A/N: This is it. Enjoy!

EPILOGUE

She watched the vastness of the ocean below her for hours. Veronica didn't really want to be here, on this plane, somewhere over the middle of the Pacific Ocean. She had no interest in staying at some resort-y place all alone with a bunch of lonely wives to bemoan how much they missed their men. But she'd made a promise to Logan and so here she was, flying over the ocean on her way to four days of eye-glazing torture.

Well, she wasn't exactly alone but it felt like it anyhow. Mac and Dick were along for the ride, but it just made Veronica feel like more of the third wheel that she was.

Her two companions sat next to her, covertly touching each other and giggling like the new lovers they were. Veronica was trying her damnedest to act happy for them, but it was becoming apparent to everyone that she was failing miserably at it. When they'd entered the terminal in California, Veronica had broken right through their intertwined hands to go ahead of them. Mac had given her a rather annoyed look, but Veronica hadn't even had the decency to apologize. She was frustrated and sad. Watching Mac being happy with Dick, Dick of all people was getting on Veronica's nerves.

It wasn't fair how after nine years of denying herself of Logan that the only way to be with him now had to be over Skype and email. A phone call once in a while and a package or two filled with special sentiments wasn't enough. His touch was what she wanted, the feel of his breath on her skin. Not this nonsense of talking through computer screens and feeling so alone all of the time. At least before, when she'd lived in New York, she wouldn't allow herself to ever miss him. Now that she was allowed to miss him, all she felt was emptiness most of the time. It was a void that no one else could fill, because no one else was Logan. She worked hard. Her cases were the only thing that kept her from going crazy while waiting for July 8 when she would see him again.

Two more weeks. He'd be home in two more weeks.

Veronica sighed. Maybe it was a good thing she would be stuck with a bunch of lonely women. Maybe she wouldn't be the only one that was angry and lonesome. And a little horny. No, scratch that. Way more than a little. As of late, her dreams were downright steamy. Veronica didn't even know she had it in her to have those types of dreams anymore…although, actually, if she admitted it to herself, she'd often had dreams of Logan over the years. No one else had ever satisfied her quite the same way.

Logan had always understood her and responded to her moods in kind. If she was stressed or low, he'd be slow and gentle. When she was hyped he'd ravage her.

She blinked away the memory of his touch. This trip was about him and his family. She had to remind herself of that fact. It was about showing these other Navy families that Logan had people that loved and missed him. It was about showing Logan that she supported him and his decision to be a pilot. It was to prove to the world they were a unit of sorts; that Veronica wanted to and would stay in his life.

And she did. More than anything, Veronica wanted to be in Logan's life. That fact had never changed, even when she had been thousands of miles away, forging her own life on the East Coast, pretending that he didn't matter. The truth was plain. He mattered more than anyone else to her. Veronica loved Logan. Plain and simple.

Life had an interesting way of forcing you to do things you never planned on doing, Veronica thought, still gazing out the window as the plane passed through a white puffy cloud. When she'd walked away from Neptune so many years before, Veronica had thought she would be able to flush all of her past and start over. She'd been able to for a while and then poof! Life and circumstance pulled her straight back where she had convinced herself was the last place she wanted to be. Yet, the more time she spent in Neptune, the more at home she felt and the more at peace she was.

Peace. She hadn't found the peace that she thought she would in New York because she'd left it in Neptune. She'd been too embroiled in everything around her; she hadn't recognized peace for what it was. Peace was a lazy day at the beach with Logan and then dinner with her dad. It was hanging out with Wallace at the high school before a big game. It was a weekend spent digging into a client's past.

That was home to her.

But Neptune wouldn't ever be completely home until the entire unit was there with her. Having Logan gone was a piece of the puzzle that couldn't and wouldn't be filled until he was back. She yearned for the real moments; the ones she spent alone with him, just being together. She yearned for all the things they were only just getting back to when he'd been deployed.

Mac interrupted her reverie by saying, "Less than an hour, V. Sand and beach and margaritas!"

"Don't we have all of those things at home?" Veronica grumbled, not taking her eyes off the window. "The only good thing about this trip is that I know there aren't any cases to solve."

"Hmm, funny, I'd have thought that would be a bad thing for you." Mac quipped. "What will you do with yourself?"

Slowly Veronica let her gaze drift to Mac. "I'm only doing this for Logan. That's it. It's not going to be fun, because he's not here. It reminds me of my senior trip when Dad forgot to show up in New York for three days, but worse. What am I supposed to do with myself the entire time? You and Dick here," she jabbed her hand towards the two of them, "Are going make rabbits look lazy and I…I'm going to be stuck at luaus with a bunch of lonely middle-aged women."

