A sudden, sharp pain gripped Veronica. She was in agony. It was the worst pain she'd ever experienced in her life. And she'd been shot. Twice now.

Come on, Veronica. You're frickin' FBI. Get it together. You can do this.

...

"You do understand that getting to the airport an hour before they land is a bit unnecessary, right?" Logan smirked, resting his elbow on the counter as Veronica swirled around him at a hectic pace.

"We've lived here for three years now, and you still don't get DC traffic. It's Friday afternoon in this town. It will take half an hour just to get there and another half hour to get into the parking lot. I didn't get to leave work as early as I had hoped."

Logan grabbed up Veronica as she spun around him the last time.

"Stop just a minute," he said softly.

"Logan...we're going to be late," she protested, trying to wiggle away.

"It won't take an hour to get to the airport. They won't land on time, anyway. And, it will be another hour before they get off the plane and get to baggage claim and collect their luggage. Just relax."

"I can't relax, Logan..."

He stopped her complaints with his mouth, kissing her softly at first, then with increasing force.

"We definitely don't have time for that," she laughed, pushing him away.

"Why are you so worked up about your dad and friends coming?"

"Hello, they are you're friends, too. They are coming to see you graduate."

"What's all this fuss with my matriculation?"

"Well, honey, your graduation is nothing short of a miracle, right? I mean, not now, but a few years ago...who would have thought?"

"You thought," he smiled.

"Yeah, maybe I thought," Veronica smiled back.

"You've always believed in me. And I love you for that."

"And I always thought it was because of my nice ass," Veronica smirked.

"Definitely that, too."

...

After 30 minutes of fighting DC traffic and another 15 fighting to find a parking space at Regan, Logan and Veronica arrived inside the aiport to find the plane was a few minutes ahead of schedule and was landing momentarily.

"I hate to say, 'I told you so', but..."

"No, you don't hate to say it. You LOVE to say it," Logan smirked.

"Yeah, you're right. I do," Veronica smiled back.

It only took about 30 more minutes for their guests to walk through baggage claim and see their hosts eagerly awaiting their arrival.

After a round of hugs, Logan loaded all their bags on a trolley and headed towards the parking lot.

"So how was the flight," Veronica asked.

"Decent," Mac replied, "So, how are you? How's the Bureau treating you these days?"

"It's good. We just wrapped up this big case, so I can finally catch a breather for a few days. Just in time to show you guys around."

"I want to check out all these water sports my man has been telling me about." Wallace chimed in.

"We just added jet skis at the B and B a few months ago," Logan said. "We can try them out tomorrow afternoon."

"Sounds like a plan," Wallace smiled.

They arrived at Logan and Veronica's and unloaded their bags and settled in. They had gotten all the renovations finished and had made themselves quite a home on the island. Logan was close by the B and B and things there couldn't be going better. Their lives were finally starting to come together.

"So what time is the ceremony?" Veronica's father asked.

"11 am," Veronica answered. "Then we'll head back here for food and water fun."

"Count me in!" Wallace exclaimed.

...

"Morning, V. Hey, are you ok? You look..."

"Like hell," Veronica finished.

"No, " Mac stuttered. "I...I was going to say not so good. What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I think it might be a stomach bug. I felt queasy yesterday and I've thrown up twice already this morning."

"What?"

"It's nothing. I'm sure I'll feel better after all this graduation is behind me. I just wrapped up a huge case at work and planning all this has just left my immune system in the toilet. I'm sure it will be all better by tomorrow."

...

Fortunately, graduation was mercifully expedient and after a few dozen pictures and hugs, the group made their way back to the house. They were greeted by a gracious spread of food and surprise decorations that Veronica had arranged with some of the B and B staff. They spent the rest of the day on the water enjoying each other's company and the jet skis.

The last flames of the campfire slowly waned as Keith got up.

"I'm too old to hang with you young bucks. I'm headed to bed. Goodnight, honey," Keith commented, kissing her forehead.

"I think I'm going to head off to bed, too. I'm a little tired," Veronica said.

"I thought you were feeling better, " Mac said.

Veronica shot Mac a look. Mac offered a shrug in apology.

