The Interrogation Specialist 10
LoVe Grows
Friday afternoon Logan heads over to Veronica's condo. They have been dating six months and he has to admit, it has been better than he expected and even better than he hoped. He pulls into the parking lot and keys the code in. He is so comfortable over at her place. Although he prefers his mansion and its open floor plan, roomy master suite and spectacular views, Veronica's condo is comfortable for him. He guesses that the view of the city from her patio and master suite makes it seem roomier.
She has been away over two weeks but a few days ago contacted him telling him that she would definitely be home on Friday night. He could tell by her voice that she has been working long hours.
He offered to go over to her condo and cook her dinner and was rewarded with a sigh of happiness and a soft, "That sounds perfect." After a short pause she asked, "Can I put in a request for supper?" He was pleased when she added, "Can you please grill chicken breasts?"
She had loved them from the first time he cooked them for her. Logan had housekeepers who did the cooking but one day he was listening to the liaison to the LAPD talk about how much his late wife loved his grilled chicken. Logan had immediately liked the older detective and had asked him to teach him how to grill. He had come over and showed Logan how to marinate the chicken and then grill it. Logan had been surprised how much he enjoyed cooking on the barbecue and had invited Scott over at least once a month for supper. The two men developed a pretty good relationship enjoying each other's company away from the Foundation. Scott loves to play pool after dinner and easily joins in some of Logan's poker parties.
Scott Cummings had been reluctant at first when offered the job as liaison to Lynn Foundation. He had retired from the force to look after his wife but found his life too empty and lonely now that she had passed away. The only things he knew about Logan Echolls he had heard on entertainment shows or read in the tabloids. Once he met Logan, he found him to be an intelligent, directed young man who was truly dedicated to helping women and children who were in abusive situations. He didn't just want to ensure their safety, he wanted to make sure they had the tools to make it on their own. The Foundation had a condo tower so each family had their own place to live. There was a school for the children and a job training center for the women. There were counselors for the women and children. The buildings were secure and a safe haven for the scared and hurt families. As Scott toured the facility with Logan, he could see his pride in what had been accomplished but he could also clearly see the vision that Logan had for the Foundation. He wanted to open a second site and he wanted to hire a legal team to help the women and children in court. This Foundation wasn't just a whim of a rich, spoiled man; it was a real goal that Logan worked hard to achieve. He had to admit that he was really impressed and he took the job. It turned out to be more than a job for Scott as well. He worked with the LAPD to raise awareness of the issues of Domestic Violence and he kept up on each occupant's situation to help ensure the safety of the women and children at the center. He was a face for the women to come to and if they chose to go back to the abusive situations, he was a person they could come to if they needed help. He was busy and he felt like he was making a difference. This job became a calling for him and he had to admit that he was the happiest he had been in a long time.
Once Scott met Veronica, he had been very pleased when Veronica had excitedly told him how much she enjoyed his recipe when Logan cooked for her. Of course Veronica's plan to get her friend Catherine from the FBI together with Scott had been a resounding success. They had hit it off immediately and became fast friends.
Logan once he met Catherine, knew she was the perfect person to run the second Lynn Foundation site. Veronica was right; she was organized and determined. It turns out she was more than ready for a challenge. She began to volunteer at the Foundation and learn from the director of the first sight how to be the director of a nonprofit organization. By the time the Foundation had the funds for the second site, she would be ready to participate fully in all the work involved.
Logan's last poker party, he invited Scott and Keith Mars. Mac, Alicia, Irene, Catherine and Veronica went out to the theater. Initially Logan invited Veronica to the poker party but she surprised him by telling him she worked with men all day and actually wanted a little girl time. Of course Keith Mars and Scott got along well. Keith showed Logan where Veronica got her poker skills; he more than held his own. Both he and Scott were good judges of human tendencies so easily defeated his friends. Keith was impressed how well Logan played. It was a fun night. Mrs. H. stayed late and made a small buffet of snacks for the players.
