Hello Psych-O's! I have to say I'm surprised with the attention this story is getting. I've gotten several PM's asking me to update. Thank you all for reading and I apologize for the long update times!
Where there is desire
There is gonna be a flame
Where there is a flame
Someone's bound to get burned
But just because it burns
Doesn't mean you're gonna die
You've gotta get up and try, and try, and try
Gotta get up and try, and try, and try
You gotta get up and try, and try, and try
-"Try" by Pink
Santa Barbara: 2019
"Jules." Shawn couldn't help but let his jaw drop slightly at the sight of her. She looked so different yet the same. Her blonde hair was a shade lighter and her eyes were still crystal blue.
"What are you doing here?" Juliet's voice was low.
"I…" Shawn's mind went blank. He didn't know what to tell her. If he told her why he was here she'd just give him sympathy, especially if he told her about Zuri. She'd probably start asking questions and he didn't want to get pulled into that corner just yet. "Visiting my dad." He finally mumbled.
Juliet nodded, "How is he? I haven't spoken to him since… in a while." She tugged at the sleeves of her grey jacket.
"He's fine I suppose." Shawn scratched the back of his neck. She nodded again and crossed her arms across her chest.
"How long have you been married?" he asked.
"Not married. Engaged. How did you-?"
"Ring." He pointed at her left hand. She uncrossed her arms and looked down at her left hand.
"Almost a year, weddings in a few weeks." She said. Shawn nodded quickly and opened his mouth to speak but closed it.
"I've uh, gotta go. Good luck with everything." Shawn reached into his bag and pulled out the book which he held out to Juliet.
"Shawn, no, I can't take that." She shook her head.
"Please," he held it closer to her, "I'll get another copy." He placed it into her hands. Before Juliet could say something else Shawn turned and walked out of the shop. He jumped into his dad's truck and pulled out of the lot without putting on his seatbelt. He didn't care for his personal safety at the moment; he just had to get away from her.
"Stupid, stupid, you stupid idiot." He cursed himself. What was he thinking? Coming back into town and expecting to stay away from her and her… fiancé. He felt a ping in his heart when he thought about it. Some guy had proposed to her. Some lucky bastard. Shawn shook his head and pressed down on the accelerator. He spent the rest of the car ride mentally cursing himself for even coming back. When he arrived at the house everything was dark. Shawn quietly walked inside and back upstairs. He stood in the hallway a few steps from his room.
"No it won't be too soon 'til I say Goodnight moon. No it won't be too soon 'til I say Goodnight moon." He heard his mom say. He peeked into the room and saw his mom sitting on the bed with Zuri tucked in tight rubbing her eyes.
"One more Grandma?" She yawned.
"I've got it ma." Maddie turned around and nodded. "Goodnight sweetie." Maddie kissed Zuri's head and stood up, "Night Goose." She kissed Shawn's cheek.
"Night mom." Maddie left the room.
Zuri yawned again and Shawn smiled, "Are you tired?" he crossed the floor and sat next to her.
"No." She snuggled into his side and rested her head on her shoulder. "Can we go back to the park daddy? I had fun."
"Of course we can baby girl." He kissed the side of her head and they laid in silence. Shawn listened to his daughter's steady breaths, "Zuri?" He whispered.
"Yes daddy?"
"You know I love you right? More than anything else in this entire world." He looked down at her.
"More than pineapple?" Zuri yawned.
Shawn chuckled, "Even more than pineapple."
"I know daddy." Zuri closed her eyes and soon fell asleep. Shawn didn't dare move to change his clothes in fear of waking Zuri. Instead he reached over and turned off the light.
Santa Barbara: 2010
"Spencer I swear knock it off!" Lassiter jumped up from his chair and snatched the phone in Shawn's hands away.
"Come on Lassie! Can't you take a joke?" Shawn grabbed the phone back.
"O'Hara!" Lassiter screamed. Juliet looked up from her paperwork and over at her partner, "What Carlton?"
"Control your friend! He's bothering me." Lassiter huffed.
Juliet rolled her eyes, "Just because we're good friends doesn't mean I can control him."
"Ha!" Shawn pointed a finger at Lassiter's chest.
"If you don't go over there right now, God so help me- I'm going to arrest you." Lassiter threatened. Before Shawn could open his mouth a hand on his arm was pulling him away. Juliet led him over to her desk and pushed down on his shoulder to make him sit in a chair.
"Leave him alone Shawn. He will arrest you." Juliet crossed the desk and sat down in her own chair.
"Nah, I don't believe it." Shawn looked over at Lassiter who had sat down and returned to his computer, "Lassie denies it. But he loves me, I'll have you know." Juliet chuckled, "I'm serious Jules." The smile on Juliet's face spread wider.
