this world is only gonna break your heart

[neptune_sleuth]

Her world was spinning apart in her hands. Oh, it could always get worse. If anyone knew that, it was Veronica Mars. But that didn't keep it from being pretty damn bad.

She had thought it bad enough when she took a bet that she had known she shouldn't have (but when you gamble like that, you deal with the consequences), and she had thought it

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[dr_robchase]

Chase heard the music and wandered in, seeing the canisters of film and heading over there, almost checking to see if anyone was watching. He almost jumped, startled when he saw Veronica and he eased away from the films, heading to her side. "Cheer up?" he suggested half-heartedly.

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica looked up, mustering the energy for a wry smile. Great. Now it's showing on my face. Stop pouting, Veronica. "I keep trying, but all I can manage is cheering down," she deadpanned.

[dr_robchase]

Chase just eased in, kicking up his feet. "I guess something happened between the ball and today, because you seemed high in the sky then." His tone, though, was quiet and confidential.

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica raised an eyebrow at him. "Is this what they call bedside manner?" she inquired, eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you trying to diagnose me with something? 'cause I don't think you can cure life sucking."

She worried at her lower lip a moment, then her glance flickered over at him again. "The film over there. It's us. It isn't just movies, it's... us. Wallace found one of ours."

[dr_robchase]

Chase's faint smile faded and he just looked at the films, his gaze going cold. That meant that his were likely there and he didn't want to even chance it. Not yet. "Did you watch it?" he asked quietly.

[neptune_sleuth]

"I walked in on it." She hadn't meant to, but she had heard her own voice, and Veronica's curiosity had always gotten the best of her. "It was - I don't even know what to think. There's too much."

She looked cautiously around the room, ensuring that no one was around to pay attention to their conversation. Good. Because it's important that this get even more awkward.

[dr_robchase]

Chase just ran his open palms over his jeans, taking a deep breath. "I've known I'm fictional for almost seven months now, but I always refused to watch it. I never wanted to see, you know?" He glanced up to Veronica, smiling awkwardly. "And I thought the books and the jukebox were bad enough, you know?" he joked weakly.

[neptune_sleuth]

"Wallace had no idea, to start with, and - Duncan and Logan still don't. And... I thought it would be better if they didn't know, but now - I don't know how they'll be able to avoid finding out." Veronica shook her head, dreading the things she had to ask him.

"In the clinic, are there - do any of you know anything about - treating STDs?" Veronica looked off to the side, resolutely avoiding Chase's eyes.

[dr_robchase]

Chase was shocked at first, because no way would Veronica ever have something like that. "You have a friend here or something?" he asked, somewhat protective. No way, no way could Veronica be asking for herself.

[neptune_sleuth]

"I have a few friends, shockingly enough," Veronica said wryly. "Apparently, I also have chlamydia." She sighed and frowned over at him. "But I seriously can't figure out how that's possible, or if it's something that happened between my arrival here and prom time, because seriously I - we were safe - and he - Du- there just isn't any way-"

[dr_robchase]

Chase eased a bit closer to Veronica, giving her his serious Doctor look and shaking his head. "Do you want to get the Doctor routine here, or in private?" he asked quietly, trying to suppress the urge to go and figure this out immediately.

[neptune_sleuth]

"Costumes and props really aren't my thing," she said dryly, because sometimes joking was the only alternative to crying. Veronica swallowed hard and drew her knees up against herself. She'd had the last day to think about it, but that didn't make it any easier; only answers would. "Private would probably be a lot better," she added quietly.

[dr_robchase]

It might have been weird, given that he'd done this the last time, but god, she looked like she needed it. He collected her into his arms and held her close, chin resting on her shoulder. "In a minute," he agreed.

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica leaned her head against his, letting him hold her as she collected herself. "I don't want to be out here," she muttered at last. Anyone could walk in. Anyone could see her. "It's too public."

[dr_robchase]

Chase nodded, easing away and extending a hand to help her up. "If you trust me enough, we can go back to my room. Even more private than the clinic. I've got some patients there, still."

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica bit her lip and nodded, accepting his hand as she stood. "I'd rather this not get out," she agreed. Who knew who was in the clinic and what their connections were to her friends? Or enemies. If Logan heard about this, she'd never hear the end of it.