To be honest, I'm little confused. Shawn's head is a weird place to be. And imagine poor Shawn! So don't worry if you don't know what exactly is happening. Neither does Shawn. And I'm not sure if I do. Anyway, who said that Shawn's coping mechanism would be simple? Or pleasant. Or would make sense.
It's really amazing what one can see if he's truly looking. When he forgets about all senses but sight. When one doesn't hear, smell, feel or taste anything, he sees incredible things. That's when the truth is suddenly clear – all people have more or less super sight. And that's when one knows – he's basically superhero! Of course, it's not that good if there are people talking to him and they figure out he actually doesn't listen to them. At all. And when that time comes, it's just better if one forgets about the sight as well.
For instance, Shawn just now focused on funny shirt of his father. Actually it should be with capital F. Because he called it Funny shirt. Because this was the only shirt he couldn't figure out. Because until now he had no idea what was that shirt about. But now he knew.
„Swordfish in cuckoo clock!" Shawn exclaimed. He was thrilled that he could give a meaning to the part of the meaningless shirt's design. But it also broke his focus. And nobody told him he should forget about every sense when that happens. So now he saw and heard everything what was happening. Maybe he little smelt and felt it too. Tasted? How does tension taste? He had no idea, but it had to be this way. Because there was definitely tension everywhere. And they were staring at him with puzzled looks. He didn't like that. Like they thought he's gone insane. It made him feel that he did goinsane. And maybe he did. What does he know anyway?
And there were people staring at him right now expecting him to.. what? Say something? Do something? But what? Definitely not what he was doing right now. What was he doing again? Right. Sitting-lying. What's wrong sitting? What's wrong with lying? And what's wrong with both? Shawn had no idea, but from the looks on their faces, it was wrong. And now his father's lips were moving. What was he saying? He could hear everything else just fine, so why couldn't he understand a word he said? What is happening? It was like he was here, but not really here. But how could that be? If he zoned out, he should be oblivious to his surroundings. If he was in the reality, he should be able to understand what other people were saying. But this – almost like he wasn't here all the way. Locked in his mind with a glimpse of reality. But that's not possible, is it? It would contradict the whole concept of zoning out if he could see what was happening. It didn't happen to him before, ever. It couldn't happen. And yet he was here, but he wasn't here. And when he looked at his father, he saw it in his face. He wanted something from him. But he had no idea what. And then he saw it, in the corner of the room, there was Blues and Bison. And Bison was kicking Blues. And Blues didn't fight back. Why didn't he fight back? He could fight him. He wasn't that weak. How do I know he's not weak? Nothing of this made any sense. He shouldn't be seeing this. He was awake. All that bunnies were just sick dream. Was this dream too? No, this was not dream. But how did he know this was real? Could he even tell a difference anymore? And now his dad was just in front of him, his lips moving. He wanted something. They all wanted something. And Bison was still kicking Blues. Blues still didn't fight back. Why didn't he fight back? And they still wanted something. He saw his dad raise his hand. He wouldn't. Right? He wouldn't hurt him. That was his dad. But that hand was still raising. He wouldn't touch him, would he? But that hand was still closer and it felt like eternity and yet it was merely a second. If he touches him, he'll flinch. He knows he will. He should tell him not to do that. But how would he explain that? And how would he tell him, when he's not all the way here? People were talking, he knew they were – their lips were moving. He didn't understand them either. He was just trapped. Trapped between his two worlds. In one world Blues was being beaten up, in the other his father wanted to touch him. And he realized he wasn't really ready to be in either world. Maybe that was the reason he remained trapped. But why was he trapped in the first place? It happened before Blues showed up. What is happening? Yes, he was repeating himself, but seriously – what was happening?!
„I wouldn't do that." Shawn heard. Wait. How can he understand? He didn't understand any other voices. And yet this one he did. And when he realized who that voice belongs to, he thought – Of course I understand this one. He wouldn't get rid of him, never, not even in the void between worlds. But honestly, he was glad. Because his dad's hand stopped moving. Maybe he wouldn't touch him now. His father was saying something – again – but not to Shawn. He was looking behind him. But Shawn still concentrated on his father's hand, so he didn't really see who he was talking to.
Didn't took long and his father disappeared from Shawn's line of sight to be replaced by an owner of the voice. So now he saw him, Lassie, trusted Head Detective of the SBPD. What did he see in his eyes? Was it slight concern? Oh no, not Caring Lassie. He was looking into his eyes and saw how flash of concern was soon exchanged by.. could it be irritation?
„Spencer, I need your statement and I did not come here all the way from the crime scene – important one I might add – only for you to be playing soulless zombie." Yep, irritation. Thank God. He had a strange feeling now and when he looked at Blues with Bison, he saw them fade. So that was enough? He just needed Lassie acting like himself? What?! I don't need Lassie! But neverthless it was working.
