#challenge-bth

[lyriablackfrost]

Title: Same Mistakes Fandom: Persona 5 Ship: Akechi/Ryuji Rating: T Warnings: Trauma, Mention of Death Words: 1529 Synopsis: Seeing Ryuji pushing himself too far brings back feelings Goro wished he could forget.

Prompts used: @badthingshappenbingo - Worked Themselves to Exhaustion @hurtcomfort-bingo - Stroking Someone's Hair @seasonaldelightsbingo (Winter Wonderland) - Eyes Filled With Tears

My cards under the cut.

#lyriaswriting #fandom-p5 #ship-ryugoro #challenge-bth #challenge-hcb #challenge-sdb

[joezworld]

Unheard Prayers (1/2)

Traintober 2022 Day 2 - Breakdown

Hey it's Traintober time again! I absolutely love doing this because it gives me a bit of a challenge to actually write stuff with a time limit. (If you've noticed that I haven't really posted stuff in a bit, it's not because I'm dead, it's because I work full time and usually put hobby stuff like writing off until Later™)

This stuff might be a bit rough around the edges, but I think that slightly rushed product is better than not putting anything out at all. (Yes this whole month will be #NoBetaReadersIDieLikeAMan, sorry)

For the first story of the month:

Summary - It’s the late 1970s, and the first generation of diesels live in fear of their bodies failing them. They know what happens afterwards.

-

Prayers were common in the diesel sheds that dotted England’s rail system. 

In the early days of compression-ignition, the diesels viewed their divinity in the same way that Britain viewed its empire. 

Permanent.

Everlasting.

Their Birthright.

When they rolled out of their shining and new diesel sheds and into the steam depots in the end of the nineteen-fifties, the cold, dirty, coal-speckled yards of steam that dated back to Brunel, their divine origins seemed almost obvious. 

They weren’t merely the future of the railway, nor were they only saviours of efficiency. 

They were Gods.

And the rails were their kingdom. 

They quickly spurned any pretenses that they hailed from that book of the most loving God, the New Testament, and laid down the heavenly law; This was the Old Testament, and they were the Gods of Wrath. Respect was not needed, nor was it given or wanted. Weakness was not tolerated. Fear was expected, and Obedience was found through intimidation and terror. 

For those engines below, the lowly shunters, the mixed goods engines, and (someone help them, for God is not here) the steam engines, they were not Disciples of the new Gods, but were instead Serfs under malevolent masters. 

Service and Obedience were expected. 

Disobedience was punished.

And punishment meant the Wrath of God. 

In the early days of the diesels, Prayers were common, but they only went one way - and the Gods rarely answered, too selfishly focused on the ascendancy of their own personal stars to care for those beneath them.

-

Time passed. 

Steam was exorcised from the heavenly kingdom of diesel traction, its members purged from the land, dragged away to their deaths. For them, obedience and servitude meant that they were given the option to die in a peaceful fashion. For those who rebelled, and tried to tarnish the bright star of their unwanted God, wrath came down upon them in ways that remain unspeakable. 

Wrath too came for their serfs. Those whose star had not reached quite as high, or had never risen at all, were ripped from the earth with a violent fury. Cast aside like Steam, they - the Claytons, CoBos, BTHs, Hymeks, Warships, and so many others - were offered the same horrible choice: obey, and die peacefully; resist, and die screaming. Living was not an option. 

With all challenges to their throne ruthlessly eliminated, the oil-fueled Gods rejoiced, and watched their stars ascend to the heavens. For those few classes at the top, they were the God of Gods - Kronos, king of the Titans; God, directing his Angels; Satan, leader of the Demons. 

Their stars shone so bright it was impossible to believe that anything could change it. 

But, unlike Kronos, and God, and Satan, they were not actually the God of Gods. 

They were a large fish, inside a small, emptying pond. 

The real Gods, as it were, were a group of men, in an office building, on Marylebone Road, in London. 

They controlled the Double Arrows.

And the Double Arrows controlled the Gods. 

The stars were about to go out.

-----------

Prayers were common in the diesel sheds that dotted England’s rail system. 

Gone were the subservient pledges of allegiance, the faltering begs for forgiveness, and the occasional burst of wrath. Now there were only prayers of the most desperate kind: 

please start please start please please start i have to start

don’t break down don’t break down they won’t fix me if i do

c’mon just make it to the station nearly there nearly there

don’t tell them it hurts don’t say anything just keep going

maybe they’ll fix me today maybe they’ll fix me tomorrow

turn over turn over turn over oh why isn’t it turning over 

don’t take me there please i won’t come back from there 

this can’t happen to us we were supposed to be the future

These prayers were directed at the only gods they knew: themselves. 

Unfortunately, they had always been capricious gods. 

help please anyone they’re killing us make it stop please

#traintober2022 #ttte #fic #sentient vehicle headcanon #sentient vehicles #sodor #dark #divinity #yeah i'm not sure what to tag this as honestly #i'm trying some new narrative structures #traintober #this is ttte

[book-dragon03]

For @band--psycho A-Z writing challenge!!

Congrats again babe!

