Author's Note:
So, remember that one time I wrote a story and uploaded it? Yeah, that was, like, 2 years ago. And I'm not even kidding. This is my first "Psych" Fanfic, so, I'll probably get some things wrong, but whatever!
Disclaimer: I don't own "Psych"…. I wish I did though. And this story does not reflect how I feel about my job in a grocery store.
PSYCHPSYCHPSYCHPSYCH
1989
Henry Spencer was double-checking the contents of his grocery cart with the hand written list in his right fist. Henry grumbled quietly to himself as he made sure he had gotten everything he had originally came for at "Big Savings Grocery." Henry was trying to find the laundry detergent he had sworn he put in his cart. He turned back towards the shelves full of different laundry soaps and tried to remember his actions in those last few moments. Henry seemed to be too involved with his own little world that he didn't notice his son, Shawn, walk around the end of the aisle and quickly sneak a candy bar in to the cart full of groceries. Shawn smiled to himself and walked back by his dad.
"Hey Dad. What'cha doin'?" Shawn linked his fingers behind his back and rocked back and forth onto his toes.
Henry let out a sigh and turned towards Shawn. "The same thing I was doing before you ran off." Henry turned back towards his present mission of finding the right detergent, and not letting it get away from him this time. "And take that damn candy out of the cart and put it back. Just because your mother isn't buying groceries any more, doesn't mean you can buy that junk."
Shawn let out his own version of an exasperated sigh, pulled the candy bar out of the cart and walked back towards the candy aisle. Henry smiled to himself as he grabbed the right detergent off of the shelf and walked towards the check out lane. He wasn't going to be a parent who was a push over at the grocery store and buy his kid whatever he wanted.
After paying the cashier (a little more than expected, or Henry really wanted to), he piled the bags of groceries into the back of his truck, with no help from Shawn, of course. Henry turned and pushed the cart towards Shawn.
"At least put the cart back. Be helpful sometimes. I'm an old man, I need all the help I can get." Henry looked down at his son, who was holding an opened candy bar, nibbling on the end. "Where did you get that candy bar, Shawn?" Henry asked, suddenly switching to Police Officer Mode. Shawn's hands flew behind his back and he shrugged.
"You bought it for me, remember? Or are you such an old man that you don't even remember things that happened two minutes ago?" Shawn stammered and avoided eye contact with Henry. "You told me I deserved it for helping you with the laundry this week…" Shawn was grasping for an explanation and Henry could see straight through it.
"Shawn, are you lying to me?" Henry narrowed his gaze, and watched Shawn gulp hard and shake his head.
"Not at all, Dad. I always tell the truth." Shawn smiled towards his father.
"Hah! Bologna! You haven't told the truth since you started talking. Now, I'm going to ask a better question. Did you steal that candy bar Shawn?" Henry knew the answer, but he wanted to hear his son tell him.
"No. Stealing is a crime, and you're a cop. I wouldn't be a very bright criminal if I stole something right in front of a cop, now would I?" Henry knew Shawn was lying through his teeth.
"Fine. Don't tell me the truth. Now that poor cashier is going to get in trouble with her manager when he finds out that a candy bar is missing from her lane and the cash drawer is short fifty cents." Henry was going to work his magic and make Shawn confess.
"No one will notice, it's just one candy bar, Dad. And, besides, She won't get in trouble. Everyone will just think it's a mistake." Shawn was trying to make Henry believe every word, but he didn't quite seem to believe them himself. Shawn looked back at the entrance of the store and back at the candy bar in his hand. "Do you really think she'll get in trouble?"
Henry hid his smirk. "Oh yeah, she may even get fired, Shawn. You know, when things like this happen—" Henry was cut off by his son.
"Okay! Okay! I stole it, I'm sorry! I didn't think it would make a difference. It's just one candy bar!" Shawn seemed on the brink of tears. "I'll pay her back."
" With what money, Shawn?" Henry knew the money would be coming from him. He pulled two quarters out of his pocket. "Go back in there. Apologize and pay for the candy. Now." Shawn ran towards the front doors of the store. Henry got in the driver's seat of the truck and looked back into the truck bed. He saw a few more red candy wrappers sticking out of his bags of groceries. "Dammit, Shawn." Henry huffed, and pulled out a few more dollar bills from his wallet.
PSYCHPSYCHPSYCHPSYCH
PRESENT
Shawn Spencer was spending his Friday afternoon in the 'Psych' office the same way he always spent his Friday afternoons in the 'Psych' office. He was microwaving a bag of popcorn and watching his partner, Burton Guster, do all of the paperwork of their most recent case. Shawn was spinning his iPhone in circles on his (well, technically, Gus') desk. Shawn seemed to be intent on watching the screen of his phone as it spun quickly around and around.
Gus looked up from the papers in the manila folder highest on the pile of dozens of other manila folders he was currently working on. "Shawn. Knock that off. You'll scratch up the back of your phone."
