Author note: Hey guys! I wasn't going to update so soon but hey, you can't stop inspiration when it hits can you? Anyway, this is an extra long chapter because it shows how awesome I am!
So this chapter reveals how Shawn is sent to the institution. Does Henry really send him away? Find out!
Disclaimer: I do not own Psych
Henry didn't really eat a lot that day for lunch either. He had already called a take-away pizza for tonight. He paid online using his credit card meaning the pizza would arrive when Shawn got home from school and Shawn wouldn't have to pay him. Henry knew that he couldn't get take-out every night, but it would do for today.
Today however, turned out to be a really bad day. Maddy hadn't wasted anytime getting things done and she had sent the divorce papers over to Henry. Henry was clueless as to how she got them here so fast; she must have been planning to leave for a while now and timed it so she didn't have to be there when the papers arrived. Everyone at the station was really supportive and Henry signed the papers quite quickly. He had known for ages that their marriage wasn't working and Henry actually felt a little glad that she was out of his life.
"So how is it decided who gets custody of Shawn?" Tom asked and Karen looked puzzled.
"Depends completely on what the office says. Robert Dunly is in charge I think. He's a fair man. Maddy always said she wanted to see the world and travel. I doubt taking Shawn with her everywhere would work and she always thought Shawn was a freak. I never believed her. But….now I know what she means" he answered.
"Huh?" Karen asked confused once more.
"He's not a freak, he's my son. He's just a bit… damaged" Henry hesitantly explained and they understood what he meant instantly.
"I see. Well, hopefully they should rule in your favor then" Tom said crossing his fingers.
"Yeah" Henry agreed.
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The rest of the day passed without incident and when Shawn finally got home, he felt exhausted. He was really hungry already and after raiding the fridge he couldn't find anything edible.
Suddenly the doorbell rang and Shawn didn't know what to do. He had never answered the front door before. He was always told never answer the door to a stranger. Shawn decided to peek, see if it really was a stranger at the door and so went to the window and poked his head out. The man didn't notice him, but he noticed the pizza! Shawn raced down and opened the door wide.
"Food?" He asked with a hopeful expression.
The man chuckled. "Yup. I got two deep pan Hawaiian's here" he said whilst handing Shawn the boxes.
"I don't have any money" Shawn realised out loud and the man waved it off.
"Don't worry Kid. Your dad already paid"
"He paid?" Shawn asked in disbelief. The man looked at him with concern and nodded once.
"You alright?" the man asked.
"Yes. Sorry. Thanks for the pizza!" Shawn snapped as he shut the door on the man and he leant against it, breathing heavily.
He could not believe it. What the hell was going on? His dad had ordered him food! Shawn was over the moon as he tucked into his pizza. Shawn recognised the yellow squares as pineapple and ate all of it before actually eating the now ham pizza. The night was full of surprises though as the phone began to ring. Shawn thought about ignoring it but it was beginning to get on his nerves. Slowly he went up to the phone and held it to his ear.
"Hello?" he whispered.
"Hello, Can I please speak to Henry Spencer?"
Shawn froze. His father wasn't in. What was he supposed to do hang up? Let them know that his house would be very easy to rob at this very moment.
"Who is this? Shawn?"
"Hello?" he asked again.
"My name is Robert, Robert Dunly. What's your name?"
"Shawn" he said, Robert already knew his name.
"Hi Shawn. I need to speak with your daddy, can you put him on the phone?"
"He's….not here. He's at work still" he explained chancing it.
"Oh I see. Well can I speak to you babysitter then please?"
"I'm no baby! I haven't got a baby sitter. I'm eight!" Shawn said quite proudly.
"Are you alone in the house Shawn?"
"Uh huh. My Dad will be back soon though. If you wanna speak with him, call de cops cos my daddy's a cop." Shawn explained being helpful.
