Authors Note: First of all – here's the disclaimer. I don't own any of these characters; I do however own the first two seasons on DVD, and a rather long favourites list on youtube of all my favourite fan made Psych MV's.

Also, I was so happy to see how many people added this story to their story alert list after only 24 hours. Therefore I have for you all – chapter 2! Yes, Chapter 2 starts a little heavy, and pretty damn OOC but I promise we'll be closer to happier Shawn near the end.

Monkey Shirts

Words – escaped Shawn. He had no idea where he was at that very moment. White seemed to surround him from all around and every step he took made an eerie echo.

"Huh…" Shawn said to himself "I'd say the line about Kansas and Toto– but Gus isn't here."

Which was weird because Gus was usually somewhere close by, just not this time Shawn was starting to feel a little freaked out.

"Hello?" He called out hesitantly "Anyone around?"

When no one answered, Shawn had to assume he was alone – so he did what he thought anyone else would do in this weird situation. He started walking; for how long? He didn't know. It wasn't until he heard familiar voices did he stop.

"You're sure about this?"

The first voice he recognized was Chief Vicks.

"Chief!" Shawn called out "Its Shawn-y! Hey!" But there was no answer.

"Positive" – that next voice was Juliet's.

"Jules!" Shawn tried – but nothing "Over here!"

The Chief's voice again "Alright – then we have no choice, Lassiter you and O'Hara hit the road I'm issuing a warrant for Mr. Spencer's arrest."

Shawn wasn't expecting that.

"Oh no…." That couldn't be good, arrest him for what?

"Perfect!" Lassie's voice then – he sounded way too excited.

"I've wanted to cuff that lying son of a bitch the first moment he set foot on police territory!"

Oh yeah – that.

This couldn't be happening – was this really happening?

"What about Gus?" Shawn heard Juliet ask.

"We bring him in for questioning" Chief responded "There's a chance he was as clueless as we were – but don't bring them in together."

He didn't hear anything then, silence leaving Shawn terrified. His secret was out – they were coming to get him. At this point he had compromised so much, taken so much money – he was looking at life.

Lassie appeared then, and he looked downright pissed. Shawn couldn't help it, he was terrified – there was no where to run, this eternal whiteness made it impossible to hide, and Lassie had a gun.

"Lassie!" Shawn started pleading "Please hear me out!"

"Enlighten me" Lassie spit "They'll be your last words so talk fast." He started loading his gun.

"Why don't you tell me why you did it Spencer? Why don't you finally let someone into that pretty little head of yours" Lassie aimed the gun.

Shawn's throat was dry – Lassie was going to kill him, actually kill him. He was going to die in this strange singular coloured universe.

"Why'd you do it!" Lassiter barked. Shawn started to back up slowly, holding his hands up at chest level and taking deep breathes – anything to keep from freaking out.

"I -…I don't know..." Shawn pleaded. Lassiter fired, the shot ringing off over Shawn's head making him cry out in a fright.

"Try again." Lassiter ordered "Or I won't miss next time – full confession. Now."

"Lassie – I" he didn't want Lassie to know why, he never even told Gus why – the only person who might have an idea as to why was his dad – but after this, he wouldn't even have his dad anymore.

"Now. Spencer." Lassiter wasn't playing.

Shawn bit his lip, he was going to die anyway – he didn't have a choice.

"I was young, stupid, and angry." Shawn confessed.

"I knew that if I was formally charged I could never be accepted into a police academy – it was perfect. I stole my dad's car that night on purpose – knowing that he'd never handle anything like that in the privacy of our own house. Then he'd finally stop bugging me to be a cop….."

"But then you became a fraud a 'psychic,' started your own company" Lassiter snarked then "Owning your own P.I isn't much of a difference Spencer – did you find out too little too late that being a cop is what you actually wanted? Is that it?" He took a step towards Shawn, gun still aimed.

"Yes and no" Shawn fumbled over his words – he was spilling his whole secret to Lassiter – Lassiter who was about to kill him.

"I realized my dad was right, he never wanted to force me into anything – he just knew what my gifts were and exercised them daily. He knew me too well, knowing long before I ever did I'd be one of the best cops in the country…..only I screwed up, I didn't see it in time. Psych was just – a front, a cover, and a new way of earning my father's pride. That's it I swear!"

"Idiot!" Lassiter hollered "Do you have any idea how much money the department wasted on you? How many cases are now compromised because of your lies!"

