LoVe Talks

At FBI Headquarters, Phil sits across from the petite blonde and quietly asks, "How are you doing on the cold cases?"

Wryly she answers, "I am updating each case but so far, no new information that is pertinent has come up."

He looks at her carefully and comments, "It's time to go home. Usually you run out of here anxious to get home to Logan."

She nods and teases back, "Not as anxious as you are to see Phyllis."

He smiles at her comment and agrees, "Guilty." After a short pause where Veronica makes no move to get up or call for her ride, he asks, "Up for some advice?"

Nodding she says, "Sure."

Phil leans forward in his chair and tells her, "Take tonight off from any deep discussions with Logan. Phone him and invite him out for dinner or to a movie or something fun and away from the press." He looks at her and adds, "Maybe remind him of why you two got married and save the deep discussions for another day."

Smiling a little she tells him, "That is a good idea." Looking up at him as he stands and heads towards her door she adds, "Thanks." He smiles back at her and salutes as he leaves. Veronica reaches for her phone. A date night is a good idea and she knows a place that they won't be disturbed.

When Logan arrives to pick Veronica up from work, he gets out to greet his wife a little leery of her mood. He was surprised at her request for dinner and a night out although he could see where perhaps date night was not a bad idea; they shouldn't hesitate to be a couple just because the press was targeting them. He sees her come out of the building and she smiles when she sees him and goes over for a hug. He asks, "How was your day?"

Shrugging she tells him it was good and asks what he did. As they get in the car, he tells her that he Vincent Bargent called him personally and told him that everyone was pleased with the scenes Logan sent in last week. The obviously excited writer talks about how he is currently writing the dialogue between the two main characters as they travel to Amsterdam to meet with their contact. "They are getting to know each other better and the attraction is there."

He sees Veronica's face light up as she remembers meeting the powerful producer in New York. She doesn't understand much about the movie business but she knows this is a real opportunity for Logan. "He's smart to ask you," his wife loyally defends. Logan hands Veronica the clothes he brought her and he leans up to shut the window between them and the driver so she can change. She thanks Logan and tells him, "We are just going to make the start of the first race if we go now." As she is changing, Logan openly watches her. Veronica continues on with her explanation, "I booked us a box so we won't be disturbed by the interested public."

Nodding his understanding, he asks, "Are we going to have a bet again to see who wins the most money tonight?"

Laughing she teases, "Didn't you learn your lesson last time?"

He ignores her jab about how she won the bet last time they were there and outlines the rules, "We will start with equal amounts of money and see who ends up ahead after say, ten races? This time though, we won't have a cap on the amount a person can bet each race."

Nodding as she pulls the t-shirt over her head, she tells him, "We need to make it interesting."

Agreeing, his eyebrows rising suggestively, "Winner's choice for sexual position tonight?"

Frowning she says, "No something bigger like winner gets to pick where we go for our next weekend away."

Immediately nodding he agrees, "That's great." The two of them have discussions on where to go and what to do on their date weekends. Logan has finally convinced her that they should use some of their money and do something unusual and fun when they get time from their busy schedules together. He would absolutely love to be able to plan a weekend for them without her being able to veto or worry about the money he spends.

She smiles benignly. She would love to be able to plan a weekend that Logan can't veto. She has a place in mind.

The couple enjoys a nice dinner and some good natured teasing over each of their successful and less than successful bets. They don't talk about Dick and John. They don't talk about each of their feelings about what happened this week. They don't talk about Veronica's work. Tonight is about fun and relaxation. They just enjoy each other's company without any other concerns. That is enough for tonight. Anyone who gets a glance or takes a picture of them in the private room only sees a young couple together and in love.

In the end Veronica is smugly the winner by a long shot. She calls it her discerning way with judging horseflesh and Logan is referring to it as blind luck since she didn't seem to use the information in the program.

Logan looks at Veronica as he sits beside her in the car on the way home. Her cheeks are pink from a combination of her excitement about winning and seeing horses. He will never understand her love of horses but it was fun to watch her look at the horses and decide just by how they are acting or how they look which one is going to win. It was also a little disconcerting that she would be so good at picking the winner without seeing how they have been running and if they are getting a new jockey tonight or not. He has to admit that her betting prowess with horses has to be more than dumb luck since she has beat him handily both times they have come here.