When the ladies arrived back at the mansion they had really enjoyed the play. Veronica surprised Logan by staying over at his mansion. He had half expected her to want to go home with her father. It is amazing how being around her father can make him feel sixteen again. To Logan's immense satisfaction, Veronica was open about their relationship around her family. She talked about things they did together and was clear that he was important to her. To his surprise and happiness, her friends and family accepted his relationship with her. Over time he was able to relax and enjoy his time with them.
Tonight Logan works in the kitchen of Veronica's condo. He has the chicken marinating and has the potatoes and corn ready for the barbecue. He is pretty excited that she is coming home. Although he understands that travel is a part of her job, he misses her when she is gone.
When she called him this afternoon to let him know she is on her way, he could tell she was exhausted. He told her he was already at her condo and had the chicken marinating in the fridge. He could tell she was smiling when she told him she was really forward to supper. Concerned at how tired she sounded, he suggested that they have a movie night.
Immediately she had agreed, "No television tonight. I just want to spend time cuddled up on the sofa with my handsome, sexy man."
"That does sound good," he told her. He understands that whatever case she was on was solved and she doesn't want to be reminded of it tonight. He knows that she doesn't confide in her father or friends but he knows that she tells him what she can. He doesn't tell her to quit her job or give her advice on how to handle the stress of her new training, he merely provides a sounding board for her and takes care of her.
Veronica at first was a little afraid to let Logan take care of her but now has gotten used to his thoughtful ways and his open way of showing he loves her. Now when she has a bad day she lets Logan hold her and keep the ugliness at bay.
Logan likes that Veronica has come to rely on him and he knows that he is a big source of support for her. He hates that she is choosing to see the ugly side of life but he loves that she is trying to protect the public and give them justice if they are wronged. He also loves how relaxed she becomes in his arms and how she cuddles into him when she has bad dreams or thoughts. He likes that he is able to chase away the bad.
The only thing he would change about his relationship with Veronica is her continued negative feelings towards his Neptune friends. He noticed that when Dick is in town Veronica wants to spend the nights at her condo. He knows that she doesn't want to have to deal with Dick as he stays with Logan. If she is at the mansion when Dick arrives, she soon makes an excuse to leave. It took a while but Logan did figure out that Veronica has bribed the guards at the gate of the complex to text her when Dick passes through. She gets a text on her FBI phone and she makes an excuse to leave. At first Logan thought she got a call from work and had to go since it was on the FBI phone she carried with her at all times. Finally it became too coincidental that it happened almost every time that Dick arrived. Logan didn't fully catch on until he drove through the guard gate and one of them was eating one of her snicker doodles.
He tried talking to Veronica about it and she merely tells him that she has been polite to all his friends. He can't really disagree and it is hard to get her to understand that he wants to be able to have fun with whoever is there and he really can't when he is worried about how she is doing. She just tells him not to worry about her; she can handle herself. He knows that is true but it leaves him worried and upset when she is with his friends.
Although they haven't had a fight about Dick or his friends, before she left, he stuck his foot in it and upset her. Logan had bought concert tickets for a few of her friends and his friends. Veronica really loved the group and was excited about going. At dinner before the concert she got a call on her FBI phone and answered it. When she came back to the table, she told Logan she had to go. Dick over hearing commented loudly that she hadn't changed and she was still putting her work before Logan.
That was when Logan made the mistake of publicly agreeing with Dick. He said, "I bought these concert tickets for you. This is one of your favorite groups." As soon as he said it, he knew it was wrong to bring an issue up in public. He knows he embarrassed her and when frowned at him and said, 'This isn't work. This is one of the guys who protected Dick in prison calling in his favor." Then without waiting for his apology or any further comments, she turned and left the building. He got up and followed her out but she had already gotten in a cab in front of the restaurant. As he watched her ride off in the cab, he could have kicked himself. He upset his girlfriend and now she was missing a concert she had been looking forward to because of his asking her to protect Dick in prison. He could be an asshole sometimes.
