Soundtrack for this chapter is "Song for Sienna" by Brian Crain

Chapter 10

Shawn tapped the recorder in his pocket. He stood outside Lassiter's door, trying to work up the courage to enter the lion's den. He couldn't hold back the squeak of shock when the door flung open and Lassie glowered down at him.

"What do you want, Spencer? You've been hovering outside my door for twenty minutes! In or out, pick one!" Lassie growled, striding back into his man-cave.

With a deep breath, Shawn strode into the darkness, letting the heavy door swing shut behind him.

"Lock it," Lassie ordered. With a sigh, Shawn threw the lock, trying not to feel trapped.

"Spit it out," Lassie said impatiently, trying to find a comfortable way to sit on his couch.

"I went to see Angeline," Shawn said quickly, ignoring Lassie's small flinch at her name.

"And?"

"And you need to hear this," Shawn said, pulling out the recorder.

Lassiter looked up at him in surprise before frowning.

"If she didn't know you were recording her we can't use any of it in court."

Shawn sighed and sat down next to him.

"I didn't do it for court, I did it for you."

Lassie waved him off.

"I don't want to hear it," he said, "I already know more than I want to."

Shawn growled in frustration, startling Lassiter.

"Come on, man! Don't act like you don't care!"

"Okay, I care! Happy? I care too much! And I can't stop caring! Even after she…" Lassiter fell silent, holding his stomach. Yelling wasn't the best idea.

"Sorry," Shawn said softly, waiting for the pain to pass, "But I really think you should hear what she said. Maybe…"

"Maybe what?" Lassiter snapped.

Shawn sighed again, shaking his head.

"I don't know, man. Maybe you'll understand her better. Maybe what she did won't hurt as bad."

Lassiter scoffed and shook his head. Then, with a sigh of resignation, he nodded.

"Fine. Play the tape."

-000-

"I lied."

"I use everyone."

Her words stung, eating into him.

"I waited too long."

"Maybe they wouldn't hurt him."

"Is he okay?"

"I love him."

Her words soothed.

"He hates me."

What was the lie? What was the truth? Which did she mean? Because both couldn't be true.

"I lied."

"I lied."

"She lied," Lassiter said, staring at the little black recorder, "And you're asking me to trust her?"

"No," Spencer said, "Just talk to her."

"He hates me."

-000-

"Detective Lassiter."

"Miss Hillcroft."

"Please, sit down."

He sat, watching as she perched primly on the edge of her bed.

"I don't hate you," he said quietly.

She gasped and turned away. When she looked back at him, she was angry.

"Spencer," she spat, "Talks too much."

Lassiter nodded his agreement.

"He does. But not this time. He recorded you."

Her lips pressed together and she nodded.

"I see. Well, I guess I should be accustomed to being used."

Lassiter stood.

"You're not the only one," he growled.

Her eyes flashed and she stood.

"Is that what you came here for? To hear for yourself that I used you? Well, I did! I lied to you. I seduced you. I even…"

She stopped and spun away, her teeth snapping together.

"I don't hate you," Lassiter repeated.

She stiffened her shoulders and turned back to face him, glaring.

"Well, that's too bad. Because I hate you!"

Lassiter froze, his face hard. He studied her, noting her trembling fists and the lower lip that threatened to quiver off. He blinked, cocking his head.

"No. You don't."

"Yes I do!" she shouted, her fist hitting his shoulder, "I hate you! I…"

He wrapped his arms around her as she fell forwards, sobbing into his chest.

"I hate you, I hate you," she wept, shaking her head.

"Shh," he comforted, holding her gently.

"I can't," she whimpered, "It's not right. I shouldn't. You shouldn't."

"Shouldn't what?" Carlton asked.

"Love," she whispered.

He chuckled.

"Well, I agree with you there. Really shouldn't. But do. Stupid, isn't it?"

She nodded, sniffling.

"Stupid," she agreed.

He pulled away slightly and bent to meet her eyes.

"So, we agree? Both stupid?"

She laughed and nodded, wiping her eyes on her shoulder.

"I love you," she whispered.

"Love you, too."

THE END

To be continued in Thanksgiving Daze

AN: Thank you all so much for reading my first completed Psych fic. It's been a strange and wonderful journey from one-shot to an epic almost 20,000 words. Thank you again to all the reviewers. I really appreciate your input. I am thinking about continuing Angeline and Lassiter's story, but I think I'll take a break before I get into that. Happy reading!