A Case Of Redemption

By Andie O'Neill

Fandom: Psych

Rating: PG-13 (Subject to Change… maybe R in later chapters)

Warning: Some Spoilers For S3, Slash (Obviously)

Pairing: Shawn/Lassiter (Eventually), Gus/Juliet

Genre: Romance, Angst, Humor, Action, Mystery

Summary: Henry Spencer's old partner is back in town for a visit, but things go from bad to worse when a killer is found dead and Henry goes missing.

A/N: Enjoy some serious Shassie goodness ahead! :D

Disclaimer: Steve Franks and the USA network own the show and it's characters.


Part Seven

Shawn Spencer had an eidetic memory. It was his gift, and at times his curse. For the most part, Shawn had learned to live with having a perfect memory. It was this ability that allowed him to work at Psych, making people believe he could actually talk to spirits Shawn didn't even really believed existed. This, coupled with his deeply ingrained observational skills made him unstoppable. He'd been training to solve crimes all his life… the perfect cop and detective. There was only one problem. He wasn't a cop, and although he often referred to himself as a Psychic Detective, it wasn't exactly the truth. When Shawn had found himself jumping from job to job there had always been something inside him telling him it was wrong. Nothing satisfied him, made him feel complete the way he felt now, working for the SBPD. He was finally using his gift the way he was meant to… solving the crimes no one else could solve, because no one could do the things he did.

He remembered things… remembered with such clarity it was like the moment was happening all over again before his very eyes. He could recall everything his father had ever taught him… all the many lessons through out Shawn's younger years. When the situation called for it, he could call such memories to mind in seconds, relive each experience and use it to his advantage. If there was one thing Shawn could say about his father, it was that he was smart. He'd seen the potential in Shawn, recognized all the good his son could do. Henry Spencer may not have been the world's greatest Dad, but he'd loved (still did) his son, and he'd wanted the best for Shawn. For a long time Shawn had been unaware of this, too caught up in all Henry's mistakes to see the bigger picture. Henry Spencer may not have been the world's greatest Dad, but Shawn Spencer hadn't exactly been the world's greatest son either.

It's seemed ironic that it was Henry's insistence in training Shawn that was now his only chance at survival. He'd disappointed his father so many times in the past. Shawn's choices in life were a giant disappointment. Hell, Henry had said it best when he'd pointed out that the very fact that Shawn was posing as a psychic was a major disappointment. His father had learned to deal with it… even accept it and support it, but Shawn knew it wasn't the life Henry wanted for him. He was supposed to be a cop. The problem with having an eidetic memory was Shawn never forgot that… he never forgot the times he'd watched his father look on with disappointment. He also never forgot the times his father had given him looks of pride. Shawn focused on remembering those moments now, remembering each time he'd watched his father smile proudly at his son, and all had seemed right with the world. Shawn simply couldn't let his father down, and he wouldn't.

"Shawn?"

Spencer was pulled from his thoughts as he turned to look at his best friend, a question in the other man's eyes. They were back at Henry's home… and Shawn found himself overwhelmed by the memories. He and his father had spent so much time in this yard. Shawn remembered everything… every lesson he'd ever learned, every game he'd ever played, even every cut or bruise he'd sustained… all in this very yard. But more than that, he could remember Eddie. He remembered Eddie laughing along with Henry as they told stories about car chases and complicated cases. He remembered how much Eddie loved Henry's fried fish. He remembered the man Eddie used to be, and suddenly it seemed impossible that the man he remembered could be the same man who'd already killed three people, and was holding Shawn's father hostage. Shawn forced himself to focus on the task at hand, sensing Lassiter moving to stand beside him, and that worried look he'd been giving Shawn since his father had first gone missing was returning full force. "I'm okay… just uh… the spirits seem to be in a giving mood," he said, walking up to the door. They'd stopped at Shawn's house to get his spare key, and he quickly opened the door. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting, but what he now saw had not been it, and for a moment Shawn couldn't breathe.

"Oh my god… it looks like a tornado came through here," said Gus, sounding a little breathless himself. The place was a mess, trashed beyond recognition. Books had been thrown to the floor, picture frames cracked and destroyed. Shawn walked slowly into the house, his training kicking in immediately as he tried to understand what had happened. Obviously his father had fought back, and Shawn's chest tightened as he noticed the faint blood spatter on Henry's wood floors. It wasn't much… which meant it was possible his father was simply injured in the struggle. The coffee table was covered in glass, mostly from picture frames and Shawn found himself pulling a picture of him and Gus back in middle school from under a broken water glass. At some point water had spilled onto the picture, as Shawn noticed from the stain, but it had long since dried. Lassiter, Juliet, and Gus followed behind him, quiet and Shawn could feel the tension in the room. He knew they were all trying to think of what to say, anything that might make Shawn feel better, feel hope that they'd find a clue and save Henry. The silence was making him itch, and he was about to speak himself, babble, anything to fill the void when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He'd almost missed it. He hadn't seen the picture in years, taken from the mantle not long after Eddie quit the force and left town.

