We Were Hoping for More Porky's than Shoot to Kill. Sorry!

"Where is he?" Gus sighed a little at the more-than-a-question-but-less-than-a-demand. It was his own fault. Juliet really wasn't sure what he had expected of her.

First off, she had kissed Dave. And not some little 'kiss at the door' sort of thing. It was practically exhibitionist wall sex. And, because it seems the universe has a twisted sense of humor, Shawn Spencer had witnessed it.

Second, and stranger still, he hadn't said a word. Not a one that she knew of. Not since Gus had politely interrupted to inform them that Shawn was waiting in the car. Waiting was completely inaccurate; the man was sulking.

Thirdly, Bell had found out what they'd been planning, and went ballistic. He had confiscated the car keys and hauled their asses back to the safe house. For what had to be the dozenth time since they arrived, the agent was on his cell with his partner. They were trading information, speculating, making tactical plans on how best to corner King, the usual. But then she wouldn't know anything about that. No, that was due to item four on her 'fucked up facts list'.

Gus, in the manner you would expect doctors to use with volatile mental patients nearby, had filled in the actual investigators on what he and his partner overheard, more or less. He didn't have the details nor the succinctness that she was used to. When she tried to prod further into his story, Dave had snapped at her, saying there was no way in hell she would pursue the investigation further. Basically 'go play with your dolls while the big boys clean up'.

Juliet was sure he was mad at her. She'd deliberately played with his emotions out there. From the reflection in the nearby window she could see King approaching from behind, and there'd been a modicum of panic in her next actions. High School had taught her that when a couple was heatedly engaged, the crowd, probably out of some bizarre compensation for their lack of self-consiousness, leaves the two alone for the most part. She probably could have thought of a better plan than throwing herself at him, but there you have it. Dave hadn't been exactly unwilling, surprised, definitely, but the way his hands had acted showed he wasn't that opposed. Finding out she only did it to avoid detection (though only was such a strong word) could not have felt good.

She had followed Bell to his room to try to convince him to let her back in the loop, but once he had nastily replied that he would when she did, Juliet had decided to give him some space. The door slamming in her face had nothing to do with that decision. She'd washed her face in the bathroom, merely because her pores could do with clearing and not because tears had trickled down her cheeks as she was hit with a sudden wave of depression. When Juliet came back downstairs, it was to find Shawn mysteriously vanished. Leading her to her original question.

"Where, Gus?" She repeated, a worn down quality to her usually perky voice. He looked uncomfortable and nervous, which did not make the next few minutes promising.

"He said he was going out to get some air." Gus replied. It seemed he did not know who to be more afraid of, the angry detective or a pissed off Shawn. She threw her arms up in exasperation.

"So the man can talk! Alert the media!" She said, making her way to the door. Gus' arm forced her to a stop. Unlike Shawn's actions hours before, his fingers didn't linger on her skin. Juliet abruptly forgot how to swallow.

"Jules," The familiar nickname from the unfamiliar voice didn't help her composure. "You didn't see his face. It was frightening. I thought he was gonna hose you guys off with a fire extinguisher." Logic-ing her feelings into submission, Juliet finally turned to face him.

"You're exaggerating. I'm sure it wasn't that bad. The kiss was practically nothing anyway." With a tactful silence, Gus held up Shawn's digital camera, displaying the frantic action frozen in time. Juliet couldn't help wincing. Bell's hand was gripping her ass mid-motion while her nails dug into his cheeks. It wasn't pretty.

"It was bad. I'd have taken a picture of his expression, but he glared me into submission." Gus visibly shuddered. He looked to be refocusing himself before continuing again. "You can't say that was the best thing for him to see." She rolled her eyes, relying on her old defense mechanisms (such as denial) to help maintain her peace of mind during this soap-opera-esque time.

"Ok, so we made out, but it was necessary. Why does this give him the right to mope around like he lost his favorite toy? In fact, why is it every man in this house is acting bitchy while I have to be the sane one?" Gus was not phased by her words.

"Look Juliet, Shawn and I are men," Juliet couldn't help the song from Robin Hood: Men in Tights replaying in her head. "So the whole sharing emotions thing isn't really our style. And I still don't really know all that went on with you two. But I have to warn you. Don't... Try... Make sure..." He paused, searching for a manly way to forbid her from hurting his best friend. When he failed, Gus settled for a stern finger wag and a nod of his head. With the tiniest smile at how adorable his protective streak was, Juliet walked out the front door, leaving Gus alone to wonder when their lives had become so complicated.

~*~

The first time, he heard the gentle crunch of footsteps compacting the sand, and Shawn tried his hardest to be wrong. The second time, when the salty tang of the pacific became mingled with lilacs and peaches, he told himself it was his imagination conspiring against him. The third and most blatant disillusionment was when she spoke.

