The New Year starts off with a bang—Veronica attends a beach party with Mac and Wallace and counts down to midnight with a beer and her arms around her best friends—but then quickly fizzles to a frustrating lull. Now that the big case is over and done with, she finds herself at a bit of a loss. Not that she doesn't have other cases to deal with, but they're only small, easy ones, resolved within a few days, as opposed to the three-month monster that was the Manning case.
Normally, a break from complicated cases would be a welcome reprieve, but this time, she's anxious to keep herself busy, to take her mind off missing Logan, to stop her counting down the days until he gets home. Only a couple of weeks to go. The Truman is due back into Norfolk, Virginia mid-January, then Logan will fly back to San Diego from there.
This deployment has felt different compared with the previous one though. When Logan left a year ago, their relationship had been brand new, pretty much undefined, and as soon as it had started, they were forced apart again, for six whole months. This time, though, when he flew out in November, they'd just spent four months as a couple, four months of practically living together.
Oh, who am I kidding? We are living together.
They're much more stable now—a real couple in a solid relationship. And that changes things.
At least this time around they only have two months to contend with, not six. Still, that doesn't mean she's not spending hours counting down the days, wishing he was home; wishing she would wake up in the morning and he'd be lying right there beside her, wishing she could fast-forward the next few days and have him here with her right now.
From: vmars at gmail. com
To: logan. echolls at navy. mil
Date: 5th January 2017 09:26 PST (19:26 ship time)
Subject: One Year
So, it occurs to me that it was exactly one year ago today that we, uh, rekindled our relationship… so…
Happy Anniversary :)
It kinda sucks that you can't be here to celebrate it with me, but believe you me, we're going to be celebrating when you get back. So you'd better make it home safe and sound in about two weeks, mister.
With all my heart (was that too cheesy? God, I'm turning into a sap),
Veronica
From: logan. echolls at navy. mil
To: vmars at gmail .com
Date: 5th January 2017 20:15 PST (6th January 2017 06:15 ship time)
Subject: RE: One Year
My dearest, darling Veronica (see, we can both be cheesy),
Happy Anniversary :).
I'd give anything to be there with you right now, celebrating our one year together, but I will be back soon… these two weeks will be over before we know it and then we can do all the celebrating we desire.
Yours devotedly and lovingly (now that has to be crossing the line of cheesiness),
Logan
It's getting down to the wire now: Logan's last few days on the carrier. They departed from the Mediterranean Sea yesterday and it'll be about a week's sailing back to Virginia. Logan's feeling a strange combination of eagerness to get home—back to Veronica—and reluctance to leave the ship. Although he's feeling a hell of a lot better than two months ago, and the pain of Bilbo's death and the depression that had been hanging over him before are both now just a dull ache, he's still hesitant to leave the safe cocoon of the ship and venture back to the real world again.
Safe. He snorts at the irony as he looks out over the ocean from his position on the flight deck. God, he flies armed fighter jets from an aircraft carrier—one of the most dangerous things you can do—and yet he considers it safer than being left to his own devices, his own demons, on dry land in Southern California. You're an idiot, Echolls.
"Hey, Mouth." A voice interrupts his thoughts and he turns his head to see Firefly, a fellow pilot in the squadron, approaching from behind. "What's up?"
"Firefly." He nods, giving her a smile. "What are you doing up here? Thought you avoided the deck when you weren't flying?"
She shrugs, coming to stand beside him, leaning against the ship's railings. "Needed some air… and to get out of the rec room. The guys are going stir crazy down there."
"Yeah." Logan nods. He knows that feeling.
"How're you doing?" she asks, turning to him.
Logan gives a one-sided shrug, keeping his gaze on the ocean. "I'm okay."
"It's been good having you on-board the last few weeks," she says. "We've barely crossed paths since Texas."
"I know."
Logan met Firefly—real name Amy—during OCS and they went through pilot training in Florida and Texas together, but after they got their wings just over three years ago, he got stationed at NAS Lemoore and she ended up at NAS Oceana in Virginia. She's one of only a handful of female fighter pilots in the Navy, but while the military is gradually becoming more progressive and diverse, it's still very much a male-dominated profession.
"Shame it's not under better circumstances though," she adds. "We all miss Bilbo. He was a great pilot, and a good friend too."
"He was the best."
Logan closes his eyes for a moment, although the mention of Bilbo doesn't bring the overwhelming feeling of grief he would have felt a few weeks ago. It still hurts, of course, but it's not the sharp pain it was before.
"Looking forward to getting home?"
