Hello Psych-O's! I've decided to publish this story. I hope you all enjoy it.

Think of all the roads

Think of all their crossings

Taking steps is easy

Standing still is hard

Remember all their faces

Remember all their voices

Everything is different

The second time around

-"You've Got Time" by Regina Spektor

Santa Barbara California: 2014

"Mister Spencer if you don't leave my office at once I'll be arresting you." Vick crossed her arms and glared at the man in front of her.

"Chief, you can't be serious." Shawn searched her face for a hope. A hope that this all was some big joke, that his life wasn't experiencing this big change.

"I've never been more serious in my entire life." Vick's eyes and voice was cold. Shawn's breath hitched when he finally realized she wasn't playing around. The officer escorts, the lobby and office area being completely quiet as he entered. They knew.

"How?" Shawn licked his lips softly. His shoulders slumped softly as he awaited her answer. His father? No, he'd never turn him in, it would fall back on himself. Gus? Possibly. But only if he was forced. Lassiter? There was no way to know. How would the detective even know? Jules?... No. Not his Juliet. Shawn refused to believe. She would never turn him in. Not after she stopped him from turning himself in.

"That's confidential." Vick said after a few seconds. Shawn shook his head and covered his face with his hands. This couldn't be happening. He'd been so careful. So very careful. Yet it was happening. He'd slipped. Shawn Spencer had slipped, and it was costing him big time. "Mister Spencer… if you leave now, I'll look the other way. Your father, Mister Guster, your mother-," She paused and took a deep breath, "And anyone else, won't be affected." So Vick knew Juliet was a part of it somehow.

"And by not affected, you mean?" Shawn was on the edge of his seat. He knew he was in deep shit. There was no way out of it for himself. But if the others could get off Scott free…

"I mean. It won't go on any records. No one's job will be affected nor will they be punished of any kind. I'm only offering this to you because I know why it happened. And you've only done good for this department, chaos yes- but good chaos. Think if this as my payment to you." Vick leaned back against the front of her desk and stared Shawn.

There was nothing he could do. If he stayed here, in Santa Barbara he'd risk jail time. For himself and the people he cared about. He may be a selfish bastard, but he'd never go that far. Shawn would never send someone innocent to jail… "They're not innocent." A voice sounded in his head. "They were completely aware of what you were doing. They're just as much at fault for this as you are." Shawn shook his head and fell back into the chair he was sitting in. He no longer had the strength to keep himself supported at the front of the chair.

"I told you when you began this I would prosecute… Mister Spencer, don't make this harder on yourself. Get what you need, and leave the city. Close down your operation and leave. If I ever get a hint that you're doing this- I will arrest you. Are we clear?" She bit her lip a refused to show the sadness that was bubbling inside. He really was a sweet man. Wanting nothing but to catch bad guys and appeal to his father.

"I- it wasn't supposed to go this far. Chief, I swear!" Shawn took a deep breath. His heart was beating wildly and he couldn't seem to focus on the situation at hand.

"Mister Spencer, I don't care if this was supposed to be a onetime thing. Because it's not-wasn't. It wasn't. I can't allow you to do this in my city. You need to take yourself elsewhere, and leave the past behind you."

"I can't leave. Not my dad, Gus or Lassie or Jules…" Shawn trailed off looking helplessly at Vick.

She sighed and shook her head, sitting next to him. "It's what's best for her Mister Spencer. She's a bright detective, and I can see her going far. Just make this best for her. You love her to death but you want what's-."

"Best for her. And that's not me." Shawn finished grimly.

"I'm sorry." Vick nodded slowly and stood up, returning to her seat. "You've got twenty-four hours." Vick grabbed a pen from the surface of the desk and went to her paperwork as if nothing had happened. Shawn stood up shakily and exited the office, shutting the door behind him. From across the room Carlton Lassiter, Buzz McNabb and Juliet O'Hara were watching him.

Lassiter shook his head and folded his arms. Buzz looked like a child who had just been told their hero was nothing more than a myth. Juliet couldn't even look at him. She grabbed a file and retreated into the file room, her shoulder's shaking. At Lassiter's rough sigh Shawn left the building. So many things to do. He had to close up Psych, say goodbye to Gus and his dad, somehow get Juliet to talk to him. Hell, where was he going to go? He had nowhere else but here. This was his home. "You're home doesn't want you. It's kicking you out. You can't ever come back. Never!"

"Shut up!" Shawn hissed at the voice as he walked quickly over to his motorcycle. Without thought Shawn was riding down the street, he didn't know what to do first. Psych. Shawn turned a corner and rode down to the sea-side office. He couldn't leave Gus with the lease, or the sudden less cash flow. Thankfully, Gus wasn't there as Shawn walked into the room.

The motorcycle helmet was thrown against the couch, and a leather jacket was dropped on the floor. "Lease… lease… Where is it?" Shawn looked in the drawers on Gus's desk. It had to be here somewhere. Gus was always talking about being prepared. It had be around here… "Ha!" Shawn exclaimed finding the big enveloped labeled "Lease" in red letters. Shawn sat in the chair behind him and opened up the letter, taking out the paper inside. It was the standard two year lease they always took out.

