Disclaimer: I don't own Psych or any of its related characters. This is just for my own enjoyment and the potential enjoyment of other Psych-Os like me, and no monetary gain was expected or received.
Rating: T
Spoilers: Through season six finale, "SantaBarbaratown" (which sucked)
A/N: This was meant to be a much longer chapter, or more properly part of a much longer chapter, but ultimately I decided it probably should have been tagged onto the end of chapter six rather than the beginning of what will now be chapter eight, so we have an annoying little interlude. Chapter Eight is nearly ready to go.
Chapter Seven: A Brief Respite
"Did I get you in trouble?" Marlowe asked meekly as Lassiter came out of Chief Vick's office to find her waiting in the reception area.
"No, sweetie, it's okay - the Chief just wanted to talk about the arrest I made, is all," he said. Then honesty forced him to add, "There may have been a little personal conversation by the end, but no, no trouble over the, er…'incident.' She did say she was grateful you didn't feed the stupid bastard his teeth - I'm paraphrasing, of course. She was also glad I didn't simply shoot the irritating little twerp."
"So am I," Marlowe admitted. "I confess I was a little worried about what you'd do if I didn't put a cork in his mouth quick."
"I could hear him from my desk," Lassiter said grimly. "I don't know how much longer I could have restrained myself. That was…unusually piggish, even for him."
"I get the distinct impression he doesn't like me."
"He doesn't know you," Lassiter said. "If anything, he resents what you represent."
"…Which is?"
Lassiter sighed. "Spencer doesn't like anyone around him to be happy unless that happiness was in some way magnanimously bestowed upon that person by He Himself. I don't even think he's aware of it."
"So…he resents me because I make you happy?"
"That's what I think, anyway."
"That's rather petty and small-minded of him."
"The first thing you learn about Shawn Spencer is that he's a petty and small-minded person," Lassiter said. "Of course, I've got my issues in that direction myself so perhaps I don't have room to talk. Come on, let's get out of here before he shows up again. You feel like finishing out the interrupted shopping spree?"
"Not particularly," Marlowe said. "Ever since I saw you do your best Dirty Harry all I can really think about is getting you home and naked."
Lassiter cleared his throat. His voice was a ragged croak when he spoke. "Home it is, then."
Marlowe smiled and took his arm. "Lead on, Callahan."