"Ah, Sheriff Mars, I'm glad you could join us"
"Not a problem, when it comes to Veronica, it's not really a question as to whether or not I'll be there. What can I do for you?" Keith replied taking a seat at the table.
"First just let me introduce myself, I'm special agent Castle, I was Veronica's mentor, and this is agent Hudson, Veronica's training partner through the academy, and friend."
"Nice to meet you, I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind telling me why I'm here. You said Veronica was in some kind of trouble" Keith asked pressingly.
"Yes, well, I want you to understand that we did try other avenues before calling you in but we're kind of on our last resort here, Veronica is one of the best agents we have and we don't want to lose her, but..." Agent Castle began
"She got a bit out of control" Keith finished. "I'm her father, I tend to notice when there's something wrong with my daughter" He explained noting the confused expression on the faces of both men.
"Right, and after talking to agent Hudson here, we established that the only person that may be able talk to her."
"I understand you concerns, I have the same ones, unfortunately, I'm not the one Veronica would listen to, I could talk to her but it won't do anything, if anything, it may actually escalate the situation." Keith sighed.
"Is there anyone she would listen to?" Agent Castle asked.
"Yeah, what about Wallace or Mac, they used to be real close?" Agent Hudson added.
"No, unfortunately only one person would be able to get through to Veronica" Keith explained
"Really, well, what are we waiting for lets bring them in" exclaimed Agent Hudson.
"It's not that simple, they forced themselves out of each other's live a couple of years ago."
"They forced themselves out of each other's lives?" Agent Castle asked perplexed
"Yeah, a couple of years ago… actually it was around the time Veronica started to…" Keith sighed hanging his head in his hands.
"Is there any way?" Agent Castle asked.
"Leave it with me. Where is Veronica any way?"
"On a case, she's at the warehouse on 45th; she'll probably be there a while."
"Right, well, can you let me know if location changes" Keith said getting up and swiftly leaving the room.
To say that seeing Keith Mars on his doorstep was an understatement.
"Hi Logan, can I come in? I need to talk to you."
"Uh… sure, can I get you anything?" Logan asked letting Keith in.
"No, this needs to be quick."
"Alright then, what are you doing here?" Logan asked suddenly feeling like he was in trouble.
"It's Veronica"
At these words Logan's head snapped up to face the sheriff, his eyes filling with a heart breaking worry. He knew this day would come; he was waiting for it, waiting for the day when someone would knock on his door and tell him that Veronica was dead. He knew that one day her recklessness and her obvious disregard for her own life would either kill her or break her, it was the reason they were no longer in each other's lives, he couldn't bare to be that close to her and lose her, but he could never squash the part of him that hoped for the latter, the part that hope she would break.
"Oh god" Logan said breathlessly gripping the wall to prevent himself form falling.
"No, no, she's not dead, not yet anyway. Physically Veronica is fine, but she's out of control" Keith explained.
"What do you mean?"
"Remember how you were at 17." "Yeah." Keith added seeing the comprehension on Logan's face.
"How long?" Logan asked, needing to know what caused this.
"She pretty much hit the self destruct button, after you left, and no-ones been able to bring her back." Keith told him the pain of seeing his daughter's self destruction evident on his face.
"Where is she?"
Walking out into the sunlight, Veronica could feel the blood drying on the side of her face, as the wound on her forehead continued to bleed. She could also feel every bruise she had received, and the blood trickling down her fingers from the gash that ran down her hand to just past her wrist, but she relished in it, it was a different kind of pain. As she walked around the police vans, she saw Wallace and Mac waiting for her along with, Dick, Jackie and Piz. As she began to make her way over to them she saw a black SUV pull up behind them, with Logan climbing out the driver's side, making a beeline towards her.
The smile that fell upon her face at the sight of him was suddenly lost, as she felt the tears that she had been holding back for years overcome her, as her knees buckled under her. Before she hit the ground she felt herself pulled by two strong arms into a safe embrace, as she broke down.
Logan felt the relief wash over him, holding her in his arms and knowing she was safe.
"Shh, its ok, its ok" Logan said stoking her hair.
"Logan" Veronica sobbed.
"Its ok, I'm here, I've got you"
"Is that…" he heard Mac begin from behind him.
"I think so" Wallace added.
Knowing she wouldn't want anyone seeing her this vulnerable, Logan lifted her into his arms, carrying her bridal style.
"Come on let's get you out of here" Logan said turning around and heading for his car.
Gently placing Veronica in the passenger seat Logan moved quickly to the driver's, nodding to Keith along the way letting him know that he was taking Veronica to his house.
As Logan entered his living room, carrying a first aid kit, cotton wall balls and a bowl of warm water, he reviled in the sight of seeing Veronica on his couch wearing his old hoodie and sweat pants.
"Hey" she said quietly as he sat down beside her.
"Hey" he replied gently wiping the blood from her face.
Not much had been said between the two, since they left the warehouse, it didn't need to be.
"How did you…" Veronica started.
"Your dad. He came to see me this morning" he finished already knowing the question she was going to ask.
"Why?" she asked looking him in the eye. "After everything I did…"
"Shh, it's ok. I told you. I can't bear to lose you, that hasn't changed." He promised.
Veronica smiled in defeat. In that moment Logan knew, she was done running.