This whole chapter is about Shawn being interrogated by Lassie. So this chapter is their show. Don't expect anyone else from the Gang. Sorry for the delay, but for a long time I was looking for a way for Shawn to be coherent enough to tell the truth and still maintain his half-crazed mind with all Lands that goes with it, mainly the Bunny Land.

WARNING: MENTIONS OF RAPE AND VIOLENCE

Shawn couldn't believe it. He actually demanded of his father to call Lassie. Why did he do that again? Oh, right, the case. Why was it so important? If he just could sit this one out, he wouldn't have to give a statement. But of course, he couldn't let this case go. Because no case meant no distraction, it would be just him and his mind. And that wouldn't end well. It really wouldn't. Since he woke up in the hospital, his thoughts were so fast and erratic, he was losing himself in non-existing worlds like Bunny Land and he just couldn't stop it. So he thought that maybe if he kept himself busy, he wouldn't go entirely crazy, even if he knew that He is coming back for him. He knew it the moment he saw that note. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about it. He hated the power He hold over him. He hated the way he was shaking just from thinking about Him. He hated he became so weak that he didn't not only defended himself, but he was also completely compliant. He obeyed Him in everything. He hated himself for becoming just fragment of man he was when he thought He was dead. But he really couldn't do a thing about it. There was no point. He really was coward. What would his father think?

So now here he was, in hospital, half sitting, half lying, hoping that somehow, anyhow, his mind would just shut up. That's why he had to work that case. There was no escaping his mind. His thoughts were still too fast. And they were so loud, too loud, he just didn't understand why nobody else heard them. He looked over at Lassiter who was calmly sitting on chair next to his bed, notepad and pen in his hands. He was warily looking right at him, as if he wasn't sure how exactly should he behave. But the moment he saw Shawn looking at him, his face hardened and his impenetrable mask appeared again. Shawn knew he should say something. And it should be probably the thing that was bugging him the most.

„How did you know?" he said. Lassiter looked little startled that Shawn finally said something and something to the topic on top of that, but he composed himself quickly.

„What?"

„How did you know?" Shawn repeated.

„How did I know what?" Lassiter asked, trying to sound sheepishly. Shawn glared at him. He definitely wouldn't say it out loud. Lassiter was looking at him with the same innocent look. For a while, they were staring each other down, but then Lassiter gave in. He sighed and said:

„Fine, be it your way. You're not the first rape victim I questioned, Spencer." When he heard that word again, raped, he inadvertently flinched. Lassiter waited for a few seconds, studying his face, before he continued. „I know all the signs. But what really gave it away was your refusal to let anyone know about your medical condition. I mean, why would you do that? You were already kidnapped, shot, poisoned, ran off the road and god knows what else before. It couldn't get much worse, could it?"

„Damn." Shawn said with sad smile.

„I am Head Detective for a reason, you know." Lassiter said, smugly thinking that Shawn just acknowledged his investigative skills.

„Oh, it's not that. I was just hoping you managed to obtain some of my gift by simply being around me. Then we could team up. Two psychics solving crime. Psych, squared. I think we could be even superheroes. But of course, then we would have to figure out some costumes. And then to make them. For you, I'd say we'd need party puppy dog ears and about 20 inches of horse hair. Why horse hair, you ask? Well that's because I look at you and I see your tail should be all fluffy and hairy and dog hair are so hard to..."

„Spencer!"

„You don't want horse hair? I could try to get some dog hair. But you will owe me my week supply of jerk chicken." Shawn said, still grinning. Lassiter had to take another set of deep breaths before he could continue.

„Spencer. Stay on the subject. Tell me what happened, starting Friday." Lassiter saw that Shawn was opening his mouth with a strange glint in his eyes, so he quickly said: „And leave out the food."

If Shawn didn't need that case so much, he wouldn't listen to him. He would just find a way to annoy him even more. But he did need that case. Without it he'd definitely go insane. So he sighed, and swallowed any other remarks that were on his mind. I can do this. If I just detach myself a little.

He took a deep a breath and started talking, like it was just a story which he read in papers.

„Okay. Friday morning, breakfast. When I leave out all the food, there's not much to say. Not on Friday anyway. In the evening,..."

„Wait. Are you saying that all you did on Friday was eating food?"

„More or less. I also slept. I found missing Thundercat. Then I ate again. Then I slept. Then I woke up and it was evening, almost night."

