Finished this chapter in neck-breaking speeds! Woot!
Let's hope I can keep up this groove, this keeps up and the fic'll be done in no time, lol.
Disclaimer: I don't own Psych or anything associated with the show. If I did McNab would get a lot more airtime D:
Hope you enjoy!
It was dark, cold, and deafening in that cellar, Shawn feeling like he couldn't breathe, couldn't think. The cuffs on his wrists were cutting into his skin so hard that the cuts were running freely, the drips of crimson running down his arms as he became painfully aware of the wounds. Looking in the corner, he saw Lassiter, tied up and struggling. The detective was looking straight at him, his mouth open as if he was yelling at him, but no words coming out of the older man's mouth. Still, Shawn didn't need to hear him; he could see that Lassiter was yelling for him to run and escape, to leave.
Looking up, he saw his captor, Norman Blake staring down at him with that sneer he had come to fear. The criminal pulled a gun out from his back pocket, and walked toward Lassiter, aiming the gun at the detective. Shawn pulled at his restraints, begging and pleading for the man to stop. But he shook his head and turned back to Lassiter, pulling the trigger.
Shawn snapped up as he took in a large intake of breath, gulping it in like an addicting drug. Those long breaths quickly turned into short pants as the psychic looked around, trying to assess his situation. It was dark; too dark to make out anything but the digital clock on what he assumed was a dresser. It quickly dawned on Shawn that he was on someone's bed, and he was wearing nothing but his boxers. This sent alarm bells ringing in the psychic's head, and he backed himself up against the headboard.
Suddenly, a door opened, a bright light shining into the room Shawn was in. Shawn felt sweat collect on his brow as his eyes focused and he registered that there was a silhouette standing in the brightly-lit doorway.
"Finally awake Spencer?"
The adrenaline shot in Shawn's veins, and he let out a girly, high pitched scream of terror. Shawn sprung to life, and hopped off the bed, only to have his legs buckle under him, the psychic falling to the floor.
"Oh crap, oh crap!" Shawn hissed as he realized his legs didn't want to talk to his brain, before crawling under the bed.
A sigh rang in the room, and the light within the bedroom clicked on, illuminating everything at Shawn's eye level, which wasn't helping Shawn discern anything. The only thing he could see were the abductors feet, the appendages coming closer to the bed.
Shawn let out a loud, unmanly squeak and looked around for something he could defend himself with. Seeing a briefcase, he grabbed it and shoved it out, trying to bludgeon the abductors feet, "Don't come any closer! I know how to use this as a deadly weapon! I'm like that lame assassin who uses shoes to kill people!" Shawn said in a slight panic.
"O-Ow, What the hell?" The abductor said with anger in his voice. Hands appeared and grabbed the briefcase, tugging at it roughly and pulling Shawn out from under the bed with it, the contact of the carpet on the floor giving Shawn serious carpet burn. Shawn let out a shriek of terror and curled up in a ball, "Please don't kill me! I'm too pretty to die!" Shawn wailed.
"Wh-Spencer, Look at me!"
Shawn pursed his lips before looking up, seeing a very wet, very annoyed Lassiter looking down at him clothed in a fluffy white bathrobe.
"You better have a good explanation for trying to smack me with my briefcase after I went out of my way to take you home with me like you ASKED me to." Lassiter said angrily.
Shawn stared at Lassiter for a good fifteen seconds before pursing his lips and looking away, "I'm sorry, I thought I was a victim of date-rape, or maybe someone found out that my pineapple shampoo is imported from Canada and wanted to scare me into giving it to them… Either way I don't really remember how I got here." Shawn said as he looked around, realizing he had never been in Lassiter's bedroom before.
Lassiter raised a brow "You don't remember?"
Shawn shook his head and attempted to get up, his legs buckling under him again, "Does me ending up at your house explain why I have suddenly decided to become a paraplegic?" the psychic asked as he checked his wobbling legs.
Lassiter sighed, "You look pathetic… Here" The detective leaned down and picked Shawn up; allowing the psychic to lean into him as his legs shook, "It's probably from lack of use. You were chained to a guy's basement high as a kite for three days after all." Lassiter pointed out.