"Definitely," he says, with a small smile. "You?"
"God, yes." Firefly grins. "Six months cooped up on here with these guys? I'm in need of girl talk and good old pampering."
Logan gives a chuckle. "You know, sometimes I forget you're not just one of the guys. You might act all tough and no-nonsense on duty, but underneath, you're a total girly-girl."
"And I make no apologies for that." She nods, shooting him a grin. "It's not just the pampering though—I'm also in desperate need of some Nick loving." She sends him a sideways glance and a cheeky wink. "It's been a long six months."
Logan laughs out loud at that. "Your husband isn't gonna know what hit him."
"That's the plan." She wiggles her eyebrows playfully, before sobering. "What about you? Got big plans with Veronica when you get back?"
Logan can't help the wide smile spreads across his face. "Oh, I've got something planned all right."
"Yeah?" says Firefly, clearly waiting for him to elaborate.
"Oh, I'm not telling you, so don't even try," he retorts playfully.
She studies him for a moment, before speaking. "You seem happy now… content."
Logan nods, smiling. "I am."
"I'm glad," she says. "After what happened with Penny in Texas… and then Bonnie DeVille last year—yeah, I saw the tabloids—" she adds when he looks at her in question. "You deserve some happiness."
"Thanks."
"I think it's great you found her again," she adds. "Veronica, I mean. You were clearly still hung up on her back then."
"Yeah. I love her. Always have," he says. "Can't wait to get back home to her."
"Same for me with Nick."
Logan sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fuck, this is gonna be the longest week."
"Tell me about it."
"More ice cream, Veronica?" asks Keith from the kitchen area on Wednesday night, as he stacks their dinner plates in the dishwasher.
Veronica glances at her watch. It's already after nine p.m. and she needs to be heading home soon. Logan's plane lands tomorrow afternoon and she wants to get an early night, plus she still needs to tidy the apartment before he gets back.
"No, thanks, Dad," she declines. "I'm good."
Keith stops and turns around, looking surprised. "You're good? Did I hear that right… my dessert-loving daughter is turning down ice cream?"
"Very funny," she retorts. "No, I would, but I should be getting back."
"Already?"
He moves back to the dining table, checking his phone as he sits down. Veronica frowns; he's been on the phone a lot this evening and, combined with how much he's been talking about the newly-elected Sheriff Langdon, she wonders if maybe there's something going on between them.
"You sure you can't indulge your poor, lonely father for a little longer?"
"I really shouldn't…" He's looking at her pleadingly and she finds herself relenting with a sigh. "Okay, fine. More ice cream, it is."
"Coming right up."
As they tuck into their second bowls of ice cream, Keith speaks again, "So, Logan's back tomorrow?"
From her bed in the corner of the room, Pony's head perks up at the mention of Logan's name and she gives a small whine.
"Yep." She tries to keep from grinning. "His flight's due into San Diego late afternoon."
"You meeting him at the airport?"
"That's the plan." She nods, leaning down to stroke Pony's head when she pads over to the table.
"Looking forward to him being home?"
"Definitely." Veronica smiles, then pauses, looking at Keith in bemusement. "What's with all the questions tonight?"
"Oh, no reason," says Keith lightly. "Just interested in your life, honey."
His phone pings with another message and he looks down, reads it, then types a quick reply.
"Are you, like, having an illicit affair or something?" Veronica teases. "You've been glued to that phone all evening."
"What?" Keith looks up, expression very slightly guilty as he places the phone back down on the table. "No. No, of course not."
"Hmm." She's not sure she believes him. "If you say so."
"You done with that?" Keith changes the subject, nodding toward her now empty bowl.
"Yeah."
"Great." He stands again, collecting the bowls and heading for the kitchen again. "Guess you should be going soon then—it's getting late."
"Isn't that what I said just a few minutes ago?" Veronica teases. "You know, when you told me I had to stay and have more ice cream?"
"Did I?" Keith turns his back to her and adds the bowls to the dishwasher.
Yeah, something's definitely up tonight. She stands, reaching for her bag and pulling out Pony's leash, fastening it to the dog's collar.
"I'll see you soon, okay?" She approaches her father, who turns so he can give her a hug. "Thanks for dinner, pops."
"My pleasure, sweetie."
Veronica's emotions are all over the place by the time she pulls the car up outside her apartment block twenty minutes later. This is her last night alone. Logan's gonna be home tomorrow; in less than 24 hours, he's going to be right here with her.
