Juliet's whimper woke him from his dreams. Her sleeping face, usually so peaceful and beautiful was crossed with a frown, and every now and then she would thrash a bit, as though she were trying to escape something. The sunlight streamed down through the slightly open curtains and kissed her face with golden tendrils. Not for the first time, Shawn found himself lost in her simple beauty.

Shawn gently placed his lips against hers, waking his sleeping beauty with a kiss and rescuing her from the nightmares that roared through her head. Her eyes opened wide, and for a second he saw only fear in her storm grey eyes. He wasn't sure what she'd dreamed, and began to pull his face away from hers, ignoring the protest from the rest of his mind.

"You were having a nightmare" He murmured softly, wishing he had the power to protect her, even in her own mind. He'd made the promise just yesterday. He felt a little useless… she was always so strong. It was almost strange to see her vulnerable.

"Mmhm" she slid back toward him, pressing her lips against his, and letting him pull her close against his body. He could feel the anxiousness that still made her muscles tight and her kiss crushing and frantic.

"It's okay Jules. Whatever it was, it wasn't real." He whispered between kisses.

She pulled him tight and buried her face against his chest, seeming to just seek contact with him. The thought made him happy in spite of the situation. After so long not even realizing he loved her, it never ceased to amaze him that she could need him the same way he needed her.

"Was it about being eaten by raccoons?"

Juliet looked up at him and laughed, glad for the humor. "No, although that is quite terrifying."

"What was it? I mean…if you wanna tell me." He kissed her blonde hair. She'd lightened it again once they started dating. She'd remembered him saying that he liked it better that way, although truth be told he'd like her hair it even if it was blue and polka dotted.

"The Clock tower." She said simply, nuzzling further into his arms, enjoying his embrace. His muscles went rigid.

"Jules, I am so sorry" Shawn's voice was thick with guilt. He pulled his arms away from her. How could he ever forgive himself for what he'd done?

"What? Shawn, no!" she threw her arms around him and kissed his lips passionately again, but to no avail. His lips remained firm, and him unmoving.

"I don't deserve you." He said simply. Hating that he was saying it. Imagining the consequences if she agreed. But it was true. That night he'd chosen Abigail, and left Juliet to cry in the arms of Lassiter. It'd been the hardest decision he'd ever had to make. He couldn't help but think that maybe if he'd chosen to rescue Juliet and left Abigail to Lassie, things would have been different. He'd promised he'd always protect her…and here was an example where he had failed so miserably…he didn't even want to think of it.

"Shawn! You were dating her at the time, and not me. I have never blamed you for the choice you made. I am the cop and she is a civilian. My job was to lay down my life so she could live. I'm still alive, and I love you. Please stop being so silly." She kissed him again. This time his lips moved with hers and he pulled her tight against him until they were a messy tangle of sheets and arms and legs.

I love you too Jules. I always have.