I'm sorry if these chapters seem very rambling. I'll remind you that this is basically my first fic. I thought I'd update a bit (a lot) sooner for you. And good news, the next two chapters are nearly ready as well, and I have the next one after that in first draft stage. I never wanted to be one of those people that begged for reviews, but they really do bolster me. Thanks Guest for the kind words!

"Shawn."

"Hmm? What?"

"You've got to let me go, Shawn," Juliet crooned.

"Hmm. Don't want to. Nope. Never," Shawn said with his eyes still closed. He pulled his wife closer and nuzzled his nose into her neck.

She sighed and turned in the bed to face him. Shawn opened his eyes, and they were met by the most beautiful pair of smoky blue ones staring back at him. What had he done to get to be so lucky? He didn't know. But what he did know was that he really wanted to kiss her lips. So he did.

"Good morning, Mrs. Spencer. My radiant beauty," he whispered into her close talking. He smiled at the memory and went in for another kiss.

Jules playfully pushed his shoulder. "Shawn, stop."

His arm latched onto the small of her back and he pulled her back into the kiss.

Juliet indulged him probably a few moments longer than she should have before breaking them apart. "Shawn, I've got to go to work."

Shawn was in the process of scooping the rice out of the cooker and into a bowl when the doorbell rang.

"Who on earth?"

Jules wasn't due home for another half hour or so. Gus would have just let himself in. The guys on the film crew usually stuck to texting. And Shawn didn't really know many other people in San Francisco, even after 2 years.

He turned off the stove and unplugged the rice machine, before making his way to the door. The person on the other side began knocking.

"I'm coming!" Shawn shouted as he took the last four strides to the entryway. He grabbed the handle and pulled the door open.

Chief Vick was standing before him. And something inside Shawn started twisting into a black gnarly knot.

"Chief?"

"Mr. Spencer. Shawn. I-" Her throat closed off and she wasn't able to form another word. Her expression turned to sorrow, and tears began streaming from both eyes.

"No." Shawn shook his head. "No."

"I'm so, so sorry," Chief let out when she found her voice again.

"NO!"

Shawn's eyes popped open. He took a moment to calm his breathing, then stilled, listening to the rest of the house. He really hoped that he was the only one that had been awakened by the shout. After several minutes of deep breathing, Shawn was satisfied that he was the only one stirring in the Lassiter household.

This was the third morning he'd spent in the guest room or his childhood home. Yesterday, some officers had stopped by with Shawn's car. He thought about leaving then, but after the fit Lassie had thrown the previous night, he decided he'd stay awhile. Besides, he still had no clue where he would go if he were to leave. He suspected the Lassiter's hospitality would only last until Henry got back from his ill-timed vacation. Then Shawn would be his father's problem.

Shawn's chest heaved in a silent derisive chuckle. Here he was, forty years old, and still depending on his father to tell him what to do next. But Henry had lost his wife too. And she'd left voluntarily. Maybe that was worse. But if Henry could live without Maddie, maybe Shawn could find a way . . . He wasn't ready to finish that thought yet.

With a sigh, Shawn rolled out of bed and made his way downstairs. He could already hear sounds in the kitchen and guessed that Marlowe was preparing another 5 star breakfast. So, he wasn't prepared for the sight that met him when he crossed the threshold.

Lily was standing on top of the counter. All the drawers were open, evidence that she had used them as steps up to her current perch. Everything seemed to be covered in a layer of flour, including Lily. Her dark locks were completely white. Shawn gaped, and Lily blinked a few times before she opened her mouth and began screaming at the top of her lungs.

"What?" Shawn breathed, confused. Why was she screaming? What was he supposed to do? Dust off the counter? Dust off the child? Get her parents? Well, the screaming would probably accomplish that.

"Lily," he said louder, "why are you screaming?"

"That's what I'd like to know," Marlowe's voice sounded behind him. She appeared at Shawn's shoulder a moment later and let out an audible gasp. "What happened here?"

Lily's scream stopped and she batted her flour coated eyelashes in faux innocence. "Unca Sawn made a mess."

"Hey!" Shawn said in mock indignation.

"Uncle Shawn is an expert at making messes," Carlton said as he joined the group.

"Hey!"

"But, he's not so good at cleaning them up," he continued, ignoring Shawn's outburst, "Do you think you could help Uncle Shawn clean up this mess, Sweetie?"

"I see what you're trying to do, Lassie, but it's not going to work. I don't even clean my own kitchen."

"Pwease help, Unca Sawn," Lily interrupted. She held out her arms signalling that she needed to be lifted off the counter.

"I'm on my way out," Marlowe announced suddenly, "I won't be back before Carly goes to work. You don't mind watching Lily for a few hours, do you, Shawn?"

"I -" Shawn couldn't easily say no. She was letting him crash in her guest room, after all. But he couldn't say yes either. What did he know about kids?

"Daddy, help!" Lily shouted when Shawn didn't pick her up immediately.

Lassie gave Shawn a smirk. "I'm in a suit," was all he said before walking out of the room.

"Ok, kid," Shawn relented, "but as long as we're going to clean it up anyway, what's to stop us from making a bigger mess."

Lassied poked his head back in the kitchen before heading to the station an hour later. Both "children" were covered in flour and looked like some low-budget ghosts.

"This kitchen better be sparkling when I get home, Spencer. And if anything happens to my daughter, I will kill you personally."