Wow, just wow. The power of this fic is unbelievable. I've cried more through this than any other … but, then again, how could I not considering what it is. This was such an emotional read, I'm still shaking.

Aww, a very sweet story. Would love to read one featuring objects owned by Shawn and Gus or even Shawn and Henry.

Bit of background, I only came to adore the show a few months ago thanks to the mini-marathons on Ion television. What clinched it for me was the complicated father/son relationship. They know how to push each others buttons, but I still see how much they love each other.

I've been enjoying this story but something is starting to drive me away from it … these Shawn and Henry interactions. I'm only on Chapter 18 (the one where your beloved character Dot chases my beloved chacacter Henry out of the house). And if an up-coming interaction trumps this one as stated in your end notes … and if that means what I think it does … I should probably stop reading this now.

What bothers me about these is that (actually I'm still trying to figure it out), I think you are writing "Pilot" Henry and not "santabarbaratown" Henry … or something. Like I said I'm still trying to put my finger on what's bothering me so much about it. Is there a purpose to how you are writing Henry? Will I ever get any good Henry and Shawn moments?

I think another aspect is everybody protects (or is over-protective of) Shawn, but no one stands up for or at least sympathizes with Henry a little bit. For example, Henry (I think) was showing remorse for what happened, yet no one acknowledged it. There just seems to be something a bit off to me in the reactions. I'm starting to think that you just don't like Henry.

Well, I hope this makes sense and that maybe you will address some of my concerns, but right now I need to get to work. I also may go back and re-read this from the beginning to see if there is something I missed, but not sure I will have time for that.

NOTE: I realize this Shawn has been through a lot and deserves most of the sympathy he's getting, I just needed to express my concerns (sorry but I love Henry). Actually, there is one other … finding out what happened to Kev and Shawn actually dealing with it. Although it sounds like that is forthcoming.

Author's Response:

Welcome to the wonderful world of Psych! That being said... *sighs*

The issue of Henry in this story has become a point of much discussion and I'm really glad you told me where exactly you are (chapterwise) so I can frame this response better. Alright, 1, I don't hate Henry, I love him. I love both watching and reading the wild and crazy and dynamic he has with his son. There is a point to his characterization in this story, and it's not because I don't like him.

2, after posting this chapter and dealing with all the subsequent comments about Henry, there's been a lot of retooling of future chapters, including the next fight which was originally supposed to be worse than this one. The one in 24 ended up being much more mild and, personally, more realistic given the circumstances.

3, yes, yes, and yes, Henry in this story is NOT SantaBarbaratown Henry, his IS more like pilot-Henry. There's a reason for that and while it hadn't been explicitly explained more than what was written in chapter 12 (yet, the opening of 25 has a large Henry retrospective that should cover the bases), it's because the reveal that Shawn is a cop hit the big, red reset button on their relationship.

4, there is absolutely a purpose to Henry being a dick. Beyond the fact that I highly doubt that everyone would just be okay with Shawn suddenly being a cop, Henry remains the one person who isn't going to let Shawn slide with all the secret keeping. (This might be revealing a bit too much for later points in the story but oh well). Henry recognizes in Shawn that those secrets he keeps, specifically the ones about Kev, are going to kill him (in one way or another) in the long run and given Henry's general lack of finesse with dealing with Shawn, his badgering has lead to a decline in their relationship. However, from 24 on there will be a buildup in their relationship as it repairs itself to one degree or another, culminating in a hugely important scene where Henry is there for Shawn in a way no one else can be. So yes, you will get good Henry and Shawn moments, I promise. (I honestly couldn't write this story with Henry being a dick all the time, it gets on my nerves too, lol).

That being said, writing Henry is a continual process since his character is one of the most complicated and most difficult to explain in this story, and any and all criticism is welcome. Just please keep reading, I promise Henry and Shawn will have their moment later. We can never expect the Spencer men to do things the easy way, can we? :) So there will be some more angst, a little more fighting, but they'll get there. The whole story hinges on it, to be honest. 

