A/N: Thanks for all the reviews and suggestions! Thanks, Fawn86, for your helpful comments.
I'm not so good at that part, so I will make an effort to do better! Keep offering input and I'll keep working. Thanks!

Chapter 8: Maybe We CAN Change

"Wow, all this is so neat. I never would have pegged you for a tourist. Especially a DC tourist," Veronica laughed as they drove to their next destination. So far in the day, Logan had taken her to the Hoover building, where she'd spend a lot of her time this summer, then all through the popular tourist stops; the Washington monument and mall, the Lincoln memorial, the Smithsonian, the White House, and now they were driving to Arlington.

"Well, it's sort of a once-in-a-lifetime experience, right? Well, maybe not for you since you'll probably own this town in a few years."

Veronica laughed. "I doubt that."

"I don't," Logan said seriously. He looked over at Veronica, smiling. Their windows were down, the wind blowing through the rented SUV. Her hair was pulled back, but stray hair was blowing all around her face. She wore very little makeup, as usual, but he thought she looked stunning. She wore a simple spaghetti-strap, red and white sundress. The sun shone off her tanned shoulders. The last thing on Logan's mind was sightseeing right now, but he had to be patient while he waited for Veronica to come around. At least this kept them busy.

"I'm really glad you came with me, Logan," Veronica said, suddenly. "This feels like old times. I mean back before everything changed. Like when we were younger."

"Yeah, I guess it does."

"But it isn't," Veronica sighed. "Lots has changed. But we have to accept that and move on, right?"

Logan was confused. It was like she was having a revelation right there in the car. Or maybe she was just finally letting herself say what her heart was thinking all along.

"Yeah, we do."

"Ok, Logan," she said, grabbing his hand and turning to face him. "Let's move on. We can't start over, there's too much that's happened to just pretend it hasn't. But we can move past it and go from here."

"What exactly does that mean for us, Veronica?" Logan asked, wondering who this was beside him and what had happened to his Veronica.

"It just means I'm glad you're here. Let's enjoy it," Veronica answered, trying not to waver too far outside herself. 'Moving On' wasn't exactly her thing, so this was a big step in itself.

"Ok." Logan said, hoping this meant Veronica was opening the door for more. He squeezed her hand and smiled.

They drove the rest of the way in silence. They neared the National Cemetery and he pulled into an open space. There were others there, too. They got out and Logan grabbed Veronica's hand. She gladly accepted, and they walked hand-in-hand towards the gate. As they toured the rows and rows of soldiers' graves, they solemnly walked the grounds. The implications of what they saw before them weighed heavily on their minds. After an hour, they decided to call it a day.

Logan drove back to the hotel so they could change for dinner. He had made reservations for them at the Chart House Restaurant, where they could relax and look at the Potomac. Veronica was kind of excited about getting all dressed up for dinner. It wasn't something she was used to, so it was kind of nice. Plus, if she were to admit it to herself, Logan looked damn good all dressed up. She slipped on a simple, strapless black dress. Actually, it was the one she had worn to "Alterna-Prom", which seemed so many years ago, but was only one. She arranged her hair much the same way, too, pulled back, slightly to the side, with a black velvet ponytail holder. She fixed her makeup, a little heavier than usual, and added a spray of her favorite perfume. Logan was waiting on the couch, right leg crossed over his left, left arm stretched out, looking good enough to…

"Wow," he breathed out, with a whistle.

She spun kind of enjoying the attention. She looked at him, black suit with thin black tie over a white shirt. He looked rather hot himself.

"You, too," she commented.

He rose and quickly closed the gap between them. He grabbed her around the waist, a move she would have ordinarily shoved back from, but she was too caught up in his delicious sight and smell for her senses to function properly and stood there letting him hold her.

"I recognize this look," he stated.

"You should. You've seen it before."

"I remember," he said softly, thinking of the night he poured his heart out to her only to have her crush it, and then have her return the next morning only to find he had done exactly what he told her he didn't do anymore. Damn memories.

She noticed his frown, and lifted his chin up with her hand to meet her gaze.

"Water under the bridge. Let's go eat. I'm starving."

"Me, too," he said, looking at her with a hunger in his eyes that had absolutely nothing to do with food.

Veronica noticed. She rolled her eyes.

"Let's go."

He followed her down to the rented SUV, holding hands the whole way. They looked good together. Several people commented as to such as they walked by. It did not go unnoticed. Logan smiled. Veronica blushed.