Y/N was studying in the library it was late and almost everyone had gone home ,y/n liked it here after dark when everyone else had left, it was quiet and calm unlike the rest of her life ,she came here when she needed peace to think, a place she could escape from everyone and everything else in her life ,a sanctuary .

later into the night y/ns friend Stiles, her best friend showed up ,they’d met their first day freshmen year and clicked immeditely ,stiles was the only person who knew how crazy the rest of y/ns life was outside of these walls, outside the comforting pages of whatever book she’d chosen to lose herself in that day ,he’d always loved to mock her for the fantasises she got lost in.

they’d tried dating their sophmore year but decied to remain friends instead that didn’t stop them from getting together every now and again ,they knew everyting about each other so it always worked between them plus where else can a girl find a guy as kinky as stiles.

‘‘comes on babes we’re going to be late,ive been waiting for you for ages’‘stiles said leaning over y/n.

‘‘do we really have to go’‘y/n winged,they were due at stiles sisters wedding rehersal and it was a 40 minute drive from campus so they needed to leave early to get to the hotel on time y/n wasn’t very happy to be attending considering stiles family never really liked y/n

‘‘yes and shortly so the quicker you get ready the quicker you can get there and have a drink okay babe’‘stiles said lifting her arm

‘‘okay.....okay i’m coming’‘ y/n groned grabbing her bag ad leaving the library.

At the rehersal y/n sat by herself stiles was over talking to his sister,y/n hated being left alone ecspecially at any event his family was at let alone hosting ,across the table y/n noticed some of julie (stiles sister) friends looking at her she knew the sniggers they made understood why they were laughing everyone y/n included knew stiles was out of her leauge and even though they weren’t together anymore their snide comments and laughs always hurt deciding it was better to just leave ,heading up to her room for the night,she’ll just apologize to stiles in the morning.

in her room y/n was debating a nice bath to wash away today when she heard the door knock assumig it was room keeping she decided to ignore it ,knocking again this time stiles calls though to let him in opening the door he knew that look hed seen it before and hated it

‘‘what hapened i turned around and you were gone ‘‘stiles asked worry etched on his features

‘‘nothing im just tired ,sorry fo leaving you’‘y/n sid walking back into her hotel room stiles following behind her and closing the door

‘‘no it’s something else ,what’s wrong please tell me babe ‘‘stiles could always tell when she was lyig ,knowing when he wasn’t going to stop sking till he knew what was up .

‘‘some girls ,your sisters friends i think were laughing thats all im just overeacting ,im being silly dont worry go back to the party ,i dont wanna ruin your night ‘‘ y/n always rambled whe she was upset

‘‘hey listen to me any night spent with you is not ruined ‘‘ stiles said walking closer running his hand up ad down her arm pulling her in by her shoulder to give her a hug

‘‘im not blind stiles ,they’re not wrong ad we bth know it’‘ y/n mumbled

‘‘no we don’t ,i certainly don’t know okay you’re stunning and everyone myself included can see that ad those girls know it they’re jus jealous ,do you even know what you do to me how hard it is not to hve you everytime i see you ?’‘stiles knew she wuldn’t belive words she needed actions moving closer their bodies pressed up against each other

‘‘do you see what you do to me ‘‘stiles whispered in her ear causing shivers to run dow y/ns spine she could feel his erection making a tent in his pants next thig she knows she was kissing him and the rest of the night was forgotten

SEVERAL HOURS LATER

both thoroughly worn out after the night they’d had y/n knew she’d feel this in the morning maybe for the next few mornings if she was lucky but right now all she wanted was to sleep for many many hours but just s she started to settle stiles woke her up by lifting her out of bed and carrying her through to the bathroom placing her gently on the toilet telling her to pee while he starts a bath for her y/n knows stiles is hot but he will always be made hotter by the fact he knew the importance of aftercare for both of them ,getting into the warm bath her muscels definetly appriciated this . after the bath y/n and stiles snugled up in bed and fell into a very deep sleep

#stiles stilinksi imagine #stiles stilinksi x reader #stiles stilinksi smut #stiles stilinski imagines #a z challenge #a-z writing challenge #teen wolf #teen wolf imagines #teen wolf imagine

[buddhisms-theory-of-happiness]

As Einstein put it, life is like riding a bicycle. To stay upright, keep pedaling. Master Shinran likened life to an ocean with relentless waves of suffering. Swim on!

Living isn't a walk in the park. It's a challenge we all face.

—-More about BTH—-

#life #buddhism #shinran shonin #einstein

[plasticplumbob]

Desert Surprise

This desert surprise is a contemporary desert oasis! This family home has an outdoor retreat with a full outdoor grill, bar, and meditation garden. The top floor is dedicated exclusively to the primary suite and ensuite. The Basement is equipped with a full sized gym, juice bar, bathroom and junior suite. What surprise does this home offer? Download and see!

Origin ID: PlasticPlumbob Lot Type: Residential Lot Size: 50 x 50 2 BR x 3 BTH Built In: Oasis Springs Value: $253,691 Extras: 

No CC Used. Enable cheats: bb.Moveobjects, bb.Showhiddenobjects, and bb.buydebug prior to placement.

This pack uses all of the items from Desert Luxe - I made this to challenge myself! 

