The Interrogation Specialist
Chapter 11
LoVe's Happiness
Three months later Veronica arrives home to find that her boyfriend is having a get together with a few of his surfing buddies, friends and even a few neighbors. There is loud music and the door to the deck is open. There are a few people hanging around in the kitchen and more out on the deck and even more by the pool. She locks her gun, holster and ID in the safe by the front door and carries her luggage up the stairs to the master bedroom.
As she looks out from the master bedroom over the back yard, she is still taken that this is her home. She has been in mansions as large or even bigger than this one but truthfully she never felt comfortable in the Kane or the Echolls' mansions. She is comfortable here though. It is her home; her home with the man she loves.
She had to admit she was really pleased when her condo was appraised and increased significantly in value since she bought it and renovated it. It turns out that Logan's mansion also gained in value probably due to its location right on the beach. The increase in value of both their properties meant that they could pool their money and have a lot of great choices of places to buy. It turns out that it didn't matter what their budget was, they ended up buying a lot more house than they agreed on.
On their fourth house hunting trip, they toured this mansion and they both fell in love with it. When they arrived at the property, it was a lot bigger than any of the others they had seen so far. Veronica wandered around the mansion with Logan and she had not said a word as she looked. It was recently on the market; it had eight bedrooms, nine baths and was on a five acre lot that over looked the ocean. In addition the pool house had two bedrooms. It was very modern with floor to ceiling windows and an open floor plan. There was a huge formal living room and dining room. The kitchen was large, upgraded with new cupboards and a black granite counter top and there was a table area for eating in the kitchen. The workout room overlooked the front yard with huge windows and room for a large television. The master bedroom and bathroom was huge with a large Jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. It was one of the most luxurious rooms Veronica had ever seen. One of the selling points for Logan was there was a huge library that he could work from and a smaller den area which would be perfect for Veronica to use as her office at home. Logan loved the size of the library. As soon as he saw it, he felt it would be a perfect room for him to write in. He needed a lot of room to write. He paced and he wandered around the room looking out the windows, looking at books on the shelves and of course, looking at pictures on the wall. It was his way of giving his mind a short break without leaving the work atmosphere of his office. He needed to be in a calm but intellectually stimulating place to write. He would definitely be able to write there surrounded by all of the important books in his life and the wonderful view from the floor to ceiling windows.
Logan added this property to his list to view because the mansion and lot met all of his criteria with large, darkened windows, no immediate neighbors that you can see and wonderful views of the ocean. As a bonus it had a new state of the art security system. It had been built two years ago when the owner tore down the previous house and built a much larger one on the site.
If the inside was impressive, the outside sold the house. There were four entertainment areas outside. The main one included the large landscaped pool and hot tub, a great barbeque area and a large open area suitable for a party. The other three areas were small, intimate, covered and surrounded by lush plants. One was off the formal living room, one off the formal dining room and a tiny private area out front by one of the lower floor guest rooms. After walking around the house Veronica and Logan sat in one of the smaller entertaining areas outside; the one off the dining area. They looked at the fantastic ocean view and just soaked in what they had seen. Finally Veronica looked at the paper she had been given on the features of the house and the asking price. She broke the silence, "This house is ridiculous."
Logan had laughed in understanding. The man who had this place built put a lot of thought into every detail. It was a lot to take in. It had only been on the market three days. It had a steep asking price so would only attract the wealthiest buyer. This house was built for entertaining but had intimate areas for just family time. It was one of the most amazing homes Logan had ever toured and that was saying a lot. Despite its size and space, it had a real home feel to it. Logan was impressed.
He looks over at Veronica who has put down her paper and is back looking at the view. She cuddles into his side and he puts his arm around her while they sit. Finally after a few minutes she looks at him and asks curiously, "Logan, why did you put this place on the list of homes for us to see?"
Unsure why she is asking, he checks, "What do you mean?"