Lassiter just shook his head. „What time was it?" he asked.

„23:18." Shawn said and Lassiter raised his eyebrows at such accuracy.

And Shawn noticed his curious look. „What?" he asked.

„You know the exact time?"

„Yes, I know the exact time." Shawn said and when he saw Lassiter raise his eyebrows again, he explained: „I looked at the clock. And since I have all weekend sort of seered into brain, I remember it." Shawn hoped it would be enough. It wasn't exactly the truth, but right now, all his career life was based on lie, and this was the best he could do. Fortunately, Lassiter left it at that. He just wrote it down into his notepad and continued.

„What did you do then?"

„Went on a night walk."

„Did something happen there?"

„Bizzon Man." Shawn said and Lassiter narrowed his eyes.

„Spencer."

„It's not a joke, Lassie. I don't know his name. I call him Bizzon Man." Shawn said and his mind went back to that sadistic pile of muscle that ambushed him.

Shawn was lying on hard concrete staring into those malicious blue eyes. He saw him grin with sadistic pleasure and then the scenery changed. He was once again few feet away and on the ground it wasn't him, it was Jazz again. Bison was towering over him with that devilish smile he hated so much. Jazz didn't move. He just lay there, unmoving like a statue. And when another figure came into view, he still didn't move. Pineapple Head knelt beside him and gently caressed his cheek. Jazz just stared into his eyes, panic written all over him. Shawn didn't know where, but Jazz collected power to talk, although his voice was shaking. „Y-you're dead." he said and Pineapple just smiled. He roughly took Jazz's chin into his hand and said: „I know. Good thing my death had no effect on my.. abilities." Pineapple then lowered His head so it was just inches from Jazz's. For a while He was just looking into his eyes, then He smiled again and slowly lowered His head some more, until their lips touched. Shawn was trembling. Wait. Why am I trembling? Because that was Jazz, right? Shawn shouldn't be trembling. Nothing happened to him, it was all Jazz, so why was he trembling? Why?

„Spencer?" he heard. Fortunately he wasn't lost in Bunny Land enough to not hear it. So he could come back. Slowly the image of concrete floor, Bison and Pineapple faded and Lassie came into his view again. Shawn sighed with relief, but his delight didn't last for long. When he looked around his hospital room, he saw green rabbit in the corner, with crossed hands and grumpy expression. He looked right at him like if he was saying 'your fault'. Maybe Shawn could just ignore him. Maybe then he would just disappear.

„Sorry. Where were we?" Shawn asked.

„You were telling me about this 'Bisonman'." Lassiter said, piercing his eyes into his.

„No, no." Shawn said, shaking his head.

„No? So you don't want those crime scene photos anymore?"

„What? No! I mean, yes, I want them, but no, that's not what I meant. You're saying it wrong. See, for one, it's not one word. It's Bizzon-Man. Separate. And it's not Bison, it's Bizzzzon."

„Let's skip to the part where you tell me about him, shall we?" Lassiter said with heavy sigh.

„Who will read this?" Shawn asked, pointing at notepad.

„For now, me and Chief Vick."

„My father, Gus, Jules, cops on the station.. they won't know?"

„I don't see why they should. Of course, if it comes to the court, more people will know. But for now, it's just me and the Chief."

„Okay." Shawn said, little calmer. His father will never know. That's something. But still, the Chief will know. What if she decides that he's too weak to take on cases? It was real possibility. On the other hand, if he doesn't tell the truth, he doesn't get this case. And what was worse, Lassie knew what the truth should contain. So if he was making a statement, he had to say in one point that he was... well, that.

Shawn looked into the corner of the room and saw Jazz. He was still looking at him with the same offended look. Then he stuck out his tongue and turned around, like if he was sulking. What the hell? Shawn couldn't take his eyes of him. He had no idea what was happening. Why was Jazz mad at him? What did he do to him? And what was more important, what was he even doing here? He could handle Bunny Land, Zombie Land, Pain Land. But how was he supposed to handle this? He was clearly paying attention to the real world and yet he saw Jazz like if he was real. What to do, when the worlds were blending with each other?

„Spencer!" Lassiter said, raising his voice. Right, statement. Maybe he was still in the real world, but that didn't mean it was easy to pay attention. Well, it was hard enough without green rabbit in the room. How could someone expect that he would focus in this situation?

