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[neptune_sleuth]

Whatever Veronica Mars has been expecting when she'd charged head first into the jungle with Neil, she hadn't exactly gotten it. Somewhere on the surface had been the desire to save George, whatever that meant, and make sure her friend was okay, sure. But if she had hoped to soothe her restlessness or find she'd fallen back into whoever she'd once

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[unchosen_son]

Sam wasn't exactly in a happy mood. And he definitely wasn't about to be cheerful, so when he found Veronica in the kitchen, he was standing at his full height, arms crossed over his chest. "Hi," he said, very sharply. "So, you know that thing where people don't just go running off on search and rescue without checking with their significant other for, oh, I dunno, a weapon?"

Yeah. He might have been a little pissed.

[neptune_sleuth]

"Honey, I'm home," Veronica singsonged, looking up with a hopeful little smile. It might have been - okay, it was a little forced, her shoulders shrugging up, then falling as she leaned back again. "I know that thing. I just also know this thing where George was about to be dinobait and you were already off doing your own Indiana Jones thing." Him and Dean. "Besides, we had Roxy with us and she was armed." She genuinely didn't see the big deal.

[unchosen_son]

Sam was just staring at her, completely torn and there was a hurt puppy look on his face. "Veronica, I'm here. You could've joined with me and Dean, we had extra weapons." And that way, he could make sure nothing had happened. "You just went off!"

[neptune_sleuth]

"I didn't know." Veronica sat up straighter, head tilting. "Honestly, Sam, I had no idea I was going out there." She waved a hand, pressing it briefly to her forehead, then shaking her head as it fell. "I was just looking to make sure the people I cared about were still here, and I wasn't about to leave George to be dinobait." She didn't even think she would have joined them if she'd known, though; better to go off with her dad or Vimes than join a brotherly bonding trip. Working with Roxy and Neil was more comfortable.

[unchosen_son]

Sam was just staring at her, more in horror than anything. "What if, god forbid, you'd gotten hurt out there and I didn't even know you were out there?" he protested, completely at a loss for anything coherent or sensible.

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica heaved a sigh, put-upon and increasingly irritable as she leaned forward against the table. "Sam, I'm a big girl," she said. "I can tie my shoes and everything, really. I wasn't alone out there, I'm not that stupid. And you're pretty bright, I think you'd've figured it out."

[unchosen_son]

Sam just sighed, giving her a wary look. "Even I got gored out there, Veronica," he reminded her. "And I'm supposed to be the guy who knows better. I just...I couldn't deal if anything happened to you."

[neptune_sleuth]

It wasn't really a reminder she needed; she remembered all too well what had happened and how and why. The warnings and the fuss wore at her nerves, even as she softened, smiling tenderly. "I know," she said softly. There was something to be said for the fact that she actually believed that. She slid from her seat and stepped closer, hands reaching for his shoulders as she tilted her head back to look up at him. "Sam, I... I know. But I couldn't just sit here while she was out there. And... honestly, I don't exactly deal all that well with sitting here while you're out there either."

[unchosen_son]

"You could've come," was all he said, still feeling more than a little irked, because sure, it was sort of hypocritical, but this was coming from a guy who still had nightmares about his last girlfriend pinned to a ceiling and on fire.

"Just...just tell me, okay?" he finally settled on asking, still sounding lost. "When you do these things?"

[neptune_sleuth]

Veronica bit her lip, head turning away and mouth setting slightly. She didn't want to fight, not with him, not really, but there were times when biting back a retort was impossible, even if argument was futile. "When I know," she agreed. "I will. I don't always... plan." She tapped a hand against his chest and shook her head. "Not very far in advance. But when I know. I... don't want to worry you, Sam, it's just how I work."

[unchosen_son]

He took a deep breath, mostly to settle himself and make it less of a big deal, really, but he nodded. "Okay," he finally admitted, even if it was under heavy duress. "Okay. Just...I really don't want to lose you." Even though it was light, it belied a way more serious tone underneath.

[neptune_sleuth]

"You won't," Veronica said, and it was a promise in all but phrasing. "Sam, you won't. I'm not really planning on running out there again anytime soon anyway." She smiled, head tilting, stepping closer.

[unchosen_son]

He stroked a hand over her hair. "Yeah, but see, I'm paranoid, remember?" Considering the last time he'd lost someone, she'd been safe and sound, except for in his nightmares.

[neptune_sleuth]

"Exactly." Veronica tilted her head toward his hand, smiling. "Paranoid. Overly, unnecessarily worried. Back home, I wasn't even in as good shape as I am now, and I still managed."

[unchosen_son]

Sam just gave her a look. "Veronica, no offense, but you're not in shape," he informed her. "I think I could totally pin you down with like, my pinky."

[neptune_sleuth]

"Said the Hulk," Veronica said dryly. "A year and a half of training, Sam. Running across the island every day, taking classes in archery, hand to hand combat, swordplay. Waterdancing with Arya. Maybe I didn't spend my whole life fighting demons, but I think I'm doing alright."