AN: This was SUPER difficult to write. I HOPE you like it. The plot is going to get more interesting in either the next chapter or the one after it. :)

Disclaimer: I own nada...nichts...rien...nothing

Juliet arrived at Starbuck's 15 minutes early, and looked around awkwardly. She didn't know why she was so nervous, it's not like she was meeting Shawn there to talk about her feelings for him. The thing was, she didn't know what she was going to talk about. She didn't even know if she could say what was on her mind; it was so difficult for her to admit these things to herself, let alone another person.

She looked around for a place to sit and found two big squishy chairs facing the door, so she could see Gus as he walked in. Without thinking twice she collapsed into the comforting arms of a chair as she let out a big sigh. This is stupid, I should leave now before he gets here and I have to stay. Really, there is nothing to talk about, I'm just gonna make myself look foolish. No. Stay. He went out of his way to help you, and you never know, maybe this is what you need to FINALLY get over Shawn. You are a great woman; you are strong, intelligent, and successful. If Shawn doesn't want you it is his loss, not yours. You-

Juliet's thoughts were interrupted when Gus tapped her on the shoulder. "Juliet, are you ok? You look really- out of it."

"Yeah, I'm just lost in thought. I'm a little tired…exhausted really."

"Oh, well then let me buy you a coffee then."

"No! Gus you're doing me a huge favor, it's the least I could do."

"Are you sure?"

"Gus, please just let me pay for it."

"Alright," he smiled at her.

When they finally sat down, all words left Juliet's mind, so she stared at her sparkly pink Converse. One thing Juliet loved about not being at work, was her ability to wear comfy, cute clothes.

"So," Gus started.

"So," Juliet followed.

"So- what are your intentions with Shawn," Gus asked awkwardly, since he didn't know how else to fill the silence.

Juliet let out an amused smile, "Intentions? I'm not going to get in the way of him and Abigail, if that's what you mean-"

"No. Of course, I didn't mean it like that."

"Well, then, um, I guess- Ok, Gus, here it is straight out. I am in love with Shawn, I admit it. I have been in love with him for a while now. I love his mischievous grin, I love his persistence, and I love the gleam in his eyes when he is really happy or has had a vision and figured something out. I love his quirkiness, his unbelievable charm- I still don't know how he does it, I love his laugh, and I even love his ADD-ness. I love that he would do anything for someone he cares about. But most of all, I love how he can make me smile, no matter how upset I am, no matter how mad I am at him, no matter what, he can get me to smile," Juliet took a deep breath, "Wow, I didn't – wow- I couldn't even admit all that to myself."

Gus was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to be that honest, especially not right off that bat. It must have really been weighing her down. But what he couldn't believe is how much she really cared for him. He knew she had feelings for him, but he'd never imagine they were that strong. "So, how do you feel now?"

"So much better, actually. I feel so much lighter now. But listen, I know Shawn loves Abigail, I'm not going to interfere with them. I only called you because I needed to get this off of my chest."

"Juliet, you know Shawn has never told her he loves her, right? The other day, the phone call to you was the closest- well, let's put it this way, the only person Shawn says 'I love you' to is his mom."

"Oh," Juliet said as she tried not to get her hopes up.

"Juliet, I'm going to be honest with you, number one because you're hurting, and number two because we're friends," he took a deep breath, "Shawn still has feelings for you. I can see it in his eyes, he still watches you when he thinks no one is looking. Abigail has gotten upset before because he has chosen to help you on a case instead of go out with her. He speaks so highly of you; he has to hold himself back to keep it platonic between you two. He is trying so hard to keep it platonic, but I know Shawn and I know it's much more than that."

"Then why is he with Abigail?"

"Well, to understand Shawn you have to understand his past. Shawn would shoot me for telling you this, but Shawn is actually really sensitive. He is afraid of getting hurt, which has to deal a lot with his parents' divorce and bad relationship with his dad. Shawn has never been able to commit to anything. He has had over 50 jobs since high school, and hasn't been able to maintain a relationship longer than 3 days, until now. The worse thing is if Shawn get's hurt too bad, if he get's too scared, he runs, as far away as possible. He has been all over the place."

Gus took a sip of his coffee, as Juliet tried to grasp onto what he was saying.

"Shawn committing to our agency for 4.5 years surprised me. Something in the last 4.5 years has changed him. Not only has he been able to commit to a job, but he is attempting to have a real relationship with his father, granite they have their troubles, but he still is trying. And now, recently, he has been able to commit to a girl, which no one ever thought would happen."

"Yes, and the fact that Abigail has been able to make him settle down must mean something about his feelings for her, so any feelings for me are moot."

"It wasn't her who got him to settle down; he has been settled down for quite awhile now, well- at least for Shawn. I really shouldn't tell you this, but he only asked her out in the first place because he was challenged. I was hassling him about flirting with everyone, but not being able to commit, and since he knew you were going to turn him down again, he called her to prove me wrong."

"But he made it work; their relationship is strong now, so that doesn't matter."

"It does when you look at the fact that-" Gus' phone rang, "One moment."

"Hey buddy, wanna come over? Play some Wii wrestling?"


"I'm kind of busy. How about later?"


"Gus, I don't want keep you from anything-"


"Is that Jules? Why are you with Jules?"


"Shawn I'll call you back later," Gus hung up.

"That was Shawn? Is he ok?"

"He's fine, I'm sorry for interrupting this."

"It's fine."

"So, yeah. This is his first real relationship. He is proud that he has done something right in his life. I wouldn't be surprised if the only reason he was with her is his pride and that he doesn't want to disappoint anyone."

"You're saying he doesn't have feelings for her, but he is staying with her just because he is proud he's stayed with her this long? That doesn't sound like Shawn."

"No, that's not what I'm saying exactly. Shawn has feelings for her, but mostly residual feelings from high school. And he is attracted to her very much so, but he doesn't love her. He loves you."

"So what am I to do? Sit around and wait for him to figure this out?"

"That's your choice."

"Gus, that- this is just a theory. You have no proof that he loves me."

"Juliet, I know my friend. And look at it this way; this is Shawn's first relationship. He knows he is bound to screw up, who ends up with their first girlfriend? I think subconsciously he is with Abigail to learn how to be a good boyfriend, learn his limits, get used to being tied down. Then, when it goes bad, he will be ready for you, trained and able to give you what you need."

"Gus, these are just more theories."

"Juliet, do you love him?"

"Yes."

"Can you see yourself settling down with him?"

"Yes."

"Now, the only question is, are you willing to wait for him," Gus asked, sure of Juliet's answer.