Chapter 20

Henry awoke the next morning at his usual time of 8:00 AM. He peeked out the window to see if the media circus was still surrounding his house. Yep, they all were still there. He grabbed his mug of coffee and walked out to his driveway to grab the newspaper trying to avoid all the random questions. Looking at the headline, he spit out his mouthful of coffee. "You've got to be kidding me."

He walked back to the house throwing the newspaper on the kitchen counter. From Shawn's room, he could still hear him softly snoring.

Shawn awoke several hours later to the smell of eggs and bacon. He missed his father's home cooked meals. For a guy, he sure did know how to cook. "Good morning."

"Morning," his father replied standing over the stove. "Hungry?" he asked.

"Yes, smells good. When can I drive the car?" Shawn quickly changed subjects.

"When I know that you're not gonna black out on me. Oh, wait until you see the newspaper today."

Shawn quickly walked to where Henry had his newspaper lying on the kitchen table. On the front page there was a picture of Shawn taken yesterday with the headline: Is this Man the Next Prophet? Shawn sat there smiling. "I made the front page," he squealed. "I never thought I would make the front page unless I was murdered or something. I wonder if I'm on the front page across the nation: sexy psychic. Right now, millions of people are looking at my face thinking what a stud."

"Maybe what a weirdo."

"Oh, what does the article say?"

"Read it yourself."

Santa Barbara—Local psychic detective Shawn Spencer has a lot to be thankful for, not just for the lovely California weather, but a 2nd chance at life, twice. The 30 year old private detective opened his own private practice alongside his best friend, Burton Guster, eleven months ago. Some customers walk in hoping that Spencer can solve anything from missing car keys to next week's winning lottery numbers. However, the majority of Spencer's work comes from the Santa Barbara Police Department. His work is impeccable. Of all the cases he has worked on, all have been solved by him. Chief Karen Vick from the department describes him as "an eager individual always ready to work." "His detailed information clearly shows that he has special abilities. I'm lucky that the Santa Barbara PD has him as a member of its team."

Just recently, the local psychic crashed his motorcycle into a concrete barrier. Against all odds, he awoke from his coma minutes after life saving equipment was turned off. This incident left Spencer with even more psychic abilities. This godly gift came with a prize; the human brain could not handle the extra power. Spencer fell into a coma again, but warned his father, former Santa Barbara police officer, Henry Spencer, that he would awoke fine in several days. His choice of communication? He pulled his father into a vision. Spencer woke up from his second coma feeling refreshed and ready to rock the world one case at a time. Now, people are calling him the new prophet, a brother of Jesus. Religious fanatics and cults are popping out in response to these miraculous events across the country. Some are begging the church to make Shawn Spencer a saint. Others are hoping for a chance to look at or perhaps touch Spencer in hopes of a healing hand.

Spencer, however, remains committed to working with the Santa Barbara PD. It is up to him what he wants to do with his future. But, unlike the rest of us, he probably knows what's in store for him.

"Wow," Shawn said after taking in all of the information. "This is so cool. There are Shawn cults? I can be St. Shawn Spencer. Dad, I'm I holy?"

"No, I still can't believe this."

"People are worshipping my picture as we speak. They're paying homage to me."

"You're not a god."

"Wait until I'm on the cover of TIME magazine," Shawn gladly responded. "All the chicks will be flocking to get a glimpse of me."

"Too bad that the one you really want rejects you," Henry playfully replied.

"Whoa, dad, that is harsh, even for you. You sure know how to treat the next prophet."

"Shawn, please don't let this get to your head. I don't need you walking around like you're the next savior. I'll be the first to admit that this is really weird. Hell, if I didn't see everything that happened and got pulled into one of your visions, I would have thought this was all prosperous."

A knock on the door interrupted Henry and Shawn's conversation. "Who could that be? Ted Coppell?" Shawn asked.

Henry rolled his eyes and walked up to the door pulling back the curtain to see who it was. "Nope. SBPD. Come in," he motioned to the Chief, O'Hara, and Lassiter.

"Hey guys," Shawn smiled like he usual self.

"Shawn," the chief started out, "We searched the lake. You're correct; we found 22 bodies and a new cage being constructed on the south shore of the lake. We arrested the suspect and found that was stalking his next victim. He was planning on making his move next Monday. He confessed to everything. You just caught the serial killer."

"Wow," Shawn replied trying to take in all the information. "These powers are even better."

"You just solved one of the biggest cases in history, Shawn," Juliet replied with a genuine smile. "We're all so proud of you."

"Ahem," Lassiter remarked.

"Well, some of us," Juliet commented while giving Lassiter the evil eye.

"Good work Spencer. I'm truly impressed," Lassiter said trying to downplay the whole bad attitude.

