. This ain't no fucking hostage situation." Well, except for the gun he had trained on her and the fact that he was now holding her hostage. Duncan was keeping a hand on his own gun he had tucked into his pants, unbeknownst to the cops. Keith was patting Duncan on the shoulder and trying to tell him that his sister would be alright. Duncan's parents were unreachable. Logan and Veronica were on their way, although Keith had ordered them not to come. But nothing in the world would stop them.

"You brought this on yourself, you know that, girl?" Aaron said for Lilly's ears only.

"So did you. You might just be the worst person I know and I've met Dick Cheney before."

Aaron actually laughed a little. "And yet still you antagonize me."

"I've been told I don't know when to quit."

"My wife," Aaron whispered. "It was my wife's fucking hand."

"I thought so, psycho. Does this mean you're going to kill me? They're going to lock you up for life if my dad or Duncan don't get you first."

"I'll take my chances." Aaron aimed the gun just as it began to sound like a battering ram was attacking his hotel door. "Say your prayers, little girl."