"You're getting wet." Her words were gentle, but somehow unreadable. It reminded him of when his mother would try to persuade him with reverse psychology, before he had realized the scheme of course. But this time Shawn would not give in.

"I don't care." Yes, it sounded childish and petulant, but it was the truth. Shawn was sitting cross-legged in the dark sand, being gradually soaked with the incoming tide. The sun had set right as they'd arrived at the safe house, and now the sky was a deepening navy blue. He sat with his chin resting on his fist, trying not to think. Juliet's presence would not help matters.

"Do you mind if I sit next to you?" Oh he so did mind! But somehow he found his head jerking back and forth in mechanical assent. Jules sat, crossing her legs in the moist sand. They stuck to her nice beige pants but she didn't seem to mind. She took off her sandals, and Shawn couldn't help how his eyes drifted to watch her motions. How does she make such a simple act sexy? She wasn't even trying! Unbidden came the memories of earlier. He suddenly lost interest in observing her feet.

"So King has a partner." Jules said, obviously trying to defuse the tension early.

"Boss." He corrected half-heartedly. Shawn was a little proud at how neutral he sounded. She nodded.

"Boss. We all thought he was alone, that he had worked his way to the top of their gang. This changes things." Juliet paused, most likely considering whether to continue with the pointless recap or move on to more serious matters. Apparently she really didn't want to discuss it. "Carlton says they have a prime suspect. He has a record, and could easily have met King somehow if they were in the same circles. What do you think, Shawn?"

"Has he talked to everyone?" No wonder he could lie so well. Shawn was a natural at hiding his emotions. She looked relieved that he hadn't pressed her.

"Not Howie yet. I have a feeling he doesn't want to upset the guy who feeds half the station." Her joke was met with more silence. Shawn heard a stifled sigh. It was time.

"Shouldn't you be up in Dave's room? You know, to get another update?" He could see Jules' jaw clench, and felt a grim satisfaction.

"He is being moody and unresponsive," She glared at him. "Like several other people in this house."

"Not in the house. I'm on the beach." He pointed out, but his words sounded hollow.

"Yes, great improvement." Jules replied as another wave reached them. She didn't seem to mind the water, instead content to watch how the tide pulled the sand from under her bare feet. After a long minute of silence she spoke as if resigned to her fate. "Get it all out then."

"I have nothing to say." She let out a very unladylike snort.

"Yeah right. I make out with the man you've sniping at this entire time and you have nothing to say? You've been brooding ever since. Just tell me why." Irrational anger and betrayal flared once more, stronger than ever. He shot to his feet, clearly startling Jules, her eyes wide as she watched him begin to pace.

"What would you like me to say Jules?" He paused in his furious march to give her a good view of his sardonic smile. "That I give you my blessing?"

"No—"

"That I don't care what you do or who you're with?"

"No, Shawn, listen—!"

"That it hurts?" He saw her mouth clamp shut. She probably hadn't expected him to say it. Well it was her own fault he felt this way and (platonic be damned) Shawn was gonna make her hear it. He turned to continue pacing, certain that he could never go on if he was looking at her. "That I think there's a volcano erupting behind my eyes every time I think of it? That I want to pound his face in for ever coming near you? That it should have been me?"

He stopped. He had just crossed the line. Revealed too much. Jules was taking deep breaths when he finally faced her again. Shawn wasn't sure if that meant she was incredibly angry or close to tears. Her expression was blank and when she spoke her voice was low and just a little unsteady.

"Don't do this Shawn." Somehow that one single sentence was enough to deflate him. All of a sudden Shawn felt very tired. He walked over to his original spot by the water. He flopped uselessly to the ground next to her. Neither one looked at the other for the longest time.

"I'm..."

"Yeah." Jules cut off his apology, propping one leg up to rest her cheek on. There was another stretch of silence, this one less tense for some reason.

"I've seen you kiss Abigail," She said finally, sounding so drained Shawn couldn't make out any emotion in her pronouncement. "Did you want me to be celibate without you?" Some part of him couldn't force the word 'no' out his lips. Jules had to be a mind reader because she continued, and this time there was that hint of accusation. "Shawn, we've never even gone on a real date. You have a girlfriend, one I like too. There's nothing stopping me from living my life." A pause. "Is there?" Her last two words were desperate for his answer.

Shawn let out a puff of air, falling to lie on his back in the sand. The tide made it just high enough to reach his hair, but not his face. Staring up at the now inky black sky, he knew she was right. But the revelation didn't stop that empty feeling in his stomach. The terrible truth, that had always been true really, was that he wanted to have a claim on her. But how could he say that now?

"No," Shawn replied, feeling as if it was the biggest lie he had ever told, "There's nothing stopping you." A tight smile crossed her face, and to his surprise she joined him in lying on the sand. Still facing the sky, Shawn felt Jules take his hand. The subtle contact, so innocent, sent goosebumps up his arm. It wasn't near the real things he wanted from her. But at this point, Shawn would take what he could get.