SuperPsych

Chapter 2

Shawn

"Jules, I told you I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, Mama Bear, but I'm okay. Go help Lassie, you know he'll be lost without you." Shawn shooed away his girlfriend.

Juliet looked at Shawn carefully. She wore her usual gray pantsuit, but her hair and makeup were slightly off. She had clearly rushed to the crime scene after hearing that he and Gus were involved.

The police had already cordoned off the restaurant, and flashing red and blue lights lit up the night sky. Dark, empty hills surrounded the restaurant, as it was located just off the highway. Shawn sat at the back of the ambulance outside of Tarpy's Roadhouse, holding an ice pack to his head. The paramedics had already bandaged his bleeding arms and given him a blanket and painkillers, but his head was still hurting. They said he might have a mild concussion.

Gus sat on the floor of the ambulance next to Shawn, curled up in the fetal position with his blanket wrapped around him. He was rocking back and forth, whispering nonsense to himself. Gus had a sling for his arm, and Shawn was sure he was going to have a bruise on his shoulder where Gus had punched him when the paramedics popped his dislocated arm back into place. Juliet glanced at Gus sympathetically.

"Jules," Shawn said, holding her hand. "We'll be okay."

Juliet sighed, studying him carefully. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Shawn insisted. "Do your job, you adorable police detective."

"Fine," Juliet agreed. She pulled out her notebook and pen. "Can you tell me what happened?"

Shawn squinted up at her, confused. "What are you doing?"

Juliet frowned. "Interviewing witnesses. That's my job. Which you told me to do."

"Jules, Gus is having a bit of a mental breakdown, as you can see." Shawn explained. "Only I can help him. If you don't mind, we need a few minutes together before he'll be ready to talk. Can you do the other parts of your job first?"

"Right, of course." Juliet scolded herself. "Hang in there, Gus," she said.

Juliet kissed Shawn on the cheek and squeezed his hand before walking away to join Lassiter as he interrogated the restaurant manager, Dave.

Before Shawn could talk to Gus, his phone rang. He sighed and answered. "Dad."

"Shawn! Thank goodness. Are you all right? I was worried. Juliet called and said you and Gus had been victims of an attack, but she didn't say anything else. Do I need to come down there? Are you at the hospital? Should I call your mother?" Shawn's dad said over the phone.

"I'm fine, Dad. Banged up a bit, but fine." Shawn said, annoyed.

"Are you sure? I can be there in ten minutes, I—"

"Dad. We're fine. We'll see you at game night tomorrow. Go back to hibernation."

"Shawn, I—"

"Bye, Dad." Shawn said, ending the call.

He shook his head and put away his phone. Then he remembered what had just happened, and what he needed to talk to Gus about.

"Gus!" Shawn shouted, turning to face his partner. "You saw it too, right? Tell me you saw it!"

Gus made no response, still holding himself and muttering quietly.

"Gus?" Shawn said. "Gus, come on. We're safe now. I'll make you nachos when we get back to the office."

That got a response. Gus instantly relaxed, sitting up and looking at Shawn. "You better not be joking, Shawn. I will hold you to that."

"I know you will, buddy." Shawn acknowledged. "Now, let's talk before Jules and Lassie come back."