"You think you're so tough, huh?" Veronica muttered as she hunched over the white stove, scrubbing furiously at a yellow spot that just wouldn't fade. She stopped for a moment and adjusted the top of one blue rubber glove before spraying more kitchen cleaner on the stain.
Logan's footsteps echoed through the main floor as he descended the stairs, but she didn't turn around, leaning in once more to scrub the stove surface. So far, she had managed to clean the fridge, wash the pots and pans from dinner, and scrub every inch of countertop in the kitchen, while Logan bathed Jack and put all the kids to bed.
"You're going to wear right through the finish if you keep scrubbing that hard," Logan said, coming around the kitchen island to stand behind her.
Veronica wiped a stray hair off her forehead with the back of her hand but didn't turn around. "If I can't get this stain out we may need to buy a new stove anyhow; it'll just taunt me every time I cook something."
Logan's hand gently came to rest on her hip before sweeping around her belly, his arm pulling her back into the curve of his body. She let herself relax slightly as he pressed himself against her, his other hand slipping across her ribs, just under her breasts, and Veronica's body shivered. His lips dropped to her ear and she closed her eyes, her body eagerly awaiting his next move.
"That's enough cleaning for tonight," he whispered before taking her earlobe gently between his teeth.
"But I'm working out my tension," she replied.
Logan's hips started to sway from side to side, moving Veronica's along with him.
"And you know how I like to work out my tension..."
Veronica let out a little sigh of exasperation. He was holding her just tightly enough that she couldn't turn around to face him.
"I smell like cleaner," she countered.
"Leave the gloves on," he muttered, the vibration of his words tickling her neck. "We can play 'rich Count and naughty maid'."
Veronica let out a full laugh, leaning her head back into his shoulder. Seizing his opportunity, Logan kissed her exposed nape, causing her laugh to shrink to a flirty giggle.
"We don't even have to go anywhere," Logan said, his voice resonating through her as he spoke into her skin. "Just bend over a bit. I can work with this angle."
Veronica bit her lip, wriggling her hips against his as an answer to his request. Sliding her hands down to the edge of the stove, she grabbed the lip, dropping her torso slightly. Logan responded with a soft growl before continuing to kiss her neck with renewed vigour.
The sound of Veronica's cell ringing broke their connection and Veronica that let out a small growl of dispair. "Fuck."
"Don't answer it," he murmured, continuing to kiss her neck.
"I need to."
"You really don't."
"Yes, I do," Veronica sighed and wiggled herself out of Logan's arms. Moving quickly to the kitchen island, she glanced at the caller ID and answered.
"Hey Leo," she said, forcing herself to sound happy.
A grunt of discontent came from Logan as he swung around to lean against the edge of the stove, his arms crossed.
"Got your message but I didn't want to call at the station. What's up?" Leo replied.
Veronica began pacing the kitchen, walking slowly towards the table. "I'm giving you everything we have and walking away from the case." She caught a glimpse of Logan out of the corner of her eye, shifting to stand at attention.
"Why? What's up?" Leo asked.
Veronica swiveled and began to pace towards the kitchen windows opposite the table, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"I have some evidence that points to the girls being set up in some sort of larger plan by the Fitzpatricks and some unknown person who might have a grudge against Dick. The girls we being groomed for this and it's beginning to sound like a case of human trafficking."
Leo was silent for a moment before letting out a deep sigh through the phone. "Shit. I'll have to coordinate something with Balboa County and the FBI."
"Exactly," Veronica said, coming to a stop at the closed window shutters. "It's just that...with the kids...and the new baby...and I'm just worried..."
"Don't have to explain," Leo said. "Some risks are just not worth taking."
Veronica closed her eyes and let out a deep sigh. Before the kids, she would have chased this lead herself, and the part of her that still wanted to do so screamed at her from deep inside her brain. But she also knew that a maniac that would trade in human lives would have no problem harming her children; and that deep dark knowledge was now driving her choice.
"If you come into the office tomorrow, I can give you paper copies of the stuff we found," she said. "Evidence to point you in the right direction that can disappear if need be."
"Sounds good. I'll come first thing in the morning."
Veronica opened her eyes and let out a small sigh of relief. "Thanks Leo. We'll see you then."
"See you then," he replied before disconnecting the call.
Veronica turned off her phone and slipped it into her back pocket before pulling off the rubber gloves.
"You're done?" Logan said quietly, leaning against the edge of the counter, his arms crossed.
"Yeah. We're done," Veronica replied, tossing her gloves onto the kitchen island. "This is no longer a Mars Investigations case."
Logan looked away momentarily, his lips parting with a sharp inhale as he began to fidget. Veronica recognized Logan's body language – he was gearing for an argument – and her teeth clenched, in preparation for his rebuttal.
"I can't drop this."
"Yes you can."
Logan ran his hands through his hair, his eyes closing briefly. "I can't abandon Dick."