"Renewed a year and six months ago. Meaning we have six months left. To buy out of the lease is- damn. That's five numbers. Cheaper to continue paying rent until then." Shawn pulled out a check book that was completely unused. Shawn tore the first six checks and wrote out the monthly payments on the blank line. He placed each of the checks in an envelope marked "Rent"

Next, Shawn placed the envelope onto the refrigerator where he was sure Gus would find it. He took a look around the office and stood in the middle of the room, his hands on his hips. He'd cleared the rent. Gus would be fine. All he had to do now was go home and pack his belongings, then drop by his dads. Shawn grabbed his jacket and helmet, looking back once more at his desk as he flicked off the light for the last time. Shawn left the office, and hurried to his apartment.

He didn't bother to lock his door as he ran to his room, grabbing his old leather sack from years before. He shoved clothes in it, not bothering to fold them. Who was going to yell at him for untidy clothes? No one. Shawn loaded his sack on the cycle and checked the pouches on the side. They'd be able to hold a few more items. They had to be very important items.

The house was dark and empty now that Shawn had cleared out most of his stuff, not having much before this moment. He'd always traveled light, and the stuff he'd managed to accumulate over the years either held no value to him or had been destroyed. He spent another hour just walking around the house. His eyes not settling onto one thing. Just zooming around, trying to get the exact layout of his house burned into his brain.

"Time to go. You've got everything. Why are you still here?" Shawn sighed and turned to leave the house. He placed a heavy foot onto the ground and a frame fell from the wall. Shawn carefully picked it up, not wanting to hurt his hand on the glass. He had to smile at the photo. He was standing on the softball field. Juliet was tightly tucked under his right arm, the locket he'd given her after their adult vacation resting nicely on her clavicle. Gus was under his left arm, an ice cream cone in his hand. Lassiter was standing next to Juliet. His arms were crossed and he grimly looked at the camera. Henry was standing behind Shawn. Shawn squinted and noticed a hand on his shoulder. Funny. He hadn't noticed it then.

They were all in their uniforms. They had just won the biggest game of the season. Lassiter had pitched the ball perfectly, Shawn's bat had hit the ball straight up into the air and out over the far fence. Just thinking about it brought up the cheering and whistling that had taken place. As soon as Shawn had reached home plate Juliet had greeted him with a kiss.

"Get a room you two!" Lassiter yelled throwing a glove at Shawn's head.

Shawn shook his head. Oh how'd he give to be there right now. Pressed against Juliet's soft body, Gus bringing him ice cream and Henry placing a hand on his shoulder in approval. "No." He nearly yelled flinging the already broken frame against the wall. "You don't get my pity." He bent down and grabbed the photo, shoving it into his pocket. On his way out of the room, Shawn stomped on the glass, and slammed the door behind him. Leaving a scribbled note onto the door.

By the time he'd reached his father's house the sun had set. The night sky was pitch black and the creatures that danced in the moonlight began their ritual nightly dance. He knocked on the wooden door and waited for his father. Henry opened the door a few seconds later, his face showing no emotion. It seemed he knew why his son was here so late.

"Make sure Gus finds the envelope in the office, and uh… give this to Jules." Shawn handed his father a small sticky note.

"I will. Where are you going?" Henry leaned against the door.

"I'm honestly not sure. I think I'll go as far as Goleta tonight. I'll figure something more concrete out in the morning." Shawn explained leaning back onto his heels.

Another nod. "Call me when you figure it out. I don't just want you disappearing this time kid. I want to actually talk to you. Your mother will want to know as well."

"I promise I'll be in contact daddy." Shawn smiled.

"Shut up. I'm trying to be mad at you." Henry let out a soft chuckle at Shawn's look.

"I'm going to go now. I don't want to risk Chief's threats." Shawn slowly began to back up.

"You're doing the right thing kid. It may not seem like it now, but you will see. Eventually." Shawn nodded and turned down the road, looking straight ahead as the night air nipped at his stubble jaw. As Shawn boosted the speed on his cycle faster, the wind zoomed past him. The city lights beginning to fade in Shawn's vision.

He didn't pause as the sign announcing his departure approached. He couldn't help but let out a small humorless chuckle escape his mouth as the sign went behind him. He was a free man.

Salem Washington: 2019

He opened his eyes and waited for his pupils to adjust to the dim light of the room. Once he could see, he sat up and stretched. His back popping pleasantly. The room was simple. It held only the furniture necessary and nothing more. He walked quietly down the hall, not wanting to wake anyone else in the house.

"Morning daddy." He was greeted in the kitchen by his four year old daughter.

"Morning sweet pea." The little girl's black hair was sticking up at odd ends. "I put your hair in braids last night, what happened?" he smiled at her as he grabbed a mug to pour coffee in.

"It felt weird daddy." The little girl played with her doll. The pale white skin of the doll contrasted against the brown skin of the girl holding it.

"I know baby, I know. But try and keep it in next time." He leaned against the counter, sipping the hot liquid.

"I made this for you." His daughter handed him a pink paper. "Zuri" was written across the top in purple glitter.

"Thank you Zuri." He smiled at her. He was about to talk again but a knock interrupted him. "Stay here." He set his mug down and walked over to the door. "Yes?" he asked viewing the man in front of him.

"I have a package for… Shawn Spencer?" the man looked up.

"That's me." Shawn nodded grabbing the clipboard he'd been handed. Shawn signed his name and grabbed his package, shutting the door behind him.

Yes. Shawn has a four-year old daughter. I've named her "Zuri", it's French. Haha. I hope you all liked this. And I'm taking any suggestions from you all.