Rituale Romanum

A Supernatural/Psych Crossover

Pairings: Shassie, Dean/Castiel, Gabriel/Sam

Spoilers:

PSYCH: None really, probably just some vague references to former cases or Shawn's accidents.

SUPERNATURAL: Plot wise, probably none. As long as you know the gist and that Castiel and Gabriel are angels, you should be fine.

Summary: There are some things no one knows about Shawn Spencer, like how he knows for a fact that monsters exist. So when Dean Winchester shows up in Santa Barbara, without his brother, Shawn knows something horrible is in the air.

Chapter One

Shawn paused on his way to Lassiter's desk when his eyes caught sight of a familiar laptop next to Juliet's computer. He took a quick look around to ensure no one was paying attention before turning casually and sliding into her chair. The laptop was a shiny silver color with an intricate and swirly black design on the lid. He ran his hands over the sleek surface and frowned before tilting the computer up to peer at one corner, eyes easily picking out the dent that he knew would be there. He carefully set it back and rubbed the back of his hand across his mouth, a sick feeling pooling in his stomach.

This computer was, without a doubt, Sam Winchester's, which meant that something was horribly wrong because Sam never went anywhere without his laptop. He practically slept with the thing. Something happened to the brothers but what was Sam's computer doing here? Did this have something to do with the case the Chief wanted him to work on?

He thought back to the last time he talked to either of them and remembered that Sam had called him once to break the news that Dean had died. Even knowing the other hunter was now alive and mostly well didn't stop the faint pain Shawn still felt every time he thought of Dean's death. About three months later Sam had called him back with the unbelievable news that Dean had come back from Hell. Sam confided that his older brother was deeply traumatized by his experience at Hell and he had no idea what to do to help. Shawn had little to offer besides his ears but luckily that seemed enough for both the hunters.

The last call he'd received was from Dean and he had been filled in to the Winchester's adventures, which he would never have believed if he didn't know for a fact Dean wasn't crazy. He recalled the latest disturbing factoid that Dean had let him in on: angels existed.

Apparently Dean had found out that it was an angel named Castiel that had pulled him out of Hell and that the angels expected Dean to stop the Apocalypse.

As in the actual Apocalypse, the releasing of demons and damnation of the whole world kind of Apocalypse. Talk about pressure to perform.

Oh, and not to mention but supposedly Sam was actually a half-demon and now had these powers to mentally exorcize other demons and send them permanently to Hell, along with other random, non-human things.

Those two were such a pair and drama followed them more then it did Shawn, which really said volumes.

Shawn's phone rang then, startling him and he fumbled for the little green cell, pausing when a unfamiliar number flashed on his screen. Finally, he pressed 'talk' and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Shawn? Shawn Spencer?"

"Yes, who is this?"

"It's Dean."

Shawn exhaled forcibly, chest loosening slightly in relief. "Oh, thank God."

"What? Why? You sound worried."

"That's because I'm sitting here with Sam's laptop thinking that something bad has happened to you guys."

There was a pause. "You have Sammy's computer?"

"Yeah, I don't know how he let it out of his sight long enough for it to end up here."

"Listen, Shawn. That's kinda why I'm calling."

"What? What's wrong?" That pit in his stomach opened wider at Dean's unusually somber tone.

"Sammy's been kidnapped."

If Shawn hadn't already been sitting he would have fallen down. "I knew it. What happened?"

"I'll tell you but first where are you?"

"The police station, why?"

"Crap, I need his computer. You can't let anyone crack Sam's password, you hear me? It has stuff on it that is very sensitive to what we do."

"I hear you, Dean. I'll do my best but I think my next case has something to do with whatever mess you two have gotten into."

"What do you mean?"

A door slammed and suddenly Lassiter was striding into the bull pen. Shawn cursed and turned his face away to speak quickly into the phone. "You're in Santa Barbara, right?"

"Yeah, why? What's going on?"

"Just meet me at my apartment in an hour, okay?"

"Okay, Shawn."

"See ya later."

"Bye."

Shawn spun Juliet's chair, slipping his phone into a pocket as he smiled up at Lassiter, who stopped at the desk, already scowling.

"What are you doing in O'Hara's chair, Spencer?"

"Oh, just admiring this totally awesome laptop." Shawn said with a grin, hand resting on the lid. "Who's is it?"

"Belongs to a suspect in our next case now get your hands off the evidence." Lassiter snapped before his eyes narrowed. "Where's your babysitter?"

"Babysitter? Oh, you mean Gus. Please, Lassie, he hates children. Finds them creepy and it's a long story so don't ask. He's at some company conference in Seattle."