If only things were that simple, she thought.

They drove the short 3 minute route from the Crowne Plaza on Fairfax in Old Town North to the restaurant on Cameron Street, overlooking the river. They were directed to a table outside, overlooking the water. Candles lit up the area, the soft glow of moonlight shining down on them. If circumstances were different, it would be a very romantic evening. Although, circumstances be damned, it turned out to be anyway.

"Wow, Logan, this is amazing. I can't believe you just picked this restaurant out of thin air. Nice."

Logan, hating to admit how much planning he had really done for this trip, decided to at least come mostly clean.

"Well, I didn't exactly pull it out of thin air. It was recommended to me."

"Oh. By whom?"

"The real estate agent."

"Oh. So, you've been in contact with her since we got here?"

"Yeah. She actually called while you were getting ready. She had a couple of cancellations come up, so she's free tomorrow if you'd like to meet her around 9am."

"I guess that would be good," Veronica said. "The sooner the better."

"That's what I thought, so I told her okay."

Veronica laughed.

"Of course you did."

"I knew you'd want to," Logan protested.

"It's okay," Veronica relented. "You do know me well."

Logan smiled, not sure what witty comment to retort, so he just kept silent. Veronica noticed.

"So, I suppose you've already mapped out our stops and all?"

Logan was trying to tread lightly. He wanted Veronica to have a nice, safe place to live while she was here. Actually, that's not all he wanted, but he definitely wasn't going to reveal his whole plan. He decided honesty was the best policy, though, so he eased into it.

"I have some idea, yes."

"Come on, Logan, be honest. You've already got the place picked out, and the real estate agent is bringing a contract for me to sign. Hell, I'm pretty sure you've made an offer to buy the place."

Logan was silent. Damn, she was good. Will she be mad? Will this make her run away? Am I moving too fast? Hell yeah, I am moving too fast. I put my foot on the pedal full force and never looked back.

"Oh, my gosh, Logan, I was kidding. Did you make an offer to buy a place?"

"Well, sort of…"

"Logan!" Veronica just shook her head, but smiled. And that was that. "And I know you pretty well, too, I guess."

What, no protesting? No fighting? She must be saving it for when we get back to the hotel. Boy is she going to let me have it!

Logan tried to forget the argument that would happen when they got back to the hotel or even on the way back. He just tried to enjoy what he assumed would be the last nice, romantic dinner between the two of them in a while….if ever again.

Veronica, on the other hand, marveled at herself and her ability not to lose her temper with Logan. So much had happened in the last few years between them, that the things he did no longer surprised her. She should have known that he had already picked her out a place to live, a place that he intended to buy for her, and if she really knew him like she thought she did; he was already planning to come with her for the summer. She had tried to convince herself that he WAS NOT coming with her, but she abandoned all hope of that as they held hands at the National Cemetery. She could feel the tenseness in his whole body as they walked through the rows and rows of buried soldiers. The tour guide talked of all the young men and boys who died protecting our country. She thought about what her dad had said when he told her Logan wanted to come with her on this trip. He had told her how Logan would move Heaven and Earth to protect her. She thought about her troubles, rather their troubles, with the Sorokin family connection and how Logan probably thought of it, too. He probably was worried about retribution, too, even though he wouldn't admit it. She also remembered when she thought she was being stalked and Logan had hired a bodyguard to shadow her. She remembered the fight they had and how Logan made it clear that he loved her and would do anything to make sure she was safe. Even though she hated it, she understood it. He had been right, then. She did expect him to change, while she didn't. The thing was, he had changed. Ever since their last breakup, he had become a different person. Maybe he was willing to try to be what she wanted, even though, now, as she stared at him through the candlelight, the moonlight shining on the waves of the river making them seem as if they were the only two people in the world, she thought he was fine just the way he was. But if he was trying for her, damn she'd try to change, too. She would stop jumping to conclusions, being angry when he tried to do things for her, and would just let things go. To a point, of course. She would definitely give him an earful about buying her an apartment, but just to keep things on an even keel. She wasn't mad. Hell, she was pretty excited. He was sure to have picked out a place fit for a queen, so she shouldn't complain. It would have been a hell of a lot nicer than the dump she would have been able to afford, but it wasn't in her nature to give in without a little fight, at least. She would make him squirm just a little.