"Feeling better? " Keith asked. "Were you feeling badly?"

"It's nothing," Veronica shrugged. "I've just finished a huge case at work and with all this I'm a little run down, that's all. I bet I'm feeling all better in the morning."

Veronica said goodnight to Logan, urging him to stay and celebrate with their friends.

...

The next morning, Veronica's promise to feel better didn't even last until sunrise. She quietly escaped to the bathroom, trying not to wake Logan. She headed downstairs, leaving him in bed sleeping soundly. She made coffee, hoping it might perk her up a little. She was just pouring herself a cup when Mac walked into the kitchen.

"You're up early," Veronica commented.

"I smelled caffeine. It's sort of a habit. That's how I wake up in the morning-my coffee pot is my alarm. It's set to brew at 6 am every day," Mac smiled.

She poured a cup and looked at her friend.

"You don't look a whole lot better," Mac said with a frown.

"Gee, thanks..."

"I think it's more than a virus. You should probably go to the doctor."

"Tell you what," Veronica offered. "If I'm not better by Monday, I'll go first thing."

Mac rolled her eyes as it was clear there was no convincing her friend.

Soon, the rest of the house woke up and they all headed to the B and B for breakfast. They all headed back to the lake for some fun before everyone had to fly out that evening. Monday morning meant back to reality for everyone.

"I'm glad you came, Dad. It was fun."

"Yeah, but I'm too old for you kids," Keith lamented.

"Never, pops." Veronica grinned.

"Pops? And if I didn't feel old before..."

"Come on, Dad. You know I'm teasing. I don't care if you're old and gray, you're still welcome to hang out by the lake with us."

Veronica grinned at her dad as he pulled her into a big hug.

"You take care of yourself. Got that?"

"Yes, sir, " Veronica set sharply, offering a mock-salute.

"Congratulations, again, Logan. I'm proud of you, son."

Logan smiled as he shook Keith's hand. He would never get used to this feeling of belonging to a real family. Keith really did treat him like a son, and he looked forward to spending time with him. He was sad to see him go. Keith was planning a longer stay in a few months, and both Logan and Veronica were looking forward to it.

"I hope you were serious about the doctor tomorrow, Veronica. You need to take care of yourself," Mac whispered in Veronica's ear as she gave her a hug.

"I'm fine, Mac. I feel good. Whatever it was has passed now."

"I hope you're right."

"I am. Call me when you make it home, okay?"

"Yes, mom," Mac groaned.

Logan and Veronica saw their friends off and headed home. As they turned in for the night, Logan noticed Veronica had water beside her bed, which was not usually there, and he noticed a pill bottle.

"Honey, are you okay? You did seem a little pale yesterday morning, but you didn't act sick, so I just thought it was tiredness. You've been working too hard lately," Logan said, pulling Veronica close to him.

"Yes, I'm fine. I just felt a little queasy the past few days. I think it was just a virus. That plus exhaustion, I'd imagine. I'm feeling better now."

"Ok," Logan said and he kissed Veronica.

The next day was more of the same for Veronica. By the time she got to work she felt miserable, and it was not shaping up to be a day for lying her head on her desk and dreaming the day away.

"You look a little flushed, Blondie. Are you ok?"

"Yeah, Nacombe. I get to work with you everyday, so I'm just peachy," Veronica retorted.

Nacombe smiled. This was usual banter for them. He made snarky comments, she gave smart-ass responses. It worked for them.

"Seriously, though, you alright?"

"It's just a virus or something. I should be over it soon," she replied.

By noon she was feeling a little better and by the time she made she left work, she felt as though nothing had been wrong all day.

As she got in the car, she looked at her phone. A reminder of an appointment in the morning popped up.

"Crap!" she groaned. "Yearly physical time again."

Veronica had to get a yearly physical because of her job with the bureau. She was often in the field and subject to pretty intense physical activity, so the bureau made sure their agents were healthy and in no danger of dropping dead in the middle of an operation.

The next morning, she headed off for the physical before work. She felt a little less queasy today than she had before, but it was still there. Maybe the improvement meant she was finally getting over whatever this was.

"I notice that it's been over two months since your last period. Is that normal for you?"

