"So, I'm going to look at a couple of places today."

He looked up from buttoning his shirt, Veronica still lying on his bed. "Buying?"

"Renting."

"Bad neighbourhood?"

She smiled and shook her head. "Wouldn't dare. Thank you for making breakfast in bed."

"You're very welcome." He leaned down on the bed to kiss her again. "I'll be right back." He smiled before he walked into the bathroom. He smiled when he walked back out. "I don't remember putting it there." He said, referring to the SRU uniform she was wearing.'

"No, your shirt was on the couch, the pants were next to the bed.."

"And the cuffs, gun, taser and baton?" He could swear he'd put the gun in his safe.

She shrugged. "Figured the outfit wasn't complete without those."

He smiled and walked towards her. "I have to be at work in 20 minutes."

"No, you want to be at work in 20 minutes.. you're always at least half an hour early.. So that gives you 45 minutes.."

He started unbuttoning her –his- shirt and smiled when he saw she wasn't wearing underwear. "You know I have to concentrate in this uniform today?"

"So?" She softly bit his earlobe. "I promise I won't wear it at SRU."

"How can I concentrate in it when it's smelling like you and sex?"

"Sniper breathing?" She joked letting him take off the uniform. "Heard you're very good at it."

He shook his head as he let the shirt fall to the ground. "I just got dressed.."

"No one's making you undress. With a little bit of effort you can even keep your jeans on."

"I wasn't planning on making this quick?"

Her hand trailed down his chest and into his jeans. "If I'm the only one you want all over you, you better make it quick."

…

"I have to be at work in 10 minutes."

"Then you should go soon." She said, re-buttoning his shirt.

"Oh, V?"

She looked up at him and softly kissed him. "M-hm?"

"Stay out of my gun-safe."

"Then make the code a little more complicated."

"How did you guess it anyway?"

She rolled her eyes. "Your birthday.. really?'

"Next time I'll put yours in." He kissed her. "I really have to go."

"Then go."

…

"V, there's a man asking for you in the restaurant."

"Ed again?"

"No, says his name is Jeff."

Then Angela looked up. "Jeff? Young, handsome, black hair?"

Maria nodded. "Uh, yeah.."

"Veronica, you can't talk to the guy.."

"Yeah I can."

"He's been a jerk to you.."

"What am I missing?" Maria asked, clearly confused.

"Jeff is her ex-professor."

"The one you slept with?"

"Yep." Veronica washed her hands. "Thanks Maria." She smiled at them before leaving. "Jeff."

"Hey."

"We're not actually open yet.."'

He gestured towards the chair opposite him, smiling. "I know, but Maria let me in anyway."

"What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you, talk to you."

She looked at him suspiciously. "Why?"

"Because I wanted to talk to you. You haven't showed up in any of my classes yet."

"I've been busy." She sat down opposite him.

"Can I come back for dinner?"

"I'll ask Maria if she can make a reservation for 2."

He shook his head. "Just me. Betty has to work late."

"Okay, sure. What time?"

"7?"

"Sure." She got up.

He stopped her by taking her wrist. "Can't you stay a little longer?"

"What do we have to talk about?"

"Stuff." He shrugged. "So you're not doing anything with your criminology degree?"

She sat back down. "Nope."

"Don't you think that's a waste?"

"I was young back then."

"You finished it faster than anyone ever has." She nodded. "It suited you, I think you know that. The 'Perfect Murder' paper you wrote.. strong stuff."

"Planning a perfect murder is easy Jeff."

He nodded. "For you, yes. I couldn't find anything to arrest you on."

"I liked my subject."

"Me, yes." He smiled again. "Aren't you glad you didn't kill me?"

"Complimenting yourself again, are you?"

He took her hand. "Oh, come on."

She looked at their hands. "I've got to go back to work." She got up. "7, Jeff."

"I'll be here, can't wait."

She let him out before locking the door again and returning to the kitchen.

"He was flirting with you." Angela said once Veronica was back in the kitchen. Maria nodded, agreeing with Angela.

"No he wasn't. He was just being Jeff."

"He would've been reported for sexual harassment a long time ago if he talked to everyone like that."

Veronica shook her head. "Besides, even if he was flirting with me. I'm not flirting with him. I'm with Ed."