„Sorry. Did you say something?" Shawn said and hated that worried look he saw in the detective's eyes. For a moment, Lassiter was just looking at him, but then he decided he should just continue.

„This 'Bizzon Man', he's the one who..." Lassiter started, but Shawn interrupted him, not wanting to hear it again.

„What? No! He just took me and beat me up."

„Hired gun?"

„I suppose." In fact, he didn't suppose. He was sure of it. Because the first time he saw Pineapple, he was alone. And it looked like he was happy with that. But since the last time he 'died', Shawn guessed he didn't want to take any chances. So one Bison, paid on delivery, please.

„So what about the other guy?" Lassiter asked.

„I call him Pineapple Head." Shawn said and Lassiter raised his eyebrows.

„Why?"

„He had funny hair. Let's just move on, shall we? Doesn't matter why, he's Pineapple Head." Shawn said, irritated.

Lassiter narrowed his eyes. „I have a feeling you know him from somewhere." he said and Shawn averted his eyes. Should he tell him? No. He can't tell him the whole truth, but right now, Lassie knows that he's hiding something, so he has to tell him something. Maybe just part of the truth will be enough.

„He's supposed to be dead." Shawn said and looked into Lassiter's eyes again.

„Continue." Lassiter said.

„When I was.. away, out of town I mean, he took someone I knew. I thought he was dead." Shawn said. It was just half of the truth, but that can't hurt, right?

„Your friend or.. what was his name again?" Lassiter asked, sounding totally casual, but it was in his eyes. He was trying to entrap him, to force him to tell the whole truth. But that was simply not gonna happen.

„Nice try. I'm not telling you his name. And both, actually." Shawn said and Lassiter narrowed his eyes. Again. If he does that one more time, he won't be able to see anything. For a while, Lassiter was looking with this disconcerting look at Shawn, but then he returned to his normal piercing gaze.

„Who was this friend?" Lassiter asked and Shawn had to chuckle in his mind. He just won't give up, will he?

„You think I'm an idiot? Wait, don't answer that. Point is, I'm not telling you." Shawn said and Lassiter sighed. Apparently he wanted to push some more, but he knew better.

„Okay. Bison, bizzon, whoever, attacked you and then what?"

„He beat me up a little and I woke up next day on concrete floor of a warehouse, Pineapple Head was there." Shawn said.

„Do you know what kind of warehouse?"

„Storage of tropical fruits. I wasn't lying before. There were pineapples everywhere." Shawn said and Lassiter sighed. Again. It was getting on his nerves. All these narrowing eyes, worried looks and heavy sighing. Shawn wished he would just stop and act like a tough cold cop again.

„How do you know it was next day?" Lassiter asked.

„For one, it was pretty obvious. It was after eleven when I was ambushed, afterall. And also, Pineapple told me we were going to have funny Saturday together."

„What did he do?" Lassiter asked.

„There was some.. touching." Shawn said, looking into the corner with Jazz, who wasn't sulking anymore. Jazz looked at him expectantly, like if he was telling bed time story. „You know, down there. And that really wasn't fair, you know? That place is reserved for beautiful women who are fond of charming psychics with fabulous hair. It's strictly no no dudes place."

Shawn stopped talking for a moment, not really sure if he was up to this. He didn't say much yet and still his heart rate was increasing. He felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. But Jazz seemed so happy now. He was approvingly nodding his head, gesturing him to continue. When Shawn saw the joy in his eyes, he suddenly had a feeling that he really was telling just some fairy tale. The horror one for sure, but still a fairy tale. And maybe he could do it. For Jazz. Right. I'm doing this for hallucination. He was probably completely insane. Well, it had to come eventually, right?

„Do you want a break?" Lassiter asked, concern in his voice. Not Caring Lassie again.

„No, I can continue. So, touching was one thing. Kissing.. even worse! He had terrible garlic breath, not to mention his severe underbite. Watching it was just painful." Shawn said and looked at Lassiter. He was giving him strange look. Really strange. He had no idea what it meant.

„What?" Shawn asked and Lassiter's cold mask was up again.

„Nothing. Just.. continue." he said.

