sorry it's been so long… here you go… little drama… The songs are 30 Seconds to Mars' "A Beautiful Lie" and The Submarines' "The Darkest Things" for the end.

Chapter 4…

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"What do you mean he's back in town?" Keith pushed the door to Mars investigations open. "When did he get in? And how the hell did he manage to get past your surveillance?... okay, thanks…" He turned off the phone and turned to his daughter. "You're not to go anywhere alone. Got it?"

She cocked her head to the side. "Ooookay… what brought this on?"

"Hank the Tank has resurfaced in town. He was spotted downtown this morning."

She frowned. "No one detained him at the airport?"

Keith gritted his teeth. "Well, there's nothing to detain him on… and he probably came in on a private jet…"

She sighed. "Well, that sucks."

"Yep. Remember, Vigilance!" He spread his hands and wiggled his fingers at her. "Constant Vigilance!"

She shook her head. "Never should have lent you those Harry Potter tapes for your stakeouts."

He grinned then became serious again. "I'm not kidding though, Veronica. Don't go out alone. He's dangerous."

"Sure dad. No dark alleys, don't pick up strangers, and don't open the door if I don't know the person. Got it."

The door opened again and a woman swished toward them.

"Your one o'clock is here and I'm off to my other job." Veronica kissed him on the cheek and went out with a wave.

"Be careful!" he called after her.

"Your daughter?"

Keith turned to the woman. "Yes. Mrs. Deyne?"

She cracked her gum. "That's right."

He beckoned her into his office. "What can I do for you?"

"It's my husband. He's disappeared and he's taken all my money. I want it back."

"Well, you've come to the right place." He went around and stood behind his desk, motioning. "Please, have a seat."

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"So here's your table and your waitress will be right with you. Can I get you some drinks to start?"

The man stopped talking on their phones and looked blankly up at her, as if she'd interrupted something important.

"Coke and coffee."

Veronica nodded and moved back to the kitchen. As she got the drinks ready, her eyes scanned the room. No one suspicious, nothing out of the ordinary yet she couldn't shake the terrible feeling off. Her stomach was twisted in knots. Something was wrong.

The band around her chest loosened slightly at the sight of Logan in the entrance.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked as he cupped her face and bent to kiss her.

"What? A guy can't come visit his favourite girlfriend?"

She punched him lightly in the arm. "Better be your only girlfriend, buddy."

"Of course Rena… ow, ow, Ronnie! Ronnie!" He rubbed his arm where she'd pinched him hard. "That hurt."

"You want some cake?"

"Mmmm, sure."

She cut him a slice. "So what are you doing here Logan? My shift just started. You usually don't roll in until at least halfway through…"

He shrugged uncomfortably. "I can't just come visit?"

She led him to a table, handing him the plate and looking him straight in the eye. "No."

He took a huge bite, chewing thoughtfully, then looked her squarely in the eye. "You dad asked me to."

"What?"

"Hey, I get my drinks?" Cellphone guy asked, a little annoyed.

She held up a hand. "In a minute. Why Logan?"

"He's worried."

She shook her head. "That is so like him. And so ridiculous."

"Your customers are waiting."

She exhaled sharply. "I'm fine. I can take care of myself."

"Well, in case you can't I'll be here-" He smirked. "- chillin' like a villain…"

She rolled her eyes and stalked off.

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Near the end of her shift, Veronica went out to toss a garbage back into the big green bins out the back of Java the Hut. Her head was down, her mind elsewhere. She didn't even realize the man was there until he spoke,

"Miss Cane, I'm shocked. You've gone straight."

Her head shot up.

There, at the end of the alley was Hank the Tank, flanked by two beefy bodyguards he didn't really need.

"Looks that ways, Mr. Franks."

He came towards her. "I wonder why you've decided to change professions? I'm sure this one doesn't pay as well as your last did…"

She backed up, trying to decide quickly. "Well, I have gone straight but my mind might be changed for a price…" She bit her lip coyly.

He leered at her, his eyes roving over her, mentally undressing her body. "Well, that could be arranged…" He came up just in front of her. "Here, sweetheart, let me take care of that for you." His hand slid down her arm, grasping the garbage bag and throwing it into the green bin. He was invading her personal space in the worst way. His lips came close to her own as his hands came up to rest against the bin, effectively trapping her. "I'm looking for a few girls to waitress at my Christmas party in a couple weeks. Come by the office on Broadway this week and you can audition."