After a few moments she gently waves the brochure in her hand. She quizzes, "This house is bigger than the ones we have been looking at and out of the price range we agreed on." When Logan begins to shake his head she presses, "There is no way that even selling both our places, we could afford this mansion. "
He is quiet for a few seconds and then explains, "It met all my criteria and it looked really interesting on the computer." Logan watches her closely as he talks, "I know it is bigger and more expensive than we agreed but I just wanted to see it in person. Honestly, there are not a lot of houses this close to the ocean, this close to central LA and on this big of a lot."
She meets his gaze and asks, "Would you have looked at a house this size if it was just you; when you were shopping alone?"
He quickly nods and asserts, "Definitely." Pausing he adds carefully, "This place doesn't seem that big to me."
Still unsure she questions, "Can you afford this house?"
Logan is not sure if she is upset or not. He knows that he shouldn't have even put this place on their list especially without talking to her first. She is touchy about money but truthfully, he just couldn't resist seeing it. He carefully answers, "Yes, but we are buying a home together."
She clarifies, "I mean is your money all tied up or can you get the extra amount we would need to buy this house?"
Tentatively he tells her, "I can get the money for it."
Sighing she leans her head on Logan's chest and looks back out at the view. It is just breathtaking here. This small sitting area is private, surrounded by lush greenery and it overlooks the ocean. You can't see anyone on the beach and you can't really see the neighbors from here. The water is a crystal clear blue and the sand a light brown. It is like being on your own private island.
She can imagine that on paper this house sounded perfect to Logan. She looks back at the house for a few seconds and then gazes back at her boyfriend. Finally she shakes her head and says almost wondrously, "I never thought I would say this in a million years but Logan will you please buy us this house?"
He pulls away so he can get a better look at her face. To say he is surprised at her question is a huge understatement. She looks at him a little helplessly and adds as she waves her arm, "It's too big, too ostentatious, too overdone but I absolutely love it."
A huge smile lights up his face and he agrees joyously, "I love it too." He leans down and kisses her in his happiness.
A few minutes later when the real estate agent finds them, they are cuddled together just looking at the view. He steps down the three stairs to where they are sitting and comments, "This is an amazing view, isn't it?"
Logan and Veronica look over at him and Logan tells him, "Call the owner and offer him full asking price. We want to live here."
The real estate agent seeing that his wealthy clients have decided, pulls out his phone and makes the call. Logan adds as the agent waits for the call to go through, "We want to take possession immediately."
It only took a few days for the sale to go through and Veronica worked with the decorator to get the house painted and new furniture ordered. Two months later, they moved in and they both put their places up for sale. The two of them were thrilled with their new home and both were surprised at how easily they were able to find a place they both loved. Logan was relieved that Veronica fell in love with a huge place. He was worried that she would want to live somewhere too small for him and it would become an issue between them. It reinforces to him what a good team they are becoming when she backs down from her strongly held views that a big mansion is unnecessary. He knows that she does love their new home but he also understands that she does not need to live there; she is living there because he needs a large home.
Veronica was willing to have Logan put the house in his name because he was buying it but he overrode her suggestion and put both their names on the title. Both their places sold and the money was put into their joint account. They settled into their lives together.
Logan was impressed at Veronica's decorating skills. She had never had the funds to decorate that she had for this house and she had never dealt with a decorator before but she knew what she wanted and she wasn't willing to settle for anything that didn't fit her idea for this home. She decorated each bedroom according to whom would stay there. The pool house is warm with bright accent colors. Weevil would be comfortable and the bright colors would be fun for Carmen and the children. Keith's room was masculine but with enough feminine touches for Alicia when she came. Trina's room was very polished and upscale. Logan knows she will love it. Veronica even decorated a room on the main floor for Mrs. Navarro. There were pictures of her family and the bedding was very feminine; something Logan didn't equate with his housekeeper but Veronica only shook her head and said, "She has always had to put money towards her family. She never had any to spare on herself." Logan had merely leaned down and kissed her forehead. He was sure she was right; Mrs. Navarro would probably love the room.
The truth is Veronica learned a lot from the decorator and they got along very well. Veronica gave her the overall vision for the house and each individual room and the decorator gave Veronica the benefit of her years of experience. The result was a modern, open, luxurious mansion that their friends and family would feel welcome and, more importantly, they both thought of as home.