He lifts her face to his and leans down to kiss her. Dan driving sees their kiss in the rear view and smiles. He likes working for Logan and now Veronica. Not only does Logan pay well but he is a pretty great guy. Dan can tell that Logan is very happy with Veronica. The security team was unsurprised when Logan was intent on tying the knot and giving up his bachelorhood; Logan is a smart man who knows a good thing when he sees it. This latest scandal surrounding the couple doesn't seem to have harmed their marriage. When the kiss is over Logan looks down at her and says very quietly, "I talked to your dad today and he had a very good suggestion."

Curious she asks, "What did he say?"

"He thinks you should take a couple of days off work and we should have a short vacation," he answers. Gently tracing her cheek he tells her about taking Roger up on his offer to use his yacht, "We would be seen together at times but we could moor and travel where we could have some time alone." Meeting her gaze he adds, "We could invite a few friends to join us, make a long weekend of it."

Veronica smiles and agrees, "It is a good idea and I think that Mitch would be open to letting me have Monday and Tuesday off. We have to be careful who we invite as they will certainly be in the eye of the public if they are out with us."

He hates that she is afraid to invite their friends because of how the press might say about them although he does understand. He seriously doubts that most of his friends will be able to go as they feel that the wrong press could hurt their careers. Really he is fine with them not being there as this weekend is about making Veronica happy. He thinks aloud, "We can invite Casey, Vanessa, Mac and whoever she wants to bring, Wallace and Evette."

"I'll call them," Veronica agrees and adds, "We should invite Brad and Jeanne. It would be good for them to get away and Brad is off this weekend."

Logan adds, "Let's just keep it small. Steve is racing so he will have to miss out." After a few seconds thought, Logan finishes, "This weekend is about relaxing and getting away."

"Besides most of your Hearst and Neptune 09er friends will not want to be seen with me right now," she adds sarcastically.

Nodding his agreement with her observation, Logan says, "A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion. (Grantland Rice)," She smiles a little appreciating his ability to get his thoughts across using quotations. He reaches over and brushes the hair from her forehead. "I know that lately you don't think that you are first with me and we need to talk about that," he says meeting her gaze. Meaningfully he tells her, "We need to talk tonight because it is not good for us to let too much time elapse with negative feelings between us." Teasing he adds, "Mother Alicia and Eli are descending on us and we won't have time alone once they arrive."

Smirking at his observation that her family and friends are protective of her, she tells him, "I'll fix us some brandied coffee."

"That sounds good," he tells her before he pulls her close and holds her in his arms for the last few minutes of the drive.

A while later they are seated outside in the covered, comfortable seating area. Logan has turned on the fire pit while Veronica made their coffees. They sip their coffee as they both settle in and relax. Logan starts, "I am so sorry that you don't feel that I put you first ahead of Dick and John. You are first in my heart and life and if you don't feel that, it's on me."

Putting her coffee down on the table, Veronica turns and faces her husband. She assures him, "Logan, I know that you love me but Dick and John have been difficult to deal with since we got back together." She shares, "I have known them both a long time. Since Lilly died, they have both been constant annoyances but I can deal with that." Shifting a little she shakes her head and adds, "Bringing Madison to our wedding and now hiring a PI to break up our marriage is more than simply disliking me."

He takes a sip of his coffee and puts it down on table as well, "You're right of course." He reaches over and takes her hands and openly tells her, "I shouldn't have trusted Dick and John I knew they didn't like you but I guess I didn't see the true extent of their dislike." He takes a deep breath and then meets her gaze adding, "I didn't protect you. I should have had security checking them out as well."

She reaches over and gets her coffee holding both hands around it as she thinks. Finally she says, "I don't think that security checking them out would have prevented them hiring a PI." Taking a sip she savors the flavor and adds thoughtfully, "I know they hate me but I underestimated them too. I wasn't worried about them breaking us up." She lapses into thought.

