![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ficwizeTitle: It's Called E.S.P.
Fandom: Psych! and X-men crossover
Warnings: Spoilers for the X-men movies and some general spoilers for Psych!
Rating: Teen - some language, potential violence
Summary: Shawn claims to be a psychic. Some people believe him.
Disclaimer: None of the lovelies are mine. But I have enjoyed playing with them!
A/N: Many thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
lostacanthus for the beta!
As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
***************
Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six
***************
***************************
Chapter 7
***************************
"What are you doing?" Gus demanded, clenching the edge of the passenger seat tightly as Shawn simultaneously careened around the corner and dug through the glove box.
"Looking for this!" Shawn held up something and grinned triumphantly.
"An old tape? It's 2008, Shawn!" Gus protested, as Shawn turned the car sharply left again.
"Yeah, but KITT isn’t." Shawn shoved the tape into the tape deck and patted the dashboard. "Are you, girl?"
“KITT was a boy, Shawn.”
“My KITT is a girl.” Shawn shot Gus a dirty look.
Gus opened his mouth to tell Shawn to pay attention to the road, but the radio blared to life suddenly.
Revvin' up your engine
Listen to her howlin' roar
Metal under tension
Beggin' you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone
Banging on the steering wheel in time to the drum beat, Shawn looked genuinely excited as he sang along.
Headin' into twilight
Spreadin' out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin' off the track
And shovin' into overdrive
Highway to the Danger Zone
I'll take you
Right into the Danger Zone
"Stop the car, Shawn!" Gus bellowed and Shawn looked over in annoyance, reaching out to flip the volume down enough that he could hear.
"Dude, chill! It's going to be fine."
"No, it isn't! Where are we going?"
"Just back to Pscyh! headquarters." Shawn rolled his eyes. "Where's your sense of adventure, Gus?"
"I must have left it at the police station, Shawn." Gus snapped, but he relaxed. If they were going back to the office, it wasn't likely that anything too dangerous was going to happen - provided Shawn didn't kill them both with his driving. This was why Gus usually insisted on driving. "Tell me what's going on."
"It doesn’t make sense,” Shawn answered like that explained everything.
“Nothing makes since,” Gus griped. “Slow down before you kill someone!”
Shawn stepped on the accelerator harder. “And that’s what finally made it make sense!”
“Are you sure you didn’t get hit in the head earlier?”
“Look, Gus, its simple.” Shawn slammed on the break, sending them both pitching forward as he stopped for a red light. “Mystique infiltrated Worthington Labs, right?”
“Is this a trick question?” Gus demanded suspiciously.
“She obviously wants something from the lab.”
“And you know what she wants?”
“I think so.” Shawn nodded, gleefully pressing the accelerator all the way down when the light turned green and pitching the car forward with a squeal of burning rubber. “But that’s not the part that was confusing me.”
“Right. Something else makes less sense than a shape shifting terrorist. Right.” Gus grabbed the door handle as Shawn threw the car into a right turn, the back of the car fishtailing.
“Yes, exactly! Mystique I get. But I didn’t get why she would have something to do with the protestors at the benefit.”
“Okay.” Gus nodded slowly, closing his eyes as Shawn squeezed the car past a bus. “She was where she wanted to be.”
“So, what if she didn’t have anything to do with the protestors?”
“You think it’s a coincidence?” Gus sounded skeptical.
“Think about it. Mystique was pretty well hidden. She was right where she wanted to be – out in the open, with full access to the labs.”
“Right.” Gus hissed and braced his feet on the floor as Shawn hit the gas and the car sped up through a yellow light. “Quit running red lights, Shawn! I didn’t survive the benefit to get killed by you!”
“That was totally yellow, dude.” Shawn scoffed, turning the car hard to the left. “She had no reason to blow her own cover.”
“She didn’t know her cover was blown.” Gus pointed out.
“Look – what triggered the attack?”
“How should I know? Some psycho got trigger happy with his fire powers?”
“Precisely!” Shawn nodded, grinning like Gus had figured something out. “But Pyro didn’t start his show until the gates had been swarmed.”
“That’s right.” Gus sat up straighter, suddenly intrigued. “The protestor’s were already inside.” Gus held his forehead, trying to remember exactly what had happened.
“And the protestors were looking for certain mutants. I heard them say that. What if we assumed the wrong thing? We assumed that Mystique was behind the riot. But what if she wasn’t?”