"I do, I do know!" Shawn said, his knees were getting weak.

"It was selfish, and I deserve to go to jail – but not this, please Carlton don't kill me!"

"That's Detective Lassiter to you!" Lassiter insisted "Remember that when I see you in hell!" He pulled the trigger.

"LASSIE NO!"

Shawn screamed that last bit out loud and as loud as he could when he shot straight up from his bed. The dream still had him in a state of shock – and he didn't notice that he was connected to a few tubes that were now stretched thin from how far he had sat up. He also didn't notice the machines that surrounded him beeping like crazy, and though he did sort of notice the last detail he refused to notice it, strong hands grabbing hold of both of his arms trying to get him to lie back down.

"Lassie please don't shoot!" He hollered this over and over, again.

As for the real Lassiter, he had come to the hospital straight from work that day. He had been visiting every day for the past two weeks. As had everyone else who knew/worked with Shawn. He was rushed to the hospital passed out and running a fever of 105 – it was a dangerous situation. Lassiter and O'Hara had followed in his cruiser – Lassiter having flashed his lights to get through every damn intersection with out interruption. He didn't get to see Shawn at all; he had parked beside the ambulance and ran from his car just in time to see Shawn's stretcher being rushed passed Staff doors. He had to wait with everyone else. Gus had ridden in with the Chief and Henry had shown up not 20 minutes later, looking just as sick and helpless as Lassiter felt. The two men could only regard each other with small nods.

8 Hours. They were in that waiting room for 8 goddamn hours waiting on word. Finally, FINALLY a doctor had come out from behind the doors calling for Spencer. The group had assembled in record time, Lassiter, Henry and Gus crowding to be closest to the doctor.

"What happened to my son?" Henry finally managed to get out.

"Appendicitis" the Doctor said, and Lassiter physically relaxed. "So he's going to be okay then? Appendectomies are an everyday procedure here aren't they Doctor?"

"Yes" The Doctor confirmed "but it wasn't easy…I'm afraid…"

"Afraid what?" Gus said.

"Well, by the time we got him onto the operating table, he was already gone pretty deep. His appendix had already burst and infection was spreading. We had to perform an emergency appendectomy – he flat lined twice on the table."

Silence fell about the group – was Shawn dead? There was a moment where Lassiter almost believed it, he could feel his chest drop and he just….just couldn't….

"We managed to finish the surgery and stabilize him" The doctor finished.

Oh thank god! Lassiter started to breathe again.

"When can we see him?" Juliet asked lightly, and the doctor sighed a bit.

"Well, we moved him into ICU for now – for observation, and mainly because... Well after the infection spread I had to prescribe an anti biotic. They seem to be working but unfortunately Shawn hasn't woken up yet. We don't know exactly when he will."

Shawn was comatose, the only good news being that he was breathing on his own. Meaning that he would wake up, when still being the question that had everyone worried.

That was two weeks ago – at first everyone had stuck around for as long as possible. But eventually the real world had come back; Juliet and Lassiter had cases to solve. Gus had another job to go to, and Henry…well even though he wanted to, he couldn't spend every hour in the hospital alone staring at an unresponsive son. He was there from sunrise-sunset everyday, but at the night he was told by Shawn's doctor to sleep in his own bed.

So when Shawn came through early one morning, screaming "Lassie please don't shoot" over and over again Lassiter had been in the room with him alone. The doctor had said Shawn might experience some hallucinations – but the words "Lassie please don't shoot" had been the last Lassiter had expected to hear. Lassiter shook it off quickly enough though and had shot up and grabbed Shawn's arms trying to push him back down – to calm him.

"Spencer I'm not shooting you, I'm helping you now snap out of it!"

Lassiter was pretty sure that if there was a right way to handle this situation – yelling at Spencer wasn't it. Though at that moment he really didn't care, and he doubted Shawn did either. Shawn surprisingly relaxed quite quickly, his breathing returning to normal as he finally managed to realize that whatever he was going through before wasn't real.

"L…lassie" Shawn managed to get out "Wh-what happened? Where am I?"

Lassie was stunned, in this state Spencer's voice sounded so – small, and lost. He actually found himself refusing to let go of Spencer's arms. He didn't want to, he needed to protect him. He couldn't let go.

"Lassie…you're hurting me."

Oh but he had to, looking embarrassed Lassiter let out gruff "erm-sorry" and released Shawn's arms. He went back to sit in his own chair.

