Juliet pursed her lips and stared at the ceiling. Isaac (who had arrived at the hospital about ten minutes ago with his brothers and Gus) was talking to her, but she was having trouble paying attention to him. Partly because she was still in a good amount of pain, and partly because she was worried about Shawn. Juliet had seen his expression when they had been talking to Carlton, and knew he wanted to go after Sterling. She also knew that emotional investment was never good when working a case, and Shawn would probably be more reckless than ever.
"Aunt Julie?" Isaac asked, seeing that she wasn't listening.
"Hmm, what?"
"I was asking if your leg was hurting."
She smiled slightly at how caring her nephew was. "It's fine." It was actually aching quite a bit, but Jules didn't want anyone to worry. "Do you think I could talk to Shawn alone for a moment?" she asked gently.
"Okay."
As her nephews and Gus cleared the room Juliet turned her attention to Shawn. "I know what you're thinking." she said quietly.
"Really, I thought I was the psychic."
"I know you want to go after Sterling, but I'm begging you, let Lassiter take this one."
"Jules, this guy hurt you-" Shawn started but Juliet interrupted him.
"That's exactly why I don't want you working this case, emotional investment can be very dangerous. You don't have to be my knight in armor right now."
"But I want to Jules!" Shawn protested. "I'll be your knight, and Gus will be my armor; my human shield."
Juliet felt a smile tug at her lips. "I'm serious Shawn."
"So am I! Things get rough out there, I'll just hide behind him."
"Fine." She gave in, knowing Shawn would probably go no matter what. "Just... take the gun."
"What?"
"The gun that Carlton gave me. Take it with you." Normally, she wouldn't trust Shawn within ten feet of a weapon, but facing a dangerous criminal with no way to protect yourself was not a good idea.
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Don't I need some sort of license, or..."
"Just take it."
"Alright." Shawn agreed as he took the gun and kissed her goodbye. "See you soon."
"M'kay. And Shawn?" she called after her boyfriend as he headed for the door. "Please be careful."
"I will."
-
"Gus, buddy, we got a case, let's go." Shawn said as he closed the door to Jules's hospital room.
"Shawn, are you sure we should be involved in this?" Gus asked, "I mean, this is pretty high profile; a cop was severely injured."
"No, a cop was not severely injured," Shawn corrected angrily." Juliet, my girlfriend was severely injured, and I intend to catch the son of a bitch who hurt her."
"Fine, but we're getting tacos on the way to wherever we're going."
"Didn't need to be said."
"Wait!" Isaac called as they walked away. "We want to catch Sterling to."
"How did you know his name?" Shawn asked suspiciously. "were you eavesdropping on me and Jules?"
"I told them it was a bad idea." Gus said.
"We weren't eavesdropping." Drake corrected. "Just listening in on a private conversation."
"I don't know guys." Shawn hesitated. "Jules was pretty nervous about just me going after Sterling. Besides, if she finds out I let you tag along on a case, she'll probably beat me with that weapon on her leg."
"Weapon on her leg?" Finn asked. "You've never had a cast, have you?"
"No, because my bones are made of steel. Stainless steel, actually. I have been shot though."
"Really?" Drake asked.
"Yeah, wanna see?" Shawn pulled back the collar of his shirt to show the boys his scar. Gus just rolled his eyes.
"Guys, are we going?"
"Right." Shawn let go of his collar. "Let's go find a cop injure-er. Person who injures cops? Whatever."