"Come on, Pony," she says to the puppy, who was previously curled up on the backseat, but is now sitting tall and alert. "Just you and me for tonight, then Daddy will be home."
She barks excitedly at that, licking her outstretched hand. Climbing out of the car, Veronica adjusts the bag on her shoulder, then opens the door for the dog, who bounds out onto the concrete, then tugs on her leash all the way up to the apartment. When they get to the door, Pony starts making whining noises and scratching at the door as Veronica digs around for her keys.
"Hold up a second, Pony," she mutters, her fingers closing around the keys as she drags them out. "Anyone would think you were the one who hasn't been home in two months."
It takes a moment to unlock the door, but the second it's open, Pony bolts forward, barking loudly, her leash slipping from Veronica's fingers.
"Pony, what's the hurr—?"
Veronica stops, freezing in her tracks, eyes wide as she takes in the scene before her. There, in the middle of her living room, petting an excited, bounding Pony, is—
"Logan?"
He's here… he's really here.
Her bag slides from her shoulder and drops to the floor, as the door swings closed behind her.
"Oh my God!"
He looks up at her from his crouched position, a crooked smile on his face. "Hey, Veronica."
"What—? I mean… how—?" She struggles to form a coherent sentence, her heart racing. "I thought you weren't back until tomorrow?"
He stands, takes a step toward her, the side of his mouth pulling up in that half-smile she loves so much.
"I flew the jet back to base ahead of the ship," he explains. "Arrived in Norfolk this morning, took the next flight back to San Diego."
"Why didn't you tell me?" she says. "I could have come to the airport."
He grins. "I wanted to surprise you."
She laughs softly. "Mission accomplished."
He takes another step across the room. "I had it all perfectly timed and everything; even had a bit of help."
"You did?" She frowns, something occurring to her. "Wait… that was you my dad was texting earlier?"
"Yep." His grin turns smug as he moves closer still.
"And I thought he had some secret girlfriend or something," she muses. "I should have known better."
"Yeah."
"That sneaky—"
"Veronica?" Logan interrupts, his voice soft and amused.
"Huh?" He's right in front of her now, towering over her, tall and broad-shouldered in his service khakis.
He leans in, smile playing on his lips as he murmurs, "Shut up."
Then his hands are cupping her face and his mouth is on hers, warm and familiar. A soft sigh escapes her lips, her arms winding around his neck as she rises up on tiptoes. He smiles against her mouth, his arms coming around her, hands sliding down to her lower back, tugging her close. He walks her backwards until she's pressed up against the apartment door. Automatically, she jumps up, legs around his waist, and his hands move around to the backs of her thighs to support her. As she clings to him, one hand cupping the back of his head, the other flat against his back, realisation fully dawns.
He's here. Logan's here, in the flesh. He's home. Finally.
That's all it takes for all the emotions she's been suppressing to bubble up and spill over. Her eyes fill with tears and the tell-tale tightening in her chest gives way to a hiccupping sob, muffled by Logan's mouth.
He pulls away, looking at her in concern. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Veronica just shakes her head, not trusting her voice.
Logan shifts her slightly, freeing one hand. Lifting his fingers to the side of her face, he tucks her hair behind her ear in such a familiar and tender gesture that it just makes her cry harder.
"Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmurs softly, holding her to him.
Carefully, he manoeuvres them away from the door, carrying her over to the couch and sinking down into the cushions. She's sitting in his lap now, straddling his hips, her arms wrapped tightly around him as she buries her face in his shoulder. Logan's hands stroke up and down her back in comfort as he murmurs softly to her.
Taking a steadying breath, she finally lifts her head. She's sure she must look a mess, with tears streaming down her cheeks and puffy eyes, but Logan's just looking at her tenderly.
"Sorry," she mutters. "I didn't mean to… it just kind of hit me, you know? That you're really here."
"I am."
He smiles, lifting his hands to her face, thumbs stroking her cheeks, collecting the tears that are sliding down them. Veronica's fingers curl around his wrists.
"God, I've missed you so much," she says then, unable to stop the words from spilling out.
"I've missed you, too," he returns, studying her seriously for a moment, before adding, "I love you."
"I love you, too."
"Come here." His hands slide under her hair, cupping her neck and tugging her close.
He kisses her again, long and slow, and it takes her breath away. Her fingers tighten around his wrists, holding him there, not wanting it to end. Except Pony chooses that exact moment to jump up onto the couch and try to furrow between them. Veronica breaks away with a breathy chuckle.
