A/N – After a chance meeting, three promises, and a Vegas wedding, what happens next? Join Veronica, Logan, and the characters from "Vegas" as they seek to answer that question. The characters you know and love aren't mine – but you knew that.

Chapter 1

"To know your future, you must know your past." – George Santayana. Veronica rolled her eyes, less than 48-hours back with Logan, and she already had random quotes teasing her brain. She rolled her shoulders and twisted her neck around to look at the clock at the far end of the hall. 4:00pm. Jay had been on the other side of the door for over two-hours now, being questioned by Internal Affairs and the County Sheriff's department. Whatever magic CW had worked the night before to keep the questioning short was gone, and Veronica felt like they were keeping her waiting just to build the tension.

She sighed and watched as her hair puffed away from her face. I have used this exact tactic against perps. At least they had the grace not to throw me into a holding cell. Veronica eyed her surrounding critically. The hall outside the conference room had seen better days. The carpet was institutional grey, with mysterious spots that were never quite cleaned away. The walls a vague taupe, unbroken by windows, a few doors and keypads the only adornment. She twisted her head again, 4:02pm. Veronica sighed again, and played her relationship with Sandeep on fast-forward in her head. Nine years ago, she had met her partner's twin brother, he was a charming fixture at social outings. Eight years ago, he had stepped in to buffer her from an ex with stalking tendencies. Seven years ago, she had started calling him her boyfriend, she honestly thought she was his beard. Five years ago, she realized in a terribly graphic way just how straight he was. Two years ago, she was ready to call it quits and he was in a horrible car accident. Last month, he had told her he was going to take an international job and would be gone 6-months of the year. Last week, she had let him move into her condo, a room-mate that still sported the boyfriend moniker. Two nights ago she broke up with him and changed the locks. Last night she married her true love, and shot Sandeep. God…lay it out like that and it sounds like I live in a telenovela.

Not too far off, Veronica smirked at her self-assessment. Raised in a town with no middle class, she survived rape; solved murders; and sparred with both law enforcement and the mob; and all before she was out of high school. As she sat in the rickety vinyl chair, allowing her black boots to tap with unconscious nerves on the floor, she realized that it was inevitable. I was always destined to be either behind bars or slamming them on someone. I suppose it has been too long since I brushed with the other side. Of course, all this time to think, and I am just becoming dramatic. I did nothing wrong, I did not bait Sandeep, nor lure him into the situation. The only thing they might tag me on is not immediately calling the Sheriff and waiting for them to take lead. But the imminent threat he had caused by the attack on Jamie, and kidnapping Macy, it had to be responded to. She twisted her head to look at the clock again, seriously why did I forget my watch today, 4:15pm.

The door beside her opened. Veronica stilled her twitching feet, and kept herself from immediately springing up. Never let them see you sweat. Jay was shaking hands with the lead deputy from last night, a suit she didn't recognize, and finally with Cliff. Wordlessly he nodded at her and walked straight back down the hall. Veronica's eyes traced his movements, and caught the faint twitch of his hands. All ok, I.A. fine with you. Her lips twisted in satisfaction; their modified sign language, tested and developed over long hours of boring stake outs proved useful once again. She let her shoulders relax and stayed seated, knowing they would tell her when they were ready.

"Agent Mars," the suit beaconed her from the door, "will you please join us?" Veronica restrained the urge to roll her eyes, like I have a choice. Instead she nodded briskly, stood and walked through the door. Cliff was sitting in the corner, his long legs stretched out, and still looking a bit ragged from yesterday's festivities. He gave her a lazy nod and the briefest of smiles. The suit was speaking again, "I am Agent Klein, please be seated and we will get started."

Veronica took the offered seat and watched, with poker face firmly in place as the other Agent reset the recorder. She noted the sheriff's deputy was fidgeting with his papers, he was probably ready to have been done hours ago. Cliff continued his impression of an all-day hangover in the corner.

Agent Klein already had the facts down, he had obviously talked to CW before talking to Jay. His questions were tedious, but lay-ups. Veronica answered in short statements and didn't volunteer details. An hour into the questioning and Veronica understood what Jay meant. The agent was being methodical and leaving an incredibly detailed trail so no one would be able to cast shade onto the record, but he was not going after her. She didn't relax, but she did give herself over to the process with less internal eye-rolling. The deputy contented himself with shuffling the papers in front of him every once in a while. Veronica didn't look over her shoulder, but she was sure that Cliff had fallen asleep in the corner.

