AN: This is one of those "Well that escalated quickly" chapters that used to be my downfall years ago, but in order for the rest of the story to work out, I can't really fix that. I hope you like it despite that fact.
"So Shawn, what's the plan?"
"What plan?"
"The one in which we take down Patricia."
"Uhh- I don't know."
"You don't have a plan!?"
"No. I was just going to wing it."
"Wing it, Shawn? Do you not realize your life is at stake here?"
"Come on Jules, my life is always at stake and I've yet to die."
"Shawn, you just got shot."
"But I didn't die, and that's what, the first time out of 70 opportunities people have had? I think I'll be fine."
"Shawn, you won't be fine! That attitude is why we're here in the first place!"
Taken aback, and not quite sure what she meant, Shawn paused for a moment before questioning, "What?"
"Never mind," Juliet sighed as she turned away.
Shawn grabbed her hand and pulled her back, "No, Jules, please explain. Tell me how everything is once again all my fault. Just list all of my faults AGAIN."
"You don't even see it, do you? You get way over your head on a daily basis and put yourself in huge amounts of danger. You make everyone worry themselves sick about you, and then you manipulate them to get yourself out of the situation and then think everything will be okay if you make a super witty joke or reference. But guess what Shawn! Not everything is always okay. What you do can have lasting effects," Juliet ranted uncontrollably as she burst into tears.
Shawn had no idea what was going on. He pulled her closer, "Manipulate them? What's not okay? What are you talking about Jules?"
"You know what? It doesn't even matter," Jules pulled away again.
Shawn grabbed her again, this time by the waist so she couldn't pull away as easily, "Yes, it does matter. I'm sorry I yelled a minute ago, but please I want to work out whatever is wrong between us."
Resting her hands on his chest, she whispered, "Shawn, sometimes, no matter how much people want to work things out, they just can't. I think this is one of those times."
Almost in a daze Shawn muttered, "If anyone has a chance to make it, they do."
"What?"
"We can work it out. We just have to give it a chance, take a chance," Shawn leaned in to kiss her.
"Shawn," she stopped him, "I-I cant," she pulled back and Shawn dropped his arms from her.
-
"Karen!"
"Mr. Potentia."
"Juliet hasn't been responding much to me. What's up with her and that Spencer jerk?"
"Mr. Potentia, it's not my place to say."
"What about if I tell you that you won't have a place to say anything if you don't tell me now?"
"Are you threatening me?"
"You can call it whatever you want, but in the end no one will believe you."
"I-" Chief began to protest, but stopped herself, "All I know is that they're friends. Sometimes they will hangout at lunch or after work, but that's truly all I know."
"I believe you Karen. Do you know why? Because you're a spineless, unqualified excuse for a police chief. Now, where are they and how is this case going?"
"You know that I am prohibited by the law from disclosing that information to you."
"I AM THE LAW," he smacked her and she fell to the floor, "Don't test me Karen, I can hurt you more than just physically. Take your daughter, for example."
"We're going there tonight, we're leaving at 9:00. I'll give you clearance to join us. Just leave my family alone."
"Good. I'll be there," he turned to leave, "Oh, and Karen, I expect this to remain between the two of us."
-
"Mr. Spencer, where is Juliet?"
"I- I don't know," Shawn drew a deep breath, "Dr.?"
"Yes, Shawn?"
"I think I'm losing her. I don't know what to do."
"Losing her?"
"We got into a big argument, and she said that I've done some things that I can never mend."
"Son, if you two can't make it, I don't know who can. You are two people of very few that I have ever seen that truly love each other- love everything about one another, for better or worse. Why don't you give it one more shot?"
"Sir, she's totally void toward me. She responds like a robot would."
"I'll see what I can do," the Dr. walked away. They are my last dying hope, if I can't help them, can I help anyone? Maybe Romeo and Juliet were lucky; they died while they still believed in love. The Dr. searched for Juliet in the garden, he saw her and Shawn there often. When he walked in, he found her alone and crying.
"Mrs. Spencer, are you okay?"
"I don't think so."
"What's wrong?"
"I think I finally blew it with Shawn."
"Why do you say that? You two have made so much progress."
"He has, but I haven't."
"What do you mean?"
"I've been lying. I said I forgave him for everything, but the truth is, there's this one thing that I haven't been able to and it keeps getting in the way - of everything."
"What is it? I'm sure you can work it out now that you have been able to admit it."
"You don't get it. I told him that I was done trying."
"But you were upset, he'll understand."
"That's the problem, I wouldn't if I were in his place."
"I think you should give yourself more credit. Do you want to forgive him?"
"Yes."
"Do you love him?"
Juliet thought for a second, and answered honestly with the smallest voice, "Y-yes."
"See, now we have a place to start. Now, what can you not forgive?"
Juliet hesitated.
"Come on Juliet, I think we've had a breakthrough."
"The truth is, I do remember the last time he said he loved me, remember when you asked me the first day? He was dying, and he called me and said he loved me, but said another girl's name after it."
"I see," he paused, "Have you confronted him about it?"
"No. He knows something is wrong, but he doesn't know what."
"How about you try telling him tonight, before it is too late. I'd be happy to run an extra session with you tonight, before the dance."
"Actually, if you don't mind, I'd like to do this by myself. I think it might be a step in the right direction."
"I think you might be right."
Juliet managed to give a small, genuine smile from under the drying tears.
-
Juliet went back to the room to prepare for the dance. She put on her tiny, black party dress, and put her hair up in a half bun and flowing curls under it. As she started her make up, she heard the door, "Shawn," she asked, walking to the door.
He looked up at her, with tears threatening to spill, "I'm sorry, Juliet. I'll leave."
"But Shawn, you have to get ready for the dance."
"What's the point? You said it yourself, there are some things we just can't fix."
"What's the point!? FIRST, we have a serial killer on the loose, AND SECOND I was hoping we could talk about earlier," she mumbled the last part so softly that Shawn could hardly make it out.
"I'm going for the case. Not for you."
"Shawn, please, I'm sorry for how – bitchy –I was. But I'd at least like to talk. For real, no arguing, but a rational conversation, without feelings getting in the way."
"I'm sorry, but I can't do that. Unlike you, I can't void out my feelings."
"That stings, but it's fair, I suppose. But Shawn, we owe this to ourselves to at least talk about it, even if it's just for closure."
"I already told you I'd be there, so I'll be there. We'll catch Patricia and then I'll make sure you never have to worry about me again."
"Shawn-"
"We only have 20 minutes. You should finish up."
AN: Review please. They make my after-work alcohol and ice cream parties even better! :D