A/N: Alright, so I've had this half written for like a week, but hit a bit of writer's block with it, so I let it sit and simmer for a bit. I kind of like the outcome, though I did not expect it to take the turn it did. Any cheesiness in the writing (and you will know what i mean) I apologize for now.

I'm holdin' on your rope,

Got me ten feet off the ground.

The house was an utter disaster, and it wasn't just because of all the broken dishes, or the woman that was sobbing in the room down the hall. No, it was a disaster because at some point he had given up. Their relationship was hard, and it took a lot of work. Shawn Spencer was never one to put in the hard work. Though this time, this one time, he had tried. They were just too different. He was energetic, goofy, and irresponsible. She was everything that was opposite from that. He had watched her try so hard to keep their relationship going, and two years of trying made him realize that maybe trying this hard wasn't worth it anymore.

That of course was not the start of the argument this time. No, this time it was the fact that he was always late. He never could seem to make it to their dates on time, even if they did live together. Shawn had tried to counter the attack at his tardiness, but he couldn't. She was right. He never was on time. Always late. Gus had even fought with him on this matter a few times. That was when he realized that he was hurting her more than loving her, and it killed him. Although mentioning his thoughts aloud during their argument wasn't one of his better decisions.

His eyes wearily went toward the broken dishes on the floor. Walking toward the kitchen, he grabbed the broom and dustpan. He started to sweep up the shattered pieces from the floor. Once he had them all up, except a few tiny pieces that wouldn't sweep up, he knelt down long enough to snatch them from the floor managing to cut his finger in the process. Hissing past a curse, he turned on the faucet and stuck his now bleeding finger under the warm tap. Watching as the bleeding started to ebb slightly, he grabbed a paper towel and gently wrapped it around his now sore finger.

Though the pain in his finger was nothing compared to the pain in his heart. Running a shaky hand across his face Shawn realized that he did love her. He just wasn't sure that he was good enough for her. Sighing, he stalked slowly toward their bedroom. Rapping his knuckles against the door, he waited before speaking.

"Jules. I know your mad..."

At that the door flew open. Her eyes were red and puffy with mascara streaks running down her cheeks. The hurt evident in her eyes broke his heart. If only she knew how much he wished like hell that he was good enough for her.

"Mad, Shawn? No. I'm not mad. I was, but not anymore. I am hurt. I have tried so hard to be lenient with you. I know that you're different, and that we're different. I know that, and so I tried to not let the little things that aggravate me. Then you sit there and take the damn easy way out. So no...I'm not mad. I am hurt, in pain, and I just want you to go."

Shawn shook head. "I do love you Jules." He spoke over his shoulder before stalking down the hallway and toward the front door.

And I'm hearin' what you say,

But I just can't make a sound.

Juliet paced back and forth in their living room. She had almost sobbed when she realized that he had picked up the shattered glass from the kitchen floor. Her heart had throbbed when she noticed the blood droplets. She hadn't even known that he had cut his finger. Now she stood, her hand in her hair, trying to decide which option was better.

Should she call him, or should she go out and find him. If she called him it was likely that he wouldn't answer. Even if he did, it was even more likely that he'd hang up on her. Not that she would blame him after how she had overreacted. His words had hurt her, yes, but she could see where he was coming from. Even more so, she could see how hard he was trying to change. No matter how much she yelled at him for all things Shawn Spencer, she didn't want him to change. She didn't want some stiff boring boyfriend that was always on time. That always knew what they would do, and where they would go. Where was the excitement in that? She wanted Shawn, and all the things that came with him.

Her decision was made, as she grabbed her keys and headed for the front door.

Two hours after Shawn had left. One of the only times he actually listened to her, she had located him. His bike was parked on the curb outside of Gus' apartment building. It was her first guess, her second was the Psych office. Pacing in front of the door, Juliet pressed her finger against the doorbell for Gus' apartment.

"Yes." He sounded exhausted. This was not a good sign.

"Gus, can I come in?"

She heard him sigh, "I don't know Juliet. He is very upset. I literally just got him calmed down enough to stop pacing my floor."

Juliet felt the wetness on her eyelashes, as a few new tears slid down her cheek. "I just need to talk to him." She heard him huff. Obviously Shawn had passed on the information of the breaking of their dishes. "Calmly." She added.

Another sigh came from the small box just under the doorbell buttons. Finally the noise that she had been waiting for erupted from the door, as it buzzed. As calmly as she could, she made her way to the second floor of the building before rapping lightly on Gus' door.

The door flew open. "I'm not staying..." He paused as he looked over his shoulder. "Nothing better be broken when I get back either." He glared in Shawn's direction before turning the glare to Juliet.

She simply shook her head, before entering Gus' apartment. Shutting the door, she turned to Shawn. His hair was sticking up from his hands running through it multiple times. He looked absolutely exhausted. She sat across from him. Though he tried to advert his eyes, she saw the tear tracks, and felt a gasp catch in her throat.

"Shawn."

"What, you come to yell at me some more? Tell me about other ways that I disappoint you?" His voice was bitter, and there was a slight slur.

"You've been drinking?"

He smiled despairingly at her, "Ding...ding...ding. We have a winner."

Shaking her head, Juliet pushed forward. "Shawn, we have to talk this through." When he didn't say anything she continued on. "I love you so much that it literally hurts. When I'm not with you it hurts, when I am with you it hurts. When we're apart all I think about is what you're doing, and if you're thinking about me. When we're together all I think about is if you know how much it hurt me when you didn't show up the night before..."

