Disclaimer: I don't own Psych or any of its related characters. This is just for my own enjoyment and the potential enjoyment of other Psych-Os like me, and no monetary gain was expected or received.

Rating: M+

Spoilers: Through season 4 episode 16, "Mr. Yin Presents," some minor spoilers through current episodes.


Chapter Twelve: If You're Going to San Francisco…

"Are you sure you're going to be all right with this?" Lassiter asked for approximately the ninety-third time as he drove them in his old red Chevy toward San Francisco.

Juliet sighed. "What happened to 'more grit than a platoon of seasoned marines,' Carlton?"

"Being able to handle another…case of this nature doesn't mean that you have to. It's not too late to turn back."

"I'm a cop, Carlton. Of course I have to. Now stop worrying."

He fell silent for a few miles, but finally shook his head in irritation. "I know Vick knew all about this case. She's setting us up to fail."

Juliet disagreed. "She may have known about the case, I'm not going to argue that," she said, "but I kind of think that she knew this would be the perfect way for us to prove we could balance our professional and private lives. Relax, Carlton. We can handle this."

He shook his head again, then shot her an apologetic sidelong glance. "Are you sure I'm worth it?" he said.

"Indubitably, Detective."

He sighed. "I hope you're right about that."

She turned slightly in the passenger seat and rubbed his arm. "Carlton. Everything is going to be all right. This time Romeo and Juliet ends happily ever after."

She could tell he was back in tortured mode. "But how can you be sure?" he said helplessly. "I mean, God, I haven't even taken you out on a proper date yet."

"We'll get to that. Now stop worrying." She reached for the radio button. Vic Damone whined out of the speakers. She gave Lassiter an eloquent look and he burst out laughing.

"I hope that's not a game-changer," he said. "I'm a good bowler, if that mitigates anything."

He switched the CD player to radio. "Find something you like," he said. "I'm flexible on music. Just no rap. And I'm slightly twang intolerant, so I'd prefer no Country."

She leaned forward and hit the Scan button, and eventually settled on a station playing light rock. After a brief station break they came back with a classic, "You Got It" - the original cut from the late Roy Orbison. Juliet squealed. "I love this song!"

He stole regular glances away from the road at her while she "danced" in her seat and sang along. A half smile curled the corner of his mouth. She was completely oblivious to his attention. He'd never liked traveling with people who danced and sang in the car, whether the drive was long or short. He discovered he didn't mind this at all.

A few songs and a few miles later he was still thinking about the way she just abandoned herself to the music. "Can we stop for something to eat next time we see a restaurant?" she asked when the commercials came back on. "I'm getting kind of hungry."

"Anything you want, anything you need, anything at all…you got it, baby."