Spoilers through Donut Run.

A/N - This is a scene I would have loved to see following the end of Donut Run. This isn't necessarily Veronica/Lamb (but if you squint really hard maybe its the start of something.)

Holy Moly! I haven't written in so long (college and a masters degree and a family will do that to you!) Various versions of this have been sitting in folders across devices and I figured I'd share with the world! All 4 of us who are still reading about a non-cannon pairing from a show that has been off the air for over a decade!

Disclaimer - not my characters!

Veronica was exhausted. She'd just spent hours cleaning up after the FBI's search of her home while trying to avoid her father in the apartment. On top of that, the time and energy she'd expensed helping Duncan and Lilly flee the country without getting caught herself was taking a toll. The worry she felt for the baby and for Duncan was immense but she also worried for herself.

"Kidnapping cases don't go away, you should know that."

Would she ever be able to sleep through the night? Is there ever going to be a day when she's not constantly worried that he actions will be discovered and the FBI will come back for her? How long will it take until she's not fearing what the Mannings would do if the baby were discovered? 18 years?

Finally, she'd loved Duncan and part of her always would. At one point, she'd thought he was the one for her. Even if deep down she knew that wasn't true any more, and hadn't been for some time, the loss still hurt.

She slipped out of the apartment to walk town toward the beach. She needed to clear her mind and get away from Keith's concerned and disappointed looks for a few minutes. Veronica tried to relax, just for a minute as she looked out over the ocean. She tried to clear her mind of thoughts of diapers and federal agents and five karat diamond earrings.

She felt his presence before she heard or saw him. Even after she glanced up and saw his brown uniform jacket she remained silent. He acknowledged her and stood next to her, looking out at the ocean. The silence was almost comfortable for minutes before Veronica finally spoke, "Are you here to take me in?"

The sheriff shook his head no and kept his gaze forward, toward the almost completely set sun disappearing below the horizon. With that one action, a simple shake of his head, Veronica felt a weight lift from her shoulders. If Lamb was here, Duncan made it to Mexico undetected; her sleepless nights and sacrifice were not for nothing.

She'd sworn years ago that she would never again cry in front of Don Lamb but Veronica couldn't help the single tear that fell from her eye. Her hands were resting on the railing and she tightened her grip in an effort to channel her emotions away from tears. She was relieved.

He wasn't sure why he came to see her, or what he would have done if he hadn't noticed her alone outside. It wasn't like he could knock on the door and let her know her dangerous, reckless, genius plan worked and he'd unknowingly transported Duncan across the border completely undetected. He didn't have anything else to say either and if he'd appeared at her door and he really didn't have anything to say to Keith.

When he confirmed to her that she wasn't being brought in he saw her visibly exhale in relief. He knew she knew Duncan was across the border. He was so frustrated with the young woman next to him; he couldn't even disagree with her reasoning but she'd put herself, Duncan and that baby in danger. Not to mention he could have lost his badge if anyone discovered the role he'd played (and subsequently failed to report).

He noticed a tear roll down her cheek and knew she didn't need a lecture about the risks she took. He let another minute of silence pass and placed his hand over hers on the railing.

They stood in silence as the sun set. Veronica thought about Duncan and about the future he would provide for his daughter; she hoped that someday she would be able to see that it was all worthwhile. Don thought about Veronica, how she had experienced so much loss in recent years, her best friend, her mother, her first boyfriend, his own friendship.

Standing next to Veronica, looking out into the Pacific Don vowed that from this day forward he would be there for Veronica. He didn't think they would be best friends but he was going to work on himself so that one day Veronica would know that she could depend on him, she wouldn't be able to write him off as another loss in her life. Don would mark this day as a starting over of sorts, he just hoped that one day Veronica would see it too.

At some point after sunset, Don squeezed Veronicas hand lightly by way of goodbye. He turned and walked back to his cruiser without another word. Just as he was opening the door to drive home, he heard her "Deputy," and he turned around to hear Veronica say, "thanks."