Chapter 2

Veronica and Hunter Jumped into Logan's BMW around 8:45 and Headed to the warehouse district and up to Mars Investigations. As soon as the door to the office opened Hunter ran to Mac and they started playing computer games. Mac looked up at Veronica once Hunter was settled in and distracted. Veronica mouthed "Thank-you" as she walked through a second door and over to her desk. Her father put it together for her after he accepted that being a PI is what Veronica wanted to do with her life. So for the most part he dropped it, but every once in a while Keith would bring up the bar exam, not because he didn't want he to be a PI, but because having a lawyer in the office might bring in more or even a different type of clientele along with what they normally get. Today was no different. Veronica walked in and sat down at her desk and found a bar emanation registration packet for the end of July. Veronica mast smirked and placed in a draw to be forgotten about.

Keith watched her and shook his head. "You're late again and you know it wouldn't kill you to just take the test."

"I'm always late when i have Hunter and you don't know that. I could have a severe panic attack, stop breathing and then die in the middle of the test. It happens." She responded with wide eyes.

"Look I love working with you and I'm not trying to change that but if Mars Investigations had a Lawyer working for it we could possibly make enough money to pay the rent every month, not just when there's a really big, really dangerous case paid for by the chamber of commerce."

"I understand that but taking the bar has to be my choice and after everything that's happened the past 4 months I just don't think it's the best timing. I've got Hunter and Logan's coming back today. And frankly i don't know if I'm ready. Maybe I'll take it in February." What Keith didn't know is that Veronica had already signed up to take the test in July and was studying for it almost every night already.

"Fine. So when does Logan get here?" Keith said dropping the subject.

"In his last email he said that they docked around noon so I was planning on leaving here around 10 and take Hunter to some shops before we go to meet the ship."

"Okay be safe, and remember your curfew is midnight."

"In your dreams old man."

"You're right every night I pretend that you are still my 17 year old daughter who listens and hangs on every word I say… Who am I kidding you've never listened and hung on my every word."

"That's not true. Well the listening part is… but there was a time that I hung on every word you said. Then I turned five… so ha."

"Ah the good ol' days."

Veronica and Keith stared at each other for a second and then both burst out laughing. It was nice working with her dad the world felt right. For the first time that since Lilly died Veronica felt like her life was as perfect as it could be. She was also happier than she had been since Lilly died. That feeling scarred her but it was also exhilarating. Happily she sat down and started to work. Unfortunately for Veronica her ability to concentrate was almost nonexistent. She was too excited For everything the day promised. Eventually after about half an hour of distracted filing and report writing she gave up. Instead she got on the internet and searched for good Italian restaurants near the Sand Diego Naval Base. She decided that in honor of his return she would let Logan pick which restaurant to go to even if it wasn't Italian.

At 9:45 she got up from her desk and walked out to the reception area. Mac looked up with a confused look. Veronica met hers eyes and started to say something when she caught sight of Hunter looking at her and thought better of it. instead she asked, "What game are you playing now?"

"I'm not playing a game. Mac is making me work on math." Hunter groaned

"You are so playing a game it's called the math flashcard game, and if you're not careful you'll be playing the word flashcard game next."

"Hey math is important and so are words. you should enjoy those 'games' cause when I was your age those games had two parts, part one make the flashcards, part two use the flashcards." Veronica spoke without any real purpose. The words she was saying had no meaning to her they were simply an attempt to distract herself, but they weren't working in the slightest. She looked away from Mac and Hunter. For some unknown reason she felt tears threatening to betray her. She reached for the door that leads down the steps and out to the parking lot with out saying another word.

Mac didn't miss a beat. She stood Hunter up, standing up herself, and then told him he could play whatever game he wanted until she came back. Mac poked her head in to the other office to let Keith know that she and Veronica would be outside for a little bit.

"Is everything ok?"

"I think so but who knows it is Logan and Veronica after all."

She shut the door and headed outside after one of her best friends. once she reached the parking lot she found Veronica sitting behind the wheel in the BMW. she walked over to the passenger side and got into the car.

"You know it kinda stinks that Logan is coming home today I'm really gonna miss riding around in this thing with you and Wallace." Mac teased.

"Trust me that won't end I'll tie him up and steal it if I have too. I've enjoyed driving it too much to lose it just because he's coming home. Maybe I should call him and tell him not to come home." Veronica jokingly responded.

