Disclaimer: I don't own Psych.

Five Nights at Spencer's by Emachinescat

A Psych Fan-Fiction

SUMMARY: When a popular online gamer is attacked and another goes missing in events closely emulating iconic scenes from popular horror video games, Shawn gets to live the dream when he's put on the case, going undercover as an up and coming YouTuber. But being a "Let's Player" isn't all it's cracked up to be, not when you're being stalked by murderous animatronics, horrific specters, and a real, live, honest-to-God... dragon? Can Shawn unearth the force behind these dark happenings, get his subscriber count to one million, and survive with all his limbs and sanity intact, before the killer strikes again? Forget what your parents told you. It's NOT just a game.

A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who reviewed, favorited, followed, or just read the first chapter! :)

Since that first chapter was so short, I decided to go ahead and post the next (still short, but they get progressively longer after this) today. After this post, I probably won't be posting more than once a week, but I wanted to give you guys a little more before settling into a routine. :) There is a blatant Sherlock reference in this chapter, plus a more discreet Harry Potter reference and a line stolen from Moana. Virtual pineapple upside down cake to whoever catches them (I made it in my virtual easy-bake oven). :D

This is just the set-up, introduction to the setting for the rest of the story, so it's short and sweet. Next chapter's longer. :)

Please review, and let me know what you think!

Five Nights at Spencer's

Chapter One: The Game's a Foot ... A Stinky, Sweaty Foot

2015

Shawn Spencer strode through the front doors of the San Francisco Police Department like he owned the place – which he pretty much did, he thought smugly, as he caught the eye of the head detective, his drop-dead gorgeous fiancée, from where she was in deep discussion with a couple of rookies on the far side of the bullpen. A quick smile, first at him, then at Gus, who trailed behind him, and she returned to her conversation.

Passing a few officers – Hayes, Davenport, Jones – whom they'd come to know fairly well over the last year, Shawn nodded but didn't stop to chat. Chief Vick had called him in this morning, and her voice had been tight and her tone no-nonsense, which could only mean one thing – a big case was headed his way.

It had taken a while, but Shawn and Gus had finally settled down in San Francisco. Shawn had moved in with Juliet, and Gus was renting an apartment down the street, working part-time at a local, remote pharmaceutical company, and, of course, working with his best friend at the new Psych office. It was smaller than the one in Santa Barbara, but real estate was a lot more expensive in San Fran; Gus had imperiously spouted off at least four times since they'd relocated that San Francisco was the most densely populated city in California, and the second densest in the U.S. Still, it was cozy, and it was Psych, and it was his – and with every day, with every case, every moment with Jules, and every food stand raid with Gus, San Francisco was becoming more and more like home.

"So tell me," Gus ordered as he and Shawn picked their way across the lobby, which was, most of the time, substantially more crowded than the SBPD had been on even its busiest days. "What did Chief Vick say when she called this morning?"

Huffing, Shawn rolled his eyes, throwing back over his shoulder, "Gus, don't be a lime green bowler hat," he chided. "I told you everything."

"You told me nothing," Gus countered sourly.

"Exactly."

"Shawn, that makes no sense."

"Gus, I'm serious here. The chief just told me there's a case that's come up that's sensitive to the public, and she's wanting every person she has available on it."

Gus snorted. "That's more than you told me this morning."

"That is categorically and gynocologically untrue."

"First off, ew. Secondly, all you said when you texted me this morning was, 'Station in ten. Come if convenient. If inconvenient, come all the same.'"

Shawn grinned devilishly. "How cool does that sound?"

"It was cool on Sherlock. It's just sad when you're plagiarizing it."

"Man, I–"

The door to the chief's office opened, and an irritated chief peered out. "Spencer! Guster! Get the hell in here, stop bickering like children, and close the damn door behind you!" Slam.

Shawn and Gus blinked at one another, confused. "Did we just go back in time?" Shawn asked, staring at the spot where Chief Carlton Lassiter of the SBPD had just moments before been.

Gus thought for a moment. "I don't know. It's weird; what would Lassie be doing here?" He blanched. "Oh my gosh. You don't think he's taking over here, too?"

Shawn shuddered. "Okay, here's what we do—"

The door slammed open again. Lassiter's face popped into sight again, red with rage. "NOW!"

Only sparing a quick glance at one another, Shawn and Gus steeled themselves for whatever strange twist of fate awaited them and followed Lassiter into the office. The door thudded shut behind them.

A/N: I know it was short, but I'm building up to the plot. This is just setting the stage, and like I said last chapter, I'm trying my hand at more compact chapters. I do well with it at first, but they keep getting longer after this. :)

Enjoy, and please review!

~Emachinescat ^. .^