Chapter 2:

Ashley was not at all shocked when Shawn's choice for lunch was the local pizza place down the road. He always had a love for food, and this place sold the best pizza since before either of them were born. However, Ashley sometimes worried Shawn would eat anything placed in front of him, only of course if it wasn't green or healthy.

"So," Ashley started, "Why did you move back?"

Shawn put down his fork and sighed, "Well I came back and actually dad wasn't here when I did. He had left for a little while too. Of course I didn't know it was only temporary until I heard he was back from someone else. At that time I was just taking part time jobs here and there and staying at a pretty crappy apartment. But most of the time I was making money from calling in tips to the police department."

Oh right, this was something about Shawn Ashley forgot to mention. He has an eidetic memory, which means he basically has very good memory and observation skills. He can notice and remember things most people can't. Ashley suspected this has allowed him to make observations from newscasts about criminals and then call tips into the cops, earning a compensation in the process. That is definitely something Shawn would do in order to get money.

Shawn continued, "However, the police department started growing suspicious of my knowledge of criminal affairs and one day when I went in to collect my check they said they were going to arrest me."

"Oh my gosh! Shawn did you go to jail again?" Ashley asked.

"Again? Ash' I've never been to jail!" Shawn retorted.

"Oh, I just kinda assumed with your… um… behavior."

"Well when your dad's a cop, you tend to get out of tough situations like that. Not that he didn't give me a hard time. But no, I haven't gone to jail. And I didn't that day either, instead I told them I got my information from the spirits." Shawn said.

"The spirits? Your joking? How did they not send you to jail?" Ashley questioned.

" I proved the them that I was indeed 'psychic' by 'reading' some of the officers." Shawn explained putting air quotes over psychic and reading.

"And they believed you?" Ashley asked shocked.

"Most, yes. But anyway, ever since then the Chief of police had asked me to help on cases."

"And she believes you're really psychic?"

"Yes indeed. So I, along with Gus opened our own private detective agency." Shawn said smugly, sitting back in his chair.

" Your own what? Gus actually agreed to this?"

Gus was Shawn's absolute best friend. They had been friends ever since kindergarten. He was also the smarter and more mature one of the two of them. He was always really nice to Ashley, and she loved him like a brother. But Ashley was shocked to hear that he would agree to something like this. Something that included lying to the entire Santa Barbara police department.

"After some persuasion, yes he did." Shawn explained.

"Wow, your life really has changed." Ashley said half impressed. She still didn't know how she felt about lying to the police.

"Yeah, but enough about me, what about you?"

"Oh, you know. A great life in London turned boring and dull. Long story short, here I am!" Ashley explained with a hint of sarcasm.

"Come on, there's got to be more to it than that."

"Nope, not really. I just missed it here so terribly."

Shawn laughed, "Alright, if that's what you're going with, fine."

"It is definitely what I'm going with. So any detective cases lately?" Ashley questioned.

"Actually I just rapped one up. Which reminds me, I have to go down to the station to pick up my check. Want to come with and see how I work?"

Ashley grinned, "I'd love to!" She quickly started shoving food into her mouth until he plate was empty. "Let's go right now!"

Shawn laughed as he stood up, "Why so eager Ash?"

"I'm excited to see what kind of sophisticated person you are around city officials. It will be so weird!"

Shawn laughed again, "What do you mean around city officials. I act the same as I always do around them. I'm what makes that boring building so cool!"

Ashley sighed as they walked out, "You mean you're totally yourself and they haven't fired you yet?"

"How could they? I've helped them too many times now to be fired! A little shenanigans here and there can't hurt anyone." He said as they climbed onto Shawn's bike.

When they pulled up to the police department Ashley gasped. It was a lot bigger than she expected. There were a couple cops outside on the stairs. It didn't look like they were doing anything important though, just talking. Shawn waved to them as they walked by, giving them a goofy smile, which was basically Shawn's signature look.

The inside of the police department was even better than the outside. It was so much nicer than any other police department Ashley had ever seen. Not that she had seen a lot, she wasn't that much of a trouble maker. Though Shawn, he was a different story. The building wasn't dirty or uncared for. It looked as if people cleaned it daily. Everyone's desks were clean and organized. Ashley noted, however, that one desk in particular was ten times more clean and organized like the rest. That person must not have much to do, she thought.

Shawn stopped her right outside two big doors, "Let me go in there, this is the Chief's office and she can be sort of… well… Don't worry I got this."