And just for a defense of the chapter for shits and giggles, Juliet and Gus were pretty much useless during the fight between Henry and Shawn, both too shocked by what was happening. And they certainly weren't going to go against Dot with a gun. Dot, on the other hand, saw first hand what happened in LA (so to speak) and knows exactly how messed up Shawn is. Combine that with the fact that she's known Henry for probably four decades, she wasn't going to take Henry's crap. It was a horrible, unfortunate event that happened. Henry screwed up and he realized it, but really, when have we ever seen anyone come to his defense on the show (that I can think of). I think the one thing that might be off would be Juliet and Gus just letting it all happen, but I'm not sure. (Again, I love Henry)

Thanks for taking the time to tell me your concerns, I really appreciate it. It may help to go back and reread the beginning two scenes of chapter twelve (the porch mini-argument and Shawn's retrospective).

Henry will be the one person to really get Shawn to deal with Kev's death, so we have a lot to look forward to. :) But I think we're still a few chapters away from that, so it'll probably be around chapter 30-31.

Thanks for the review! Please keep reading! 

Part of the reason I don't read in-progress stories is it's hard for me to keep track of what's going on and who's who with new characters. For example, I'm having a hard time keeping Shawn's LA bosses straight. How about an index or just a list of them?

Not necessarily my favorite line, but it is intriguing:
"When I transferred in, Henry, it was just after the shooting,” Karen replied with a frown. “And then with the divorce...”

So, a bit of a hint/glance into a certain incident in Henry's past that will help him help Shawn? Or am I reading too much into it?

Liked Henry "borrowing" Shawn's file from Lassiter's desk, and the scene with Juliet.

Please update soon.

Author's Response:

Captain Nick Breighton, Robbery-Homicide Division, LAPD (Shawn's main boss who he always reports to)
Captain Roger "Mickey/Mr. Rogers" McKinney, SIS (Shawn's sometimes boss, mostly for undercover work)
SSAC Jeffrey "Jeff/El Jefe" Hale, FBI (Shawn's boss at the FBI, Senior Special Agent in Charge)

And just for more clarification:

Det Lou "Lulu" Compton, SIS
Det Hector Verman, SIS
Det Omar "the Hulk" Thompson, SIS
Det Jim "Rocky" Rosco, SIS
Dr. Scott "Scotty" Rosco (Jim's son who works at a free clinic)
Dorothy "Dot" Murdock (widow of Henry's former partner, Stan Murdock)
Det Kevin "Kev" James, LAPD (Shawn's former partner)
Sandra James (Kev's ex-wife)
Chelsea Lucia "Chels" James (Kev and Sandra's daughter)
"Alex" James (Kev and Sandra's son)
Derrell Owens (former SOA member murdered in chapter nine)
Marisa Reskin (Owens' neighbor)
Freddy Reskin (Marisa's brother)
Miguel Santos (19 y.o. who pawned Owens' watch and was there when he died)
Cesar Ortega (22 y.o. cousin of Miguel, who actually shot Owens)
Megan (waitress at the diner Shawn and Co. always go to)
Tony (chef at the diner)
Ofc. Koontz, SBPD (Shawn steals his radio in 14)
Ofc. Renner, SBPD (Buzz' partner)
Sgt. Colin Lepky, SBPD (retired, frisked Shawn in 15)
Sgt. Gavin Moss, LAPD (rookie who blew Shawn's cover his third year on the force (ch5), seen again in 17)
Magellan "Gelly Roll" (Juliet's fat, longhair grey cat)
Snowball "Snowy" (Juliet's white cat who hates Jules and loves Shawn)
Soldiers of Adam "SOA" (biker gang suspected of domestic terrorism that Shawn infiltrated in 6)
the 551s (gang out of LA, mostly immigrants, Cesar was doing an initiation when Owens was killed)
The Raiders (nice biker gang Freddy used to belong to)
Jess (redhaired EMT in 23)
Kyle (Jess' partner EMT)
SA Don "Donnie" Eppes, FBI (from Numb3rs, Shawn's friend but hates Hale)
Dr. Charles "Charlie" Eppes (from Numb3rs, Don's little brother, math genius, FBI consultant)

That should be every OC in the story. Hopefully that clears things up for you.

Good catch :) It's absolutely a reference to something that will help Shawn. It's discussed more in depth back in chapter 2 when Henry and Shawn talk but we'll definitely be learning a lot more in the future. There's been some very subtle hints here and there about what happened though. :3

I'm glad you liked those scenes, they were a lot of fun to write :) Thanks for the review!

Loved it! Practically perfect. Love that Madeline was included. Thank you for sharing.