A/N: This is the second installment of my story arch. I don't think you have to read the first one to understand this one, but I'm not going to stop you. I also consider this my real return to writing. I've broken it up into three chapters because I think it helps the continuity. This first chapter is Shawn's point of view relating to how the case went down during the episode Psy V. Psy. In the timeline of things, this takes place one day after Lindsay Leiken was arrested.
Props: LittleRedDog, if that's a pickup line then we're a match made in heaven. Unfortunately, I do not live in South Florida. And I'm really a nice guy. Honestly...
I'm not usually a big Beatles fan, but this song really jumped out and grabbed me.
'Suddenly,
I'm not half the man I used to be.
There's a shadow hanging over me,
Oh, yesterday came suddenly.'
"Yesterday," The Beatles
Damn, she was good—even managed to bring me down after I had busted her. Shawn thought to himself as he spun his desk chair in the Psych office. I caught her—fair and square—why did she have to go and hit below the belt like that? Talk about a sore loser…
Shawn stopped spinning and looked out the window, and as the world outside settled into place he frowned. The noon sun shimmered off the ocean and lit the room. It was hard enough being a "psychic" to begin with. He had to deal with the skeptics, the snide remarks, the constant negativism that defined Carlton Lassiter's attitude toward him. Then add to it all the fact that his dad not only knows he's deceiving the police about being psychic, but has basically accepted the idea that Shawn Spencer is a failure at life. I accept you for who you are... I'm letting you off the hook. The conversation was burned into his memory. Shawn pursed his lips in frustration. You know, he's either the worst father in the world, or he's a freaking genius with the reverse psychology angle… He thought to himself as he sipped his strawberry-pineapple juice box. He leaned back in his chair and recalled yesterday's events.
Maybe that was why he went off on Lindsay Leiken. Granted, in the end he sounded more upset than angry, but she really pissed him off. She seduced him, played him and abandoned him, then pulled a gun on him and used him as a human shield. If it hadn't been for Mildred's quick actions—who knew the old woman could even be quick—he could've ended up splattered across the tarmac. Which was definitely unappealing.
But he still didn't get away scot-free. He saw the disbelief in everyone's eyes when—after she made sure she had everyone's attention—she 'confessed' she slept with him because she thought they had a connection. She did a pretty good job of destroying him with that as he saw nearly everyone's face quickly distort with disgust. Nearly everyone, because out of the corner of his eye he noticed Gus start to smile. And as he tried desperately to explain himself, to convince everyone that he had in fact been duped and was not a shallow, skirt chasing loser; there was Gus not-so-stealthily nudging at Lassiter and then pointing back to Shawn with a grin as if to say "That's my boy!" All Shawn could think was Dude, so not the time for that!
He watched as Lassiter, Vick, and Ewing all kept their eyes on Leiken. But Juliet—she kept glancing at him; and he found he was talking more to her than anyone else. He decided to show a little maturity and be honest about the whole situation instead of denying what had happened. But then he had to add that stupid comment about being wildly attracted to her in a physical way. And then he tried to save himself again by saying she was dead to him on a spiritual—dear God did I actually say 'psychic?'—level. And he's pretty sure he just ended up looking like a jackass. He just hoped she realized he was telling the truth.
After Leiken had been detained and everyone was able to stand down, Ewing made his way to Shawn. "You know," he began in a serious voice. "I have to admit that when we first met I thought you couldn't see your way through a wet paper bag." He gazed into the middle distance down the runway. "But I had you wrong. You may not be by the books, but I like the way you operate. You probably knew all along and just played dumb until she slipped up, didn't you?"
"Well, uhh…" Shawn got out.
"Don't be modest, Spencer—we're all on the same side." He cast an arm out to take in the group. "It was genius, pure genius. And in the end, she led you straight to the evidence you needed to make the case stick in court." The others were watching now and he wanted nothing more than to disappear. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, huh?" He smiled a Washington smile and in his best recruiter voice asked. "Have you ever thought about a career with the State Department?"
"Agent Ewing," Karen interrupted. "With all due respect, I think Shawn is doing just fine here in Santa Barbara." Her smile clearly told him to back off.
"Of course," He replied. He reached into his jacket pocket a moment before holding his hand out to Shawn. "Excellent work, Spencer."
Shawn shook his hand and felt Ewing covertly slide a business card into his palm.
"Call me, if you ever need anything." Ewing said as he released Shawn's hand. "Or if you just want a change in scenery for a while."
"I will." Shawn answered, thrown a little off-kilter by the offer. "Thanks."
"Mildred," the agent turned toward his stenographer. "I need to go over a few points with you…" He said as he walked over to help her pick her bag up. Chief Vick and Juliet drifted toward Agent Ewing to listen in.
Gus and Lassiter joined Shawn, who pulled his hands out of his pockets. "Way to go, man." Gus smiled and held out his fist.
"Thanks," Shawn connected. "But next time, I don't need the cheer squad to show up for my most embarrassing moment."
"What are you talking about?" Gus questioned.
"Leiken tells the world that we were…together…and I see you and Lassiter laughing about it like a couple of frat boys." Shawn told him
"Well, it did help you solve the case." Gus replied.
Shawn noticed that Juliet was sneaking furtive glances in his direction. "That's not why I was with her. I mean, I feel like an idiot…"
Gus started, "But still—"
"Mr. Guster!" Lassiter interrupted. "That's a bit private, don't you think?" He calmed down a little. "Look, Spencer, I don't know how you did it, but I'm glad we beat those feds."
