Apartment of Kate O'Hara and Mike Logan

November 24. 2005

5:30 pm

"You really made pumpkin pie?" Logan asked, walking into the kitchen, carrying dirty dishes.

"Yeah, I really did. I told you I was going to make you a traditional Thanksgiving dinner."

"I think we've got enough leftovers to last until Christmas," he remarked, as she cut the rest of the turkey from the bone.

"Nah, you'll take care of this before the weekend's over," she dismissed. "Speaking of Christmas, I wanted to talk to you."

"Uh oh."

"Stop, I'm serious. We need to decide what we're going to do for Christmas."

"I figured we'd exchange presents, eat dinner," he shrugged.

"My father invited us down to Philly," she explained.

"If you want to go down, that's fine. We'll go down."

She shook her head, "I had another idea."

"Wanna share?"

"I was thinking we'd go away for Christmas," she explained, washing her hands.

"Where are we gonna go?"

Grabbing a tea towel, she dried her hands, then turned to face him. "You gave me an idea the other night when we were watching tv."

"You want to go to Gilligan's Island?" he laughed.

"No, wiseass. The other night, when we were watching the original Ocean's Eleven, I started thinking," she smiled at him, "What would you think about Christmas in Vegas?"

He raised a brow. "Vegas?"

"Yeah, Vegas. We can have a Rat Pack Christmas," she excitedly said. "Think about it, Mikey. A long weekend of drunken debauchery. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Yeah," he allowed. "But Vegas?"

"You've never been to Vegas. That's why you don't get it. You'll have a blast."

"Wouldn't it be cheaper to drive down to Atlantic City?"

"Yeah, but it wouldn't be as much fun. And it's gonna be just as cold in AC as it is at home. In Vegas it's gonna be in the 70's."

He still wasn't totally sold on the idea, but she seemed excited by it.

"I just really think you'd get a kick out of Vegas, that's all," she shrugged. "Guess it was a crazy idea."

"No," he reasoned. "I don't think it was crazy. I've always wanted to go. Ah, what the hell, let's do it."

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

December 23, 2005

6:30 PM

"Look at us, Mikey," Kate said, walking into the opulent hotel room. "In town for less than a day and we're already up more than thirty grand."

"Yeah, well, sometimes Mr. Unlucky gets lucky," he laughed, as the thrill of winning mixed with the whiskey he'd been drinking and gave him one powerful buzz.

"Mr. Unlucky sits down to play one hand." She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a squeeze. "And five hours later he's got 30K . Shit, I still can't believe you did it and I was sitting right next to you."

"You've been telling me that my luck was changing," he said, kissing her. "I guess I should learn to listen to you, huh?"

"I've been telling you that for years," Kate winked. "Still think this was a stupid way to spend Christmas?

"I never said it was a stupid way to spend Christmas," he dismissed.

"You weren't crazy about my Rat Pack Christmas idea, admit it."

"Okay, I wasn't. But I've changed my mind," he winked at her.

"You know, we really need to get some dinner…"

"Food is highly over rated," he returned, slipping his hands beneath the back of her sweater.

"Mike, I haven't eaten since that bagel at LaGuardia at 6:30 this morning, I'm starving. Besides, we need to celebrate. We should eat something expensive, decadent," She grinned at him, "After all, if we're gonna do this Rat Pack style, then we've got to do it right."

"True Rat Pack style would involve finding an entourage. I'm not in the mood for an entourage."

"Okay, it's more of a Rat Pack of two." She slipped out of his arms again, "Let's go get changed and we can go get something to eat."

Logan watched as she walked off into the bedroom, then turned and smiled at him.

"You coming?"

"In a minute," he nodded, as she disappeared behind the door. He walked to the large window and looked out at the lights of the Vegas Strip.

When he boarded the plane at LaGuardia that morning, he figured that by this time of the night, they'd have blown a couple of hundred dollars on slots and roulette, gotten tired of the casino and be looking for something else to do with their time. Instead, after checking in and getting settled in their room, he sat down at the baccarat table, deciding to play one hand. He left the table five hours later and $31,725 richer.

Logan laughed out loud. Who'd have thought he'd be lucky? But lately things had been on an upswing. He and Katie were getting along great and living together had gone more smoothly than he could have hoped. He'd finally gotten a transfer out of Satan's Island and had been working in the Major Case Squad for three months and he and Barek were falling into a good rhythm as partners. Winning at the baccarat table today was just gravy. He decided that at this moment in time, he had to be the luckiest son of a bitch alive.

Kate walked out of the bedroom ten minutes later to find him standing at the window, looking positively happy. This was a look Mike Logan rarely wore. "Whatever's out there must be good judging by the smile on your face."

"Nah, what's in here is better," he said, turning to face her. She'd pulled up her hair, put on some make up, and was wearing this incredibly hot little black dress.