When Logan chased Veronica out of the restaurant, Dick made a rude comment on how Veronica still had Logan's nuts in a vice. John agreed saying, "She is still a huge bitch."
Casey sitting there with his girlfriend caught the looks of dislike on Mac's and Wallace's faces. He didn't know what to say. It was a really uncomfortable moment for him but Dick and the others didn't seem to care that Veronica's friends were sitting right there and that Veronica was missing the concert because of the favor she did for Dick.
Logan returned to the restaurant at that moment and Casey could see he was upset at what happened. He sat down and took a drink of the scotch he ordered. The guys started talking about surfing the next morning. Wallace sitting a few seats from Logan watched as he took out his phone and texted someone. He hoped that Logan was texting Veronica an apology because he really owed her one.
Later during the concert Logan was sitting next to Mac when she leaned over and commented how Veronica would have loved to be there. He looked at her and could see her ire. She sarcastically added, "I can see how badly Dick feels that Veronica is missing tonight." She left out that it was because she helped Dick but Logan caught her meaning. He leaned over and said, "I owe her a huge apology."
Frowning at him she met his gaze and said, "I noticed that you didn't say anything to Dick about how he should be apologizing to Veronica for his comment especially as she was leaving because of him."
Logan sighed when Mac turned to talk to her date. He feels like they have become friends but he can tell she is not impressed with how he treated Veronica tonight and how he let Dick talk to Veronica. The truth is he has talked a few times to Dick but Dick really dislikes Veronica and feels she is bad for him. He doesn't really know what to do about their continued animosity towards each other.
After the concert he texted Veronica asking her if she could meet them at the bar they went to. She didn't text him back. He drove over to her condo to see if she was there after they left the bar but only found her dress on the bed where she left it when she changed. He went back to his mansion as he was surfing with the guys in the morning.
The next day he texted her when he got up. She answered back that she was in San Diego and didn't know when she would be back. Worried he wondered what she was doing and why she had to go out-of-town.
After surfing he called her and when she answered, he stepped away from his friends who were loading up the vehicles. He asked her if she was OK and if she knew when she was going to be back? She asked him to hold for a second and then when she came back on the line, she told him she didn't know when exactly she would be done and she would let him know when she knew more.
Worried that she was going to hang up without giving him a chance to apologize, he quickly told her he was very sorry he embarrassed her.
After a short pause she said, "You feel badly because of why I had to miss the concert but the fact is, had I had to miss our evening because of work, you would have been upset at me."
Logan sighs and explains, "I was just excited about you getting to see the concert. I was disappointed you had to leave. I know that sometimes you have to work. I am sorry that I made an issue of it."
After a short pause she asks, "Can we talk about this another time?"
Logan can tell she is tired. He checks, "You sound tired."
"Eric's daughter ran away with her boyfriend. His daughter is seventeen and the guy she ran way with is twenty five. We have been chasing them all night." Veronica explains.
Grimacing Logan comments, "I can see why Eric is worried."
Veronica sigh and says, "I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Logan tells her bye and then hangs up. He walks back to his truck where Dick and John are waiting for him.
Dick questions, "Is Veronica still being a bitch about last night?"
"You could buy her something. She would like that," John pipes up.
Pissed Logan looks at Dick and points out angrily, "You know you could be a little grateful that Veronica literally saved your ass while you were in prison." Looking at John he adds, "Jump in before I decide to leave you here." Logan walks over and opens his door and hops in. The two guys exchange looks and get in.
Monday Veronica let Logan know she was at work but they ended up playing phone tag most of the day. Finally she let him know that she was on her way home from work. He immediately called her inviting her to supper. She paused a few seconds and then shared that she didn't feel like going out and she was going to stay in tonight.
He dropped over to visit her after he ate with his friends. He brought her dessert from the restaurant. She was in her bathrobe doing laundry and listening to music. Ironically it was a song from the band whose concert she missed on Saturday night.