To Logan's immense satisfaction, the library became his office. Veronica immediately felt the larger room should be his. Although he never told her that he needed a lot of room to write, she seemed to understand. The best thing is she decorated the room for him. She had pictures of his whole life framed in masculine frames and placed around the room for him to look at. She has one of his mother's favorite paintings in a place of honor on the wall behind the desk. The desk is older and has a lot of character. He is not surprised that Veronica knows what he likes. He feels loved there. He feels very comfortable there. He loves Veronica even more for the giving him that room for his writing.
The most touching thing is that although she has decorated rooms in the house for their family and friends, she made their bedroom their private area. It has pictures that would mean a lot to them, a huge super comfortable bed with a warm sand brown plush comforter. There are various blues splashed around the room. There is no couch and no desk, just a nice sized double lounger for the two of them to lay together when they read. Logan loves the whole house but to him, the writing room and master suite show how important his relationship with Veronica is to her. She values his writing and worked hard to make sure that room is an oasis of calm and positive place for him to write and create. Their bedroom is just for them; memories they have made together over the years. It is a place they can be together away from everyone.
This is the best home he has ever lived in because although it is upscale and modern, it is a home. He absolutely loves it there. To him this place is a microcosm of his life now. He used his money to get the land and building but Veronica's presence and touch has made it a home. His friends don't understand that they live in mansions but they don't have a home. Dick especially, has been very vocal about the fact that Logan bought Veronica a huge mansion and now she is spending his money decorating it. Of course to his Neptune friends' minds, Veronica is just another gold digging woman who is using sex to get the lifestyle she wants. It is so laughable that they are sure she is after him for his money. He openly told Dick and John that the only two women he has ever dated that he is absolutely sure were not after him for his money are Lilly and Veronica.
Thirty minutes later after a quick shower, Veronica heads downstairs to join in the party. She has changed into shorts and a t shirt. Mrs. H. fusses over the tiny blonde seeing the dark circles under her eyes and pale complexion. She has gotten to know Veronica and admires her passion for catching criminals. They talk for a few minutes and then Veronica heads out to the deck to check out the party and find Logan.
Tired from her long hours of work and the long flight, she grabs a water and sits on a lounger on the deck that overlooks the pool and hot tub area. She sees Logan in board shorts by the pool visiting with a couple of girls, Casey, John and the guy from next door. He looks very sexy and she can see the girls are very interested in him. One in particular is wearing a very skimpy bikini and standing very close to Logan. Although she doesn't like it, she knows that women are attracted to Logan. Right now she can see that Logan is not giving her any special attention. In fact he seems to be really enjoying a conversation with their neighbor. Veronica knows they are probably talking about racing boats. He is a young man who started his own distribution business and he seems to be doing well. He works hard but now has twenty employees working at the LA distribution center. He met Logan on the beach in front of both their homes. They hit it off and he comes to dinner once in a while. He is a pretty nice guy who likes to have fun. Of course security checked him out and he is everything he said he was; a young man who got a business degree from UCLA and at first worked for a marketing firm in LA. He worked his way up the ranks putting in long hours and increasing his salary each year until he was able to pay off his student loans, pay off his parents' home in LA and start his new company with one of his co workers. With a lot of hard work, their company took off and at the age of 35, he was able to buy a house on the ocean. It is not as big as Logan and Veronica's but they have been over there and it is really nice. He went boating with Logan and Veronica and he became hooked buying a second hand yacht from one of Logan's 09er friends in Neptune. Steve was thrilled; he and his friends really enjoyed learning to sail and now Steve has gotten into racing yachts. Veronica doesn't pretend to understand what Steve talks about but she does get that he is a boy who loves his toys. He now bought a new racing boat and Logan was impressed with it. Logan sometimes crews for him when one of his crew doesn't show for a race.
