Day Trip (for carolina_blonde)

[head_psychic]

Shawn actually enjoys getting out of town for a change. Even though this whole Psychic thing is really great and something he hopes to continue for a long time – because seriously, where could he get so much fun and action at once? - he misses getting out, getting around more. Fifty-seven jobs and constant travelling certainly left their traces.

Humming slightly he slows down the motorcycle when he gets closer to the location and can’t help but wonder if she really does look like Juliet. He will probably be able to detect slight differences, he thinks, after all two persons couldn’t look identical, couldn’t they? Only if they were clones. Shawn frowns at the thought of multiple Juliet clones, then grins at the thought of Lassiter having to deal with multiple Juliet clones. That could make some great comedy movie with a slightly creepy edge.

Taking off his helmet he takes a quick look around. He’s a little early, which is a surprise but leaves him enough time to scan the area and take him some random details. He shoves his hands into his pockets and walks into the building, trying to spot Tara anywhere nearby.

Comments

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

Meanwhile, for Tara, it's just another day at the office. Or, about an hour's worth of one -- she made the short walk from her apartment building to Parker Center to double-check things with Lieutenant Cassaday, and then headed downstairs to meet Shawn.

She's glad to be taking some time off work. She hasn't really had time off, being that she's mostly in London with James these days. Being back home is great, and so is meeting new friends.

She's in the foyer lounging in a chair when he gets there, and she gives him a little wave. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, purse slung over her shoulder, ditching the jewelry except for the wedding ring and the pendant that James gave her, she's ready for a day out.

"Hi, Shawn," she says, a little shyly.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

The wave catches his attention. At first he's taken aback a little because, boy, she really does look like Jules but since that really isn't a bad thing he just beams at her and approaches the chair she's been waiting in. Maybe he should tour around the country and see if all the police stations have their own personal O'Hara?

"Hi! How are you doing!" While talking he can't help but notice the ring. The pendant doesn't look like from a gumball machine either. ... Not that there was anything wrong with gumball machines but cereal box prize jewlery beat them any time. Thinking about it, the pendant doesn't look like a cereal box prize either. "Ready for an awesome trip into the unknown?"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"You bet. Or at least one that doesn't involve crazy guys with sledgehammers or things nobody will tell me about." Tara makes a face at that, because now these days that she's hanging around with Important People, she feels even more like the misfit rookie detective. And she hates that feeling. It reminds her of how her sister still looks down on her for not being as successful.

But she shakes that off, reminding herself that she's going to have a lot of fun. "But I'm great, actually. How are you? How was the trip?" she says, flashing him one of her trademark smiles. She can never be in a bad mood for more than five seconds.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Oh, it was awesome! About time to hit the road again." Smiling right back at her he decides to save his further questions about crazy guys with sledgehammers for later. "And I can feel that this day is gonna be great."

He claps his hands together and grins. "So how about we get out of here before the evil forces of liveaboringlifealready - nasty legion, by the way - decide to interfere?"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Sure."

She chuckles, and hauls herself up out of the chair. Since she's not officially working, she knows the lieutenant won't come looking for her. She has no commitments. Just a completely open date on the calendar.

She leans over and kisses him on the cheek. "You really are adorable, Shawn. Thanks for coming all this way."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Oh well, it's not like I traveled the whole US or something..." Shawn laughs, beaming when she kisses him.

"But I guess I am, yeah. So are you, by the way. Even though you're married. Which is a shame. But well... just assure me noone's gonna come after me to beat me up because you put your arms around my waist? Because you are gonna put your arms around my waist, that's the thing with motorcycles..."

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

That makes Tara giggle.

"Relax, Shawn. My husband is in London. James has a really busy schedule." A laugh. "Um, obviously. Yeah."

She blushes, tucking her hair back behind her ear as she walks with him through the foyer back toward the front of the building. Of course, because she knows just about everybody, she spends half that time saying hi or waving to her colleagues. She's polite like that.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

Shawn watches her for a while and then joins the fun. He waves, throws random comments like 'hi dude!' and 'yeah, see you on Monday, you sly dog' at the people and chuckles when they actually start greeting him back.

"Ahh, nothing like polite people!" he beams.

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

She blushes, and shakes her head.

"What can I say? I'm from the South and my parents raised me pretty well." A chuckle. "Well, me. My sister's a little bit stuck up. But I love her," she's quick to point out.

A dry chuckle. "You'd fit right in here. Of course you'd probably drive the guys in London nuts. They're all a little bit stuffy at MI6. Well, except for James, of course." And she beams. She really is proud of her husband. In fact, there's not much she isn't proud of.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Hmmm." Shawn smiles. "I can sense a feeling of deep, deep affection colouring the surrounding. I would love to think it's because of me."