She looked over at him and smiled when she saw him. She put the clothes down and walked over to greet him. He leaned down to kiss her and then handed her the cake he brought her.
Smiling happily she accepts the cake and says, "Oohhh, Black Forrest Cake! Thank you." He follows her over to the island and sits while she gets a fork for her cake. She asks, "Can I get you anything to drink?" He shakes his head and answers, "No, I'm good thanks."
He notices that he knuckles are swollen and he reaches over and grabs her hand to look at it. Immediately upset he asks her, "What happened?"
Frowning at his tone and in remembrance, she explained, "We ended up having to go and bring her back from Mexico."
At Logan's look she explained how sometimes these guys find teenage girls and take them back to Mexico and force them to be hookers. Shaking her head sadly she says, "We didn't get there in time to prevent her initiation."
Logan catches her meaning and questions, "Are you OK? Were you alone there without backup?"
Shaking her head she tells him, "No I took Derek and of course her father." She flexes her knuckles and then continues, "Before we left him there, Eric taught him the proper respect for women and his daughter." Looking a little incredulous she said, "I had to deck the asshole's mother when she tried to stop Eric." Meeting Logan's gaze she adds, "Derek was busy handling his brother."
Logan tries but fails to hide his smile at the idea that Veronica punched a woman.
She sees his smile and frowns at him. Taking a deep breath and letting it out she shares, "Derek had to pull Eric away before he killed him."
Logan grimaces a little and says, "I am glad you were able to bring her back."
Sadly Veronica tells him, "She thought he loved her and was going to marry her."
Logan reaches over and takes her hand lifting it to kiss her bruised knuckles. He asks, "Are you OK?"
Nodding she says, "A little tired but no worse for wear."
He keeps her hand and apologizes, "I am so sorry for embarrassing you before you left. I should have talked to you in private."
"It's OK Logan," she tells him.
Shaking his head he says, "I am really proud of the work you do Veronica." He adds meeting her gaze meaningfully, "I get you have to be away sometimes and I am OK with it. Please forgive my poor judgment Saturday."
She nods her acceptance of his apology, "Thank you for the cake. It's really good."
He tells her, "I know Black Forrest is one of your favorites."
Smiling she says, "You spoil me."
He had stayed over and he felt real relief that she so easily accepted his apology. The following Thursday she had to leave town for a couple of weeks. He is surprised at how excited he feels that she is coming back tonight. He is not a kid anymore but tonight he feels almost giddy that he is going to get to see her.
Logan is putting the finishing touches on the salad when he hears her come in the door. When she turns from locking her gun and badge away, he can see she is emotionally and physically exhausted. He goes over and pulls her into his arms and gives her a huge and prolonged kiss. When he pulls away and looks down at her, she is smiling with her eyes closed as she leans into him.
He admits openly, "I have really missed you."
She opens her eyes and looks over to see the salad is made and the table is set. She asks, "Are you hungry?"
He shrugs and answers, "I could eat."
Gazing at her profile he sees her deciding what to say. She turns her blue eyes to his and tells him, "I need to make love to you."
Quickly he pulls away and grasps her hand pulling her towards the bedroom. He says, "Let's start in the tub.'
She laughs relieved at his eagerness and deeply touched at his instant understanding of her needs.
Much later they are both sitting at the table eating. Logan is wearing boxers and Veronica is wearing a silk baby blue short robe. She looks pleasantly tired and is obviously enjoying the delicious marinated grilled chicken.
She looks at him and tells him emotionally, "I love you Logan."
He looks shocked at the change in the conversation. They had been discussing how long she would be in LA this time. He smiles at her and tells her, "I love you too Veronica."
Her answering smile is a little watery and she bites her bottom lip. "I am so grateful for you. You are so good to me and I hope you know how important you are to me."
He is stunned and touched beyond belief at her statements. The fact she is telling him how she feels without him prompting her is amazing, wonderful; the best feeling in the world.
