Author note: enjoy
Shawn hadn't particularly wanted to speak to his father that morning, he wasn't sure he could see his father's sympathetic expression again, the look of pity. So he snuck out early, before the sun had risen and headed to the beach, he bought a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop and he sat on the sand looking out to the ocean. It was one of his favourite places to reflect and simply...simply be. Watching the waves calmed him and made him feel at peace. It helped that the sight itself was simply beautiful, he watched as the sun rose from the sea, encasing everything in a golden glow including him. He sighed and smiled in contentment.
He stayed there for a good hour before his phone made a noise, a soft chime. He checked his phone and read the message before standing upright and brushing off the sand that was now stuck to his jeans. He made his way to the road where a black car was waiting, hiding suspiciously in the shadows. He made his way over to the car and climbed inside after confirming the identity of the driver, you never could be too careful.
Shawn allowed himself to relax in the background seat...it was going to be a long day.
Henry wasn't sure what to do with himself when he woke up and found Shawn missing. It physically pained him that he couldn't go to the funeral to support his son. All he could do was wait for his son to return and that was always the hard bit. Henry never had been a patient man. He didn't like waiting around for things to be done, he always got his hands dirty and made himself productive. Though currently, there was nothing he could be doing. Perhaps he had retired too early? It was all very well spending his days fishing and going to the local golf course but he had a lot of life left in him yet.
It was then a thought struck Henry, maybe he should come out of retirement? Part time perhaps? Henry frowned thinking to himself, was he thinking about this because he wanted to spend more time with his son or did he genuinely want this for himself? Henry pondered this intensely. Unable to make a decision, he decided to go and speak to the one person who would always listen. Karen Vick.
Arriving at the station a couple of hours later, he made his way to the Chief's office. He passed Lassiter who was sat at his computer at his desk with a stoic expression and Henry noted immediately the red eyes of the female detective, she had obviously been crying.
Henry knocked gently on the Chief's office and was called in moments later.
"Henry" she greeted cheerfully.
Henry smiled, "Hey Karen"
"Please have a seat" Karen smiled, "What can I do for you?"
Suddenly there was another knock at the door and before the Chief could say anything, Lassiter entered with Juliet hovering hesitantly behind his shoulder.
"Excuse my interruption Chief" Lassiter began respectfully, "But Mr Spencer needs to explain what the hell is going on"
The Chief raised her eyebrow slightly and motioned for both detectives to come in. Juliet closed the door behind her with a resounding click.
"Where's Shawn" Lassiter demanded, his imposing figure looking down on Henry.
Henry's expression hardened and his eyes narrowed.
"Henry? What's happened?" Karen asked gently, trying to coax an answer out of him.
"He'll be back on Monday" Henry stated simply.
Lassiter smacked his hand on the desk lightly out of frustration, "I told him...that I would drag him back kicking and screaming if he left again" Lassiter seethed before his expression softened and he avoided eye contact, "He should be here" he finished quietly.
Henry could have grinned at Lassiter's confession.
"Shawn didn't...tell you?" Henry asked quietly, looking Juliet in the eyes.
"He told me he wanted to leave...I didn't take it well" she admitted glumly.
The Chief sighed at the information and clasped her hands together, gathering the rooms attention.
"Detectives, please remember that Shawn is a grown man and can make his own choices"
The room stared at her but she kept talking, "If he says he will be back on Monday...then he will"
Lassiter didn't refute the statement.
"But what if he get's hurt on this mission" Juliet whispered, "What good are we if we can't protect him?"
Henry focussed his attention on her as he realised something.
"He told you he was going on a mission?" Henry asked, confused.
Juliet blinked, "uh no actually...but what else would make him leave when we have only just got him back?"
It was Lassiter who realised it first, "His family" he realised.
Juliet gasped in shock, she hadn't considered that.
Henry simply hummed in response and the Chief simply observed.
"I'm a shit friend" Juliet cursed before looking at the Chief and wincing at her own bad language and apologising immediately.
"I know this is difficult but Shawn will share what he feels comfortable sharing. It's our job to show him that this is his home and to be there to support him" the Chief informed them sensibility.