"Hey, girl." Logan extracts a hand from Veronica's hair and her grasp, lowering it to ruffle Pony's fur. "Don't worry, I missed you, too."
"And she's definitely missed you," says Veronica. "The first few days, she didn't know what to do with herself. I kept finding her sitting by the door, waiting for you to walk though."
"Poor girl." His hand slides under the puppy's jaw, tilting her head up towards him. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."
Veronica hides a smile as she affects an offended tone. "Oh, so she gets the 'sweetheart' treatment?"
Logan raises an eyebrow as he looks at her sceptically. "You hate cutesy pet names. Pony's the only one who'll let me get away with it."
She drops the act, mouth widening into a grin. "Yeah, good point."
With the hand still cupping her neck, Logan urges her forward for another kiss.
"Believe me," he says softly, "if I thought I could get away with it, I'd be using every manner of cutesy pet name on you."
Veronica smiles, pressing her free hand to her chest. "Be still my beating heart."
Logan gives a low chuckle, resting his forehead against hers. "It's getting late, and I've had a long day. Let's go to bed."
"Okay." She gives him a quick kiss, then slides off his lap and urges the dog off the couch. "Come on, Pony."
Logan stands, picking up his duffle and heading down the hall, while she takes Pony out and locks up the apartment for the night. By the time she's washed up and makes it into the bedroom, Logan's already in bed.
Veronica stops short at the sight of him, propped against the pillows, chest bare and a soft smile on his face.
"What?" He looks amused.
"Nothing." She shakes her head. "Just… you're here."
"Yep." He grins.
"I don't have to sleep alone anymore."
"You don't."
She smiles, stepping out of her pants, then pulling the sweater over her head, before moving to the bed clad in a tank top and a comfortable pair of boy shorts.
"It's not the sexiest of nightwear," she says apologetically as she slides under the covers. "Wasn't expecting you back yet."
Logan shifts, fluffing the pillows as he slides down in the bed. He reaches for her, curling an arm around her waist as she snuggles up beside him.
"Come on, you know I don't care what you wear." He murmurs, nuzzling her neck. It makes her shiver. "It's you I love."
"Well…" She grins, sliding her leg over his and letting her fingers lightly trail across his chest. "You say that now… but next time you beg me to put on your uniform, I'll remind you of this very conversation."
"Hmm…"
She leans over, dropping gentle kisses to his warm, bare skin as her hand slides across his torso. She revels in the fact that he's warm and solid, and very much present, beneath her touch.
"Mmm…" he mumbles in content.
"Love you," she whispers.
This time, she's met with silence.
"Logan?"
She lifts her head to find him fast asleep. She shakes her head, giving a wry smile, before leaning up and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek.
"Sleep well, Lt. Echolls," she murmurs softly as she settles down beside him, draping her arm around his waist and closing her eyes.
When Logan wakes the next morning, it's sudden and jarring, the sunlight pouring through the window strange and unfamiliar. His body clock is still screwed, and for a moment, he has no idea where he is. But then he becomes aware of a warm, female body beside him and he remembers: he's home, in Neptune, with Veronica.
"Hey."
He turns his head to find her watching him with a lazy smile.
"Hi," he whispers, shifting onto his side to face her. "Morning."
"Good morning." Her smile widens. "Sleep well?"
"Yep." He nods.
She reaches out, touching her fingers to his chest. He inhales at the contact.
"You know," she murmurs, shifting so she can kiss him gently. "You fell asleep on me last night."
I did? Oops.
"Sorry." He cringes. "The jet lag's a bitch."
"It's okay. You were tired, you needed to sleep," she says. "Besides, you're awake now… and we have the whole day to ourselves."
He smiles, leaning in for a second kiss, his thumb tenderly brushing her cheek, before pulling back and looking at her questioningly.
"You're not going into the office?"
Veronica shakes her head.
"What do you think? You just got back; I'm staying right here with you."
They kiss again, more deeply this time, morning breath be damned, and Logan groans when Veronica's body presses fully against the length of his.
God, I've missed this.
"Hmm, you know," Veronica murmurs when they part, her fingers stroking down the side of his face. "It's been a long two months, you've been back nearly twelve hours, and we haven't even done it yet. I think we should do something about that."
Logan grins, heat shooting to his groin. "Yeah?"
"Definitely."
She smiles, pressing another quick kiss to his lips before sitting up and grabbing a condom from the bedside table. Handing the square packet to him, she pulls off her tank top, then shimmies out of her panties, leaving Logan staring at her, open-mouthed.
