A/N: Hello, all! I decided to start a multichapter Shassie fic. There's a few reasons for this: namely, I wanted to explore Lassiter's character through his interaction with others on a personal basis, as well as his relationships with many of the key players. Unfortunately, Gus isn't in here – I really wanted to have Buzz, and I have specific ideas for each of these characters, so some sacrifices had to be made.

As for this chapter: it's really just an introduction, so not a lot happens until the next one. I hope you enjoy it, though I promise the next one will be more interesting.

Disclaimer: I do not own Psych, or any movies/songs referenced later on. If it's copyright, it's not mine.

Ten Days of Lassie

"Chief, I just don't think this is a good idea," Lassiter complained as Henry's truck pulled out of the parking lot of the SBPD at four in the morning. He fiddled with his keys, not wanting to open the Crown Vic and have everyone's dirty shoes trample on the carpet. "Doesn't it seem like they're asking too much of us?"

"They're just asking for us to be civil," Karen sighed. "If that's too much for you, we're going to have some very serious problems."

"And none of us have been getting along well lately," Juliet added.

Lassiter rolled his eyes, but didn't disagree. It was true – after the end of the Yin case, those involved had all taken to snapping at each other daily. After Henry and Karen had gotten into a screaming match so brutal that it ended in a full-blown brawl involving the two of them, Lassiter, Juliet, Shawn, and a very unfortunate Buzz, it was decided by the human resources department that action must be taken beyond the counseling that had already been offered.

"Still, cabins in the woods?" Lassiter grumbled, sliding behind the wheel of his prized car.

"It does seem a little bit excessive," Juliet agreed from the backseat. "And I don't understand why we have to spend two days with each person separately. It seems like a big waste of time."

"Some of us need to learn how to deal with certain people on a one-on-one basis," Karen said. Lassiter tried to pretend she wasn't looking pointedly at him.

Buzz shrugged. "As long as it'll help everyone get along, I'm all for it," he said, sounding surprisingly cheerful for someone who would be away from his wife for a full ten days. "Besides, we've been really slow at the office lately, and we've got plenty of great people to cover for us. It'll be like a vacation!"

"If you spend your vacations doing teambuilding exercises with people you hate, then sure, it's just a long vacation," Lassiter said sarcastically, stepping a little harder than necessary on the gas.

"Other than Spencer, who here do you hate?" Karen asked, frowning.

Lassiter decided that nothing good could come from answering, so he just requested that they ride in silence and glared daggers at Buzz every time the younger cop reached for the radio.

It was barely dawn when they glided to a stop in front of a small building at the edge of a forest. "Hey there, everybody!" a perky blonde park ranger squeaked as Lassiter struggled to wake up a snoring Buzz. Karen grumbled something about it being far too early in the morning for this crap, and Juliet half-fell out of the car. Henry and Shawn were already standing on the front porch. Henry was holding onto the back of his son's shirt, keeping the barely-conscious young man standing.

The park ranger shook everyone's hand with a smile so wide Lassiter's face hurt to look at it. "So, I guess you guys know the drill. You will spend two days and nights with each individual here to work on your teambuilding skills in one of three cabins. There will be no television, computer, or cell phone usage. Every other morning, one person will be escorted to a new cabin while the other waits for someone else to arrive. You will not know who the next person you will be rooming with until the morning of the move. Any questions?"

Yes, Lassiter thought. What the hell are you doped up on that's making you this happy at six in the morning?

"I think we all understand what we're doing," Karen sighed, running a hand over her face. "Can we just get settled in? I want to get at least a few hours of sleep."

The girl's smile faltered briefly before she squealed, "All righty, then! Come with me!"

Three golf carts (all manned by a driver who seemed just as manically happy as the ranger) were packed with luggage and the first round of roommates was assigned.

"We're going to put you with whoever we believe you are most comfortable with," the ranger explained. "For the first two days, the groups will be Shawn and Henry, Karen and Buzz, and Juliet and Carlton."

Lassiter felt his gut unclench, and he turned to smile at his partner, only to find her looking slightly horrified.

Lassiter slumped in his seat as they drove toward the cabin, watching depression slide steadily over Juliet's features. This is going to be the worst week and a half of my life.

Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated. :D