#The Sims 4 #Sims 4 #Sims4 #Sims Build #The Sims Build #Sims 4 Lots #Sims House #ts4 build #TS4 #the sims 4 no cc #sims 4 no cc #pp

[plasticfoundation]

The Exhibition (Park) | No CC

I made this for the TS4 Community Lot Build Challenge. I’ve actually never built a park in the sims, it’s something I actively shy away from so this was a true challenge. I kept the park simple and modern as that’s the vibe I get from Del Sol! There is a chess area with seating for spectators, a grill with seating, a reading/watching area, bathroom and a playground for the kiddies. I also included a garden with rare finds.  

Enjoy!

Lot Size 20x20 Lot Type: National Park Value: $42,636 Bth: 2 Made in: Del Sol Valley No CC  Gallery Link: [x]

#ts4 #the sims 4 #ts4communitylotchallenge #Simblr #Sims #Sims 4 #The Sims 4 Community Lot #Plastic

[bthtint]

Elevate Your Ride: Transform with BTH Tint's Expert Window Tinting

In the realm of automotive upgrades, few enhancements offer the combination of practicality, style, and comfort quite like window tinting. When it comes to elevating your driving experience, Beat the Heat (BTH) Window Tinting stands out as a premier destination for those seeking expert craftsmanship and top-notch materials to enhance their vehicles.

Craftsmanship Meets Luxury:

BTH Tint's commitment to quality shines through in every application. With a team of seasoned professionals who possess a keen eye for detail, your vehicle undergoes a transformation that not only enhances its appearance but also elevates its overall aesthetic appeal. From sedans to SUVs, trucks to sports cars, each vehicle receives meticulous attention, ensuring that the final result exceeds expectations.

Safety First:

Beyond aesthetics, window tinting offers a range of practical benefits, chief among them being enhanced safety. BTH Tint's premium films provide a layer of protection by reducing glare, shielding occupants from harmful UV rays, and minimizing the risk of shattered glass in the event of an accident. Such measures not only safeguard passengers but also contribute to a more secure driving environment, particularly during long journeys or adverse weather conditions.

Experience Unparalleled Comfort:

In today's fast-paced world, finding moments of tranquility can be challenging, especially on the road. BTH Tint's expert window tinting solutions offer a respite from the outside world, providing occupants with a cocoon of privacy and seclusion. With varying degrees of tint darkness available, you can tailor the level of privacy to suit your preferences while still enjoying crystal-clear visibility from the inside.

A Commitment to Excellence:

At BTH Tint, customer satisfaction is paramount. From the initial consultation to the final installation, their team is dedicated to delivering a seamless experience. Whether you're seeking to enhance your vehicle's appearance, improve safety, or simply enjoy a more comfortable ride, BTH Tint's comprehensive range of offerings ensures that your needs are met with precision and care.

Why Choose BTH Tint?

Expertise: Backed by years of industry experience, BTH Tint's technicians possess the skill and know-how to tackle even the most challenging installations.

Quality Materials: Utilizing only the highest quality window films, BTH Tint ensures longevity, durability, and optimal performance in every application.

Customization Options: With a wide selection of tint shades and finishes to choose from, you have the flexibility to personalize your vehicle to your exact specifications.

Peace of Mind: With a satisfaction guarantee and warranty coverage on all installations, you can drive with confidence knowing that your investment is protected.

Experience the BTH Difference:

Transform your vehicle into a sanctuary of luxury, safety, and comfort with BTH Tint's expert window tinting services. Whether you're cruising through city streets or embarking on a cross-country adventure, let BTH Tint be your trusted partner in enhancing your driving experience. Visit their showroom today and discover why discerning drivers choose BTH Tint to elevate their ride.

For more info :-

Beat The Heat Home Window Tinting

[widmakenametal]

Elevating Precision Machining: WIDMA's Turnkey Fixture Solutions, BTA Machines, and Hob Sharpener Expertise

Turnkey Fixture Solutions, BTA Machines, and Hob Sharpeners are three areas where WIDMA stands out as a leader in precision machining today, where every cut counts. With a history spanning almost 40 years, WIDMA has developed steadily, changing the perception of precision engineering by providing cutting-edge solutions customized for a range of machining applications.

Turnkey Fixture Solutions: A New Definition of Precision

Turnkey Fixture Solutions from WIDMA are evidence of the company's dedication to offering complete, specialized solutions for machining centers. Fixtures with smooth machining process integration are in high demand as more industries adopt advanced manufacturing techniques. The following explains why WIDMA's Turnkey Fixture Solutions are changing the environment:

Designed to Fit Complex Machining Facilities

WIDMA has a deep understanding of the complexities of machining centers. The company, which specializes in Turnkey Fixture Solutions, has completed more than 2500 projects successfully worldwide. These solutions are designed to accommodate a broad range of Horizontal Machining Centers (HMCs) and Vertical Machining Centers (VMCs), guaranteeing flexibility to meet the various demands of contemporary manufacturing.

Mastery of Process Engineering

The team of subject matter experts at WIDMA is highly skilled at scheduling manufacturing processes for a wide range of components. Turnkey Fixture Solutions are guaranteed to be accurate and effective thanks to the process engineering expertise, which includes comprehensive studies, machining operation identification, and cycle time estimation. Cutting-edge precision in cutting parameters is ensured through collaboration with parent tooling company Kennametal.