"Can you zip me?" she asked, walking to him and turning her back to him.

"I'd rather unzip you," he replied, nuzzling her neck.

"We've already addressed this issue, Detective," she smartly said. "I need food."

He zipped the dress, then placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.

"Do I look okay?"

She always amazed him with how critical she was of her appearance. He often wished she could see herself as he saw her. "You look amazing."

Kate blushed, "Stop."

"No, I won't." He kissed her softly, "You win. I'll get changed. Guess you're expecting me to wear a suit?"

"Did Frank wear anything else?" she winked.

Bellagio Hotel Lobby

10:15 PM

"I think I ate enough for two people," Kate said, as they walked out of the restaurant. "But it was so damn good."

"Where to now?" he asked, taking her hand.

"Let's go do something touristy."

"Like?"

She shrugged, "I dunno."

"We can go see an Elvis impersonator," he wryly suggested.

"Did you know you really can get married by an Elvis impersonator?"

"Hell, you can get married by a Klingon on the bridge of the Enterprise," he teased.

"And you say that like it's a bad thing?" Kate laughed, then, "Although, I've always been curious as to just how trashy those chapels really are."

"Let me guess, you want to go see one?"

"I'd like to, but I figured you'd probably go into shock or burst into flames or something when we walked into the place."

"Very funny, Wise Ass," he laughed, "Come on; let's go see what a Las Vegas wedding chapel really looks at."

She raised a brow, "You're serious."

"I'm serious," he returned, with a smart ass grin, "Now you comin'?"

"Call a cab, Detective."

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

December 23, 2005

11:15 PM

"We're in Vegas," Kate said, stretching out on the snow white Egyptian cotton sheets, "Why are we in bed at 11:15?"

"I don't know about you, but I'm tired," he admitted, turning on his side to face her. He draped his arm across her stomach and kissed her cheek.

She smiled at him, "You've had a big day, I guess you earned an early night."

"Tomorrow, we'll stay up all night," he promised, then laughed.

"What?"

"I still can't get over the Drive Through Elvis Wedding," he laughed.

"I can't get over how easy it is to get married here," she laughed with him. "Shit, $55 and a trip to the court house and you can go let Elvis do his thing. When I married my ex, we had to do the blood tests, we had to go to the courthouse, wait for the license. We won't even talk about the Pre Cana at the church."

"Hey, it's the church - they want to make sure you really want to do it." He shrugged, then looked at her, "I guess old Ed at the chapel thought he'd talk us into getting married."

"He was a nice guy and you know, that place wasn't too bad. I've been to tackier weddings in South Philly."

"Besides, Frank Sinatra got married there."

"And Jon BonJovi," she added, with a yawn. She turned and kissed him. "Get some sleep, Detective Logan; we've got a full day ahead of us tomorrow."

Sahara Hotel and Casino

December 24, 2005

3:30 PM

"So?" Logan asked, watching as Kate returned from the cashier's window, "What was your take?"

Kate smiled, "$8754. Mikey, we cannot gamble again after tonight. We'll lose it all."

"Trust me, I'm not going near another table," he agreed.

"I'm sure we'll find something else to do," she decided. "Like shop."

"Think we can blow all $8754?"

"Why are we blowing my money?" she returned with a faux glare.

"Because, you've already decided that my money is being used as the down payment for an apartment, remember?"

"I thought that was wise," she decided. "You're not getting any younger and you really do need to own something."

"I thought you were leaving the lawyer in New York," he teased.

"Sorry, she comes out when large sums of money are involved." She thought for a moment. "Well, hell, since we're being so responsible with your money, let's just blow mine."

"Katie, I was kidding," he seriously said.

"I wasn't." She wore a determined look, "Come on, it's Christmas. We're supposed to spend too much money at Christmas, right? So, let's do this right. First thing we're gonna do is buy you an incredible designer suit and get me an equally as expensive dress. Then, we're going to get all dressed up and have dinner."

"Then what?"

"I dunno, I guess we'll just play it by ear."

7:45pm

"Okay," Kate said, setting down her shot glass, "We've got terribly expensive new clothes, we've eaten a dinner that cost about what you make in a week, and I think we've had more to drink in the past 4 hours than we've had in the past year."

"I don't know about you, but this is the best Christmas Eve I've ever had," he laughed.

"Me, too," she admitted, as the bartender brought them another round of beer. "But it's only 7:45. We've still got the whole night ahead of us. What are we gonna do?"

"Go see a show?"

She shook her head, causing the room to spin slightly. "Whoa, note to self: ease up on the alcohol."

"Have I ever told you that I like it when you're drunk?"

"Well, you must be loving it tonight. Now, if we keep sitting here, I'm going to get really lit and it's going to be a very early night. We're in Vegas, Mikey. We're drunk and we've got money to spend." A devilishly challenging expression formed on her features, "If you could any one thing tonight, to make one amazing memory of Vegas, what would it be?"

