Lassiters Break Down

“This is a sick joke Spencer.”

Lassiter ignored his discarded phone that lingered at his feet, his eyes never leaving the serious swirls of green and brown of Shawns eyes. Normally he could tell when Shawn was joking, they had been together, working side by side for so long that Lassiter finally could pin point those flinches or extra breaths he took before he laughed. He searched, waiting, wanting to see one of those signals, to ease this heavy pressure in his stomach. But he didn’t see them… He only saw Shawn’s face keep straight, his eyes holding nothing back, not even the worry and fear. Lassiters throat closed up, telling him he was going to be sick. No, it could not be Valerie. He left her safely at home. He denied it, he didn’t want to see it. His brain screamed at him to take that pink phone and flip it open, to prove once and for all, that it was her. But his heart, his heart yelled at him not too. Refusing….Refusing..

Vick reached over and took the pink battered phone from Shawn’s tight gripping fingers. “Where did you find this?” She asked gently, her own mind in disbelief. Shawn lowered his arm back to his side, his eyes never starying from Lassiter. “Outside the flower shop… She dropped it during the struggle and it got kicked under an abanded car.” Vick stared at the phone, seeing the small screen flash its light, showing how many calls were missed. But with a deep breath, she flipped it open and her lips frowned at what she saw.

“Lassiter….” She looked to her detective, seeing him look away, not wanting to face it. But she held over the phone, waiting from him to take it. The feeling in his chest did not go away when the phone was handed over, the bright white screen aiming to him, telling him what he didn’t want to see. With a shaking hand, he reached and took it, letting his eyes glance down and settle onto it, and what greeted him caused his knees to buckle and his body to fall back, smacking into the vans side with a loud, ‘thump’. Juliet quickly grabbed his arms to steady him, helping him slowly slide down to the ground to sit. Vick looked away, her fingers curled tightly in a fist. Gus walked over to Lassiter other side, kneeling, softly touching his shoulder to comfort him. Shawn just stood there in front him Lassiter, wanting so badly to kneel down and hug him, to pull his brave detective into his arms and never let him go, to take away the pain he felt but he couldn’t will his legs to move.

Lassiters eyes closed tightly as his fingers curled into the phone. On the small menu screen, a picture lingered, a picture taken in a quick hush. A picture of him and Valerie, her smiling gentle face resting against his own cheek, his eyes wide with shock and red with embarrassment. She had ran into the police station that day, holding up her brand new phone in delight. But Lassiter was to busy writing up his case report that he didn’t pay any attention to her joy. She asked if she could take a photo of him but he was to far gone with his files that he just muttered, “Sure, call me when you’re done.” She knew he wasn’t paying attention to her but instead of acting like a normal women, who would huff and turn away and walk right out the station, waiting to give him an ear full when he got home, she simply took his chair and spun him around, shocking him out of his zone with a curse. His complaint dried in his mouth when she sat herself in his lap and pressed herself close, wrapping one arm around his shoulder while the other held her phone out. Pressing her soft cheek into his own, she whispered, “say cheese.” and clicked the button.

He closed the phone slowly, holding it tightly in his hand. His beautiful angel… Why? “I-It can’t be her.” He whispered. Juliet looked to Shawn with a frown, Gus only shock his head. The man was in denial but he didn’t blame him. To get this kind of news was harsh. “Lassie wake up and face it.” All six eyes shot up to Shawn in disbelief. He stood there, his arms crossed, his face giving nothing away. He looked cold, he looked mean. To Juliet, Shawn almost took the on the role Lassiter normally had. “It’s not her! Valerie is at home right now, changing the locks on the door! There’s no reason for her to be at the flower shop!” Shawn covered his face with both hands, he never wanted to see Lassiter like this. Turning away, he began to pace.

“This is what happened. Valerie was most likely at home getting ready for you Lassiter but at last minute, decided to pick up something extra special. So she drove to this flower shop that happen to have these two toned roses that are rare to find. Walking out, she was attacked by the kidnapper and was dragged into this building. She is being held hostage and that is why you are here Lassiter, cause this man knows you. He knows Valerie is your girlfriend that’s why he asked for you. He didn’t just pick your name at random!” Lassiter shock his head but Shawn wouldn’t have it, falling to his knees, he grabbed Lassiter by his shirt collar and shock him hard, slamming him back into the van, causing a hiss to leave Lassiter clenched teeth.

“Lassiter! This is no time to be in denial! Valerie is in there and I need you to get a grip and save her!”

