Here's the next chapter. There might be a few mistakes because I just tried to get it out but I will edit it later just in case. Hope you enjoy. Lots of interactions and drama as usual.

All medical things I pretend to know, is all fiction. So if its crazy and outlandish, just go with me.

Read, enjoy and review.

It was hard enough focusing on something else to forget the whole Piz situation but now I had to think of something to keep my mind off the very thing that was supposed to keep my mind off of Piz. Not that I was thinking about Piz with my life at stake.

So what better way to distract myself but throw a party for my dad. Today was the day we would be finding out the final verdict on who would be the next sheriff of Balboa County. And being the dutiful daughter that I am, what else would I do to show my father his support. I was also lucky that I was creative enough to send my father on a wild goose chase to get him out of the station all day.

I went all out with the decorations with a range of banners, streamers and pictures of my pops. There were so many odds and ends that I would have to make a second trip for balloons later but I didn't mind. With all that my father had done for me over the years, this was small in comparison.

Carrying my messenger bag and the bags full of streamers on my arm I piled the box full of banners and supplies. Before shutting the door with my butt I slid the collages I had made under my arm.

I couldn't believe that I made it up the stairs, through the door, down the hallway and around the corner without dropping or running into anything. I guess it was the fact that I knew the station like the back of my hand due to my many trips to the county building.

Dropping off all the decorations on the front desk, I took the opportunity to snoop around my dad's office. With everyone at lunch and the officer on duty probably taking a long bathroom break, it was easy to slip in unnoticed. I made a mental note to let my dad know that this needed to be changed because anyone could just walk in.

I was utterly disappointed that there was nothing interesting out in his office. No crazy cases or embarrassing confiscated things either. But boy did his chair look extra comfy. I made another mental note to ask my dad to order me one for my own office at Mars Investigations.

"I was wondering when I'd be seeing you around these parts," The door creaked open, "I'm a little hurt it took you this long."

"Oh, Deputy Leo," I leaned forward in the chair, "I'm taking a break from crime fighting for a while. But don't worry, I know where to find you if I need you."

He shook his head, sitting in the guest chairs across from me, "So what do you call this visit?"

"Well, I do need your help," I titled my head, "If you missed the enormous pile of decorations, maybe you shouldn't be a cop. But I do need a little help transforming this place into the most outrageous victory room possible."

"Such confidence," My mouth hung open at his lack of enthusiasm for my father's campaign, "That I would help you."

I laughed an evil laugh, "When have you ever been able to resist my head tilt?"

The man looked utterly defeated as he stood from the chair, head hung. But nonetheless he motioned towards the paraphernalia I had brought in and I couldn't help but jump for joy. Together we did turn the police station into the most outrageous victory palace. The only thing missing were the balloons.

"Alright, keep tabs on my dad while I'm gone," I pointed a stern finger at Leo, "Don't screw this up for me D'Amato."

"You bet, Veronica," He smiled and I was confident that things would go our way.

And it wasn't until I pulled onto the PCH that I knew things were terribly wrong. The black car from behind me crossed over the center line and sped passed me. I couldn't help but curse at the rage engulfed driver.

Just when I was thought I would make it to Party City in one piece the black car slammed on its breaks before continuing on. Instinctually I kept my distance from erratic vehicle but suddenly in my rearview mirror another dark car was on my tail.

"Shit," I whispered, having no where to turn. To my right, the cliff threatened imminent death if I veered off the road whereas to my left, oncoming traffic was something to worry about, "Breathe, Veronica."

With the pressure from both cars, I took the first opportunity I could to veer off the road into the shoulder once the threatening cliffs were behind me. I hadn't anticipated the bumpiness of the shoulder which was covered with giant rocks. I slammed on the brakes and my whole body lurched forward before I was flung back into the seat by my seatbelt. The lifesaving device had kept my head from going through the window. As the dust settled I watched as the two cars, satisfied by my move, took off down the road.

I pressed my foot on the gas and back tire turned underneath itself, "Shit." I slammed my fists on the steering wheel, the whole of the situation finally setting in. Being stranded on the side of the PCH was probably not the best place to be after having been run off the road, but it didn't look like I was going anywhere fast.

I pulled out my phone and dialed the almost forgotten number, "Hey Leo."

"Are you checking up on me?" I could tell he was smiling, "No, Veronica, I haven't screwed up yet."

"Actually," I tilted my head out of habit even though he couldn't see me, "I'm kinda in a jam."

"What's up?"

I let out a chuckle, "Funny thing. I might of gotten stuck in a ditch. And I really need to be there when they announce my father's victory. So…"

"Where are you?" I heard his keys jingle in the background. I quickly blurted out the mile marker on the PCH before hanging up to recollect myself before Leo showed up.

