YAY NEW SHASSIE STORY!

I'm really excited to post this story! I've been working on it for over a year and a half and am finally ready to post! And there is going to be an additional story that like runs parallel to this, I just have to expand and finish it.

This is mainly about Shawn & Lassie's established relationship and the bumps they are going to hit along the road before their happy ending. There is a surprise that I should warn about but I don't want to give it away. So if you don't like certain story themes/plot points, don't read. It is AU and I'll explore more in the second story. I love suspense and leaving my readers in suspense, which is one reason why you don't get the second story right away (besides it not being finished) and I'm posting this a chapter at a time. This story is finished, so don't worry!

There's no real good spot to place this in the series since it's AU, but Shawn has been working for the department for over 5 years and Henry is working at the department. Shawn and Juliet never dated and Carlton never met Marlowe.

The title is from P!nk's song "Just Give Me a Reason". She's my favorite artist and this song just really fits most of the plot points.

DISCLAIMER:I don't own Psych, am not associated with it in anyway, and am not trying to make a profit off of it. Same thing goes for P!nk and her song. I'm not an expert in anything: medicine, law enforcement, relationships, etc. I just know how to google and use "common" sense.

So, like I said, this story is finished! I'm going to attempt to post twice a week, probably Tuesdays and Saturdays. I don't hold stories ransom for reviews but I just might get busy and not have time to post. There is one week when I might not get to post but I'll try to figure that out. It should take less than 6 weeks, depending on whether I post 2 chapters in 1 night since a couple are short.

Shout-out to Pineapple Moon who beta-read this story and helped me decide on things like title and summary.

Enjoy!


CHAPTER 1

As Shawn walked through the station, everything went quiet and still. For once, he did not like the attention that he was getting from his coworkers. Or should he say former coworkers; hopefully not executioners. Keeping his eyes forward, he tried to ignore all the stares and glares. Reaching the chief's office, he barely knocked before a firm voice said, "Come in." Taking a deep breath, Shawn entered and quickly shut the door. He knew it wasn't a good thing that all the blinds were closed. After all the trouble he caused the department the past week, he was afraid to be alone with her.

"Sit." Karen commanded, continuing to type on her computer, not giving him a single glance.

Shawn bit his lip and sat down, for once not saying a thing. He bounced his leg nervously and stared at the floor as he listened to the tapping of keys.

After what seemed like an eternity, the tapping stopped and he heard the chair squeak. There was another minute of silence before Karen spoke. "We both know why you are here and I suppose you would like to know what I have decided."

He nodded, still afraid to say anything.

She took a deep breath. "After much deliberation and quite a few phone calls, I believe I have come up with a punishment that will fit the crime."

Shawn frowned and looked up at that. If he wasn't mistaken, it almost sounded as though…

"If you meet all the terms of the agreement to my satisfaction, then the department will not press charges."

Shawn let out a huge sigh of relief and relaxed in the chair. "Thank you chief."

Karen grimaced. "I'm not sure you will be saying that in a few minutes."

He sat up. "Why? What are these terms I must meet?"

"First, you must attend the police academy…"

"Oh no," He groaned.

She ignored him and continued, "After graduation, you can either join the department as a rookie or get a private eye license. Either way, you will be working for the department for no less than 6 months, after which time you may either leave or continue working with us. So these are your choices: attend the academy and become an officer or private eye; or the department will press charges and you will go to prison. And trust me; you do not want to go to prison, especially with your arrest record. Although who knows how many of those criminals will be turned loose if the DA's office gets wind of this. Now, I suggest you think over your choices carefully and choose wisely."

Shawn leaned back in the chair and stared at the glass fish on the desk. He really didn't have a choice. If he didn't go to the academy, he would go to jail and probably wouldn't come out in one piece. This really sucked. But it was his own damn fault. If he was a little more careful, had paid a bit more attention, his secret wouldn't be out. Carlton hadn't spoken to him since that night, not that Shawn could blame him. They had been secretly dating for over a year and Shawn should have told him the truth once they became serious. Carlton was hurting and Shawn was to blame.

Sighing, Shawn looked at Karen and said, "I guess my dad will be happy; I'm finally going to the academy."

"Is that your final answer?"

"Yes Chief. I'm not an idiot. Well…sometimes I am, but this is a pretty easy choice."

"Very well." Karen handed him a sheet of paper. "Here is the agreement. You can take your time reading it, but basically it says that you are to complete basic academy training and then spend the following 6 months in the employment of the Santa Barbara PD as either a rookie officer or licensed private eye. If you fail to do that, the department will press charges on any and all infractions against you."

Shawn nodded as he quickly scanned the document. "And what about my dad and Gus?"

"Even though they were fully aware of your deceit, they will not face any consequences."

"Good." He signed the paper and handed it back, only to get a stack of papers.

