A/N: Here it is, the final chapter. It's more of an epilogue... but, hey. Enjoy, review, etc...
Disclaimer: I don't own.
A Far Better Thing
Chapter 7
"… it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."
The minute Carlton woke up he tried to push himself out of bed. He was met, however, by a stern faced Shawn who seemed ready to shove him back in the bed if he didn't lie down.
"The doctor says you need rest," Shawn said as Carlton eased himself down onto his pillows.
"And I should believe him because…?" Carlton asked. Shawn shrugged.
"He's the boss," he stated. Carlton raised an eyebrow.
"Since when did you listen to the boss?" he queried.
"Since when didn't you?" Shawn countered.
"Touché," Carlton said with a small chuckle. Shawn gave a sharp nod and started to fidget. Carlton sighed. "Sit down?" Shawn nodded again and plopped himself down on the edge of Carlton's bed. Carlton raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.
"You know," Shawn said, "I was scared."
"You? Scared? Why?" Carlton queried.
"I didn't think I'd be able to find you," Shawn said quietly, laying a head on Carlton's shoulder. Carlton could think of nothing to say for a moment as his mind processed the other man's gesture, but eventually he managed to lift an arm to pat Shawn on the back in hopes that the head would move.
It didn't.
"I thought you were a psychic," Carlton said softly. This got Shawn to sit up and Carlton held in a sigh of relief.
"Yeah, well, I told you that so you wouldn't arrest me," he said. Carlton nodded.
"I thought so," he said. They sat in silence for awhile and Shawn once again began to fiddle, until Carlton's curiosity got the better of him. "How did you solve all those crimes, then?"
"My father was a cop who wanted me to be a cop," was all Shawn would say. "Look, you should rest."
"You'll be here when I wake up?" Carlton asked. Shawn grinned.
"Better," he said, swinging his feet up on the bed. "I'll be here while you sleep." He laid his head on Carlton's shoulder again and Carlton, after a moment's hesitation, wrapped his arm around Shawn's waist and closed his eyes, letting a small smile creep onto his face.