Logan after a minute interrupts her introspection and tells her, "I went over to Casey's and talked to them. I needed to hear from their lips why they hired the PI. I needed to know that it was their hate that drove them." He finishes quietly, "I needed to know for sure before I ended our friendship." He meets her gaze and carries on, "I know you don't want to hear this right now but they are really like brothers to me. Pausing he corrects himself, "or they were." He looks out at the ocean for a few seconds getting control of his emotions before he carries on, "Honestly they were my only family until we got back together. Trina is still upset I testified against Aaron and Charlie is not talking to me." He adds, "They kept me from imploding after our last breakup and I spent the holidays with them like one does with family." Moving closer to her, he continues his explanation, "I had to know for sure. I had to talk directly to them before I made a decision on what to do. It had nothing to do with me thinking that what they did was OK; it was for me. I hope that you can understand that." Keeping her gaze he reaches up and gently caresses her cheek, "In no way was my need to talk to them any reflection on my love for you. You are first with me; you are the love of my life."

"Our relationship is not the issue Logan. The issue is we have been back together long enough that our friends shouldn't still be a problem. I am upset that you did not handle their antagonism when it first came up and now it has escalated out of your control," she tells him. She meets his gaze and says, "That is why I am mad at you." She looks at her hands and continues, "I am really mad at Dick and John for what they have done. I am mad at myself for not putting my foot down after they tried to disrupt our wedding. I'm mad at the PI for being a sleezeball and not caring if he ruined mine and Bryan's careers." Meeting his gaze she finishes, "Mostly I am sad that I may have lost Bryan as a friend over this. He is hardly speaking to me and the rumor is he is going to transfer away from Zack, his family and the situation here."

Logan meets her gaze and nods. He admits, "I am sad about Bryan and Zack too." He adds, "You are right though. I should have dealt with Dick and John when they first started acting up around you."

Curious she asks, "Why didn't you?"

Leaning his shoulder back into the comfortable couch, he continue to face her as he explains, "At first it was just like it used to be. The group making snide or sarcastic comments. I just thought that they would quit and then when they didn't, I told them to stop it; and most of them did." He pauses and then continues, "Then it was Dick and John being protective of me. I just thought they would ease off once they saw how good you are for me and how happy I was." He adds, "After all, I put up with their lifestyle. Even if I was busy writing or working at the Foundation while they visited, I tolerated all the girls they dated, friends they brought to my mansion and all the impromptu parties they had while they visited me." Shaking his head he says, "I had a lock on my suite and office to I could have some privacy when I needed it."

She wondered why he insisted on a combination lock to the master suite and their offices. Now it made sense. He didn't have control over who was over at his place when Dick and John were staying with him so he just kept his private areas locked.

Logan puts his arm along the back of the couch and leans his head on his shoulder as he adds, "I was really upset after the Madison incident. When I made them leave the resort, Dick and John knew I wasn't going to just accept what they did. They talked to me and told me that they wanted to stay friends and that they would behave around you and they wouldn't do anything to interfere in our marriage." After a short pause he says, "I guess I wanted to believe them." Leaning up he moves closer to her and tells her, "I am so sorry that I let my feelings for Dick and John interfere in what I should have done. I made too many excuses for them. I didn't protect you like I should have. I wanted to have it all and I ended up hurting you. I am sorry."

Sadly she says, "I want you to have it all. I didn't want you to have to end any friendships just because you are with me." After a pause she ventures, "I really don't understand why Dick is still so angry with me after all these years." Meeting his gaze she says, "He and John can't seem to let go of our past."

Nodding Logan admits, "I don't think Dick has ever really dealt with what Cassidy turned into and how he died. He doesn't deal with his emotions; he just drinks and parties." He meets her gaze and tells her, "I think that he associates you with his father having to leave and Cassidy committing suicide."

Veronica looks at her husband in admiration. He catches her look and asks, "What?"

Smiling she tells him, "I am so impressed at how you have handled your past. You have a successful writing career and you are working hard at the Foundation making a place where women and children can get away and get help even though no one helped you. Most of all you are aware of the abusive tendencies in your family and taking conscious steps to make sure that you learn to handle the stressors in your life in a more positive way." She shakes her head at him and says, "I am so proud of you."

Shaking his head he admits, "I might be too worried about handling issues with violence."

Disagreeing she says, "When we dated in high school, I was disturbed at all the violence in our school. There are a lot better ways to handle problems." She talks about how she sees so much violence at work and she just wants her home life to be easy and calm. She adds, "My way of burying the issue and not dealing with it doesn't work either. I just became an angry, distrusting person who I didn't like when I looked in the mirror." Pausing she adds, "Look at how Cassidy kept his issues hidden and then when they were going to come out, he used violence to protect his secrets."

