Chapter Four: I'll Be

"When there's no one else around, I'll be."

The Shrill ringing of a phone broke through his subconscious and woke Detective Lassiter way too early in the morning for his liking. But being an officer of the law meant that the critical call could come in at any moment, and Lassiter knew he needed to be ready no matter what time of the day or night he was called on. So, instantly awake, he rolled over and grabbed his phone off the nightstand next to his bed. His mood darkened immediately when he saw the name on the call display.

What could Spencer possibly want at this hour?

He thought that the Chief had made it perfectly clear earlier that Spencer was neither wanted nor appreciated anywhere near the affairs of the SBPD after the psychic's rather embarrassing blunder earlier today. Or yesterday now, Lassiter noted as he took a look at the time displayed on his clock. Apparently those sentiments had had no effect on Spencer, which really was not surprising, since when had the man ever been able to follow simple instructions, or any form of instructions at all for that matter. Scowling, Lassiter put the phone back down, he hoped that by ignoring it, Spencer would decide to give up and leave him alone. It was unlikely, but still worth a try. Lassiter really did not think that he had developed any more patience for dealing with Spencer quite just yet, especially at this ungodly hour of the morning. Sure enough, the ringing stopped and Lassiter smiled, settling himself back into his bed. However, no sooner had he closed his eyes, than his phone began ringing again. Growling in annoyance, Lassiter snatched up the phone.

"There had better be a good reason for this Spencer," he growled into the phone.

"Lassie," rasped the voice on the other end, and despite the use of Spencer's traditional name for him, Carlton briefly checked his call display to ensure that the call was indeed from Spencer. The voice on the other end sounded almost nothing like him. It lacked all of Shawn's usual cheerfulness and enthusiasm, but sure enough the display confirmed that it was in fact his least favourite psychic.

"I need a small favour," continued Shawn.

A small grunt followed the request, as though it had hurt for Spencer to speak. Lassiter sat up and turned on his bedside lamp, his instincts kicking in and telling him that something was very wrong here, although he wasn't sure what. He was not completely ready to believe what his ears were telling him, after all Shawn was known to play more than the occasional prank, and this would not be the first time that he had found himself on the receiving end of one of those pranks. However a part of him suspected that this was no prank phone call, there was something in Spencer's voice that was sending off alarms.

"What's going on Spencer?" Lassiter demanded, "You have one chance to explain before I hang up and keep in mind that I am in no mood for your games."

"I need a ride."

A ride, Spencer was calling him for a ride? Suddenly it all made sense to Lassiter. Spencer is drunk, and he actually thinks that I will drag myself out of bed to go pick him up after what happened yesterday. Carlton couldn't believe how self centered, irresponsible and just plain and stupid Spencer was.

"Are you drunk Spencer? I will not drag myself out of bed at two thirty in the morning to drive you home, call a taxi and stop wasting my time."

"No, wait Lassie, it's not what you think, please just listen."

Lassiter was inclined to hang up the phone, but Shawn's use of the word please captured his attention, raising more alarms. Shawn never said please, not sincerely anyways.

"Make it quick, my patience is running out."

"Alright, the thing is I may or may not have had an incident involving my bike and a road sign."

There was a pause and Lassiter heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line as Shawn swore at something before continuing.

"Look Lassie, I just need a ride back to my place, I don't have money for a cab."

"Well I'm not a taxi service Spencer. Do you realize what time it is? Call Mr. Guster, or your father, or better yet an ambulance, I'm going back to bed."

"Gus is out of town, and my Dad won't answer his phone. I don't need to go to the hospital, I just need to go home. Look Lassie I'm not really up to arguing about this right now. If you could just come get me and take me back to my place I'll let you yell at me later all you want, in front of everyone if that makes you happy."

Lassiter sighed, he knew he would probably regret this very soon, but at least it would give him the opportunity to harass Spencer mercilessly in the future, and some part of him was screaming that there was something seriously wrong with Spencer.

"Alright Spencer, I'll be there as soon as I can, you owe me big, now where are you?"