Chapter 4: Trouble

"Can you just let us in?" Veronica pressed, asking the doctor for what seemed like the millionth time that day. The doctor looked down at her pitifully, and smiled gently.

"I can promise you your friend is fine." The doctor assured her. Logan and Duncan seemed comfortable with this tiny piece of information, but Veronica wanted more.

"What was wrong with her? Will the baby be alright? Did she lose it?" Veronica insisted. Duncan and Logan both winced when she mentioned Lilly's pregnancy.

"We're trying to find the cause of the bleeding. You got her here in time, and I believe the baby will live." The doctor looked down at his watch in that way, the one where they seem to be hinting at you that they have much more important things to do than answer your questions.

"Fine." Veronica sank into the seat beside Logan, defeated. He patted her hand gently, but something seemed to be distracting him. Duncan eyed the touch carefully, as though somehow this development changed what he'd witnessed on the beach.

"I'll let you know as soon as we find what made her start bleeding." The doctor reassured Veronica before walking away hurriedly. Veronica clicked her long nails on the side table, until Duncan shot her a look to cease.

"So, you which one of you two wants to call Sixteen & Pregnant?" Logan asked. Duncan laughed out loud, while Veronica smacked him on the shoulder.

"What? You know Lilly would love it!" Duncan told her, still laughing. Logan had seemed alright when he made the joke, but now was sinking back into his dejected attitude. Veronica looked at him, concerned.

"What's wrong, Logan?" Veronica asked, rubbing his shoulder. Logan turned to face her. Duncan, aware that this was a conversation he wanted to miss, stood up under the pretense of running to the snack bar for some coffee.

"Veronica, she knew she was pregnant when she dumped me. How could she have done that when she's having my baby?" Logan moaned softly. Veronica straightened, unsure of how to breech this topic. Logan didn't know he wasn't the father, and Veronica knew he needed to know that, but Lilly should tell him, not Veronica.

"Logan…there's something you should know." Veronica began. She wished immediately she hadn't started, but now it was too late. Logan looked her straight in the eye, egging her on.

"You…aren't the father. Lilly's sure." Veronica winced as the words fell between them. Logan sucked in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

"She cheated on me?" Logan whispered. Veronica could only manage a nod. Logan let the air sit while he processed this. Finally, he began to nod.

"Yeah…yeah. Should've known. Couldn't be the father…haven't…of course. Well, who is it?" Logan asked Veronica. It was Veronica's turn to suck in a breath. She knew better than to tell Logan that Lilly's child may be his half-brother or sister, but she knew he was going to find out sooner or later. But no, Lilly was going to have to handle that little issue all on her own, without a go-between.

"It could be Eli Navarro." Veronica mentioned. Logan nodded, recognizing that Weevil had that Lilly tattoo, and had for a while. But Logan wasn't dumb, and Veronica's word choice dawned on him quickly.

"Could be?" Logan sneered. His tone had turned from acceptance to a combination of hurt and anger. Veronica shuddered at the change.

"There's…another possibility. But I really, really, really can't tell you Logan. That has to be Lilly." Veronica warned. Logan looked her directly in the eye. He kept it up for what seemed like hours, until he finally cracked a smile.

"Does best friend really trump boyfriend?" He asked. Veronica laughed, and he smiled warmly. Duncan returned, holding two cups of coffee and a brownie. Logan snagged the brownie, while Veronica took the second cup of coffee. Gentleman that he was, Logan generously shared his treat with Veronica.

"So, Dad, how's it feel?" Duncan asked. Veronica groaned, and Duncan immediately recognized his error in judgment.

"Wouldn't no. Haven't knocked anyone up recently." Logan responded cheerfully. Before Duncan could ask any clarifying questions, two men arrived at the same time. One was the doctor, and the other was none other than Eli Navarro. Logan tensed when Eli entered, but Veronica smiled and offered him the seat beside her.

"You guys know anything?" Eli asked, not bothering with hellos. Logan pretended not to hear him, while Duncan walked over to the doctor.

"We know the baby is all right." Veronica offered. Weevil's shoulders relaxed, and he smiled just a bit. Veronica was shocked to not see surprise on his face, and realized Lilly was more serious about Weevil than she'd been letting on. Logan grabbed Veronica's hand, and with each passing moment, squeezed it a little harder. Before anyone could say anything else, Duncan returned.