"Thank you Shawn. We will"
There was a clicking noise and the phone call ended. Shawn was very thankful for that. However that made Shawn paranoid for the rest of the night. He jumped at every creek and sound. He was sure that someone would break in to the house and kill him. He had basically just gone ahead and told a random stranger than he is an eight year old boy alone in a house. At least Ross was with him though. Ross went everywhere with him. Shawn knew he was very good at hiding from other people. Shawn suspected he wore some sort of invisibility cloak because he was the only one who could ever see him. He definitely was real though, he had always been a friend to Shawn. Had kept him company, warned him about things and enjoyed doing the experiments with Shawn. Shawn had been careful never to mention him in front of his father when he was younger. He was sure his dad had seen him talking to him a few times. But he had forgotten about his existence after a while.
At least I told him my daddy's a cop! Shawn thought. No burglar would want to get him. Shawn knew his father would save him. After all he's been really nice lately. He's been treated to pineapple and pizza. His brand new favorite things of the world.
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Robert Dunly was a fair man and he had just gotten off the phone with Shawn Spencer who sounded absolutely petrified. Robert had a huge decision to make as to who got the custody of Shawn. Robert had been leaning towards Henry. He had a stable well paid job and maintained the house so Shawn wouldn't have the difficulty of moving. After speaking to Maddy he realised that she wanted to travel the world. With no stable living environment and a job that did not get her a reliable income Maddy wasn't fit to take care of a child. However, Maddy had said somethings about Henry that made him rethink. She said the school rang her saying he wasn't being fed, that his clothes were dirty and that he worked too many hours to probably look after a young child. Robert was tempted to agree. Especially as Shawn had already gotten home from school and Henry wasn't there, nor had he arranged a babysitter or a neighbour to keep an eye on him. Robert decided to ring Shawn's school and find out what exactly was going on and was put into contact with Miss Pomme who expressed her concerns and divulged the latest information about Shawn's imaginary friend.
This was going to be a difficult decision and he knew it. All he wanted was for what is best for Shawn and he made a decision that no one would have expected.
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Henry read the letter he had just received with astonishment. He couldn't believe it. How the hell had this happened?
Custody had gone to Maddy on the grounds of Henry not being able to provide what Shawn needed. But then Henry read the end of the letter. It seems Miss Jones had come back to him. Somehow Maddy had found out about her diagnoses and she was sending him to West Haven. Henry couldn't believe it but there was nothing he could do. It said in the letter that his son had an imaginary friend called Ross who had been with him for years. Henry vaguely remembered Shawn talking to himself when he was younger but he always thought he was muttering under his breath like people did when they were angry or upset. Not talking to another person entirely. Henry could have kicked himself for not noticing. Henry began to silent cry as he read that his son would be picked up this weekend. Shawn glanced at the day. It was Thursday afternoon. They were coming the day after tomorrow.
Tom noticed something was up and came over.
"What's up partner?" he asked seriously and Henry just thrust him the letter.
"Unbelievable!" Tom shouted shocked. Karen heard and came over to see what was happening, after seeing Henry's face she was instantly concerned.
"They're sending him to West Haven" Henry announced. A few officers heard this announcement whilst passing by and by lunchtime everyone knew and was offering him sympathy and reassuring him that it might not be that bad news.
"You'll be able to visit" on person told him.
"At least he's not with your ex-wife" another said.
"He'll get the treatment he needs" Karen assured him, "and full time care, he will be properly looked after"
"You saying I can't look after my son?" Henry snapped and Karen looked shocked. Tom put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"I'm sorry" Henry admitted. "Let the Chief know where I am and give him the letter. I have to speak to Shawn"
Karen nodded, completely understanding and watched Henry as he left in a hurry to his son's school.
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Henry arrived when Shawn was in his fourth lesson. He went to the front desk first and demanded to see his son.
"Is there some sort of emergency?" the receptionist asked and Henry groaned aloud. Why wouldn't this woman let him see his own son?
