Hey-o I know, Jen, it was somewhat of a cliffhanger. But "our boy" ain't going anywhere. Psycho4Life thanks for the support and I luv Shawn and another anon I see you too :) You are all great! Like I said, if only one person gets enjoyment out of this story, then I have done my job!

Note: I STILL don't own Psych.

Note dos: I currently have no idea how the next scene will play out, so strap on your seatbelts and get ready for a ride with no GPS and no headlights. Any medical knowledge comes from "Emergency!"

Last note: I know there is a lack of Shules in this, and it is intentional. This is set mid-season 1 so they aren't quite a thing yet, and like I stated earlier, it's all about the father/son moments! But I'll make it up to you by bringing Gus into the picture.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

Henry sat in that hospital waiting room for hours. Lassiter and O'Hara had to regretfully leave after two hours without news. Unfortunately, crimes don't solve themselves, especially not ones that involve serial killers still loose in Santa Barbara.

So there Henry was, alone, waiting for news he knew could not be good at this point. He refused treatment so many times that the nurses stopped pestering him. He was sulking in his own guilt when his phone rang.

Gus. How could I forget to call him?

Before answering he caught sight of the time illuminated on the phone screen. He had purposely sat at an angle away from the clock mounted on the wall because with every second that ticked by Henry felt a shred of his hope tick away as well.

My God, has it really been five hours since we got here?

"Hello?" Henry asked, not sure how to answer properly. "Hello Gus, your best friend is dying right now and I never called you?" There was no proper way to do anything at this point.

"Hi Mr. Spencer, I know it's very late right now." Gus said cheerfully on the other end. "I just got back to town and went to the Psych office since I heard about the whole serial killer deal. I figured Shawn might have been working late like he usually does on a case. I noticed Shawn wasn't there and when he didn't answer his phone I checked his apartment but his bike wasn't there so I figured he might be with you. Did he lose his phone or something?"

Henry put his palm to his forehead, pressing forcefully in an attempt to will the headache away.

"Mr. Spencer?" Gus asked.

"Uh Gus, listen…" Henry began. "You need to get to the hospital near my house. There was an accident and I can explain everything when you get here." Henry said, unable to hide the pain in his voice.

Gus was silent for a moment. "Um is Shawn putting you up to this? This isn't funny Shawn!" He said emphatically into the phone, not believing the statements presented by Henry.

"I really wish this was all a joke, Gus. It…it's not. It's very serious I mean…Shawn's…" Henry felt his breath catch in his throat.

"Shawn's what? Henry?" Gus asked, his voice losing any semblance of cheerfulness and becoming tight with worry.

"He's hurt real bad, my God Gus I can't believe I didn't call you…I'm so sorry."

"Don't beat yourself up. I'll be over there in less than ten minutes." Gus said before disconnecting. Company car or not, he was about to break every driving law getting to that hospital.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

An hour had passed since Gus arrived, making it six hours since Henry originally arrived with Shawn. At this point, Gus was caught up on all the details and was unable to hide his absolute horror at the extent of Shawn's injuries.

"His…his heart stopped?" Gus asked in disbelief, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor and willing the tears to stop their descent.

"Well no, actually." Henry replied. "He was in V-fib, so his heartbeat was just very rapid and erratic. Regardless, they still had to…um, get him back." Henry said sadly, the image of Shawn's body reacting to the shock of the paddles replaying in his mind.

"He's strong, Gus." Henry said to his silent waiting room partner.

Gus just nodded, still unable to wrap his head around the fact that his best friend was behind the doors just a few paces in front of him fighting for his life.

"How has no one given you an update?" Gus asked, incredulous.

"I'm trying to go with the mantra that no news is good news." Henry raised his eyebrows at his own suggestion.

Gus turned to say something but stopped when an exhausted looking doctor stepped through the swaying doors, still in full surgery scrubs.

"Shawn Spencer?" He asked, his face showing no emotion.

"That's us!" They both replied as they shot to their feet.

Henry's heart had dropped to his stomach as he approached the doctor.

"How's my son, doctor?"

"Shawn is one hell of a fighter, I'll give him that." The doctor replied, his green eyes resembling something of relief combined with hard fought victory.

Henry and Gus both waited for him to continue.

"Listen, I won't lie to you. The extent of his injuries is very serious, but as of now he is stable and I don't anticipate anything changing that."