"Great." Lassiter muttered under his breath, "Man's smarter then I gave him credit for."

Naturally, Shawn overheard and was almost hurt but shoved the words to the back of his mind when Chief Vick approached and tossed them one of her get-in-my-office-NOW looks. Eagerly, he jumped up and followed her, Lassiter heaving a sigh behind him.

Shawn was seated directly in front of her desk before the glass doors even closed, internally tensed but outwardly grinning as she shuffled forward a few manila folders.

"Now gentleman, I'm sure you're both aware of the increased number of kidnappings recently?"

Shawn stilled in the chair, suddenly focused in a way he wasn't before even as Lassiter gave a curt nod.

"Well, we've got our first body or at least what's left of it. The remains are far from pretty but from what little was left the coroner was able to uncover who they were. The first missing person, one Nick Delatonic. He went missing three weeks ago and there has been five more missing persons reports since then."

"And odds are they're all connected." Lassiter said, sounding a little grim but unsurprised.

Vick nodded in agreement, "Exactly. Which is why I'm assigning this case to both of you as partners."

As Lassiter instantly launched into insulted argument, Shawn realized he had missed something obvious. Juliet was strangely absent.

"Hey, where is Jules anyway? Is she back undercover at the University?" He asked, butting into the almost heated argument with an appropriate amount of hopefulness.

Turning her eyes back on Shawn, Vick raised a faintly amused eyebrow. "No. She's on vacation for a few days visiting relatives back in Miami. Which is why I'm partnering you with Lassiter on this seeing as you are also missing Guster."

"Sure thing, Chief." Shawn said smoothly, gliding right over Lassiter's protests.

"Good. Now, these folders contain everything we know so far." She said, passing one to Shawn and prompting Lassiter to step forward to grab one of his own. "I don't think I have to stress to you gentlemen how important it is that we get to the bottom of this, correct?"

"Understood Chief." Lassiter grumbled, standing straight and Shawn stood up, itching to get back to the office and take a look at these files.

"Alright, then you're dismissed." Vick waved them out and turned her attention back to the various important papers on her desk.

With a forcefully casual step, Shawn left her office and immediately turned toward the entrance doors, only to be jerked to a stop by Lassiter's grip on the back of his shirt collar.

"Not so fast, Spencer."

Shawn growled silently at the holdup but smiled and pulled himself free to face the Detective. "Yes, Lassie?"
"You can't skip out now, as much as I loath this situation we're partners for now and that means we stick together until the case is through."

Normally Shawn would have been utterly thrilled to hear those words from the other man but with so much going on he felt only frustration. "What? Here? Oh, no no no. I must go to Psych to do my work. I have a very specific process."

"Right." Lassiter snorted. "I've seen your process and its nothing that you can't do here."

"Lassie, Lassie, Lassie. You just don't understand. I need one on one time with the spirits or else I'll learn nothing, besides, you and I both know that we work better together by working separately." Even as he said it Shawn wondered how that possibly made sense but Lassiter rolled his eyes and shrugged irritably.

"Fine. You'll just slow me down anyway but you absolutely must call me the moment you find out anything." He demanded and Shawn grinned, nodding agreeably enough.

"Sure thing, Lassifras."

Lassiter studied him closely for a long moment before grunting something unintelligible and turning away to stride toward his desk.

Enjoying yet another victory, Shawn quickly turned and cast a discreet look around, hoping to catch sight of Sam's laptop. There, it was still on Juliet's desk, which didn't make sense because she wasn't here to register it and it take to evidence. Speaking of…hadn't Lassiter said that it belonged to a suspect? So, what was it doing out in the open like that? And a suspect to what? It couldn't be related to this case or they would have said so. Puzzled and intrigued with a dash of worry, Shawn decided he had to bite the bullet and detoured to Lassiter's desk, where the detective was frowning at his computer screen.

"Hey, Lass, I have a question for you."

Lassiter scowled and looked up only briefly, "I thought you were leaving?"

"I am, just not yet. Remember that laptop we were talking about earlier?"

"Yes." Lassiter raised an eyebrow and finally turned his blue eyes on Shawn. "What about it?"

"Well, you said it belonged to a suspect. What suspect?"

For some reason Lassiter hesitated, a odd look flashing in his eyes. "It's just some druggie's from a case of O'Hara's. Why are you so interested?"

"No reason, it's just really cool and I want one just like it. I was hoping to ask the owner where he got it." Shawn lied easily, hiding his sense of unease at this entire situation.

"Well, that's not going to happen. The guy's dead." Lassiter said bluntly, "It was found in his apartment after he overdosed."

