(Disclaimer. Still don't own Psych!)
(AN: Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming! They're the perfect fuel for writing. This chapter seems a bit rougher than the others. I fought with it a little but I promise the next chapter should be better. So please enjoy and don't forget to give some love!)

Days had past and today marked the end of the week since Lassiter agreed to… well, he had agreed to something and was almost desperate enough to ask Shawn for help in finding out what it was. "Almost" being the operative word. Every once in a while he would receive a pout from her direction when she stopped by the Police Department to bring everyone coffee. Whatever it was he would just have to man up and find out. It couldn't be something too horrible, could it? So far she was normal and any fears he once had that she would be as crazy as her brother were quickly fading.
He sipped at his hot beverage and was pleasantly surprised to find it was ordered to his liking. Briefly he wondered who'd told her how he liked his coffee.
He'd just started writing a report when Desirae came over to Spencer and whispered in his ear with a urgent look on her face. Shawn glanced around the area and quickly the two walked off toward the bathrooms.
'Hmm, that was suspicious but probably some sibling problem…'

Standing between the doors to the men and women's bathroom Shawn gave once more glance to make sure they were alone.
"So what's the big problem sis?"
"I have a big favor to ask and before you say anything just know you're the only person I could trust to do this."
Curious! She had his full attention now. "Of course you can trust me with anything… What is it?"
"I need you to go to San Francisco and bring back my stuff. I mean if I could I would but… I can't."
Shawn could see how truly scared and worried she was, it had to be Zack. "Fine I'll do it but on a few conditions."
Dez groaned and wondered if her stuff was really worth it. "Name it."
"You have to buy me pineapple smoothies everyday for a month." She nodded and rolled her hand, signaling for him to continue.
"And you need to take care of Psych while I'm gone. Really it shouldn't take me longer than… three days."
"Whoa, whoa! Back up! Shawn I can't take care of Psych, you know I can't-" He quickly covered her mouth effectively stopping her from saying anything else. "I know you can, you're not as good as me but we both know you can…"
She grumbled against his hand and tried to jerk her head back but he kept close and wouldn't pull away, he was grinning now. They wrestled in the hallway until she licked his hand causing him to yelp and pull away, she won this time. "Oh gross!"
"What's going on?" Lassiter appeared at the other end of the hall, the scuffle apparently had caught his attention.
"Nothing." Answered Shawn. "Just talking business…" He turned to Dez, "So? Deal?" He extended a hand which she grasped and immediately squeaked, his hand still wet from her spit, Shawn laughed in victory. "Well, I'll break the good news to Gus and then I'll get going. See you in a few days Lassie!"
He patted the Detective shoulder and practically skipped away.

The two were left with odd silence as she wiped her hand on her jeans. 'No time like the present Carlton' He opened his mouth to speak but she beat him to it.
"So uh, I know you've been busy but I was still wondering when I might expect you to swing by." He couldn't help but be caught off guard, his tie was suddenly very interesting looking.
"I mean it's not that important if you're too busy. Shawn is obviously too lazy to join me, Gus has his job and Juliet said she was busy but that I should ask you instead."
"Really?" Well this was interesting info.
"Yeah she said you liked to keep in shape and usually go out on daily runs. Figured maybe you'd like a running partner…"
Lassiter was surprised yet felt so relieved and let it show which caused Desirae to laugh.
"You look surprised…"
"No, well, maybe a little. I was distracted by the case and kind of missed some of the conversation." He couldn't help but admit this and was pleased to see she wasn't angry.
"That's ok, I tend to ramble when I shouldn't anyways. So… Running, you and I?"
"Sure that's fine, tomorrow, six a.m.?" Desirae nodded shifting her stance to a more relaxed one. "Perfect, I'll see you then."
The awkward silence was back, both unsure what to say. At the moment Lassiter was relieved to finally have that figured out and settled. He then remembered the moment between her and Shawn and before he could ask her phone started playing some loud and obnoxious song with some guy screaming. "Darn it Shawn!" Dez had jumped and was digging furiously through her purse and quickly answered. "Hello?... Hey Gus what's up? No, no I'll come over right away. Ok, bye!"
Ending the call she sighed softly and gently rubbed at her temple.
"Sorry… um, gotta go, so I'll see you tomorrow then."
Nodding mutely he side stepped to let her go and gave a small smile as she moved past. "Oh Lassiter!"
"Hmm?"
"Never let Shawn get a hold of your cellphone." They both chuckled and she continued on her way. The ladies bathroom door slowly creaked open, Lassiter was surprised to see O'Hara peek her head out.
"O'Hara?"
"Oh, Lassiter! Sorry I wasn't trying to listen in but I didn't want to interrupt her conversation with Shawn." And quickly before he could ask her any questions she hurried away.
'Strange…'

True to his word Carlton showed up in the morning right on time and was standing in front of her door, he double checked the number on the door once more.
142…
A quick knock and he waited patiently, listening to the sound of someone moving around, heading towards the door which flew open. "You're here!" There she stood all dressed except for her messy hair which looked to be halfway through the process of getting brushed. 'I wonder if it's a Spencer thing. Being able to pull off the messy hair…'
"I tend to have a bad habit of keeping my word." Was his answer as she invited him in.
"Excuse the mess!" She said out loud heading towards the bathroom while waving a hand at the paint supplies nearby.
The apartment was very open and walls half finished, currently in the process of having the white replaced by a soft yellow.
The front door led to the front room and to the left he could see the kitchen and dining room, it was all one room. Past the bathroom with a curtain door on his left he saw the stairs which went up to what he guessed was the bedroom which overlooked the kitchen and dining area.
It was very different from his place, which was left quite plain since Victoria left. He never put any effort into decorating the place, unless Police reports and whatnot counted.
"Again excuse the mess, painting takes a lot longer when you have very high ceilings."
"You should force Guster and Spencer to help you out.." He commented as he glanced up at the ceiling, not noticing Desirae looking him over. It wasn't until she gave a soft chuckle that he looked back at her.
"Sorry, it's different not seeing you in a suit and holster."
"Actually…" He unzipped his jacket to show his holster and sidearm. "I never go anywhere without it."
"Well I'll definitely feel safe during our run. So ready to go?" She had gone to the fridge and returned with two water bottles, handing one to Lassiter.

During the run they talked about her new job, her old school, his days in training and previous cases he had solved. When she asked about Victoria he briefly mentioned they were separated and left it at that, whether she would admit it out loud or not he was a little scary when he got angry. He asked her about her previous relationships and learned she was never married but had a serious boyfriend several years ago and left it at that.
Whether he would admit it out loud or not but when she was upset he couldn't help but want to hurt whoever had caused that pained look on her face. By the time they made it back to her place, sweaty and content from the run, almost forty minutes had gone by. "Thanks for joining me Lassiter, makes the run more enjoyable when you have someone with you."
"No problem Desirae.." She blinked in shock, it wasn't often he said her name and using her last name was usually reserved for her brother or dad. She hoped that this was a step closer to friendship.
"Sorry again about the whole… Victoria thing. Shouldn't be asking about fresh wounds."
Lassiter shook his head while she unlocked her door and stepped in, he waited outside the door since he had to leave soon and go clean up at his house.
"We're still working on fixing things."
And by 'we're' he actually meant himself, he seemed to be the only one trying to fix his marriage.
"Well I should let you go, I need to head off and get ready for work."
Saying their goodbyes Desirae watched Lassiter drive away and went inside. Checking her phone she noticed a text from Gus, upon opening it she could frowned. The Chief had a case for Psych and wanted to see them later today.
'Oh man… How will I ever pull this off?'