"You're in the hospital Spencer."

"I realize this now" Shawn murmured out "but – why? Was I shot?"

"No" Lassiter said "Appendicitis – Spencer, the Dr said you probably had the symptoms for days. Do you remember feeling sick?"

Shawn strained his memory – it came back to him in pieces; the case, the vomiting, the lying…

"I thought it was just the flu" Shawn said weakly "Appendicitis?"

"Well, it started as Appendicitis – but your appendix burst. Probably when Guster elbowed you at the station"

"Oh…" Shawn said "That's dangerous.."

"Just dangerous?" Lassiter said heatedly "Spencer you almost died!"

"I'm sorry Lassie" Shawn actually managed to sink further into the mattress. Lassiter calmed immediately.

"How long was I out?" Shawn asked "1 – 3 days?"

"More like two weeks" Lassiter said.

"Oh" Shawn blushed.

"Why didn't you tell anyone you were feeling sick?" Lassiter asked.

"I was already on the case" Shawn said "I couldn't – wouldn't, Lassie you understand don't you? I had to finish it."

Yeah Lassiter understood, he was the same way.

"I don't give you enough credit Spencer" Lassiter thought maybe complimenting him would make him feel better "so for what's it worth. You would've been a damn good cop."

Shawn smiled, and then unexpectedly started to laugh.

"No." He said "No I wouldn't have – there're too many damn rules to follow."

Then – something amazing happened. They both laughed.

It was a strange moment in time so Lassiter refused to let anyone else know about it. It was odd how determined he was to keep this moment just between them.

So later on, the others had been called and soon they were all around Shawn's bed fussing over him. Lassiter slipped into the back round, not saying a single word. He let everyone else do the talking for him. They were all there, all but Chief Vick who had

"We were all so worried" Juliet said "Shawn you really scared us."

"Sorry Jules" Shawn responded "I wasn't trying to, I promise."

"I knew!" Gus had said "I knew from the moment Lassie beat you at that case, dude you should've said something!"

"In my defence" Shawn was starting to sound tired "I didn't think it was appendicitis."

"I believe you Shawn" Henry said "I talked to your doctor; he suggested you stay with someone while you recover. He figured someone more responsible would be best, someone who will actually make you take your medication."

"Dad" Shawn said "Are you trying to get me to come and stay with you?"

"It wouldn't be so bad" Henry said "It's not like we haven't lived together before."

"Dad I'm touched, really" Shawn said "But…I kind of – if I have to stay with anyone…"

"Alright Shawn I'll take you in" Gus finished, and Shawn looked down at his chest.

"No, Gus sorry – I….I really think I'd rather stay with Lassie."

"Lassiter?" Everyone in the room looked perplexed, even Lassiter quirked a curious brow.

"Me?" Lassiter asked, and Shawn nodded.

"You were here when I woke up – not that I blame anyone, but I'd rather stay with you. Keep me close to cases – can't do that at my dad's, or Gus' not while he's at work at least."

"Shawn you really shouldn't be trying to work while recovering" Juliet said "It could stunt the process."

"I'll be fine" Shawn insisted "Guys – please."

For two days Shawn had argued, begged, and compromised to get his way. Soon it wasn't just Shawn thinking that he should stay with Lassiter, Lassiter was agreeing that Shawn should stay with Lassiter.

"Okay fine!" Henry finally stammered, "Just fine Shawn!"

"Its nothing personal dad" Shawn said "I promise, I'm on a strict diet – and Lassie already lives off half these old man foods. If you had made steak for yourself, you know me -I wouldn't be able to resist."

He had a point.

"Okay" Henry said a little softer.

Finally, everyone was on board with Shawn staying with Lassiter –ever Lassiter though he couldn't exactly figure out why.

"Shawn" Juliet piped in as they all left the hospital "Why don't you make a list of stuff you'll need from your apartment, and Gus and I will go and grab it."

"Sounds great" Shawn said – he sounded better then he had two days ago, "So then we'll all just meet up at Lassie's place?"

"Wait…" Lassie said "Spencer's riding with me?"

"We're roommates now Lassie, might as well!" Shawn sounded way too happy about this.

Lassiter grumbled – why did he agree to this?

The ride back to his house with Spencer was odd, Spencer's doctor had warned him he'd be up and down – but Lassiter wasn't quite expecting this. One second Spencer wouldn't shut the hell up, talking as if he had never been sick and then the next? Complete silence, Shawn just…staring out the window deep in thought and unresponsive. Lassiter didn't want to admit it, but he liked talking Spencer better.