"You mean the world to me too Veronica," he softly tells her.
She looks at him and pauses as if she is unsure how to word what she wants to say. Logan looks at her and waits for her to talk again. Finally she says, "I really miss you when I am gone."
He smiles happy that she feels the same as him. He agrees, "I miss you too."
"The thing is I know I have to travel but I don't want to be apart from you when I am home," she tells him slowly.
Unsure exactly what she is saying he encourages her to continue, "What do you want?"
Holding his gaze she says, "I want to move in together."
He leans back in his chair and says, "I want that Veronica but we need to make sure we are on the same page with what it means."
The wrinkle appears between her eye brows and she shares, "I am not sure what you are saying."
Logan leans forward and takes her hand in his gently rubbing the soft skin on the back of it. He starts, "I need the commitment Veronica."
She sucks a breath in and tells him firmly, "I don't believe in marriage. I haven't changed about that."
Immediately he shakes his head and explains, "I am not talking about marriage per say." Meeting her gaze he carries on, "I get you think that marriage is a piece of paper and meaningless."
She frowns a little as she recognizes her own words thrown back at her. They had generally discussed marriage when they were invited to one of his friend's weddings. She had compared a marriage license to getting a fishing license from the government.
Continuing, he tells her, "I think you know I would like the paper as well and we can negotiate that. The emotional commitment is non negotiable."
She looks at him trying to understand what he is saying and finally asks, "What do you mean by emotional commitment?"
He lifts her hand and kisses and then puts it back down keeping it in his larger, warmer one. He starts, "I agree that some people don't take their marriage vows seriously and I agree that without true commitment, the marriage license is really just a piece of paper. However I think that a true commitment involves more than just agreeing to live together; it involves love. It involves allowing the other person to see the real you; warts and all and seeing the real them. It involves putting that person above all others. It involves working with that person to completely share your life. It involves compromise. It involves completely opening the communication lines. It involves opening up your body completely. It involves being that person's best friend, lover and confident. It involves time, energy and most of all, it involves your soul."
Stunned she looks at him at a loss for words, "Wow."
The fact she is almost speechless amuses Logan and he gently teases her, "How articulate!"
She smiles and retorts, "Jerk."
"Veronica, if we are together it is with true commitment. It is you and me together; with or without the paper. There will be issues we have to decide but we will decide them together. Other people can counsel us but the final decision with be yours and mine together."
He reaches up and cups her face looking deeply into her eyes and asks, "Can you give me that emotional commitment Veronica? Can you go all in? Can you put us first trusting that together we can figure everything else out?"
Surprisingly she finds that she is not afraid or upset about his insistence about the emotional commitment. She honestly gets what he is asking for. She trusts Logan to look after her and she likes to look after him. She trusts him with her physically and emotionally. He is her rock. He is her lover. He is her friend. He is her man. She wants more than anything to be with Logan all the time when she is home.
She nods and answers firmly, "Yes,"
The smile that lights up his face is amazing. He quickly lets go of her face, stands up, takes the three steps to her side and then reaches down and pulls her out of her chair and into his arms. He spins them around and around until she begs him to stop and then he plops them down together on the couch.
Breathless he leans down and nuzzles behind her ear and whispers, "You are off tomorrow aren't you?"
"Umm mmm," she answers distracted and a little dizzy.
He pulls back from her so he can see her face. He points out, "We need to go look at houses." Frowning a little as he thinks, he asks, "Do you think the FBI will transfer you in the next few years or do you think you will be staying on the west coast?"
Bemused she answers, "I will probably stay on the west coast."
Happy he says, "Good, we'll buy then instead of renting."
Concerned she asks, "Why can't we live in your mansion?"
"That's why," he answers. When he sees that she doesn't understand he explains, "Because you see it as my mansion. We need a place that is ours."
Touched she says, "Logan that isn't really necessary. I could make it my home if you are there."
