The long drive was over none too soon for Lassiter. He got out of the car at the hospital and stretched his legs. Before he could even bark orders at someone to get the suitcase Spencer and O'Hara were inside dropping it off. They came back out Spencer had one of his ridiculously happy smiles plastered to his face.
"Her daughter had a baby boy" he said "and they were so thankful they're naming the baby Shawn" Lassiter groaned.
"This is the last time you get to bring that up. Now let's get going I'd like to be home for dinner" Shawn did some kind of twisting dance move as he got into the backseat of the car.
"Lassie I was thinking we could stop at a 7-11 on the way home. I am parched and I'm pretty sure I could use a big gulp"
"I hear that" Gus said from the driver's seat. "Are you thinking Dr. Pepper Shawn?" Lassiter pinched the bridge of his nose as the two friends started their usual banter.
"Only if Dr. Pepper hasn't been kidnapped by Mr. Pibb. Mr. Pibb may try to take his place but I will always know which is which."
"Spencer I will kidnap you if you don't shut the hell up" Lassiter snapped ready to gag and handcuff the psychic.
"Technically Lassie it would be Shawn-napping because I am not a kid"
"Oh look! A gas station" Jules said interrupting the conversation before her partner snapped and Gus would have to explain to his company why there were psychic pieces all over his car. All four of them got out, Lassiter only because otherwise Spencer would have had to climb over him to get out. Something he tried and almost succeeded before Lassiter got out.
"Alright, make it quick." He snapped following the other three into the convenience store. Shawn and Gus headed for the soda fountain and Jules made her way to the bathroom. Lassiter grabbed a bottle of ginger ale out of the cooler. They all paid for their drinks and waited for O'Hara to come out of the bathroom.
"It takes girls forever in the bathroom" Gus observed taking a sip out of his 36oz drink.
"Don't underestimate the female psyche" Shawn warned him. "She could be suffering from some horrible disease and is too afraid to tell us.
"I'm suffering from a horrible disease" Lassiter mumbled. Shawn was just about to reply to him when two masked men came through the door.
"Everybody put your hands in the air!" one of them yelled firing his gun into the ceiling. Lassiter made to reach for his gun but the other man was in his face with a gun pointed at him.
"Don't even think about it" he said his voice slightly muffled behind the skimask he was wearing.
"Put all the money in the bag" the first one yelled at the clerk. Shawn and Gus were a little panicked not knowing what they should do. The clerk behind the counter moved slightly and this distracted the robber. This allowed Lassiter to whip out his pistol.
"Police put your hands in the air!" Lassiter yelled. Once he yelled all chaos in the room broke loose. Shawn and Gus ducked behind one of the shelves that held the snacks and random groceries. They couldn't really see anything but they heard a shot and then the door chimed. Then the bathroom door opened and Juliet came around the corner. "Where's Lassiter?" Shawn and Gus slowly stood up and looked around the see the clerk behind the counter on the phone with the police. The one robber was lying on the floor knocked unconscious. Lassiter came into the store only a moment later.
"I chased him and he got away, but I clipped him in the leg so he shouldn't get too far" He said a little out of breath. O'Hara nodded and put her cuffs on the remaining robber.
Several hours later the four would be heroes found themselves sitting in Chief Vick's office. Vick was sitting behind her desk and stack of papers in her hand. Juliet was the first to speak up.
"What's going on Chief? I thought all the department needed was our statements until the trial." She said her voice full of confusion. Vick looked up from her paperwork taking a deep breath.
"That's all they needed from you Detective. I'm afraid I need to ask you to leave while I talk with them" she motioned to the three men who all were now at attention. Juliet left reluctantly. Once she was out the door Lassiter spoke up.
"What is this all about chief?" he said crossing his arms over his chest. Vick cleared her throat.
"The FBI is placing you in protective custody until the trail" Shawn and Gus both made noises of surprise.
"Why?" Gus said "I can't go into protective custody, I have work that needs to be done."
"I'm aware of that Mr. Guster. I'm not looking forward to giving up my head detective for two weeks either."
"Two weeks?!?" Lassiter and Shawn shouted at the same time
"Chief this is ridiculous" Lassiter continued
"Why are they even putting us under lock and key?" Shawn asked. "and why not Jules?"
"Apparently the man you apprehended during the robbery were part of the Flamencos Españoles. They aren't thrilled to have lost one of their important gang members. O'Hara can't testify against them because the only man she ever saw was the one we already have in custody. You three on the other hand were all seen by the man who is on the loose. The one Detective Lassiter chased form the scene. You're being placed into custody because the last time someone was going to testify against them they ended up dead and buried in their own back yard." Vick said grimly. Gus got a look of panic on his face. Shawn started to talk but she held up her hand. "You leave in the morning. I'm sending uniformed officers with you to pack up some clothing and you'll spend the night here in the station" Lassiter started to object. "and that is my final word on the matter" she said glaring at him.