“You think she was the target?” Gus frowned. “Who was controlling the rioters?”
Shawn shook his head, thinking hard. “After the attacks at Alcatraz, do you remember the list of wanted mutants published by the government?”
“Yeah,” Gus nodded. “Magneto was on the list.”
“And so was this Pyro guy.” Shawn turned the car off and looked at Gus. “Do you remember who wasn’t on the list?”
“Mystique.” Gus answered as they climbed out of the car.
“Right.” Shawn pulled out his keys and unlocked Psych’s front door. “And Bobby seemed shocked that Pyro was at the benefit. I don’t think he was expecting Mystique and Pyro to be working together.”
“So you’re saying…” Gus prompted as Shawn turned on the lights and sat down at his desk.
“I’m saying… maybe they weren’t working together.”
“So what’s Pyro doing here then?” Gus asked as Shawn began typing furiously on the computer.
“The mutant cure was still pretty experimental when it was released to the public right?”
“It had passed the FDA control group regulations,” Gus answered. “Quit avoiding my question.”
“I’m not avoiding your question,” Shawn sat back and looked at the computer screen in satisfaction. “I’m finding you proof.” He hit a button and the printer whirred to life. “Check it out.”
Gus leaned over and picked up the page that had finished printing. “Mutant Cure Released to Public. As lines of mutants signed up to be administered the cure, the most complete listing of mutant powers to date has stunned the nation, causing grave concerns with national security.”
He trailed off, looking at Shawn as understanding finally dawned. “They had to sign up.”
“Exactly.” Shawn nodded.
“There’s a list.” Gus sounded stunned. “Of all the mutants who took the cure.”
“With a complete listing of their powers…” Shawn added.
“And the cure is failing.”
“Which means there is a list, complete with all contact information and powers, of every mutant who is rapidly being uncured.” Shawn leaned back. “I’d say that’s something that Mystique would be interested in.”
“And Magneto.”
“And something Bobby and his friends would be interested in protecting.”
“Oh, my God, Shawn. This is huge!”
“I know.”
“Whoever has that list…”
“… has access to the most powerful mutants in the country. The world, even.” Shawn frowned. “Now the real question – why didn’t Bobby and his friends tell us about it?”
“Easy.” Gus shrugged. “They don’t trust us.”
“We’ve been nothing but trustworthy!” Shawn protested.
“Yeah, I’m sure they see it that way.” Gus snorted. “Especially the part when we showed up to the benefit they were guarding and didn’t tell them we were coming.”
“It was a coincidence.” Shawn argued. “And we didn’t know they were going to be there either.”
“Listen, Shawn. I’m just saying that they have reason to be careful about who they trust.” Gus crossed his arms. “They’re mutants. They were at Alcatraz fighting other mutants. There can’t be that many people who like them.”
Shawn sighed. “That totally sucks.”
“Tell me about it.” Gus nodded. “What should we do?”
“We have to make them trust us.” Shawn grinned and Gus raised an eyebrow.
“Just like that?”
“I didn’t say it would be easy, Gus. But I think I have an idea.”
Gus narrowed his eyes. “I know that look on your face, Shawn. It’s the look you get right before I end up doing something stupid and dangerous. Forget it.”
“C’mon, Gus! Now’s your chance to strike out for equality and justice for all.” Shawn stood up and rounded the desk to clasp Gus’s shoulder. “Where’s your sense of patriotism? Where’s your sense of fair play?”
“I’m relying on common sense, Shawn. No way. Nu uh. Forget it. It isn’t going to happen!”
Shawn sighed, then shrugged. “Fine, but will you at least drive the getaway car?”
“Shawn…” Gus started but Shawn cut him off.
“It’ll be like James Bond.”
For a moment Gus stared at him, then he nodded. “Fine. But I get to be 007.”
“That’s the spirit!” Shawn grabbed his jacket with one hand and Gus’s arm with the other. “You’re driving! Let’s go!”
“Where are we going now?”
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
“That’s Mission Impossible! Not James Bond.”
“Just get in the car.” Shawn climbed into the passenger seat. “And take us back to the station.”
“It’s a good thing I’m already in my tux,” Gus said out as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “It helps get me in the right frame of mind.”
“Yeah, great. We’ll get you a martini later,” Shawn rolled his eyes. “Now hurry up! I need to get there before Jules and Lassy leave.”
“After tonight, I don’t think they’re going to be heading home any time soon.” Gus pointed out.
