Author note: So yeah. back from my holiday. But off to UNI later today too, so not sure how much time i will have for writing but I promise not to abandon this and try my best with as many updates as I can!
You guys remember the last chapter? Go back and re read if you want. Review!
Charlie sighed sinking into the seat and looked over at Shawn who had now stopped waving and checking his seatbelt was secure… again.
"Can we go see Gus first? I want to surprise him" Shawn asked and Charlie smiled.
"Sure" Charlie responded thinking that this was a great idea. She quickly gave the address to the driver who nodded understanding his destination. Seeing Gus was definitely a good thing in Charlie's books, she only hoped that she wouldn't interfere too much. She didn't want Shawn to feel like he was being baby sat which technically was what she was meant to do for the whole week.
It wasn't a long drive to the building where Gus worked. They knew he would be in his office and Charlie instructed for the taxi to wait there. Charlie wasn't going to pay just yet, otherwise she would have to drag her bags up the stairs and back down again only to ring another taxi in order to get to a hotel.
Shawn slammed the door shut and approached the large building. Shawn hadn't seen anything like it… ever. It had walls made out of glass and fancy looking desks and shiny polished floors.
Charlie watched Shawn with curiosity as he learnt how buildings had changed. He hadn't been in the outside world for years. It would be interesting for him to see what had changed.
Shawn stood there for several moments and only moved when Charlie walked past him and made her way to the reception desk. Shawn had never been in this situation before and so didn't know where to go and so followed Charlie obediently. He had no idea where Gus' office would be.
"Hi, Could you direct me to the office of Mr Guster?" Charlie asked the male employee at the desk.
He didn't smile but typed into the computer for several seconds and said,
"Room 302. 3rd floor. Take the lift and the end of the hall and it's on your left."
"Thank you" Charlie responded, looking at Shawn who obviously thought his tone was rather rude as well.
They walked down the end of the hall to the lift and Charlie pressed the button. The doors slide open but Shawn didn't move. He just stared at the bizarre contraption and the rust forming on the frame.
Charlie noticed the expression. Eager to avoid a meltdown in a public place she suggested the stairs rather quickly.
Shawn just nodded and followed Charlie up the stairs. Since it was only the third floor, they didn't get too worn out and Shawn walked faster and faster as he passed doors with a numerical count down to his friend's office.
Shawn stopped outside door 302 but didn't wait. The door was see-through and he could see his friend typing away at his computer, actually, it looked as if he was playing video games. Shawn smiled to himself before knocking, then entering immediately.
Gus looked up before staring at his best friend in shock.
He was speechless.
Charlie tried to stop herself from laughing; she managed it but only with a considerable amount of effort.
"Shawn? What are you doing here?" he asked, still staring at him. His fingers hovering above the key board and the flashing screen reflected on his shirt made Shawn aware that he had just lost.
"I'm on trial" Shawn responded with a grin.
"In court? For murder? You haven't killed anyone have you?" he asked as he started panicking.
Shawn burst into laughter but was quick to reassure him, "No. On a trial run. I've been released for the week. They might consider permanently if I can adapt to society again"
The relief in Gus' eyes now he knew that his best friend hadn't accidently killed someone was obvious, but he still remained staring in a way of disbelief. He couldn't believe that his best friend was standing before him. In all the years he had known him, since being admitted, he had never been outside. Gus looked at Charlie for confirmation and she nodded smiling.
"I'm taking the week off" Gus announced standing up.
Charlie gasped in shock and Shawn simply raised his eyebrows.
"Good!" Shawn nodded and when Gus looked at him Shawn smiled, "Well, they are not paying you to play video games, are they?" he asked rhetorically.
"How did you-" Gus started and Shawn raised an eyebrow believing the answer to be obvious.
"Your key board" Shawn explained simply.
Gus' face remained confused and Charlie looked at him strangely.
"Shawn?" she asked.
Immediately Shawn realised what he had said and explained, "Left hand space bar, right hand arrow keys… I'm not hearing voices Charlie"
Charlie looked affronted, "I never said you were"
"You were thinking it" Shawn mumbled.
