After everyone had ordered, Leslie asked, "So, what are you guys going to do on your second day on Pawnee?"
"Oh, we figured we'd do some sightseeing," Shawn answered. "Drive around, do our thing, visit a park or two. Gus and I are very partial to swing sets."
Gus bolted up. "Shawn, a word?" He grabbed Shawn up the arm and dragged him outside for the second time.
"Man, how sweet did this case end?" Shawn asked once they had gotten out the door. "We saved everybody's jobs, we got waffles, and did you notice I was right about someone from the Parks department being involved? It was Jerry who told Carl about the binder!"
"Shawn."
"And so quickly, too! I think it's a new record."
"Shawn!"
"What, Gus?"
"Why did you tell Leslie and Ben that we're staying another day? The deal was we solve the case and then it's on to Braverton's."
"No, Gus, the deal was that we stay in Pawnee two days."
"Two days at the most," Gus corrected. "Since we don't need the second day, it's time to leave."
"C'mon, buddy, don't you like it here? A small town, nice people, away from the big city? It's just like Of Mice and Men, only not on a ranch."
"I need my vacation, Shawn!" Gus yelled, stamping his foot like a little kid. "I've waited long enough!"
"Okay, okay, I get it." Shawn sighed. "Just hear me out a second."
…
"What do you think they're talking about out there?" Leslie asked Ben, looking out the window.
"I have no idea," Ben answered, watching as Gus threw what appeared to be a temper tantrum.
"So, now do you believe in psychics?" She asked him, nudging him with her elbow.
"Well, it was pretty amazing. He certainly seems psychic. I just keep wondering what Mulder would think…"
Leslie laughed. "Just when I think maybe you're not such a dork after all…"
"Laugh at me all you want, biography girl," he replied, a smile taking over his face.
Shawn and Gus came back in and sat down once more. "There's been a change of plans," Gus began. "Shawn and I have decided that we need to head to Braverton's tomorrow morning."
"Wait a second," Ben began, "you guys came all this way to go to Braverton's? I love that place!"
"Wait, you know Braverton's?" Gus replied.
"Of course, I love that place! I live in Indianapolis and I like to go on my off days. Seriously, you guys have got to try the chili cheese fries. Well worth the six bucks. And don't use the Skee Ball machines. They're a rip-off."
"Thanks man!" Shawn and Gus fist bumped him.
"Why are you guys leaving early?" Leslie asked.
"Gus' stress levels are outrageously high," Shawn answered. "He needs to get to Braverton's ASAP, and as his best friend, I've got to look out for him. Make sure he doesn't shrivel up like a chocolate covered raisin." Gus nodded. "But, we made a deal," Shawn continued. "On our way back from Indianapolis, we'll take a day to spend at the Harvest Festival."
"We figured we might as well come back to see the fruits of our labor," Gus added. "Plus, I'm sure whatever you've been working on is going to be amazing, Leslie."
Shawn nodded. "And we need some funnel cakes."
"You know that's right."
"Okay, I guess I can understand that," Leslie told them. "And I'm really excited for you guys to see the Harvest Festival! Although, I am a little bit disappointed you won't get to go to the Snow Globe Museum."
"Next time, Les," Shawn assured her. And their waffles came.
While they ate, Shawn and Gus told their new friends about their favorite cases. Ben was jealous that the boys had gotten to solve a case at Comic Con, and Leslie was thrilled at the idea of outing a Spelling Bee murderer.
"Wait a second," she asked, "you guys actually got to go up into the Spellmaster's booth? I have literally had that dream. Not to brag, but I did win two spelling bees."
"I would have won if Shawn had given me the right letter," Gus replied, staring at Shawn.
"Are you still hung up on that, Gus? That was over twenty years ago, and you should have known how to spell the word in the first place!"
"Shawn, I will—"
"Oh! And we didn't even tell you about Jules and the roller derby chicks. Go on, Gus, start it off. You tell it best."
Gus continued to glare but did as he was told.
Just as they were dropping Ben and Leslie off at city hall, Shawn had this really strange feeling that he should talk to Ben about her. Honestly, it was almost embarrassingly obvious how much he liked her, and Leslie was awesome, so why wouldn't he tell her? But Shawn didn't give romantic advice. He wasn't sure why he even cared until Gus was driving away.
Because you know a little something feeling that way, don't you? Asked that weird voice in Shawn's head that he usually ignored. And he saw Juliet's face briefly before he pushed it away and ignored it again.