„Then.. you know." Shawn said, still not quite ready to say it out loud. It was surprising how much vague he was, when he remembered every single detail of that hellish weekend. He remembered even dirt on Bizzon Man's shoes. Mud mixed with white powder. The same powder he got when he was hiding in the pile of gravel. Construction. Then why didn't he say something? Why was he so damn evasive, so damn vague, like the worst witness ever? Was he really that weak?

„You need to say it." Lassiter said in soft voice. Trying to sound encouraging, no doubt. But that simply wasn't working. Shawn didn't know if anything at all would work. He wasn't even able to think it, let alone to say it.

„No, I don't. And you know exactly what I mean." Shawn said and Lassiter sighed again. Seriously, stop.

„Fine, we'll move on. Did he forced you to orally satisfy him?" He's calling that 'move on'? Really, this was just worse and worse. He looked at Jazz, who came closer to bed. He was looking at Shawn with wide, expecting eyes. Rabbit with puppy eyes. He didn't have to say anything and still, Shawn just knew. He wanted him to tell the truth. And it broke his heart, because he knew he just couldn't. Not the whole truth anyway. Because to know the truth inside was one thing, it hurt enough. But to say it out loud? No. No way. He apologetically looked at him and wanted to say sorry, when he realized what he was doing. He wanted to apologize to Jazz Jackrabbit. He wanted to apologize to green rabbit from video game. He was utterly and completely mad.

„Spencer!" Lassiter raised his voice again, to get his attention. For some reason, for Lassiter it was enough. He could just raise his voice and he had Shawn's undivided attention again.

„Sorry. No, not this time." Shawn said, not really thinking about it.

„What do you mean, 'not this time'?" Crap.

„Nothing." Shawn tried lamely.

„It wasn't the first time?" Lassiter asked and Shawn kept silent. He was looking around the room, anywhere, just not at Lassiter. And definitely not at Jazz. He couldn't handle those puppy-rabbit eyes. Not now.

„Spencer, just.. tell me. Please." Did he just say please? „When did you first meet him?" Lassiter asked, but Shawn was still quiet. Jazz jumped on the bed, so Shawn would have to look at him. And Shawn did. And for the first time in the real world, Jazz talked. „Tell him." he said in faint voice. But Shawn couldn't. He just couldn't. Guess I am weak.

„You can't keep running away from it." Lassiter said, hoping for some reaction from Shawn.

And this time, he got it. „Sorry, I forgot all about it. And you don't need to know it!"

„I think you remember it just fine."

„He said, she said. Hope you know you are she in that sentence." Shawn said, listening to quick beeping indicating his rapid heart beat. It didn't seem possible that heart could beat that fast. Shawn looked at Lassiter again, who was thoughtfully looking at him back. Which wasn't good. It really wasn't. Last time he looked at him that way, he wanted to do a rape kit. So whatever he was thinking about, Shawn won't like it.

„You were taken as well." And bull's eye again.

„Now, seriously. How do you do that!" Shawn exclaimed.

„Are you jealous of my detective skills?"

„Not at all. With the guide of spirit realm I can do the same and better. But when it's you who's doing it, it's just creepy." Shawn said and his heart rate little dropped. But it was still too fast. Lassiter was opening his mouth again, but was interrupted by opening doors. Rob came in and when he saw heart monitor, he frowned in concern.

„You need to leave." Rob said to Lassiter.

„I'm not done."

„Yes, you are. If you will continue, you'll endanger his recovery. Out." Rob said and Lassiter was killing him with his eyes. But eventually, he gave up.

„Fine, we'll take a break. I need to go to morgue anyway. I'll be back, Spencer." And with that, he left. Shawn exhaled with relief. Rob came closer to check on him.

„You know about all that 'truth will set you free'?" Shawn asked.

„Yes, it's in the Bible." Rob said, not taking his eyes from heart monitor.

„Really? I saw it in Liar, liar."

„Mhmm." Rob said, still concentrating on Shawn's vitals.

„Anyway, it's a bold-faced lie. The truth makes everything worse." Shawn said and lay down completely. If Rob said anything, he didn't hear it. He watched Jazz walk away to his corner, disappointment written in his face. Why was Shawn upset about that? Why did he care about hallucination? Why did it matter that rabbit from video game was disappointed in him? Was it about some Freudian crap? His inner hidden fear of fluffy bunnies or something? Nothing just made sense. Shawn wished he could fall asleep and then wake up in the world where everything was okay, where he wasn't weak and mostly, where everything made sense.