Gus's finger were drumming on the outside of his cup of coffee restlessly, while his eyes were trained on the floor in front of his feet. He had never before believed Shawn's claims that he was prone to overthinking, but right now he couldn't focus on anything else but the discovery he made. He should call his office, his boss, his parents, anyone actually, to let them know that he wouldn't be available the next few days. He didn't know anything about police procedure when it came to protective custodies, but he started to doubt they wouldn't care whether he got fired because of it or not.

Abigail was still inside Shawn's room and Gus honestly couldn't care less for the moment. He'd taken his time to get fresh air, spent at least ten minutes watching people enter or leave the place, taking in their expressions and behaviour. There were concerned parents, friends or family members entering the place, jittering all over the place with nervousness. Others left with big smiles on their faces, relief evident on them. Some people strode in and out with a purpose, their minds either focused solely on whoever they came to see or something unrelated entirely. Children were running all over the place sometimes, oblivious to the fact that a visit to the hospital was connected to one injury or disease or another. Sometimes paramedics or doctors came outside for a quick break in the Californian sun.

Not one person had he seen leaving that looked angry. That'd just been him.

He knew it wasn't fair except Gus couldn't bring himself to bother about that. Because it was fair. What exactly had he done to deserve being lied to? When had he let Shawn down so that it would be acceptable to lie and keep lying and go as far as get him to start lying, too? He may not have Shawn's memory but he was 100% sure there hadn't been one instance that would've excused such behaviour. He'd been there during all the times Shawn's parents had fought, he'd been there when Chairman Meow died (even though Shawn was in denial about that), he'd been there for so many of Henry's ridiculous lessons and provided the balance from all the structures Shawn grew up in. He'd allowed Shawn to be a goofball in school or at his home, even though so many hated that, his own parents included, because he'd been the only one who understood that that was what his best friend needed. They may have grown apart during Shawn's travelling days, but he never blamed Shawn or himself, because they fell right back into the same pace.

Honestly, where was he to blame? He didn't understand.

Maybe he didn't need to.

Maybe he needed a break. A break from the lies, chaos and fun they'd had, because adult life wasn't all fun like Shawn tried to convince him. Except the idea of getting rid of Shawn's antics freaked him more than his hurt and Shawn's lies ever could. At some point during his college years he'd tried replacing Shawn with Blackapella, but he'd found out he couldn't. Any friends he made were different than his connection with Shawn and, in completely platonical way, he didn't know if he could bear to lose his best friend - again.

Gus sighed and rubbed his forehead, already feeling the headache forming. Time to think about it all objectively, like it was another case to solve. Maybe his thoughts would stop if he got some answers. What had really happened during the ten years following graduation? He remembered opening up to find Shawn in front of his parents' house, a backpack slung over his shoulders with the oversized brown leather jacket that he kept during all those years. He remembered being surprised to see his friend. He hadn't spoken to him personally since he'd bailed him out of jail, unknowingly with the help of his parents, figuring Shawn managed to crash at some other friend's house instead of at Gus' when his parents didn't approve of their friendship in the first place. He had been concerned that Shawn hadn't shown up at all in school, but he'd called Gus or left some other sign of being alive to reassure him.

Shawn had left that night, not to be seen again for three years. Gus had started college, found friends, picked up girls, met Mira. He considered whether Mira was the reason for Shawn's secrecy but his best friend had been genuinely surprised (and pissed) to hear he was married. He hadn't heard much of Shawn during the first two years, figuring he needed space and sorted his thoughts out, lived his life the way he never could. With the third year a postcard came in, with a return address to Argentina. Gus remembered being incredibly shocked, both by the postcard itself and by the fact that Shawn was in freaking Argentina.

A week later, another postcard came in, this time from Brazil. Shawn had written that he left the winery because he got bored by all the wasted people there. He'd write Gus another postcard as soon as he found a place he would stay in longer than a few days. That'd been the first time Gus had written back, explained about his college courses mostly, a little about his friends and a lot more about girls. He'd considered asking his friend when he'd come visit, but it hadn't even been necessary. Shawn's next postcard came from the US, Alabama, disagreeing with his claim to stay in Brazil longer than a few days. Boring, he'd written. Dude, I'm coming by to pick you up for Mexico. Live it up a little. You better start packing.

Gus sighed again, shaking his head. Shawn probably hadn't been involved with the LAPD back then. Still, it made him wonder how many of Shawn's amazing trips had been honest after all.

"Mr. Guster?" His head snapped up at the nurse talking to him, her silky red hair pulled back into a short ponytail. She was cute, smiling at him.