Integration of Automation

WIDMA streamlines workflow and improves operational efficiency by integrating automation systems with its Turnkey Fixture Solutions, adhering to Industry 4.0 principles. Features of automation include smooth machining process execution, quick tool changes, and accurate positioning, all of which save production times.

Excellence in Application Engineering

Beyond the fixture itself are WIDMA's Turnkey Fixture Solutions. The business offers comprehensive application engineering and works closely with customers to comprehend their particular problems. This methodology guarantees that the fixtures fulfill the technical specifications while surpassing the expected levels of performance, verifying component accuracy, and maximizing cycle times.

BTA Equipment: Unlocking Drilling Prowess

WIDMA presents its BTA Machines, which signify a revolutionary change in accuracy and productivity. WIDMA's BTA Machines are prepared to take on these challenges head-on as industries demand drilling solutions that are faster and more dependable:

Sturdy Architecture Designed for Quickness

The BTA Machines from WIDMA are made with a sturdy design that guarantees speed without sacrificing accuracy. They are a part of the BTH Series. These machines are built to perform exceptionally well in deep hole drilling applications, whether they are for general engineering, aerospace structures, or automotive components.

Accuracy in Each Drill

In the realm of deep hole drilling, precision is an absolute necessity, and WIDMA's BTA Machines redefine accuracy in this field. The combination of sophisticated engineering and a sturdy design guarantees that every drill is performed with the highest accuracy possible, satisfying the exacting standards of sectors where precision is critical.

Application Versatility

WIDMA's BTA Machines are versatile, capable of handling a variety of materials and component geometries. Whether it's drilling in tough materials or maintaining precision over extended depths, these machines offer a universal solution for industries with diverse drilling needs.

Hob Sharpeners: Precision in Gear Manufacturing

Completing the trio of precision machining offerings is WIDMA's Hob Sharpeners, a vital component in the gear manufacturing process. In an era where precision is the cornerstone of gear cutting, WIDMA's Hob Sharpeners redefine accuracy and efficiency:

1. Defining Accuracy of Hob Cutting

The goal of WIDMA's hob sharpeners is to improve hob machining standards. These sharpeners guarantee the best possible gear manufacturing quality, whether they are used in general engineering, automotive, or aerospace. For gears to function well and last a long time, hob cutting accuracy is essential, and WIDMA's Hob Sharpeners meet this need.

Flexibility Throughout Sectors

Because of their adaptability, WIDMA's Hob Sharpeners can be used in a variety of industries. These sharpeners provide a versatile solution for gear manufacturers with a range of requirements, from small-scale precision gears to larger components.

Effectiveness in the Production of Gears

Efficiency is crucial in the fiercely competitive gear manufacturing industry. The Hob Sharpeners from WIDMA guarantee that every hob is sharpened precisely, which adds to increased efficiency. This enhances the gears' quality while also streamlining the entire gear-making process.

Precision Engineering Mastery by WIDMA

From its founding in 1984 to its current status as a pioneer in precision engineering, WIDMA has been characterized by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering quest for excellence. WIDMA is still influencing the direction of precision engineering with its Turnkey Fixture Solutions, which redefine precision in machining centers, BTA Machines, which are designed for deep hole drilling speed and accuracy, and Hob Sharpeners, which raise the bar for gear cutting standards.

WIDMA is at the forefront, enabling manufacturers to reach new heights in their machining operations as industries change and demand higher levels of precision. WIDMA's expertise in precision engineering is the key to unmatched success in manufacturing today, where every cut counts.

#bta machines #Turnkey Fixture Solutions #widma

[13onnieyt]

///vent///

Woke up at 3am for unknown reasons (shit happens) and my friend fucking dmed me creepy bait and switch shit about something being behind me and me not being safe and I'm kinda pissed now bth bc I'd REALLY like to sleep but that's become a challenge to do tonight.

#vent post #vent #creepy

[newtonsheffield]

The Princess Diaries series was one of my favourite things growing up and the scream Iet out when I read the AU!! You HAVE to continue it and tell us more! Does Kate really not want to be Queen? Also- Kate stepping on Anthony's feet in every universe needs to be a thing!!

Oh I LOOOOOOVE The Princess Diaries. I have read all the books, I'm pretty confident that my sister and I could perform bth movies as a two woman show with absolutely zero rehearsal time. We watched the so many times as kids. I still watch them all the time. They're Iconic and I live in hope for a third movie.

Okay here's the thing: Kate and Edwina were raised in England, by Mary, unaware that their father was the crown prince of his home country until his death, when Kate was 16. At that time, Kate's grandmother (the queen) was also very sick and dropped the bomb on her. Her grandmother passed shortly after leaving Mary as the Queen Regent until Kate came of age to rule at 21. Kate was a 16 year old girl whose father had died, and her entire world had been turned upside down and she'd been dragged kicking and screaming back to their country. She didn't want to be the crown Princess. She didn't want to be anything. And Unfortunately for her, the entire country knew it. But she grew to love the country, and by the time she was 20 she wanted to carry on the legacy of her family, even if it should have been her father's.

Unfortunately for her as well, Anthony Bridgerton had been watching her acting out as a teenager with slight disgust. He had also shouldered the burdens of his family name when he was not much older than her. It was an honour to be able to serve your country like this in his opinion and she was throwing it away. And he declared himself to challenge her.

