There's a load of thanks owed here (because apparently I forgot to acknowledge certain betas during these last chapters). I couldn't have done this without all the help. Many thanks go out to PFers Hutchster, veggiewoppa, Starphyer, Insertwittynamehere, Galinda05, Anon A Mouse, and Kristy (wow, there's a lot of you!) for the sweat, blood, and tears (exactly whose sweat, blood, and tears I can't say) that went into this fic. Without you girls, it would have been much, much less than it is. For that, we all thank you!

Originally written June 2009-July 2010 (I was sadly uninspired to write this quickly).

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable content belongs to its owners. I'm just borrowing for fun, and no copyright infringement is intended.

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A blast of cool air greeted him as he pushed open the door. The occupants of the building turned when they heard the tinkle of the bell.

He strode confidently into the room, his eye taking them all in. There weren't many people around at the moment, just a few scattered here and there amongst the tables. He seated himself on a stool at the counter and gave them a cocky grin. Nothing was going to take him by surprise.

"What'll ya have?" the woman behind the counter asked.

"Oh, uh, a pineapple smoothie."

The men sitting within earshot burst into laughter.

"Honey, you're a long way from any fancy drinks here," the plump woman informed him. "It's just good ol' home-style cookin' in this diner."

Shawn nodded. He should've known. "Well, then, what do you recommend?"

"How 'bout our chicken dinner? Guaranteed to fill ya up and satisfy the ol' taste buds," she replied with a wink.

"Sounds good. Thank you."

"Shore thing, sweetie."

The man to Shawn's right leaned over. "Where you from, stranger?"

"Santa Barbara."

"Ah. You're a little off the beaten path, then."

"Yeah. I just needed some time to myself. I thought a road trip would help clear some stuff up. Then my bike broke down –"

"Stuff? You havin' home problems?"

"I'd really prefer not to talk about it."

"Sure," the man nodded. He lowered his voice. "Wife troubles always get me."

"What?" Shawn raised his eyebrows. "No, I'm not married. It's … a different kind of problem for me."

"Ah, right." The man nodded and grinned.

Shawn was about to make a comment back when the waitress cut in.

"There ya go, Hank, makin' up stuff again. I know my sister, and I know you. There's no couple gets along better."

"Sure, Velma," he chuckled.

"Now get on with you. I don't need you takin' up space at my counter." The twinkle in her eye belied her words as she shooed at him with a dishrag. "Tell that wife of yours she'd better keep you fed so you don't keep comin' in here."

"Right, right," He laughed and threw a wave in her direction as he exited the restaurant.

Velma turned to Shawn. "I'll be right back with a drink for ya. You want water, tea, coffee, or lemonade?"

"Depends," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "Did the cook wash his hands before starting the drinks? I don't want to catch a cold."

"Of course he … Wait." Velma's eyes widened in surprise. "How'd you know that?"

Shawn tapped his temple. "I'm a psychic."

"Really?" She sounded excited. "Like, can you tell me something about myself?"

Shawn looked her up and down quickly. He noticed the absence of a wedding band and added it to the looks she kept sending the man seated at a table along the wall.

"You're …" he held his fingers to his head in his classic psychic pose. "You want to know if that man over there … is going to ask you to marry him anytime soon."

Velma's round eyes got even rounder. She nodded so hard Shawn wondered if her head would come off.

"Yes!"

"How long have you two been dating?"

"A while," she blushed. "Joe's so sweet and romantic and we both share the same dreams and hopes for our futures and he promised me he'd get a ring and ask me to be his wife one day but it hasn't happened yet and –"

Shawn cut in when she paused to take a breath. "Great. I'm so happy for you."

"Does that mean he's gonna pop the question soon?" she asked in a conspiratorial tone.

Shawn's mind flashed back to the catalog he had seen the man hiding every time Velma went past. "Definitely."

She giggled. "You're amazing! I'll be right back with your plate."

In no time at all, she returned with his meal. "You eat. Need to get some meat on those bones." She winked at him as she went off to serve another customer.

Shawn managed to look offended for a moment before losing himself in his meal. Velma hadn't been kidding about the food.