Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended

Author's Chapter Notes:

So this is my second story, and the first time that I have written anything of any real length. It took me a while but I enjoyed writting it and hope that you enjoy reading it just as much. Comments, concerns and reviews are always welcome :)

Chapter One: You'll Think of Me

"Take you records take your freedom, take your memories I don't need 'em, take your space and all your reasons, but You'll think of me."

The day had started out perfectly normal, like any other in a long series of normal, average and unexciting days. The sun was high in the cloudless sky, radiating its warm light over the city of Santa Barbara. A light breeze was blowing in gently off the ocean, providing just enough relief from the heat to make the day completely pleasurable. There was absolutely nothing to suggest that this day should be marked above all others as special in any way whatsoever. In fact, if psychic detective Shawn Spencer had to say that there was anything wrong or unusual about this day, it would have been that he was not enjoying it relaxing on the beach with his best friend Gus.

But then, perhaps if he had been camped out on a comfy beach chair with a pineapple smoothie, the day would not have turned into anything other than the average, normal day it was destined to be, forgotten among the blur of other days that held no significance in Shawn's life. Shawn had no way of knowing that the events of this day would affect his entire existence for a long time afterwards. Maybe if he had been a real psychic, he would have seen what was coming and would have found some way to prevent Gus from going out of town for the week for his annual company team building retreat, and the two of them would have wasted the week in a series of useless, but ultimately highly entertaining activities.

But Shawn was not a real psychic, and so he did not have the foresight to insist that Gus not go. And of course, without his wingman, his Magic Head, Shawn was easily distracted and forced to find his own entertaining, if not at all productive means of passing the week by. But Shawn's version of entertainment usually involved some sort of mischief and mayhem that Gus would have stopped had he been present. If nothing else, Gus would have been able to convince Shawn to reduce his antics to a level that would not result in unwelcome consequences. But Gus was not here, and so, on this seemingly ordinary day, Shawn had gone out solo to do one of the things he did best...pull off a plan that seemed ridiculous on paper, but ultimately turned out to be a success more often than not. Unfortunately for Shawn, there were a few times that his genius plans went terribly wrong, and this was one of those times.

Had Gus been there, Shawn would not have gone to the station so early and would not have learned that Juliet had recently started dating Dan, the manager at a local cereal factory. He would not have seen Dan stop to drop off a coffee for Juliet before heading off to work himself, and quite possibly would have gone the entire week without learning of this new development. With Gus around, Shawn would not have had hours of uninterrupted time with which to come up with a ridiculous plan to get Dan out of the picture as quickly as possible. And Gus would most definitely not have allowed Shawn to put that plan into action.

But Gus wasn't there. And Shawn was bored, and more than a little jealous, and had no one to reign in his overactive imagination. So he had come up with a foolproof plan to destroy Dan the Cereal Man's chances with Juliet. Shawn had learned that Dan had recently decided to stop production of several unsuccessful varieties of cereal that his plant produced. It had all been too easy from there. He had been able to play on Lassiter's desire to protect his partner and had convinced him that Juliet was going to be going out with a 'cereal' killer and was in imminent danger. Shawn insisted that Lassiter alert Juliet of his discovery so that she would not arouse Dan's suspicions and allow them to catch him. Lassiter had grudgingly agreed and set up at team to apprehend Dan. Shawn had hoped that Lassiter would take the fall for ruining Juliet's date, and that he could swoop in afterwards to comfort her. But things hadn't exactly worked out according to plan. Juliet wasn't supposed to know that this had all been his doing, and she definitely wasn't supposed to get this mad.

"Oh come on Jules, how was I supposed to know that he wasn't really a serial killer? I mean, he even looks a little like one." Shawn whined as he followed Juliet into the Santa Barbara police department.

Juliet paused in her determined march through the office.

"How were you supposed to know?" she spat back at him. "Are you serious Shawn. I thought knowing things like that was what psychics were supposed to do? Not only did you manage to embarrass me, but you disgraced the entire Santa Barbara police department."

"That's a little harsh don't you think. I didn't disgrace the entire department, Lassie looks pretty happy to me. I haven't seen him smile that much since...well never actually. I think I totally made his day."

"Urrgh, you're incorrigible" growled Juliet, throwing her hands up in the air at annoyance before resuming her march to her desk, where she was sure she would be spending a lot of time for the next little while. At least until Shawn's latest debacle had had time to blow over.