"Mr Spencer?" Miss Pomme asked in surprise.
"Yes, that's me" Henry responded.
"My name is Miss Pomme. I'm the school nurse"
"yeah, Shawn mentioned you, said you are friends with Miss Jones" Henry realised.
"Yes, that's right" she gave a small smile.
"He's going to West haven next week" Henry declared suddenly and she gasped in shock.
"Are you sure?" she asked, she would miss Shawn if he left. He was a regular visitor of hers and she couldn't believe that a father would be willing to leave his son.
"It's not my choice. My wife won custody and she is sending him there" Henry admitted glumly.
"I'm sorry" she said quietly before realising what the reason for his presence. "I'll make the arrangements Mr Spencer. I'll go fetch your son. He needn't come into school tomorrow unless he wants to say his goodbyes. But… I think he would rather spend the day with you." She finished and Henry blinked away a tear and nodded awkwardly.
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Shawn was looking down at his maths book and doodling. They were meant to be doing their sums but Shawn refused to do them and so was bored. He was drawing pineapple's into his book as they were special to him. A pineapple was the first thing his father had given him in two years. Even though he ate it, Shawn vowed that he would treasure it for the rest of his life.
When Miss Pomme knocked on the door, Shawn was surprised to find Miss Pomme there. She seemed sad as she apologised for interrupting the lesson.
"I'm here to take Shawn. His father is waiting for him in reception" she explained and the teacher nodded. Shawn wondered if he were in trouble and was sure everyone else was thinking the exact same thing. Gus nudged him worried.
"You haven't done anything stupid have you?" he whispered, "Like the time brought in a rat of the street and let it loose in the kitchens"
Shawn shook his head and smiled at him.
"BYE EVERYONE" Shawn yelled before bounding out. Super excited about the fact his father had come see him. He father had never come to see him before, ever. He wondered it fit was normal to be picked up by his daddy in the middle of the day. Maybe it was a trick. Maybe it wasn't his father and was someone who was going to kidnap him and kill him in a horrible way. Maybe he was going to put him in the freezer to see if he died.
Miss Pomme walked with him to reception and noticed as Shawn slowed his walking pace and started walking behind her. She held out her hand and he immediately grabbed it, squeezing tightly with nerves. Miss Pomme didn't anything but as they reached reception Shawn spotted his father by the desk waiting. Shawn stepped out from behind her and Henry noticed immediately and gave a watery smile.
"Hey kid" Henry greeted him and Shawn looked a little confused.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, walking closer to his father. Miss Pomme bowed her head awkwardly catching Henry's eyes as she walked away. Henry was thankful for this and knelt down to look Shawn in the eyes.
"I need to talk to you kiddo" Henry explained as his eyes filled with tears. How on earth was he meant to break this to him?
Shawn began to walk towards the door and Henry sighed before standing up and following him.
"Let's go home, kid" Henry sighed defeated. He would delay the conversation until then.
Shawn then grinned and pulled his father by the hand and Henry let out a small laugh at his excitement. Shawn somehow pulled him in the direction of the car instinctively making Henry wonder how he knew where he parked.
Henry was an observant man when he chose to be and when they were both seated, he opened the glove compartment and took out a lolly pop. Shawn immediately lit up, a bright big smile that made Henry inwardly cringe. It really wasn't fair Henry thought to himself as Shawn sucked on his lolly and he drove home.
Upon reaching the front door Henry took a moment to observe his house. It was so messy. Dirty even. Shawn took no notice of his father's hesitancy and bounded inside.
"What now daddy?" Shawn asked and Henry blinked. How could he even start.
"Shawn….I need to talk to you" he said in a serious manner and Shawn just looked at him, curious.
"As you know, you mum left us and it has been decided that you are to live with that nice lady that came to see you. Miss Jones, do you remember her?" Henry asked quietly, wondering how his son was going to respond.
Shawn nodded slowly as the information sunk in slowly.