"Or we could just run away with it." Mac suggested. "Or you know you could just tell me why you basically ran out of the office holding back tears instead of making jokes."

"It's nothing. I'm fine I promise and besides when have i ever talked about my feelings instead of making jokes?" Mac just stared at her friend with concern. "Fine. A lot has changed since Logan left. I have Hunter now because the faulty justice system took our mother away from him and frankly I thought that six months or one hundred and eighty days, however you want to look at it we be nothing compared to the nine years Logan and I didn't talk, but I don't know. For some reason I'm really nervous to see him again. I'm also excited and anxious and I did research that I shouldn't have done that says a whole bunch of guidelines I should to to help Logan acclimate back into civilian life. Can I be done sharing my feelings now cause I don't like it?"

"Whoa. That's a lot of feelings. I didm't know you were that much of a girl."

"I've got the parts to prove it wanna see. It could be just like college."

"Yeah cause we did that in college." They both shook their heads and started laughing uncontrollably. "Maybe we could do it for Logan's coming home party? He would probably like it."

"Yeah no that fine specimen is allllll mine."

"Feel better," Mac asked.

"Not really but it's cool I should probably grab Hunter and leave."

Five minutes later Hunter and Veronica were on their way to meet Logan. The drive was peaceful. About half way through Hunter fell asleep in the back so Veronica turned down the music so that it was almost inaudible and silently drove to the San Diego Naval Base. They entered the base at 11:40. At the gate Veronica got a little nervous and began to think that the MP's wouldn't let her enter because they couldn't find her name on the guest list. After a couple of minutes they finally found it and gave her two passes one for her and one for Hunter. She found a place to park and sat in the car for five minutes trying to calm herself. At 11:53 she woke a still sleeping Hunter and then proceeded to carry him to the back of a huge crowd watching a Naval Aircraft Carrier dock and prepare to release floods of sailors that have been gone for six months.

Just a little after noon sailors began to exit the ship with duffle bags in hand each one searching for their friends and family. Being 5'1'' Veronica, needless to say, couldn't see a thing. Still carrying Hunter for fear of loosing him due to the crowd, she wormed her way towards the front of the crowd, or at least to where she could see. She kept searching but still didn't see him and then after about ten minutes of continuous flow of returning sailors no one else left the ship. Getting nervous that she had the wrong day, or place, or even time she pulled out her phone to check she was right. After triple checking she hadn't made a mistake she started walking around looking for him. She still could't find him so she resolved to stay in one place so that there would be only one moving target not two. She was starting to feel really awkward with everyone around her having happy reunions that she thought about leaving. Just as the thought crossed her mind, a few more sailors left the ship and she finally saw him again. She stood there watching him wander around looking for her and talking with his friends from the Navy and their families. Slowly he turned and made eye contact with her. They just stared at each other for a few seconds. Absentmindedly, Logan told one of his buddies that he would see him later and moved towards Veronica, slowly then more quickly until they were inches apart. Veronica put down Hunter and stared, taking in every detail she could. Logan leaned in for a kiss and then very quickly in one fluid motion crouched down on his knees and held out his hand and said, "Hi. I'm Logan you must be Hunter. It's very nice to meet you."

Hunter hid behind Veronica's leg not sure of how to respond. Veronica stood there arms crossed and jaw jutted out to the side slightly annoyed by the way Logan teased her just now. after a few seconds she bends down and whispers something in Hunter's ear that makes him laugh. Then Hunter turns to Logan and repeats it, "Veronica said to tell you that in a second your going to be lying on your back."

"Oh really and why's th-" Logan was cut off. He lost his balance because Hunter tackled him to the ground following Veronica's instructions.

Hunter stood up and Veronica bent over Logan's face. "I've got a new man in my life to protect me now. So you better watch yourself and never tease me like that again." she stood up and started to walk a way holding Hunters hand. They were snickering about the events that just played out.

Quickly Logan got up and ran to her. He grabbed her arm and spun him into an embrace. Then he kissed her. A good old fashioned kiss that would normally lead to something much more if they weren't in public and if Hunter wasn't standing there. The only reason they parted was because they needed to come up for air. "Better?" Logan asked

"Much." Veronica declared in a whisper. "So is any one else hungry besides me?" Logan and Hunter both raised their hands as they made their way back to Logan's BMW.