"Here is all the information you will need about the academy. Most programs start in either January or July; but after much searching, I managed to find one that starts in 12 days: The Regional Training center in Dublin."

His eyes widened when he read the pamphlet. "Dublin? That's near San Francisco! It's so far away!"

"Mr. Spencer, you do not have a choice. You are lucky that I found one that starts so soon this close. There's also the option of going to the one in Eureka or to put you under house arrest for the next three months until a closer one begins. Now, you still have to take the test to get into the academy. Usually they close the application and testing process six weeks before a program starts, but I managed to convince them to make an exception. You will find a plane ticket there for a flight tomorrow morning and evening with your test at 2pm."

"But Chief, I don't have enough time to study."

Karen smiled as she picked up a packet and handed it over. "Then you better get started. The department will provide you with a monthly allowance of $500 to help with the cost of rent and living expenses."

"Wow. That's awfully generous of you."

"Not at all; half of it will be taken out of your paycheck once you graduate while the other half was anonymously donated."

"It was my father, wasn't it? I bet it was his idea in the first place. I knew it was a bad idea for him to be working at the police station again."

"Anyways," Karen said, effectively cutting off his train of thought. "As you probably know, $500 a month will only cover about half of what you will need to live near San Francisco, so I suggest that you get a part time job as well. So, do you have any other questions?"

Shawn flipped through the papers, "It says that the academy classes are Monday through Friday, 8 to 4pm. Am I allowed to come back to Santa Barbara on weekends?"

"You may do whatever you want on your free time, Mr. Spencer, within reason. Although you might want to work on weekends."

"Maybe. Am I allowed to still talk to members of the SBPD while I am at the academy?" Shawn tried to ask casually but knew a bit of nervousness showed through when Karen raised an eyebrow.

"So long as you are not bothering them with non-police business while they are working."

Shawn nodded. "Okay. Am I free to go?"

"Yes. And be advised, Mr. Spencer, I have asked to be kept informed. If I find out that you have failed a class or are repeatedly absent, there will be consequences."

"Yes ma'am." Shawn stood up and was about to open the door when he stopped and turned around. "Chief?"

Karen looked at him expectantly, "Yes, Mr. Spencer?"

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Thank you. Anyone else would have put me in a cell by now and thrown away the key. Thanks for giving me a second chance."

She smiled, "You have a lot of potential and certainly do not belong in jail. So please be good."

Shawn nodded as he finally exited. He shut the door and took a deep breath. He survived. Sure he was going to hate the academy but it was certainly better than jail. Looking around the bullpen, he noticed that most of the officers were ignoring him now. Spotting Carlton at his desk, Shawn slowly made his way over. He stopped a few feet away, close enough that Carlton would know that someone was nearby, yet far enough that he would have to look up from the case file to see who it was. Shawn noticed how tired Carlton looked and maybe a little pale. Was he sick? If he was, should he even be at work?

Before he could ponder it farther, Carlton sighed and looked up, "Can I help…you?"

"Hey Lassie," Shawn greeted quietly.

"What do you want Spencer?" Carlton asked tiredly.

"I just want to talk."

"Yeah, well, I'm busy. Find someone else to talk to."

"I can't. Gus is at work and my dad took some vacation time and isn't speaking to me right now. Besides, what I have to say is meant for you."

Carlton looked down at his case file. "Too bad."

"Please, Carlton! It's very important." Shawn took a few steps closer and hoped that the use of his first name would help him.

Carlton rubbed his face before sighing, "Fine."

"Great! There's this really nice restaurant a few blocks over and…"

"No. If we're going to talk, then we need to do it privately." Carlton lowered his voice. "I'll come to your house, say 8 o'clock? I'll let you know if I'm going to be late."

Shawn smiled slightly, "Thanks Lassie. And I am so, so sorry."

Carlton shook his head as he went back to his case file. "That's what they all say."

Shawn was about to ask if Carlton was sick when Karen interrupted him. "Mr. Spencer, what did I say about bothering my staff while they are working?"

"But I thought that was only when I was at the academy?"

"No, it goes into effect immediately! You are currently no longer employed by the station and are a civilian. You must vacate the premises unless escorted by an officer or are here on police business."

"Technically, I'm still here on police business," Shawn said without thinking.

"Spencer!" Carlton snapped. Shawn saw anger and a hint of worry on Carlton's face. "You were told to leave. Don't make me escort you out."

Shawn looked between Carlton, Karen and the other officers, including Juliet, who were watching the interaction. Sighing, Shawn turned and headed for the doors. "I guess I'll see you all later."

"Bye Shawn," He heard Juliet call. Shawn smiled at that. Of course Juliet would be the only one brave enough to say anything.

"Bye Jules," Shawn waved and headed outside, flipping through the papers he was given.