"Well well if it isn't Veronica Mars," she hears as she is brought out of her thoughts. Frowning, she recognizes the sarcastic tones of Dick Cassablancas, Veronica looks up to see him with a few of his friends walking out onto the deck she is sitting on. He is wearing his bathing suit and holding a beer.
Deciding that she would go and talk to Logan instead of waiting for him to come back up to the house, Veronica stands and walks away ignoring Dick completely.
A little drunk and angry that Logan and Casey both talked to him about how to treat the manipulative bitch, Dick follows. When Dick saw the huge mansion that Logan bought for he and Veronica to live in he just knew that the little gold digger had her name put on the title. Veronica walks across the large deck towards the stairs down to the cement of the pool area. Looking across the pool she sees that Logan is still standing with Casey, John and the girls. She takes a few steps towards them and then has to wait for group of rambunctious guys who are good naturedly wrestling a guy they are going to throw in the pool to go past before she can walk towards her boyfriend.
Dick catches up to Veronica and says in his loud, obnoxious voice, "You finally got your hooks into a rich guy. You are living large now." He sneers, "It's too bad that you won't be able to hold Logan. He has already had a few different girls since I have been here visiting." Laughing he says, "I guess Logan didn't know you were coming home today."
The group of guests around the deck and pool listen to Dick's loud voice with interest.
Veronica ignores Dick and when the group moves out of her way, she starts to walk towards Logan. She really wishes after the week she had she didn't have to see Dick Cassablancas. He just reminds her of the guys she works so hard to stop. He may tell Logan and Casey that he didn't know but Veronica has heard the stories from the victims about how Dick assured them their money would be safe. Dick and guys like him have no basic moral values. They don't give a thought to the people they are hurting. Today after the week she has had taking information from the multitude of hurt, angry, and shocked victims that were affected by the latest scam she is investigating, she really doesn't need to talk to one Dick Cassablancas.
Logan looks up noticing the minor commotion of the young man being thrown into the pool along with the laughter and yelling. He sees Dick is talking to Veronica. He notices that Dick is talking but Veronica is ignoring him. Inwardly sighing that his girlfriend and best friend do not get along, Logan excuses himself and starts walking towards them. He smiles happy that Veronica is back. He is surprised that she didn't call to let him know she was coming home. Automatically he reaches into his side pocket for his phone and he remembers that after surfing he put it on the charger in their bedroom. He probably missed her call that her case concluded. He shakes his head guessing their driver picked her up at the airport and brought her home.
As he walks towards her, he immediately sees that the conversation has gotten heated. He knows that Veronica doesn't like to deal with his best friend when Dick is sober; he imagines she likes it even less when he is drunk and makes no attempt to filter his thoughts. Logan guesses he is going to have to talk to Dick again about how he talks to Veronica.
When Dick catches up to her again she turns to him and suggests, "Look let's just try and tolerate each other for Logan's sake."
The tall blonde looks down at her and spits out, "I am Logan's friend. You are the money grubbing bitch who is spreading her legs for him."
Veronica goes to turn and walk away when she hears Dick loudly comment, "You and Kendall have a lot in common," she hears Dick taunt.
Pissed she turns and hisses, "You should think twice about talking like that to me."
Pleased he got a reaction he continues, "You were both poor, both sluts and both used rich men to get money." He adds vindictively, "You both even like to fuck Logan." He steps closer to her and says, "I bet Logan misses Kendall. She was hot!"
"You should not be criticizing anyone else about taking money." she says quietly, "Shut up or I will shut you up."
Dick laughs loudly and says, "Girls like you and Kendall know what to do when you get your hands on a guy."
Ten seconds later Dick finds himself face down on the hard cement with Veronica's knee in the middle of his back and one arm twisted behind him. He is screaming in pain.
Logan inwardly grimaces. Dick is going to have scrapes from the hard cement on his bare chest, abdomen and face. Part of him was horrified at the scene, part turned on and part impressed. She took him down quickly, efficiently and she took him down hard. He has to have one hundred pounds on her and she made it look easy. She assured him that she has been trained in self defense and her partner seems to have confidence in her ability to back him up if he needs it. Seeing this demonstration, Logan decides he may have to accept that her FBI training and preparation will help keep her safer.
