A/N: Hello. Welcome to a dark space in my mind . . . this is a short fic in which Lassie reacts to many emotions after somebody gets themselves killed. Warning: Spoilers-ish for season 6, ep 1 Shawn Rescues Darth Vader! If you haven't seen it . . . I guess you could read the fic anyway, but it'll kill some of the future fangirling vibes if you do. BECAUSE DAT SCENE THO (you know which one I'm talking about!).

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A gunshot crack accompanied Lassiter's bullet as it exploded toward it's target.

"C'mon Lassie, we're not really going to do this again, are we?"

Lassiter reloaded his gun with a sharp snap, barely two seconds passing before he shot off another round of bullets. Rage cut out his surroundings and focused his fluid movements on pinpoint accuracy - every bullet ripped through its intended target, tearing painful holes.

"My point is . . . If you don't treat O'Hara with the respect she deserves, or if you hurt her in any way, I will discharge my pistol."

When he'd had that conversation with Shawn, he'd been extremely pleased with the results. He made his speech without Spencer having a single word in edgewise, finally, finally being able to render the irritating psychic speechless. Shawn hadn't anything to say then, just like he couldn't say anything now.

"You're saying you'll shoot me?"

Lassiter grinned.

"Repeatedly."

The gun clicked several times before Lassiter realized the ammo had run out. Growling, he tossed the gun to the side and yanked the goggles off his face, rubbing the back of his head. The shooting range abruptly fell silent.

The look on Spencer's face when he realized Lassiter wasn't kidding had made the detective's day, but now he couldn't picture it without feeling bitterness rise in the back of his throat. He could never forgive him for what he'd done to O'Hara - the only relief he got from all of this was that he would never have to.

Lassiter hated to admit it, but underneath all the contempt he had for the fake psychic, guilt lay waiting like a spider in its web. It tugged on the delicate threads, whispering, "It wasn't all Spencer's fault . . ." Lassiter's heart agreed, but his mind was blinded by its blazing hunger for someone to blame. It didn't need to end this way! If the freaking idiot had just sucked up his pride and called for backup for once in his life, O'Hara wouldn't be broken!

But it was too late for what should have happened, and now Lassiter couldn't keep his promise. Frustration was curdling in his stomach - because he couldn't kill Spencer, because Spencer had gotten himself killed in the first place . . . and, worst of all, because he couldn't do anything to help O'Hara - and nothing could quell the constant storm.

Lassiter realized - standing alone in the shooting range, dozens of bullet holes burning through the paper targets behind him - that he would never be satisfied.

Along with that realization, uselessness formed a cold pit in his chest. He couldn't help O'Hara, he couldn't keep his promise, he couldn't even do his job properly. The feeling tore at him incessantly, threatening to choke him until liquid unwillingly slipped out of his eyes. He wasn't used to feeling emotions so strongly - normally he prided himself on his ability to stay cold and aloof no matter what was going on . . . But one look at O'Hara's devastated face had brought all that crashing down, all because of one small, stupid, irritating psychic who refused to follow the rules.

God, even when he's dead he's unbearably annoying.

A grin just barely tugged at the corner of his mouth before disappearing behind a dark scowl.

Swear to God, Spencer, if there is an afterlife, I will find a way to punish you for this.

Do you think I rambled too much? I feel like I rambled too much. I feel like I literally just wrote what I was thinking and abandoned all structure and order. And also, I didn't know how to end it. XP Please tell me what you thought and whether it was good or it sucked! Everything helps :)