"So, what's going to happen to it?"

"It'll probably go to auction. He had no living relatives or anyone to claim it."

Shawn nodded his understanding, staring thoughtfully at the far wall before blinking and gracing Lassiter with a wide grin. "Huh, I might have to go for it then."

Lassiter rolled his eyes and wondered, not for the first time, if Shawn had any sense of decency. "Was that all, Spencer?"

"Uh, I guess. I'll stop by tomorrow, Lassie. How's lunch sound? Around 12:30?" Giving him no chance to respond, Shawn smiled brightly and waved as he walked away, "See ya tomorrow!"

Lassiter blinked several times, unsure if he had just been asked out or if Shawn was just being Shawn. All things considered, he decided to place his bet on the latter situation.

Shawn quickly retreated from Lassiter's sight, knowing that his date arrangement would confuse the detective long enough for him to have a decent attempt at swiping Sam's computer. He headed toward Juliet's desk at a brisk amble and cleanly slid the machine off the wooden surface to be tucked securely under his arm. Without changing pace he continued on toward the entrance and escaped without so much as a mutter left in his wake.

Success. And that was why he spent three weeks as a magician's apprentice.

Shawn hurried to his motorcycle, pulling out his phone and thumbing in a number as he went.

"Hello?"

"Dean?"

"Shawn, what's going on?"

He swung his leg over the sleek machine and patted himself down for his keys. "Change of plans, I need you to meet me at Psych. You remember where it is?"

"Of course, by the way, love your 'apartment'."

Shawn laughed and tucked Sam's laptop into a side pocket with the case file, "I thought you would. See you soon."

"Yeah, bye."

After hanging up and pocketing his phone, Shawn shoved his helmet on and started up the bike with a roar. Moments later he was cruising toward the office, mind already consumed with dueling thoughts of the case and the missing Sam. Worry had lead him to Psych quicker then usual but by the time he pulled up the dark Impala was already parked in front and Shawn coasted to a stop beside it. Not seeing Dean waiting within the classic, Shawn dismounted and gathered the laptop and folder into his arms before heading up the walk to the door. He shifted his armload enough to try the doorknob, which was unlocked and turned easily. Stepping inside, Shawn paused long enough to call for Dean and get a response before closing the door and venturing farther inside.

He was greeted by the sight of lean mean Dean Winchester sitting at his desk with feet up and hands laced behind his head.

"Well, I see you've made yourself comfortable." Shawn said with a grin and shook his head.

Dean smirked back and shrugged. "You were taking too long so I let myself in. By the way, what have I told you about leaving the door unlocked? I swear you tempt criminals and others to either attack or just rob this place blind."

"Now that's not true and you know it, simple things like that just tend to slip my mind. Besides, anything of the supernatural origin is not going to be stopped by a simple turn lock."

"One point for you." Dean admitted with a thoughtful pause, "But that doesn't change the fact you're recklessness will one day land you in a shit load of trouble."

"Ah, been there and done that." Shawn muttered before setting Sam's laptop in front of Dean. He knew the other man was just being protective, after all Dean had a guilt complex and a protective steak a mile long when it came to people he cared about. Sam was the highest on his care list and apparently Shawn was included not far after. Like with Gus, he sometimes found it both endearing and severely annoying.

Dean reached out and slid a hand across the top of the laptop, an almost vulnerable look on his face and Shawn turned away to toss his coat on one of the couches. By the time he looked back Dean had recovered and was booting the computer up.

"Alright Dean, better tell me what's going on."

"Uh, well, I'm not entirely sure."

"…What do you mean?" Shawn asked carefully, fidgeting with the case files he'd thrown on the desk by Dean's feet.

Dean threw his feet down and sat straight in the chair, eyes intent on the loaded computer screen. "I mean: Sam's gone and I don't know where or how but I'm convinced it has something to do with the outbreak of kidnappings in Santa Barbara."

"What makes you so certain?" Even as he spoke Shawn flashed back on Chief Vick's earlier words. "Well, we've got our first body or at least what's left of it. The remains are far from pretty but from what little was left the coroner was able to uncover who they were." He had to shake himself when Dean answered.

"Sam had noticed a pattern to the kidnappings in the paper so we came out here to investigate."

Shawn scowled and interrupted. "And you didn't tell me you were here?"

"We didn't want to drag you into it when you've done so well at creating your own problems." Dean countered, looking not at all contrite.

"You mean you didn't want to and Sam just went along with it." The fake psychic snapped.

Dean frowned and narrowed his eyes in an almost glare. "What's your glitch?"