*****************
“Spencer, go home.” Lassiter looked even more exhausted and haggard than he had earlier that night. “I don’t have the time or patience for your antics.”
“I can’t help it, Lassy. The visions have given me a message and I need to make sure you get it.”
“What message is that?” Jules came around the corner holding several thick files.
“I see… a clubhouse.” Shawn held one hand up to his eyes. “No, wait. Maybe it’s a bar?”
Jules frowned at him, looking confused, but Lassiter nodded. “Thank you. That clears things up nicely. Now go home.”
“Aww, c’mon, Lassy. Don’t be like that.” Shawn peeked through one eye at the detective. “You know it can take a few minutes before the picture comes in clear.”
“Yeah?” Lassiter straightened up and glared at Spencer. “Well unless your visions are telling you the easiest way for me to clean up your little mess from earlier, I’m not interested. Go. Home. Now.”
“Wait a minute, it’s definitely not a club house.” Shawn shook his head, then his arm flew out from his body like it was possessed. “Wait, wait!” He pointed two fingers at Lassiter and then saluted. “Always be prepared, Lassy!”
Lassiter threw down the files he was holding onto his desk and came around the corner, clearly gunning for Shawn. Juliet hastily stepped between them. “Was that the boy scout salute?”
“How would I know?” Lassiter snapped.
“You weren’t a boy scout?” Shawn paused his antics long, astonished. “That’s a surprise, Lassy. You seem the type.”
“It is the boy scout salute and motto.” Gus chimed in and when everyone turned to look at him, he shrugged. “I only lack two badges to be an Eagle Scout.”
“Gus, you never fail to amaze me.” Shawn shook his head.
“Thank you, Shawn.”
“Dude, that wasn’t a compliment.”
“Okay, so what about the boy scouts?” Jules caught Shawn’s attention again. “They’re a club.”
“But you don’t find many boy scouts in bars.” Lassiter pointed out scathingly.
“Depends on the bar you go to,” Shawn countered, then ducked around Jules again when Lassiter looked ready to throttle him. “And it’s not boy scouts… but it is a club… of sorts… very exclusive…. X marks the spot!”
“Shawn!” Gus hissed at him. “Make sense.”
“No, wait!” Jules held up one hand. “X marks the spot. Is it the X Bar?”
“What’s the X Bar?” Gus demanded.
“It’s a bar on Sycamore Street. Its real name is MacBeth’s, but it’s mutant friendly. Its nickname is the X Bar.” Juliet glanced at Lassiter and Shawn narrowed his eyes.
“There’s been trouble there lately.” Shawn guessed slowly.
Jules nodded her head. “There was a big brawl down there the other day. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Do you know what the fight was about?” Shawn asked, glancing at Lassiter, who looked interested for the first time since he’d walked in the door.
“The bartender said there was a young guy in there stirring up trouble.” Lassiter frowned. “He fit the description of the guy with the fire power tonight.”
“Pyro.” Shawn nodded. “What kind of trouble?”
“Apparently, he was looking for…” Jules faltered. “Something.” She shrugged.
“What does he have to do with anything?” Lassiter demanded.
“Find this guy and you’ll find the guy who started the riot tonight.” Shawn answered.
“How do you suggest I do that?” Lassiter asked, angrily. “I don’t even have enough men to cover the actual police work tonight, let alone go on some wild goosechase for this mutant boogieman.”
“Leave that to me.” Shawn grinned and nodded to Gus. “And 00 here.”
*****************
“Leave it to you?” Gus snapped as he and Shawn got back in the car. “Are you crazy, Shawn? This guy nearly turned you into BBQ once already tonight.”
“I know.” Shawn pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through the numbers. “But we’re taking backup.”
“Who?”
“Bobby?” Shawn spoke into the phone. “Hey, it’s Shawn. Listen, I’ve got a message from the powers that be. Can you meet me at a bar on Sycamore Street?” He listened for a moment. “It’s called MacBeth’s and Gus and I are en route.” He nodded for a second. “Great! See you in a few minutes.”
“You don’t really think this Pyro guy is even going to be there, do you?”
“I doubt it. But I’m betting he left behind some contact information.” Shawn grinned. “And a little display of my psychic abilities, Bobby’s frost powers, and your mad nerf ball skills should get us the street cred necessary to get it.”
Gus made a choked noise and Shawn turned to him. “This is a fool proof plan, Gus. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Don’t say that! Now you’ve jinxed us!”