"Yeah, I've never really had normal cycles, but since I've started working for the bureau, they are infrequent. My husband and I are pretty active, too, so I get a lot of exercise. I guess that's why."

"But I see here you've had some nausea and vomiting the last few days?"

"Yeah, some stomach virus, I think. It's a little better today."

"Do you think you might be pregnant, Veronica?"

"Umm...definitely not. I take my pills at the same time every day. I'm pretty meticulous about it."

"Have you been on any antibiotics recently?"

"Actually, I had a pretty bad gash in my leg a few weeks back. It needed stitches. I had to take antibiotics for a few days as a precaution."

"Veronica, I'd like to run a test just to be sure, okay?"

"Whatever."

Pregnant. I am NOT pregnant. I can't be pregnant. I am so not ready for that.

After the doctor finished his exam, he left Veronica to get dressed and after a few minutes came back into the room.

"Well, Veronica, just like last year, you are the picture of health."

"Great," Veronica said grabbing her bag, preparing to leave.

"But, unlike last year..." the doctor continued before she could get up, "...you have a pretty significant change in your health status."

"What?" Veronica asked, startled.

"Veronica, when you were given the antibiotics, were you not told to use a backup birth control while you were taking them?"

"I...I don't think so. I don't remember, really. I'm not sure."

"I hope you were, Veronica, because it's very important that any woman on birth control be told that antibiotics can alter the effectiveness of pills. It's important you use a backup method of birth control any time you are on antibiotics."

The room started spinning. Veronica's mind raced in a thousand different directions and her heart pounded.

"Are you saying...Am I...?" Veronica couldn't say the words.

"Veronica you are pregnant. It's hard to say how far along since your periods aren't regular, an ultrasound can give you a better idea. Do you have an OB/GYN in DC already?"

Veronica nodded. She couldn't form any words at the moment. She couldn't imagine how in the world she was going to break this to Logan.

"My GYN," Veronica finally managed, her voice sounding distant and like it was coming from someone else, "he delivers babies."

"Great, we'll give him a call and get you right over so they can do a full check and get you some prenatals, okay?"

Veronica drove numbly to her OB/GYN's office. She silently walked back to the ultrasound room and followed the technicians instructions. Soon, she was lying there looking up at screen with what looked like static on it to her.

Then, she heard something. It was faint at first, but then it grew louder. As she realized what the sound was she saw an image form on the screen.

"Is that the baby?" she asked in amazement.

"Yep. It looks like, from the measurements I'm seeing, you're about 8 or 9 weeks along. You're in the last leg of your first trimester."

Veronica was speechless. All her fear and anxiety had melted away at the sound of a tiny heartbeat and the little peanut shape on her screen. She was mesmerized.

The technician printed out a few still shots for her and the nurse gave her a bag with lots of "expecting mom goodies" in it and scheduled her next appointment.

She called work and let them know that she wouldn't be coming in the rest of the day. She needed a few hours alone to process everything before she could face the rest of the world.

She went home and ended up falling asleep on her bed, holding the pictures the technician had given her. The sound of Logan calling her name as he came in the door woke her a few hours later.

"Veronica? Are you home? Is everything okay?" he called as he made his way up the stairs into their bedroom.

"Hey," she managed.

"Hey? Are you okay? Why are you home at 3 in the afternoon?"

"Well, it's sort of a long story..."

"Was their a problem at your physical? Is something wrong?"

Logan was almost in panic mode. He hadn't wanted to say anything, but he had noticed how run-down Veronica had looked over the weekend. While he hadn't known about her nausea and throwing up episodes, he had noticed she was pale and had circles under eyes. Finding her home this early in the day and knowing she had the physical this morning were worrying him.

"Well, no, nothing was wrong, per se, but there was something out of the ordinary."

"Honey, tell me what's going on," Logan pleaded as he grabbed Veronica's arms gently and knelt down before her.

"Well, I've been feeling a little queasy the last few days, so the doctor ran some tests," Veronica started.

"Yeah? And?"

"Well, it turns out when I took those antibiotics a few weeks ago when my leg got stitched up that I was supposed to use backup birth control while on them. They can interfere."

