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Juliet sat in the in the waiting room of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in a sort of dazed detachment. For some reason, she could not focus on the world around her. She found herself staring at the coffee machine in front of her. She knew Gus, who was sitting next to her, was talking with Henry. Every once in a while, she would catch a few words: mountain bike, fall, pain, and finally "accident prone with things with two wheels." She suddenly felt that someone was looking at her, so she turned to see Gus and Henry staring at her, like they were waiting for an answer. Gus smiled at her, "are you okay?"
"Oh yes, I'm fine. Just day dreaming," she said as a cover. To be honest, she was sick with worry and the waiting was not helping. She kept replaying the scene of finding Shawn and seeing him in such pain. The waiting was driving her crazy, but she had to admit it had been nice to be that close to Shawn, even under the circumstances. The logical part of her brain said that they couldn't be together because they were co-workers. Okay, maybe more than co-workers. They were friends, just good friends. The emotional part of her brain wanted to lock herself into a room with him and not come out for several days. She could swear that sometimes he was thinking the same type of thoughts. She remembered seeing the disappointment in his face when she told them that she didn't put much stock into the dating profiles. It was a subtle change in his expression. She kept thinking that maybe she had imagined it. It was easier to be around him if she thought that he didn't like her.
"Do you want me to go to the cafeteria and get us some coffee? Those machines make nasty stuff," Gus said to her.
"Sure, that would be nice. Just sitting here is making me sleepy. Coffee, cream, and sugar for me. Thanks Gus."
"No problem. I'm getting a little stir crazy myself. Henry, can I get you anything," Gus asked.
"No thanks Gus."
"Okay, I'll be right back," Gus said and walked off.
Juliet went back to the aimless staring at the coffee machine. She thought that maybe she should talk to Henry. If she was this worried, he must be more so. She turned toward him and said, "I don't think that we've been formally introduced," she said, "I'm Juliet O'Hara."
"You're one of the detectives that Shawn works with. I know the name. He's mentioned you," he said to her.
"Oh. He has?" She couldn't help but smile, but she turned away from him so that he couldn't see it. He did and smirked in amusement. "She likes him," he thought.
"Yes. We talk about some of the cases he's worked on."
"He's, um, gifted. I'm constantly amazed at his abilities." She suddenly realized the undertones of those last remarks and quickly added, "His psychic abilities." She could feel her face blush. His smile got wider and was about to make a comment when Gus returned with their coffee. He sat in the seat in between them again and looked at one and then the other. He saw the bemused look on Henry's face and the flush of Juliet's cheeks.
"Did I miss anything," he asked.
"No, no word yet. I'm going to check with the nurses again," Henry stated and left. Juliet sipped her coffee and looked straight ahead. Then she covered her mouth as she yawned.
"Excuse me," she said.
"You know that you don't have to stay. I can run you home," he offered.
"That's sweet Gus, but I don't think I could sleep until I know he's okay."
"He will be. And I'm going to let all the air out of his bike tires before I let him go riding again."
She smiled and asked, "He listens to you?"
"No. But I don't want to do that again. I mean, what if we weren't going out? He might have been like that all night."
"The really scary thing is that he could have died, bleed out," she replied. They both shivered at that thought.
Henry came back into the room with another person. She looked to be in her early forties, long dark hair in a pony tail and wearing green hospital scrubs.
"I found Shawn's doctor. Doctor Nelson. Could you tell us all how he's doing?"
"Hello," she said to Juliet and Gus, "Shawn did have a ruptured spleen. I had to go in and do a splenectomy. He received two units of blood. The surgery went really well and he's being moved into a room. He'll be here for at least two to three days, so that he doesn't move around."
"Good luck with that," Henry said. Gus and Juliet chuckled.
The doctor smiled as she continued, "Because we had to remove the spleen, he was vaccinated against pneumococcus infections and we'll recommend yearly vaccinations against influenza. I believe he'll make a full recovery. Once he's settled in his room, I'll have the nurse bring up to see him."
"Thank you doctor," Henry said and Dr. Nelson left. The three sat down and about 30 minutes later the nurse arrived to show them to Shawn's room. The trio entered and saw a very pale, quiet Shawn lying on the hospital bed.
"He's pretty heavily sedated right now. He probably won't wake up until tomorrow. Dad, you're welcome to stay if you'd like," the nurse said before heading out. Henry planted himself in a chair near the bed.
Gus walked over to the other side of Shawn's bed and placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and whispered, "Glad you're okay. I'll see you tomorrow."
He turned and walked toward the door to wait for Juliet. Juliet took his place at Shawn's side and leaned over and kissed Shawn's forehead. "Feel better," she said and joined Gus.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Henry."
"Bye Gus, Juliet."
"Bye Mr. Spencer," she said. Gus and Juliet left.
"Well, kiddo. She's cute. You should really ask her out," Henry said to his unconscious son and got ready for a long night in an uncomfortable chair.