Dick, who was sitting in the aisle seat, leaned over Mac with a scowl. "Aren't you a ray of sunshine this morning? We won't leave you all alone. You can join us," he added quirking his eyebrows enticingly.

"Shut up, Dick." Both Veronica and Mac said in unison.

Veronica groaned, rubbing her hands over her face, in an attempt to fight the sudden onset of tears that threatened to spill over. "God, I don't know what my problem is, but just…the closer we get to landing, the less I want to be here. Why did I agree to come? So I can go to dinner by myself. I can request a table for two, and order for two, but, honestly, who the hell am I kidding? I look like I'm desperately chasing after some guy who isn't even around."

Dick,still bent down to see her better, said quietly, "Logan knows you're not desperate. Trust me, Ronnie, this trip will be worth it." His blue eyes pierced into hers and Veronica stilled.

She sat back and blinked. "What do you mean?"

Dick bit his lip and Veronica saw his Adam's apple bob up and down. Evasively, he said, "Nothing. I just meant…these people have been in Logan's life for a longtime now. You don't know any of them…if you plan to be in Logan's life for longer than, say, this year, these people will be your support system. He's in the Navy for the long-term, you know that, right? This isn't something he did to while away the time until you showed back up on his doorstep. This is his life."

Veronica angled her head in consternation. She blew out a breath. "Damnit, you're right. I hate it when you're right. When did you get so smart?"

"Well," Dick grinned, "maybe when I lost the 'ass' part of smart-ass, I just kept the smart.'"

"Trust me, Dick, you haven't lost that title." Veronica snarked. "But I prefer to call you an asshat."

He hooted with laughter. "Oh, that's nice. You are such a good friend."

"Friend?" she echoed.

"Yes, friend," Dick enunciated slowly, " You know, when you go through things like break-ins, kidnapping, etcetera, etcetera…and we're dating each other's best friend, yeah, I think that could be defined as friends."

"Actually, Dick, I define that as reluctant acquaintances."

He gave her a look. She grinned back at him.

"Well, acquaintance," Dick said, "Just trust me when I say this trip will be the best one it could possibly be."

"The only way it would be better is if Logan were here." Veronica sighed as the flight attendant came over the speaker requesting everyone prepare for landing. "And that isn't possible."

The landing was smooth. Dick's nerves were shot. He'd been holding in this secret for way too long. He hadn't even told Mac about Logan's surprise, only saying that his friend had planned some serious pampering for Veronica. Which was as close to the truth as he dared get. He was proud he'd been able to keep it to himself the whole time.

He'd nearly blown it though when he tried to talk Veronica into being glad to be on the trip. She had looked at him suspiciously, but Dick had quickly plastered a large grin on his face and attempted to look as innocent as possible. Thankfully, Veronica was too wrapped up in her own musings to really pay attention to his lame effort at diverting her suspicions.

After the long flight, everyone on the plane was standing up anxious to get their carry-ons out from the overhead bins. People were lining up in the aisles, but the three of them stayed where they were seated. None of them were in that much of a hurry. It was early and they all knew that standing in that line wouldn't get them off any faster than if they were simply patient.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He knew it was Logan. Covertly, Dick pulled the phone out and palmed it, sneaking a look at the display.

Dude. I just watched you land. I'm waiting. Tick-tock.

He shot a quick text back and then smirked at the women as he tucked the phone back into his pocket. "Ladies, shall we?" He motioned to the dwindling line. There were only a few more people to go. Dick stepped out into the aisle and let the two women out before ushering them to the front of the plane.

Veronica rolled her carryon behind her and kept her head down. She didn't take any time to appreciate the sweet smell of plumerias that assaulted her. She felt pathetic because she couldn't get over the idea that she was alone on what could be a very enjoyable trip. Mac had Dick. Veronica had…well, Veronica had Veronica, and that always used to be enough.

So there was that.

Mac was ahead of her and Dick was behind her, humming an obnoxious tune. He seemed jittery, and she looked back at him to snark, "Need a cigarette, man?"

They were almost to the end of the gateway. Still behind her, Dick was now tapping his fingers in a rhythm against the strap of his bag. He was extremely preoccupied with something. He didn't even act as if he'd heard her. Shaking her head in bemusement, Veronica turned back and continued to follow Mac and did her best to ignore Dick's weird mood.