Of course their altercation attracted a lot of attention. Between Dick's loud voice, yell of surprise and pain and then of course the smashing of his beer on the hard surface as he dropped it while Veronica dropped him. Angrily the tiny woman spits out, "I do know what to do when I get my hands on a guy," When he struggles a little, she pushes her knee harder into the middle of his back and he immediately stops.
Upset he yells, "You bitch!"
Veronica says quietly and with venom, "You need to learn when to keep your big mouth shut Dick." She gives his wrist a further twist and Dick's face contorts in pain. She adds angrily, "People don't have to listen to you just because you want to talk."
Logan intervenes, "Sugarpuss, welcome home."
Veronica looks up at Logan. Her face is flushed red with anger and her exertion. She looks back down at Dick but not before Logan sees the hurt in her eyes.
His voice full of pain, Dick whines, "Logan get this bitch off me."
Logan crouches down and looks at his girlfriend. He adds still talking to Dick, "I haven't seen Veronica in two long weeks Dick." Meeting her gaze he says, "I have really missed her."
Her gaze softens and she responds, "I've missed you too."
Logan looks at Dick and then back at Veronica. He says, "I know you are giving Dick a lesson in how to treat women in general and you in particular and it is clear that he really needs the lessons..." Logan leans closer and finishes, "but perhaps you could school Dick another time. I really want to kiss you now."
Keeping her gaze he puts out his hand and after a brief hesitation she puts her in it. Her boyfriend is offering her a quiet way out of this situation and she is grateful. Logan helps her stand and immediately pulls her into his arms leaning down to kiss her while completely ignoring the upset blonde man who has rolled away and stands up a few feet from them. When Logan finally pulls his lips away from his girlfriend's, Casey and John have arrived. Dick looks at Veronica angrily while he rubs his sore wrist with his other hand. His chest and abdomen are scraped and have small trails of blood especially on his upper chest.
Logan keeping his arms around his tiny blonde pixie, looks over at Dick and says, "While Veronica and I are out to dinner, you need to pack up and go stay with Casey or to a hotel." Dick, Casey and Veronica all look surprised. Logan allows a little of his anger to show. He adds firmly, "This is Veronica's home. Veronica is my girlfriend. You will treat her with respect." He meets Dick's gaze and tells his best friend, "I value our friendship but if I ever hear you talk to Veronica like that again, it will be her pulling me off you." Ignoring the other party-goers he wraps his arm around her and walks with her into the house.
Casey looks at Dick in disappointment, "Let's get your stuff and get out of here. I think you have worn out your welcome."
When Logan and Veronica get up to their bedroom, Logan shuts and locks the door. He turns to her and asks concerned, "Are you OK?"
Nodding she apologizes, "I shouldn't have reacted to him. I shouldn't have let him get to me."
Logan goes over and picks up his phone. He contacts security and instructs them to clear out the partygoers and ensure that Dick Cassablancas leaves the mansion as soon as he has packed. When he hangs up he looks at his phone and sees that he missed five calls from Veronica. He apologizes, "I am so sorry that I left my phone up here. I should have been there to pick you up from the airport." He puts his phone down and walks over to hug her. He says, "I am starved but I was thinking I could help you work off some of the energy you get at the end of a case."
She smiles that he knows her so well. "That is a perfect idea." Logan picks her up and carries her over to the bed. He gently lays her on the bed and follows her down.
Casey watches saddened by what happened. This is Veronica's home. Dick was staying here as a guest and he obviously talked badly about Veronica at a party. Logan heard the ending to the argument and it was enough to anger the man who has been the most patient with Dick; the man who spend thousands of his own money to help ensure Dick didn't go to prison; the man who risked his relationship with the woman he has always loved to ensure that Dick was protected in prison.