"Looks like you're getting national attention," the chief replied as she pulled back the curtain to reveal the media circus outside Henry's window.

"Can you do something about this Karen?" Henry asked. "I can't even clean my car without them taking hundreds of pictures of me!"

"I'll get someone on it, but it is freedom of the press," she smiled adding to Henry's frustration.

"Arggh," Henry remarked.

"Shawn, I do have some urgent matters to speak to you about," the chief stated.

"Okay, go ahead," Shawn replied.

"Perhaps we could go to a more private setting."

"Anything you have to say, you can say in front of everyone. I have nothing to hide."

Before she started she looked around and shrugged her shoulders, "Okay, here it goes. Obviously, you know about the amount of attention you have been getting in the press. Well, the FBI informed me that they would like you to join their team. They are impressed with your work and think that you would be a vital aspect. They also wanted me to tell you that you could name any price that you wanted. Here is the card of the agent who contacted me," she stated while handing Shawn the piece of paper.

"Cool, now the feds want me? Interesting."

"It's been nice working with you Mr. Spencer, I hope you do well in the bureau," the chief replied.

"Wait!" Shawn exclaimed. "Who said I was going to work for them?"

"I just assumed with the pay raise and all."

"I don't care about the money. I do it for the people. My life is here. I'm not gonna get up and move all around the country for some extra pay. If I still have a job with the Santa Barbara Police Department, I would like to come back there."

The chief smiled, "You know that the door is always open for you."

Henry stood there a little shocked. He was so proud that his son could work for the FBI, but he was even prouder that he decided to turn them down and continue to work here in California. Maybe he was a good parent. His son seemed to be turning out just fine.

"There is one request chief," Shawn smiled.

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"If it is at all possible, Gus and I would like a small pay raise," he winked.

"I'll see what I can do. I may have to fire a detective or two," she joked while looking at Lassiter.

"Now, wait a minute…" he protested.

"Oh, Lassie, come on. You can be my other sidekick," Shawn said patting him on the shoulder.

"I'm no one's sidekick. I'm Detective Carlton Allowishus Lassiter, the lone ranger."

"Your middle name is Allowishus?" Shawn laughed.

"Shut up Spencer, I'm out of here," Lassiter replied storming out the door.

"Talk to you soon, Shawn. I have some cases at the station when you want to get back full time."

"Thank chief. I should be back later this week."

"Alright, take care of yourself. Bye Henry," she replied walking out the door.

Juliet stood there smiling. "I'm glad you decided to stay with us."

Henry decided that he would wander off into the living room and pretend that he was walking down the hallway to his bedroom. Instead, he stopped just out of their eyesight, but still in the full hearing range.

"I'm glad I'm staying here too to get to work with you everyday," Shawn grinned.

"So, what does your future say?"

"Well, I can't control what I see at the moment. But, I think it will get better."

"No more blackouts?"

"They're very seldom. Doc says that they're getting much better. My brain is adapting. Something about plasticity."

"That's great. Did you have any visions of me and my future? Like whom I'm going to marry and how many kids?" she asked.

"No, not yet."

"Good," she smiled. "If you find out, don't ruin the surprise," she winked turning to walk out the door. "Oh by the way, I just broke up with my boyfriend and for some reason my horoscope says don't look too far for your next true love because he's always in your face. I wonder what that could mean," she smiled and walked out the door.

Shawn stood there smiling.

"Thatta boy," Henry walked out from his hiding place behind the wall.

"Dad! Did you ever hear of a thing called privacy?"

"Shawn, I'm a cop."

"True. Think I have a chance?" Shawn asked.

"I would say 100. Take it slow. She just got out of a relationship. It would be a good catch."

"I'm not going fishing dad."

"Still, she is a great person."

"I think my life is getting better. Psychic powers, check. New car, check. Solved the biggest serial murder case in Santa Barbara history without breaking a sweat, check. Getting a sexy, hot girlfriend, perhaps."

"I'm very proud of you son."

"Dad proud of me, check."

"Let's go tell Gus the good news," Henry replied. "Then, we'll swing by the Olive Garden."

"Ooooh, my favorite restaurant!" Shawn exclaimed like a five year old. "Can I drive?" he pleaded looking at his dad with puppy eyes.

"Well…" Henry debated looking at the car keys and back to Shawn standing there with his hand out smiling and pleading. Just then, Shawn collapsed to the ground and started shaking. "Shawn!" Henry yelled.

But, Shawn jumped up. "Psych!" he screamed. "Just kidding! He he he."

"Oh, you're so hilarious. I'm driving," Henry stated jogging towards the door.

"Hey, no fair!" Shawn yelled chasing after his dad opening up the door to reveal the strobe-like effects of hundreds of cameras going off. "Hey, there's Katie Curic!!!"

THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!