"Yes?" He asked and blinked.

"Mr. Spencer asked for you," she explained quickly. "Do you want to come?" He nodded uncertainly, standing up from his chair and following the nurse to the reception desk. "Would you mind if I gave you the release forms to take to Mr. Spencer? I have other patients I need to visit..." He just shook his head in answer and was on his way to the room soon enough.

When he opened the door, the small room seemed crammed with people once again. Abigail was sitting in the chair next to Shawn's bed, which in turn was occupied by his friend who had managed to get a change of clothing. Three other people were standing, two of which he recognized as the LAPD Captain and Chief Vick. The third one was young and obviously a cop, too, most likely the detective that accompanied McCoy to Santa Barbara. He smirking at Shawn and in the motion of sitting down on the spare bed in the room. Gus swallowed down any sarcastic comments and handed Shawn the release forms without another word.

His friend didn't look him in the eye.

At least he feels somewhat guilty, Gus noted bitterly.

"Why does this feel like an awkward moment?" The young detective asked after a moment of silence, frowning in confusion.

Shawn hesitated for a moment, before he started the conversation, completely ignoring the man's observation. "You want to take Gus and me to LA?"

The detecives looked at each other, frowning as though trying to figure out how he knew this. "Yes."

"What about Abigail?"

"I can't leave, Shawn," his girlfriend reprimanded him gently. Gus breathed out slowly, despite himself glad that Abigail didn't seem to have left Shawn after his lie. If she was able to forgive him, so should he, right?

"I'm not asking you to," Shawn told her.

Karen stepped in. "I can approve of having a protective detail around Ms. Lytar, as long as she agrees." Abigail paused for a moment, before she nodded.

"What about my job?" Gus stepped in, turning to look at the detectives. "I can't just leave nilly-willy."

"I don't think that will be a problem," the young guy answered him. "There's a serious reason that you might be in danger. They can't fire you because you sre preoccupied with law enforcement." He smiled and Gus decided he liked the guy, at least a little. "I can flash my badge, if you need it though."

Karen put her hands on her hips, slowly glaring at the young guy. "You, sir, are not in Los Angeles," she turned to Gus. "But I agree with what he says, Mr. Guster. This will be quickly arranged." Gus just tilted his head in acknowledgement.

McCoy moved to talk, too, but he was quickly cut off by Shawn who glanced at his friend. "If you don't mind, I would like to not think about what happened earlier for the rest of the day."

The Captain frowned and Karen, too, seemed put off by what he said. "Alright," McCoy finally agreed. "Then we better get to preparing you to leave. Martinez, you take Spence to his apartment and wherever he stuffs whatever he needs. I will accompany Guster." Gus wasn't sure whether he wanted to spend one on one time with the rough, older man but it didn't seem like he had a choice.

Karen quickly jumped on the chance and took over. "Ms. Lytar, I will re-assign Officer Miller to you. He's the one outside the door," she nodded in the direction of the hallway. "I will, meanwhile, start with what we discussed earlier."

"Chief?" Shawn spoke up. "What about Juliet and Lassie? They were here a few minutes before and -"

"I will keep them in check," Karen answered his unspoken question. "But I don't know how much longer I will be able to. I don't want them to get mixed up with something dangerous because I kept your secrets."

Shawn swallowed hardly. "Okay."

"Let's give him some space, people," the young detective, who'd been called Martinez by McCoy, spoke up. Gus didn't miss the grateful look Shawn sent his way. Another co-worker he didn't know about, then. "Fill out these and meet me in the hallway," Martinez pointed at the release forms and the left with Chief Vick and McCoy in tow.

Abigail bent down to give Shawn a quick kiss. "Now, remember," she scolded sternly. "Remember to call your dad. Gus, can I trust you to watch out for him?" She seemed hesitant to ask that for him. Gus didn't know why. He hadn't done anything else since Shawn was eight years old. He refrained from telling her so, though, and just nodded. "Good. Be careful, both of you." She kissed Shawn again and hugged Gus quickly, whispering a goodbye. "He's really sorry."

Gus didn't answer, just followed her to the door. It didn't matter now. He wanted answers, but he couldn't stand talking to Shawn now, especially alone.

"Gus, buddy -" He heard his friend call out hesitantly, but Gus just shook his head. "Not now, Shawn."

He didn't look back to see the hurt look on his friend's face.

I hate seeing Gus sad. I hope you enjoyed it, though. A certain bouquet of pineapples managed to get my creative juices flowing again!

Already working on the next chapter. :)