Second chap, just in time for 's. I love domestic quarrels, and I'm sure Lassie and Shawn are amazing at that. Don't ask me what the Hell happened before this sketch, however.

Big thanks to every reader, reviewer and Shassie lover.

New Perspectives

Shawn burst in the precinct just after midday. He didn't greet anyone, didn't fool around, didn't say a word, he just marched up to Juliet's desk, looking very close to spontaneously combustion. She looked him taking a deep breath, laying his hands on her computer's sides, and taking another breath.

-I just want to say that your partner is crazy- He noted firmly. -He's paranoid, obsessive and a total maniac.-

She arched an eyebrow.

-You get it only now?-

-Yes. I mean, no, but really, he's nuts. He stopped screaming just because he got to work. And all for what you'll ask, for the stupid dryer thing. And for the couch I told him, it was not my fault, the gofer just wanted the fruit basket back, and the blue bears, well, I didn't ask for that.-

-I don't want to even start to understand.-

-I swear, sometimes I'd just like to wrap my hands around that skinny neck of his and shake and shake until all those control-freak issues pour out of his overgrown ears.-

-Mmm.- She commented approvingly, because it was a pretty fitting description of what she had craved to do in more than one occasion.

-I'm being serious, Jules.-

Shawn let out a sound of defeat, slumping on the swivel chair next to her. Messing his artfully combed hair with tired hands.

Juliet sighed and reached out to pat his knee. Oh Gosh, befriend guys. No Romance-grounded wisdom, and you have to explain them everything.

-Shawn, you don't have to get u- not upset, big boys don't like it – pissed over it. It's Carlton. He expresses the ninety percent of his emotions ranting.-

-I know. It's just that he's always so...angry. I do something, he freaks out, I don't do something, he barks. With me he never even tries to be less, less pointy.-

-Well, neither he tries with me.-

-And this is good because...?-

Juliet sighed again and did a small smile.

-Despite all appearances, Carlton has tried all his life to please others. He has tried to be the most proper man possible since he was ten. The most sensible son, the most responsible husband, always in control, always in guard. For all this time he has never felt safe enough to be the things he was. So he has tried to be all the things everyone wanted for him to be.-

-He never did it with me.-

Jules cast him a long glance. -No. He didn't.-

Shawn stopped complaining.

-Why he has to be so difficult? Eh? Eh?-

Gus cautiously considered the detective in front of him. -What answer will make me get out alive?-

-You wouldn't imagine what he said to me, the little ungrateful twerp. I think you too would find hard to believe it.-

Lassiter furiously turned toward the precinct kitchenette counter, rummaging through the drawers like a sort of hungry scavenger. Knowing that probably an answer would be deeply ill-judged, Gus sipped silently his juice.

-And for what, mh? For I dared to ask him not to be a total waste of space during housework and try, just try to preserve the house he actually lives in with all his useless expanse of knick-knacks and freaking movies and inane shirts. And then he arrives with that, and oh, let's not go there, I mean, it was unacceptable, and he forgot the dryer and the fruit basket was in the same place as ever and still he did it. -

The juice was suddenly ripped out of Gus's hands and a very livid detective plumped in front of him with a family-sized box of muesli. He stuffed his mouth with a handful of bran, scattering raisins and nuts all over the desk.

-I mean just said I wouldn't have that damn couch. I'm always reasonable. Reasonable.-

Gus stared at the pulsing vein on Lassie's temple. -Ah, yeah.-

-I just asked him not to do it. How difficult was not doing some crap? How goddamn difficult could it be for a decent human being?-

The munching was getting ravenous. This time there was no way out. Gus grumbled and gave up on the juice.

-Man, I understand. I know how hairy could it be dealing with Shawn sometimes. Lord knows if I know. But, it's complicated.-

-Explain.-

-Shawn works like this. If he wants something he pushes, charms and pushes again; and usually it works. He mastered all his life ways to go smoothly through the world. Then entered you and, well, he discovered it doesn't work always. Some no stay no. And this drives him crazy.-

-He has no problem in making me pissed, I say.-

-But he doesn't want to make you disappointed, Lassiter.-

Carlton blinked. Put down the cereal box. He could have smiled. -Uh. Uh. That was unexpected.-

-Don't say.-