"We can see her. She's pretty wrecked though. Not hurt or anything, but someone isn't happy." Duncan warned.

"Why?" Logan and Eli asked at the same time. They shot each other looks before turning back to Duncan.

"I'll let her tell you. They found the source of the bleeding." Duncan explained. Veronica was up like a shot, and Logan was pulled to his feet by her, as they were still holding hands. Weevil stood up more slowly, and followed the three of them somewhat back.

"Hey Lilly. How are you?" Veronica asked sweetly, moving into the chair by Lilly's bedside. Logan sat down beside her. Duncan sat on the other side of them, and Weevil stood near Lilly's bed, hovering around her. Lilly's face lit up when she saw him, and she motioned for him to lie down beside her. It was awkward, especially for Logan, but Lilly always got what she wanted.

"Well. I'm not too bad. Glad the baby's okay." She squeezed Weevil's knee when she said it, and he gave her a kiss on the forehead. Veronica watched the exchange with wonder, happy her friend had found someone who cared about her so much, but also worried, as she knew Lilly, and knew Lilly would have to own up to the Aaron scandal eventually.

"So…the doctor mentioned he'd found the source of the bleeding." Duncan prompted. Lilly's face whitened a shade, and Weevil pulled her a little closer.

"Someone…tried to drug me. Tried to give me something to make me lose the baby." She whispered. Weevil's face turned purple, and he let out a roar of pent up rage. Veronica raced to Lilly's side, and Duncan and Logan were close behind her.

"Who would do that to me, Ronnie? Who?" She cried softly. Tears streamed down her face, and Veronica wiped them away.

"Well, Lilly. Think. Who wouldn't want you to have a baby?" Veronica asked. Lilly met her eye line, and Veronica knew they'd both thought of Aaron. Veronica motioned to Logan for a pen and paper.

"What are you doing?" Lilly sobbed, still crying.

"Making a list. Of suspects. I don't care if they knew or not. Just give me a list of people who wouldn't want you to have a baby. We'll narrow it down later." Veronica declared. Duncan and Logan exchanged a look, knowing they would make it on that list only to be crossed off (hopefully) at some other time.

"Okay…You-know-who" Lilly began. Logan raised his eyebrows in question, but Veronica waved him away.

"Logan…Duncan…" Lilly shot them both an apologetic glance. They shrugged, as if to say 'We know, don't mess with Veronica'.

"My mother…my father…Eli's gang…" She looked up at him. He nodded tersely, acknowledging that him having a kid would not be welcome news to the gang. If it was even his kid, and a gang wouldn't take time to wait and see who it looked like when it was born.

"You-know-who's…significant other." Lilly continued. Veronica looked up at her, shocked to hear the name, but also recognizing it was extremely possible.

"Anyone else?" Veronica prompted.

"Clarence Wiedman…if my dad wanted to get rid of it without getting his hands dirty, he'd ask Clarence." Lilly explained. Duncan nodded in agreement, and Veronica scribbled down the unfamiliar name. She looked to Lilly for more names, and Lilly started to shake her head, before coming up with one name.

"You-know-who's other kid. They wouldn't one any competition for the fortune. Or for you-know-who to be ruined." Lilly said. Veronica nodded, and Logan growled. Lilly and Veronica both looked at him.

"Just tell me who it is! I won't get mad, I promise! I've got Veronica now, it's all water under the bridge Lilly! Just clue me in, this is totally insane!" Logan yelled. A nurse barged in to check. She was waved away quickly by Lilly.

"Fine. It's Aaron. Your dad. Still sure you wouldn't care, even with your new girlfriend?" Lilly snarled defiantly. Logan roared, and stormed out of the room, Veronica in tow. Veronica's list floated down to the floor, and Duncan picked it up and handed it to Lilly.

It read:

1. Aaron Echolls (Prime Suspect, lover, doesn't want bastard child)

2. Logan Echolls (Ex-boyfriend, jealous)

3. Duncan Kane (brother, concerned about Lilly's status)

4. Celeste Kane (mother, reputation to worry about)

5. Jake Kane (father, anger and reputation)

6. PCHers (possible father's gang associates, keep status)

7. Lynn Echolls (lover's wife, competition)

8. Clarence Wiedman (father's associate, working for father)

9. Trina Echolls (lover's daughter, competition)