Logan nods and points out, "Dick has pushed his pain deep inside and I think part of his problem is that once he starts to open up, all the guilt and anger he feels about Cassidy starts to come out and he can't deal with all those emotions."

She looks at Logan for a few seconds and then agrees, "That makes sense."

"Although it is really too little, too late, I will make sure that Dick and John never interfere in our lives again. They won't be close enough to affect us," he promises.

She sees that he is serious and she says, "OK."

He leans over and gives her a gentle kiss, "Thank you for understanding."

Meeting his gaze she tells him, "I love you so much Logan. I know that you have tried to be a good friend to Dick and John. I am sorry that our relationship harms that friendship."

Shaking his head he admits, "No Dick and John harmed our friendship, not you. They could have chosen to work out the issues they have with you and with us. They didn't so that is on them."

She nods and wraps her arms around him. When she looks up at him she says, "In the interests of privacy and sparing Eli's sensibilities if he arrives in the next few minutes, we should go up to our room and lock the door before I let you make it up to me."

"Make it up to you?" he questions.

Nodding she answers, "Yes, I had to sleep without your arms around me because you were being a butthead."

Frowning he repeats, "A butthead?"

She informs him, "Yes, and you have some huge making up to do. It may take every night the rest of this week and our mini vacation before I truly forgive you."

Smirking he tells her, "I accept my punishment and I will definitely earn your forgiveness." He pulls her in his arms and kisses her. When the kiss is over, he puts his arms under her, lifts her and carries her up to their suite. He has missed her the last two nights. He will be happy to make her feel loved; very loved.

The tabloids and entertainment shows have pictures of Logan and Veronica Echolls sailing with friends and then alone for a couple of days. Some reports have them working on their marriage and in others, Logan is considering a separation. The pictures though show a couple together and happy. Neither of them talked to the media about the stories and Bryan cannot be reached for any comments.

Although the situation is negative, Veronica feels so lucky. In times of trouble, you find out who really cares about you. Logan has been very supportive. Her father, as always, has been there to talk to when she needs him. Alicia is the best mother ever. She took a couple of days off work and came to stay. She has a real way of mothering you but at the same time she helps you put issues in perspective. Mrs. Navarro came for a day. She, Alicia and Mrs. H. were busy visiting, cooking and preparing the house for all the company they knew would drop by. Carmen called and talked to Veronica almost every day. Connie called and came over one evening to visit with her children. Irene, Cathleen and Scott all dropped by to check in on her. Steve walked over to have supper with them one night. Mac, Wallace, Evette, Brad, Jeanne, Casey and Vanessa all braved the press to visit and then of course they spent the weekend aboard the yacht with her. At work Mitch, Phil, Lester and Tom have all been supportive and they have all benefited from the food and treats that Alicia had sent with Veronica to work. All in all, Veronica couldn't feel sorry for herself when she was so very loved. Logan used the time the women were spoiling Veronica to work extra hard on the screenplay so he had the whole long weekend to focus on his friends and Veronica.

Phil talked to Bryan and asked him to not make any decisions about his career until the media coverage dissipated. He thought about it and ended up just doing his desk duty, keeping his head down and hoping that the media moved on to the next new thing soon. As it turns out, two weeks later the stories are almost done. Logan and Veronica have just carried on with their lives ignoring the press coverage as usual. Without any new information, the speculation became repetitive and other celebrities were more newsworthy. .

Logan had a Foundation Board meeting and as he anticipated, Dick and John were removed from their positions on the Board of Directors. They did not come to the meeting and a formal letter from the Foundation lawyers was sent to them. Logan has now nominated Cindy Mackenzie and Alicia Mars to the board.

Two weeks later, both Veronica and Bryan are reinstated to their team. Mitch tells Veronica that she will be doing outside interviews with a female agent from the LA office. She doesn't complain as she imagines that Tom and Bryan are relieved that they don't have to be seen outside the bureau doors with her.

Logan in the meantime has been busy working on the screenplay. He is really happy with how well it has been going. At this rate, he will be done in another few weeks. When he needs a break from work, he surfs with Steve or Casey and he has been to the shooting range with Roger.