His mummy didn't want him anymore. He could have guessed, she did leave without saying goodbye.
"She works at a place called West Haven" Henry explained, not bringing him to add psychiatric centre on the end.
"You will get to leave with other people like you and get better" Henry tried to explain, he was starting to tear up and Shawn only stared at him confused.
"Am I ill?" Shawn asked and Henry let out a watery smile. "Cos Miss Pomme took my bread away cos it was smelly and blue! She said that would make me ill but I didn't eat it! I swear!"
Henry's eyes widened for a moment before he strived to the bread bin and opened it up. An odour immediately hit him and he moaned out loud. Shawn was right; he should not have left this mouldy bread here. Henry held the bread away from him and put it in the bin.
"She's right. Never eat blue bread" Henry told him as a tear rolled down his cheek.
"When do I go?" Shawn asked, his big round eyes beginning to tear as well. He didn't want to live in a strange place. He didn't want his daddy to abandon him either.
"Saturday" Henry told him. "So…" he knelt down to Shawn's level and looked him in the eyes. "We are gonna spend all day together tomorrow ok kid?"
Shawn blinked again as a tear rolled down his face.
"Ok daddy" he sobbed and Henry embraced the boy in a big hug.
"It'll be ok son… I promise" Henry replied quietly, returning the hug.
Shawn couldn't believe what he had been told and he ran upstairs to get his pyjamas on, Henry smiled weakly, watching his son bound up the stairs two at a time. That's when Henry decided he would have to order take out again. He didn't really want to leave the house that night knowing he could burst into tears at any moment. He didn't want to have to be seen and pretend to be strong when he was crying inside. Pizza was a no go though and so Henry ordered Chinese. He was unsure of where Shawn had ever had Chinese before but he would just hope that Shawn like it.
Shawn put his pyjamas on as fast as he could and did something that he hadn't done in the past few days. He rang Gus. Thankfully school had already finished and Gus was home but it was Mrs Guster that picked up the telephone.
"Hello"
"Hi Miss Guster. Can I speak with Gus? He's my bestest friend"
"Shawn? Is that you?"
"Yup!"
"Gus told me what happened at school. I…. I hope you like being at West Haven Psychiatric Centre."
Shawn froze. Psychiatric centre?
"Your daddy told me your hallucinations and other things… I really hope you get better. Anyway, I will put Gus on the phone, one moment."
Shawn froze, what were hallucinations? What did psychiatric mean? His daddy hadn't told him that. Shawn decided that he would ask him when he went downstairs; after all he had a right to know what was wrong with him and why he had to leave.
"Hello? Shawn is that you"
"Gus!"
"What happened earlier? Why did your dad come?"
"He told me that I'll be going to live with Miss Jones. Daddy said he would spend the whole day with me tomorrow and then he was gonna leave me… just like mummy did"
"Oh… where will you live? I'll visit! I promise! Will you still come to school?"
"I don't know yet Gus. You'll have to ask my daddy. You know what a psychiatric centre is?"
"… I think it's a place where the send crazy people"
Shawn froze again for a second but he noticed Gus' hesitancy to say that from the pause when he had asked.
"Shawn?"
Shawn snapped out of it as he realised that his father thought he was crazy. That must be why there was something wrong with him, why Miss Pomme took his blood: to test for craziness. Shawn gulped.
"You think I'm crazy?"
Shawn was sobbing at this point and Gus was quick to reassure him.
"You think a normal person would paint their face green? Set rats loose in the kitchen or freeze their pat rabbits?"
"No…?"
"Exactly. You're special and my bestest friend! I don't care what anyone says! I'll come visit you! I promise!"
"Good! I gotta go. I'm hungry, not sure if my dad actually has any food left though. Better go find out. I will see you soon then?"
"You betcha! Shawn! See you soon!"
Shawn didn't say bye. There was no point. He would see Gus soon enough. He forgot to ask what a hallucination as, he realised as he hung up the phone.