Henry smiled, he agreed completely.
"Anything he chooses to share will be in complete confidence and won't be the result of any form of cohesion" she continued, "I get the feeling he's finding it difficult to adjust"
She looked toward Henry and he nodded.
"He said he felt like an imposter" Juliet murmured slowly.
Henry's eyes snapped up at hers at the confession and then he sighed.
"I think he's having a bit of an identity crisis" Henry confessed lightly, "He wants to stay with us as Shawn Spencer but I don't think he wants to 'act' like Shawn Spencer"
"Explain" Lassiter demanded tersely, that statement made no sense.
"I think he's been Shawn Spencer for so long he's forgotten who he is...I don't care that he's not really Shawn Spencer but he IS my son...whatever his real name is" he broke off muttering.
"James Matthews.." the Chief murmured.
Henry let out a small laugh.
"I doubt that is his name either" he said waving a hand. "But I don't care"
Lassiter's eyes widened slightly at this information but eventually nodded to himself.
"Anyway Detectives, I'm sure you have more important work to be doing than gossiping about our future joining detective?" The Chief asked rhetorically.
Lassiter nodded and left the room immediately while Juliet paused and glanced at Henry.
"Tell him I'm sorry...when he gets back" she muttered before following her partner out of the room. Henry nodded and watched as the door clicked behind her.
Henry and Karen simply stared at each other for a moment, mentally reeling from the previous conversation.
"Was that what you wanted to tell me?" She asked.
Henry bit his lip slightly and shook his head. "I just wanted to ask you for some advice actually"
The Chief raised her brow, willing to listen.
"I'm not a patient man...With everything that has happened, I don't think I can sit at the sidelines anymore. I need to be there for Shawn if he needs me"
Karen's expression softened and she leaned forward slightly, "Where are you going with this Henry?"
"I'm thinking about coming out of retirement" he stated simply. "If you'll have me?"
Karen' face burst into a grin, "About time" she commented dryly.
Henry raised his eyebrows in shock before lowering them and giving into a small chuckle.
"I suppose I'm going to need a liaison and with your qualifications you are perfectly suited" she smiled.
"A liaison?" Henry confirmed.
Karen nodded, "If Shawn is going to be working CIA cases using our resources...these things have to be monitored. You will oversee all consultants and manage the relation between...other agencies"
Henry frowned slightly, thinking about how this could work.
"I know some things are classified...even to me. I expect you to fill out your reports honestly and redact the classified information as needed"
Henry grinned, "I think that can be arranged...and for things that are above my clearance?"
Karen shrugged, "He'll have to his own paperwork"
In that moment, Henry knew he had made the right decision, he was going to be in the perfect position to support his son but he would also be doing what he loved and working in the station he was ever so fond of.
"Shawn is all ready to go, I've got a copy of his detectives exam and all the other documents...I just need his signature on Monday" she stated professionally. "For you on the other hand, I'll start organising a work station for you and sort out the paperwork. Most likely I'll need to speak to Shawn to figure out how we are going to make this work. He's requested Buzz McNabb as his partner, I find him to be extremely trustworthy but is obviously not qualified to work classified cases and I don't want Shawn working alone"
Henry nodded in agreement, "I'm not surprised he requested Buzz, he is oddly insightful"
Karen nodded, thinking of how much he had been through recently, he had certainly proved himself when he took that knife for Shawn and he had then been drugged by Yin.
"I've put him in for his detectives exam in two months time" she stated, "I have no doubt with Shawn's help he'll pass"
Henry paused, thinking. "I don't want Shawn working alone either but that doesn't mean he shouldn't work with your detectives"
Karen bit her lip slightly confused.
"What I mean is that Shawn may not be able to explain but he can certainly give orders and as long as they are followed...without question, I don't see why there would be a problem"
The Chief nodded, "I suppose that would work...but perhaps only for a select few. I'm not sure many of my officers would have that blind faith"
"As long as someone is there to watch his back" Henry agreed quietly.
He would make sure his son was protected.
author note: so….next chapter is going to be exciting…
