Hello lovelys!
You know, I was just looking back at one of my first PsychFics, and I realised that I had updated that one almost daily. How in the hell did I do that? I can barely do weekly updates!
This is probably the shortest chapter of this Fic, so I don't really know why it took so long to update...
Anyways, please review! Would mean so much to me to hear what you think.
Present Day
"Look, Lassie, all I'm saying is that I'd be a lot easier to deal with if I had some food in my stomach," Shawn tried to reason.
"Spencer, I'm not going to sneak in Jerk Chicken for you," Carlton dismissed.
"But I'm the guest!" Shawn insisted.
"You're not a guest, you're a witness, and more importantly, a suspect," Carlton retaliated.
"A suspect? For what crime?!"
"Oh, I don't know, maybe stealing the Lost Diamonds?"
"Lassie, I did explain to you that I had no choice."
"No, you didn't. You explained in immense detail the process of stealing them, and you explained the robbery, but you never once explained why you stole them."
"Well, I was trying to. It's not my fault someone is being such a sour puss today. If you would just let me carry on with my story like a good little boy, maybe you could understand a bit more."
Carlton turned to Juliet. Just one look and she knew exactly what her partner was thinking. "You can't shoot Shawn," Juliet said immediately.
"But he's being difficult!" Carlton complained.
"Carlton, if you shot every victim, witness or suspect that was being difficult, you would be one of the most notorious serial killers in the world!"
"I never said I'd kill them," Carlton muttered. "Just shoot them…"
"Thanks, Lassie," Shawn retorted from where he sat. "I can feel the love. It resonates from your heart, out your mouth, and on to me."
"That's disgusting."
"You're the one doing it. I'm just the poor unfortunate soul who lies on the receiving end.
Carlton looked at his partner once again. "Please, just in the arm. Just a small shot," he begged.
"Carlton, play nice," Juliet ordered.
"Yeah, Lassie, play nice," Shawn teased.
"You too, Shawn," Juliet warned.
"Me? What did I do?"
"Shawn." Juliet gave her boyfriend a look, and that was all he needed. It reminded him that he was still in a lot of trouble, not just with the law, but also with her. The more cooperative he was and the easier he made this for everyone involved, the sooner it would be resolved, and the better it would be for him.
"Okay, you win," Shawn said at last. "Look, after Mauricio figured out that I was the one who informed the police, I knew I had to keep a low profile…"
Nine Days Ago
Shawn hopped of his bike at the Psych office. He had been driving around Santa Barbara for a grand total of seven hours. At first, he was driving to clear his mind. But, the more he drove, the safer he felt, and he didn't want to lose that feeling. When he had to top up on gas, that feeling of danger came back with an almighty vengeance. Shawn didn't feel safe anywhere anymore. Every time he turned his head, he was convinced he saw Mauricio there. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw that look in his eyes when he saw him. Shawn couldn't escape him, and that terrified him.
That was what brought Shawn finally back into his Psych office. He had decided, he couldn't go home. Mauricio most likely looked him up and found out where he lived. Shawn couldn't go back to his house, Mauricio would be waiting for him. So he figured he'd get his emergency supplies that he kept at the office and take off. He had done it before, taken off for a week without explanation. Granted, he hadn't done it in years, but surely they would understand.
Shawn unlocked his office doors and quickly walked inside, being sure to close it behind him. As soon as he walked in, he finally noticed that all the blinds were down. Shawn questioned it for less than a second before moving on, he had for more things to worry about. He started to move towards his desk, when out of nowhere, he was pinned to the wall. Shawn had tried to push the attacker away, but they quickly retaliated with a punch to the face, and he was pinned once again to the wall. Before he could fight back again, Shawn felt a knife pressed to his neck. He froze in absolute terror as the last face he wanted to see came into view.
"Well, hello, Trey," Mauricio said, a sickening grin growing on his face. "Or… is it Shawn Spencer now?"
It took a moment before Shawn could find his voice again. "It's always been Shawn," he admitted at last. Mauricio let out a single laugh.
"Well, aren't you the best liar I've ever seen!" he laughed again. "And psychic? How long have you been a psychic?" Shawn didn't say a word, and Mauricio started laughing again. "Lying to the police?" again, Shawn didn't answer, and Mauricio laughed harder. "You're a criminal too! Just like me!"
"Never like you," Shawn immediately responded. "I help people."