Glass was covering the picture, and Shawn carefully slid it out from under the broken pieces, wincing when a shard cut into his skin. It was a picture of Henry and Eddie. Taking a deep breath Shawn looked up at Lassiter, seeing the grim expression on the detective's face before he looked back down and turned the picture over. There was writing on the back. Shawn read it aloud. "Redeem, to buy or get back; recover. Redemption… to deliver from sin; to fulfill a promise." Shawn didn't understand, couldn't comprehend what Eddie could mean. Nothing about the words made sense. Shawn looked over at the picture of him and Gus, turning it over as well, surprised to see handwriting on the back of that picture as well. "All debts shall be paid." Shawn knew he was frustrated, that he wasn't himself. His father's life was in danger and he was standing around reading riddles that made no sense. Shawn dropped the picture of him and Gus, and picked up the picture of Henry and Eddie. They were so similar. Two people… partners, friends. Only in Eddie's eyes Henry had betrayed their friendship. What the hell was he trying to say? Shawn rolled his eyes. "Well, Eddie certainly is laying it on thick. Who knew he had such a flare for drama? All he needs now is a top hat, one of those curly mustaches, and a good evil laugh and he'd win 'best super villain' of the year, no contest," Shawn muttered in frustration, tearing the picture of his father and Eddie in two pieces, effectively cutting the two men off from each other. It seemed poetic somehow.

"Shawn-" Juliet began, shutting her mouth with a sigh as Shawn turned his head to look at her.

"It's gotta be a clue… we just need to figure out what it all means," said Gus, as always trying to be a good friend, give Shawn comfort somehow.

Shawn didn't much feel like being comforted. "It doesn't mean anything, Gus!" Spencer snapped. "Eddie's stuck us all in a giant maze to watch us chase after our own fucking tails!" When he saw Gus and Juliet jump at his anger he turned away, pushing back his anger. "Excuse me," he finally whispered and left the living room, retreating to the kitchen before he could say something he'd really regret.


Carlton had known Shawn Spencer for almost three years, had spent hours and hours of time during cases with both Spencer and Guster, and not once had he seen Shawn snap at Guster in such a way. Vick had been right to contemplate taking Spencer off the case. The pressure of trying to find his father was becoming too much. Time was running out and Shawn was beginning to feel backed into a corner. Lassiter knew the feeling well, could identify the signs. Looking at O'Hara and Guster, Lassiter could see their surprise at Spencer's outburst. Guster took a step forward, obviously intent on following the pseudo psychic but Lassiter shot his arm out, blocking Guster from going any further. "No… let me talk to him."

"You?! Time is running out and Shawn's father's life is on the line! What makes you think he'd want to talk to you?" Guster asked, and although the question seemed harsh, Lassiter knew it only came out of the younger man's wish to protect his best friend. They'd grown up together.

"Gus-" began Juliet, only to be cut off.

"No, it's alright, O'Hara," Lassiter assured her. He looked Guster in the eyes, standing his ground. "I know you're worried… we all are, but right now Spencer is the only one who can figure this out and help us track Eddie McCall down. I know what's at stake, and I know what this case is doing to him. Whenever you're life has been in danger I've seen how Shawn reacts, how he handles it. Just let me talk to him alone. Stay here with O'Hara and keep looking for more clues… anything that could help us figure out where McCall's hiding."

Lassiter could tell Guster was unsure, hesitant to trust him, but couldn't really blame him considering how Carlton had treated Shawn in the past. Their relationship was rocky at best. Finally, with a worried glance towards the kitchen, Guster gave his nod of approval. It was all Carlton needed and he immediately left the living room and followed Spencer into the kitchen, noticing him pacing in front of the kitchen counter. The wheels were turning, and Carlton had no doubt Shawn was trying to go over the case once more, piece by piece in the hopes of discovering something he might have missed. He didn't speak right away, simply stood there and watched the younger man pace as he tried to assess the situation, and Spencer's mental state. As a detective he'd learned early on the importance of observation.

"This isn't a case of redemption, Lassie! This is about revenge! Retribution! Redemption is about forgiveness! It doesn't make sense!" Shawn almost shouted, finally pausing, and turning to look at Lassiter. Carlton could see the desperation, the need to know the answer. At one time Lassiter may have found pleasure in seeing Spencer struggle the way Carlton often had in the more complicated cases. It seemed like ages ago now. Instead Carlton found himself wishing the man was psychic, hoping he was… that he'd connect with McCall's mind or some spirit and divine the answers. Carlton still didn't speak, only walked further into the kitchen. Shawn let out an annoyed huff. "Well aren't you just being a chatty Cathy today? Seriously Lassie, take a breath before my ear falls off in the mists of your incessant chatter," he muttered sarcastically.