Kate wants to be the Queen, and she's going to show Anthony just how much. And the sexual tension is going to be... delicious. And Anthony will be an amazing King (consort).

#they're gona screw in that throne room one day #mark my words #princess diaries au #royals #kathony #anthony x kate #anthony bridgerton #kate sheffield #kate sharma #molly's asks and answers

[lyriablackfrost]

Title: Lingering Darkness Fandom: Persona 5 Ship: Akira/Ryuji Rating: T Warnings: Nightmares, Anxiety, Swearing Words: 6539 Synopsis: Something changed after his almost death at Shido’s palace. At first, Ryuji thinks he is just tired. However, no matter what he does, the feeling that part of him is perpetually trapped in the Metaverse only gets worse with time. Akira is the first one to see through his cheerful facade, and tries to help him find the reason for that change.

Prompts used: @badthingshappenbingo - That's Not Normal @hurtcomfort-bingo - Learning to Be Loved @seasonaldelightsbingo - Pressing Foreheads Together

My cards under the cut.

#lyriaswriting #fandom-p5 #ship-pegoryu #challenge-bth #challenge-hcb #challenge-sdb

[ncisgeek]

Bad Things Happen Bingo - @badthingshappenbingo

This is my first ever attempt at a bth bingo challenge!

————————————————

Title: What’s Happening?

Prompt Filled: Coughing Up Blood

Fandom: NCIS

Word Count: 1,405 words

Main Characters: Jimmy Palmer, Dr Donald Mallard, Leroy Jethro Gibbs

Summary: Jimmy’s slight cough that he had been dealing with over the past couple of days started to get worse.

Read this fic here on AO3

Link to my BTHB series on AO3

(Remember to read authors notes and tags for TWs and CWs!)

#bad things happen bingo #bthb card #ncis #jimmy palmer #ducky #dr donald mallard #leroy jethro gibbs #brian dietzen

[rosenroot]

Six character challenge if you can 💕. Arwen, Azula, Sansa, Cheer (from clueless), Elizabeth Bennet , Yennefer. (Feel free to ignore this crack bth xD)

tho this selection of good female characters... chef's kiss

#sixfanarts #asoiaf #request #art challenge #Arwen undomiel #lotr #azula #avatar #atla #sansa stark #valyrianscrolls #cher #clueless #elizabeth bennet #pride and prejudice #yennefer #the witcher #fanart #digitalart #sansaastark

[buddhisms-theory-of-happiness]

In Buddhism, it is believed that our own actions shape our destiny. When things are going well, we readily accept this idea. However, when faced with misfortune, we tend to resist it.

 It is challenging to find individuals who can honestly examine their own actions in times of failure.

—-More about BTH—-    

#Buddhism #cause and effect #self-reflection

[mithrilwren]

for the top 5 or 10 challenge: top 5 whump tropes?

Oh boy, another great question. I went digging in the Bad Things Happen trope list for this one, it was easier than thinking of things off the top of my head. (I know I still have a BTH bingo card hanging around my ask box somewhere, I should probably get to that at some point...)

1. Panic Attacks (claustrophobia could also be lumped into this one)

2. Forgetting to Eat (and other angsty variations on the same, eg. choosing not to eat because [X] reason... basically, food issues)

3. Touch aversion due to [X] past event

4. Working themselves to exhaustion (and I’ll lump sickfic where the person refuses to rest in with this as well)

5. Compelling Voice 

#replies #i definitely could have picked more than five here #it probably says something about me that this was the easiest to answer of all the asks ive gotten so far

[sci-fi-pony]

I love all of your BTH fics, they’re SO GOOD! How about “caught in a storm” or “worked themselves to exhaustion” for Shawn and Juliet?

Thank you so much for the request! I apologize for the extreme delay in finishing this; my computer has finally died. This one is a pre-Shules fic because I’ve been watching a lot of earlier episodes lately and wanted to write something from that time when they were still getting to know each other. Hope you don’t mind. <3

Title: Laughing Through the Storm

Fandom: Psych

Characters: Shawn, Juliet, OC

Summary: Juliet can’t figure out whether to be amused or annoyed by Shawn’s habit of making everything into a joke. But a storm and a lost child give her a better understanding of the reason behind his jokes.

Written for the Bad Things Happen Bingo challenge. For the “Caught in a Storm” prompt.

Credit note: Special thanks to the wonderful people in the WG discord server for helping with a lot of the dialogue lines in this. I was stuck and this wouldn’t have gotten finished without that help. <3

Juliet turned up the speed on the windshield wipers, attempting to have a clear view ahead for more than two seconds at a time.

Between the solid curtain of rain and the overcast skies, it was almost dark enough to be nighttime instead of afternoon. The headlights did little to make the road more visible. The tires kept slipping on the wet pavement, forcing her to maintain an agonizingly slow speed.

Ever since her transfer last year, Juliet had been hoping for a chance like this — where she could be placed in charge of an investigation and really prove her value as not only a member of the force, but as a detective. She was younger than most of her peers, having been a patrol officer for only a year before taking her DET, and transferring to Santa Barbara immediately after her promotion to detective. But this was certainly not how she would have preferred this opportunity to happen.