"A guys… basement?" The memories hit Shawn like a torrent of water. He remembered the chains, the beatings, and the criminal trying to get him to beg for sex, the whole ordeal so fresh in his mind reality left him for a second.
Lassiter noticed this and raised a brow, "You alright Spencer?"
The younger male shuddered and instinctively pulled Lassiter closer by the front of his bathrobe, "Y-Yeah I'm alright… That wasn't just a nightmare then…" Shawn said in a slightly unnerved manner.
Lassiter saw the change in Shawn's demeanor immediately. The younger male going from slightly confused but relaxed to guarded and fearful. The head detective pursed his lips "You alright?" He asked, not liking Shawn's odd behavior.
Shawn looked at him with a confused gaze, before looking down at his slightly shaking knees, "Y-yeah, I guess…" Shawn said quietly, his gaze slightly far away.
Lassiter nodded and tried to pull away, surprised when Spencer held fast, his grip tightening on the front of his bathrobe. The detective brought his hands up to Spencer's, touching the top of Shawn's hands tentatively, trying to ease Shawn back into reality.
That seemed to do the trick, as Shawn jolted with a sharp intake of breath and released the front of Lassiter's bathrobe like he had been burned. "Ah- Sorry Lassie, that bathrobe is so plush I couldn't help but wonder if it was made from clouds that were created from kitten's dreams and rainbows." Shawn said with a small smile.
Lassiter was taken aback by the psychic's change in demeanor, but brushed it off, "Whatever Spencer, stay here and let me get dressed." Lassiter said as he walked back in the bathroom.
Shawn pursed his lips and looked down, going over the past few days in his head Yeah… It's all a little fuzzy, but Blake had me for a while… Shawn thought to himself with a shudder, Relax Shawn. He's caught and going to rot in a cell. This is just like the Yang case, you got your man, and that's that. Nothing to worry about… Shawn tried to reassure himself. Wondering why this time that reassurance wasn't quite quelling his unease.
"Spencer, I'm talking to you!"
Shawn was shaken out of his thoughts again by Lassiter's powerful voice, the psychic letting out a nervous laugh as he looked up to a now fully clothed detective, "Sorry Lassie, I must be suffering from jet-lag from the induced-trip that I've had to endure the past few days. What did you say?" Shawn asked as he stared up at Lassiter with a curious gaze.
Lassiter rolled his eyes. "I said lay on the bed. Now that you're awake I need to check you out." The detective repeated.
Shawn raised a brow and gave Lassiter a mock-seductive grin, "Ooh, a little forward there aren't you Lassie? Shouldn't you at least treat me to dinner first? I know I'm a bit promiscuous, but it is very un-gentlemanly of you to expect me to put out before the first date." Shawn said as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Lassiter rolled his eyes and shoved the younger man onto the bed, "I meant check your wounds and make sure you're okay, idiot. You should be resting in a hospital, but according to you hospitals are bad for people in your situation." Lassiter said as he sat on the bed, running his hands across Shawn's torso, checking for spots that could be cause for concern. "Tell me if anything is hurting or feels odd."
Shawn squirmed and stifled a laugh, "If by weird you mean tickly then yes. Everything feels odd." Shawn said as he felt himself moving away from Lassiter's pokes and prods. "Aha- Lassie be gentle!"
Lassiter rolled his eyes, "I'm a cop. Gentle isn't in my vocabulary." The detective said in slight annoyance. Still, he slowed his touches and used his palms, pressing them into key areas instead of poking them. "There, better?"
Shawn pursed his lips as he felt Lassiter's warm hands pressing lightly against his chest and sides, "Yeah, much better Lassie." The psychic cooed, leaning into the touch contently. He's got warm hands. Shawn noted.
Lassiter finished his inspection and took his hands off Spencer, "Well, nothing seems to be wrong with you physically. I think you'll be okay." The detective looked at the clock; it was barely 7:40, "It's still early…" Lassiter noted.