“Don’t be so superstitious. I’ve got it all worked out.”
“That’s what scares me, Shawn.” Gus retorted, but he turned the car towards the bar. “And we’re leaving if someone so much as lights up a cigarette. Got it?”
“Gus…”
“And if anyone has anything weird… like horns! We’re leaving if someone has horns.”
“Gus…”
“And don’t get me started on anyone who can talk to bugs. This bar is downtown. They probably have cockroaches the size of dogs.”
“Bugs?” For a moment, Shawn looked totally nonplussed. “Do you really think someone could do that?”
“I didn’t think guys could fly or sprout knives from their hands a week ago.”
“Good point.” Shawn conceded. “If we see any dog sized cockroaches, we’ll leave.”
Gus gave Shawn a pointed look. “And I’m driving the getaway car, so I say when we leave.”
“You wouldn’t leave me,” Shawn retorted confidently.
“You’re supposedly a psychic, Shawn.” Gus asked grimly. “Are you sure you wanna bet on that?”
“You totally would leave me!” Shawn sounded astonished. “I’m your best friend. We’re supposed to be tight!”
“Then stick close and when I say go, run for the car.”
Fandom: Psych! and X-men crossover
Warnings: Spoilers for the X-men movies and some general spoilers for Psych!
Rating: Teen - some language, potential violence
Summary: Shawn claims to be a psychic. Some people believe him.
Disclaimer: None of the lovelies are mine. But I have enjoyed playing with them!
A/N: Many thanks to
lostacanthus for the beta! As always, feedback is welcome and appreciated.
***************
Previous Chapters: Chapter One, Chapter Two, Chapter Three, Chapter Four, Chapter Five, Chapter Six
***************
***************************
Chapter 7
***************************
"What are you doing?" Gus demanded, clenching the edge of the passenger seat tightly as Shawn simultaneously careened around the corner and dug through the glove box.
"Looking for this!" Shawn held up something and grinned triumphantly.
"An old tape? It's 2008, Shawn!" Gus protested, as Shawn turned the car sharply left again.
"Yeah, but KITT isn’t." Shawn shoved the tape into the tape deck and patted the dashboard. "Are you, girl?"
“KITT was a boy, Shawn.”
“My KITT is a girl.” Shawn shot Gus a dirty look.
Gus opened his mouth to tell Shawn to pay attention to the road, but the radio blared to life suddenly.
Listen to her howlin' roar
Metal under tension
Beggin' you to touch and go
Highway to the Danger Zone
Ride into the Danger Zone
Banging on the steering wheel in time to the drum beat, Shawn looked genuinely excited as he sang along.
Spreadin' out her wings tonight
She got you jumpin' off the track
And shovin' into overdrive
Highway to the Danger Zone
I'll take you
Right into the Danger Zone
"Stop the car, Shawn!" Gus bellowed and Shawn looked over in annoyance, reaching out to flip the volume down enough that he could hear.
"Dude, chill! It's going to be fine."
"No, it isn't! Where are we going?"
"Just back to Pscyh! headquarters." Shawn rolled his eyes. "Where's your sense of adventure, Gus?"
"I must have left it at the police station, Shawn." Gus snapped, but he relaxed. If they were going back to the office, it wasn't likely that anything too dangerous was going to happen - provided Shawn didn't kill them both with his driving. This was why Gus usually insisted on driving. "Tell me what's going on."
"It doesn’t make sense,” Shawn answered like that explained everything.
“Nothing makes since,” Gus griped. “Slow down before you kill someone!”
Shawn stepped on the accelerator harder. “And that’s what finally made it make sense!”
“Are you sure you didn’t get hit in the head earlier?”
“Look, Gus, its simple.” Shawn slammed on the break, sending them both pitching forward as he stopped for a red light. “Mystique infiltrated Worthington Labs, right?”
“Is this a trick question?” Gus demanded suspiciously.
“She obviously wants something from the lab.”
“And you know what she wants?”
“I think so.” Shawn nodded, gleefully pressing the accelerator all the way down when the light turned green and pitching the car forward with a squeal of burning rubber. “But that’s not the part that was confusing me.”
“Right. Something else makes less sense than a shape shifting terrorist. Right.” Gus grabbed the door handle as Shawn threw the car into a right turn, the back of the car fishtailing.
“Yes, exactly! Mystique I get. But I didn’t get why she would have something to do with the protestors at the benefit.”