Carlton walked closer to the younger man, determined steps and for one brief moment he wondered if this was how it felt to be Shawn Spencer… confident, understanding the world the way no one else seemed to. For one clear moment Lassiter knew exactly what to do. He moved his hands to gently rest on Shawn's shoulders, looking the other man in the eyes, seeing the other man's confusion before he pulled him close and wrapped his arms around the slightly smaller body. At first Shawn seemed to surprised to hug him back, but Carlton wasn't worried. He closed his eyes, resting his chin on Shawn's shoulder and held him tight, and finally the hands wrapped around him in return and Spencer was holding on to him just as tightly. The two men stood there for a long moment. There were no tears, no sobs… just the sound of a long shaky breath being released and Shawn finally relaxed in Carlton's arms. Lassiter took it as a good sign. "I may not be a psychic, Shawn, but I don't have to be. I've watched you solve cases that would have made any other detective's head spin, with a hell of a lot less than what we have now. I don't pretend to understand how you do what you do, but I know you have a gift. You see things no one else can. You said you could beat him… and I believe you." Lassiter pulled back just a bit, wanting to look at Shawn's face. "I believe in you." Carlton smiled faintly. "Shawn… you astound me," he whispered.

Lassiter could see the light return in Shawn's eyes, knew the younger man was recalling the last time he'd spoken those words, and he smiled back. The moment of clarity was gone within seconds as the mood seemed to change for comfort to something else entirely, and it was only then that Carlton realized his hands were resting on either side of Shawn's face, stroking gently. Amusement faded away, and a different kind of tension took its place. He wasn't sure who leaned in first, couldn't recall how it happened, but Shawn's lips were moving gently against his own. The kiss was hesitant at first, testing the waters, but as Carlton kissed him back, Shawn became more bold. The kiss deepened, heads tilted as the two men gave into whatever it was that had been developing between them. Carlton knew it was wrong somehow, to be kissing Shawn while his father's very life was in danger, but he also knew it was exactly what Shawn needed. He needed to know Carlton would be there for him, that he truly cared. He let Shawn explore his mouth, pulling their bodies closer for more contact, more touch… just more. Unfortunately lack of oxygen made it impossible for them to continue and they broke the kiss, panting, though neither seemed either to let go of the other. "Christ, I didn't even have an orgasm, but I could swear I just saw God," muttered Shawn.

Lassiter smiled, resting his forehead against Spencer's. It'd been a long time since he'd kissed anyone he really cared for. There had been others since Victoria, but none Carlton could honestly see himself falling for. Lassiter was about to comment on Shawn's words when he watched Spencer stiffen, suddenly in another world and Lassiter knew the younger man was miles away. "Shawn? What is it?"

Shawn blinked a few times before looking back up at Lassiter, eyes wide. "Oh my god! Redemption! Gus was right… it does mean something! It was meant for me! Vick was right… I really am the only one who could find Eddie! You said it yourself, I know him… knew him for a long time."

Carlton knew then and there that Shawn had solved the puzzle somehow. "Shawn?"

Shawn smiled, pulling Carlton in for a brief kiss. "Eddie comes from a very religious background! He'd been going to church all his life. He used to keep a chain of the cross around his neck, tucked under his shirts… a gift from his grandfather. I remember one time he talked my father into coming with him to church… they took me too. Deliver from sin! The whole sermon was on redemption… what it meant… how Christ died to save us or whatever… I don't remember much because I fell asleep five minutes after the guy started, but I do remember that!"

Carlton really wasn't following. "Spencer, what the hell does that have to do with where McCall and Henry are?"

Shawn was practically jumping up and down, more alive than Lassiter had seen him since they'd first realized Henry had been kidnapped. "That church Eddie took us too… it's been boarded up for months after the last earthquake! They were planning on tearing it down and starting over! No one's been near the place in forever! It's the perfect place to hide out! Redemption was the clue… one only I would understand! They're at the church!"

Shawn pulled out of Carlton's arms, ready to rush back out to tell Guster and O'Hara, but Lassiter grabbed his arm, turning him back around. "Wait a second! Why would he do that? Why tell you where he's hiding out? If his plan is to kill all those connected to the injustice involving his brother's death… why ruin everything by telling you where he is?" Carlton saw it as a valid question. McCall may have been a cold blooded killer, but it was obvious he was smart… he'd been a god damn detective.

"It's the sermon! Christ died to cover our sins, deliver us from sin. Death… equals forgiveness! Even before then the Jews would kill animals as sacrifices for their sins. Obviously he's set up some kind of trap for us… possibly for me, I don't know, but we won't find out waiting here scratching our heads! Lassie, you said you believe in me… so believe in me now! We gotta go!" said Shawn, his desperation obvious.

Lassiter could see in Spencer's eyes that he truly believed he was right. Trap or not… they had no choice. Henry's life was on the line. The Head Detective nodded, his hand slipping from Spencer's arms. "Lead the way, Spencer."

Shawn grinned, kissing Carlton hard and with more passion than Lassiter ever remembered feeling. He closed his eyes, simply enjoying the feelings that swelled up from the simple kiss. Finally Shawn pulled away. "We are so picking this up after we save my Dad!" he whispered against Carlton's lips. The words immediately made Carlton shiver with anticipation as he barely noticed Shawn pulling him back into the living room to gather Guster and O'Hara. He could still taste the faint hint of pineapples on his lips.

To Be Continued

A/N: Will they save Henry in time? Will they manage to foil Eddie's plans? Will Shawn and Lassie really pick things up later once the case is over? Review and you may just learn the answers to all of these questions and more! :D