Shawn sat up and stretched, nodding in agreement. "That it is. So, what's on the agenda Lassie-face? Are we gonna watch some reruns of Law and Order? Or maybe a little bit of Cops? We can play a few drinking games if you want, I for one make a mean Pineapple-tini if you have what I need."
"No. I think I'm going to take you home Spencer." Lassiter said as he got up, grabbing a shirt and a pair of pants from his drawer, tossing the clothes to the psychic "Get dressed."
Shawn pouted, "Whaaat? Why? Shawn asked in annoyance, getting up and crossing his arms, "Is it because you don't like pineapple? I can make something with scotch if you prefer, maybe something with a lemon-y twist for you." Shawn chirped.
Lassiter turned and sighed, "The reason I brought you back here was to make sure that you were alright and wouldn't end up dead if I just brought you to your house. You seem lucid enough, and you don't have any injuries that won't heal up fine with rest. All-in-All, there is no reason for you to stay."
"But I don't wanna go home."
"And why not?"
"Because my house has an angry specter in it."
"An angry specter… Really?"
"Yes."
"You're really gonna try and sell me that?"
"Yes I am… Is it working?"
"Spencer, get out."
Lassiter grabbed Shawn by the arm and dragged him to the living room toward the door, "You are not staying over if you don't have to. I'm taking you home" Lassiter ordered.
Shawn let out a whine and tried to pull away from the detective, not liking where this was going, "But Lassieee, you know how bad it can be for my psychic aura if I go home to an angry specter? I could end up coming to work speaking a dead language, or putting a curse on the whole station!"
"No buts Spencer. Unless you can give me a really, REALLY good reason, you're gone."
Shawn scanned the rooms for something that could pre-occupy their time so he didn't have to go just yet. After a bit of searching, the psychic spotted a load of casework on Lassiter's desk.
Bingo.
"Oh, I'm having a vision!" Shawn said as he dead-weighted on Lassiter, falling to the floor.
"Spencer, get the hell up, you look ridiculous!" Lassiter said as he tried dragging Shawn by the arm as the psychic writhed and jerked about on the floor.
"You're stressed, you're tired." Shawn panted, before flinging his body toward Lassiter's desk, "The cause of your strife is in those papers, it's your job, but you don't feel like reviewing the cases." Shawn said as he jerked his head back and forth.
Lassiter rolled his eyes, "Yes, it's called casework. I don't feel like doing it right now, but I have to. So what?"
Shawn stood up, straightening his boxers like he was a man of class. "I could go over it and knock out some of your suspects if you want." Shawn said with a cheeky grin.
"Really now?" Lassiter said with a disbelieving laugh, "Even if you could do that Spencer, which I don't think you can, the answer is no. I'm not gonna let you near any of these cases, because there's no way in hell I'm gonna let you talk anyone into hiring you for them."
Shawn pursed his lips and looked up thoughtfully, before sliding toward Lassiter and putting a friendly arm around the detective's neck, "How's this Lassie-frassie, if I can rule out five of your suspects in the first case-file, then you let me help you with the rest of the cases on your desk."
Lassiter rolled his eyes, "No Spencer. Not a chance."
"You didn't let me get to best part." Shawn leaned in by Lassiter's ear, "I'll do it free of charge. For a guy with my talents that's not an offer I normally give to my clients, but for you Lassie, I'm willing to overlook the fee this once to help you work your magic." Shawn whispered with a seductive and playful overtone.
Lassiter shifted uncomfortably and shoved Spencer off "and why, pray tell would you do it free of charge?"
"Because I wanna help."
"I understand this, but why would you want to help me, right now."
"Because we're best pals!"
"No, we aren't"
"Buddies then!"
"Not even close."
"Hmm…. Secret lovers?"
"Spencer!"
"What? Drimmer thought we made a cute couple!"
"I will shoot you."
Shawn raised his hands in defense, "I just wanna help. Maybe… because…" Shawn scratched the back of his head, "You saved me and took care of me? This is the least I can do to return the favor." Shawn finished, flashing Lassiter a bright smile.
Lassiter stared at Shawn for a while, trying to look for some sort of ulterior motive. Seeing that the younger man looked sincere enough, the detective let out a long sigh, "Fine. You can look through them if you want. Just do me a favor."