Veronica swallowed hard, not knowing how to tell Logan he was going to be a father.

It's not like they hadn't talked about kids before. Before Veronica, Logan never wanted to have kids. He was afraid he'd mess them up just like he had been as a child. He was terrified of repeating his childhood with another generation. After marrying Veronica and experiencing family like he had never known, he changed his mind. One night when he and Veronica had been enjoying a campfire by the lake and a quiet evening full of stars in the sky, he had told Veronica that one day he hoped he had a daughter just like her. But Veronica knew that one day definitely didn't mean today.

"Are you trying to tell me...that you're pregnant?"

Veronica couldn't look him in the eye. She held her down and nodded, whispering a soft yes.

Logan lifted Veronica's chin and enveloped her in a kiss.

"You mean, right now, in here," he said, covering her belly gently with his hand, "is a little Veronica or a little Logan?"

She nodded.

"We're going to be parents?" Logan asked, wide-eyed.

Veronica nodded again and felt tears forming in her eyes.

"You have just made me the happiest man in the universe!" Logan exclaimed. He pulled Veronica up off the bed and into a bear hug.

"Oh, sorry," he said, sheepishly, "I probably shouldn't squeeze too hard, huh?"

"You're happy about this? I mean, you're okay with it?"

"Okay? I'm ecstatic! Wait. Are you upset?"

"No," Veronica shook her head profusely. "I was just afraid you'd be."

"Why? Baby, I love you more than anything in this world. And, yeah, the timing is not so great, but we've sure dealt with a lot over the years and managed to make it work. We can handle this, too."

Veronica laughed. She couldn't contain it.

"Why are you laughing?" Logan puzzled.

"Because five years ago, if you had told me that we would be standing here, Mr and Mrs Logan Echolls, talking about our baby..."

Logan grinned.

"Yeah, I guess that is pretty hard to believe."

"So, when's the due date? How far along?"

Veronica turned and grabbed the pictures from the ultrasound. She showed them to Logan.

"8 or 9 weeks," she said.

Logan stared, open-mouthed, gaping at the pictures.

"That's our baby?" he asked, more rhetorically than anything.

"That's our baby," Veronica answered.

...

"How's she doing, Logan?"

"She's hanging in there. The doctor says it's really close. Hopefully next time I come out, I'll be holding the baby," Logan beamed.

"Get back to her, son. She needs you."

"Thank you for being here for us, Keith. We both need you," Logan said, patting the Sheriff on the shoulder.

"You're gonna do fine, kid. Just look how far you've come."

"And you thought I would never amount to anything," Logan teased.

"Amount to anything good. Good, I said. Don't misquote me," Keith teased back.

Logan returned to Veronica's side just as another contraction hit. She gritted her teeth in agony and bore down hard on the bed.

"Okay, we're close enough now Veronica that you can push. The next one that hits push hard, okay?" the doctor said.

Only seconds later the next contraction came and Veronica pushed as hard as she could. It seemed like forever, but only a few minutes later, the sound of crying pierced the room.

"Congratulations Mr and Mrs Echolls. You have a beautiful baby girl."

Logan grinned from ear to ear. As they cleaned the baby and checked her out, Logan bent down to kiss his wife.

"You did good, Mrs Echolls."

Veronica smiled, hours of labor evident on her face.

A nurse put the baby in Veronica's arms, and a tear rolled down her face.

"Logan, she's so perfect," Veronica whispered.

"She looks just like you," Logan smiled.

"She has your eyes," Veronica said, looking up at Logan. "Those eyes..."

"Well, that means trouble," Logan smirked.

"Should I take her to meet Pops?"

"Yes. Let Dad see her."

Logan reached out to take the baby. Veronica felt her heart in her throat as Logan cradled her softly in his arms, looking like he'd done it a million times before.

"What?" he asked.

"You're a natural," she smiled.

"Who would have thought?" he said, smiling back.

He took the baby outside to the waiting room where Keith was waiting.

At the sight of Logan walking towards him with his grandchild, Keith's breath caught in his throat for a moment. This was not a sight he expected to see in a hundred years. It's funny how life doesn't go the way you expect sometimes.