„Snap out of it!" Lassie's voice was firm and it was the last impulse Shawn needed. He blinked few times and the real world was suddenly making sense. There were voices, some of them whispering, some of them shouting, but it wasn't that confusing like just a minute before. And absence of Blues & Bison also helped.
„Lassie!" Shawn said when he composed himself. He looked around and saw the relief in everyone's eyes. But he turned his attention to Lassiter again. „Zombie, really? You've been watching Walking Dead again?"
„He's fine." Lassiter said and went to lean against the wall, his arms crossed and expression unreadable.
„Hey Dad. Gus. Jules. Wait. Where is Jules? She was here when I arrived." Shawn said and was looking around again. Where did she go? She was here. He knew she was. But was she here when he woke up? He had no idea. How so he had no idea? He always knew, because he noticed everything. Did he break his brain or something?
„We still have a case to solve, Spencer." Lassiter hissed. His face was still unreadable. It seemed impossible now, that he could've ever been Caring Lassie. Maybe he was dreaming. And maybe he's dreaming now. I really can't tell a difference, can I? It was little unnerving, really.
„And there was really nothing she could do here. Since you forbid your doctors to share any informations with your family." Henry said and pierced his eyes into Shawn's. What did he say about unnerving?
„Or friends." Gus said and his face was unreadable like Lassiter's. What? Gus was always readable. Shawn could always say what he was thinking. But now? He came up blank. Now, this was unnerving.
„Oh. Right." Shawn said and was feeling nervous. What? It's not like he's in the seventh grade! Why is he nervous because his dad stares at him and his friend is unreadable? This required change of topic. On something delicious.
„Gus. Did you bring me jerk chicken?"
„You're after surgery, Shawn. And I'm not talking to you." Okay, that didn't work.
„Oh." Shawn said and really it was the only thing he could think of.
„Yes. Oh." Henry said looking into Shawn's eyes. Is he trying to stab me with his eyes or something?
„Okay, let's hear it." Shawn said and Henry looked confused for a moment. But then he got the idea where was Shawn going.
„I'm not gonna give you a lecture, Shawn." Henry said still looking into his eyes.
„Who are you and what did you do to my father?" Shawn said and suspiciously eyed Henry. He saw the same piercing look. What is happening? „Ha! I got it! You're a zygon! We've been invaded by Zygons!"
„I knew I shouldn't let you watch that." Henry said not taking his eyes of him.
„Under that ridiculous shirt and neverending bald you're covered in suckers!" Shawn said in the high pitched voice of girly version of Geico Gecko.
„Or anything british for that matter." Henry said. And he still stared at him. No, seriously – what is that?
„That's not possible, Shawn." Gus said. Not talking, huh?
„Of course it is! Zygons are virtually irrecognizable from the people but underneath, they're just slimy clods of suckers!"
„No, not that. Everybody knows that in that show England is always invaded first."
„Damn. You're right. I should've paid a better attention. But there were suckers! I think that's a good enough excuse." Shawn said and grinned. He knew Gus wouldn't be able to help himself. He had a compulsive need to correct him. And it felt so good. For a moment, he almost forgot. But of course he didn't. He never forgot, didn't matter how much he was trying. He could never forget. But this way he could at least pretend.
Lassiter coughed. Shawn saw his father turn around. There was some kind of silent conversation between them. Well, as he knew his father, more like silent fight. Which was weird, really. Since when was his father silent? At least he pointed that piercing look towards someone else. But Lassiter didn't look a bit affected by it. And then happened something Shawn didn't expect – his father gave up and left the room along with Gus. Lassiter on the other hand sat down on the chair next to the bed and pull a notepad from his pocket. Oh, right. He did say statement. Shawn was already preparing his stock of bullshit and hoped he will irritate the Head Detective so much that he will just leave.
„What happened?" Lassiter asked.
„Today? Let me think it through. First of all, my milk went bad, so I couldn't have Fruit Loops for breakfast. Well, I could, but without milk. But that wasn't an option. Fruit Loops have to be in the milk, because only then there's that delightful taste of the white river full of rainbow sweetness. Then, I went to Mandy's.." Shawn began to rant and noticed how Lassiter's left eye began to twitch. That'll be fun. Only talking about food could take hours. Of course he didn't even get past the breakfast and Lassiter interrupted him.
„I don't care about your breakfast. Tell me what happened over the weekend. Apparently, you fell of the grid, you didn't even call Guster." Lassiter said, his eyes pierced into his. Shawn suddenly felt like a suspect in the interrogation room. Maybe he should tell him at least part of the truth without him knowing it was the truth. Suprisingly, truth was the one thing people believed the least.
„Okay, okay. On Saturday I went to storage of tropical fruits. I never saw so many pineapples in one pla.."