"So Spencer – what exactly was on that list you gave O'Hara and Guster? What do I need to make room for?" Lassiter asked as they pulled into the drive way.

"Not much" Shawn said "My Pj's, Clothes, A few of my CD's, Toiletries, My juicer."

Lassiter stopped and turned to face Shawn for a second.

"Your juicer?" Lassiter repeated in disbelief.

"- Yeah." Shawn said "I talked it over with my Doctor, he said freshly squeezed juice was fine. P.S we're buying so many pineapples later."

The two had reached Lassiter's door then and Lassiter was unlocking it.

"I have a juicer Spencer" he said.

"I like mine." Shawn defended.

"What are you ten?" Lassiter had to ask "It's a juicer Spencer, we probably have the same brand."

Shawn actually laughed at that, and Lassiter was suddenly nervous.

"Oh" Shawn said "I doubt it."

Lassiter really didn't like the sound of that.

As soon as they were inside, Shawn landed on Lassiter's couch with a thud, and snuggled right into it.

"This couch is like – a thousand clouds waiting to wish me away…..Lassie I approve! This couch is perfect for sleeping on."

"I have a guest room Spencer" Lassiter said,

"Out of the question" Shawn said immediately.

"Why the hell not?" Lassiter asked.

"When I'm sick, I like to sleep on couches. Couches have magical healing powers – don't you remember being a kid Lassie? Being sick, and on the couch? Mom would come in with a big bowl of soup drugged with Tylenol and conveniently by the weekend you'd be good as new."

"I always slept in my own bed" Lassiter said "and my mother never drugged me."

"Don't be so sure," Shawn said in an eerie voice.

Lassiter frowned – smart ass.

"You couldn't have slept on the couch all the time when sick."

"Well" Shawn said thoughtfully "Sometimes, but only sometimes. My mom would kick my dad to the couch when I was sick and I'd get to snuggle with her." Shawn grinned.

"How about it Lassie?" Shawn asked "Care to snuggle?"

Yes. – Wait? What? Where the hell did that come from?

"No." Lassiter said.

Shawn blinked – he for sure heard Lassie say no, but Lassie hadn't said it right away. He had paused and glanced away, like he actually had to think about it. Shawn wanted to argue; to see if he was right about that detail but a knock on the door signalled Jules' and Gus' arrival.

"Open up!" Gus voice was muffled from behind the door "this thing is heavy!"

What thing? What on earth did Spencer do?

Lassiter turned to Spencer to ask what the hell Guster was talking about, but Spencer had flipped again to quiet, staring at his shoes. Sighing then, Lassiter opened the door.

"You've got to be kidding me" Lassiter grumbled, Gus was holding on to a giant plastic monkey with an engorged penis. At first glance Lassiter thought that maybe it was just a very crude piece of decoration, but then he spotted the electrical cord wrapped around the monkey's legs.

"Is that…" Lassiter stumbled over his words cautiously "I mean, that better not be-"

"Shawn's juicer" Gus finished for him.

"Good god no" Lassiter sighed as Gus slipped inside and started looking for a place to put the thing.

"No, no! Spencer absolutely not!" Lassiter said then turning to Shawn "Spencer that thing is not going in my!" Lassiter couldn't get it out though. Shawn had curled up and had fallen straight to sleep, head hiding in the crook of his elbow.

"God dammit Spencer" Lassiter breathed to himself.

"Argue with him later" Gus said. Lassiter didn't say anything else, just moved onto to greet Juliet who was now coming in with a few of Sean's bags.

"Shawn is the most specific man with it comes to clothes" Juliet said once she dropped the bags in a heap near the door. She then showed Lassiter the list.

*Superman T-shirt, red plaid button up, jeans with knee hole in the left leg, Pac man boxers –

"My dad's old uniform shirt" Lassiter had read the last one out loud, Juliet on cue had found the old police shirt and held it up for inspection. It was faded, oversized, and had seen better days.

"What the hell does he need that for?" Lassiter was confused.

"Comfort" Gus suggested.

"Probably right" Juliet agreed.

"I thought that stupid juicer was for comfort!" Lassiter argued.

"No" said Gus "His dad's old shirt is comfort. The juicer's just Shawn."

Juliet stifled a giggle. Lassiter groaned.

That's it, he was going to die. Taking care of Spencer was going to kill him.