Shawn looked around, sighing unhappily.  Gus was nowhere to be seen, even though he was supposed to have been there twenty minutes ago.  He knew Gus was at Rachel’s; she’d just gotten back from Europe and was anxious to see him, but they had planned this thing weeks ago. 

They were going to go see the newest vampire movie.  A midnight showing, it took forever to convince Gus to go with him.  Now, as Shawn looked at his watch, his best friend was running late because of his girlfriend.

‘Well, it’s not like I haven’t done the same with Jules,’ he thought as he walked inside the Psych office. 

Rationalizing he might be waiting a little longer, Shawn turned on his computer and began to look up vampire movie quotes he could use to annoy Gus later on.  A smile appeared on his face as the nicknames; many of them, came to mind.

Meanwhile, Gus was on Rachel’s couch, kissing his girlfriend happily.  They broke apart for air just in time for Gus to see what time it was.

“Oh, man!  Rachel, my little English crumpet, I have to go.  Shawn’s waiting for me back at the Psych office,” Gus said, standing up and tucking in his shirt.

“Do you really have to go?  I just got home and was hoping to spend a *lot* of time with you,” Rachel said seductively.

‘Damn you, Shawn,’ Gus thought, then mentally smacked himself. Rachel had come home early and surprised them just yesterday.  They had planned the movie night weeks ago and Gus knew he’d never hear the end of it if they missed the vampire matinee at the local theatre.  He sighed and kissed Rachel.

“I’m sorry, Sugar Pie, but I made plans weeks ago with Shawn.  If I back out now, I’d never hear the end of it.  We can pick it up tomorrow, okay?” Gus said, using his own seductive voice.

Rachel nodded and smiled, “Okay.  Tomorrow night, then.  Dinner, drinks and then, well, you know,” she whispered.

Gus smiled his ‘Hello’ smile, “It’s a date, then.  I’ll see you at five.”

“Make it six so I can get Max to a babysitter. Or over his friend’s house again.  I’ll see you then,” Rachel said, giving Gus one last kiss.

Outside the door, Gus sighed, happy with the girl of his dreams.  ‘Thank goodness she’s not crazy, a murderer, a stalker, or whatever the hell else I’ve dated over the years!’ he thought as he made his way to the Blueberry.

Shawn, in the meantime, was now pacing the floor of the office.  He’d long given up on looking for quotes.  There were just to many of them, even with his eidetic memory, to memorize.  He’d look later. 

Right now, he looked at the clock and saw it was twenty to twelve.  If Gus wasn’t here in five minutes, they’d miss the beginning of the movie. 

Headlights caught his attention and he turned to see the blue Echo pull into the parking spot.  Grunting a ‘Finally’, Shawn ran out before Gus could get out of the car.

“Where have you been?” Shawn asked as he hopped into the passenger side.

Gus tsked, “You know where.  I’d still be there if we hadn’t planned this weeks ago,” he replied as he backed the Echo out.

“Aw, you do care!  I thought I’d be left alone the minute Rachel called and said she was back.”

“Shawn, please.  We both know you would’ve been with Juliet somewhere if we hadn’t made plans.”

Shawn nodded, “Mmm, yeah.  You’re probably right.  Except she’s working tonight and that means I would have to be at the station, bugging Lassie.”

“Like that’s new?” Gus asked. 

The rest of the way to the theatre, they talked about all the great vampire movies that had come out over the years.  Including ones they were going to see tonight.

Juliet sat at her desk, rubbing the back of her neck.  Three case files were on her desk; all open to the victim’s pictures taken at the scene.  All three had similar marks on their necks.  To her, they looked like puncture wounds.  It was the specific reason she asked the chief that Psych *not* be involved in the case.  She knew immediately what her boyfriend and Gus would conclude:  Vampires. 

Despite the situation, she smiled at the thought.  Sure, it was a bit childish, but she loved Shawn’s way of thinking.  It almost always helped him in cases, after all.  A strange or silly conclusion usually led to a real arrest of a real person.

Quite often, she would hear Carlton ask himself “How does he do it?” then walk away with a bewildered look on his face.  Ever since she’d found out, Juliet had seen his real process.  The eidetic memory that Shawn possessed was remarkable. 

Carlton watched his partner with interest.  Ever since his wedding, something had changed in the relationship of O’Hara and Spencer.  At first, it looked like it was over; then the two of them started talking again. He noticed the ‘cold shoulder’ O’Hara gave to Spencer on cases, plus the looks Shawn gave to her; they were pathetic.

