Still typing on my phone--thanks for your patience!

Let's wrap it up!

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

Dr. Hansen looked at her peacefully sleeping patient. The flurry of visitors sapped his energy and since he wouldn't admit it, she suggested they all go home for the night. They were tentative to oblige, but knowing Shawn would be going home soon gave them the security they needed to leave. Looking at the wall clock made her realize she had been sitting next to Shawn longer than she intended. She had many patients and could be called into surgery at any moment. She also know that this job was typically reserved for the staff of nurses but for some reason, she found herself in this patient's room more often than not.

She saw his jaw tighten and the creases in his forehead sharpen. He sucked in a short breath and squeezed his eyes shut. He was still asleep, but she could see he was caught within the throes of one of his nightmares. Just as his hand subconsciously reached for his neck, she grasped it within her own.

"Hey, Shawn." She said gently while supplying firm pressure to his hand. He fought against her grip and his heart rate quickened. She remained calm and squeezed his hand again. "Shawn, wake up. It's only a dream." His brows crinkled in confusion but he began taking more normal breaths. She saw his eyes blink open, his dark lashes finally giving way to his bleary eyes. "Jul--" he stopped as his eyes traveled from her hands to her face. She felt a pang of sympathy for him, knowing that anytime he faced this nightmare, he woke up confused and worried.

She made sure she was eye level with him. "It's Dr. Hansen. Everyone went home for the night so you could get some sleep, remember?" He blinked a few times. "I always remember." There was a pause. "Everything." His eyes left her gaze and traveled down to his hands.

"I know it's hard, Shawn. But you've got so many people that care about you to help you through this. After my brother died, I turned away from my family for months. I buried myself in books to distract me from my pain. I couldn't face them. I couldn't look at my brothers without seeing the disappointment in their eyes. Every time I closed my eyes I was taken back to that day." She said honestly.

"Do you still see it?" He asked quietly.

"Yes, sometimes. It's one of those things that never goes away really. But I've found I no longer have to be crushed by that memory." She felt the familiar tightness in her throat. She wasn't about to cry because of the memory, but instead because she realized she now had the ability to help someone with a similar pain. That weight that had crushed her for so long continued to be alleviated with her interactions with Shawn. Because of him, she realized the power she now held. "It hurts at first, but once I talked to my family about what happened and how I felt, I found that I had more support than I realized."

"What you went through is unimaginable." He said and she could see the sadness lurking in his eyes. "But I'm really glad you became a surgeon." He smiled at her. She assumed it was his way of giving thanks.

"So am I." She replied.

They sat in amiable silence for a few moments. Shawn starting fiddling with one of the monitors. While still eyeing the device, he spoke to her. "You know this will sound ridiculous, but I could hear you. Maybe...maybe it's my imagination, but I have memories of the darkness where I could hear your voice."

"Well I do speak to my patients throughout the whole process of caring for them. None have ever told me this, though."

"You really kept me from going over the edge." He said. Dr. Hansen straightened back in the chair. "Anyway, thank you. For everything. I mean, I am not known to be the serious-conversation type, but here we are. You really went above and beyond to take care of me and I know that I, as well as my family and friends, are more than thankful for that."

"There's no need to thank me, Shawn. You've helped me in more ways than you'll ever know." She placed her hand on his and he gave her a true smile. "Now get some more sleep, alright?" She patted his hand and stood up, leaving her patient to his own thoughts, content that they would eventually cease to haunt him.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

Three days laters, Shawn was sitting upright in bed, faced with the daunting task of transferring from his bed to a wheelchair. His father and Gus attempted to help, but all of their brains appeared to be running on conflicting channels. Lassiter and Juliet watched with amusement. Despite the theatrics, everyone was excited. Shawn was going home today.

"Oh my God people, it's not like I need to be carried." The faux psychic said to his incompetent companions.

"You're not that far off, buddy." Gus replied to his equally incompetent friend.

Henry interrupted, "You need to shift so you're actually facing us."

"Gee, thanks Dad. I would have never guessed that." The snarky reply came.

"Alright, you want to do this by yourself?" The gruff voice questioned. At that, Shawn painted a pathetic and helpless look on his face. "But how will I ever get to go home without your help, Papa Bear?" He even curled his bottom lip for emphasis. Henry rolled his eyes.

"Here Shawn, we will support you on each side and you can stand on your left foot. Just do a slight turn and we will lower you down."

"Yes, finally. Reasonable Gus has arrived, everyone!" Shawn announced to no one in particular. "Okay let's do it."

Henry and Gus gripped Shawn's arms and hoisted him to his feet, or foot, technically. He closed his eyes as the room swayed like the times before, but he adjusted quickly. Henry and Gus helped maneuver Shawn just in front of the waiting wheelchair and gently lowered him into a sitting position, making sure his right leg was resting on the outstretched part.

"Lassie, are you gonna push me?" Shawn asked mischievously. Lassiter glared at him. "Oh, I'm sorry Spencer, does me being here make me think I want to become your personal slave? Think again, or else I'm pushing you down the biggest hill in Santa Barbara." Shawn attempted to look hurt, but failed when the smirk of satisfaction tugged at his lips. Juliet elbowed her partner in the arm and Henry began pushing his son out of their unplanned hotel room.

They made a brief stop at the front desk for some unclaimed paperwork and as they were about to leave, the familiar door opened and Dr. Hansen approached. "Leaving without an official goodbye?"

"I'm not leaving, I'm being kidnapped by this crazy bald man." Shawn said innocently, gesturing to his "kidnapper." "But, if I am allowed to leave, I suppose I can say my official goodbye now."

Dr. Hansen shook everyone's hand and told them she was thrilled that Shawn would be back to normal before they knew it. All of them felt a deep connection to the doctor. All of them were amazed by her actions and her history. None of them could really put into words how lucky they were to have her. Without her, Shawn may not be with them right now. They finished their goodbyes and Shawn was wheeled to the waiting car.

"Shotgun!" He yelled.

Gus clicked his tongue in response. "Man."

Once they were settled, Henry looked at the two friends. He still saw them as the children he'd drive to games back in the day. "Ready to go home?" He asked.

"Hell no!" Shawn said. Henry gave him an incredulous look. "Not before smoothies, at least."

"I hear that." Gus said as he reached toward the front of the car with his fist and without looking, Shawn met it with his own.

For what felt like the millionth time, Henry rolled his eyes. However, he turned out of the parking lot and toward the desired destination. He was just happy to still have a son to annoy him. The tension in his chest fizzled and disappeared as he caught sight of his son playing the air drums in the seat next to him. He wasn't 100% yet, but Henry was happy that with all the support around his son, he'd be back to himself in no time.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

This story ended up being so much longer than I ever planned. I hate ending stories because I never know the proper way to do so. If you have stuck with me this long, thank you! I hope you enjoyed it. Maybe we will have to see Dr. Hansen in the future?

Please review (one last time!)