Shawn loved to see her smile, he loved it when he was the cause of her smile. "I bet you love me too, don't ya Jules?" Shawn smirked.
"I don't love you Shawn. If anything I tolerate you." Juliet bantered back.
"You love me Jules." Shawn leaned back into his chair, "I know you do. And one day you'll see it too."
Juliet shook her head but continued to smile. Her fingers were zooming across her keyboard as she typed up some random report. Shawn looked around the room and stood. "Leaving already?" Juliet glanced up.
"No, I just have to pee. But when I get back, lunch? It's on me." Juliet nodded and giggled as Shawn walked away and into the restroom. He did his business and made sure to wash his hands thoroughly. Gus would kill him if he got germs in the office. Shawn shook his hands in the sink and grabbed a paper towel. He threw it away and began to walk back over to Juliet, he froze when he saw another figure standing in front of her desk.
Declan Rand was leaning over the desk and talking to Juliet in a low voice. Juliet was looking up at him with a dreamy smile on her face. Shawn's own smile faded and his fists clenched. He hated that guy. With his sleek black hair and clear hazel eyes, it was easy for Shawn to be jealous of him.
"I don't like him either." Shawn jumped and turned around.
"Jesus Lassie! You scared me." Lassiter shrugged and continued to watch Declan and Juliet interact. "I don't not like him…"
"I'm not an idiot Spencer. I saw your fists ball and your face change. I don't blame you. I wish he'd leave her alone. Hell, I'd prefer it if you were dating O'Hara." Lassiter shook his head and walked passed Shawn. Juliet stood up and grabbed her purse from her desk drawer.
"I'm ready." Declan grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.
"You certainly are." Declan said.
"Ugh," Shawn groaned.
"Stomach ache Shawn?" Juliet finally noticed him standing by himself. "You were in there for quite a while."
"I'd try some prune juice buddy." Declan suggested.
"Yeah, I'll do that, buddy." Shawn nodded.
"Since you're not feeling well, is it alright if we reschedule that lunch? Declan wants to take me to Marios." Juliet beamed up at Declan.
"Only the best for you." He kissed Juliet's hand again.
"Sure. Have fun." Shawn waved them off and watched as they walked hand in hand out of the station.
Santa Barbara: 2019
Shawn's eyes opened slowly and he took a deep breath. He sat up and stepped out of the bed. Shawn fixed Zuri on the bed so she wouldn't fall off and he left the room. Shawn paddled down stairs and was glad to find his parents sipping coffee. "Morning Goose." His mother greeted with a smile. Shawn collapsed into of the chairs and stared at the table.
"You alright?" Henry frowned.
"I saw Juliet last night." Shawn whispered.
"Where?" Maddie asked almost dropping the knife in her hand.
"At the book store. She's engaged. Did you know that?" Shawn looked over at his father.
Henry shook his head, "I haven't talked to her since you left Shawn. Are you alright?" Shawn shrugged.
"Of course he's not alright Henry. He ran into Juliet, of all people." Maddie shook her head.
"Who is Juliet?" All heads snapped towards the door where Zuri walked in.
"No one." Shawn answered quickly. Zuri walked over and climbed into the chair next to Shawn.
"Okay. Can we have pancakes?" She looked eagerly at her grandmother.
"Sure." Maddie nodded standing up and walking over to the counter. Henry placed a comforting hand on Shawn's shoulder and squeezed gently. Shawn nodded to show his appreciation.
"Is Juliet that blonde lady?" Zuri picked up the napkin in front of her.
"What blonde lady?" Shawn asked his daughter.
"I found a blonde lady in that box under your bed. She's really pretty." Shawn's stomach clenched as Zuri reached into her pocket and pulled out a picture of Juliet. Shawn's chest tightened and his head was filled with pressure. His vision became blurry and his face turned white. "Daddy?" Zuri tapped Shawn's hand.
"Shawn?" Shawn's body was twisted in the chair. Henry bent down in front of his son. Shawn began to cough and shake violently in the chair. "Maddie!" Within seconds Maddie had given Henry what he was asking for and he opened Shawn's mouth. He inserted the inhaler and pressed down on the button. "Relax, relax."
"It's okay Goose." Maddie rubbed Shawn's back. Shawn took in the medication and his chest began to loosen up. Henry pressed the button again and Shawn nodded, taking over the inhaler himself. "I'm calling and making an appointment for today." Maddie announced walking over to the phone.
"Is daddy okay?" Zuri had gotten down from the chair and was standing next to Henry.
"He's fine Zoo, daddy's going to be just fine." Henry watched Shawn carefully as the medication finished its job and Shawn's skin color returned to normal.
I plan on bringing Uncle Jack into the next chapter. Seeing as how he's the reason Shawn's back in town, I should put him in some time. Please review.