Time passes and the couple settles into married life. Scott continues his barbeque cooking lessons. Logan has learned how to smoke a brisket and make shish kabob. Logan finds that Scott is right and there is a special pleasure in making meals for Veronica. She is so appreciative and it makes him feel that he is keeping care of her. He finds that the evenings at home where one of them cooks and then they clean up together help give him a sense of normalcy that he never had growing up.

With Roger's generous donation, the second location of the Foundation is almost built and Catherine is very busy getting everything in order. Veronica is pleased at how happy Catherine is. She was so down after her husband died. Her role as Executive Director of the second complex has given her a new purpose in life. She works closely with Irene and Logan.

Jeanne has gone into remission and she is starting to regain her normal weight and energy. Irene has talked her into volunteering at the Foundation and she is a gem helping the new admissions settle into their new apartments and lives.

Mac has decided to start her own company. Logan immediately offered to fund her but she refused his financial offer telling him she wants to do it on her own. He had tried to fund her when he and Veronica started dating and she wasn't ready to start her own company at that time. Although she was touched at his offer, she wants to start small.

Wallace is busy with his business and it is doing so well that he is thinking about taking on a partner to relieve some of the workload. He and Evette have been dating a few months and both seem happy with the relationship. The family takes the jet to Kansas to watch Daryl play in the Big Twelve Championship. It is a fun time and Daryl was very happy to have his family there.

Steve has bought another boat and is busy getting it race ready. Logan is happy to go and help him from time to time. Phil also substitutes when Steven needs someone. Phil and Phyllis continue to take one of the yachts out when they want to sail for the day or weekend.

Zack and Bryan are talking again. Zack has confided to Veronica and Logan that they are back together but things are not the same.

A few weeks later, security from the complex gate contacts Logan. The guard at the gate tells Logan that John Engbloom Sr. is there and wants to visit. Puzzled Logan asks the guard if he is alone and is told he is. Logan instructs him to let him in and then he depresses the button for the front gate to open. He shuts off his computer and walks towards the front door to let Mr. Engbloom in. He wonders what he wants and why he didn't call before he came to visit.

Veronica gets out of the car and thanks her security driver as she heads into the house. When she gets in the door, she can hear male voices coming from the living room. After she locks her gun, badge and holster in the safe, she peeks in to see who her husband is talking to.

John Engbloom watching sees a short, tiny, blonde woman look into the living room. Logan immediately stands and goes over to greet her saying, "Ronnie, you're home. I have someone I want you to meet." Interested John watches as Logan bends down to greet his tiny wife with a brief kiss. The young man who has grown into a responsible business man and successful screenwriter, escorts his new wife back over to meet their guest.

Logan introduces them, "John, I would like you to meet my wife Veronica. Veronica, this is John Engbloom Sr."

John watching closely sees Veronica mask her negative reaction to his name. He knows that she and his son do not get along. She easily takes his hand when he puts it out and she quietly tells him, "Pleased to meet you."

Logan fills in the gap in the conversation by offering to touch up John's drink and get Veronica a drink. She smiles at her husband and asks, "What are you gentlemen drinking?"

After finding out that both men are having scotch, she wrinkles her nose a little and says, "I'll stick with water with lemon please." Logan smiles at her negative response to having scotch and picks up John's glass to refill it. Veronica goes over and sits on the couch across from John.

John opens the conversation with congratulations on their marriage and Veronica smiles accepting his kind words thanking him for the generous donation to the Foundation. John then asks Veronica about her career with the FBI. Logan inwardly smiles as although John is well mannered and experienced with dealing with the public, he has not completely hidden his surprise at how charming and good at keeping up a conversation Veronica is. She has steered the conversation to the day to day responsibilities of a CEO and is asking him questions about the airline industry.

Logan, after giving the two their drinks, sits beside his wife and joins in the conversation. The discussion turns to the economy and when John talks about government regulations, he finds that Veronica is also frustrated with some of the rules she has to follow in her job. Logan can see that John Sr. is enjoying the conversation. When Veronica excuses herself to change for supper, John Sr. looks at Logan and admits, "She is not what I expected."

Laughing Logan teases, "You mean she doesn't have horns?"

Amused, John answers, "Well the press and my son don't paint the most positive picture."