Even in the midst of his anger Shawn flashed back to the time he said those same words to Lassiter and briefly wondered if Lassie had wanted to punch him as much as Shawn did Dean.

"My glitch is that the very least you could have done was call me. But no, you were going to investigate then scoot right out of here without so much as a word to me, weren't you?"

Dean couldn't deny it but he tried anyway, knowing Shawn would see right through him. "That's not true. We were just waiting until after the job to stop by."

"Bullshit!" Shawn growled, pleased to see Dean take a step back in surprise of his tone. "I can't believe you would do that to me. It's all fine and well as long as you can live with yourself, right? Do you have any idea how happy I would have been to see you guys?"

"Shawn, I would have liked to spend some time here too but there's just been so much going on."

"I don't care. Five minutes would've been fine but no, for you to actually stop and see me Sam has to be in trouble. How sad is it that you're only ever calling me or visiting when you need something!" And there it was, the truth of what was really bothering the psychic and Dean mentally slapped himself because it was true.

"I can't risk stopping by or calling unless it is really important, unnecessary association with us could put you in serious danger."

Shawn let out a hollow laugh. "Oh, that's rich. I'm a 'psychic' working for the police department. I've been kidnapped more times then I ever care to remember, I've been shot, I've been targeted by two separate psychopathic killers on two different occasions and you're worried about a few undead?" He paused to blink at Dean's furious expression and grimaced when he realized that the other man didn't know about most of those incidents.

Shawn wasn't the type to talk about the serious things in life and as such he'd never seen it prudent to mention the going ons of his life. Besides, as far as he was concerned, the Winchesters had plenty of their own problems and they didn't need to be bothered by his.

"Really now, and why am I just hearing about all this?" There was a dangerous venom in the other's voice that Shawn had honestly never heard directed at himself before.

He attempted to shrug and casually directed his gaze elsewhere. "I don't know, it just never came up. It's not like any of it was that big of a deal." Shawn knew the instant he opened his mouth that he'd chosen the wrong thing to say.
"That big of a deal? How many times how you been in trouble like that?"

"I don't know." He muttered, absently wondering how this conversation was reversed so that now he was on the defensive, not that he was or anything. "It's not like I kept count."

"Yeah, maybe but I know that you can't forget anything so why don't you count for me?"

"No, Dean." Shawn said firmly, feeling his anger come rushing back. "This isn't about me, it's about you and your misguided feelings of obligation to protect me. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself!"

"Well sometimes it doesn't seem like you can! Just ask Gus, trouble follows you the same way it does Sam and you need someone to watch your back!"

"I have perfectly capable friends to do that! I have Gus, and Jules and Lassie and practically the entire police station. As far as backup goes that's pretty damn perfect!"

"They would be if these were people who knew all about your little tricks or how to protect you. From what I've heard they've failed at every turn."

Shawn stiffened, insulted both for himself and his friends. "That's not fair, Dean. They've done their best and they've always come through for me when it matters."

"What about when it doesn't matter?" Dean blurted suddenly, immediately looking embarrassed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean they should have your back no matter what, even if it isn't about life or death."

Shawn almost smiled but pushed the emotion back. "Dean, dude, I really do appreciate the concern but I thought we agreed to never have those chick flick moments. I get enough of that with Gus."

"I know." Dean grumbled, "But Sam's rubbing off on me."

"Listen, I get that you're only trying to protect me but the truth is that I have plenty of other people all trying to do that and what I need from you is some trust in me, I need a friend not a babysitter." Shawn finally said softly, hoping that this time Dean would understand and let this all go before they both turned into women.

Dean stared intently for a long moment before heaving a sigh and looking away. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Fine, I'm sorry we didn't call you."

"Good, you should be. Now that we finally have that settled why don't you tell me everything."

End of Chapter One.

A/N: Dude, I never even meant for them to have a fight like that but it just came out and I couldn't stop it. The only reason why I'm letting it stay is because it explains a bit about their current relationship and describes the extent of Dean's big brother instincts, which I find absolutely adorable XD.

Other then that I think this is an alright attempt for the first chapter. Next we'll meet Castiel, well Shawn will anyway.

Also, I'm kinda torn about something. I had another idea for Lassiter in this fic but I'm not sure if I should do it or stick with what I had. Originally I intended for Lassie to learn about all this supernatural stuff through this case and Shawn and such but I got really thinking about it and honestly, I can totally see him as the hardcore, stick-up-his-ass cop by day and equally hardcore hunter by night. See my dilemma? It would be totally awesome to see either way but I can't decide which to do…uh, I gotta make up my mind before this goes too much further. What do you guys think?