Independence Day

Independence Day. Already. Where the hell was the year going? It seemed to be passing in a flash of days. And most of them not good. At the moment he was waiting for Gus to show up. They were going to go buy buns. They had originally gone to the store to do just that and Shawn wound up spending all his cash on dazzling fireworks instead. Henry wanted buns. Despite his injuries the man insisted on having a barbecue and had invited a handful of people. They weren't planning for fireworks, they were going to be Shawn's little surprise. After all, what was a Fourth of July party without a few colorful explosions?

He heard the door to the Psych office open and practically jumped out of his chair. He smacked his knee on the desk. As much as he hated to admit it he had been horribly jumpy since the shooting at the lake. Sure, his father spent a short time in the ER, his wound not that major, but someone had freaking shot at them. Stalked them to the lake and tried to kill them. And no progress had been made in identifying the trigger happy murderer.

He tried. The case baffled him. Every night he went over what he knew about the victims, about how he was connected to them, and why someone might want to kill him, too. For once in a very long time he couldn't find a single thing to work with and it was driving him crazy. Sometimes he lay awake at night just staring at the ceiling hoping something would pan out, some small clue suddenly pop into his head as being overlooked. But he had nothing. And every time he went to the precinct it made matters worse. The way the others looked at him like he was failing. Wasn't he, basically? He let them all down, a little more every day. The only good thing he had going was the fact no one else had been added to the body count.

"Shawn, are you ready to go? We still have to get the buns," Gus said as he entered the room. Buns, the things they were supposed to buy. The budget hadn't called for fireworks. He felt it had been a fair trade.

When Shawn looked up any reply he might have had died on his lips. Gus wasn't wearing what Shawn had come to think of as the Burton Guster uniform; khaki slacks and a polo shirt. He looked horribly unlike himself in a pair of shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. For a few frightful seconds Shawn worried it was a sign his father had rubbed off on his best friend. What was he supposed to say?

"Did you go shopping in my dad's closet?"

Gus looked down at his choice of clothing. "What's wrong with my outfit?"

"Where do I even begin?"

"Cut it out, Shawn," he frowned. "I plan to fully enjoy this day and you are so not going to ruin it. Now lets go get the buns and get to your father's. I don't want to be late."

Shawn gave him a horrible salute. "Yes, sir, Mr. Guster, sir."

While Gus rolled his eyes Shawn grabbed the black bag next to his desk. Inside was enough fireworks to light up the night. Just the thing his dad's little shindig would need. He just had to scout the perfect place to set them off. The last thing he wanted to do was anger his father by burning something down. He wanted to stay alive long enough to see where things went with Lassiter.

Stepping outside the office he smiled to see that Gus hadn't tried too hard to clean the Blueberry. Shawn stole away late in the night to make the car more fitting to the holiday. The Blueberry now featured stripes of red and white to give it that patriotic look. He stood long enough to admire his work. It hadn't been the easiest task in the starlight while also ducking any potential witnesses.

"I know you did this, Shawn," Gus frowned.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"It had better wash off."

He slipped into the passenger seat. "Of course, I'm not that reckless."

He said a silent prayer that it washed off. He had gotten it cheap, something he snagged while picking up the fireworks. In all honesty he was surprised Gus hadn't seen it then. His less than enthusiastic partner in crime got behind the wheel, started the engine. Instantly Gus began to hum along to the tune on the radio. Obviously he was in a good mood. Shawn let him be, knowing that sometimes he could be a bit of a pill when it came to his friend. He watched the world pass by out the window, the day sunny and bright, the mercury already climbing. Just the right kind of day for a barbecue and get together.

Hopefully Lassiter would be there.

Most of the people in attendance would be friends of his father and old colleagues from his days on the force. Shawn made up a small list of people he wanted included. A very short list. Just Gus, the chief, Buzz, Woody, and of Lassiter and Jules. Something told him that without a doubt he would be seeing the likes of Woody and the chief, one of them nuts for parties and the other fond of his father. With things still secret between him and Lassiter he knew his chances of seeing his sweet detective were up in the air. While Shawn may have been ready to yell from the rooftops how much he loved the detective, the feeling was not mutual. Lassiter said something about trying to navigate uncertain waters, blah, blah, blah. In the back of his mind he figured that if Jules came Lassiter would just tag along by nature. Her presence gave him a good excuse for being there.

Shawn frowned. Maybe he should have done a better job convincing her to show up. Too late now, figured.