"Oh, Gus." Shawn laughed and shook his head, looking at his oh-so-naïve friend. "Gus, Gus, Gusity, Gus, Gus, Gus…" Shawn sat up straight and picked up his phone, showing Gus the green cover with the white word 'psych' down the side. "The case protects the phone from silly things like scratches."
Gus shrugged, "Whatever, Shawn. At least you haven't dropped it today."
Shawn got up from his spot in the desk chair and walked towards the microwave. "Always looking on the bright side. Good boy!" Shawn opened the microwave door before the buzzer had sound, "Here. Have some undercooked popcorn. I changed my mind. I don't want it." Shawn extended his arm and shook the bag, letting the kernels rattle around the bottom of the bag. "You can eat it."
Gus wrinkled his nose and shook his head. "No way man. You know I like my popcorn fully popped." Gus pushed Shawn's fist back in his direction. "Why don't you eat it if you made it?"
"Because," Shawn dropped the bag on Gus' lap, "I have plans with my girlfriend tonight." Shawn smiled to himself. "With my girlfriend…" He seemed to be suddenly over-enthusiastic about his plans.
Gus huffed and shook his head. "Yes, Shawn. Juliet is your girlfriend." Gus watched as Shawn looked up at him and gave him a ridiculous smile. "And only 3 people know. Including you and Juliet."
"Right. Then, Juliet and I are, uh," Shawn cleared his throat, "discussing the past month's cases and how you and I have helped the SBPD, and—" Shawn was cut off by Gus.
"Just go, Shawn." Gus leaned back in his chair and sighed.
Shawn gave him a sly look and reached for his coat next to the door. "Thanks. I'd love to stay and work, Gus, but Juliet and I haven't been able to actually get together for weeks. It's been nothing but case after case." Shawn left swiftly and closed the door quickly.
"Stay and work?" Gus laughed to himself and watched Shawn pass by the big glass window outside of the front of the office. "Shawn Spencer, you haven't worked one single day of your life."
LATER
Shawn parked his bike in an empty parking space at Juliet's apartment building. He pulled out his phone and dialed his girlfriend's number. The phone barely rang once before Juliet's voice rang through Shawn's phone.
"Hello? Shawn?" Shawn smiled as he listened to how happy Juliet sounded. It takes a lot to get Junior Detective Juliet O'Hara to relax and have a good time, but Shawn could do it.
"Oh, Jules. Half a ring?" Shawn's voice rang out gleefully, "Someone's excited to talk to me. " Shawn leaned against his motorcycle and ran his hand through his hair. "I'm here and raring to go!"
Juliet's gentle laugh came from the other end of the line. "Okay, I'll buzz you up."
Shawn kept the phone held up to his ear the entire journey to Juliet's door, he told her random things about his day so far and a few random facts about Gus's first parakeet. When he reached the third floor, he saw Juliet locking her apartment door. Her phone balanced carefully between her check and her shoulder. Shawn lowered his voice, hoping he could keep unnoticed for a few more moments. Shawn listened to Juliet tell him about the phone conversation she had with her father today, and walked quickly and quietly towards Juliet before she turned to see him. Shawn wanted to enjoy the calm, serene, moment that had presented itself, not running,no gun shots. It was a nice, quiet moment. They didn't have many of those. Juliet turned and almost collided with Shawn. She took a small step back and looked up at her boyfriend.
"Knock, Knock." Shawn whispered and dropped the phone from his ear, it seemed as though it was painstakingly long to watch Juliet close and lower her phone. His face was a few centimeters from Juliet's, and he could feel the energy feeding back and forth between the two of them. Shawn leaned in to close the distance between Juliet and himself, but before Shawn could kiss her, Juliet's phone rang. Shawn threw his head back and sighed, "I though we could actually have a night to ourselves." Shawn looked down at the screen of Juliet's cell phone. 'CHIEF' was blinking on the screen and Shawn knew that their romantic evening had ended just as quickly as it had begun. "Jules, just tell the Chief you have prior arrangements and you can't come in tonight." Shawn placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Shawn, I need to answer her call before it goes to voice mail..." Juliet opened her phone and walked a few feet down the hallway away from Shawn. "Hello, Chief. I'm actually kind of-," Juliet was cut off, but Shawn couldn't hear the other end of the telephone call. "Yes, okay. We'll be there-I'll be there, i meant I'll be there." Juliet closed her phone and turned back to Shawn, who had taken a position of leaning his back against the wall.
"Jules, we haven't had a date night in quite a while." Shawn knew with her job, Juliet was never able to make and keep plans for more than a few hours. He had expected something to happen, but he was hopeful tonight would be different.
"I know and I'm sorry, Shawn." Juliet sighed, "I'll make it up to you. I promise."
Shawn pushed himself off the wall. "You, me, a pineapple and ham pizza, and the box set of Mission Impossible movies tomorrow night at my place." He walked towards Juliet and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Can I at least come with?" Juliet could hear the grin in his voice.
"Yeah, Shawn. C'mon." Juliet headed towards the stairwell.
"Where are we going, anyway?" Shawn walked briskly by her side as they traveled to her car.
"There was a dead body found at the "Big Savings Grocery" store down town."