Geez, Echolls, it's almost like you haven't seen a pair of boobs in… well, in two months.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" she asks cheekily.
Logan blinks, then springs into action, tugging off his boxers and rolling on the condom.
"Come here." He reaches for her, sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her to his side, back to their previous position.
He sucks in a shaky breath when she snuggles in close, hugging him as she slips her lower leg between his, then hooks the other over his hip.
"Geez…" Logan groans, arms coming around her as his arousal presses against her intimately, the contact sending tingles right through him.
Veronica shifts, rocking her hips and taking him inside. Fuck, Veronica, you feel so good.
"I do, huh?" she says breathily.
Shit, did I say that out loud?
"God, yeah," he mutters, starting to move with her. "It's been way too long…"
"It has."
Veronica kisses him deeply as they rock together, the position incredibly intimate. It's not the frantic, passionate homecoming sex he's been fantasising about for the last two months… but, right now, that doesn't even matter, because this, right here, is even better. They move together, slow and steady, all the while kissing and caressing and reacquainting themselves with each other, and it's fucking amazing.
All too soon, he feels the tell-tale tightening in his stomach and realises that while he's close, Veronica has yet to come. Snaking one hand between their bodies, he brushes his fingers over her clit and she gasps, hips bucking in response.
"Yeah…" she breathes, her head falling back against the pillow, upper body angled away from him.
"That's it," he says encouragingly. "Come for me."
"Love it when you talk dirty," she mutters between breathy pants, though Logan can hear a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
He grins, increasing the pressure on her clit as he thrusts a little deeper this time. She gasps, back arching, her inner muscles contracting around him. As she recovers, she reaches for him, tugging him down for a kiss, which he takes as his cue to shift positions, urging her onto her back and settling over her. Her legs lock around his waist as her arms slide beneath his, hooking around his back, hands coming to rest over his shoulder blades. Logan sets a steady rhythm, supporting his weight on his forearms on either side of her as he thrusts deeply, trying to bury himself as far inside her as he can. And when he comes, spilling himself inside her, he feels an overwhelming sense of wholeness, of rightness, of peace.
While these last two months on the ship have been just what he needed to sort himself out, to come to terms with Bilbo's death, it's this, being right here with Veronica, intimately entwined with her, that really makes him complete.
Veronica can't stop smiling as she walks leisurely along Dog Beach with Logan after lunch. Her head rests just below his shoulder, right arm wrapped around his waist, left hand pressed against his side. Logan's arm is looped around her shoulder, keeping her close while he holds onto Pony's leash. Veronica feels almost giddy, having him back; it's like a weight has been lifted from her chest and she can breathe properly again. She can see the difference in Logan as well; the tension he was carrying before, and the aura of sadness that had surrounded him after Bilbo's death, seem all but gone now.
"Mmm…" She sighs contentedly.
"You good?" His voice is soft.
"Definitely."
"I missed this," he says. "You, me, and Pony, hanging out at the beach."
"Me, too."
Veronica stops and turns to him, resting her hands on his chest as she rises up and presses her lips to his in a gentle kiss. When she pulls away, she finds him looking down at her with that intense, serious expression of his, the one that always makes her feel like he can see right through her. She gives a small smile, then slides her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly, the length of her body pressing against his.
"Hey…" he murmurs, his arms coming around her in response. She can feel Pony's leash, still in his grasp, pressing against her back. "You okay?"
"Yeah," She nods against his shoulder. "Just enjoying being able to do this again."
"I know the feeling."
They stand together, arms around each other, for a few more moments, until Pony gets restless and starts tugging on her leash.
Veronica laughs, pulling away from Logan and glancing down at the dog, who is looking up at her with pleading eyes. "Sorry, puppy, are we ignoring you?"
Pony answers with a soft bark, then paws at Logan's leg.
"Guess we'd better keep walking, huh?" he says, grinning as he bends down to tickle behind her ear.
Logan stands, slipping his hand in Veronica's and linking their fingers. She curls her free hand around his forearm as they start moving again, wanting to keep as much contact as possible. She's being clingy, she knows that, but she can't seem to help it. Before he left, she'd gotten used to him being here all the time, and then he was just… gone. And that hit her harder than she'd expected it to, especially over the holidays.
"You're quiet." Logan's voice breaks through her thoughts. "At the risk of sounding cliché, what are you thinking?"
"Nothing." Veronica smiles, giving a shake of her head. No need to bring the mood down with my maudlin thoughts. "Just how glad I am you're home."
"Me too, Veronica." His fingers tighten around hers. "Me, too.