She swallowed hard. "Sure."

One hand slid up her arm and plucked at the button on her shirt. It sprang open and she froze, willing her body to not react. A hundred dollar bill had appeared in his hand and he tucked it into her bra strap. "Great. See you soon, honey." He moved his face to her neck and took a deep breath. "Mmmm…" Then he was gone.

She slid to the ground and choked back a sob. Her eyes burned with unshed tears but she refused to let them fall. When she'd started this case, she hadn't really prepared herself for this. For some sleezeball to make her feel so violated. It was part of the job but she'd thought she'd be able to block it out. Obviously, that wasn't happening.

"Veronica!"

She lifted her head. "Here," replied weakly, her voice barely above a whisper.

He came around the bin and spotted her. "Veronica! I got worried. Are you okay?"

She watched him approach, debating whether to tell him. "I'm fine. A bit shaky but fine."

His eyes darted over her body, looking for injury, resting on the bill sticking out of her shirt. His eyes darkened. "What happened?"

"Hank the Tank dropped by for a chat." She pulled out the money and gave him a tight smile.

"Jesus Ronnie." He pulled her into a hug, wrapping his arms around her small body, holding her tightly.

"He wants me to audition for a waitress job for his Christmas party."

He clenched his jaw. "No way. No way."

"This could help the case, Logan."

"OH, sure, yeah. You go strip for him and he'll just rattle off a confession for you. That's a great idea."

"I have to go back to work…" She started to move, tried to stand, but he held onto her tighter.

"Wait, just wait. Let me…" He bent his head and kissed her, his hands dropping to her waist.

She clung to him, allowing his hands to erase the memories of Hank from her body then pulled away. "Okay, I really have to go."

He shook his head. "Beg off sick. I'm taking you home."

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She sat in her room, eyes tightly closed and arms tightly around her knees as she leaned back against the bed. Logan had left long ago and she'd heard her dad go to bed hours ago but she couldn't quite fall asleep. Her eyes roved the room, settling on pictures. Lilly, the Fearsome Foursome, her and Duncan, her and Logan… happiness frozen in time, a snapshot of a life past.

She closed her eyes and willed herself to feel better. Sitting on the floor of her room until three in the morning before falling asleep from exhaustion was not a good idea. So why was she doing it again? She gritted her teeth. She hated it when her subconscious was right. This was not a good idea. Yet she couldn't bring herself to climb into bed.

Her phone buzzed. Incoming call. Only one person would be calling her this late.

She picked it up. Logan Echolls. She let it ring, staring at his name. She wanted to pick it up, wanted to talk to him but she couldn't bring herself to click the button. It shut off before it clicked to voicemail and she was disappointed. He was giving up too easily. That wasn't like Logan. She let her hand drop to the floor as if the phone was too heavy to hold up.

It buzzed again in her hand and she let her chin drop into her chest to read it. Incoming text.

I know you're awake.

How? she wondered.

Your light's on.

She smiled faintly. Count on Logan to stalk her when she felt like garbage.

Answer your phone please?

Silence and nothing.

Then her phone buzzed again. Incoming call. Logan Echolls.

She lifted it slowly to her ear, clicking the green button. "Logan."

"Can't sleep?"

"No, there's a stalker outside my window at three in the morning. How could I?" she tried to sound light but she was just flat.

"Come out. We'll go for a walk."

"Can't. Dad's here…"

She could hear him grinning into the phone. "So climb out the window…"

"Logan! We're on the second floor!" she exploded in a whisper.

"I have a big sheet. You'll be fine."

She went to the window and looked out.

He was below, waving. "I just want to know you're okay."

"I'm fine."

"Why are you still awake?" his voice was strong, unwavering and she could feel his eyes burning into her.

She shrugged. "Dunno. Too much stuff in my head. Can't get it out."

"Wanna talk about it?

"Not now, Logan.

Okay, but you and I are having serious talks tomorrow."

"I will if you bring ice cream…" She laughed softly.

"Deal."

"Deal, okay, I'm going to go to bed."

His voice was comforting. "I'll wait til you fall asleep."

She lay down on her bed, her eyes starting to close. "How will you know?"

His laughter drifted softly in her ear. "Oh, I'll know."

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