The flight had exhausted her. With nothing really to look forward to besides lounging on the beach, Veronica let herself feel the full effects of jet-lag and the time difference. It didn't matter; she had nowhere pressing to be. From what Logan had told her of the trip, the Navy families only met up a few times the first of which wouldn't be until the following morning. She had the rest of the day to get her feet underneath her and just be quiet.

Quiet she would be. She knew that Mac and Dick would want to see all the local sights. And right now that was the last thing Veronica was interested in doing. She would prefer to just veg out in front of the T.V. and not think about anything.

"Hey, Mac, slow down," Dick called out suddenly.

Veronica slowed down for Dick to pass her but instead of slipping by her, Dick pushed lightly into her back which propelled her forward and ahead of Mac. She looked back to scowl at him. "Jeez, what's your problem, man?"

Dick grinned innocently back at her. "Go on ahead, blondie. We'll catch up."

"If you two are going to christen the Honolulu Airport, can't you just try to refrain? I'm on a time schedule here, you know. My tan awaits me." Since they were behind her, she started walking backwards to talk to them better. "I really don't feel like walking aimlessly around the airport while I wait."

"Then leave them to their own devices and we can christen it ourselves."

Dick's grin widened when Veronica's mouth dropped into an 'O.' He quirked his eyebrows at her frozen form. "Gotcha."

Veronica's mind went through all the scenarios as to why and how she could possibly be hearing Logan's voice. He couldn't possibly be here, could he? But Dick's smug expression told her otherwise. She flicked her eyes over to Mac, whose expression was blank. Deliberately, Veronica fixed her eyes back on Dick as she swung her body back around. Dick's grin twisted her insides painfully before she finally whipped her head around.

Her eyes connected with Logan's.

Logan was smiling, his warm honey-brown eyes drinking her in.

Everything fell away; all she could see was Logan. The clamor of people rushing past her muffled in her ears and disappeared from her view.

Logan's mouth moved and she knew he was speaking, probably saying something important, but Veronica couldn't hear it. She couldn't process anything more than the fact that Logan was standing in front of her. There was a humming in her ears that sounded oddly like the beating of her heart. There was a blur of motion and the next thing she knew, she had somehow catapulted herself into his arms and buried her head in his neck.

"How did you get here?" She whispered quietly, her lips still pressed against his neck. "How on earth are you actually here?" To her abundant horror, there were tears springing to her eyes and she squeezed him even harder, holding onto him for what felt like dear life. Logan in turn buried his own face into her neck and she felt his lips softly kiss her below her ear. Veronica closed her eyes and melted into him even more. He felt so solid, and smelled so Logan-like; the musky scent of him filling her senses. She pulled away from him and grinned through her tears. "You ass."

"Your sentiment so touches my heart," Logan quipped before pulling her into to kiss her full on the mouth. Veronica pulled back, breathless. His eyes burned into hers, hungrily taking her in. His smile softened when he told her, "I thought you'd never get here."

He looked good. Logan wore casual clothing, shorts and the requisite Hawaiian-print shirt. Sunglasses perched atop of his head and flip-flops at his feet. He looked like everyone else in the airport. Veronica's heart squeezed with how good…how American…how normal he looked. No one would ever know that he'd been at war not twenty-four hours before.

She recovered quickly and teasingly glowered at him. "A tradition, huh? A way to get to know all the other Navy wives-slash-girlfriends?"

Logan raised his hands in mock defeat. "Look, had I known…"

"Oh, you!" She punched him playfully in the arm and laughed weepily. "I was so not looking forward to this trip. Now I don't want it to end."

"I told ya it would be the best trip ever." Dick piped up behind her.

The sun had set hours ago, not that Veronica had noticed. She and Logan were lying together in the king-sized bed in their room.

Rooms, Veronica thought with a laugh. More like two private bungalows. Each couple had their own full-service cottage; complete with groceries already purchased and put away. The entire trip could be spent locked up together in the little hut if they chose to.

Is this what it was like to be so rich? Veronica thought lazily as Logan drew circles on her bare thigh with his fingers. She all but purred and burrowed herself closer into him. This was the life.

His arms wrapped about her as Veronica rested her head on his chest. She loved the sound of his heart beat and the feel of his smooth skin beneath her fingers. Content, she ran a hand up and down his forearm.

Logan's lips brushed the top of her head and then he sighed as he adjusted the pillows behind him. "You know how to wear a sailor out."

Her smile was slow and lazy. "Pent up emotions and energy is all. It won't always be that way."

"I wasn't complaining. That last thing you did, you know, with your tongue?" Logan ran a hand along the swell of her hips. "Always do that."