Logan looks at the doorway where she left and admits to the man he has known since he was in middle school, "I wouldn't have made it through my mother's death and Aaron's trial without her." He looks at John and tells him openly, "She is everything to me."

Although John can't personally understand as he has more of a successful partnership than a marriage, he can see that Logan is not like his father. This young man loves his wife and is actually enjoying a real relationship with her. John takes advantage of the opportunity during dinner to get to know this young couple a little better. Although both are focused on furthering their respective careers, it is clear that they are team Echolls. Veronica is proud of Logan's screenwriting success and his dedication to his Foundation. Logan in turn, is very proud of his wife's success in capturing serial killers. They are both self-directed, intelligent and well read.

John Sr. has to admit that he is impressed and relieved. Logan has reassured him that he is not going to do anything to jeopardize the hard work John Sr. has put in his company. Running the airline is his passion and he has worked long and hard to put his company back on solid financial footing. Logan has made it clear that his friendship with his son is over and if John Jr. ever decides to work in the company, Logan would really rather not have to deal directly with him. John Sr. can't say that he really blames Logan for being upset. John Sr. is worried about his son who seems to only care about the next party and the next girl. Logan who is the same age, is married and busy with work and his charity. As he leaves he tells the young couple that he will invite them over for dinner soon.

Veronica looks at her husband after John Sr. has left and says, "So John Jr. was adopted?"

Logan laughs and puts his arm around her shoulder as they walk towards the kitchen. He says, "John Sr. was not around much while his children were growing up so it was up to John's mother to raise him. He married John's mother because her family is wealthy and he needed the money to get his company off the ground."

"That is kind of sad," she comments.

Surprisingly Logan agrees, "I know what you mean." He talks about how in one of his sociology courses in college, they studied how other cultures married for practical purposes and how he thought that sometimes that would be better than getting married for love." Looking at her he says, "I stayed in relationships before you because they were easier or comfortable. Now I am so grateful that I married for love. I don't want to think about how much less my life would be without you."

Touched she shares, "I was anti marriage but now I am so glad that I decided to quit being so stubborn and let myself just love you."

He puts his forehead to hers and agrees, "Yes, you were really stubborn."

Laughing she pushes him away in pretend anger and he puts his arm around her pulling her close to him and leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Looking up at the man who means so much to her, she quietly says, "I wanted to talk to you about something." She has his full attention so she talks to him about how the Foundation does an excellent job helping the women and children with their immediate needs but doesn't focus on their long term needs. She explains how some of her fellow agents needs long term counseling and how insurance companies tend to limit the length of time they can see a counselor without paying. She takes a deep breath and carries on, "I also think that a lot of the families the Foundation helps have to live off one salary so having monies for college would be more difficult for them."

Logan is impressed at how much thought she has put into this issue. She talks about a former agent who went back to college and got his counseling degree. She adds, "I was thinking he might be perfect to set up an long-term outreach center to help the women and families with any psychological and financial issues as well as helping ensure that these kids get a chance at whatever career they might want."

"Fuck Veronica," he says, "That is a really good idea." He thinks about how the mission for the Foundation is providing a short term solution for women and children in crisis. They now have two centers in LA and the statistics they are collecting show that they are achieving a higher measure of success than most other methods.

What his brilliant wife is questioning is the definition of success with abused women and children? Right now success is getting them away from the situation and giving them a chance at a life without physical and psychological abuse. He knows from personal experience that the effects of the abuse don't end once the abuse is over. He didn't handle the upset very well when he was a teenager or a young adult. He still worries about how to handle conflict without violence and what kind of father he is going to be. Perhaps a new definition of success should be giving the women and children the tools to handle the stressors in their lives long term. Counseling and education would be a part of reaching those goals. He looks over at Veronica and sees her watching him as he thinks about her ideas. He shares, "What you are suggesting makes good sense. It is a huge undertaking though. I am going to have to bring it up to the board and we are going to have to study the logistics of setting up a long term component to the Foundation before we can make a decision about it but I think it is definitely worth a look."

Looking at her he says, "Thank you so much for thinking of the Foundation. You amaze me sometimes with how smart you are."

"Don't you forget it," she teases happy he is considering her idea.

His brown eyes soft with love he teases back, "As if you would ever let me." Laughing she picks up her fork and fills it with icing. She feeds it to her husband enjoying spending time with him.