A/N: My computer wasn't protected so I couldn't update. Sorry.
Disclaimer: They're not mine to keep but I not giving them back.
Chapter 2: Season 1 Episode 1 Part 2: The Call
2006 Santa Barbara, CA
Shawn flopped down on to her couch and glanced around her living quarters. She was wearing a gray T-Shirt and a pair of flannel pajama bottom. She was barefoot and her hair was down. It had grown a little past her shoulders, but not too much. She cuts in regularly to keep it that way.
Shana had long since fully accepted the name Shawn Spencer. She even hacked the hospital she was born in and the police database and created a fake listing of a Shawn Spencer that had all her real facts with just a gender and name change. She took her real one and buried it deep in the databases where it wouldn't be found. She didn't want people to find it but she didn't want to erase her true identity. Plus, it could come handy in the future. She had an ID and driver's license for both identities and the necessary papers. She kept the Shawn one in an obvious part of her wallet but hid the Shana one in a hidden part of it.
Gus knew about all of this already and he plays along. They have been best friends since early childhood. You would have thought that since her best friend was a guy but she already solved that problem when they were 15. It was after a school dance. They went together because no one but Snotty Sally asked Gus and Shana turned every guy down hard. He made his move after it ended and we were walking home together, making sure she got home safely.
LINE BREAK
It was dark outside and they were about three blocks from Shana's house. Gus was in a black tux and looking like your everyday gentleman, bow included. Shawn was wearing a tight-fitting white silk dress that had a v cut down to her middle back and it ended just above her knees. She completed it with a pearl necklace and earing and a white handbag. She refused to wear heels so she wore simple flats.
Shana was talking a mile-a-minute as per usual and Gus walked alongside her, listening to her vent about some guy who bugged her at the dance. He smiled or chuckled at the right parts but he was too quiet and seemed out of it. She took notice but thought nothing of it. She assumed he was tired and was more than willing to let her go on.
"… and Bobby, that dirt-bag, asked me to dance with him, the audacity. I told him to get his sleazy hands of me before I sucker punch him in the face. He was flat out drunk and I would have broken his nose if I had to. Why would someone even drink alcohol at a school-funded dance? It's wrong and he should get…"
They had just walked under a street light when she was forced to stop because she felt something or someone grip her arm. She turned to see Gus holding her arm gently. He had a serious look on his face as he studied her face silently. She breathed out slowly and suddenly became aware of just how close he was standing to her. It seemed like Gus had made up his mind about something and pulled her close to him, gripping her upper arms. He began to lower his head with his eyes closed, getting closer, and she leaned back, eyes wide. She let out a strangled sound from her throat and Gus opened his eyes.
"Gus, what are you doing?" she asked nervously, looking into his eyes, still in that awkward position.
Gus cleared his throat and answered.
"I was trying to kiss you," he said sheepishly, as he straightened up.
She pulled out of his hold and he took a step back, shoving his hands in to his pockets.
"Uh, I don't know how to tell you this but… I don't really… think of you… like that," she finished lamely, twiddling her thumbs.
Gus sighed.
"Then, I guessed I just ruined our friendship. There would just be an awkward tension between us. You probably never even want to see my face. Seriously, I don't even know why I tried to kiss you. You're my best friend, or at least use to be my best friend, and now I had to go and ruin it. Bye Shana. I hope you get home all right."
He turned away and his body posture showed that he wanted to bolt and hide his face in shame. Gus just settled on walking away calmly. He never called her Shana since first grade. It showed that he was thinking of her as a girl he sort of liked instead of just his best friend he liked to play in the mud with. She softened.
Shana ran to catch up with him and placed her hand lightly on his arm. It had no force in it but he still stopped none the less. He turned around and stared at her quizzically. She sighed and placed her hand on his cheek, pulling his face down. Her lips met his and he froze in shock. She pulled him closer by yanking on his suit and then wrapped her arms around his neck, continuing the kiss. He unfroze and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her until their bodies were melded together. It lasted for a few more seconds and then she pulled away. He let her go but she surprised him when she brought him into a crushing hug. She placed her head on his shoulder and he hugged her back.
"Of course I want to see you again and you didn't ruin anything," she whispered in his ear.
He tightened his hold on her.
"Is that a yes then?" he asked hopefully.
He never mentioned what but she knew what he was talking about, the next step: dating.
"No," she said and when his grip slackened, she quickly added. "But you are my best friend and you will always be my best friend Gus. Remember we promised each other, together forever."
"Together forever," he whispered back. "Yeah, I remember."
"And that means we will always be there for each other no matter what. Through thick and thin, I will be by your side and you by mine. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes, we do."
The hug lasted a while longer. Shana gave Gus once last squeeze and then she stepped back. Gus stared at her and looked to be fighting with himself. He opened his mouth and then closed. He did that a few more times and she raised an eyebrow. He made up his mind.
