"911 operator, what is your emergency?"

"My name is Shawn Spencer, I've been kidnapped…"

"Sir, can you tell me where you… sir… sir?"

There was a static-y pop, and the recording ended. Lassiter looked up sharply at the Chief. "How long ago did this come through?"

"Dispatch picked it up three minutes before I called you- if Lorrie Hubbard hadn't been working the switchboard, we may not have heard it."

Lassiter frowned. "Isn't Lorrie the one that Spencer…"

Vick nodded. "Yes, and she called me immediately. We need to move. It's been twenty-four minutes since he was cut off, and given the sound right at the end, we can't waste any time. 911 back-tracked the number to a Laundromat on Wright and 37th."

Lassiter nodded. "I'll call O'Hara, have her meet us there."

As they rushed out of Vick's office, she snapped out commands for additional units. Then, dashing out of the building, they made for their cruisers. Lassiter had his phone pressed to his ear as he slid into the driver's seat. Vick took the passenger's side, still speaking into her communicator. As they tore away from the precinct, Lassiter finally heard the line pick up on the other end. "This is O'Hara…"

"O'Hara, Lassiter- we have a situation…"

0o0o0o0

The pieces of plastic crunched under his feet as Shawn carefully stepped to the right. Andrew was… stalking him for lack of a better description. Actually, that description was pretty damn accurate. The larger man hunched his shoulders as he brushed past the rows of tables and chairs. His eyes remained fixed on Shawn, and Shawn did not like the intent he read there. Any trace of humor had vanished the moment he saw Andrew appear. Instead, he found himself experiencing a level of horror he didn't think was possible. And part of his mind was realizing he wouldn't be getting out of this.

Shawn pressed his back against the first of the washing units, ignoring the pain it caused. Andrew continued to advance, his grin expanding. In the doorway, Erin just watched, a fascinated expression twisting her features into something predatory. Shawn took another step, and another. And then, before he could catch himself, his foot skidded on a spilled parch of liquid detergent… and Andrew lunged.

Shawn's breath left him in a ragged gasp as he felt the giant body smash into him. He hit the floor hard, crying out as his abused flesh struck the solid tile. His instincts fled as he struggled, lashing out wildly with his fists. In the back of his mind, he could hear his father's voice trying to calm him, focus him… but it was muted, and fading. He felt chocked with terror.

And then it got worse.

Andrew caught one wrist in his hand, forcing it to the floor. With his other hand, he reached down… and started fumbling with the front of his jeans.

"Stop!!" Shawn barely recognized his own voice… didn't even notice the tears streaming down his face. He couldn't handle this… it was too much… it was too much!

"SHAWN!! Don't forget what I taught you!!"

His mind cleared just long enough, and with his free hand, he lashed out, connecting with Andrew's throat. As Andrew gagged, Shawn wrenched his other arm free. Punching hard, he caught Andrew in the ear, causing the man to roll to the side. This freed his legs, and he immediately jammed his knee up sharply. Andrew roared, dropping onto his back while he clutched himself in agony. Unfortunately, Erin chose this time to stop being a spectator as she leaped forward and twisted her fingers into Shawn's scalp. He yelled, reaching back to try to pry her hands away. She dug in her nails, twisting his hair violently. He tried to backpedal to relieve the pressure, then gasped as her pointed toe kicked him in the thigh. In sudden rage, he shoved himself back, dropping both of them to the floor. Her hands came free, along with more hair than he really wanted to donate. Panting, Shawn rolled onto his stomach, and felt his body slammed to the stained surface for the third time. Andrew breathed heavily in his ear as he secured Shawn's hands behind his back. Erin was standing shakily, her expression furious. Baring her teeth, she kicked out with her foot, striking Shawn in the cheek. He swallowed back a cry of pain, feeling the breath being crushed from his body by Andrew's weight. Flipping her hair back again, Erin reached into her back pocket and pulled out a flattened roll of duct tape.

"You were really skilled with those cuffs… very impressive. Obviously you're having trouble with this… and I really don't want Andrew to be damaged by anyone other than me. You understand… right?"

Not waiting for an answer, she quickly bound his hands. His legs were left free, which didn't matter anyhow… Andrew's bulk was enough to keep them immobilized.

And then Erin was standing, walking back to the doorway. Crossing her arms, she allowed her face to fall back into that heated, hungry look.

Andrew started touching him again. Running his hands down Shawn's bare sides. Shawn flinched, trying to throw off the caresses. "STOP! GET OFF ME! GET OFF ME!!"

Ignoring him, Andrew curled his fingers around Shawn's waistband.

And everything happened at once.

"SBPD- HANDS UP HANDS UP! GET OFF HIM, NOW! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!!"