"Even if it means putting our kids in danger?" Veronica snapped.
"Our kids aren't in danger," Logan replied, his eyes involuntarily darting towards the stairs, just to make sure none of the children were actually listening.
Veronica gasped in exasperation, tossing her arms in the air. "So someone poisoning Pony was what? A random incident? Is that what you've decided?"
"Yes. We found no evidence to the contrary," he said, crossing his arms, eyes narrowing in defiance.
"I'm not taking that chance," Veronica said firmly. "Not when it comes to our kids."
Logan stepped towards her and Veronica crossed her arms over her belly.
"The kids will be fine," Logan reiterated through clenched teeth. "You just want a way out of Dick's case. You never walk away from a case."
Veronica shook her head, pursing her lips. "No. This is too big - too much at stake if we make a mistake. And yes, I have walked away from a case when people I loved got hurt."
Logan frowned in thought for a second before his face softened at the memory.
"Gory."
An shiver ran through Veronica. A long time ago, she made a big mistake, and chased the wrong rabbit down the hole. It was Gory who released the tape of her, in bed with Piz, by email to the entire student body at Hearst. The ensuing chaos the video created in Veronica's life spread like a virus, infecting everyone she loved. At the time, it cost her dad the chance to become Sherriff again, when he covered for her by destroying evidence. Logan could care less that a punk-ass jerk like Gory Sorokin was connected to the mob when he beat the shit out of him in the Hurst College cafeteria, laughing when Gory threatened his life. But Veronica was convinced that Gory would kill Logan - a thought that angered and terrified her. Thankfully, Keith somehow managed to smooth things over behind the scenes – orchestrated in part by Jake Kane she assumed – and Gory quietly left town to attend Harvard that summer. But without this knowledge, Veronica spent her entire summer with the FBI worrying that Gory would kill Logan while she was gone - a fear that caused her to disassociate any an all feelings for him out of self-preservation.
"I nearly lost everyone I loved over that case," Veronica whispered. "I won't make that mistake again. I may be strong, but not strong enough to lose my kids to some maniac, because I was too stubborn to know when to walk away. And that's what we have to do – just walk away, Logan, before one of us gets hurt."
The mechanical click from the refrigerator made Veronica jump slightly in the silence that fell between her and Logan. Her eyes fixed on him, watching as he shifted and shuffled in his discontent.
Finally, Logan licked his lips, sucking in a deep breath and nodded his head in understanding.
"Okay. I'll drop it. For the sake of you and the kids, I'll drop it."
Veronica held Logan's gaze before stepping closer. He opened his arms and she pressed herself against him, hugging him to her tightly. His lips brushed her forehead before he rested he cheek on top of her head.
"I don't want this to be an issue between us anymore," he said. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about," she murmured into his chest. "Dick was there for you, and now you're trying to be there for him. I get it. But Leo will have the evidence that he was set up and he has the resources to follow-up through proper police connections. No matter what issues you and he may have, Leo is a good cop who won't let an innocent man go to prison."
"Fuck, I hope not," Logan said.
Veronica exhaled softly, letting her body relax into Logan's. The pounding of his heart bounced against her cheek, filling her head with a comforting rhythm. Her eyes closed as she pushed all thoughts of the case from her mind, focusing instead on being present with her partner.
The smallest gasp escaped her lips as Logan quickly moved against her, hoisting Veronica up in his arms as if she was still the light little college girl he carried across the Grande hotel room. Her eyes still closed, she rested her head to his shoulder as he sprinkled soft kisses on her forehead. His long steps took them to the living room where he gently lowered her onto their long, soft couch.
Veronica opened her eyes to catch Logan, pulling his t-shirt over his head, the smile on his lips moving his cheeks into deep dimples and creases. This position was nothing new for them - having escaped to this space while the kids slept in their bed many times - and Veronica responded by quickly shedding her blouse over her head and tossing it to the ground.
She still loved that look that would cross his face at the sight of her half-naked; his eyes narrow and dark, his smile twisted up in the corner just-so, his toungue darting across his lips. It was the same hungry look he gave her when they were teens, and it hadn't changed with time.
She opened her knees and Logan kneelt reverently between them, the light from the kitchen causing him to appear above her in silhouette, the curves of his muscles accentuated as he moved. Veronica smiled up at his figure, her hand reaching to trail down the indentation of his torso. When her fingers reached his belt buckle she felt his abs contract with anticipation. The metalic clicking, as she undid his belt, filled the silence on the main floor, and a brief prayer that the kids would stay asleep ran through her head.
Her back arched to meet him as Logan dropped his body towards hers, his hands catching the arm of the couch behind her head. His nose brushed hers softly and she closed her eyes, waiting for his lips to connect with hers.
They made love quietly, making use of their intimate knowledge of how to pleasure each other in the quickest fashion, knowing, in the back of their minds, that they may not have much time.