Shawn put a hand to his hips, "For you? Anything."
Lassiter brushed past Shawn to sit at his desk, "You dropped the clothes I gave you. Put them on please."
"Yes sir!" Shawn said with a mock salute, before half-skipping back into the bedroom to change.
When Shawn returned, he got straight to work. Lassiter was glad he hadn't bet money on the assumption that Shawn couldn't out some of the suspects, because the psychic had taken a pen and scratched six names off the first page of the list of suspects after reading the case history.
The minutes quickly turned into two hours. Lassiter normally didn't like the desk side of casework, but as he went through the cases with Shawn one at a time, he eventually fell into a groove, the two of them posing theories and scenarios with each of the suspects and how they could fit into different situations. This was a new approach that Lassiter had never considered, and was actually kind of fun.
You know, when Shawn wasn't laughing at a theory that he presented.
"Oh Lassie, that's rich. Why the hell would this guy be our perp? He's blind, how the hell would he have sniped the guy from 700 yards away?" Shawn said with a laugh.
Lassiter glared up at the psychic, "He's got motive, and no alibi. That's normally how we review these things Spencer." Lassiter defended.
Shawn raised his hands in defense, "Okay, Okay don't worry about it." Shawn said as he wiped a tear from his eye, before patting Lassiter on the back and wrapping his arm around the detective's shoulder, "Okay, show me the next case." Shawn said as he looked over the file, scanning the pages with interest.
Lassiter flipped the page, and Shawn leaned closer, the younger male's side pressing snugly against the detective's as he read the file. Lassiter noticed this and shifted a bit in his seat.
Obviously his parents failed to teach him about personal space. Lassiter thought to himself as he tried to concentrate on the file.
Despite his thoughts, Lassiter knew that this was exactly how Shawn was. The psychic was always in his personal space, touching his face and hair unnecessarily. Lassiter knew that he himself wasn't a very touchy feely person, but he still put up with Shawn touching him, and dancing around him, and sitting on his lap… When Lassiter thought about it, if anyone else started touching him like that, colleague or not; he'd probably punch them in the face. Lassiter turned and stared intently at Shawn, realizing that that had never been the case with the eccentric psychic.
What exactly is so different about him…? Lassiter thought curiously trying to pick out exactly why it was different with the psychic as he looked the younger male over.
Shawn was skimming the pages with a thoughtful expression, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. The psychic's eyes flickered back and forth through the pages thoughtfully as he scrawled out scenarios using possible suspects from his list. This was a side of Spencer that Lassiter had never seen before, and he couldn't help but feel a tad relieved to see that the magic curtain Shawn hid behind wasn't the only thing in the psychic's bag of tricks. No matter how he solved the cases, psychic, spiritual or not, Lassiter could see from the way he worked that he actually relied on a lot of logic and deduction when working through his insanely crazy theories.
He's amazing… Lassiter thought to himself as he looked the man over. Everything about how he worked was just spot-on, the outlines of his scenarios, his organization of the case at hand, those bright hazel eyes and how they flashed when the psychic came up with a new idea, the way Shawn pursed his soft looking lips slightly when he was thinking…
Wait… Wait, what? Lassiter thought as he looked forward, a twinge of shock at his thoughts. I am not sitting down and marveling at Spencer's appearance. Lassiter looked away from the younger man. No… I am just taking note of certain features that are statistically found to be attractive on a man… Lassiter thought, immediately defending his actions in his moment of weakness.
Shawn noticed Lassiter's change in demeanor, and leaned down, looking up into Lassiter's eyes curiously "What's the matter Lassie? You can tell me. Despite the fact that you hold me to the level of acquaintance, I see us more along the lines of passive-aggressive soul-mates." Shawn said with a cheeky grin.
Lassiter coughed and got up, scratching the back of his head and looking at his clock, which read 9:45. "Thank you for the help Spencer. I think I can handle the rest…" Lassiter said quietly as he backed up a bit. "Anyway, it's getting a bit late, I should take you home." Lassiter said quickly as he grabbed his keys from the wall.
