I wasn't going to post this one just yet, but I reread it and decided it was a good one-shot, even if I haven't decided HOW I want Shawn to ask yet...

"Gus, I'm going to do it."

Without glancing up from the papers spread out in front of him, Gus replied, "You're going to do what? Don't say saran wrap Lassiter's car. He'd totally arrest you."

"I'm going to ask her to marry me."

"Mmmhmm, okay, just don't—what?" Gus looked up sharply, eyes wide, to see Shawn leaning against his desk, crushing a rubber frog, whose eyes popped out with every squeeze, in one hand as he chewed on his lower lip. "Wait, you're going to what? You're going to ask—are you serious?"

Shawn looked up, meeting his gaze and nodded, a smile lined with anxiety stretching across his face. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm going to ask her."

Gus simply stared at him for a moment before putting down the papers he was holding. "That's a big deal, Shawn."

"I know."

He started chewing on his lower lip again and Gus said, "So…did you…?"

Shawn nodded. "I had lunch with her dad."

Gus' eyes widened even further. "Oh my god. You're really going to do it."

A grin flashed across Shawn's face. "Dude, your confidence in me is overwhelming. Really."

Gus winced. "No. Shawn, that's not—I just—I mean—that's fantastic." He got to his feet, moving across the room. "Did you get a ring?"

Shawn's grin returned, broader this time and he ducked his head, fishing around in his pocket. He pulled out a small black box and flipped it open for Gus to see. "It's nothing majorly fancy but—"

"Damn, Shawn, this is a nice ring," Gus cut in, impressed.

Shawn grinned. "Yeah?"

"Can I…?" Shawn nodded and Gus reached for the ring when—

"You know that's not legal in California, right?"

Shawn jumped, startled, and Gus snatched the box out of the air as it toppled off of his outstretched hand. "Dad..."

Henry, standing with his hands in his pockets in the doorway, continued gaze casually at the box in Gus' hand. "So you think you're ready for that, eh, kid?"

Shawn stiffened. "I—"

Henry looked up and both boys were bewildered by the smile that slid onto the elder Spencer's face. "It's about time you asked her. She's a very patient girl."

The tension in Shawn's frame seemed to flow down and out through the bottom of his sneakers and he rolled his eyes. "Gee, Dad. Thanks. I know I'm not worthy of a girl like her but you'd think I could get a little loyalty from my own father."

Henry's smile quirked into a grin for a split second. He nodded at the ring in Gus' hand, and said, "That's a nice ring."

Shawn proceeded to look very smug. "I do know a thing or two about engagement rings, Dad. There was this one time—"

"You worked in a jewelry shop, yadda yadda yadda. That's nice. Do you know how you're going to do it?"

Hazel eyes spun toward the ceiling again and Shawn said, "Dad, really, what do you take me for? I don't need you to help me plan everything. I'm a big boy now."

"Uh huh. So you have a plan?"

Shawn pursed his lips and was quiet for a long moment. "All right, fine," he finally burst. "No. I don't know what I'm going to do yet. I don't even know when I'm going to ask her. Happy now?"

Henry simply shrugged. "Just make sure it's something memorable."

Shawn let his head drop, expression dry. "Memorable. Really, Dad? I never would have thought to make it memorable. It's so much better if the girl you marry totally forgets the day you asked her, don't you think Gus? That just makes sense!"

Gus' expression as he handed back the ring box was one that clearly said, "I am not getting in the middle of this."

Henry ignored his son's little speech. "All I'm saying is that—"

"Dad," Shawn cut in brusquely, "What are you doing here? When I want your help on popping the question, I'll ask, okay?" He waited, looking impatient.

Sighing and rolling his own eyes, Henry said, waving one hand slightly, "You seemed…" Now he waved both hands in a fluttery gesture. "…a little wound up when I talked to you this morning. I mean, obviously I know why now, but—"

"Dad, seriously. Spit it out already. Do you want me to clean the garage? Do I need to go get a check up so you'll stop being a spaz?"

Henry huffed irritably, crossing his arms tightly across his chest. "I just thought I'd take you to get a drink. It sounded like you needed it," he finally snapped.

Shawn paused, eyebrows rising slightly in surprise. "Oh."

Gus rolled his eyes and moved back to his desk to get back to work.

"Yeah, 'Oh'," Henry retorted, eyes flicking around to eye various spots on the carpet as he stuffed his hands back into his pockets.

The two men were quiet for a long moment and then Shawn said with exaggerated reluctance, "Yeah, I guess…"

"Fine," Henry bit back and turned, striding for the door. Shawn followed and as the front door opened Gus heard Henry say, "That new Geronimo's place is open over on Fourth."

"Dad, really. Geronimo's? Are you serious? Do you actually want to be seen there?"

"Shawn, it's a perfectly respectable place. I…"

Gus smiled to himself as their voices faded away.