AN: Thank you for your great reviews! Someone mentioned they were confused by how Drake had subdued Shawn in the last chapter. I never really explain what it is, but consider it a really mean mix between a taser and a stun gun. I just wanted to explain, since it makes a reappearance in this chapter.

Juliet stifled a groan, some instinct telling her to be quiet before she was even fully conscious. What had happened? The last thing she remembered was talking to Shawn…Oh no. She opened her eyes slightly, scanning the room for Drake through her squinted eyes. Seeing no sign of the man, she opened them the rest of the way, her attention immediately caught by Shawn's still form. He sat across from her, head hanging low, body shuddering as he breathed. She bit her lip, masking her horror when she saw the blood flowing freely from his torso.

"Shawn?" She whispered.

His head shot up and she gasped at his battered face. How long had she been out? And how could she have been so oblivious, so unaware of Shawn being hurt for that time?

This wasn't fair. Shawn didn't deserve this! He had already gone through hell once; why did he have to do it again?

"Jules, you…you need to pretend you're…out still."

"Where is he?"

"In…the other room. Please, Jules…close your eyes."

He was looking at her, urging her to listen, but she wouldn't. She knew why he was telling her to, but…Juliet was the police officer. It was her job to protect. And this was Shawn! She honestly couldn't stand to see him hurt anymore. Maybe she would be able to hold Drake's attention long enough for Carlton to find them.

"Now, Jules!" He whispered urgently.

Slowly, she shook her head. She didn't have a chance to see Shawn's reaction because Drake chose that moment to make his appearance.

"Well, Sleeping Beauty's awake. Hello there, Gorgeous." Drake walked around to stand in front of her and she glared at him. "Oh, we have a little spitfire here, don't we?" He reached down to finger a lock of her hair and she jerked her head away.

Belatedly, she realized he had secured her to the chair with her own handcuffs. That just added insult to injury. She saw Shawn clenching his jaw and straining against his bonds, and saw him open and close his mouth, obviously deciding that saying anything in her defense would give Drake even more ammunition.

Drake turned around, walking to Shawn. He grabbed his chin, forcing Shawn's head up. She could see Drake's fingers digging into his skin, could see Shawn's breathing accelerate.

"As much fun as this is, I am losing my patience. Where is my wife?"

Juliet watched Shawn's mouth curl up into a defiant half-smile and she caught her breath at the sheer bravery he showed in that small action.

"You should get a new hobby. Should I suggest some-" Juliet saw the knife glint as it slashed across his chest.

"He's not the only one who knows where your wife is!" Juliet hurried to say, panicked, as she saw Shawn's face contort in pain.

"Yes, I am!" Shawn gasped.

Drake cocked his head to the side, his gaze moving between the two of them, a flash of triumph crossing his face. He placed the knife down on the counter and picked up another item, turning to face Juliet. She saw Shawn's eyes fall on the device Drake had picked up, saw them widen and saw him struggling to get free.

"I know where she is," Juliet said calmly.

"You do, do you? And I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me?"

"She doesn't know! I never told anyone!"

Juliet forced a smirk, "I was investigating this case. Of course I know where she is." She ignored the horror she saw in Shawn's expression as she continued. "And no. I'm not going to tell you."

"Of course not." Drake reached out with the small black device to touch Juliet.

"No!" Shawn yelled. "Stop! She doesn't know! She doesn't know! Stop!" He fought against the zip tie binding his hands together, pure terror flooding his body as Juliet writhed in the chair, a pained moan escaping from her lips. "Jules! She doesn't know! Please!" He felt his skin around his wrists tear, but continued struggling, not even caring about the pain.

Drake pulled his hand away, smiling as he faced Shawn. "Well, that certainly mixes things up a bit."

"She doesn't know, Drake. I'm the only one who knows where your family is." The only thoughts he had now were for Juliet's safety. He knew what she was doing; how could he not? And he couldn't let her do it! He couldn't let her continue to try and shift Drake's attention to herself. "Let her go, and I'll tell you where they are." He had to get her out of this danger; he would say anything to make her safe. But he also had a promise to keep; he had a family that had already survived so much that was relying on his silence. And as long as Juliet was in the mix…Shawn needed to get her out of this situation.

"Shawn, no!" Juliet gasped.

"You're in no position to make demands. Besides, I find her the necessary catalyst to make you speak. And if she knows…well, it seems I've found her hot spot as well."

…

Lassiter stepped out of his car and looked around the parking lot. He had a bad feeling. A really bad feeling. He slammed the door shut and strode towards O'Hara's car, his eyes narrowing when he saw the car was empty. Was she talking to Spencer? He leaned against her car, crossing his arms as he waited impatiently. That bad feeling was still there. He checked his watch and realized he had only been waiting for a few minutes. He sighed and pulled his phone out, punching in her number and waiting. It rang and went to her voice mail. He felt his face settle into a familiar scowl as he turned to look into her car…and saw her cell-phone lying on the dashboard. He rolled his eyes, trying to suppress the strange anxiousness that had come out of nowhere.