Andrew's body was hauled away from him- people were filling the room, swarming over the two kidnappers, reaching for Shawn. And he broke, lurching away frantically as someone place a hand on his wrists. Someone else tried to grab his shoulders, and he reacted instinctively, ramming back his head. There was a shouted curse as he connected with something solid. The hands released him, and he pushed free of the crowd- backing into he was pressed into a corner. Some part of him knew he was freaking out in a highly irrational way. But he couldn't help it… he couldn't stop shaking.

"Okay, back off, get these people out of here!" He recognized Chief Vick's voice, but he remained where he was. Even as the other officers cleared out of the room… even as Detective Lassiter, a tissue pressed against his bleeding nose called for an ambulance, he couldn't relax. Vick was looking at him oddly, her expression a mixture of sadness and outrage. "Shawn, it's okay… let me help you…"

"No! No just… I'm fine, just let me… let me t-talk to my dad… just let me talk to my dad, okay? I'm alright, I just need to talk to my dad…"

Vick held up both hands, backing away again. Stopping near the door, she pulled out her phone. Then, giving Shawn a final look, she dialed.

0o0o0o0

Henry yawned, stretching his arms over his head. Seven am, like clockwork. He never needed an alarm to wake up, he'd been getting up at this time for the past thirty-five years. Shawn, on the other hand, usually classified the alarm as round one. As far as Henry could remember, he'd never been able to get Shawn out of bed after only a single try. As he recalled, nine was the minimum requirement…

Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he yawned again, then paused. His cell phone started ringing, and it was playing the "Chicken Dance"… again.

"Shawn…" He muttered wearily, hitting the answer button quickly to cut off the song.

"Hello… Karen, what…" He was grateful to be sitting as he listened. His hands were shaking by the time she stopped reporting. Standing quickly, Henry moved to the dresser and grabbed a pair of jeans. "Okay, I'm on my way." Snapping the phone shut, he dressed rapidly. On his way to the truck, he pulled out his phone again. Someone needed to call Gus.

0o0o0o0

The ambulance was on the scene by the time he arrived. Several officers were milling about outside, but they seemed to just be taking up space. Brushing past them, Henry shoved through the door… and stopped. Lassiter and O'Hara stood near the entrance, the former pinching his nose, his left eye sporting a healthy bruise. Juliet hovered next to him, splitting her attention between her partner and the activity at the back of the Laundromat. Karen stood further in, her eyes at the far back corner of the room… staring at…

"Shawn."

His son was slumped against the wall, his hands behind his back. Even from here, Henry could see his shoulders shaking violently. Karen had been trying to get close to him, but at Henry's voice, she glanced over her shoulder, then stepped away. Putting everyone else out of his mind, Henry approached his son.

"Shawn." He said again, his voice a little steadier than it had been seconds before. Shawn lifted his head, and Henry had to bite back a shocked exclamation at the sight of his battered face.

"Hey dad." Shawn smiled wearily, sliding down a little more. Henry took another step closer, but stopped when Shawn tensed again.

"Kid, why don't you let me take off those binding huh?"

Shawn smiled, but with no trace of humor. It was painful to watch. "I don't know, I was kinda getting used to this you know? It could be a whole new fad." His body was shivering uncontrollably, sending a spike of fear through Henry's gut.

"I admit, it's a good look, but it might make it hard to put on a shirt- and you look a little chilly." Shawn looked at him steadily, his breathing fast. Finally he nodded, apparently acknowledging the logic of the suggestion. Glancing over his shoulder, Henry gave Karen a look. She'd been close enough to hear the conversation, and she quickly left to retrieve something warm. Turning back to his son, Henry saw that Shawn's eyes were blinking heavily. "Let's get you out of here, okay?"

Shawn nodded again. Henry started to reach for him when Shawn's body suddenly started shaking harder. A strangled sob broke from him, and then he was pressed against Henry's chest as the older man enfolded him. Tormented cries poured from him as Shawn seemed to finally come off the stress of his unbearable ordeal. Someone tapped Henry on the shoulder, and he glanced up to see Karen holding out a short knife. Grabbing the tool, he quickly cut away the tape binding Shawn's wrists. As soon as he was free, he clutched at his father desperately. Pausing only long enough to drape a blanket over Shawn's shoulders, Karen retreated again.

Henry wasn't sure how long he crouched there, but eventually Shawn's cries tapered off, and his body grew suddenly heavier as slumped unconsciously. Henry carefully laid him on his back, allowing the EMT's to swarm around him. Moments later, Shawn was transferred to a stretcher and rushed to the ambulance. Allowing Karen to pull him to his feet, Henry walked out quickly. "I'm riding with him." He said softly. Karen nodded, moving towards the mob of cruisers. "I'll be right behind you." Before she'd taken three steps, Henry's voice stopped her. "Karen… I want an explanation." She looked back at him, her eyes unblinking. "You'll get one, I promise you."

And then he was in the ambulance, and his attention fixed on the pale face above the blanket.

Lights flashing, the ambulance roared from the lot, followed by a line of cruisers.