"Incorrigible?" questioned Shawn as he followed her, clearly not getting the hint that he was the last person she wanted to see right now, "I'm pretty sure I can be encouraged to do a lot of things, for example, you wouldn't have to try too hard to convince me that a pineapple smoothie would be irresistibly delicious right now, or..."

"Shawn!" exclaimed Juliet, cutting him off before he had a chance to launch off into a one of his monologues that had absolutely no relevance to the current conversation and was designed simply to through her off the real purpose of the current discussion.

"Great show Spencer," called Lassiter, as he made his way back into the station and over to where Shawn and Juliet were standing, "A 'cereal' killer? Really, that's cute. Nice job on the wordplay."

Shawn had to admit it was some of his better work. At least someone was still able to appreciate the irony. Lassiter came to a stop next to Juliet, a smile replacing his normal scowl.

"I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed watching you make a complete ass of yourself. And the fact that I was able to help out in the performance is quite possibly the highlight of my week, possibly even the entire month. Now, we don't have any more time for your tom-foolery today, so why don't you leave me and my partner alone and go crawl back into whatever hole it is you emerged from and let the real detectives do their work, some of us have real jobs to do."

"Lassie, I find that very offensive, we both know that my job is clearly to do your job better than you."

Lassiter looked over at Shawn in amused bewilderment, "Oh really? Then what do you call your earlier display? Because to me, it looked like you totally embarrassed yourself, and O'Hara, in front of the entire department, not to mention a restaurant full of people. I don't know about you, but I don't consider that a job well done. "

"All part of the plan Lassie," Shawn replied.

"Oh, and what plan would that be Shawn?" demanded Juliet, glaring at him angrily, "Would that be the one where you can't stand to see me going out with other people so you insist on doing everything you can to destroy my happiness?"

"Jules, come on. You know I only want you to be happy, but if he can't handle a little joke..."

"A little joke? Shawn you had half the department wrestle him to the ground in the middle of dinner and then haul him out of the restaurant in cuffs. That is so far beyond a joke that it isn't even remotely funny."

"Jules, I'm sure that after you go home, take a relaxing bath, have a glass of wine, maybe sleep on it for a night, it will look a lot funnier than it is right now. In a few days we'll all be laughing about this."

"Shawn!" Juliet snapped at him again, anger seeping through every word, "could you stop being such a jerk for once? You have seriously undermined the reputation and credibility of the department."

Shawn looked at her, apparently shocked into silence. He had never seen Juliet so angry at anything before, it was particularly disturbing because all of her rage was directed at him. But really how was Shawn supposed to have known that.

"If you really were a psychic Spencer, you should have known, it's kind of a big thing to miss don't you think? I always knew it was a load of crap. How can you possible miss the fact that your 'serial' killer hasn't actually killed anyone?" Sneered Lassiter

Shawn opened his mouth to protest but at that exact moment, the Chief chose to emerge from her office and spotted him with her two detectives.

"Mr. Spencer," called the Chief, levelling her stare on him, "I'll thank you to turn around and walk right back out that door. After that stunt you just pulled it will be a long time before I want to see you back in here again."

"Chief, look I'm sorry but come on.."

"I don't want to hear it Mr. Spencer. Out, now!" she demanded, her stare narrowing even further, "Or do I need to have you escorted out?"

"Shawn, just go home alright." Juliet said, disappointment and anger echoing in her words.

"Come on Jules."

She shook her head firmly, "No Shawn, look that was one of the dumbest, most insensitive things you've ever done, and that's saying a lot. I'm aloud to have a social life Shawn, and I don't need or require your approval. I think it would be best for everyone if you just went away for a while. Now I have work to do."

With that, Juliet grabbed a file from her desk before brushing past Shawn and off to deal with the after effects of Shawn's blunder, not even turning back to give him another look while Lassiter aimed a huge grin in his direction as he followed her, giving Shawn a quick wave as he disappeared around the corner.

"I'd say it's been a pleasure Spencer...but I'd be lying."

Shawn stood there, watching them go.

"Mr. Spencer!" the Chief exclaimed, motioning for him to head towards the exit

"Alright fine, I get the hint. You'll call me right?"

"I wouldn't count on it, I won't be forgetting this for a long time" replied the Chief, glaring at him as he moved past her.

"You know you'll miss me Chief, crimes aren't going to solve themselves" stated Shawn as he finally made his way out of the building.