He thought for a moment, then, before his alcohol slowed brain could stop his mouth, he said, "Let's go back to that chapel and get married."

Kate, who had been taking a mouthful of beer as he spoke, nearly choked. "Get married?"

"Yeah. Hell, if it was good enough for Frank Sinatra…"

"I've got two words for you, Britney Spears," she laughed. He didn't laugh with her, he just looked determined. "You're serious."

"Give me five good reasons why we shouldn't get married," he challenged.

"Five?" The alcohol wasn't allowing her to think clearly. "Wait…let's see..."

"You can't come up with any," he returned, with a smug smile. "Let's get a cab and head back over to the chapel."

"Tonight?"

"Yeah, tonight. You know damn well we won't do this sober."

"I guess you're right. You're a marriage-phobe and I don't trust anybody. If we don't do this now, we're gonna end up living together for the rest of our lives."

"That's my point."

"I mean, we're already committed. Both of our names are on the lease, we've got joint credit," she continued, surprised that this whole idea was actually making sense. "We're listed as each other's next of kin, we've listed each other as beneficiaries…"

"The lawyer's back," he teased, causing her to flash him a faux dark look.

"You're right. It does make sense to get married. Of course, it only makes sense now, that we're drunk in Vegas."

"And when we're sober in Manhattan, we just don't get it," he took a long drink of his beer and set the pilsner glass down.

Kate nodded, processing the idea. He was right. This would probably never happen any other way. But, was it really what they wanted? She decided to call his bluff. "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay, we'll go to the chapel. Let's get a drink for the road because if we sober up, we'll come to our senses and give up this whole insane idea"

Little White Wedding Chapel

December 24, 2005

8:45 pm

"And this one is our most popular package," Ed Blazenski explained, pointing to a page in a white binder. "The Lover's Package comes with your ceremony, music, flowers for the bride and a boutonnière for the groom."

"What about witnesses? We need them right?" Logan asked, studying the book. Either good old Ed was blind or it didn't matter if you were shitfaced when you got married in Vegas.

"They're included," Ed decided.

"So, all we have to do is get a license?" Kate asked, wondering when this went from being a lark to being seriously considered. The warning buzzers in her brain were only slightly less urgent than she imagined they were as the Titanic was sinking, yet she ignored them.

"Yes, and rings," Ed said, "If you choose to wear them."

"And where would we get rings? Are there 24 hour jewelers in Vegas?"

"All of the hotels have gift shops, most with very nice jewelry," Ed offered, then, with a smile, "So? Are you interested?"

"Yeah," Logan decided, "What time can you fit us in?"

"I've got 11:30 open. That will give you plenty of time to get to the courthouse and get your license before it closes for the holiday. For an extra $75, there is a limo available, to take you everywhere you need to go and bring you back to the chapel."

"What the hell? Might as well travel in style, right?" Logan laughed, ignoring the sane rational part of his mind that was telling him to stop give this whole event a whole lot more thought.

"Why not?" Kate laughed with him, "Pay the man, Mikey and let's go get a license before the courthouse closes."

Bellagio Hotel and Casino

December 24, 2005

10:30 pm

"That's the ring," Kate decided, pointing to a diamond eternity ring that sparkled wildly.

"Yeah?" Logan sized it up, "That's the one you want?"

She nodded, sipping from the flute of champagne she held. "That's the one. What about you?"

"I kinda like that one," he pointed to a white gold band in the next case over. "What do you think?"

"I like it," she agreed, watching as the clerk took both rings out of the case. A moment of panic crept in. "We're really doing this aren't we?"

"What? You backing out?" he challenged.

"Who, me?" she shook her head, forcing the panic back down. "Hell no."

"Well then," he sniffed, taking a drink of champagne. "I really hate frickin' champagne."

"Aw, just drink it, we're celebrating," she said, as the store clerk refilled their glasses.

"Wait a minute," Logan said, looking down into the case. "You need an engagement ring."

"Mike…"

"No, I'm not doing this half assed." He pointed to a ring, "Can we see that one?"

"Certainly, Mr. Logan," the clerk smiled, taking the ring from the case. "This is a 2 carat emerald cut diamond, set between two half carat emerald cut blue sapphires. All are set on a white gold band. It fits well with the wedding band you've picked out." The clerk slipped both rings on to Kate's finger.

"Wow," she laughed, "Nice rocks."

"Do you like it?" he asked, watching her expression.

"Hell yeah, who wouldn't like this thing!"

"We'll take them," Logan decided, "Charge them to my hotel account."

"Mike, that money is for your apartment."

"Our apartment and you can't pay for your own engagement ring," he dismissed, killing the glass of champagne in one gulp.