"So do I," Mauricio said with a smile. Shawn glared at the man in front of him, but with a knife on his throat, that was the most he could do. "Ricky thinks you're dead," Mauricio said, going off on a different note.
"I know," Shawn whispered.
"I should kill you right now."
Mauricio pressed his knife harder on Shawn's neck. The psychic could do nothing but try to stretch his neck out of the way, which, of course, was useless. Shawn knew his protests would be ignored, but he tried anyways. He wouldn't beg. Spencer men don't beg. Mauricio pressed harder with his knife and finally drew blood. Shawn grabbed at Mauricio's arm, trying to push it away, but he didn't make much progress.
Mauricio leaned in closer to Shawn, the smile on his face only growing, before he started to speak, "You really are the luckiest son of a bitch to ever live." The knife's pressure was lifted from Shawn's neck, finally allowing him to breathe. "You see, Shawn Spencer, I'm done. With Ricky, with our business… I'm just done with it. I've got a family now, and quite frankly, I want to live to see my girl grow up. So I'll be retiring, now."
"So you're just going to leave?" Shawn asked hopefully.
"You wish it was that simple," Mauricio laughed. "No, you see, to get out and keep my family safe, I have to give Ricky something of high value, to buy my freedom. The Lost Diamonds. But, to be honest, I'm not picky. I could either give him the diamonds, or you."
And now Shawn's fear came back strong. "Me?"
"Yes. The one man who could put him away for life is living and walking to streets of California. I think Ricky would find that very interesting, don't you?"
"Don't…" Shawn breathed out
"Well, see, now that's up to you. There is a plane leaving to New York in exactly one week's time. I will be on that plane, and I will have something of value by then. It's your choice as to whether that item of interest is the diamonds, or you."
"You want me to steal the Lost Diamonds?" Shawn asked incredulously.
"Now you're getting it!"
"I can't do that! I'm not a criminal!"
"This office begs to differ." Shawn didn't respond. Mauricio removed his knife from Shawn's neck and took a step back. "I strongly suggest you consider your options more carefully, Mr. Psychic. Make no mistake, Ricky will kill you. So what would you rather be? A thief, or dead?" Mauricio walked casually to the office front door and opened it. He turned back to Shawn, his smile never leaving his face. "Have a nice day," Mauricio said, and he walked out the door, leaving Shawn with a decision to make.
Present Day
Carlton stared at Shawn, almost mad at the psychic. He worked with the police on a weekly basis. He had consulted on countless cases, and he had grown up with Henry Spencer of all people. Surely Shawn, of all people, should know that the best option for the victim is always, always, to go to the police. And this infuriated Carlton to no end.
"So, you see," Shawn continued. "I didn't really have a choice. It was get the diamonds, or die."
"You had a choice," Carlton grumbled. "You could have come to us, you stubborn idiot. We could have helped you." Shawn just laughed and shook his head. "No, don't you laugh at that. You of all people should understand what lengths the police will go to if it means protecting their people. You could have come to us."
"Lassie, last time I went to the police about these people, I nearly died," Shawn snapped. "Mauricio and Ricky and all their partners came after me, and they all beat me within an inch of my life. The police said they could protect me, and they failed miserably. I don't doubt the police's ability to protect people. I just know that when it comes to these guys… no where's safe."
Carlton and Juliet exchanged a serious look. Shawn was never like this. Shawn was never afraid. Whoever they were dealing with, this was serious. And that worried both of them, yes, even Carlton was worried about the resident psychic. He may be an idiot, and a nuisance, and annoying, but he was in trouble, and they would do all they could to protect him.
"Who exactly are they?" Carlton asked. "And for the love of God, why won't you start this insane story from the beginning?"
"That was the beginning," Shawn responded quickly.
"That cannot be the beginning."
"Why not?"
"Why not?!" Carlton repeated incredulously. "Why do they think you're dead?! Why does it matter to them that you're still alive?! How the hell did you get mixed up with them in the first place?!"
"Lassie, you gotta be more specific in where to start. You heard him, Jules, right? You heard him say 'explain how Mauricio and the bank robbery tie into this story,' right?"
"Yes, Shawn," Juliet responded.
"O'Hara!"
"What, you did say that. You should be more clear on where he should start."
"Fine! Tell me how you got mixed up with them." Shawn opens him mouth. "and start from the VERY beginning!"
"Well, you see, when a mommy loves a daddy very much-"
"Spencer!"
"Okay! Fine! It started about… 16 years ago, in New York…"