Three days had passed since our talk.

Veronica had taken care of me, had helped me get the papers to enter New York University in order, cooked me food, and now we were going to have my stitches removed.

She was such a soldier, and I actually felt my heart flutter by the way the cold wind made her hair wispy. Her soft hand held mine, and I could tell that she felt my heart racing, because she looked back at me and winked.

The day was like any other New York autumn day, sunny, windy, the air crisp and the streets loud. The smell of pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks clouded out the New York air, and as we got to the hospital we noticed the familiar smell of said pumpkin spice lattes.

"I'm going to go get us some after they go in and remove your stitches. Okay, sweetheart?"

The word sweetheart rolled off of Veronica's lips, and my heart raced inside. "Okay, sweetheart."

We walked into the hospital, where they knew me all too well. 

"Hey hero, what's happening?"

"You ready to get your stitches out, mate?"

I gripped Veronica's hands and she felt like she was ice cold, and she started shaking. I waited until we were alone in the waiting room to begin to talk to her.

"Veronica, are you alright?" I asked her, full of concern.

"It's just..." she began to cry. "I remember my father here, and him being rushed into the ER-"

I grabbed her trembling body and embraced her tightly. I realized now why she wanted to be with me so suddenly. No one should have to face their fears and their demons alone. Veronica had so many skeletons in her closet, that she had so many things pent up inside of her that she needed the comfort of someone else, someone who actually cared about her and her wants and needs and desires. I looked her in the eyes, and seeing those beautiful blue eyes full of tears broke my heart.

"Look at me, Veronica. You never have to keep this type of grief pent up when I'm with you, okay? If you really do care for me this way, then trust me with the responsibility for it, okay?" 

She locked lips with me, and then I kissed her back. She squeezed my body tightly, making the stitches hurt. I stuck with the pain and when she stopped kissing me and laid her head on my shoulder, I took a deep breath. Any amount of pain didn't matter to me, as long as Veronica felt loved and comforted.

"Mr. Yates? The doctor is ready for you." The receptionist said, and both Veronica and I let go of each other.

"I'll be back shortly, okay?" I said, lovingly.

She nodded. "I can't wait for you to return."

I got up and walked into the exam room. The door shut, and where the door was, I saw a familiar face.

"Well, well. Gideon Yates. It's been a while since the last time we spoke."

"Congressman Weston? What do you want with me?" 

The rage burned deep inside, as if someone lit a bonfire in my heart. This man single-handedly destroyed Veronica's security, and many other things through the wicked works of his hands.

"You start at NYU in the near future, right? That girl you saved in the alleyway the other night, that was my niece, and she's also starting at NYU soon. I want you to befriend and get to know her."

I grabbed his shirt. "You listen here, you little weasel. I don't have to  do anything you ask-"

"Let me finish, Mr. Yates. I want you to fall in love with her, and to marry into my family. It would pay me back for the heartache you caused some years ago with my son-"

"Your son deserved what he got, you idiot! He was about to rape Veronica, and I wasn't about to sit by and watch her get hurt!"

"My son could have had whatever he pleased, especially if he wanted a harlot like her-"

I grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. "If you ever call Veronica that again, I swear I'll kill you!"

"If you don't listen to me, I'll have Veronica killed instead of you! I'm only doing this so that my niece gets who she wants for a little while-" he choked out, and then he struggled to breathe.

I was at a loss for words. He threatened to take away everything that I cared for. I let go of him and then sat back against the table.

"So if I do comply, I'll die anyways because you hate my guts."

"In all of this, Mr. Yates, you are just a worthless speck of dirt. Of course you'll die. But if you don't comply, then Veronica will die as well." He grabbed my chin. "Understand this. I will not be made a fool of by some orphan boy. You will comply- and you will not utter a word of this to Veronica. Do we understand each other?"

My heart froze like ice. To be called a worthless speck of dirt is one thing, but to point out I was nothing more than an orphan? He basically called me a worm, and I felt nothing.

"Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, we do. I'll play your little game for now, Congressman, but know this: if the time comes to where you make an attempt on my life, understand that I'm not just gonna sit there and accept my death. I won't let you get away with this deal."

"Heh. I have half of New York in my pocket. What do you have?"

His taunt was inviting, and I decided to let him have it.

"I have God. I have my determination. And I'm a dang good shot. I have resources just like you do, and they all hate your guts. If you threaten me again, if you harm Veronica, if you do anything else, I'm coming for you. I don't quit until I have finished what I've started."

"You're bluffing. All you are is an arrogant teenager with a whim to die. Anyways, I've got arrangements. I'll let your real doctor get in here and deal with you."

-----------------------------------------------------

"Hey, Gideon, are you alright?"

Veronica noted that I was as pale as a ghost. She was very observant, and clearly she cared for me, from the expression on her face.

"Y-yeah. Getting stitches taken out is quite painful, I'm afraid."

"I've changed my mind about getting engaged quickly, Gideon. You're about to start the college semester, aren't you? I'll end up taking your mind off of your studies, and we both know that, so I'm gonna be your girlfriend for a little bit. Okay? Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere."

I exhaled softly. "Okay, I won't. Thank you for being so considerate."

"I have some arrangements to take care of, so unfortunately I won't be with you for a couple of weeks. My family needs me to take care of some power-shifting business, so I'm going over there to take care of it. Can you live without me?"

I nodded, and she caressed my lips. "Farewell, mi amor, I'll miss you while I'm away."

She called her driver and I saw her off. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number as I kept walking forward.

"Hello, is this Detective Frank Fletcher? If it is, I need to meet in our usual spot. Thanks."