First thing I did was unbuckle my seatbelt. Thanks to Newton's 3rd law of motion, even though the car had stopped, my body kept going causing the seatbelt to lock up. Massaging my stomach and chest I couldn't block out the millions of thoughts that bombarded my brain.

What were the license numbers? Did they even have license plates? What was the make of the cars? What color were they? With all the questions I had floating through my head only one thing I was sure of. This was Gory Sorokin's doings. He was a man of his word.

A horn jolted me back to reality. Looking up in my rearview mirror I saw that Leo had arrived, flashing lights and all. Sure, draw more attention me.
"Can you turn those off?" I grimaced getting out of my Saturn.

He shook his head, "It's protocol."

"Well, come on," I hurried him, "We need to get back before my dad does."

"Don't sweat it, Veronica," Leo turned on his sirens and we were speeding back towards the station.

On the way back I shot Wallace a text requesting he come a bit earlier, and with balloons.

"So," Leo broke the silence, "What happened?"

I was run off the road by the Russian mob. That one would go over well.

"There was a turtle in the road. I just couldn't hit it."

"Veronica Mars, saving the world one animal at a time."

Animal was more like it because Gory didn't seem human. Who could torture people like he was? Who would?

Back at the station, things were looking good sans the balloons. I tried to busy myself until Wallace arrived but there was little left to do. Upon arriving, Leo was confronted with a pile of files that needed to be put away thanks to Inga calling out sick. The rest of the officers just ignored me because it was just like the old days with me hanging around, sprucing the place up.

I stretched trying to straighten the 'Congratulations' banner Leo and I had hung earlier. As I raised my arms, a pain shot through my stomach. Bringing my arms down I rubbed the sore spot. I lifted my shirt and I noticed that where the seatbelt had locked up was a bruise spanning the entire width of my stomach. Instead of decorating I took to massaging the mark again. And then the pain seared again.

I needed to sit down. This was not normal but it was almost time for the announcement; there was no way I was missing that. It would have to wait until after we celebrated my father's victory.

The side of the banner I had bee working on fell on me, ruining the entire wall. I got up to fix it but the pain in my stomach wouldn't let me. It felt like a knife was cutting into me, I could barely stand it anymore.

"I come baring balloons," Piz appeared in the reception area with a bundle of blue and yellow balloons. Obviously I was quite a sight on the floor, near tears because he noticed, "Veronica what's wrong?"

"What are you doing here?" I winced as he crouched down to the floor.

"Balloons," Piz didn't take his eyes off of me, "What's wrong?"

I couldn't help but cry now, "I don't know. It hurts."

"What hurts? What happened?"

I couldn't even formulate a sentence now as the pain intensified. It was like Piz could sense my increased discomfort because he began looking frantically around for someone, anyone who could help.

"Leo," I choked out and from the file room, he emerged.

"Call an ambulance!" Piz ordered.

Leo hesitated, trying to formulate what happened.

"We have to hurry!" Piz yelled at him, "She's pregnant."

"Wait, what?" Leo was astounded but he snapped into deputy mode as I cried a little louder. All this time, I hadn't even thought about the baby, "I'll be faster than an ambulance. Let's go."

Piz tried to lift me off the floor, and if I were in any other state, he would've earned a smart remark but right now, I was thankful for his effort. Leo stepped in and whisked me to his squad car. Piz slid into the back seat as Leo eased me in as well. With my head in Piz's lap and Leo at the wheel, sirens and lights twirling we were off to the hospital.

"Hey, stay with me," Piz brushed the hair off my face, trying to soothe my sobs.

"Why are you doing this," I coughed out, "After everything…"

He pet my head, "No matter what happened between us, I still care about you. Hands down, you need me, I'm there."

My breathing got quicker before finally everything went black.

I had to blink a few times before the room came into focus. Then flashes from earlier came to the surface and I began panicking.

"Hey, hey," Piz sat forward in the chair next to the bed, "It's okay."

"The baby?" I asked, still a little disoriented.

"They won't tell me anything because I'm not family," Piz said, "But I'm pretty sure that machine right there is a fetal heart monitor."

Sure enough, to my right were two beeping machines. One beeped in time with my own heart while the other was slower. I let out a cry of relief as I watched the monitor.

"I'm going to go get the doctor."

The door closed behind him and I took the chance to close my eyes and pray. I didn't do it often but at times like these it was the only piece of hope I had. I had prayed that Lily was really alive. I prayed that the bus crash hadn't happened. Even though I had prayed for impossible things in the past, this was something I could pray for.

"Please let my baby be okay," I said out loud.

The door swung open and I turned.

"Veronica," Even though the light was blinding me, I knew it was Logan. He was across the room in two steps, "Veronica."

