Back to school tomorrow. Oh how I hate school :(
This chapter is semi-long and I apologize for any confusion.
"Are you sure?" Shawn whispered not wanting Chris to hear him.
"Carlton said they got another call on a body. He went to the scene and apparently there's this guy who knows Chris. There's a message too, but he was to shocked to tell me over the phone." Juliet tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind her ear.
"Okay um…" Shawn paused for a minute trying to think. One minute he was kissing Juliet on the couch, and then he was worrying about Chris's life. "Let's take Chris to my dad's. At least there he'll have someone to watch over him." Juliet nodded in agreement. They walked into the other room and Shawn sighed when they found Chris fast asleep on the couch. He gently picked him up, Juliet grabbed his bag and they walked to her green buggy. After getting Chris settled into the back of her car, they drove to Shawn's dad's house. Both of them not knowing exactly what to say because of the night's events, they sat quietly. Rain had picked up and was pounding on the roof heavily. A small shiver ran through Juliet, and Shawn grabbed her hand. Her hand was cold, while his was nicely warm.
They stayed like this until she pulled up into the driveway. Shawn reluctantly let go of her hand, and grabbed Chris.
"Where are we?" he mumbled still asleep.
"You're going to stay with my dad for a bit, okay bud?" Shawn told him as Juliet knocked on the door for him. Henry answered a few seconds later.
"Shawn? Juliet? What are you doing here? Who's this?"
"Can we come in dad? Thanks." Shawn walked in not waiting for an answer. Henry looked at Juliet for an explanation.
"That's Chris. He's kinda a witness to an investigation. There was another murder and we couldn't take him with us so-," Henry nodded his understanding. Though hesitant.
"I'm not so sure. Remember the last time I housed a witness?" He was talking about when he let Allison Crowley stay in Shawn's old room. Allison was taken from the room and it shook Henry. Even though they proved that Allison had been working with Yin, it still made Henry nervous.
"I'm sure it'll be fine. He's only eight, how much trouble can he be?" Juliet walked over to Chris and Shawn.
"Ask Shawn," Henry mumbled following her.
"No!" Chris yelled. His arms were wrapped around Shawn's neck and he refused to let go.
"Chris you have to stay here," Shawn told him calmly.
"I want to stay with you," Chris argued tightening his grip on Shawn.
"You can't- Jules!" He looked at Juliet for help. Juliet rushed forward and tried to help.
"Hey kid you want some Ice cream?" Henry asked loudly. Chris stopped struggling and Juliet was able to pull him off.
"You'd let me have Ice Cream this late?"
"You like Cookie Dough?" Henry retorted. Chris jumped away from Juliet and hurried over to Henry.
"You couldn't have said that sooner?" Shawn rubbed his neck. Henry shrugged and smirked at Shawn.
"Seems like he likes me better," Henry gloated.
"Yeah? The kid wouldn't let go of my neck," Shawn fought back. Before Henry could respond Juliet got involved.
"We have somewhere to go." She looked at Shawn. "Thanks for watching him Mr. Spencer. But try not to give him so many sweets, its late." Juliet turned her attention to Henry.
"Sure thing Juliet," Henry smiled.
"Come on Shawn," Juliet grabbed his hand and dragged him away. Henry pretended not to notice. He looked down when he felt a tugging on his arm.
"What?"
"Are you the man who was shot?" Chris asked. Henry nodded and led the way into the kitchen.
"Are you okay?" Juliet shut her door as the rain started to come down harder.
"I'll be fine," Shawn gave still rubbing his neck.
"He really likes you," Juliet pulled out of the drive way and Shawn sighed.
"Yeah he does. I don't want him to get too attached though," Shawn looked outside and Juliet understood what he was saying. Chris was only staying with them until the investigation was over. Once they solved it, Chris would be given to the Child Protective Service, and would be put in a foster home. The closer he got to Shawn, the harder it would be for them to part ways when the time came. "I think it's already too late," Shawn whispered and Juliet had to agree. Chris was taken to the second safest spot he could be. The first being the station. And he declined to stay without Shawn. That would cause some future problems.
"Where are we going?"
"To the beach, about a mile away from the light house." Juliet said. They stayed in silence as the car drove. When they got to where they had to be, the rain was merciless and the wind was howling. Lassiter and Chief Vick were already there, standing by the body.
"Male, looks to be between the ages of thirty and forty. Caucasian, brown hair, and brown eyes." A man told Vick and Lassiter.
The man was lying face down on the sand. His arms were wrapped around his back and his eyes were open and glassy. 'CH' was etched across the man's back.