Casey has been cautious around Veronica. He is happy that Logan is back with the petite FBI agent but since Logan told him what Veronica said about his lack of apology for his treatment of her and the fact he never admitted he was wrong, Casey has felt uncomfortable around her. The truth is she is quiet around him; very distant and always polite. He gets the impression that if it weren't for her respect and feelings for Logan, she would be very happy to never see him again. She thinks of him as that entitled, rich asshole from high school who verbally mistreated her after her best friend died and then wasn't even grateful when she helped him after his grandmother died. He doesn't talk much about that time but the brainwashing really screwed him up for a while. It has taken a lot of years and therapy to feel comfortable in his own skin again. He now feels like he is more like the Casey who loved his grandmother and who his grandmother loved. Sighing Casey goes to ask Logan's housekeeper for some antibiotic ointment. The scrapes on Dick's chest and body will need some care. He smirks a little as he thinks about seeing all five foot one hundred pound Veronica throw Dick hard to the ground. He wishes he had that on video.
John watching the drama shakes his head that Dick would harass Veronica in front of Logan. His brain does not keep up with his mouth when he is drunk. They all know that Logan has been protective of her for years. In college he beat up two guys over her. It looks like now she doesn't need Logan's protection though. John is still a little surprised that tiny little Miss Know It All could throw Dick to the ground. Apparently they learn self defense in the FBI training program. John directs Dick up the stairs towards his room. He will help him pack and go and stay with Casey. John thinks the parties will be over now Veronica is back. She was always a buzz kill even when she dated Logan in high school.
When Veronica and Logan finally get dressed to go and eat, they are both pleasantly tired. Their reunion had been passionate and intimate. As they walk down the stairs together they notice that the housekeeper has cleaned up from the party and when they get to the garage, Dick's truck is gone. Unconsciously Veronica sighs and Logan sees her relief that Dick is gone. Logan assures her, "Dick won't be invited to stay here anymore and I will take his name off the security list."
Veronica is so touched how Logan immediately put her first. She knows how close he has been to Dick and how much he values his friendship. Feeling badly that she let her emotions get the better of her, she regretfully tells her boyfriend, "I will apologize to him for the throw down. It was really unprofessional. I know how to handle myself better."
Instantly he wraps his arm around her and disagrees, "No, I heard what he said to you and he's the one who needs to apologize. This is your home and anyone who talks disrespectfully to you here will not be welcome."
She bites her lip and admits, "Still I am sorry I caused a scene."
Her tall boyfriend stops their walk and turns her to face him. He looks at her carefully and asks, "What he said got under your skin?" He is worried about how upset Veronica became when Dick compared her to Kendall. He hopes that isn't a latent issue between them.
Pausing she says, "I know that you didn't sleep with other girls while I was gone. I guess I just don't like to hear him say that."
Shocked he questions, "Dick said I had been with other women while you were gone?"
Looking puzzled at him she asks, "I thought you said you overheard him."
His forehead creases as he explains, "I only heard the part about you and Kendall."
"Oh,' she says inadequately. Sheepishly she adds, "I didn't like being compared to her either."
Upset he looks at her and reiterates, "You are the most important and only woman in my life. I love you."
Immediately she meets his gaze and reassures, "I know Logan." She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly and then tries to explain, "I trust you. I guess I saw how hurt my father was over my mother and Jake's affair. I just don't like to be talked about like I am the stupid woman who is the last to know."
Veronica gently and slowly rubs her palm over the soft material of Logan's t-shirt. She keeps her gaze on her hand and says a little conversationally, "I hate the invasiveness of the speculation. You have other women, I have other men, I know about your other women but I don't care because you are rich..." Her voice trails off as she thinks about how to word what she wants to say.
Logan frowns. He has been impressed how she has handled the press coverage of their relationship. She merely wears her sunglasses and ignores the paparazzi no matter what they ask. She hasn't brought up any of the stories to him. He hadn't realized they were such a problem for her. He comes back to Veronica's voice, "The divorce rate amongst agents is quite high; probably higher than the national average. I guess it is the travel and perhaps our reaction to what we see and have to do in our jobs." Meeting his gaze she admits, "There is higher drug use and alcoholism in my job."