Ashley nodded, Shawn obviously knew more about the people around here so she figured it best not to argue. However, she could tell through the window that Shawn and the Chief weren't just talking about his paycheck seeing as arms were waving left and right as if trying to make a point. Bored, Ashley walked around the offices, stopping once again by the extreme neat freak's desk. Inspecting it closer she realized this person even kept there pencils in order of tallest to shortest.

Ashley suddenly stood straight up when she heard a person clear their throat quite loudly. Turning around Ashley saw it was a man, not too old, maybe late thirties standing straight giving her a curious look. He had short dark brown hair and striking blue eyes. The hints of gray hair close to his ears gave him a sense of maturity and the way he stood gave him a sense of superiority. Ashley had to admit, he was pretty attractive. Judging by his outfit she concluded he was not a police officer, but rather a detective. And she had just been caught inspecting his desk. Maybe she was more like Shawn then she thought.

"Is there a reason you're standing over my desk interrogating my pencils?" He asked.

"Um, I'm really sorry! I was just waiting for a… a friend of mine and got bored. I'm really sorry um…?"

"Head Detective Lassiter." He answered.

"Head Detective? I'm really sorry!" Ashley cursed in her head. The head detective? Seriously? That would be her luck! She quickly came up with an excuse, "You just had such a nice desk it outshined the rest!"

Lassiter smiled, "Well thank you. I do try hard to make it presentable." He seemed to be happy with her excuse.

Ashley looked at him for another second, he really was cute in a sort of dorky, adorable, yet attractive way. She also hadn't been on a date in a long time. She quickly decided to do something she never expected herself to do on her first day back in Santa Barbara, "So, as head detective of the police department you must be very important right? Would an important person like yourself want to go to dinner tomorrow night?"

Lassiter looked shocked for a second before he smiled, "I suppose such an important person like me would love to have dinner tomorrow."

Ashley grinned, success!

"I'll meet you at the Corner Cafe tomorrow at 7 then." Lassiter said.

"Sounds perfect! I'll see you then Detective Lassiter." Ashley mock saluted.

"Actually it's Carlton."

Ashley smiled again and put her hand down, "Carlton it is."

It looked to Ashley like Carlton was going to say something more but he didn't get the chance because suddenly the Chief called over to Carlton, "Detective Lassiter, can I see you for a moment?" Carlton nodded and turned to Ashley.

"See you tomorrow then." He quickly made his way to her office.

Ashley stood there for a moment smiling to herself, however she soon became confused. If the Chief was finished talking to Shawn, where was he? Ashley scanned the office place until her eyes landed on Shawn. He was leaning over a desk across the room. I desk that belonged to a pretty, blonde, young detective. That was just like Shawn, Ashley thought, he always flirts with any girl he gets his eyes on. However, the surprising thing was the girl was smiling and laughing back, just as if she wasn't annoyed at all. Her smile looked genuine and sweet. But the thing that really blew Ashley away was the fact that after the mystery girl said something to Shawn she stood up and kissed him on the cheek and walked away. When Shawn turned around, Ashley could see he had this lovesick look on his face with his signature smile. However, it quickly faded when he spotted her. His cheeks becoming instantly red as he made his way over.

"Ready? I think so. Let's go." He said quickly as he began walking toward the door.

Ashley had to jog to keep up with him to get a single sentence in, "So, who was that?"

"No one." Shawn said as he continued speed walking without even looking at her. However, once they were right outside the building Ashley grabbed his arm.

"No that was definitely someone! Come on Shawn, I'm your sister you can tell me! I won't tell dad you've been sneaking around making out with girls again!" She joked.

"Haha, very funny. Fine, that was Juliet. We're kind of… um…. together." Shawn admitted pinching the bridge of his nose.

Ashley squealed, "Oh my gosh! Little Shawny has a girlfriend! And a lady detective!"

Shawn sighed, "Yes now let's go." He climbed onto the bike waiting for Ashley to get on.

However, Ashley didn't get on. She suddenly realised something, "Shawn, does Juliet know you're not really psychic?"

Shawn gave her a warning look, "No. And keep your voice down we're right in front of the station!"

"How could you keep something like this from her! How long have you been together?"

Shawn sat back on the bike, "Almost two years.."

"Two years?! You're kidding!"

Shawn sighed, "Look, would you just let me deal with my own issues, ok? I really care about her, and I do, honestly plan to tell her. But I need to find the right time. Jules values honesty over everything else and this could really hurt her. Just.. please let me do it."

Ashley felt conflicted for a second but then realized Shawn was an adult now, he could handle his own situations. "Alright, but it had better be soon!" she said as she climbed on the bike.

"Yeah, well.. You let me handle that."