Before I could protest he was kissing my forehead, my cheek, my nose, all hungrily. Though shocked by his behavior, I didn't stop him.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," I broke down again, admitting my fault in all this, "I screwed up."

"What do you mean? What happened?" Logan whispered, "Piz didn't tell me anything on the phone."

I furrowed my brows, "Piz called you?"

"Yeah, he said that you were in trouble. I came as fast as I could."

The door opened again, revealing a man in a long white coat.

"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave," The doctor said, not looking up from the chart.

I cleared my throat, "I'd like him to stay."

"Very well," The doctor nodded, "Miss Mars, have you been under pressure lately? Anything stressing you out?"

"Well, I just finished my finals," I left out the real reason for my sleepless nights, "So yeah, I get stressed out a lot."

"So tell me," He took a few notes, "What happened today?"

I shifted uncomfortably in the bed, "Well I decorated my father's office for him. I went to pick up balloons but I got distracted and went off the road. I got stuck in a ditch. The seatbelt locked up on me. When I got back to the station, I was really uncomfortable. Where the seatbelt caught me was bruised and sore."

"I'm going to tell you what happened," He put down the chart, "You had a massive panic attack."

"But what about the pain in my stomach," I blurted, "I mean, it really hurt."

The doctor nodded, "After all the test we ran, besides the bruise, I believe it was psychological."

"So the baby's okay?" Logan chimed in.

"The baby is completely healthy," The doctor reassured, "But we're going to keep you over night for observation, just in case."

"Okay."

"Have you ever had panic attacks before?" The doctor asked, picking up the chart again.

I thought back. There have been many times that I've felt panicked but I don't think any of these times qualified as a panic attack, "No."

"Alright," He nodded again, noting my answer, "I don't want to medicate you, since you're pregnant but I'm going to order you a stress test with your next monthly appointment to see how you're doing. You need to take it easy. No stress and maybe you should take a break from driving."

"Thank you, doctor." Logan said as the doctor left the room.

"Oh, thank God," I let out finally rubbing my stomach carefully, "If I let something happen, I would…"

Logan shushed me right as I felt my heart quicken again.

"You heard the man, Ronnie," Logan placed a hand on my stomach as well, "You just need to chill."

"It's just -- I just --," I stammered.

"Just stop," Logan put a finger to my lips, "Relax. You should get some rest."

But instead I shot straight up in the bed, "Did my dad win? Is he Sheriff for good?"

"Congratulations, Mars," Logan nodded in confirmation, "Now rest."

"What about Piz?" I pouted, "And Leo? They're probably worried about me."

Logan smirked, "You must love having all of your ex-boyfriends in one place."

"Well its not all of them."

"If I go get them to say goodbye, will you rest then, woman?"

I smiled, "I promise."

"Can I get that in writing?" Logan joked as he went into the hall to get the two guys.

They both walked in, dragging their feet, soft smiles on their faces.

"Who died?" I asked trying to lighten the mood.

Neither of the two laughed but Piz spoke, "So what's the verdict?"

"I've got six months to live," I said solemnly.

Piz looked as if he was going to faint and Leo's face was like stone.

"Okay," I laughed awkwardly, "You guys can't take a joke. I'm fine. A little stressed out but fine."

"That was not cool, Veronica," Leo pointed a stern finger at me, "We were really worried about you."

So I'm a mean, heartless person sometimes but I made up for it with my charm, "I know. I'm sorry, guys. But I just wanted to say thank you, for everything."

"It looks like you owe me, again," Leo smiled patting my shoulder, "But I need to head back to the station. I'm glad you're okay."

And then there were two. If I said it was awkward, it would be an understatement but there was no other word to describe Piz and I.

"I mean it, Piz," I reached for his hand, "Thank you."

"Eh, it was cake," He brushed off his heroism, "But I meant what I said too. Whatever you need."

I smiled and squeezed his hand, "You're a great guy Piznarski."

"I know," He dropped my hand, backing away, "But I need to catch Leo since my car is at the sheriff's department. I'll see you around, Veronica."

Logan and Piz passed each other in the doorway, pausing briefly as Logan cupped Piz's shoulder.

"Thanks for calling me."

"I know, I'm awesome," Piz smiled, leaving the room.

Logan approached my bed, "Now, rest."

"Okay, okay," I said, defeated, "Are you coming back in the morning?"

"Coming back?" Logan plopped into the bedside chair, "I'm not leaving you."

"You don't --" I started to say but Logan put his hand up, stopping my protest.

"I want to stay here. I want to make sure you're okay," He settled farther into the chair, "I want to sleep in this chair."

"If you insist on sleeping here," I shifted over in the twin bed, "Then I insist that you share my bed."

Without another thought, Logan was curled up next to me, a protective arm wrapped around my torso.