A terrible storm front hit the coast late last night and only seemed to be increasing in intensity with each passing hour. The SBPD was stretched thin, responding to emergency calls that ranged from people trapped in their cars to looters taking advantage of the almost city-wide power outages.

“Ever notice how these candy bars never seem to have just the right balance between flavors?”

Juliet ignored the random comment, too preoccupied with watching the road. And worried about their current reason for being out here.

A young married couple had arrived at the station only an hour ago to report their young daughter, Georgia, as missing. Apparently she had a tendency to wander off and her parents were scared that she may have gotten caught out in the storm. They were terrified that she could be injured or lost.

With Chief Vick out of town this week, Lassiter was tied up at the station, overseeing the various rescue teams and coordinating their joint efforts with the fire department. When this missing persons case came up, it was too urgent to wait for the more experienced officers to be available. Lassiter didn't show any signs of hesitation as he called on Juliet to take point on this search party. She could only hope now that she lived up to that trust he seemed to have in her.

“I mean, they always seem to have either too much caramel or too much chocolate. Or too much mint. Or not enough of any of those. Why is that so hard to get right?”

Hands gripping the wheel a bit tighter, Juliet continued to ignore the running commentary from the passenger seat. After all, it had been her idea to bring their consultant along on this search. She was hoping his psychic senses could help them find Georgia before anything happened to her.

Shawn Spencer was still a bit of an enigma to her. In the year they'd known each other, every time Juliet managed to form an opinion of him, he'd do something to change that opinion again. One minute, he could be offering surprising insight on the world from his unique perspective, then the next minute he'd be gluing Lassiter's phone to his desk.

From a strictly professional standpoint, Juliet appreciated how his gift was able to help them solve cases — often able to catch the criminals before even more harm could be done. And from a more personal perspective... well, she really wasn't sure yet.

He was a loyal friend and his quirky sense of humor could liven up the station when they needed it most. And, while Lassiter was frequently annoyed by Shawn's overt flirting, she really didn't mind it. Having frequently wrestled with her three brothers while growing up, Juliet knew how to discourage any truly unwanted attention. But Shawn seemed harmless enough, and his teasing often cheered her up when she was having a really bad day. The fact that he was funny and cute didn't hurt either — but that wasn't something Juliet ever planned to admit out loud.

There were days, though, when his humor wasn't as appreciated. Days when she wondered how he could seem so unconcerned with the tragedies and horrors attached to their job. Days like today.

“I don't see how they can possibly call this a 'fun size' bar.” He crumpled his wrapper, pitching it into the cup holder. “There is nothing fun about a candy bar that's even smaller than the Tasmanian Devil’s vocabulary.”

Biting down her frustration — and recognizing that it was probably the result of her own nervousness rather than his actual words — Juliet attempted to bring his attention back to their current problem. “Shawn, I have to keep an eye on the road, so if you could—”

“Hold up, Jules!” he exclaimed suddenly, staring out the window with more alertness than he'd been showing so far. “Stop the car!”

Resisting the automatic reaction of hitting the brakes, Juliet eased off the gas and pulled over to the narrow shoulder. “What is it?”

His eyes were locked out the window, obviously seeing something she couldn't. All she saw was trees and deep pools of rainwater.

“I think I've got something.” His finger came up to his temple in a gesture that had become second nature. “She went into that treeline over there. At least, some child did. And recently.”

Regardless of whether it was Georgia or not, they couldn't let a child wander around alone in these conditions. Juliet radioed her situation and then turned off the engine. She passed a poncho to Shawn before pulling one on herself. Tugging the hood into place, she grabbed an emergency light and stepped out of the car.

The wind pummeled them as they struggled their way to the treeline. Once there, Shawn scanned the ground again before taking off into the brush, Juliet scrambling to catch up before he could disappear. They came through on the opposite side of the trees and Shawn pointed down towards the far end of the row.

“If we follow the treeline down, we should find them!” He yelled to her.

The rain was pounding down so hard, she could barely hear him over the noise. Sending him a quick nod of approval, she motioned for them to start moving. They spaced themselves a few yards apart — enough to cover more ground, but not enough to lose sight of each other.

Wiping her hand over her eyes, she tried to clear her vision enough to see… well, anything. The thick curtain of water obscured everything not immediately in front of her.

A startled yelp rang out from a few yards to her left. It was followed by a shouted warning, “Jules, stop walking!”

Quickly pulling herself to a halt, Juliet squinted into the darkness, trying to see what the problem was. The noise of the wind and rain had now been joined by a deafening sound that was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

“What's wrong?” she called back.

“Head this way. But watch your step!”

Juliet carefully picked her way across the uneven ground until she could see him. That was when the problem became apparent. Directly in front of them was a steep bank leading down into a creek. The water had risen almost to the top and was moving so fast it could easily drag a person away in seconds. Large chunks of debris raced by, pulled along by the current. It was also the source of the rushing sound she’d been hearing.

Shawn was perched on the edge of the bank, leaning over with his flashlight in hand. The ground under him was heavily waterlogged and beginning to crumble.

“Shawn, take a few steps back!” Juliet yelled to him, trying to be heard over the roar of the creek. “That bank's not safe.”

He shook his head, motioning downward.