"You always were observant" Gus remembered, "You can freak people out by doing it to your dad!"
Shawn's face sobered. "Maybe"
Silence.
"Would you like to join us at the station? We have a taxi waiting. We just need to stop off at a hotel first" Charlie explained, deciding to fill the silence.
"Sure. I'll just tell my Boss. But don't bother about getting a hotel. You guys can stay with me at my place, I got plenty of room" Gus assured them and Charlie looked shocked.
"Cool! Sleepover!" Shawn grinned, something they never got to do when they were kids.
"Are you sure?" Charlie clarified.
"Absolutely! If we've only got the week, I'm not gonna waste it"
Shawn grinned and looked over at Charlie with a face that quite clearly said, "You've got no choice. We're going".
Gus grabbed his coat and keys before he rushed out of the room and knocked on the door that was more or less opposite then ran in to inform his Boss. Apparently he had no problem with it as Gus reappeared only seconds later.
Shawn did raise his eyebrows at this but Gus only waved him off and proceeded to follow the corridor which Charlie and Shawn had just walked down moments before.
Gus pressed the button on the lift but they ended up not waiting for it as Shawn scoffed and said, "No way" before proceeding to take the stairs. Gus didn't even sigh but looked longingly as the doors open and he walked away only to physically exert himself with the stairs. Gus and Charlie shared a glance at not wanting to use the lift but not a single word was spoken about it.
When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Gus took out his keys and told them, "I have to drive back anyway as I can't leave my car here. Why don't you order the taxi to follow me?"
Charlie frowned but Shawn nodded eagerly.
"It's easy enough. His car is bright blue" Shawn explained and Charlie smiled in agreement.
"Ok. Lead the way" Charlie told him and Gus nodded.
They reached the exit of the building and Charlie thanked the driver for waiting. They had only been inside ten minutes or so, so it wasn't that long of a wait for him.
She instructed the driver to follow Gus' car. Shawn was right, it was easy to spot. All the other cars parked around were dull greys and blacks and true to his word, his car was bright blue.
It was a really short drive again to his apartment, well it was a block of apartments and Charlie was instantly worried that it was going to be high up and then they would be forced to take the stairs… she needn't have worried.
Charlie paid the taxi man as Shawn started to get the bags from the boot of the vehicle. Gus had parked round the back of the building in the car park specifically for the inhabitants of the building but the taxi driver just pulled up outside the entrance. Gus came walking round just in time for him to help Shawn with the other suitcase and he pulled the boot close when he was sure there was nothing in there.
Moments later, he drove away. Charlie grabbed her suitcase and Shawn carried his and they both followed as Gus led the way to the entrance.
Sure enough they reached the same dilemma with the lift in front of them with the stair case next to them.
"You sure you don't wanna take the lift?" Charlie asked, knowing that they would have to trudge the bags up the stairs.
Shawn gave a meaningful look to the lift but quickly nodded in fear.
"It's ok. My apartment is on the second floor" Gus reassured her.
Charlie sighed in relief, as did Shawn. Shawn didn't want to admit it but he hated the idea of the lift. They didn't look safe. They were abnormal. Stairs were a healthy way of keeping fit. He would rather take the stairs any day than place himself in a steel box that would close around him and might even drop him! He certainly wasn't going in one that wasn't well looked after that had rust on it.
No one complained as they hauled the suitcases up the stairs. Gus had to pause and held Charlie nearer the end but Shawn was more than capable or carrying up the stairs without exerting himself. He went cycling, running and swimming every week as part of his routine. Shawn could tell that Gus was struggling on the last bit but he didn't complain which Shawn was thankful for, he didn't want to have to explain his fear of lifts to them both, they would probably think it was irrational.
Charlie was keeping a very close eye on Shawn and he tried to ignore it. He knew that she was only doing her job and was concerned about him but he couldn't help but feel a little on edge as she stares pierced him.
Gus put Charlie's bag down as he got out the keys to his apartment; he then proceeded to open the door and allowed Shawn and Charlie to enter first.