Angela nodded. "Just making sure you know you are."

…

The doorbell rang. "Expecting someone?" Ed asked as he was making dinner in her new apartment.

"No." She came from her bedroom and opened the door. "Greg, mom.."

"Can we come in?" Jessie asked.

"Depends, can you be nice to Ed?" Jessie nodded. Veronica moved aside. "Come on in."

Jessie glanced over at the kitchen. "Evening, Ed."

"Good evening, Jessie." He smiled at her. "All ready for the wedding next month?"

"Almost, yes."

"Good." He smiled at them, he and Veronica hadn't talked about it but he knew she wasn't sure if they were still invited to the wedding. "I'll get going." He smiled at Veronica. "I'm just a phone call away."

"Please stay," Jessie said. "There are some things I want to ask you as well."

He glanced at Veronica. "Let me just turn off the stove." When he came back he sat down next to her and took her hand.

"So?" Veronica asked.

"You're my daughter and I love you." Veronica rolled her eyes. "And since you moved out I've been thinking, a lot. I've seen you happier in the last couple of months than I have in years. Secretive, but happy." Veronica nodded. "Are you, happy?"

"I am, mom. I really am."

"And Ed makes you happy?"

Veronica glanced at Ed and smiled. "He does."

"Then I guess I will have to learn to accept that you're.. dating him." She smiled at Veronica. "Because I don't want to lose you, you mean the world to me Veronica. I've been a fool, and I overreacted."

"I get where you were coming from, I really do. I understand you've got some.. issues with me dating someone your age, but there was a reason we kept it from you for a while."

Jessie nodded. "So, we're getting married next week." She smiled again. "If you haven't burned your dress yet.."

"It's still in my closet."

"Good, guess you have your date ready."

"If we're still allowed to come.."

"Of course." Jessie reached over and grabbed Veronica's hand. "I'm sorry."

Veronica nodded. "Me too, I should've told you."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to talk with Ed for a second?"

"Sure." She got up and touched Ed's shoulder. "I'll be in the bedroom."

Jessie waited until she was gone before continuing. "She really does seem happy, I wish it was with someone her own age.. but then again she never did like boys her own age."

"I know." He smiled at her. "I'm sorry you found out the way you did."

"I'll be watching you, Ed. If you hurt my daughter.."

He shook his head. "I won't, I love her and I want to protect her for as long as I can."

"Consider yourself a warned man."

He smiled at her. "I will. Do you want to stay for dinner?"

"We can't," Jessie smiled. "We're having dinner with my parents." She raised her voice. "Veronica!"

"All ready with the intimidation talk?"

Jessie smiled. "Yes, we're going to go."

"Stay, have dinner. Ed's a decent.. cook."

"Dinner with your grandparents."

Veronica laughed. "Good luck with that."

"Thank you." She came close so she could hug Veronica. "Thank you honey, for forgiving me."

"Thank you."

…

"Leaving so early?" Ed asked as she was getting dressed. "It's not time for work yet."

"Going by the university."

"Why?"

"Going to attend a class of Jeff's."

He sighed. "Why..?"

"Just because."

"I don't like you seeing that slime ball.."

"Ed.."

"I saw the look in his eyes.."

"Ed.."

"He wants to get in your pants again."

"I don't want in his." She put on her shoes. "Is it because I used to sleep with him?"

"Yes."

Veronica shook her head amused, not expecting him to be that honest. "I don't mind you talking to Donna, do I?"

"I haven't slept with her."

Veronica looked up at him. "Really?"

"Yeah.. really.."

"But you've kissed her."

He looked surprised at her, how did she even know? "Yes..'

"And messed around."

"How do you..?"

"I'm a profiler, a pretty damn good one too. It's a little obvious, the way you look at each other."

"I don't look at her.."

"You look at her like you've slept with her and wouldn't mind doing it again. You don't see me making some big deal about that.."

"But you like Donna."

"I do, but definitely not because you've seen her naked and vice versa."

"I don't like Jeff."

"Frankly honey, I don't care." She kissed him. "I love you, and I will see you after work?"

He nodded. "Love you too."

…

A/N Oeh, Jeff's back. What'll happen with him..