Shaking his head he leans down and gently kisses her for her sweetness. He says, "I know but I would like to get a place that we both choose. We can start looking tomorrow and find a place in the next few weeks and then put both our places up for sale after we move."
Concerned she hesitates, "I am not sure I want to sell my place."
Logan frowns and demands, "Why would you keep it? If you are all in then you don't need an apartment especially in the same city we are living."
She shakes he head and explains, "It isn't that Logan. Dad and Eli stay here a lot when they have cases in LA."
Relieved he says, "Oh then just sign it over to your dad."
Her mouth opens in shock and she explains, "Logan I have all my money tied up in the apartment."
Shrugging he questions, "How much do you still owe on this place?"
She thinks and estimates, "Around $200,000."
"OK," he pronounces, "We'll pay it off and then you can give it to your father free and clear." Thinking he carries on, "Or you can sell it and then Weeves and your father can stay with us when they are in LA.'
Shocked she checks, "Logan, are you sure?"
Nodding as he answers, he points out, "It might be better if they stay with us. We'll have a housekeeper so there will always be groceries and she can make them meals and clean their clothes when they stay in LA for a longer period of time. Plus in our home there will be a pool, theater room, games room and work out room they can use on free evenings." He adds as an afterthought, "Hey, Weeves can bring Carmen and the kids when he comes. Our driver could take them to Disneyland or shopping." He looks at Veronica and points out, "Keith could bring Alicia and she could do some things in LA while he is busy."
Veronica is looking at Logan like he has become a pod person. He meets her gaze and answers her unspoken question, "Your family is my family so of course they would be welcome in our home."
Curious she asks, "It sounds like we are going to have a big mansion."
Reaching up to brush the hair back from her face he shares, "You know how I feel about small places. I really need to live in a large mansion with a really large yard, a pool, a workout room, a games room and a theater room. I need blackened windows and big fences and a kick ass security system."
She nods, "I know."
Relieved that she is not going to make an issue about living in a mansion, Logan leans a little closer. Obviously thinking he continues to play with her hair. After a minute or so he ventures, "Ronnie, can you do paperwork or something if you were driven to and from work?"
"What do you mean?" she asks.
"Well the drive from here is about a half hour isn't it?" he checks. He adds, "It is about forty-five minutes from my place right?"
Nodding she says, "Longer if the traffic is bad."
"Security will want to drive you to and from work. You could do paperwork, make phone calls, surf the internet or just relax if you were driven," he points out. She frowns not really excited about that prospect. "Come on," he encourages, "It isn't that fun to drive in LA. You could use that time way more productively."
Meeting his gaze she agrees that she could but adds, "I guess I am just not comfortable with the idea right now."
Leaning in to gently kiss her he says, "I get that Veronica. It's for the best though."
There is a pause in the conversation and Veronica tentatively brings up a topic that she knows they should talk about before they move in together, "Logan, I think we should get a prenup."
"What? Why?" he asks.
She sighs and points out that in California once they have been living together for six months, they will be legally considered in a common law marriage.
Shaking his head he says, "No Ronnie. I have known you since we were twelve. I am not worried about that. I know you aren't with me for the money."
He looks at her for a few seconds and decides to get another issue that may be a problem between them out in the open, "In fact I am really hoping that you will agree to a joint bank account."
Thinking she says, "Look I know that I won't be able to contribute anything meaningful to our joint account but the money from the sale of my condo and my salary will go in there." She adds, "Your money from before we get together will remain yours."
He is pleasantly surprised that she has come up with a reasonable compromise. "OK, the money from the sale of both our places and whatever we earn from our jobs can go into a joint account." He adds just to be clear, "I will warn you though I have expensive tastes."
She smiles and agrees, "I know Logan. I don't want to change you. I just don't really want your money. "
Touched he says, "I know." He pauses and just looks at her. They are looking at each other with hope and excitement. It's a huge step but he finds he can't wait. He whispers, "We are going to be so happy."
She smiles at his obvious excitement and agrees, "We are."