Homecoming
The hallway was empty, the majority of the office staff down at the Captain's Dinner. He crept down the hallway, one hand hugging the wall as he on the balls of his feet.
He glanced around the corner, the next hallway was empty too. Martin Dearsing's office was three doors away, all he had to do was sneak in, find the paper work and sneak out. It should be a cinch.
With a few carefully placed steps he made his way to the door, jiggling the handle. He almost jumped with glee when it came open.
"Yes!"
"Sorreh."
The small voice nearly made him piss his pants in fear. He jumped back as the small cleaning lady pushed the vacuum from the office.
"All done."
He could only smile weakly as she shuffled past him, clearly she assumed that he was okay to be there.
"N-no worries." His voice cracked. Despite the fact that she probably couldn't read when someone was lying he kept his eyes on her. His head desperately wanted to bring his gaze to the floor, but he managed to fight the instinct.
The woman made her way out and down the hallway, the clunky vacuum cleaner being dragged behind her. He waited for her to disappear around the corner before he pushed his way into the room, allowing the door to fall closed behind him with a soft click.
Martin's office was cluttered; several pictures of family covered the walls and other flat surfaces. Yeah, he'd certainly nailed it with this guy's devotion to his family.
The computer was still on, the screensaver playing a montage of pictures to a non existent audience. A slight movement of the mouse brought the screen to life, no password. Martin was way too trusting.
"All right, let's see where the money is going."
There was nothing on the computer that hinted to any foul actions, nothing in the drawers and nothing had appeared on the computer when he did his second check. He was collecting the jacket that had been deposited on the floor when a key turned in the lock.
He'd only been there thirty minutes…no way Mr. Dearsing was back.
The door pulled open, Martin Dearsing entering the small office.
"Mr…Spencer?"
"Martin!"
"What are you doing at my computer Shawn?"
Wheels started turning in his head a million different excuses flying over the surface as he stammered for a reason.
"I..I was looking-" No, idiot, don't tell him.
"Looking for what Shawn?"
"A..A time off request form." Yeah, that was good.
"On my computer?"
"Err, yeah. Greg told me that we had to send in the request electronically and I lost my password to get on in the computer lobby…He told me that I could just do it on here…"
Gregory was so going to kill him.
Martin smiled; it was hesitant, but there. "It's alright son, you aren't gonna get in any trouble." He knew from the glances around the room that Martin was going to check for anything stolen though. He did have a record after all.
"Sorry Mr. Dearsing."
"What day do you need off?"
--
"Burton Guster."
Gus stood, adjusting the cap and gown that were loosely draped over one of his nicest suits. He could hear his mother balling from the stadium. He told her not to cry, he was only graduating.
He marched up to the stage, grinning madly as he approached the principal and the outstretched document of educational completion. He was about to reach out and shake the outstretched hand when a familiar "whooping" sound from the nearby trees caught his ear.
He turned, eyes scanning the nearby trees for the source of the cheering. He couldn't help but grin when his gaze looked with one Shawn Spencer's.
" Shawn?"
Shawn hadn't shown up again during the graduation festivities, But Gus knew his friend wouldn't take off after a mere cheer from a nearby tree branch. He closed his bedroom door, tossing his cap, gown and diploma to the bed as he searched for his friend.
"Gus!"
The man jumped out of nowhere and Gus couldn't help but squeak in fear as he was enveloped in a bear hug. Shawn released him and they instantly launched into a rapid fire conversation.
"Congrats man!"
"You're back!"
"I knew you'd do it!"
"When did you-"
"and Valedvictorian-"
"You're parents-"
"-you looked dope!"
The other man was literally bouncing around the room.
"Dude, calm down."
Shawn laughed but collapsed onto the bed. "Sorry man."
Gus opened his mouth to say something when there was a soft knock on the door.
"Burton?"
Shawn rolled off the bed and clamored underneath it. Gus didn't need any more of a hint to realize his friend was still on the run.
"I'm getting tired mom…I'm gonna go to bed."
"I love you Burton."
"You too mom."
He waited until he heard her shuffle away before turning back to Shawn.
"So, what are you doing here then? You obviously aren't staying…"
"Dude, seriously, you forgot?"
He blinked, apparently he had.
"Ummm, celebration?"
"Oh yeah, a movie marathon…" they had planned it as a way of celebrating graduation, back before Shawn had dropped out.
"So, I'm thinking we start with Ferris?"
"You know that's right."
Gus had conked out sometime around four thirty in the morning, awaking only when he heard Shawn's motorcycle engine start up and take off down the street. He knew the visit was going to be short lived, but hadn't expected it to be quite that short. After all, it'd been well over a month since they'd hung out.
He climbed off the floor, snapping off the TV in the middle of Back to the Future three. Time to go to bed for real this time.
Claire Spencer collapsed in the break room of the hospital. The night had been relatively uneventful, but working late night shifts was starting to take its toll on her. She wrapped her hands around a small cup of coffee, inhaling the sweet aroma.
"Dr. Spencer to the ER please, Dr. Spencer to the ER."
The loudspeaker seemed to be mocking her, no way she was going to get a decent break now.
Leaving the coffee on the table she rushed down to the ER, hailing the first nurse she ran into.
"What's going on?"
"John Doe, hit and run."
"On foot?"
"Motorcycle."
She faltered, if there was one thing she agreed with Henry on, it was a distaste for motorcycles.
"What else you got?"
"Caucasian, male, late teens. He's in X-Ray now."