Henry and Gus both exhaled in relief. Henry felt his knees become unstable and he sat in the nearest chair.

"So…he's going to be okay?" Gus asked.

"I am confident that he will make a full recovery, although it will take a while for his body to heal."

"What's the damage?" Henry asked.

"Broken right collar bone, which we placed a pin in to make sure it heals right. That shouldn't cause any problems for him in the future. His right humerus broke in two places which was not ideal, but we used a rod and screws to fix that. Besides having some issues with metal detectors, he's young and should regain full use of that arm."

Henry smiled sadly. "And his side?"

"Shawn broke four ribs on his right side and fractured two. One of them pierced his lung and caused it to collapse. That's why he had so much trouble breathing. But we reflated his lung and made sure his ribs were set to heal. Those will just take time and rest. He currently has a chest tube in because of the pneumothorax, but if he continues to improve, that could be out as soon as tomorrow. He also has a pretty nasty cut on the right side of his head and a concussion."

"Oh Lord when Shawn wakes up he's going to make sure this whole thing didn't affect his 'fabulous hair.'" Gus said, still horrified at Shawn's injuries, but also relieved that he was out of the woods.

"Doctor, is he awake?" Henry asked hopefully.

"After six hours of surgery he is probably exhausted and asleep, which is exactly what he should be doing. But it is possible that he could wake up while you visit him for a few minutes. Tomorrow he should be with it some more."

"But we can see him?" Henry said anxiously.

"Yes, follow me."

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

I'll be honest, this could be some of the best sleep I've had in years. So what if it's because a cocktail of drugs are mixing about my body like a sangria? I need my beauty sleep.

Basically, I don't remember much after my dad was poking and prodding me like a dead raccoon. I remember it didn't feel too great, then a fuzzy conversation between us, and then darkness coupled with a lot of yelling.

I can tell it's been a while because my body feels like it's actually back in one piece. The only time I can think of that felt remotely similar was when Gus and I (mostly me) thought it would be a good idea to climb inside a big tire and go down the steepest hill in Santa Barbara. It was a wild ride, and at the end of it I couldn't tell you the difference between my toes and my eyebrows. Gus chickened out—as per usual.

But anyway, my body no longer feels like it's in multiple pieces, although it wasn't actually in multiple pieces, it certainly felt like it. I know I'm in the hospital and that people are probably waiting for me to wake up. Call me selfish, but I want to savor this peaceful darkness for just a few more moments.

I've been through enough haven't I? I mean, can't a guy get hit by a car and be left in peace? I don't know if I'm ready to deal with Gus's inevitable sobbing and my dad's angst-ridden, devoted-to-my-bedside act just yet. But I suppose they've been through enough too, so I guess it's time to join them in the land of the free and the home of the no longer unconscious.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

Henry and Gus were disappointed that Shawn didn't wake up when they visited him the first time, but the doctor had assured him that this was a good thing. His body needed to heal, and sleep would aid that.

It took some coaxing but Gus finally got Henry to agree to go home and sleep for a few hours. It was already very late-or early, depending how you looked at it-and them being there wasn't helping Shawn in any way.

They both returned first thing in the morning, eager to reassure themselves that Shawn's condition was still stable and improving.

They were led into his room, sighing when they saw he was still asleep. They both grabbed chairs and sat next to his bedside.

"Alright kid, you've put us through enough. Want to come back and join us now?" Henry asked his still son.

Gus was freaked out by the amount of wires snaking from his best friend's body. But the one reassuring piece of machinery was the heart monitor, which was beeping steadily and at a normal pace.

"Hey Shawn it's time for you to wake up before Gus has an aneurysm over here." Henry said. He saw Shawn fighting to keep his face still. Failing as his lips betrayed him and curled into a smile. His eyes opened slowly.

"Well at least we could be roommates then, buddy." Shawn said to Gus, his voice quiet and raspy.

"Seriously Shawn?" Gus said shaking his head. "I spend all night worrying about you and you think me having an aneurysm would be funny?"

"Oh come on it's not like you aneurysmed...aneurysmatized? Aneurasti-"

"Shawn, you are unbelievable." Gus interrupted. He let his eyes soften. "It's good to have you back buddy."

Shawn smiled in concession and turned to his dad.

"Shawn..."

"Dad, you don't need to say anything. We made it out AND our no argument streak is still going. Pineapple smoothies to celebrate? Gus is buying."