Carefully, she inched her way forward. Stopping a couple feet behind him, trying to keep to at least slightly more solid ground, she grabbed his shoulder and peered over the edge.

Sitting on a ledge a few feet down the bank was a little girl. She was curled up, hugging her arms around herself, and looked terrified. The water level was almost at her spot.

“Oh my…” Juliet gasped quietly. Her heart sank as she realized they might not be able to get help in time. With how fast the creek was rising…

“Jules, take the flashlight,” Shawn said, passing her the light. He peeled off his poncho and set that on the ground beside his phone and keys.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“Don't worry, scaling cliffs is way easier than it looks. I've watched The Princess Bride at least a hundred times. This should be a snap.”

She grabbed his arm, stopping him before he could step over the edge. “Shawn, you can't go down there. The bank is too unstable, and we don't even have a rope to use as a safety line. We need to radio for backup.”

“Jules, there's no way they can make it before the water gets too high. We can't just sit here and do nothing.”

She agreed with him on a purely emotional level, but she knew that there was little chance of getting down to the girl safely, and then having to carry her back up again. But they couldn’t stand by and watch an innocent child drown while they played it safe, could they?

Nodding reluctantly, trying to swallow down her panic, Juliet stepped forward. “Okay, but I’m going down. You’re a civilian, and I can’t be responsible for something happening to you on my watch.”

“Normally, I would love to pass on this opportunity,” Shawn said, readjusting his position on the quickly eroding bank. “But I’m guessing you haven’t done much rock climbing before. Especially free-hand climbing.”

Juliet crossed her arms. “And you have?” she challenged.

“Actually, yes. I worked as a rock-climbing guide in Vancouver for two summers.”

That took her by surprise. She’d heard him and Gus refer to his extensive job history on occasion, but she didn’t know many details about his life from before the Psych agency opened. For someone who talked all the time, Shawn rarely said anything truly revealing. At least, not when it came to talking about himself.

As much as she hated to send him down alone, Juliet had to concede his point that she knew nothing about climbing. “Okay, but be careful.”

“Just hold the light steady and warn me of any changes in the current.”

He took a steadying breath, clenching his hands a moment too late to keep Juliet from seeing the shake in them. Then he was over the edge and out of sight.

Holding the light as steady as she could, Juliet tried to keep the beam focused on the frightened child below. “Hold still!” she called down to her. “We’re coming to get you out, but you have to hold still. Okay?” There was no response, and she could only hope the girl followed her instructions.

Shawn finally made it far enough down the bank for him to be in view again. He was struggling to keep a firm hold on the crumbling mud under his hands. His sneakered feet slipped several times and Juliet was sure he was going to end up in the water. Somehow, he managed to reach the ledge without falling. Her hand shook slightly in relief. It wasn’t over, though, she knew. He still needed to make it back up.

There was a brief pause as he leaned down to speak with the girl. Juliet couldn’t hear their conversation over the sound of the water and wind, but whatever he said must have worked. She wrapped her tiny arms around his neck, settling in against his chest. Shawn wrapped her legs around his waist for additional support, and then used his jacket to tie her in place. A moment later, he was once again clawing through mud and rock on his way back to the top.

Juliet reached down to grab his arm as soon as he was close enough. He accepted it gratefully and she helped pull him the rest of the way onto solid ground.

Shawn smiled down at the girl still clinging to him. “Jules, meet Georgia. Georgia, this is Juliet; she’s a cop and is going to get us someplace dry.”

Crouching down beside them, Juliet gave the child a reassuring smile. “Georgia, your parents are waiting for you. We’re going to take you to them, okay?”

She nodded, her eyes wide and terrified. Knowing they probably wouldn’t be able to coax a verbal response from her, Juliet returned the nod and dragged herself upright again. Shawn looked soaked and exhausted from the climb, but they couldn’t afford to rest with the creek still on the rise.

“We should get back to the car,” she told them. Grabbing up the discarded poncho, Juliet wrapped it around Georgia, pulling the hood over her head to keep her from getting any more wet. “We can stick to the treeline to help block from the wind.”

Still gasping in tired breaths, Shawn only managed a thumbs up. Juliet pulled him back to his feet and they took off in what she hoped was the direction of the road.

They moved as quickly as possible, which really wasn't that fast at all. Poor visibility and soggy ground made it too dangerous to run all out. The wind wasn't making it easy, either, pushing back at them so hard Juliet found it difficult to breathe. Shawn wrapped the poncho tighter around Georgia, pulling part of it over her head to keep her as dry as possible. Juliet continued guiding them with her flashlight. She continuously checked for familiar landmarks, to make sure they wouldn't get too far off track, but it was hard to see anything between the dark and the rain.

Finally, the beam from her light reflected off a windshield up ahead. Even if it wasn't their car, the owner could at least give them a ride back to the station.

They put on a final burst of speed and pulled up beside the car. With a rush of relief, Juliet was able to confirm that it was the police car they'd driven here in. She yanked open the back door and held it for Shawn to climb in. Slamming the door shut, Juliet ran around to the driver's side and collapsed into the seat.

Inside, the noise of the storm was somewhat muffled, but the rain pounding onto the car's metal roof still kept it from being peaceful.

Juliet turned on the ignition so she could get the vehicle's heating system going. She radioed the station, letting them know the girl was safe and that they'd be heading back soon. Once that was done, she finally turned her attention on her two passengers.