"I can't give away all my tricks every time," Veronica teased him. "The element of surprise, my dear."

"You crush me," Logan objected, "Can't you do this one little thing for me?"

"I already did." Veronica lifted her head to look him in the eyes. "I've had lots of time to think of great ways to drive you crazy."

In a fluid rush of movement, Logan flipped their bodies so that Veronica was now underneath him. His legs entwined with hers as he used his elbows to hold his weight off of her. Her breathing quickened when she saw his intention and her smile widened when she felt the heat of him pressing into her belly. "Not so worn out, I think."

He surprised her, though, by merely kissing the tip of her nose and pulling himself off of her. "Sorry to disappoint you. I know you only love me for my body but if I don't get some sustenance you might have to actually have a conversation with me. Or, gasp, let me sleep." Logan pulled his shorts on and then pulled his shirt on over his head.

Veronica let herself enjoy the view. Before he'd been deployed, it had been a rush of sex and very little time to enjoy the small things like just being together. It had all been so swift, that now, knowing they'd soon have months together, she just wanted to relax around him. It felt as if that time back in January had not really happened, like Veronica was holding onto a dream of what they had once been. She suddenly ached with the unknown fear of what would become of them.

Logan now sat on the side of the bed, working the buttons of his shirt. She sat up, letting the thin sheet that covered her fall away as she edged herself closer to him. where. Veronica wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head into her breasts and he stilled, evidently unsure of what she was doing.

Veronica wasn't trying to distract him with anything sexual. Even though she was naked, it wasn't about seducing him; it was about being close to him. She breathed in the scent of his hair, slowly filling her sense with all of Logan: memorizing the feel of his warmness against her, the feel of his beating heart beneath her fingers. She let tips of her fingers run over every inch of his skin that was possible to reach, and then, silently, Veronica straddled herself onto Logan's lap, her fingers now threading through his short-military cut hair. She let her thumbs run the length of his jawbone.

She tipped her mouth into his and kissed him soulfully. She poured everything into that kiss that she could; more than any other kiss she remembered ever giving. She pressed herself up and into Logan; his hands wrapped about her bare back and Veronica reflexively arched into him. Her body suddenly burned to feel the skin-to-skin contact and her hands restlessly began taking over, grappling at the hem of his shirt, lifting it up to expose his rock-hard abs.

Logan fell back against the bed, breaking the kiss, laughing. "Woman, I'm telling ya, if I don't get something in my stomach you're going to be disappointed."

Veronica shook her head, feeling victorious. Her hands still grazed the smooth skin of his stomach, every so often dipping under the band of his shorts. "I just can't help it." She finally gave in, sliding off of his lap. She looked about the room and found her clothes. As she was reaching for them, she had a better idea and went for her suitcase. From within it, Veronica pulled out the black silk dress that Logan had sent to her a few weeks before. When she'd packed for the trip, she'd thrown it in thinking she might wear it to a luau or something similar.

She slipped into the bathroom to ready herself.

When she eventually emerged, Logan had his back turned, looking out the window to the ocean.

Veronica cleared her throat. "Sorry to keep you waiting, I'm ready now."

"That's all right, I—" Logan's words died on his lips as he swung around and saw her. "Wow."

She nervously pulled at the straps and smiled. She wondered what her problem was. Whenever she had to dress like this for a case, Veronica let all awkwardness die a quick death and she was confident. But with Logan, staring bright-eyed at her, she felt unsure. It was a peculiar feeling.

He stepped closer to her. "You look great. Just how I thought it would look on you, only better." He fingered the straps that she had just pulled. "I called Dick…we're meeting them for dinner…but now I wonder if we should just order in."

"And waste all of this preparation? Not on your life, Sailor." Veronica quipped.

Mac and Dick stood out on the beach waiting for their friends. Mac couldn't believe how beautiful and relaxing it all was; how different the beach in Hawaii was compared to the beach in California. Of course, a lot of it had to do with the fact that this beach was private; there were no other people to be seen. No foot prints other than theirs in the sand. In fact, she was certain she had seen a hired hand raking the sand earlier, ensuring perfection. It was heavenly.

They stood in companionable silence, both deep in their own thoughts. It was rare for Dick to be so quiet, but Mac appreciated it. For that past few weeks, her mind had been inundated with family dynamics; the two of them had shared meals with both the Mackenzies and the Sinclairs almost every night since Madison had returned. Dick patiently stayed by her side through it all. After the meals were finished and they'd returned to his beach house or her apartment he'd be so attentive to her that she almost wondered if he was real. He was so unbelievably wonderful.