He hadn't wanted to interrupt them; he'd actually been hoping they were working things out. O'Hara had been feeling guilty since that day in the hospital, and it was only a matter of time before that guilt interfered with her work. He sighed and began walking to Shawn's apartment. Better to just check and make sure nothing was wrong.

…

Drake moved towards Juliet again.

"You're a coward!" Shawn shot out.

Drake froze and spun around slowly to face Shawn.

"Shawn!" Juliet gasped.

"Excuse me?"

"Preying on women and children-you're nothing but a coward!"

Shawn folded over the man's fist as it landed in his stomach, grunting at the impact, the next punch to his jaw making him see stars. Without warning, the current was back, higher than before, racing along his nerves. The pain was stealing his breath and he felt his consciousness slip, Juliet's yells and his own seeming to come from a great distance.

His mind didn't register the loud sound of crashing. He was able to feel the pain dissipate, but it left him too dazed to focus on the words being yelled. Shawn jumped at the gunshot, his eyes snapping open, chest heaving as he fought for his breath. He watched Drake fall to the floor, Juliet's gun falling from his grasp. Lassiter was there, holding his gun on Drake's still form while quickly unlatching Juliet's handcuffs.

As soon as the handcuffs popped open, Juliet darted for her gun, holding it unerringly at Drake's head. Lassiter knelt beside the man, hand reaching out to check for a pulse. Both Juliet and Shawn froze as they waited for Lassiter to speak, Shawn splitting his attention between Drake and Juliet. She was blinking rapidly, her eyes shining a little brighter than usual. He furrowed his brow in confusion, his mind not clear enough at that moment to realize she was so upset over him. Juliet sighed, lowering her gun when Lassiter spoke. "He's gone. You get Spencer, I'll call the chief." The order was unnecessary, Juliet was already moving.

Shawn watched, speechless for once, as Juliet hurried to his side and freed him from his bonds.

"I am so sorry," she whispered as his hands came free with a snap. She pursed her lips when she caught sight of his damaged wrists, a testament to how hard he had tried to free himself for her. "Come on," she murmured helping him stand. "Let's get out of this room."

She wrapped her arm around his back, supporting him as they left the kitchen and moved to his living room. She helped him sit and kneeled in front of him, frowning as she studied him. Should she wrap his wrists first? Or do something about the knife wounds? Her thoughts came to a halt when Shawn reached out a hand to cup her cheek.

"Are you okay?" He asked, searching her eyes.

She nodded quickly, "Yes. Yes, I'm fine. It's you-"

"Good," Shawn broke in. He moved his hands so both grasped her arms, holding her securely in place.

Juliet felt her eyes widen when he continued.

"Then maybe you can tell me what the hell you were thinking! Drake could have killed you!" His eyes had turned a darker green as he glared at her, his mouth pressed into a hard line.

His anger that night at the station when he had solved Higgs' murder was nothing compared to the anger he was showing now. But Juliet could see the fear and worry that he had felt for her behind that anger, and those emotions were what sparked such a strong reaction in him.

"I couldn't stand to see you get hurt."

"I don't care, Juliet! Better me than you! Don't ever do that again!"

"I can't promise that, Shawn," She whispered. She couldn't. She would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant Shawn wasn't being hurt.

His expression darkened even more at her words; he growled and, in a move that completely shocked Juliet, put one hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to his lips. Stunned, she didn't react, couldn't react; she just froze until her mind finally understood Shawn was kissing her. In the next moment, she had leaned into the kiss, one hand resting on his shoulder, the other grasping his knee. The small part of her mind that was conscious enough to think was worried she would hurt him if she put her hands anywhere else; the rest of her was floating.

He deepened the kiss, pulling her closer to him; the fear, worry, and anger he had yet to get over giving the kiss a hard, desperate edge she couldn't miss. Slowly, she felt him relax, the fierce emotions giving way as the kiss became sweeter.

"Okay, I filled in the chief and the ambulance is on its way. O'Hara, are-Spencer! What in the name of Sweet Justice are you doing to my partner?"

Shawn and Juliet parted quickly, a smile blossoming on both of their faces. There was a sparkle in Shawn's eyes that she had not seen in over a month, and she found she couldn't look away from it.

"Lassie! What took you so long to join the party? For a moment there, I was worried your invitation got lost in the mail."

Juliet tore her gaze away from Shawn's to look at Carlton, who barely managed to keep his eyes from rolling.

"Whatever, Spencer. Don't thank me for saving your life or anything."

"Okay," Shawn said happily.

Juliet laughed as Carlton's face puckered. As sour as he looked now, the worry line between his eyebrows that had been present for the last few weeks was finally gone. She felt Shawn tighten his grasp on her as he met her gaze deeply for the quickest second before turning back to Carlton. His expression, when he nodded at Carlton, was much more serious; and Juliet knew Shawn was thanking Carlton for not only saving him, but her as well. Carlton nodded back and turned on his heel to walk back to the kitchen. Shawn pulled Juliet even closer, letting his head rest against hers. Their eyes drifted shut, their breath mingling, both of them reliving the last hour…remembering the fear and helplessness they felt at seeing the other in danger and pain.

But it was over. It was finally over. They were safe.

AN: That was a huge chapter, for me. I hope you guys enjoyed! Possibly one last chapter after this.