Looking out over the vast front lawn area she continues, "The pictures and stories of you with other women appear in my cubicle at work, in my work car or on the lunch room wall. I get a lot of comments about how I don't need to work now I have a sugar daddy."
He feels pain at what she has to deal with. He just doesn't know how to change it. She adds sadly, "I guess I just reacted to Dick's loud voice telling everyone that you have other women while I am gone and that I am one of those women who just use rich guys for the money." A little ashamed she says, "I was stupid for reacting. I know what he is like. I guess I am just overtired."
Logan really doesn't know what to say. He has already talked to Dick about what he says to Veronica although getting thrown to the hard cement might be a good reminder for him that there are consequences for running his big mouth around Veronica. He is really upset that Dick would tell Veronica he was unfaithful while she was gone and that he would compare her to Kendal.
He bends his face down to be close to hers and gets back to the part of the discussion he is worried about, "I hate that the press hurts you."
"Well," she shares, "My partner's wife was not happy at the picture of us together that was published." She gets a little teary and says, "Derek has requested a new partner."
Logan understands now why she was so affected by Dick's taunts. This is much worse than stories about her gold digging or both their supposed infidelities; she is losing her partner. He knows that in her job you have to have a close and trusting relationship with your partner. Now she has to get a new one. "Oh Veronica, I am so sorry this happened," he commiserates.
Biting her lip she says, "Me too."
Logan sees her deep upset and asks, "Is there more?"
Her gaze meets his and skids off a little to his shoulder. She takes a deep breath to get control of her emotions and answers, "I asked for a female partner. I thought..."
Although she doesn't finish the statement, Logan can see her thought process. He tentatively says, "That might be a good idea given the circumstances."
She gives a tiny nod and then takes another deep breath before she continues, "My boss thinks that perhaps I am a little too high profile to work with a partner. He is thinking of reassigning me to a team."
Worried at the tone of her voice he takes a deep breath and questions, "I am not sure what that means Veronica."
Shrugging her shoulders, she admits, "I am not sure either. There are a few teams in my division." She pauses and then adds, "None of them are in LA though."
He puts his hands on her shoulders and asks, "You might be transferred out of LA?"
She nods and then explains, "I was really lucky to get this assignment. There are lots of offices in smaller areas."
Logan swallows as he realizes that Veronica may be shipped off to the equivalent of Siberia. Her bosses obviously have concerns about her notoriety. He knows how much this job means to her and his constant presence in the tabloids may be hurting her career. He never intended this to happen and he feels frustrated that he can't exert any control over his public life. Slowly he lets his hands slide down her back to her waist. He gently rubs her back as he watches her obvious upset. He really doesn't know what to say.
She looks at his chest and tells him, "The other option is for my boss to transfer me out of White Collar."
Logan's eyes widen as he takes in that the situation might be worse than he thought. He knows that Veronica likes working in White Collar and she has been taking courses and extra training to help her rise in the division ranks. Now thanks to their notoriety, she may lose her position and standing in White Collar. Sadly he leans down a little trying to look into her face, "I am so sorry that our relationship has jeopardized your career."
Patting his chest gently, she says, "I know Logan." Veronica leans in and puts her head on Logan's chest and wraps her arms around him. She says, "There is no point being upset about it. There is nothing either of us can do about it." Pausing she nuzzles her face in his chest and adds, "I guess I will know more once I have my meeting with my boss next week. " Looking up at him she takes a deep breath and finishes, "Well we will deal with it together."
Logan feels the tightness in his chest ease. Veronica is not withdrawing from him. She is accepting what is happening in her job and letting him know that they will discuss it and make any needed decisions together. This is the commitment he has been looking for. Although she doesn't believe in marriage, she is treating him as her life partner; she is telling him what is upsetting her and she is completely including him in all aspects of her life. When he asked her for a commitment when they moved in together, he was happy she agreed but not entirely sure, ; not 100% sure, she would give him that total commitment. Now he is sure. He leans down to kiss her deeply touched at how good their relationship has become. He loves this petite, strong-willed, stubborn, beautiful, loving woman with all his heart.