Okay...here's the deal. I got an e-mail a while back asking if I would write a Shules fic for someone's birthday. I've never written Shules on-demand before, but my stroked ego wouldn't let me turn the opportunity down. The person's birthday is actually tomorrow, but I'll be out of town, so I'm posting it today...

So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY:-)

and...warning: My Most Unabashed Shules To Date!

Juliet sat, silently watching as Shawn walked through the crime scene, his eyes taking in everything.

Usually when she watched him work, it was with a breathless anticipation, waiting for one of his psychic flashes to shed light on an otherwise opaque case. But today, for some reason, the case was the last thing on her mind.

"You know…" She murmured, only half-realizing she was speaking out loud. "You're really short."

Shawn stopped, his concentration completely broken.

"What?" He asked, turning to her with a look of semi-hurt bewilderment.

"Nothing." She said quickly, trying to backpedal her way out of this.

But Shawn wasn't about to give up that easily.

"Did you just call me short?" He demanded, his laughing eyes belying his offended façade.

"No."

"Yes, you did."

"Well…not in a bad way…"

"Is there a good way to take that?"

"Just forget it," she pleaded with a dismissive wave of her hand. "Forget I said anything."

"Okay."

Shawn shook his head slowly and went back to looking around the crime scene, but Juliet could see he was still distracted.

"I slouch," he said a minute later.

"What?"
"I'm actually a lot taller than I look…I slouch."

"No, you don't."

"Do you want me to wear lifts or something?"

"No!"

"Then why would you call me short?"

"I don't know…"

"Jules."'

She sighed, knowing Shawn wouldn't let it drop until he got an answer.

Even then, there was a 50/50 chance he still wouldn't let it drop…

"I was just watching you…" she shrugged. "And it occurred to me that you're short."

"I have great hair." Shawn retorted after a beat, sounding only slightly bitter.

"So?"

"So, I'm just saying…that thought could have occurred to you, instead. Next time, go with that instead of telling me I'm short."

"I didn't mean anything by it, Shawn. Really."

"Then why did you say it?"

"Can we please drop it?" She begged.

"No! I want to know! Why did you call me short?"

"Because!" She snapped irritably. "You're just a lot shorter than I imagined!"

There was a long silence.

Juliet looked away, feeling her cheeks beginning to flush.

"I am?" Shawn asked finally, grinning slyly.

"If you must know, yes."

"How tall did you…imagine…I was?" He wanted to know, enjoying this moment way too much.

"I don't know," she insisted, trying to walk away. "Don't we have a murder to solve?"

"It can wait," Shawn shrugged, still grinning as he blocked her exit. "And you so know! How tall am I supposed to be?"

"You're not going to let it go, are you?" She groaned.

"Not on your life," he shook his head and crossed his arms. "How tall?"

"I don't know…just…tall."

"Just tall?"
"Yes."

"Sorry to disappoint."

She smiled, looking into his eyes.

"I didn't say I was disappointed. And we really do have a murder to solve. Any psychic flashes yet?"

"Not yet," Shawn replied, stepping aside to let her pass. "But I do have a secret."

"What?"

He smiled, stepping close and whispering in her ear.

"You weren't supposed to be a cop."