Chapter 4

Carlton didn't know why he kept putting it off. Well right now he was too comfortable, lying on the couch, eyes half closed listening to Shawn prattle on about his ideas for entertainment this weekend. Something involving wearing Carlton's Civil War uniforms and laser tag and reenacting the Battle of Jericho? Huh?

"Shawn. We need to talk."

"What? Lassie, we can do a different battle if you want. Hastings? I heard there was pudding."

"It's hasty pudding Shawn."

"I've heard it both ways."

"Anyway I am serious. We need to talk."

"What? Noo. Lassie, everyone knows that's code for 'I'm breaking up with you.' You can't break up with me. You haven't bought me dinner or had pity sex with me or anything."

"What? No. I'm not breaking up with you. Besides, we're not even dating."

Shawn raised his eyebrows. "Really? Then what is it that we are doing Mr. giving Head Detective?"

Carlton thought for a minute. "Fucking?" It shocked Carlton to see a flash of hurt in Shawn's eyes.

"Fucking. Well then I guess I will be going. Since we are done fucking for the night. "

Shawn started to get off the couch when Carlton grabbed him and pulled him back down to him. "Shawn, don't go. I'm sorry. I just don't know what we are doing here. It's not as if I have done anything like this before."

Shawn tried to struggle out of his grasp. "Carlton I am sure you have done plenty of fucking in your lifetime. Now let me go!"

"No." Carlton pulled him closer, tighter. "I don't want to let you go. I like being with you. I just don't know what being with you is. I mean, you're a man. "

Shawn snickered and settled back into him. "Yeah, it kind came as a surprise to me. Being a man that is."

"Funny Spencer. But you see I'm a man."

"Wow I can see how you made Head Detective, Lassiter. Brilliant deductive reasoning!"

"Sarcasm doesn't suit you. I'm at a loss. Because I am not gay."

"Um, we are lying on your couch together after having big gay sex. I think that counts as gay."

"I don't feel gay."

"Being attracted to men…makes you kinda gay."

"I'm not attracted to men."

"Again you just had gay sex. With a man! Gay."

"I'm attracted to a man. You."

The smile that lit up Shawn's face was blinding. He squeezed him hard and kissed him. "I'm attracted to a man too. You. Okay, since we've established that we are attracted to each other, you're not gay but we are fucking and you're not breaking up with me-what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

Carlton took a breath and said, "Look I don't want you to take this the wrong way but I don't want anyone to know about us."

Shawn stiffened but didn't pull away. "I see," he said quietly.

"Look Shawn. I don't know where this is going. And I value my career and my reputation. And the relationship I have with my family. I don't want to ruin it all for something that may end up being a flash in the pan."

"Is that how you see me? A flash in the pan?"

"Sometimes. But that was even before this happened."

Shawn nodded. "Okay, I can understand that. I don't like it but I can see it. But I can't really keep this secret from Gus too much longer. He's already suspicious that I'm up to something."

Carlton smiled, "Well that's nothing new is it, you being up to something? Yeah, I can see that. But seriously, he can't tell anyone either. I still have hopes of being Chief someday."

"Gus can keep a secret."

Carlton narrowed his eyes, "I know he can."

Shawn played wide eyed innocence, "Whatever do you mean?"

Carlton shook his head. This was how they were going to play it? Fine. "Nothing. Now come here."

Gus's office phone rang. "Burton Guster speaking."

"Billy Jean is not my lovah…"

"She's a girl who claims you are the one."

"But the kid is not my son. Guess what I just bought? Hello? Hello?" Shawn was speaking to a dial tone.

"Woooweee!"

"Man Gus, I can't believe you just kicked my ass."

"You are no match for my skilled dance moves Shawn. Whew, I gotta take a break."

"Sheez, me too. Go get us some more tasty pina coladas. "

"Why me? "

"Well it is my game."

"Fine. Be back in a minute."

Gus rummaged around in Shawn's kitchen and was honestly quite surprised. "Uh Shawn? Since when do you drink single malt scotch?'

"What? Oh, I don't-it's Carl-ly's."

"Carly? Is that your mystery woman's name? Hmph. Are you sure she's not married? Why haven't I met her yet?"

"She's just a private person Gus. She doesn't want be out-there till she's more sure of us. Me. Y'know?"

"Well you must really like her because I am pretty sure you never owned a coffee maker before either."

"Well she's a little addicted."

Gus returned to the living room, handed Shawn a hurricane glass, and flopped on the couch. "Hey! What is this?" Gus pulled out a crumpled ball of fabric. "A tie?"

"We were playing Gab-Garbo and her hot young boy toy."

"Ew-you had sex on this couch?" Gus jumped up.

"Gus come on, I've had sex on your couch."

"Shawn!"

"What? I thought you knew."

"I did not kn-nevermind, I'm going to the bathroom anyway-I can at least thoroughly wash my hands."

When Gus went to the bathroom he noticed the extra toothbrush. Kind of manly for a girl. The razor. "I wonder when Shawn stopped using his electric shaver." As he went to dry his hands, he noticed something else. "What's that smell? That's definitely not Shawn's cologne." His attention was drawn by a crumpled white button down. A man's crumpled white button down. He screamed and ran into the living room, holding the shirt. "Omigod Shawn! You're dating Lassiter!"

"Finally!"

"Why didn't you tell me?'

"Gus, I just did."