He crosses his arms behind his back. "London's pretty far away. You miss him?"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Of course I do. He's wonderful. You know when I was younger, he was the guy I wanted to marry. And we grew up and everything worked out," she admits, chuckling. "It's great."

But she turns to him and smiles.

"I like being back here, though. After I wanted to be a Bond girl, I wanted to be a cop. And all my friends are here and stuff. So I try to come back here as often as I can, catch up and still have fun with my badge. What about you? Who's in your life?"

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Sounds great. Like you manage to get the best out of everything. That's adorable!"

He leaves the building with her and walks over to his motorcycle. "In my life?" Shawn thinks for a moment. "Well, I work together with my best friends. Always a lot of fun. When I'm around at least. Sometimes I have to check on him, remind him what fun is, you know. Then there are the colleagues from the district, I got pretty much used to them by now." He thinks for a moment. "And there's Dad. He's... around, I guess."

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"At least you're near your dad," Tara comments, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. "My parents still live back in North Carolina. I only see them a couple of times a year. Less now that I'm living in London."

She eyes the motorcycle and grins at him. She may drive an Aston Martin back in London, but she's never been on a motorcycle and it seems like a whole lot of fun. Despite being married to a legend, she herself is still just a girl from a college town with a big heart.

"Impressive. I'm excited."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"You're excited now? Wait until we're on the road!" Shawn grins, a little glad he can dodge the subject "dad" for now.

"Look." He walks to the back and holds up a second helmet. "I got this one for you. Hope it fits. Try it on, I'm sure it's gonna look awesome!"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Oh I look like a dork in almost everything," she protests. Which really isn't true, but Tara has never been one to see herself as beautiful.

Still, she finds it sweet that he doesn't want her to crack her skull open, and she grabs the helmet and adjusts it carefully before she glances at him.

"Okay, how weird do I look?" she teases.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"You look awesome!" Shawn replies and leans forward to peek under her visor. "Sorry, I have to double check. For a moment I thought a hot motocross model from a juvenile phantasy just appeared."

He winks and grabs his own helmet. "But I have to admit, this is even better!"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Oh, shush." Tara's turning bright red now, because if he wants to see a supermodel her sister would fit nicely, and she's always seen herself as boring. Of course, anyone around her would disagree, but she's always flustered when someone compliments her on her appearance. "You are so cute. I swear," she mutters, blushing and feeling sixteen again.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Thank you! I practise seven days a week. It's not easy but I try to stay in form."

Shawn is a little surprise at her embarassment. Why feel embarassed about a well-earned compliment? Maybe, he thinks to himself, maybe there will be opportunities to boast her self-esteem a little. He'd like that and Tara appears to be a person who definitely deserves it.

"Ready whenever you are!"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Let's go for it."

She grins. Tara will try anything once, even if she's not necessarily the best at it. He has to help her onto the motorcycle, but once she gets up onto it she settles fairly easily. Maybe she'll get the hang of this. She settles her arms around him, and can't keep the smile off her face. Her friends would be impressed.

"So where are we off to?" she asks. "What's the plan?"

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

Huh. That's actually a good question. Being as spontaneous as ever Shawn hasn't really thought about that yet.

"I thought we just drive around a little bit and as soon as we spot a nice place we stop and check it out. Or is there a particular place you'd like to go to?"

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

"Nah. I know this city pretty well. I've been all over the place. You're the one who hasn't been here in awhile, we'll see what speaks to you, huh?" she suggests. "Trust me. The more you hang out with me the more you will realize I'm pretty relaxed. Well, unless I'm working. Then I get nerves. But generally? I'm relaxed."

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

"Relaxed is good. I like relaxed. But right now there's gonna be a little action. Oh, and of course fun!"

Shawn starts the engine and grins. Oh yeah. This is gonna be good.

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

Tara doesn't doubt it. She squeaks a little, getting used to being on a motorcycle and not in a car with doors and seat belts. It's a different experience, but she's enjoying it. Truth be told, being in London sometimes gets to be a little much with the expensive cars and the attention. She enjoys being normal, and this is normal.

It makes her happy. She owes him for that.

[head-psychic.livejournal.com]

Shawn drives around a little, trying to see as much of the area as possible. He's stretching the time on the motorcycle a little because he feels that Tara's having a good time.

After a while he spots a small park and slows down. That looks good for a start. Fresh air? Hot dogs? Maybe some frisbee? Perfect!

[carolina-blonde.livejournal.com]

And for somebody like Tara, who went to school out in the country, parks are a perfect fit anyway. She trips a little getting off the motorcycle, but then she just laughs once she gets the helmet off and realizes she has a slight case of hat hair.

"So how long has it been since you've been out here?" she asks.