Disclaimer: I do not own Psych nor am I affiliated with the show or USA network. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 7: Mr. Lassie meet Mr. Lassie

He was tired. His mind drifted, lazily, in a fog. Where the hell was he? He wanted so badly just to go back to sleep. But he forced his groggy mind focus; he had to figure out what was going on. He could be in danger.

What was the last thing he remembered? There were trees, and gunshots….and the little girl…. Riley! Where was Riley? What happened? Everything was fuzzy. The only thing else he could remember was feeling like he was floating, the ground passing by underneath him.

Lassiter focused, his eyelids felt like lead, they refused to open. He could hear a few things around him, a voice far off, and a slight rhythmic beep. Judging by the extremely uncomfortable pillow beneath his head and the feeling of a plastic mask covering his mouth, he was in a hospital. He hated hospitals, well; more specifically he hated being a patient in a hospital. It was annoying.

Carlton summoned enough strength to open his heavy eyelids. He stared at the sterile, white ceiling, yup defiantly a hospital. Why was he in a hospital? When his slow mind finally remembered the blinding concussion and gunshot in his side, the dull pain of each worked its way to his brain. He let out a small groan but the plastic mask swallowed it up.

He heard light breathing coming from off to his right side. Lassiter slowly turned his head to find the source of the noise. He was surprised at what he found, reclined in a rather uncomfortable looking chair, was a sleeping Juliet O'Hara. She had her legs propped up on the side of Lassiter's bed and Riley lay curled up in her lap, also fast asleep. Carlton felt instantly relieved, they were both safe. He couldn't stop the small grin that came across his lips. The sight was almost sickingly sweet, but it made him happy all the same.

The moment was interrupted by a snore to his left. Lassiter turned his head and was welcomed by Shawn Spencer, also reclined in a chair with his feet propped on the bed, and also fast asleep. Carlton was not happy at this sight. He gave the sleeping man his best glare before facing the ceiling again.

He lay in silence, relieved that things were okay, but still unnerved by the fact that he couldn't remember much. The oxygen mask over his mouth and nose began to irritate him. He lifted a shaky hand to remove the stupid thing; it took a much bigger effort than it should have. The small movement woke the little girl. "Mr. Lassie!" she yelled, a bright smile breaking out on her face. She jumped down from Juliet's lap and ran to his side.

Riley's shout woke the other two sleeping visitors. Shawn startled and quickly wiped some drool from his face. "Lassie whatsup? You're awake."

Juliet stood and came to Lassiter's side, "Carlton they have that mask on you for a reason."

She tried to put the mask back over his face but Lassiter weakly pushed it away. "O'Hara I'm fine." He ordered, or at least it would have been an order, had he been able to speak louder than a whisper.

"Carlton, come on, be good." She said gently. He glared at her, he hated it when she talked to him like that. Especially since he couldn't do much to fight back. "okay fine but when you can't breathe don't look at me." Juliet was still using that annoying, motherly tone, treating him like a child.

He continued to glare at her, "I said, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? The doctor said you might still feel some pain." She told him with a worried look down at his side, "They were able to easily remove the bullet, and it didn't hit anything vital, but you lost quite a bit of blood. You're going to be pretty tired for a little while."

Tired wasn't the word for it, he was doing his best just to stay awake so he could talk to them. He felt the little girl wrap her hands around his. "Mr. Lassie, you're okay now?" he gently squeezed her small hand and let a smile cross his lips momentarily. It was all the answer she needed, Riley giggled and jumped up and down.

"Riley why don't you get Mr. Lassie a glass of water, I bet he's thirsty." Juliet asked her.

"Ok!" she yelled grabbing a cup off the bedside table. Lassiter scowled at Juliet for using the name the girl had given him. But she just bit her lip, holding back a smile. She did it on purpose. Riley carefully ran back from the sink with the water. Juliet took it from her and put a straw in it for him. Carlton was actually pretty thirsty, he reached for the cup but when Juliet let go it slipped through his fingers. He was too tired to even hold a cup of water, it was humiliating.

Juliet must have known it was going to happen because she caught it before it spilled. "It's ok Carlton, I got it." She held the straw up to his mouth. Not this again, this was the second time in just two days that he had to be fed. Later, he would blame it on the exhaustion, but he didn't even fight it this time. He greedily sipped the water down.

"Good boy Lassie." Shawn patted him gently on the head. Lassiter, slowly swatted him away. Shawn avoided his slow movements and flicked him on the nose. "Bad Lassie." He laughed.

