"Shawn! Shawn! Shawn wake up! Shawn!" two hands grabbed his shoulders and shook him roughly. His eyes flew open and he instinctively smacked the person away. "Damn it, Shawn!" his father yelled. It was morning, and bright sunlight burned his eyes. His clothes were damp and his muscles and bones ached from sleeping in wet clothing. His eyes slowly adjusted and he took in two people standing in front of him. His father, and Gus, both looking with concern.
"Damn it, Shawn!" his father repeated, "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Shawn groaned and struggled to stand, with Gus taking one of his hands and helping him up.
"A lot is wrong with me, Dad, and you are to blame for most of them." he replied, rubbing his stiff legs.
"Don't be a smart-ass, kid. We were calling you like crazy. We thought something terrible had happened!" Henry ran his hands over the top of his head.
"I'm fine, obviously." he growled, then turned and looked at Gus. "Keys, please." he growled. Gus dropped the keys in his friends palm and Shawn grudgingly opened the office door. Henry walked over like he owned the place and snarled, "Your not getting off the hook so easy-" he broke off however, when his son turned around and glared at him furiously.
"Go. Home. Dad." Shawn said, eyes shooting daggers at his father. His father held his hands up in defeat.
"Fine." Henry snarled, "Don't come to me when you need help next time!"
"I never did!" Shawn spat disdainfully. His father stomped away, got into his truck, slammed the door, and drove out of the parking lot. Shawn stormed inside and flopped down on the couch, Gus trailing after him. Gus locked the door, turned around and walked over to his desk. He grabbed the back of the chair and studied his friend.
"Why don't you take a picture, it'll last longer." Shawn grumbled, eyes closed.
Gus shook his head. "I've known you for thirty years, Shawn. I know something's wrong. Do you want to talk about it?" he asked gently.
Shawn shook his head. "No." he growled, then stood up and grabbed his damp coat. "I want to go see my nephew."
Gus smiled slightly. "Okay. Go."
Shawn nodded and walked out the door. Gus stood motionless and grinning when he heard the door open again and Shawn came back in the room, looking like a puppy that had been scolded. "I kinda, uh, need a ride…."
Gus laughed.
XXxXxXxXxXx
Shawn held his nephew in his arms, and sat on the couch in the psych office. Gus was in the other room. Shawn looked down at the face that was staring up at him and grinned.
"What are you looking at, little man?" the baby chuckled. He seemed to have decided Shawn was okay, since there eardrums weren't being assaulted. He tickled his nephews side and the baby squealed with joy and started squirming. Shawn laughed and continued to tickle him, and he continued to squeal. Gus stood watching, and when Shawn saw his best friend, he stopped tickling the kid and cleared his throat.
"Did, uh, did you call Lassie and Jules and ask them if they have any leads on where my sister is?"
Gus nodded and then grabbed a piece of paper coming through the printer.
"Good." Shawn said, bouncing to his feet, the baby squealing as he did so. "And when I see her I am telling her to at least call the next time she needs a baby sitter."
"I hear that."