After signing for the rings, they walked out into the ornate lobby of the hotel.

"We are so freaking insane!" Kate laughed, looking at her left hand and her newly purchased engagement ring. "We're getting married on Christmas Eve, in Las Vegas. You do realize that we've totally lost our minds."

"I've been accused of worse," Logan mused as they walked through the lobby.

"We wouldn't be doing this if we were sober," she said for at least the 15th time in the past two hours.

"Good thing we're not sober," he said.

"Wait!" Kate said, stopping in her tracks.

"What?"

"You never actually asked me to marry you. We just mutually decided to do it," she realized.

"You really want me to do the whole proposal thing?"

"You wanna do this, Detective Logan? You've gotta do the whole deal."

Without a moment's hesitation, he went down on one knee and took her hand. "Marry me, Katie?"

Kate laughed, "Stand up."

"Not until you answer me," he insisted.

"Yes, I'll marry you," she laughed, "Now will you stand up? People are staring."

"Good, let 'em stare," he smartly said, then, loudly, "You heard it here first, Ladies and Gentlemen, Kate O'Hara has finally given in and agreed to marry me!"

People around them began to clap and offer congratulations.

"You're absolutely certifiable," she laughed, as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"And that's one of my more endearing qualities," he winked, "Come on, we've got an appointment."

Bellagio Hotel

December 25, 2005

1:30 PM

Kate awoke slowly, wishing the pounding in her head would go away, but knowing it would only increase if she opened her eyes. "God, why did I drink so much?" she moaned, opening her eyes. Spotting Logan, she continued, "And why did you let me drink so much?"

"Ever try to stop a speeding freight train?" Logan replied, carrying in a large glass, "Here."

She sat up and took it, drinking quickly. "Diet Pepsi. You are a God."

"Yeah, you were saying that last night too."

"Oh, yeah? I seem to remember some one calling me their own private porn star…" she laughed, "We were totally out of hand last night."

"Yeah, we were."

She watched as his expression changed. There was something about it she couldn't read. "What? What did we do?" she asked, then slowly it came to her. "Oh my God." She looked down at her left hand to find a diamond and sapphire ring with a matching diamond band. "Oh my God." she repeated, and then looked up at him.

"Yeah, I woke up with one of those, too," he laughed, holding up his hand to reveal what looked like a white gold band.

"Oh my God."

"Come on, Katie, you're a lawyer, I know you can come up with something more eloquent than that."

"Did we really do this?"

He nodded, reaching over to the nightstand and picking up a piece of paper. "The evidence says we did."

Kate snatched the paper from his hand and read it. Sure enough, it was a marriage license, declaring that Michael Francis Logan and Katrina Louisa O'Hara had married on December 24, 2005 in the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

"Oh man," she sighed, closing her eyes and leaning her head back against the headboard. "We got married in Vegas."

"At least we weren't married by Elvis or a Klingon. Although, I'm surprised you didn't push for the Klingon," he teased.

She opened her eyes and studied him, "You're not upset by this in the least, are you?"

His expression grew serious. "I should be. I've been single my whole damn life."

"Mikey, we can have this annulled."

"It may be twenty years since I set foot in church, but I remember enough to know that there's no annulment involved. If you remember, we consummated the marriage." A sly smile spread across his features, "Many times, in several ways. My personal favorite was the balcony."

Kate winced, "Good damn thing that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas."

"I don't know about that. I'm thinking we need to have a balcony in this new apartment we're buying."

Kate took another long drink of soda and then looked down at her rings again. As the events of the previous evening slowly returned to her, she remembered walking into the jewelry store between visiting the court house and going to the chapel. She saw the wedding band first and fell in love with it. She thought it would be enough on its own, but he insisted she had a proper engagement ring as well and picked one out for her.

"You're smiling," he said, hoping she'd come around. Truth was, he was glad they got drunk and got married. As abhorrent an idea as marriage had been to him for most of his life, now, it just made sense.

"I was remembering you last night, insisting that I have a proper engagement ring. And going down on one knee to propose in the lobby of the hotel." she reached out and took his hands in hers. "So, are you really up for this?"

"Yeah, I think I am. What about you?"

"If you'd have asked me Friday morning when we got on the plane, I'd have laughed and thought you had lost your mind."

"And now?"

"Well, now, I'm Kate Logan," she smiled, "And I kinda like the sound of it."

"You're going to change your name?"

"I'm married aren't I?"

"Yeah, you are," he smiled, climbing back into bed and pulling her into his arms. He kissed her deeply.

"Shit," she said, suddenly remembering the date, "I didn't get you a Christmas present."

"Yeah you did," he dismissed, kissing her again. "You gave me everything I wanted."

A true smile overtook Kate's features, "Merry Christmas, Mikey."

"Merry Christmas, Katie," he echoed.