In the back seat, Shawn had Georgia snuggled down on one of the seats with an emergency blanket wrapped around her. The wet poncho had been discarded on the floor. In his own seat, Shawn was completely soaked and dripping water everywhere. Between that and the mud coating him, he looked a complete mess.

“We’re going to have a hard time driving back in this rain,” Juliet commented as she turned to look out the windshield again.

The storm was still so heavy, she could barely make out the road ahead of them. Turning on her headlights did nothing to pierce the gloom. As much as she wanted to get Georgia someplace safe and warm, she was concerned about the risk of driving in these conditions. Worry gnawed at Juliet as she debated the best option here. Driving was too dangerous, but the little girl in her back seat was terrified and needed her parents.

“If we wait a few more minutes, the car should be able to float all the way back to the station,” Shawn quipped. “Would save on gas, too.”

Juliet frowned. While she normally found his jokes amusing, this certainly wasn't the right time for them. And she’d tried to be patient with him so far today, but this was a serious situation and she wished he could show some genuine concern. She had just opened her mouth to tell him so when a quiet giggle erupted from their smallest passenger.

Looking over her shoulder, Juliet was surprised to see that Shawn hadn't been talking to her at all. He was turned sideways on the seat, crouched down so he was closer to Georgia's eye level. Despite shivering hard and still dripping water on his seat, he had a carefree grin on his face as he chatted with his companion. On the other end of the bench, the girl still looked scared and miserable, but there was the barest hint of a smile on her lips.

“My friend's car would be so much better for this,” Shawn continued. “It's so tiny, I bet it'd have no problems floating. Might get swept down a storm drain, though. Actually, the person best equipped for this situation would be my dad. Never tell him I said this, but his boat obsession would have really paid off today.”

The girl readjusted her blanket slightly, her face peeking out a bit more. “I don't like boats,” she muttered softly.

Shawn's nose wrinkled in disgust. “Yeah, me either. I was once trapped on a leaky fishing boat for five hours when I wasn't much older than you. Now that's gotta be some kind of child abuse. Didn't even catch any fish. Or the shark I was hoping for. I did find some buried treasure, though, so it wasn't a complete waste. Well, not treasure, exactly, but close enough. And I got a pet cat out of the adventure.”

He paused his bizarre rambling for a moment, and Georgia took the opportunity to put in her own thoughts. “I have a cat. I like cats.”

His grin widened. “Oh, I love cats! A cat once helped me solve a murder investigation. His name was Little Boy Cat, although I heard he now goes by Cassy. You wanna hear the story?”

The girl's enthusiastic nod was all the encouragement he needed before launching into his tale. While he embellished certain parts of the story, Juliet was impressed with how many of the details he was able to remember with perfect accuracy. Especially considering that case was over a year ago.

As the storm continued to pummel their little shelter, Shawn moved smoothly from one story to another. Some were retellings of cases they'd solved, most were from his years traveling around the world, and a rare few were from his childhood. At some point during the third or fourth tale, Georgia scooted over to snuggle in against his side, using her blanket to keep from getting too wet off of him.

Juliet also found herself getting caught up in the wide variety of adventures he'd had. It was a fascinating peek at some of the puzzle pieces that went into making the psychic she had befriended. She couldn't help being curious as to how much of each story was real and how much was his own creation.

Eventually, the rain slacked off enough for Juliet to drive them back to the station. As soon as they arrived, Georgia's parents snatched up their girl, tearfully thanking them for returning her safe and sound.

Lassiter greeted Juliet to congratulate her on a job well done and offer her the rest of the night off. It was an offer she eagerly accepted. Right now, the only thing she wanted was a warm shower and a mug of cocoa.

Swinging by the bullpen on her way out, Juliet stopped short at the sight of Shawn. He was slumped into a chair beside her desk, looking half asleep. He was still muddy and soaking wet, although he had a towel in one hand and had apparently been attempting to dry off. A styrofoam cup of something steamy sat beside him on the desk.

“Shawn,” she said, walking up beside him. He startled back to full consciousness at the sound of her voice. “Sorry. Why don't you go home? The storm seems to be letting up a bit and I doubt anything else will come up tonight.”

He glanced at the officers still working around the station, obviously debating the option. “Sure they've got everything under control?” he asked, a hopeful tone to his voice.

“I'm sure,” Juliet assured him. “At least, anything that could possibly need a psychic. Go get dry and warm before you catch pneumonia.”

He nodded tiredly and dragged himself out of the chair. “Night, Jules,” he said, half obscured by a yawn, as he walked toward the door.

A beat passed before Juliet called after him, “Hey, Shawn.”

Pausing, he glanced back at her, one eyebrow raised questioningly.

“That was really great what you did for Georgia back there. I mean, keeping her distracted in the car. Helping keep all of us from worrying. It was very sweet.”

A tired smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. It was so much more genuine than the grin he usually wore; it felt somehow warmer and softer.

“I was just talking, Jules,” he said with a shrug. “It's kind of my specialty.”

Juliet waited until he walked away before she returned the smile. “Yeah,” she agreed quietly. “Yes, it is.”

#psych #psych fanfic #bthb #shules #my fanfics