"So, there's some concert at the Kennedy Center tonight. Would you like to go? It's all orchestra stuff, but I thought you'd like it."

"Oh, do you already have tickets?"

"No, but it's not sold out. We can get them when we get there."

"Well, if you want, but…"

"But what? I'm here to make you happy."

Veronica smiled.

"I was kind of hoping we could just stroll along the river. It's such a beautiful night. It'd be nice to just enjoy the river breeze."

"A walk it is. We could just go back to the hotel, that way…"

"That way, what?"

"Well, we'd just be closer, that's all."

Veronica knew that wasn't what Logan meant, but she decided to let it slide. Not yet sure, herself, if she was willing to go where his thoughts wanted to take her.

"Sounds good."

Logan signaled for the check and they headed back to the car. They drove back to the hotel, with Veronica giving Logan a brief and mild tongue-lashing over the real estate deal he was concocting behind her back. When she was done, she turned and commented on the beautiful night. He just stared ahead at the road, puzzled that he "blow up" was anything but. He decided to let it go for now. They quickly arrived back at the Crowne Plaza and walked out the back to the river. They walked along the boardwalk, enjoying the breeze coming off the water. Veronica took off her high heels and Logan, being the gentlemen, toted them for her, holding her hand with his free one. Before long, the breeze made Veronica shiver and he draped his coat around her. It almost felt like they were any other normal couple. They noticed a wedding party had made its way out onto the terrace. There was dancing and dining as the couple celebrated their newly wedded bliss. Logan and Veronica just smiled at the sight, both blushing at the thoughts in their minds. While Logan would never say it out loud, and certainly never to Veronica, he decided a while back that he might be the marrying kind after all. The day in the cafeteria when he punched Gory Sorokin and Veronica gave him that look…it was that day that he knew she was the one he'd settle down for. Veronica didn't even know it herself, but somewhere deep down in a part of her that was covered with years of hurt and anger that was the day she knew Logan was it for her, too. She wasn't ready to shed those layers that hid it yet, so she couldn't imagine that this was the reason she blushed, but part of her knew that something about that sight and being here to see it with Logan was the cause.

It started to get a little chilly, so Logan and Veronica headed back in to the hotel and upstairs to their suite. They stepped off the elevator and Logan inserted his card into the door slot. They stepped in, slowly, neither knowing exactly where this evening should or would end.

Veronica shrugged of Logan's coat and handed it back to him.

"Thanks. You're such a gentleman."

"…damn me for that…" he muttered.

"What?"

"I said anything for you, Ronnie."

That was all it took. The way he said her old nickname was more than she could handle. The longing that hid so far beneath surfaced for her. He saw the look in her eyes and didn't hesitate. He moved into her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She threw her arms around his neck and their lips met in a powerful embrace. The kiss was hard, but not rough. It held the passion and fire of many years' worth of shared memories. Logan backed her against the wall and pressed against her. A shallow moan escaped her lips. He pressed harder, but suddenly backed away. They were both breathless.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Not like this, Veronica. I want you, I want you so much, but I want it to be what you want. No holding back. No regrets in the morning. I want you to know that it's right."

"Was I resisting?"

"No," Logan laughed. "You most definitely weren't. But, I told you, I've changed. This time I mean it. Sex is not the most important thing on my mind. I don't want to have sex with you Veronica. Ever again."

At first Veronica looked confused.

Never have sex with me again? That's not what that just felt like, she thought. Then, she looked into his eyes. Realization dawned on her.

"I don't want to have sex with you," he explained. "I want to make love with you. And I am willing to wait until you're ready for that, too."

Veronica felt like the room was spinning. She felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her. A tear rolled down her cheek. She didn't know why she was crying. She should be happy. But somehow, all the pain and anger inside started to break apart. It ripped open, feeling like it was ripping her open. It flowed out. Logan grabbed her, holding her up and close to him. She breathed him in, getting a euphoric high and calm all at the same time. She let the tears flow. Tears for what had been, what would never be, and tears for what was yet to come. Logan held her while she cried. He knew that she needed this release. She had needed it for a long time, and never let herself take it. He led her to the couch. He stretched out and she lay on top of him, his arms locked around her. He whispered encouragement into her ears, telling her that he was there and to let it out. She did. She cried herself to sleep. He dared not move to wake her. He adjusted himself and let sleep overtake him. When the sun burst through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living area, they awoke to find themselves in the same position they had fallen asleep in.