Aria (a psych fanfiction)

Chapter 21

Shawn was more than a little disappointed when his confession to Juliet was interrupted. Yes, he was glad to hear she wasn't going to die of the Thornburg virus - he couldn't go through losing someone so close to him again, especially not so soon after what had happened with Aria - but it had taken all of the courage he'd had to decide to tell her how he really felt. He didn't know when he'd have that kind of bravery again. And then there was the issue of Abigail. Inwardly, he laughed--I can't believe I'm at the center of a love triangle. How cliché.

After Gus dropped him off, he decided to go for a ride on his motorcycle, try and clear his head. He rode up and down the pier for a while, back and forth, back and forth, thinking about the mess his life had become. It was his seventh time going towards the Psych office when he saw her, and he nearly fell off his bike. Pulling over, he got off and turned around, searching. She was gone, but he'd seen her, staring right back at him. He was sure of it.

Aria knew she'd get in trouble for making eye contact with Shawn, but it was worth it. He'd probably write it off as a trick of the light, something ridiculous like that. She giggled as he swerved to avoid hitting a tourist, but the laugh died in her throat when he pulled over and got off his bike.

James sensed they were in trouble, too. He gripped her arm and pulled her to the nearest bench. "Keep your head down. I'll deal with you later." She did so, wringing her hands in shame. She'd done something wrong, again. She just hoped he didn't take it out on Shawn or any of them. She'd given up on trying to escaped after he'd faked their deaths, but she'd rebelled in little ways-mixing the whites with the reds in the laundry so that all of his white shirts ended up a weak shade of pink, switching out the ketchup in the bottle for Tabasco sauce, putting blue hair dye in his shampoo-and he'd punished her by messing with Lassiter's electricity, puncturing Juliet's tires, leaving dead birds in front of the door of the Psych office, and putting poisonous chemicals in Henry's garden. She didn't like having to obey his rules, but she had no choice-she didn't want to see what else he'd do to prove his point.

She didn't understand why she was still alive. She didn't understand why he'd stopped hitting her, didn't understand why all of a sudden he was somewhat caring, didn't understand why they were still in Santa Barbara. She just wanted to get out, but that didn't seem to be an option. So she behaved. Outwardly, anyway-on the inside, she was screaming. At least she could see Shawn and Gus and everyone. At least she knew they were okay. It killed her inside to know they thought she was dead - she watched the funeral, watch them throw out all of her old stuff, saw Shawn cry once when he thought no one else was watching.

But she couldn't let them know she was okay. It was for their own safety - she knew it was for the best. But she couldn't help but wish there was someway she could contact them, tell them to stop worrying.

She wished they could know she was alive.

"Chief, I had a very strong vision of her, alive. I swear. She's here, in Santa Barbara. We just have to find her."

Karen sighed. "Mr. Spencer, I understand that you're going through a difficult time right now, but I have to draw the line somewhere. We can't waste department resources on a wild goose chase that will only end in disappointment. The best thing you can do for yourself right now is try to move on."

"Waste?" Shawn practically shouted. "My daughter is alive, and you're telling me you're not going to help me find her? What would you do if it was Iris, Chief? How would you feel then?" He looked at the others pleadingly. "Guys, help me out here!"

Gus pulled him outside the office. "Shawn, Chief's right. You probably just saw what you wanted to see. It's only been a you just need to take a break, take some time off."

"Gus, she was there. She looked me right in the eyes. I know what I saw," he said stubbornly. He paused, rubbing his forehead. "Look, you can back me up on this or not, but I'm going to prove it."

YAY SHE'S ALIVE! ;) So a lot of stuff has happened in between the last two chapters, canon-wise - basically all of Season Four until right after Death Is In The Air, for reasons which will eventually make themselves known. :) Anyway, until next time:)