Shawn Spencer was a genius. Where better to take your girlfriend on a romantic date than to a beachside carnival? Music, rides, and maybe even some Snyder's of Hanover pretzels if they got lucky. The only problem is, there were no delicious pretzels, and the date certainly did not go as planned.
As the sun set, Juliet and Shawn pulled up to the carnival. They were immediately met with the scent of cotton candy and roasting peanuts. "Oh Shawn, I love it. This is so sweet of you!" Jules smiled, looking around like a kid in a candy store. Shawn smiled back, grabbing her hand. He kissed it gently.
Though Shawn would likely never admit it, just as much as he loved seeing his girlfriend in tough-cop mode, he loved seeing her beam like a kid in a candy store. The couple drifted from pony shows to ice cream carts for a little under an hour.
"Jules, would you like to ride the ferris wheel?" Shawn asked, using his best Darth Vader voice for reason's unknown to Juliet.
Juliet hesitated for just a moment before nodding her assent. Shawn ushered Juliet onto one of the colorful chairs with a dramatic bow. A disgruntled looking employee snapped down the waist strap, and the ride rocked into action. The sun was just barely above the horizon at this point, and it shined beautifully on the ocean. The ferris wheel rotated in one full circle, then reached its peak once again. Jules leaned in to kiss Shawn. Before their lips touched, there was a grinding noise and the ride stopped.
With an exasperated sigh, Shawn said, "I've never understood why these things always stop at the most random moments." There was no response. "Jules?" He lifted his gaze from the glistening ocean and looked at his girlfriend. Her face had gone white as a sheet. "Jules?" he asked again, his tone much more concerned. He followed her gaze straight to the cracked concert far below.
"You're not scared of heights are you, sweetheart?" She never had been before... before... "Oh god." It clicked. It had only been a few months since Juliet had been kidnapped by Yin and tied to the top of a clocktower. Lassie and Gus had only managed to rescue her seconds before she fell to her death. Shawn had done his very best to block out that entire terrible day, but Juliet... how could he not have thought of it before?
His girlfriend's chest was now rising and falling heavily. Her eyes seemed to dart up and down, never focusing on one spot. Shawn reached to grab her hand comfortingly, but she jerked it away, whimpering slightly at his touch. For the second their hands touched, Shawn could feel hers trembling, her palm clammy. He had never seen his Juliet so far from composed. Not except for that night. Damn you, Yin. Shawn thought bitterly.
Careful not to contribute to her panic, Shawn shifted so that his knees were facing his girlfriend. "Jules," he said slowly. "You are safe. I'm here. Breath." The ride grinded back to life. The bottom couldn't come fast enough for either of them. Gently, carefully, Shawn helped his shaky girlfriend off the ride. Shawn wrapped his arms around her. For a moment she struggled against his comfort, but quickly melted into his arms. She buried her head on his shoulder and let herself cry.
Darkness fell completely before her sobs quieted. "I'm sorry," she sniffled.
"Don't be, Jules," Shawn murmured into her ear through her soft blonde hair. "You're safe here. I will never let anything happen to you again. I promise." And this was one of the first promises Shawn had ever intended on keeping. He added on more promise. On to himself. No matter what, he would protect the amazing woman in his arms.