"Shawn." Juliet warned

Lassiter was forced to just ignore the annoying psychic, since he couldn't even yell at the man. "What happened O'Hara?" he asked quietly, he had to know before sleep overtook him again.

"You don't remember?"

"I remember your voice when we were being shot at…. but everything after that is a little fuzzy."

"The doctor said you might not. Well, we found you and Riley and we tried to help you out of the woods but you collapsed from exhaustion. So then..um…" she paused and kept glancing over at Shawn.

"So then what?... what happened?" Juliet's hesitation and Shawn's annoying grin had him kind of nervous. The trip through the woods was starting to come back to him. He mostly remembered the pain, but he also remembered Shawn and Gus helping him walk. He remembered falling to the ground and Juliet yelling at him to stay awake.

He looked over at Shawn and his irritating grin, and soon it all came back to him. The memory of floating above the ground was because Shawn Spencer, idiot psychic extraordinaire, had carried him, Carlton Lassiter Head Detective of the Santa Barbara Police Department.

Lassiter let out a loud groan, wishing that he could just forget again. "I think he remembers" Shawn said still grinning.

Carlton pulled his blankets over his head, "Just leave so I can die in peace."

"Carlton quit being a baby, it's not that bad." Juliet pulled the blankets back down from his face and tucked him back in.

"What part of Spencer carrying me like some kind of…of…I don't even know what, is not a bad thing!" he winced when his outburst sent pain shooting through his side.

"Carlton calm down, you're going to hurt yourself." Too late. "and besides, Shawn saved your life, you should be thanking him."

Lassiter quickly glanced over at Shawn, he couldn't seem to bring himself to look the younger man in the eyes. He was more embarrassed than anything, but like most of his emotions, he covered it with anger. "I never asked him to help me!" He snapped, looking away from all of them.

"Carlton." The disappointment in her voice sent a pang of guilt through him. He was starting to feel like the jerk he was acting like.

"It's ok Jules." Shawn said. Lassiter quickly looked at him again and was surprised to see that the childish man actually looked genuinely….. hurt. "I wasn't really expecting anything from ol' grumpy pants here. I just-"

"Thank you." Lassiter grumbled under his breath.

Juliet and Shawn both stared in disbelief, "What?" they said in unison.

He couldn't stop his face from flushing red in embarrassment, he hated this mushy crap. " I said thank you for you know….helping me…to, um…just..you…..you know what I mean Spencer!" he winced again, crap he had to stop yelling.

"Oh Lassie, ya big softie." Shawn said, nudging him in the shoulder. "You're welcome buddy, but you owe me a new shirt." He turned around to reveal a blood stain covering the back of his annoyingly bright polo.

"In your dreams Spencer." Lassiter said with a laugh before his eyes slipped close. He couldn't hold them open any longer, he was so tired.

"That's ok, you get some sleep, we'll talk about it later." He couldn't stand the sympathy he heard in Shawn's voice. But the only response he could get out at the moment was a small grunt. He heard their footsteps leave the room before he drifted off into a blissful, painless sleep.

It had been two days since they brought Lassie to the hospital, and already he was driving the entire staff insane. Juliet had tried to warn them that he would be a difficult patient, but they assured her they were capable of handling any type. But after the third lecture of how to properly treat an officer of the law, and the fourth or fifth pudding cup being flung across the room in protest of the awful hospital food or the implication of a sponge bath, they began to heed Juliet's advice and were counting down the days to his release.

Juliet and Chief Vick visited Lassiter in the afternoon. He had already grown stronger over the short time and was able to give his statement of what had occurred over the day and a half he had gone missing. Shawn and Gus tagged along for the visit but were left to entertaining Riley while the officers did their business. They little girl still refused to leave Carlton's side until she knew that he would be okay. Her foster care worker, Mrs. Carter, was relieved that the girl was safe and allowed for her to be left in Juliet's care until she was ready.

Shawn and Gus ambled around the hospital, not really sure how to entertain a young girl in such a place. They had each gotten a bag of cookies from the cafeteria and were munching on them when they came to the gift shop. They looked through the assortment of flowers, balloons, and "get well" cards, when something caught Shawn's eye that left him with a mischievous grin.

"Mr. Lassie!" Riley yelled when they got back to the room. She ran in but paused when Juliet met her with a stern glare for having interrupted. Shawn and Gus followed in after, "Sorry Juliet, but we ran out of stuff to do." Gus apologized.