Shawn looked up and laughed a bit nervously, "But we were on a roll! C'mon Lassie-face, there's just three more cases." Shawn said as he pulled up the case he was working on.
Lassiter shook his head, "No. I have to get ready for work, and you have to get going. By the time I drop you off and get home it's going to be extremely late." The detective said as he grabbed Shawn's arm, "Get up Spencer, you have to go-"
Shawn stiffened, and he tugged away from the detective. Lassiter noticed Shawn taking a defensive stance, hugging his arms and looking down. "Lassie… please let me stay…" Shawn asked in a much softer, more timid tone than the detective was used to hearing.
Lassiter looked the psychic over intently, taking note that Shawn's strange behaviors had resurfaced. "Well what about Guster's place? I'm sure he'll take you in. "
Shawn let out a nervous laugh, "I… I wouldn't wanna bother Gus with something like this. He's probably out doing tap lessons, or reading the next issue of Safe-Cracker monthly." Shawn said quietly.
Lassiter scratched the back of his head, feeling his resolve crumbling, "Are you sure you want to stay here? I get up early in the morning." Lassiter warned.
Shawn waved it off, "Nah, don't worry Lassie. I sleep like a log. You probably couldn't wake me up if you tried."
Lassiter stared at Shawn for a few more seconds, before sighing "Fine, but just for tonight, and you're sleeping on the couch alright? No one sleeps in my bed but me." Lassiter ordered.
Shawn immediately shifted his demeanor to more positive and relaxed "Fine with me Lassie-Face." Shawn said brightly, walking up and giving Lassiter an affectionate nudge before running across the room and hopping onto the couch. "Ooh, Lassie… This couch is…cushy…" Shawn said as he bounced around lightly.
Lassiter scratched the back of his head and walked toward his kitchen, pouring himself a small glass of scotch and downing it, "Yeah, whatever Spencer." Lassiter said quietly, mulling things over. I think Shawn's blatant disregard for personal space, and the sexual flirting he brings to my office space is causing my brain to malfunction. Lassiter thought to himself.
"Well, despite the fact that I'm a bit of a lover of the night, I think I'm gonna start winding down." Shawn said as he fumbled about.
Lassiter looked up and immediately looked back down as Shawn stripped out of his shirt and pants and lay back down on the couch in his boxers. "I'm gonna hit the sack. Lassie, you should go to sleep too so you can be a big, bright ray of sunshine when you wake up!" Shawn said as he stretched out, showing off his lean body with no shame.
Lassiter mentally reprimanded himself when he caught himself watching; whatever he's doing to me I'm not going to buy it. It's probably a trick so he can mock me later for being attracted to a male. Oh, I'm onto you and your little tricks, Spencer.
The detective turned off the kitchen light, dousing the area in darkness, before he headed toward his bedroom, stopping when he heard Spencer whistle for him. "What is it Spencer?" Lassiter said as he glared weakly in the general direction of the couch.
"…Thanks for letting me stay Lassie… I really appreciate it." Shawn said with a tone that Lassiter couldn't place. The detective stood in place for a few seconds, before looking down, "Don't mention it." Lassiter said quietly, before moving to his bedroom and closing the door as a thoughtful look crossed his face.
Spencer's behavior is slightly… disheartening
Lassiter shook his head, trying to ignore his thoughts and suspicions before stripping down and grabbing his favorite pair of silk pajama bottoms, putting them on and slinking into bed.
He knew that for whatever reason Shawn didn't want to be anywhere but here, at his home. Seeing as the faux-psychic had put his life on the line for the past three and a half days to book a criminal that was twenty years late for jail-time, The detective felt like he could humor the psychic just this once.
It's only one night. What damage can Spencer do in one night? Lassiter reassured himself, before drifting off into a deep sleep.
Shawn opened his eyes. It was the same dark cellar giving him the same dark feelings. Looking in the corner, he saw Lassiter, tied up and struggling, Norman Blake standing over him with the gun trained on the detective. Again Shawn pulled at his restraints, begging and pleading for the man to stop. But he shook his head and turned back to Lassiter, pulling the trigger.