Her heart had nearly broken for him when she'd off-handedly commented that he could run away anytime if the multiple facets of her life got to be too much for him.

"Mac," Dick said, his tone the most serious she'd ever heard it, "My family consists of a father who is in prison and Logan. And now you. If you can't handle that you can run all you want, but I'd follow you. I'm not going anywhere." He waved a hand, "Your fam doesn't bother me. I like them all. Well, the exception is Madison, but, well, there always is a black sheep. Ry is a great bro for you. And Lauren…I've always liked that kid. I'm glad she's yours now."

She hadn't known what to say to that. Dick had never had family that cared about him. Her parents, all four of them, welcomed Dick into their homes and Mac could see that Dick was thriving on it. He wasn't interested in running away. He was going to stay. Best of all, she realized that she wanted him to stay.

He wrapped his arms around her now and she relaxed into him, her back against his chest. She sighed happily, in awe of all that had changed for her in the past month. Nothing would ever be the same. A few weeks ago that possibility would scare her, but now she was ready to face whatever came her way.

She felt Dick's lips press down on the crown on her head and she tipped her face up to meet his lips with hers. He growled in appreciation and Mac turned her body so that they were pressed together, chest to chest. Her hands made their way to his hair, and Mac threaded her fingers through his blond locks, pulling him into her.

His fingers skimmed the curve of waist and he tightly squeezed her ass. She could feel the unmistakable pressure of him against her and she broke their kiss, smirking in satisfaction.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "You did that on purpose."

"Who, me?" Mac replied, trying to sound innocent but failing. She pecked a kiss on his cheek. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mmm…" Dick said, placing a kiss on her forehead. "That just makes you that much more dangerous."

Mac pulled away to compose herself. Veronica and Logan would be joining them any moment. She smoothed her skirt down. "Where are we going for dinner anyway?" Mac asked for what felt like the fiftieth time. "Veronica and I won't settle for just anything."

Just then, the door to the little bungalow opened and their friends emerged hand in hand. Mac smiled at Veronica, who, in turn, added a little bounce to her gate that conveyed her happiness.

Dick eased his hand in Mac's and then pulled her gently down the beach. All four of them walked next to each other, comfortably silent.

After a few minutes, Veronica broke the silence. "Where exactly are we going? This isn't where we left the car."

"All in good time, Ronnie," Dick answered.

They walked farther down the beach, and up ahead, Mac could see a shelter lit with Tiki-torches. She gave Dick a curious look. He kept his gaze straight ahead.

Eventually, they reached the shelter. Underneath it, they found a table set for four, and waiters dressed in white, waiting for them.

"Mr. Echolls, Mr. Casablancas," a waiter said, approaching them from the side. "Your table awaits." He motioned them to the table.

These two men and their secrets. Mac had a feeling this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Dinner was amazing. The most amazing part was how comfortable they all were together. It felt like home to Veronica. There was nothing like having a family that wasn't 'family.' Together these people had been through some of the worst things ever. And some of the best.

After dessert, the four of them took a long walk on the beach, strolling up and down their private line of beach, visiting and laughing about the past and even the future. They made plans for after when Logan returned to the mainland in just over a week. The girls patiently listened to the guys' incessant talk of surfing the next morning. The guys patiently listened to the girls talk of margaritas and chocolate.

Veronica loved to listen to all of their voices; loved hearing their happiness. She covertly looked at Mac and Dick, smiling quietly. Mac was happy. Veronica knew it. She could see the contentment on her best friend's face as Mac snuggled comfortably into the crook of Dick's arm. Veronica loved the happiness she felt herself. Any fears she'd ever had that staying in Neptune had been a mistake vanished. If she hadn't stayed in Neptune, none of this would have come to fruition. Mac would not know her birth parents; Mac would not be with Dick. Veronica would be in New York, alone and wishing for Logan. Wishing for where she truly was meant to be.

She was home.

The END!

A/N: And it was finished. I really hope each and everyone of you know how I valued every review, every follow, every favorite. I am humbled by your love of this story and I really do hope that I did the story, the characters, and you the readers, justice. I have never enjoyed something so much and despised it at the same time. This hobby took up a lot of space in my brain and my computer :) Fanfiction is a wonderful way to keep these characters alive and well. I have a very solid plan for the next fic, I just want to a have a very good start on it before I post it. No promises of when, but eventually. SPOILER: It's a LoVe story.

A/N: I am having a nice big margarita in celebration tonight. Cheers to Mac, Dick, Veronica, and Logan. Cheers to you all! Thank you!