„Stop talking about the food." Lassiter said through clenched teeth. Shawn had to smile. Because Lassiter had no idea how much were those pineapples imporant. At least in the matter of what-happened-to-poor-funny-and-slightly-sexy-psychic.
„So no mention of the food? Okay then. In that case, on Friday I met Bizzon/Bison Man.."
„Stop jerking around. Even without information about your medical condition I have pretty good idea what happened to you. But you still need to tell me." He can't know. Right? Before Shawn could think about it more, the door opened and Rob came in.
„I'm sorry, but I need to check the patient. Won't be a minute." Rob said and came to Shawn's bed to check his vitals. Lassiter looked deep in thought. He looked to Shawn's eyes, then he looked at the doctor.
„I need you to run a rape kit." Lassiter said pulling out his badge so it would be more visible. Shawn's heart rate immediately elevated. What did he just say? How could he know? He couldn't, right? But he said it. He knows. Or maybe he just thinks it. Maybe he doesn't know it for sure. Shawn hoped that Rob won't give in under Lassiter's pressure.
„I'm sorry detective, but we cannot perform rape kit without his consent." Yes! Attaboy!
„This is police investigation." Lassiter growled, but Rob didn't budge.
„I don't care if it's the matter of national security, we still need his consent."
Lassiter stared at the doctor for a while, but then he turned his attention back to Shawn.
„Spencer, give him consent."
„No." Shawn said, not looking at him. This is definitely not fun.
„Spencer." Lassiter said in gentler tone. But if he hoped that would help, he was so wrong. It was just worse. Shawn was becoming irritated again. If he hated something, it was Caring Lassie. It wasn't natural.
„Look Lassie, it's simple logic. I wasn't …" Shawn couldn't say it. Not even when he denied it. He couldn't even think it. And he didn't have to think the word. Because before he could think it, he saw Him again, he felt Him again. And it was so real and Shawn was terrified he would zone out to the other world, because there was Blues and Bison and Pineapple and him as Jazz. He would feel it there too, but in that world he would have to watch how was Blues beaten up. No. Stay in reality. It was bad enough when it was only Jazz and Pineapple, he didn't have to watch Blues and Bison too. He took a deep breath. „Therefore, I don't need.. anything like that, okay?" Shawn said more harshly than he wanted. He looked around and saw Lassiter glaring at him and.. that was it. Rob wasn't there. When did he leave? Lassiter still stared at him. The silence was really awkward, but then he finally talked. „The hell you weren't."
Shawn was just silent. He couldn't think of any snark comments. Not even one. Complete blank. What the hell? And Lassiter still stared at him. Eventually, Shawn couldn't stand it.
„What do you want from me, Lassie?" he asked.
„Oh, I don't know. Let's see. What about you start cooperating."
„Or what?" Shawn said, not looking at him.
„Or I'll arrest you for hindering police investigation." Lassiter said and this time, Shawn did look at him. Arrest me?
„I'm lying in the hospital bed after I was..", Shawn said and when he saw the sparkles in Lassiter's eyes, he emphasized the next word, „..attacked by Bizzon/Bison Man and you want to arrest me?"
„Absolutely." Lassiter said and Shawn didn't really expect anything else. Wait. Did he say investigation?
„Wait a minute. What investigation?" He did say investigation, right?
„What do you think, Spencer?" Apparently, he did.
„You're investigating me?"
„Think about it. You collapsed on the crime scene, covered in bruises, obviously beaten up. Of course there will be an investigation. Now, will you for once act like an adult, so I can find out who did this to you?" Lassiter said. Shawn just smirked and looked away. Whodunit wasn't really issue here. He always knew who it was. But there was no arresting him. Last time, he thought He was dead, that was the main reason he could pretend that it didn't happen. He knew He wouldn't come back. But He did come back. There was no escaping Him. If He could escape the death, how could the bars stop Him? Shawn just had to do what He wanted and at least it won't hurt so much.
„You know who it was." Lassiter said and Shawn looked at him, alarmed. Is he psychic or something? Okay, maybe Shawn's body language wasn't that unreadable as in the normal day, but this was just ridiculous. Since when was he so observant?
„No, I don't." Shawn said in the last hope of denial. He looked around and saw some gift cards and gift baskets. He decided to go through them.
„Cut the crap! I'm not an idiot."
„That's debatable." Shawn said, reading one gift card after another.
„Spencer.." Lassiter said and Shawn was sure he said something else after that, but he had no idea what. Real world ceased to exist, he wasn't even in the bunny land. All he could see was the four words on one of the gift cards.
'You didn't pick up.'
Okay, first meeting was little.. awkward. And how exactly is Shawn supposed to ignore that anything happened when Lassie won't give him a break and now he got a creepy message?
In the next chapter there will be more of Henry and Gus and finally Jules. And with little luck, Shawn will be coherent for the most of the time. Or not. With Shawn, you never know.