For the most part the ride to the grocery store was unremarkable. Right up until the point when Gus started to sing with one of the songs on the radio, turning it up. What the hell was happening, Shawn wondered. It wasn't like him to be so chipper. Shawn narrowed his eyes. What if Gus wasn't really Gus and he was looking at a case of body snatchers? And if that was the case how did he prove it? He eyed Gus's choice of clothing, the way he was belting out the eighties tune like nothing else mattered.

"What?" Gus questioned, finally noticing the disapproving look on his bestie's face.

"What have you done with the real Gus, you alien spawn?"

Gus arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"If you so much as hurt a hair on my friend's head…"

"Shawn, if anyone in this car should be accused of being crazy it should be you."

"That's what I would expect an alien to say."

Gus sighed. "I'm not doing this with you today. You are not going to ruin my day. Not going to happen."

"Yeah, we'll see about that, alien Gus."

At the grocery store Gus didn't trust him enough to leave him alone in the car, dragging him through the aisles like a disobedient child. Shelf after shelf Shawn tried to pinpoint the one food item he could use to prove his from outer space theory. The detergent aisle seemed promising, but Gus dragged him right by it. Shawn wondered if it might be worth his effort to throw himself on the floor and have a full-fledged tantrum. He could do it. With perfection. Gus was grabbing the buns while he contemplated it.

"I just…need…" he pointed toward one of the aisles taking a step back. "You know…"

"Shawn," the tone of his voice was enough to stop Shawn in his tracks. Like a sad puppy he followed Gus to the checkout line.

"Happy Fourth of July, boys," Jules said as she slipped into line behind them.

At the sight of her Shawn instantly forgot about his alien theory and went right back to thinking about Lassiter. He ignored the little bits in her basket suggesting she planned on making it a night for one. Of course, that could not be allowed to happen so he put on his best smile and began to formulate the best, most convincing plan to get her to his father's house and to bring Lassiter with her. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Gus shaking his head, putting the buns down on the belt for the cashier. Problems with aliens could be dealt with later.

The party had been going on without any troubles, much to his surprise. There were times when his father got together with his old cop buddies, his drinking friends, and things just…well, sometimes Shawn was afraid he would get the worst kind of phone call. The need to bail his father out of jail because someone finally sent him over the edge. Of course, he half expected to be the reason his dad landed in jail. There were a lot of laughs, really good food, and a person down the way lighting off bottle rockets. Shawn looked around at the festivities, feeling quite good.

The best part, though, was walking in his direction.

Without saying a word Lassiter took him by the arm and dragged him away. Unlike the grocery store earlier he went willingly. A quick glance back showed that nobody was watching. A smile tugged at the corners of Shawn's mouth. He was happy he managed to convince Jules to attend and to bring along Lassiter, though the arrival of the detective might have also been prompted by a bevy of text messages. There was no doubt he made it perfectly clear he wanted to see Lassiter for the cookout.

To have Lassiter actually show up, that was the best part, easily.

And now he couldn't wait to see where it went.

"Hey, have you seen Shawn?" Gus asked as he walked up to Juliet.

She was enjoying a glass of what may or may not have been soda and had consumed half a burger; which Gus had to admit were drool worthy. Apparently in his down time Mr. Spencer worked on perfecting his technique. He felt no shame in admitting he had devoured two of them so far. Now, however, with the sun finally gone down, torches set-up to provide light, Gus knew it was time for the big surprise. The only problem, however, was he couldn't find Shawn. The more he thought about it the more he realized he could not even recall the last time he saw Shawn. The bag of fireworks, he noted, was right where Shawn left it, surprisingly untouched by all the partiers. With others in the area lighting off their fireworks he figured Shawn would be on top of things….so where had his friend gotten to?

Juliet shook her head. "Not lately, but the last time I saw him I thought he was talking to Lassiter. They went that way," she pointed.

"Lassiter?"

"I know, weird, huh?"

By some mutually unspoken agreement they started the way she pointed. Gus eyed the detective, her hair down, dressed in a simple t-shirt and a flattering pair of shorts. Before her realized what he was doing he found himself blurting, "Did you know Shawn has a thing for him?"

"Lassiter?"

Too late now. "Yeah…"

Juliet sighed. "Not surprised. There are some….things…" She shook her head. "Nevermind."

"What?"

"Nope," she said. "I'm not sharing.

They were at the corner of the house and were rounding it, their conversation hitting a lull. As they rounded the corner they both drew to a halt, neither of them believing what they found.