Road Trip (for whoever has a couch to spare)

[head_psychic]

(ooc: Wow! Seriously, I didn't expect SO many of you guys to offer a place to crash for Shawn. It warms his spirit! Since he's quite serious about the road trip but, should you all really go along with it, I am really not capable of putting up SO MANY threads - this is his one big road-trip post. If your muse still has a warm place on the couch for him and of course only if you are interested in playing something out you can just reply here with whatever you want - your muse doing daily stuff before Shawn decides to show up, song lyrics, a nice picture of a pineapple might pull him in as well... whatever you feel like. :D)

---

As soon as he left Santa Barbara behind he already knew this had been the right decision.

Hell, his father could accuse him of running away ten times a day for all he cared. Henry wouldn't understand that facing things wasn't going to help right now - when you were ill you at least let the chicken soup cool down a little before you forced it down your throat, right? And this chicken soup was way too hot right now. Also, he doubted that it would benefit his health but that was a completely different matter altogether.

But this, hitting the road on his Norton, this was what he needed right now, the freedom of just getting out of it for now, of feeling the wind on his face.

Not that he did feel the wind because he wasn't stupid enough to drive without a helmet, but still. The metaphorical wind indirectly on his face as he contemplated his first stop. Yeah, he just had to clear his head, cool down and - most important - have a good time. When Santa Barbara got him back he and everything else would be back to normal again.

At least that's what he hoped. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Comments

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Anna was in the middle of singing along to Love Song by Sara Bareilles when her cell phone rang. She reluctantly paused the song and growled, reaching for her phone. With a swift motion she flipped it open and put it up to her ear, snipping as she answered. "Morasca."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Anna! Guess who's right around the corner!" Shawn grinned. "Actually, I do not know if I am right around the corner but it was a nice image to start with."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

She paused, pulling her phone back to look at it for a second before blinking. "...Shawn?"

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Ohh, how did you know! No, wait, don't tell me. It's the raspy quality of my voice, combined with the static fuzz of the line that gives the unique sound." He dodged some pedestrians who minded their own business, probably not even seeing he was there, walking the streets with tunnel vision.

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"I'm psychic." Her smirk was evident in her voice as she drawled lazily, drumming her fingers in her lap while Milena and Varese - her cats, wrestled at the foot of her bed.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Why didn't you ever tell me! Admit it, you didn't want to make me jealous." He chuckled, sitting down on some stairs nearby. "Sooo, what are you up to tonight?"

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"Oh that's the case, of course." She laughed. "I'm relaxing in bed after a hard day's work. By the sound of it you're in the area."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"I am," he confirmed, smiling. "Your couch offer still standing?"

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"Of course it is!" She gave him her address before continuing. "I'm on the third floor."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"I'll be right there!" he promised.

And he was. Figured he wasn't that far away from Anna's place after all. Soon he pressed his finger on the doorbell, bouncing in anticipation.

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Anna buzzed Shawn into her building and waited by her door to let him in.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

He was flying up to the third floor, greeting her with an energetic laugh. "It's not the tooth fairy but I still hope I get a pillow."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Anna laughed softly and shook her head as she stepped aside from her door to welcome him in, a pillow and blanket already set out on the couch for Shawn. "Welcome."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Thank you." He entered the apartment and took a look around, beaming. "Can you believe it? I'm finally here."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"I can't believe it, honestly." She smiled and closed the door, securing the two locks and chain before turning to him. "It's not much, but you're welcome to stay as long as you like."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"I knew I could count on you," Shawn nodded, placing his hands on his chest in affection. "You're a true friend. Which is why I am not worried that you just totally locked me in. In every other situation I might be worried you're some kind of maneater but I know that I am perfectly safe with you."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

She chuckled a little. "Sorry, it's a force of habit. Work enough robbery-homicides and you get a little paranoid."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"That's okay," Shawn grinned. "Work with Gus and you soon get used to a lot of paranoia."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

She laughed and waved a hand around. "Help yourself to anything in the fridge and cupboards. Don't worry about dishes. Just enjoy yourself, okay?" She smiled.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Are you sure that's exactly what you wanted to say?" he laughed. "Your kitchen's spirit just cried out in horrified terror."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

She laughed again, smiling. "I am positive. Really, I live on take-out. My kitchen's lonely."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"I shall warm it with my warm and loving heart then." He beamed, moving towards the kitchen and taking another look around. "So how have you been? Spill the exciting, breathtaking, possibly blushworthy and embarrassing news."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"I've been well. Nothing to tell, really. I've been busy with work." She chuckled and smiled at him. "And yourself?"

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Work as well. We're work-a-holics, aren't we!" He stretched, his muscles a little tense from a whole day of travelling. "We had some semi-big case and I kinda needed to get out, take a little break, clear my head, that sort of thing."

[vivo-per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"Yes, it is the nature of investigative work." She noticed him stretching. "Would you like to sit?"