"Hey wait a minu-" Gus interjected.

"Gus, don't be a blundering tumbleweed."

Gus just looked at him in disbelief. But he realized what Shawn was saying. He needs a minute with his dad.

"For now we will all have to settle for hospital food. I'll be back." He said while getting up, placing his fist against Shawn's outstretched fist, completing the classic move of comraderie.

Once Gus had left, Shawn turned toward his dad again.

"Dad look..." he began.

"Nope, my turn. I'm the boss, remember?" Henry retorted.

"Really dad? Bossing around your poor wounded son?" Shawn did his best to look pathetically helpless, although he didn't have to try very hard.

"Shawn, I thought I was about to lose you." Shawn's features grew serious as he listened to the words. "I don't even know how to describe to you how that felt. But now you're here and you're going to be okay and I guess...God I don't know...I just need to tell you that I love you, son." Henry sighed. "I don't do that often enough."

"Liar." Shawn replied.

Before Henry could respond Shawn put his left hand out for Henry to hold on to.

"Dad, you tell me that you love me nearly every day. You don't say those exact words but the meaning is still there."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh come on dad you're not that old. You trained me to be the way I am, you constantly pester me about finding a safe form of transportation, you help me with cases, you make me come over for steak, and you argue with me about nearly everything." Shawn smiled. "That's your way of showing you love me. You think I can't see that? You taught me to be observant, remember?"

Henry shook his head and let out a slight laugh.

"Shawn, thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Well you'd probably be doing something more exciting than being here."

"Trust me, after last night, this is the best place I could possibly be." Henry said, his relief evident.

At that, Gus stumbled in awkwardly with a tray filled with a myriad of hospital Jello. He placed it in front of Shawn.

"What is this? Mango, blackberry, marionberry? But no pineapple? This place is a nuthouse. Guys, you have to get me out of here." Shawn pleaded, once again turning the drama up to a 9 and 1/2.

But before anyone could respond, there was a knock on the door.

"Did someone say pineapple?" The blonde detective asked while revealing the marvelous blended beverage in her hand.

"I may have called backup before we came here." Gus said proudly.

"Buddy, you're the best." Shawn said while savoring the first sip of his smoothie.

Shawn turned toward Lassiter and Juliet. "Thanks for your help guys." He said in a rare moment of seriousness. The seriousness was replaced with a playful glint in his eye. "And don't worry Lassie, the doctor said I could be back at the station within a few weeks. For now Jules will make sure you get out for walks and fed twice a day while I'm gone."

Lassiter sighed. Still a pain in the ass.

Juliet turned to Shawn. "But really, you're going to be okay?"

"Yeah Jules." Shawn smiled. "I'll be as good as new."

"Well that's great news. We still have a serial killer to catch."

Shawn nodded, a determined look spread across his features. He softened his features as he looked up at her.

"Right behind you, Detective."

"Yeah sure you are, kid." Henry replied. He looked up from his seat at Shawn's side, mentally relaying the message for the others to give them another minute.

"Let's go see if we can find some real food in this establishment." Gus said as all three walked out.

"I know you're worried, Dad." Shawn said.

"No Shawn. After last night I realized life can take a turn for the worse no matter how careful you are. I meant what I said before...you know." He looked into Shawn's eyes, relieved they no longer reflected pure agony. "You do good work and you're an asset to the SBPD. If there's anyone that can stop this sick son of a bitch, it's you."

Shawn nodded, once again feeling filled with a strange warmth. "Thanks, Dad."

"But for now, heal."

"Dad, I'm not a dog." Shawn said sarcastically, closing his eyes and enjoying another sip of his smoothie.

Henry just smiled. He couldn't believe what the past day had consisted of. He kept looking over Shawn's body, reminding himself that he was indeed real and still in one piece. One sarcastic, snarky, pain-in-the-ass piece.

That's my son.

PSYCH~PSYCH~PSYCH

Okay hospital scenes are just wild because I never know where to go with them? Did Shawn heal incredibly fast? Maybe, but he IS pretty special so I wouldn't put it past him. Sorry if it was super unrealistic. I didn't want to get too crazy because again, this story is really meant for Shawn and Henry's relationship. I hope I did the characters justice, like I said this is my first Psych fanfic.

I will definitely write more stories! So feel free to stick around. Thanks for the support. This was probably the fastest story I've written so I hope it was enjoyable. Until next time Psychos...