Another half an hour slipped by, when Agent Klein said, "Agent Mars, thank you for your cooperation in this matter. I believe I have all the information I need today. You will be expected to check in with your section chief tomorrow morning, at 9:00 am. Do you have any questions for me?"

Veronica's eyes flicked from the Internal Affair's Agent to the Deputy. One eyebrow raised slightly, and the Deputy, with more acumen than she had given him credit for picked up on the unspoken cue. "Actually, Agent Mars, before you leave, would you please take a moment and review this affidavit? Once we have your signature, Judge Morris will grant you a restraining order against Mr. Virk."

Cliff spoke up from the corner. "I have already read them, everything is in order Veronica. They actually automatically issued you an EPO last night, but this will last longer, on the off chance that Virk makes bail before trial. It is the standard no-contact; 300 foot stay away; and surrender of all firearms, domestic violence variety."

For the first time in the interview an involuntary tremor went through Veronica. Macy crumbled in a broken heap, a knife buried in her breast. Sandeep was bathed in moonlight in the forest clearing, one hand was reaching for her, the other in his pocket. He pulled the hidden hand free and she had seen a glint of metal. Three shots ripped across the glade, and Sandeep tumbled at her feet. The flash of metal had been a platinum band on a diamond ring. But, when the deputy riding with the EMT patted him down in the ambulance, they found two pistols on him. She had never known Sandeep to have an interest in firearms, in fact, he had often belittled her desire to spend time at the range, and made anti-gun comments when it came to her carrying off duty. Neither IA nor the Sheriff's department had told her what they found at his apartment, but she suspected that it was disturbing based on some of the questions.

Veronica read the affidavit quickly and signed where indicated. The men all stood, so Veronica rose with them. "Again, Agent Mars, thank you for your time today, and remember you are to meet with your section chief tomorrow morning at 9am." Agent Klein shook her hand and quickly exited the room.

The deputy similarly shook her hand, "Mrs. Mars, I will continue to handle your case and be the department's liaison with the county prosecutor. Mr. Virk will remain in custody while he is in intensive care, however, they will arrange for a magistrate to hear the case as soon as possible and consider bail. We will keep you posted. I would like to tell you a restraining order is worth more than the paper it is printed on, but you are in law enforcement, you understand." He looked at her with kind eyes. "Mrs. Mars, if he does get out, please be careful, I believe Mr. Virk is a sick man, and sickness like that, a piece of paper won't change." He nodded grimly and made his own retreat.

"And then there were two…" Veronica turned to face Cliff, who had finally rose from his chair.

"Actually," Cliff looked mildly bashful, which was so unusual as to be off-putting, "I have dinner plans with Sissy. But thank that new husband of yours for the hotel reservation and plane ticket. And call me next time it's a felony, these hand holding sessions are beneath you." He winked at her and walked out the door.

Veronica sighed again and turned in a slow circle, "and then there was one…." She clicked the lights off and headed for the stairs at the far end of the hall. Up three floors, she entered her key code and went into the bull pen area. Sitting down at her desk she waited for her computer to fire up. Veronica had a strong suspicion that the meeting with her section chief in the morning was going to result in a suspension. IA was running this strictly by the books, and while they didn't appear to want to tag her for any wrong doing, they were going out of their way to make it look like they weren't cutting her any breaks either. She had a few reports to finish and some field notes to organize before her unplanned vacation.

Another hour passed in steady work before Veronica stood and stretched. She was still alone. Veronica loved coming into the office on Sunday nights, people were rarely there and she had quiet to analyze and organize her thoughts. One of the hardest parts of being in the FBI was learning how to work in a team, always in the fish bowl, even when working on reports. Now, she looked around the office, the shabby carpet, florescent lighting and non-ergonomic chairs, it was not that big of a step up from her beginnings at Mars Investigations, and for the last several years there was no place she would rather be. But maybe, maybe it is time to consider some new options. She sat back down, sent a few emails and logged off the system.

Veronica pulled her cell phone out as she walked to her car. Looking at it, she pondered, call or text? I shouldn't be nervous. I love him. He is my husband. Why am I scared to go home? Chiding herself as a coward, Veronica texted, Running to the hospital before home. Chinese or Pizza?