"Is it wrong to say that I always wanted to know what my best friend tasted like?" he asked, looking at his feet.
She studied him and then let out a laugh. His head shot up and he looked startled.
"Not at all, just as long as I am allowed to say the same thing about you too, Gus."
This time he raised an eyebrow but not as skillfully as she had executed it. Well, she had practiced and mastered it over the years. She blushed.
"What? You may be my best friend but you are also a guy too. I have thought about it and about making a move but then I weighed my options. I valued you more as my best friend because if we dated and it didn't work out, then there would be major tension. I like you Gus, a lot, but I rather have you in my life as my friend than having you not being there at all."
Gus sniffled and his eyes glistened. Shana gasped.
"Are you crying?"
"No… some dust flew in my eye."
She hit him.
"Liar, you so are crying. Well, it's okay."
"So what if I am crying? And I would want you in my life even if we are not dating."
"Good. Now what did I say about calling me Shana?"
"Don't?"
"Good boy," she said, patting his cheek. "But since it's a special occasion and this is odd circumstances, I'll let it go."
Shana started walking forward, but hesitated and sopped, causing Gus to walk into her. She turned and kissed him one more time. She pulled away before he could react and grabbed his arm.
"Come on, my dad can give you something to eat and you can sleep over. But remember, no funny business, okay?" she added a wink to ease his troubled face and show him she was joking.
He blushed and she laughed, pulling him down the street until he started walking. She slipped her hand into his. He looked at her and she shrugged. They continued walking to her house which was now in view. She looked up at him.
"So," she stared casually. "What do I taste like?"
"Pineapples," was his quick and simple answer and she grinned.
LINE BREAK
She realized if people thought you were a guy, they treated you better and with more respect. Also, they treat her rough and not like a fragile china doll. She wants even got into a fist fight with bouncer at a bar. She only came out with a black eye, a few bruises, and broken fist. You should have seen the other guy.
Her dad brought her to Tae Kwan Doe lessons at age 5 and when she got into that fight with her dad over the Grand Theft Auto and left, she still practiced by herself at the local gym. She even added boxing when she turned 20. By the way, the GTA was just because she was trying to impress this boy from school but of course he over-reacted and arrested her. It back-fired on him on him because she could never become the cop he wanted her to be.
"You know what? I do need to redecorate…" she murmured to herself, she picked up an old chip bag that was between the couch cushions. "… And clean."
She threw the bag on the floor, laid down, and picked up the remote, flipping the television on. It displayed the channel 8 news.
"…precipitation later on in the week, but all in all, a wonderful day to take a hike. Now, back to you, Dana," the weatherman said.
The screen shifted the weather display board or green screen thing and it now showed brown-haired woman wearing a black suit and pearl earrings. She was holding a microphone, telling the camera about some break-ins somewhere.
"…voicing her concerns regarding the department's long-time policies. Joe, do the police have any leads at this time?" the woman, apparently named Dana, asked another man.
Shawn leaned forward. The camera moved back to reveal the person Dana was questioning. This Joe guy was short, large, and sporting a bald patch in the front of his head, with short brown, slightly curly hair coming out the back. He was sweating and Shawn zoomed in on his wringing hands. He looked awfully nervous for someone who is just a victim and not a suspect in a crime. She smiled.
"We're at a loss; we really don't know what else to do. It's been a tough few weeks; we've basically run out of ideas. Hopefully, the – the police will be able to crack this one for us," said Joe.
Shawn muttered under her breath, "Oh my Gosh."
She snagged the phone on the side couch table.
"Closing the books on Divisions' break-ins could be just the olive branch needed to set things in the right direction," continued Dana.
Shawn dialed the police stations non-emergency number and listened to it ring. There was a click and it connected.
"Santa Barbara Police Department," a woman's voice said.
"Ah, it's the store manager, he did it," she said, using her "guy" voice out of habit. It was slightly lower than her normal one but not by too much. It had to be convincing, not Darth Vader.
"Pardon, me?"
She realized the woman had no idea what she was talking about. She never said it.
"Uh, the stereo robberies, at Divisions chain store. He's on Channel 8 News right now," she answered and then she chose to elaborate. "His hands, nervous tick, dead giveaway. And he won't look at the reporter in the eyes."
The woman hesitated and then she spoke again.
"And your name is?"
"My name?" she questioned. "My name is Shawn Spencer."
Shawn could hear her mumbling to herself and the sound of pen writing on paper.
She's probably writing my name down.
"And is there anything else today?" the woman asked.
"No, that's gonna do it. Thanks," she added at second thought.
"…retailers are waiting and hoping…" said Dana in the background.
Shawn looked at the screen again.
"Actually, the tags on the news van have expired, but that's completely unrelated."
After she hung up, Shawn looked around.
"Where are my handcuffs?"