Author's Note: No, this hasn't been abandoned, had a busy, cold, depressing winter. I hate to beg, but if you like this fic, and want it updated sooner, please leave a review. The reason I make an effort to write down my stories is because I want reviews. I know I could still write if I didn't get reviews, but if a tree falls and no one hears hears it?
Lassiter angrily sauntered into his apartment after dropping off O'Hara and making sure she was okay. Henry Spencer's words were still plaguing his mind. His new wife, Marlowe bounced to the door "Honey Bear you're finally home. How is Shawn doing?" She asked greeting him, her question followed by an affectionate peck on the cheek.
Her affection, however, didn't do much to change his sour mood as he turned towards his computer desk, "not great. Shawn needs to be in the hospital another few days." He quickly went to Facebook, and then pressed control P to print out Henry Spencer's Facebook picture. The page that came out had lines through it.
"What happened to the toner in the printer? I just got a new cartridge last month," Lassiter almost whined.
"I needed to print out some things for Adrian's hearing." Marlowe explained sheepishly. "Just go down to the station, and take one, they have plenty of printer cartridges there."
"What?," he looked at her in disbelief at the suggestion, "I could get fired, or demoted if I got caught stealing office supplies. Everything is accounted for there, even the staples. And I told you not to use my printer for your brother's defense, you aren't his lawyer."
Marlowe quickly changed the subject, noting what her husband was attempting to print, "why do you want to use Henry Spencer's face for target practice? Something happen between you two?"
"The son of a bitch is blaming Shawn's heart problems on poor O'Hara who has done nothing wrong. When I tried to defend her, he said was on my way to becoming a corrupt cop. The rat bastard called you a career criminal and said that I was wrong for marrying you, can you believe that? He even went as far as to compare me to the guy who shot him!" He took a deep breath through his nose. "The range is open late tonight, if you want I can sneak you in if you're up for it."
He probably should not have told his wife what Henry had said. He didn't want another woman taking a swing at Henry. The look on his wife's face was pure anger.
"Why did you have to get involved? What did you expect would happen? Earlier this year he was shot by someone he thought was his friend, now he has to deal with his son having heart problems and being in the hospital. Can't you just ignore him? Not judge him based on his actions when someone in his family is sick." His wife pleaded, "not get angry at what someone does when circumstances drive them crazy? It isn't as if he killed someone." She paused, her tone becoming even more sympathetic to Spencer's side of things. "People do insane things when family members are ill, I know that all too well. By the way my, brother is doing fine. He could use some toothpaste and I gave him your electric razor."
"You gave him my razor without my permission?"
"In the facility where he is, they can only use regular blades. If he shaves with a regular blade, he cuts himself and
bleeds all day. He needed to look his best for his next court appearance, so I let him have yours. You can pick up another one at CVS on your way to work."
"I'll do that, thanks for letting me know," Lassiter responded, it took everything in him not to tell her that she has no right to steal his things and give them to her no good brother. But, it was early in the marriage, and he had enough trouble with Henry Spencer today, another fight with Marlowe would be too much for him. He would pick up a razor at CVS tomorrow.
Matters regarding her brother were always a sore spot, the man was a murderer, but there were extenuating circumstances surrounding his crime. When he killed a person, he was desperate for a blood transfusion, and didn't have insurance.
Lassiter had vowed to stay out of it, and not let the issue, including the trial have an effect on their marriage, but as time passed it was getting harder and harder. Adrian's court appointed attorney was good, but Marlowe was still doing all kinds of legal research to do what she could to help, much to his chagrin.
Marlowe then handed Lassiter his cell phone, "You are going to apologize to Henry. Tell him you should have stayed out of it, whatever is happening is between him, Shawn, and Juliet. You stay out of it."
"I'm not going to apologize, Spencer was the one who attacked O'Hara! He is the one who is out of his mind!"
"It doesn't matter who was right and who was wrong, fighting isn't going to help Shawn get any better. You didn't have to listen to any of what he said. Apologize, or we won't have any fun tonight." She gestured towards the bedroom, and lifted the back of her skirt to reveal a "Just Married," G-String. "And I was looking so forward to consummating our marriage. I would hate to not have to do that tonight because you were being an ass."
Lassie begrudgingly picked up his phone. He hated false apologies, he hated being told he was a corrupt cop, but if he didn't apologize tonight, his new wife would be upset., and the last thing he wanted to do was ruin another marriage. It was one thing to be divorced once, but he didn't want to be a guy who was twice divorced.
Henry sat back in his hauntingly quiet living room, nursing his Guinness, and holding a raw steak to his eye. Gus was right, the moment Shawn saw his black eye he would know what was going on, and would do what he could to push him out of his life again. He needed time to reflect and perhaps unwind. By getting so angry at Juliet and Lassiter, he was going to upset Shawn, at a time when Shawn couldn't take any more stress. He dug himself into this hole, and he needed to dig himself out.
He had fences to mend with Juliet, and Lassiter. Juliet's assaulting him was still wrong, especially for a fellow officer. There should consequences, and there would be consequences, but that wasn't important right now.
Right now the only thing he could do was unwind, sleep, and at least try not to worry. Tomorrow he had a lot of work to do, Shawn needed him more than ever.
His cell phone rang, it was Lassiter. He hoped it wasn't anything more in anger. Not knowing how to reject a message on an iPhone he accidentally, and awkwardly answered.
Before he could say anything Lassiter started speaking.
"I apologize, I shouldn't have said anything. Whatever happened was between you and O'Hara."
It sounded like the phone had dropped as the voice on the other end changed as Lassiter's new wife, Marlowe got on the phone. "Mr. Spencer, I'm so sorry to hear about Shawn, if there is anything you need I'll help out. Also, if you are on the third floor of the hospital, the vending machine doesn't work. There is a great cafe across the street, most frequent flyers hang out there. Tell Lenny you are a friend of the Vincenco's and you'll get unlimited Riccota Balls."
"Thanks," replied Henry, a hint of relief in his voice. It was good that Lassiter was apologizing. It was one less thing for him to worry about, and he appreciated it.