"Who are you?" Shawn asked.
"I'm Charles. Sheriff around these parts," Shawn nodded, satisfied with the man's answer. "I hear you're the one taking care of little Christopher."
"You know Chris?" Shawn looked away from the body and towards the Sheriff. He had short red hair, blue eyes and was a little on the chunky side. He stood up straight, and Shawn could tell this man was respected by the people around the area.
"I was the one that found him at the train station. Took him over to his Aunt's," Charles supplied.
"Lilly's?" Lassiter walked over to Juliet and handed her a file.
"Yeah. Poor little guy, he won't do well in the system." Shawn and Juliet's eyes met.
"Did you know this man?" Vick changed the subject.
"Let see…." Charles bent down and observed the body. His tongue clicked against his front teeth as he thought. "I've seen him before, I can tell you that. Can't recall his name though."
"Then you're useless," Shawn blurted out. Juliet smacked his arm and Lassiter grinned. "It's true." Shawn defended.
"Doesn't mean you can tell people that, it's rude." Juliet scolded.
"As much as I agree with O'Hara. Spencer is right; he knows nothing about this man. It would be a lot easier if we at least had a name." Lassiter interjected.
"It's called doing your job Lassie,"
"You know what Spencer? Shut it!" Lassiter glared at Shawn who rolled his eyes.
"What makes you people think whoever killed him is calling out Chris? I mean come on, he's just a kid. Who would want him dead?" Shawn waited for an answer. To his surprise and annoyance Charles stepped forward.
"This man was with Christopher on the train. Apparently Chris was sitting alone so the man sat with him."
"So Chris knows him?" Juliet clarified.
"I believe so, if we brought the boy down maybe he could help." Charles suggested.
"No." Shawn and Juliet debated at the same time.
"Why not?" Vick crossed her arms.
"He's just a kid Chief. He's already been through a lot. Do we really have to traumatize him?" Shawn stepped towards her.
"What he said," Lassiter narrowed his eyes at his partner. He hadn't seen Juliet so eager to agree with Shawn since they broke up. Even near the end of their relationship she agreed with him.
"Just to show him a few pictures Mister Spencer. What harm can it do?"
"That's like giving a kid with ADHD a box of chocolate. What harm can it do?" Shawn rebuked.
"Mister Spencer I'm Chief. I want Christopher brought down to the station first thing in the morning." Vick demanded. Shawn rolled his eyes and muttered something inappropriate under his breath.
"Shawn." Juliet hissed having been the only one who heard him.
"What?" he asked.
"Behave," she told him. He shrugged and stood rather stilly and quietly as the others worked. Later then Shawn would have thought, his father called. He stepped away from the others and answered.
"Shawn this kid has issues!" Henry said.
"What are you talking about?" Shawn mouthed 'Dad' to Juliet when she shot him a questioning glance.
"He fell asleep, right?"
"Sure," Shawn played along.
"Then he starts screaming about voices and ghosts. I haven't seen a kid, manly you, this scared since you and Gus snuck that scary movie into a sleep over." Henry stated.
"One that was a scary movie! Two it was Gus's idea-,"
"Yeah right," Henry scoffed.
"And third Chris does that. He's scared of the dark dad. Just bring him out of it, and comfort him a little." Shawn advised.
"Comfort?"
"Yeah you know hug him, tell him things are going to be alright-,"
"I know what comfort means. I'm not a robot." Henry hung up. Shawn hung up his phone and walked over to Juliet. With the rain soaking into the sand, the grains became mushy and Shawn had a little trouble maneuvering over them.
"That was my dad."
"Is something wrong with Chris?" Her head snapped up.
"No. He just had another nightmare. Which is why I'm so scared to expose him to this body. If Chris does know this man, that's four people that have died, just by knowing him. He might start thinking it's his fault," Shawn bit down on his bottom lip.
"We'll just have to reassure him that it's not his fault. I'm with you about not bringing him down. But he might be able to help us. The faster we get this case done, the faster Chris can be safe."
"The faster Chris leaves," Shawn added.
Juliet sighed and stood up. "Shawn I know you'll miss him, I will too. But it's for the best that he goes. You'll see," she put a soothing hand on Shawn's arm.
"I know just- can you give me a ride to my dad's?" Juliet nodded and they trekked back to the car.
Some Shules in this chapter :)
I have a poll on my page I would really love for you guys to answer! I want to write a song-fic featuring Shules, and I'm not sure what song I should use. I would be forever grateful if you took two little minutes to answer it. Thanks!