Shaking his head, Shawn placed his head in his hands.

Juliet pushed forward. "I know that you don't mean to hurt me, and that you never meant to do it to begin with, and yet sometimes it seems like you try to. Shawn you drive me absolutely insane in both good and bad ways, but I know that I will never love anyone the way that I love you."

Juliet watched as Shawn's shoulders started to shake.

You tell me that you're sorry,

Didn't think I'd turn around...

And say...

"Shawn. Are you crying? Shawn, please. I never meant to make you cry. Shawn, I'm sorry." The words flew from her mouth faster than she could stop them, or even think about them.

His head flew up at her attempt to apologize. A flare in his eyes made her insides quiver only a little bit. "I'm sorry? You don't get it. I should be the one to apologize, and yet I don't feel sorry. This." He paused pointing between the two of them. "Is over."

"Shawn, what are you talking about. We had a fight, and argument. We can get past this."

He shook his head, his eyes were red-rimmed and exhausted. "No, we can't. We're too different. It was stupid of us to even try Jules. We work better as friends, at least then I didn't disappoint you."

Juliet reached out her hand to touch his. Her heart broke when he recoiled against her touch. "Shawn...I'm so sorry...please."

That it's too late to apologize.

"It is too late for apologies Juliet, and it's too late for us. Just go." He flicked his wrist to release her. Unwilling to meet her eyes and see the pain that would be evident. He stared at the floor until he heard the door close.

I'd take another chance,

Take a fall, take a shot for you.

It had been two weeks. Yet, being in the same room as her, seeing her eyes on him. It hurt. Still. Like a knife cutting deep into his chest. He could feel the metaphorical blood pour out of him, and yet he was still alive. He felt he had nothing left to give, and yet he felt himself giving it.

He pretended that nothing happened. That they were best friends, and that they hadn't been dating for the past two years. She went along with it well enough, until he found her gazing at him. Whether or not she knew what she was doing wasn't even the question. It was the fact that knowing she was still in love with him that weakened his resolve. On bad days, like yesterday, he found himself almost admitting that they gave up too quickly. That he wanted one more chance to make things right.

Usually, he would quickly stop himself from making a fool of himself. She seemed to be moving on, or at least that's what Gus had told him. Explaining that she had a date tonight. The queasiness in his stomach was uncalled for. It was what he wanted. For her to move on. To find someone that deserved her, and yet he wanted to do something to stop it.

Standing in the chief's office for the third time in a week, he saw out of his eye that her eyes were trained solely on him. He stiffened slightly, as his resolve slowly started to weaken. The walls that he had built up only this morning, was once again knocked down. His cold exterior was melted right in front of him, and he had no choice but to look back.

The vision had been a good one. He had followed Markus to an alleyway where he disposed of the evidence. His prints would be all over the stuff. So he went back to the station, and had the vision of the dumpster and Markus. Of course, Juliet was the only one available to go with him. Lassiter was still questioning Markus' partner, and the chief wouldn't pull him for possible evidence.

So here they were standing by the dumpster, a look of glee on Juliet's face as she realized that Shawn had come through for them yet again.

"If his prints are on this stuff, then it's open and shut." She smiled ruefully at him, but her face darkened.

She fumbled for her gun, as Shawn spun around in time to see Markus stalking toward him. He was a large man, of at least six two. His body was bulking in size. The gun in his hand was trained on Juliet. Looking over his shoulder, Shawn saw that she was still trying to get her gun out. The fear etched on her face.

He was going to shoot her, and Shawn wasn't about to let that happen. He saw as Markus' finger twitched on the trigger, almost as if he was itching to pull it. To put a bullet in Juliet. Moving quickly, Shawn came to stand between Markus and his gun, and Juliet. The sound was almost deafening in the alleyway. The pain that coursed through his body was slightly familiar after his run in with Garth Longmore.

His body fell limply to the ground, as Juliet finally gained control over her weapon and fired three times, and watched as Markus Travers body fell to the ground. Without another thought, Juliet whipped out her phone and called for an ambulance, while kneeling next to Shawn.

I need you like a heart needs a beat,

But it's nothin' new.

Shawn sat up in his hospital bed. The bandage wrapped tightly around his chest pulled slightly causing a pained moan to escape his lips. Juliet's hand darted out quickly snatching his.

"Are you okay?" The worry evident in her eyes, caused him more pain than the actual gunshot wound.

"I'm sorry Jules."

Her eyebrow quirked curiously. "Why are you sorry Shawn?"

"Well, I mean...I maybe..."

"Yeah?" She interrupted seeing the way he struggled to get the words out.

"Maybe I jumped the gun..." He paused as her eyes knitted together. He realized what he said, as a wry smile crossed his lips. "No pun intended." His eyebrows quirked, and she smiled softly. "Maybe...we can work this." He motioned between the two of them, "out. I mean...if you're still willing."

She nodded her head. "Always Shawn. I'm always willing."

She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his in a chaste kiss, before pulling back quickly. "But don't ever do that again."

"You mean...get shot?"

"I mean step in front of a bullet meant for me. I'm the cop, Shawn. I had a vest on."

Shawn shook his head. She didn't understand why he had done it. "Jules, your shorter than me."

The confusion on her face made him chuckle lightly. "He wasn't aiming for your chest Jules..."

The realization crossed her face, and a queasiness formed in the pit of her stomach. He planned on killing her. Markus knew she was a cop, he knew she was probably wearing a vest. She shook her head.

"I figured I'd be better off with a chest wound, then you would be with a head wound. Plus, I could never, not take the shot meant for you."