It’s Not My Fault

"Hey, don’t blame me! You’re the one who just had to see the leaves change," Shawn snapped at his blond companion.

"Me!" Jules shouted back as she paced in front of him. "If you hadn’t decided to run like a frightened little girl, when you saw that snake, we wouldn’t be lost in this never ending forest!"

"That snake could have been poisonous. I probably saved your life and this is the thanks I get." Shawn crossed his arms over his chest, trying desperately not to think about the bugs that were crawling over the bark of the tree he was seated against.

"Oh, I’m sorry, Shawn. Did I forget to thank you?" Juliet’s voice dripped with sarcasm. "Thank you so much for getting us lost in the woods. What would I do without you? Oh, and thanks for possibly breaking your ankle, because it just wouldn’t be as much fun if we didn’t make it as difficult as possible."

"I didn’t trip on purpose," Shawn reminded her. "If you hadn’t decided to walk in circles, maybe I could have avoided that hole."

"Weren’t you a boy scout? Why didn’t you tell me I was walking in circles?" She yelled. Shawn could see her face flush with anger and embarrassment.

"I did. Several times," he answered her. She bristled at his almost arrogant tone.

"Why are you even here? This retreat is for police personnel only," Juliet snapped at the fake psychic.

"I’m personnel," he answered.

"No, you’re not. You, are a contracted consultant. You, are not a part of the police force. This weekend is for team building and you have no business being here. You aren’t a cop and you don’t want to be a cop! I don’t know if it’s issues with your father or if you just didn’t think you could cut it, but you don’t wear a badge!" As soon as the words were out of her mouth she regretted them.

"Wow, Jules, you go right for the heart," he said, hurt.

"How ‘bout we just stop talking?" Juliet said turning to sit at the base of a tree a few feet from where Shawn sat.

"Fine," Shawn answered looking away from her.

"Fine," Juliet said trying to brush dirt off of her ruined pant’s leg.

 *******

They sat in silence for a while, each refusing to be the first to speak. Shawn’s butt had decided to go to sleep, but when he tried to adjust his position his foot caught on a root.

"What? What happened?" Juliet asked rushing over to him after hearing him suck in his breath.

"Oh, are we talking again?" He asked easing his foot back down.

"Just be quiet," she told him. As gently as possible Juliet pushed the leg of his pants up. "It’s swelling, but I can’t tell if it’s broken. We really need to get you to a hospital."

"The others will notice we’re missing sooner or later," Shawn told her. He could tell Juliet was worried about the possibility of spending the night in the woods.

"What if it’s later rather than sooner?" She asked sitting next to him against the tree.

"We’ll be fine," Shawn said. He lifted his arm and draped it around Juliet’s shoulders pulling her closer. "For warmth," he explained at her look. "It’s going to get chilly tonight."

"I’m sorry I snapped at you," she conceded. "I didn’t mean it, Shawn.

"I’m sorry, too. I guess I just lost my temper."

"I didn’t know you had a temper," Juliet said grinning.

"Sure, you should see me when I get into an argument with my dad. Fireworks." He was quiet for a moment. Then, "I wish I knew how to explain what growing up with Henry Spencer as a father was like."

"Try." She said sincerely.

He swallowed. "When I was kid, I thought my dad was the greatest cop in the world. Like a super hero. He wanted me to be a police officer, but how was I supposed to ever live up to the image I had of him?" He told her.

"Sometimes it’s hard to live up to what your parents want you to be." She whispered.

Shawn could see something in her eyes. Something that seemed to beckon him to lean in closer.

"Beside, I think you like arguing with your dad," Juliet moved forward slightly.

"I like arguing with you," he whispered his lips barely brushing hers.

"Where the hell have you two been?" Lassiter shouted from a few feet away. "The Chief’s been withholding the marshmallows until you got back. Roasted marshmallows are the only reason I agreed to come on this weekend getaway."

Juliet jumped and Shawn groaned at the distraction. "Thanks, man. I’m so glad you found us," he said without sincerity.

"Jeez, were you about to. . . Forget it. I don’t want to know," the head detective told them turning to walk away.

"Wait, where are you going?" Juliet called after her partner. "Don’t leave us! Shawn hurt his ankle."

"You know, that doesn’t surprise me even a little," Lassiter said. He turned back and walked over to where they sat. "Can you stand?"

"Yeah, but I can’t put any weight on it," Shawn explained. Juliet and Lassiter helped him up, each draping one of his arms over their shoulders. "You aren’t going to be able to carry me like this very far."

"Far? It’s about thirty feet to the camp," Lassiter said confused, then chuckled. "Don’t tell me you two were lost." At the look on their faces, he said, "Wait until I tell everyone."

Juliet looked up at Shawn and smiled, "Just remember, it’s all your fault."