Disclaimer: I don't own anything. And I promise, once I'm done playing with them, I'll put them back. I also don't own This is Your Life.

Chapter 5/6

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"Telling Wallace"

"If I hear anything creep past my door in the middle of the night, I'll shoot first and ask questions when the dust settles. You got that?" Keith asked as he handed Logan a blanket and pillow.

"Of course, sir," he replied honestly.

"Good night then. And Logan?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for worrying about her," Keith added before dropping a kiss on his daughter's forehead and heading for his bedroom.

Veronica lifted herself on her tiptoes and kissed Logan over his burden. "Good night. And, Back Up will be out here to protect you," she said with a small smile.

"Comforting," he replied, shooting a leery look at the drooling pit bull. "I'm sure this will be a swell slumber party."

Veronica left him and returned to her own room, pulling the door shut behind her. She retrieved her cell from its charger and scrolled down to her best friend. With a deep breath, she pressed send and hoped that he would be asleep.

"'Lo? Veronica?" came Wallace's sleep thick voice after three rings.

"Did I wake you?"

"Yeah, but it's okay. I been worried about you. I was going to come looking tomorrow morning. What's been up? Hot case that requires some Fennell finessing?"

"Wallace..." Veronica started. She took a breath, steadying herself one last time before spilling the news. She hadn't wanted to tell him over the phone, but she just had to tell him before he heard it from someone else. She knew that there was no such thing as a secret in Neptune and that no piece of gossip would go un-spread. So, she bit the bullet, "My mom died of a drug overdose."

There was a long beat as her friend let the information hit him. "Oh my God, Veronica. Are you okay? Where are you? I'm coming over right now. Are you home?" She could hear him scrambling out of bed and opening a door.

"No, Wallace, wait up. We'll talk tomorrow. I just had to tell you before you heard from someone else. I'm okay."

"Are you sure? Because it's no problem."

"I know. I just needed to tell you. Come over after class tomorrow, okay?"

"If you're sure..." he went on, sounding completely unconvinced. His concern hit her hard and made her eyes well up once more. She bit them back and nodded, oblivious to the fact the he could not see her.

"I am. Tomorrow, okay?"

"I'll be there. Take care of you, V."

She nodded and disconnected, feeling at once relieved and pained. She sunk down into her bed and clicked off the bedside lamp. She passed out at once, and didn't wake up until she smelled bacon frying the next morning.

She struggled out her dreamless sleep, feeling like she'd been run over by a Mack truck. The clock told her that morning had actually come and gone and it was already past noon. A glance in the mirror showed that her hair was too glossy and flat from two skipped showers. Her eyes were swollen and felt tender when she rubbed them. Even her muscles felt used and gelatinous, though she hadn't really done anything physical to cause it.

Shrugging off her appearance, she pulled a worn Balboa County WORKS! sweatshirt over her tee shirt and flannel pants and opened the door. She immediately regretted it. From her vantage point at the end of the hallway, she could see that the tiny kitchen/living room closely resembled a green room from This is Your Life. And she was the unwitting guest. She saw Wallace, Mrs. Fennell, Mac, Cliff, Logan, and her dad busily carrying plates and cups to and fro.

She was about to duck back into her room when Wallace spotted her and walked to greet her. He pulled her wordlessly into a bear hug. Forgetting her worry over her dishabille, she held him tightly and murmured, "Thank you."

He pulled away and studied her, "You're my best friend. No thanks are necessary."

"I mean for telling them. I assume it was you."

Wallace studied her intently and nodded. "I called Mac and told my mom, obviously. Your dad told Cliff."

Veronica nodded and glanced down at her outfit and shrugged once more. "Breakfast can't wait while I shower, huh?"

"It's lunch, really, but who's counting?" Wallace prodded gently. When Veronica smiled at him, her let go a sigh of relief. He'd been worried about what state she'd be in.

"So, how're you..." he began.

"Like I said before. It's the one who stays," she shrugged and pressed on, "It's not that I don't love her. It's just..." she trailed off with another shrug and Wallace nodded his understanding.

He tilted his head toward the kitchen. "Shall we?"

"Bacon waits for no one."

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A/N: I guess begging for reviews actually works! And to my anonymous reviewer Nikola: Thanks so much!