"That's not true, I suggested a spitting contest off the third floor balcony but you shot that down."Gus ignored Shawn after already having the argument as to why that was a bad idea.

"It's ok were all finished here." Vick said as she got up to leave, "With Detective Lassiter's statement we won't have any problems putting Mr. Cain away for good."

Carlton nodded, pleased with the thought. "Don't worry Chief, I'll be back in no time at all to make sure that happens. There's no way he's-"

"Detective, I do not want to see you in my station until you are completely healed. Do I make myself clear."

"But Chief, I already feel much better. I just-"

"I said. Do I make myself clear." She repeated, fixing him with a deadly gaze.

"Yes ma'am." He said quickly, a hint of fear coming through in his voice.

"Good. O'Hara I'll see you back at the station. And Carlton I'm very happy that you're feeling better but please try not to kill anyone while you here." she added before leaving the room.

"I'm not going to kill anyone; I don't even have my gun." Lassiter said defensively.

"You're right." Shawn added, placing a hand on the detective's shoulder. "It's probably more likely that somebody here would kill you. You're kind of driving everyone crazy."

Lassiter pushed Shawn away; he pretended to stumble backwards even though the shove wasn't all that forceful. Lassie was still much weaker than his normal self.

Riley had been waiting patiently at Carlton's bedside to tell him something since she first came running in. As the two argued her patience finally ran out. "Mr. Lassie look at what Mr. Shawn bought me!" she yelled, holding up her prize to be inspected by the grouchy man. Riley held in her hands a small stuffed dog, complete with pitch black fur and a small pink tongue sticking out at the detective.

Shawn smirked as Lassiter's face changed to irritation as the dog's little beaded, bright blue eyes stared into his own. "And what's his name Riley?" Shawn said trying to hold back his joy.

"I'm calling him Mr. Lassie." She answered with glee.

Shawn clapped and hopped up and down with joy as Juliet and Gus fought to bite back their own laughter.

"Spencer." Carlton said dangerously.

"Don't you like it?" the little girl asked, poking her lip out in a pout. "Mr. Shawn said you would like it. He said it looks just like you."

Lassiter turned a deadly glare onto the psychic, but Shawn never lost his smile, "Oh come on Lassie, you ruined her bear you know. I had to do something."

"Now I'll always have you with me, Mr. Lassie." Riley added, hugging the dog tightly.

"Awwwww that's so cute." Juliet covered her mouth with her hand when Lassiter turned his death gaze on her. But despite his obvious irritation, Lassiter didn't say anything about the stuffed dog, he stayed quiet as the girl lovingly held her new prized possession. It seemed that not only had the girl developed a soft spot for Lassie, but Lassie also had a soft spot for the girl.

Lassiter shifted uncomfortably in his bed and scratched at the bandages on his head, "Stop that Carlton!" Juliet yelled, slapping his hand away. Shawn laughed; he always thought it was funny to see Juliet act like a mother to the gruff detective. She was the only one that Carlton allowed to treat him that way.

"What the hell are you laughing at Spencer?" Lassie shouted, instantly grabbing his wounded side afterwards.

"Carlton what did I say about yelling." Juliet chided. Shawn laughed again.

"Spencer!" This time it wasn't Lassiter who yelled, it was Riley instead. The little girl shot the psychic her very best angry glare, rivaling the head detective's own.

"Oh my gosh!" Shawn yelled stumbling backwards in fake surprise. "Lassie what have you done! You've ruined this poor, innocent little girl, she's acting like you." Riley broke down and started giggling at his reaction, Lassiter just gave a triumphant smirk.

"Carlton are you sure your ready to go back to work?" Juliet asked again, concern in her voice. She got out of the car after having driven her partner and herself to the station.

"Yes O'Hara." He said sternly. He happily adjusted his gun holster to sit more comfortably. He still had bandages under his shirt and the holster rubbed uncomfortably over them, but Lassiter refused to take it off. "It's been almost two whole weeks, I feel great. So quit asking."

"I know it's been two weeks but you checked out of the hospital AMA, and you haven't been resting like you should have." She pointed an accusing finger at him. He hated how much she worried over him. Juliet had been to his house every day of his leave to check on him, and every day she would fuss over him, making sure he was taken care of properly.

"The doctors didn't have any problems with me leaving…"

"That's because they couldn't wait to get rid of you." She mumbled under her breath.

Carlton pretended he didn't hear her, "and I got plenty of rest."

"And since when does going to the shooting range constitute as rest." She stood in front of him and placed her hands on her hips, doing her best to intimidate him, and partly succeeding.