Juliet knelt there shocked at Shawns outburst, normally her psychotic would try to ease the tension and crack a joke or two that no one would laugh at. But he was taking on a new role and she didn’t like it. He was mean but sadly… he was right. She reached out to place her hand on her partners arm when suddenly, a voice broke out over them.

“Vick! Vick we got the call, he wants to speak with Lassiter!”

All eyes slowly downcast to Lassiter, watching him stare at the ground. Shawns fingers slowly losing his grip of Lassiter shirt. With a deep sigh, he reached up, his hand cupping Lassiter blank face, forcing his head up to look in his eyes. “Hey, Hey buddy look at me.” He watched those blue eyes wonder before locking onto his, lost and confused. Closing his eyes a little, he pressed his forehead into his friends own, his fingers sneaking around to the back of Lassiter neck, squeezing him lightly.

“She needs you.”

Taking a deep breath. Lassiter closed his eyes, taking, for once, the tenderness Shawn gave. He needed this, he needed to think straight, clearly. Valerie needed him. With a slow sigh, he gave a short nod before pulling himself away from Shawns touch. Once to his feet, he lead the group, bracing himself for what he would have to do next.

Approaching the van, one of the officer held out the phone. This was it, with another deep breath. His fingers curled around the smooth surface of the object before placing it to his ear.

“Carlton Lassiter.”

“Carlton, I’m glad you finally made it. I was starting to worry.”

His eyes narrowed a little bit, this voice, it sounded familiar. But turning, his eyes looked to the building before him, “You asked for me personally, how can I pass such an invite up?” He heard a chuckle on the other end, before the voice, turning out to be a guy, spoke. “I knew you would show up. Valerie said you would.” His heart stopped dead at the mention of her name. Clenching his teeth, he whispered, “If you hurt one hair on her head..”

“Hey now, You are in no position to threaten me Carlton. We’re on my terms.”

“Let me speak with her.”

There was a pause before his ears picked up rustling. His stomach dropped when he heard a feminine whimper followed by a quick ’rip’. His finger gripped the phone tightly when he heard the capture muttered, ’its for you.’ letting his ears catch the deep, quick pants.

“C-Carlton?”

His eyes closed tightly, it was Valerie. Her voice was covered in fear and panic and that tore his heart. Reaching up, his fingers gripped the open door of the vans, trying to keep himself calm, keep his voice calm. “Valerie, are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine, I’m so sorry! I-I should of stayed home!”

“Shh. Its okay honey, Its not your fault. I’m going to get you out. I swear it.”

“Carlton I’m scared..”

“….Me too…”

He heard the phone jerk and rattle as her voice yelled, “Carlton! Be careful!” But her voice was muffled, letting it be replaced by that deep chuckle. “Ah, I can see why you picked her Lassiter. She’s such a cute little thing.”

“What do you want?” He snapped.

There was silence before he answered, “You do get right to the chase don’t you? But that’s fine. I do have a demand Lassiter. But I’ll get back to you on it.”

Lassiter brow rose up before he muttered, “What do you want from me?”

“Why, I want you to wait.”

His eyes widen a little, mere confusion playing threw his mind. “Wait?” He repeated, hearing the capture answer. “Yes….Wait. I’ll call you in a while.” His heart raced as panic struck him, he yelled, his fingers gripping the vans door. “Don’t hurt her!” He stared at the building, searching, looking for any signs of movement. But all he heard was the captures voice whisper. “Oh, and before I forget, don’t try anything foolish. I know every move you and your little army make. I have my eyes on you Lassiter.”

“Let me trade places with her.”

“Ohhh, such an offer. But I think I’ll keep her for a little while longer. She reminds me so much of her…. Heed my advice Carlton, don’t do anything foolish… Oh, and loosen your grip. I think you might break that vans door right from the hinges, I’ll call you.”

With that, he heard a click and a high pitch dial tone. Discounted. His hand began to shake as he stared at the building, the capture was watching him. With narrowed eyes, he handed the phone back, his eyes never straying from his target. “Lassiter..” He didn’t need to turn around to see whom spoke to him. Vick stood behind him, head phone lingering in her hands. Having listened in on the conversation, she knew what he was thinking.

“What’s are next move?” Gus asked lightly, his eyes joining in on Lassiter target. Removing his hand slowly from the vans door, Lassiter took a step back then another. With a twisted frown, he turned away and walked back to his car. All eyes looked to Vick slowly, who sighed and rolled her fingers threw her hair.

“…We wait.”