The blood was everywhere, and a pool of blood was forming under the detective, who had stopped squirming as his eyes widened in shock. Shawn yelled and tore at his restraints, trying to get towards his friend to stop the bleeding. He could only watch as the light started fading from those blue eyes as a sickening laugh filled the room, engulfing him in a suffocating sound.
Lassiter woke with a hint of alertness when he heard his bedroom door creak open. His hand shot for the gun on his dresser, but stopped halfway when a small "Lassie" was called from the person at the door. Lassiter let out a long, frustrated exhale "Spencer, it's 2:00 in the morning; I've got to be up in four hours."
"Yeah I know, sorry… Quick question…" Shawn whispered as he opened the door a bit wider.
Lassiter groaned and buried his face in his pillow, "What is it?"
Shawn walked quietly toward Lassiter, before crawling onto the bed, the mattress dipping from the added weight. "I know you're probably not the cuddling type, but I kinda lied about your couch… it just isn't doing it for me. You think I could crash here for the rest of the night?" Shawn whispered as he snuggled under the covers.
Lassiter tensed and turned around, "No. Spencer you get back on that couch or I will throw you out on the porch." Lassiter warned.
Shawn didn't move, "Don't worry Lassie; it'll be like I'm not even here." Shawn said as he gave the detective a bit of distance.
"No. Out." Lassiter ordered, before grabbing Shawn and shoving him off the bed.
Expecting this, Shawn held fast to Lassiter's arm, dragging the detective out of bed and onto the floor with him.
Lassiter seethed, "Spencer, this is your last warning. Go back to the couch."
Shawn pursed his lips, "C'mon Lassie, I'm not that horrible. You make it sound like I'm gonna give you man-cooties or something." Shawn said with a small laugh.
Lassiter was about to grab Shawn and toss him out on his ass when he stopped and stared, now that his eyes had adjusted to the dark and he was more awake he noticed there were a few things that were very, very wrong with what he was seeing.
Shawn was clinging fast to his arm, holding it to his chest like a lifeline. He could feel Spencer's heartbeat, which was beating like the psychic had just run a marathon. There was sweat on his brow, and despite the cocky grin Lassiter could see fear in the younger male's eyes.
It was then that a light-bulb went off in the detective's head. The sudden increase in contact, Shawn wanting to stay in his house, the fear and lapses in character; it was all starting to make sense to Lassiter. Despite the fact that Shawn was trying to hide it, and he was hiding it extremely well, Lassiter could see the signs.
He's… He's genuinely afraid, seeking me out for security, and I'm threatening to kick him out…
Lassiter officially felt like a total ass.
Shawn looked down and away, "I'll… Go back to the couch. Sorry Lassie, I know you gotta get up early to give your 'I'm awesome for helping in this unsolvable case' speech and everything-"
Lassiter got up, and tugged Shawn with him, grabbing him by the shoulders and sitting him down on the bed. "Lay down Spencer. Go to sleep…" Lassiter said quietly before getting back onto his side of the bed and lying down, his back facing Shawn.
Shawn looked at Lassiter with a disbelieving gaze, "I can stay here? In the bed? ….You don't mind?" Shawn asked as he crawled over to the detective.
Lassiter sighed, "Did I stutter? Get some sleep Spencer; we'll talk in the morning." The detective said as he tried his best to ignore the body heat radiating from the other male.
Shawn stared at Lassiter for a few more moments before a warm smile spread on his face. "Thanks Lassie." Shawn said quietly before lying close to the detective, closing his eyes and falling asleep.
There were no more nightmares for the rest of the night.
Lol, sorry if not much happened in this chapter. I needed a chapter for Lassie to start to get the hotts for our favorite eidetic psychic. He's at the "I acknowledge there's an attraction, but it'll go away" stage.
For those of you who are like "Who the heck is Drimmer" or haven't seen the Yang episode because I put the little snippets in there, go watch the Psych episode titled " Lassie Did A Bad, Bad Thing" and the episode "An evening with Mr. Yang"
Anyway, I know it's a brand new fic, but review if you can, I appreciate the feedback and theories on how the story might turn out.