"I….It was just a couple times." He was pretty sure she rolled her eyes behind her dark sunglasses. "And besides I'm stuck on desk duty for a couple more weeks anyway." He pushed past her and headed for the station.

Juliet finally admitted defeat and followed her stubborn partner. Lassiter made it to the steps but paused before he ascended them, he let out a deep sigh. Juliet looked at him with a question on her face "what's wrong?" He avoided her eyes and stared at the building. He had been looking forward to going back to work, he loved his job, but he had been dreading facing everyone again. He remembered how Spencer had carried him piggy back to the ambulance, in front of half the department. He was surely going to be the mockery of the police force.

Juliet watched him for a moment before she realized what his hesitation was about. "Carlton." She said with a sigh, "you don't have anything to be embarrassed about everyone is really proud of everything you did."

"I don't care!" he snapped, but still didn't move. Juliet took off her sunglasses and placed a hand on his shoulder before she walked up the steps. For some reason it actually made him feel better, he followed her up the steps.

Lassiter took a deep breath before he entered. When he walked into the station, instead of the stares, laughing, and whispering he was expecting, he was met with applause from his colleagues that had gathered in the bullpen to meet him. As he walked to his desk several of them patted him on the back and offered congratulations for a job well done. McNabb was waiting for him at the desk with a bright smile and a cup of coffee in hand. "Your coffee sir, three creams, four sugars just like you like it." He said all too cheerfully.

Lassiter happily took the prized drink. "McNabb." Was all he said before taking a sip. The young officer didn't move, he just stood there, smiling down at Carlton. "Is there something else?" he asked, slightly annoyed.

"Oh, no sir. Just happy your back." Buzz answered. For a second, Lassiter was afraid the big guy was going to hug him, but instead he gave one last blinding smile and walked away.

Lassiter sat down at his desk, Juliet smirked at him. "I told you so." she gloated before walking away. He did his best to ignore her, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Big dog in the house!" soon came a loud, annoying voice. "Lassiiiiie welcome back." Shawn said arriving at his desk with Gus trailing behind him. "I missed you buddy, no one is as fun to annoy as you are."

"Go away Spencer." Carlton said dismissively.

"Well that's not very nice, I just said I missed you."

"I don't care, I don't have time for you today." His anger was rising with the arrival of the psychic.

"Really? I would think that you would have lots of time. Since you'll be chained to your desk for the next couple weeks and all." Shawn finished with a taunting smile.

"Spencer!" Lassiter yelled, he quickly stood from his desk. The sudden movement made his breath hitch in his throat; his wound was still healing and was still very sensitive. He leaned on his desk trying to regain his composure. Juliet noticed and came running to his aid. "I'm fine." He grumbled before she could say anything.

Lassiter was just about to give Spencer a much needed lecture when another voice rang out through the station. "Mr. Lassiiiiie." Riley seemed to appear out of nowhere, she ran to Carlton and wrapped herself around his long legs. The little stuffed dog dangled from her hands.

Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Fuller finally caught up to the little girl. "I'm sorry detective but she demanded to come see you." The foster care worker said.

"It's ok." He mumbled as he tried to pry the girl from his legs.

"What are you three doing together?" Juliet asked.

Mrs. Fuller smiled, "That's the other thing we came here for, we wanted to tell you the good news. I've decided to continue with the adoption, it's…. it's what my husband would have wanted."

Juliet gave Mrs. Fuller a hug, "Oh that's wonderful news!"

"Yes it is, Riley and I have really hit it off, haven't we?" the little girl smiled and nodded quickly in response, "and I promise you I'm going to be much more careful, I learned my lesson from Jared."

Lassiter nodded in approval of the woman's words, Mrs. Fuller directed her attention to him. "Detective Lassiter I want to thank you for bringing in my husband's killer and for bringing Riley back safely." She held out her hand to him.

Carlton straightened up and shook her hand, "Just doing my job ma'am." He said with pride.

"Of course he was." Shawn interrupted, slapping Lassiter on the back. "That's our Lassi-frass, super cop numero uno."

Riley tugged on Carlton's jacket and motioned for him to come down to her. Slowly, he crouched down to her eye level, "Mr. Lassie, I can come visit you again, right?"

Lassiter fidgeted, aware that everyone was watching. "Of course you can." He said quietly. Riley let out a yell of joy and wrapped her arms around the detective's neck. And for some reason Lassiter didn't care anymore that everyone's eyes were on him, he just wrapped his arms around the small girl and hugged her back.

End