"You know what a hallucation is?" Shawn asked Ross.
Ross shrugged at him. "No clue, sorry."
So his dad thought he was crazy and was sending him a way to crazy people place. Shawn wiped the tears from his face and walked back downstairs. Henry smiled when he saw his son, though looked at him concerned as he noticed the redness of his eyes.
"I've ordered Chinese for tea" Henry stated awkwardly and Shawn stared at him. Henry froze as he realised Shawn was doing the starey thing again.
Shawn went to sit down in front of the TV and almost immediately stood up again after hearing the doorbell go. Henry followed his son as he opened the door stared outside for a moment before Shawn came back inside and sat down. Henry frowned, that was strange.
Henry thought about asking Shawn about it but then the doorbell rang. Shawn however didn't move from his spot on the sofa and Henry sighed. He grabbed his wallet and got the Chinese food. He thanked the guy at the door and put the food on the table. Henry separated the food off and gave Shawn his along with a pair of chopsticks. Henry went and sat next to Shawn and he put the TV on. Shawn jumped when the screen flickered on and he stared at it in amazement before looking doubtful. Maybe Shawn was "watching" the TV again when it turned on.
Shawn didn't say a word when Henry gave him his food and Henry saw Shawn struggling with the chopsticks. He reached over to help but Shawn shot him a glance and began using the chopsticks like spears by stabbing the food. He did this expertly which freaked Henry out as the juice oozed out of the meat like a knife piercing flesh. Henry only hoped that isn't what Shawn pictured too.
Years ago, Henry wanted nothing more for Shawn to follow in his footsteps and grow up to be the best cop anyone had ever seen. Though now, Henry knew that without help. His son might just grow up to be the greatest criminal in the world.
"So Shawn…school told me about your friend Ross" Henry started feebly.
"They did?" Shawn asked confused.
"They said you see him a lot?" Henry asked. Shawn grinned at him, knowing that he was super special to be able to see Ross as he was Shawn's friend, no one else's.
"Yup" Shawn said before turning solemn, "he never leaves me"
Henry sighed, it was a touchy subject, Shawn's mother, and Henry had no urge to ask any more so they continued the meal in silence.
When Shawn finished his meal he put the wrappers on the floor for Henry to clear away. Henry glanced round to see where Shawn was going and found him beginning to go upstairs. Shawn paused suddenly, as if he had sensed his eyes watching him. Shawn turned his gaze and glared at his father once more before he continued upstairs to bed. It was early put he didn't want to be around his father anymore. Plus the stress of today meant that Shawn was already tired. Shawn had no trouble getting to sleep that night.
Henry was a mess. He had no idea what to do. Henry had explained everything and Shawn took It amazingly well. He spent a lot of time getting changed but from what Henry saw afterwards, it was obvious that Shawn had been crying. Henry only wished he had been there to comfort him. Henry ate a few more of his mouthfuls before following Shawn up the stairs and was shocked at the sight he saw. Shawn was already fast asleep in his bed, snoring softly. Henry smiled at the sight of his sleeping son and crept round by his bed to say good night.
"Night Shawn" he whispered as he pulled the duvet up beneath his chin. He noticed an alarm clock beside his bed and Henry studied it for a moment; wondering how he could switch it off. Although Henry wanted to spend as much time as possible with his son he wanted his son to be well rested. Seeing as he didn't need to get up for school Henry pulled the plug on the clock altogether.
Shawn moaned slightly as the sound and murmured something incomprehensibly. Henry smiled with sadness as he left the room to get some sleep himself.
Tomorrow was going to be the best day of Shawn's life. He was going to make sure of it.
Author note: So one day of freedom for Shawn before he goes to his new home. How sad...
So it was actually all Maddy's fault but does Shawn know that? Nope!
Please leave me a review and tell me what you think. I really am interested in what you guys think.
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