It was about a month ago when they started acting more like a couple again. Now, though, there were a lot more private talks between the two of them.  Carlton knew something was up, but didn’t want to find out.   

He walked over to Juliet with his business face on, “O’Hara, you got anything about these murders?”

“Nothing.  They look like the same killer.  Bodies drained of blood, puncture wounds on the neck and wrists.  You know, it looks just like Marlowe’s brother did this, but I know he’s in prison right now,” Juliet said, sighing.

“Marlowe doesn’t know anything.  I asked her last night about it,” Carlton said, sitting in the chair opposite Juliet. 

“That takes us back to square one,” she replied, closing the files.

“I’m rather surprised you asked the chief not to call Spencer and Guster on this.  Any particular reason why?  Like, maybe you two broke up?” Carlton asked, hopeful.

“No, we didn’t.  I just didn’t want you to hear the whole vampire bit again.  I figured it would bring back memories,” she answered.

“Yeah, wonderful memories.  Memories of meeting my beloved Marlowe,” Carlton cooed. 

Juliet rolled her eyes, opened the files and began looking over.  The puncture wounds were a cause of alarm.  She really hoped that whomever the killer was; they wouldn’t strike again.  She knew, however, that was a pie crust dream.  Easily made, easily broken.

Shawn and Gus had arrived at the theatre with only about two minutes left before the movie. They raced inside, bypassing the popcorn and snacks.  That’s when Shawn stopped and turned toward the concession stand.

“Shawn!” Gus said.

“Snacks, Gus!”

“I know!  Get me some gummy bears, Sno Caps, popcorn, Reese’s Pieces,” Gus listed.

“Buddy!  That’s an awful lot!  Just go get some seats and I’ll be there in a few!” Shawn said, turning toward the snack bar.

Gus nodded and headed inside the theatre. Shawn turned to the concessions person and smiled.

“My good man,” he started.

“I’m a woman,” she said hotly.

Shawn stood back a little, “Um, I apologize.  I haven’t had my sugar rush yet.  I need one of everything.  Put it on the Psych account.”

The woman glared at me, “We don’t have tabs, Sir.”

Shawn took this into consideration, then grabbed his wallet.  Taking out Gus’ card, he handed it over to the girl with a grin, “I was only kidding.  Here’s my card.”

Without another word, she ran the card and handed him one of every box of candy; plus a box of popcorn and two different drinks.  Grabbing everything he could in one trip, Shawn went into the theatre to watch the marathon of vampire movies, starting with the classic, Dracula.

Three hours and five movies later, Shawn and Gus walked out of the theatre, arguing about who was better at the vampire hiss.  They kept hissing at each other back and forth, making the few people on the street at three A.M. give them funny looks.

Gus drove them both back to the Psych office, then went back to his place alone.  Shawn stood and watched his buddy drive away, then went inside the office to grab his helmet.  Locking the door, he walked toward his bike. 

The next thing he knew, an arm grabbed him around his neck.  His neck was then twisted and Shawn suddenly felt a very sharp pain in the right side of his neck.

“Ahh!” Shawn screamed.  He could feel his blood oozing down his neck, but he also felt the, whatever it was, latch onto him. 

Shawn could feel himself getting weaker as his blood was drained from his body.  The last thoughts that ran through his mind were hazy at best.

Shawn heard his assailant speak, “Don’t worry, young one, you’ll see the night again.  When you awaken, you will know where to go.  Now, drink.”

Shawn, through half open eyes, saw a wrist appear in front of him.  It was bloody and dripping red. 

“I…don’t think so.  I’m not…thirsty,” he struggled to say.

“DRINK!” commanded the voice.

The wrist was shoved in Shawn’s mouth, much to his chagrin.  It was, strange, to say the least.  After a few seconds of trying to force it out, Shawn felt too weak to continue the fight.  The blood from the assailant’s wrist dripped into his mouth.  Just enough to have him taste it. 

Instead of gagging, he could feel it slightly tingle on his tongue.  Shawn went boneless, this time not of his own will.

He could feel his life ebbing away.  He felt the person drop him down on the ground, unceremoniously, then a voice in his ear. 

“Remember, when you awaken, you’ll know where to go.  Until then, pass on quietly, my new fledgling.  See you soon.”

With that, footsteps ran away from Shawn.  Or, Shawn’s lifeless body.  His heartbeat slowed.  His breathing, shallow.  With one last breath, Shawn closed his eyes.