"We?" Shawn asked with a grin. Juliet wasn't even hiding the fact that she was listening in now and he wanted to try and gain a few points back.
"Well, the SBPD and you two." Lassiter amended. "But you didn't let us down. Nailed her twice and solved the case."
Gus cracked up and Shawn broke into nervous laughter.
"What the…" Lassiter became horrified when he realized what he said. "Dear God! I didn't mean it like that! I just meant you solved the case, proved Leiken was a fake, and found the counterfeit money. For the love of—"
"Lassie," Shawn said as he calmed down. "Thank you for that moment. I'll treasure it forever."
"Shut up Spencer," Lassiter shut him down.
"Aww, come on." Shawn teased. "You know it was funny."
Karen and Juliet walked over to them and the Chief spoke, "Our job is done—Ewing called in his people to take over the scene. They'll be here in about ten minutes." She looked at her watch. "If you two could stop by the station to go over a couple statements that would be great." She said to Shawn and Gus.
"Sure." Gus answered.
"As long as we're welcome." Shawn answered slyly.
Karen smiled despite her resolve. "I'm sorry we doubted you two. But I think we all know now that it was a mistake."
"I'm just saying," Shawn continued. "I'd like to get a notice before I'm evicted."
"Just meet us at the station." She was trying hard to sound authoritative.
"Yes, ma'am." Shawn answered in a pseudo-serious voice.
"We'll be right there. I just need to stop by the Psych office to pick up a few things for my route tomorrow." Gus told her.
"Perfect." Karen smiled for real and looked at Shawn. "You can take the Segway to the office and Gus can give you a ride home when we're finished."
Shawn shrank in embarrassment. "Yes ma'am." He said in a guilty voice.
Later, Shawn came out of the chief's office to find Juliet at her desk. He leaned against the edge of it so he wouldn't disturb her work. "So… Are you going to take that test Ewing was talking about?"
"No, Shawn." She told him without looking up.
A little peeved about something? "Well, that's a shame." Shawn said sorrowfully and she looked up. "Because—I don't know if you heard—he really wants me to take that test too. And I was thinking if we both took it then we could, um, study together." He smiled at her and she ignored it. "You know, quiz each other; maybe establish some sort of connection—that way if one of us had some trouble the other could just think—"
"Shawn!" She cut him off sharply. "Please."
"Okay," Shawn held up his hands. "Obviously it's been a stressful day for you…" He pushed himself up so that he was standing again. "It hasn't been easy for me either—what with being taken hostage and then having to ride the Segway to get here. Do you have any idea how scary it is to try and cross Broadway? I mean, it's called Broadway, but it really is…broad."
"Is there something you want?" Juliet asked impatiently.
"I just wanted to let you know that I've forgiven you for the whole 'Segway Incident.' I mean, Karen's your boss—plus she told me she already knew. So I'm sorry for calling you a traitor. And thanks for saving me during that whole hostage thing at the airport."
"Oh, you mean rescuing you from your crazy ex-girlfriend?" She snapped at him.
"What? Whoa, look. She wasn't my girlfriend—" Shawn began, but stopped when she turned on him in anger.
"Then what was she?" Juliet stared him down.
"She, wha… I don't know, Jules." He sputtered.
"Why am I not surprised by that, Shawn?" Juliet sighed and stood up. "Just disappointed." She disappeared from the room.
Shawn noticed the other cops were staring at him. "Don't worry, the repeat'll be on Soap Network." He assured them. They quickly turned away, shuffling papers and scribbling notes. He sighed to himself, clearly troubled, and then began to walk towards the door. He caught up with Ewing, who was being followed by Lassiter. "Agent Ewing!" He called out, and the man turned around. "I just wanted to thank you and Lassie for having my back out there at the airport. And, sorry about your partner being a criminal mastermind."
Ewing shook his head. "No need for that. To be honest, I don't know how I missed it myself. I mean, it was the perfect cover."
"Are you leaving, Spencer?" Lassiter asked.
"Soon as Gus is done, I was just going to catch some fresh air." Shawn told him.
"Yes, well, it's been a long day." Lassiter said.
Shawn turned to Ewing. "So is there a statute of limitations on the offer to take that test?"
"Just tell them Agent Ewing sent you." He said.
"Yeah, if I get to the east coast I'll be sure to do that." Shawn told him. "See you around."
"Goodbye, Mr. Spencer." Ewing said, and Shawn opened the door to step outside.
The straw slurped and Shawn realized his juice box was empty. He frowned and tossed it into the wastebasket next to his desk. He glanced at the clock and figured it was close enough to noon to take a lunch. But instead of unpacking his food he wheeled his mountain bike to the front door. Gus was running his route and had left Shawn to catch up on the inevitable busy work that came with running a business. All this time brooding at a desk was definitely cramping his chi. He'd hit the path by the beach and then turn inland for some hard riding. Maybe afterward he would be able to focus again.
Being a man(boy), I know that guys usually look more at the 'how' and not necessarily at the 'why' and emotions. It's not that we're ignorant, it's just that we tend to look at things as a string of events instead of analyzing our 'feelings.' We know emotions are there, but we don't want to talk about how we feel, we want to try and do something about how we feel. Look at Shawn, he hates emotional confrontations and doesn't want to have difficult conversations. He'd rather bury himself in work and hope the emotional tension will work itself out.
Different opinion? Counterpoint? Rebuttal?