Shawn gaped slightly. To think his best friend was a pharmaceutical sales representive he certainly looked quite wealthy if his place was anything to go by.
Gus closed the door behind them and gestures to his surroundings.
"This is the lounge and… the kitchen just there" he said pointing off to the corner. The kitchen was joined on to the lounge with a small breakfast bar to separate the two miniature rooms. He would probably have to get some more food in later now he had guests.
"My room is this one" Gus told them leading them through to a room which was as Shawn suspected, very tidy which he liked.
"I'll go on the sofa and Shawn, you can have the bed" Gus stated before moving to show them the other room. Shawn didn't have a chance to complain about using up the bed, he was quite happy to bunk on the sofa for the week. But a voice in his head told him that Gus wouldn't allow him to sleep on the sofa all week, after all he was his guest.
"This is my spare room where you can stay Charlie" Gus finished.
"It's lovely" Charlie stated hauling her suitcase through the door before turning round to look at Gus.
"Are you sure about this? We can still get a hotel?" she suggested but Gus cut her off.
"There's nothing you can do to make me change my mind" Gus told her firmly and she smiled before checking her watch.
"Shall we unpack?" Shawn suggested with a grin, showing that he had no problems with this arrangement and Gus smiled at him before nodding.
"The bathroom is just through there. I'm gonna get a shower while you guys unpack. Help yourself to spare draws" Gus told them before he left to have a shower.
Shawn and Charlie shared a glance that quickly turned into a smile from Charlie and an excited grin from Shawn.
"Go on then!" Charlie shooed him and Shawn walked away with a laugh to the other room where he had left his suitcase and started to unpack.
By the time Gus had finished in the shower, he came out to find Charlie and Shawn still in the different bedrooms unpacking. Gus had covered himself with a towel and hesitantly entered his bedroom where Shawn was still there unpacking his belongings into a few of the spare draws and made a small pile of clothes next to the bed.
"Sorry" Gus excused himself as Shawn turned to notice him with a small smile, trying to ignore the fact he was shirtless which made him feel a little uncomfortable. This was not how he imagined a sleepover when he was a kid. Gus quickly pulled on a t-shirt and the rest of his clothing before putting his socks and shoes on again.
"So what are we gonna do this week?" Gus asked with excitement.
Shawn shrugged in response, "Not sure, but I definitely want to make the most of it"
Gus nodded in agreement. In that moment, Charlie came bounding into the room after having unpacked most of her belongings to see the progress Shawn was making.
"You guys nearly ready?" she asked, scanning the room, "I said we'd meet up with Henry at the station"
Gus suddenly realised that this week was meant to be family bonding time and felt a little guilty. Perhaps he should just leave Shawn to be with his father for the week, perhaps he should go back to work. At least then he could see Shawn every evening. Shawn studied his friends face and instantly realised what must be going through his head
"Dude, you're family too" Shawn reassured him and Charlie watched the interaction confused. She knew Gus hadn't said anything, but was this Shawn responding to his facial expression? Or was there something deeper going on? Maybe Shawn was psychic? She thought with amusement.
Gus turned to look at Shawn then he smiled, "You're gift is creepy sometimes, you know that?"
Shawn frowned, "My gift? I just read your facial expression. You obviously felt guilty about wanting to spend time with me, thinking it was meant to be family time but, you're family too" he explained.
Gus smiled, happy to be included and Charlie watched with admiration. Coming and staying with Gus was definitely the better option than staying in a hotel. Shawn would definitely be happier here.
Gus paused before grabbing his keys, "Shall we go?" he announced.
Shawn grinned and nodded and Charlie smiled from the doorway.
Walking downstairs to the car, they immediately walked past the lift not wanting to upset Shawn. He seemed to appreciate it, whether he said so or not. Charlie watched as Shawn looked a little apprehensive at the bright blue car but as Charlie walked round to get in the front he called "SHOT GUN" before running round the back and beating her into the front seat. Charlie gave a disbelieving look to Gus and they both grinned at each other
"Don't look at me, you're not driving" he joked and Charlie laughed before proceeding to get in the back seat.
Author note: Next chapter they meet up with Henry at the station.