“Okay.” Gus nodded slowly, closing his eyes as Shawn squeezed the car past a bus. “She was where she wanted to be.”
“So, what if she didn’t have anything to do with the protestors?”
“You think it’s a coincidence?” Gus sounded skeptical.
“Think about it. Mystique was pretty well hidden. She was right where she wanted to be – out in the open, with full access to the labs.”
“Right.” Gus hissed and braced his feet on the floor as Shawn hit the gas and the car sped up through a yellow light. “Quit running red lights, Shawn! I didn’t survive the benefit to get killed by you!”
“That was totally yellow, dude.” Shawn scoffed, turning the car hard to the left. “She had no reason to blow her own cover.”
“She didn’t know her cover was blown.” Gus pointed out.
“Look – what triggered the attack?”
“How should I know? Some psycho got trigger happy with his fire powers?”
“Precisely!” Shawn nodded, grinning like Gus had figured something out. “But Pyro didn’t start his show until the gates had been swarmed.”
“That’s right.” Gus sat up straighter, suddenly intrigued. “The protestor’s were already inside.” Gus held his forehead, trying to remember exactly what had happened.
“And the protestors were looking for certain mutants. I heard them say that. What if we assumed the wrong thing? We assumed that Mystique was behind the riot. But what if she wasn’t?”
“You think she was the target?” Gus frowned. “Who was controlling the rioters?”
Shawn shook his head, thinking hard. “After the attacks at Alcatraz, do you remember the list of wanted mutants published by the government?”
“Yeah,” Gus nodded. “Magneto was on the list.”
“And so was this Pyro guy.” Shawn turned the car off and looked at Gus. “Do you remember who wasn’t on the list?”
“Mystique.” Gus answered as they climbed out of the car.
“Right.” Shawn pulled out his keys and unlocked Psych’s front door. “And Bobby seemed shocked that Pyro was at the benefit. I don’t think he was expecting Mystique and Pyro to be working together.”
“So you’re saying…” Gus prompted as Shawn turned on the lights and sat down at his desk.
“I’m saying… maybe they weren’t working together.”
“So what’s Pyro doing here then?” Gus asked as Shawn began typing furiously on the computer.
“The mutant cure was still pretty experimental when it was released to the public right?”
“It had passed the FDA control group regulations,” Gus answered. “Quit avoiding my question.”
“I’m not avoiding your question,” Shawn sat back and looked at the computer screen in satisfaction. “I’m finding you proof.” He hit a button and the printer whirred to life. “Check it out.”
Gus leaned over and picked up the page that had finished printing. “Mutant Cure Released to Public. As lines of mutants signed up to be administered the cure, the most complete listing of mutant powers to date has stunned the nation, causing grave concerns with national security.”
He trailed off, looking at Shawn as understanding finally dawned. “They had to sign up.”
“Exactly.” Shawn nodded.
“There’s a list.” Gus sounded stunned. “Of all the mutants who took the cure.”
“With a complete listing of their powers…” Shawn added.
“And the cure is failing.”
“Which means there is a list, complete with all contact information and powers, of every mutant who is rapidly being uncured.” Shawn leaned back. “I’d say that’s something that Mystique would be interested in.”
“And Magneto.”
“And something Bobby and his friends would be interested in protecting.”
“Oh, my God, Shawn. This is huge!”
“I know.”
“Whoever has that list…”
“… has access to the most powerful mutants in the country. The world, even.” Shawn frowned. “Now the real question – why didn’t Bobby and his friends tell us about it?”
“Easy.” Gus shrugged. “They don’t trust us.”
“We’ve been nothing but trustworthy!” Shawn protested.
“Yeah, I’m sure they see it that way.” Gus snorted. “Especially the part when we showed up to the benefit they were guarding and didn’t tell them we were coming.”
“It was a coincidence.” Shawn argued. “And we didn’t know they were going to be there either.”
“Listen, Shawn. I’m just saying that they have reason to be careful about who they trust.” Gus crossed his arms. “They’re mutants. They were at Alcatraz fighting other mutants. There can’t be that many people who like them.”
Shawn sighed. “That totally sucks.”
“Tell me about it.” Gus nodded. “What should we do?”
“We have to make them trust us.” Shawn grinned and Gus raised an eyebrow.
“Just like that?”
“I didn’t say it would be easy, Gus. But I think I have an idea.”
Gus narrowed his eyes. “I know that look on your face, Shawn. It’s the look you get right before I end up doing something stupid and dangerous. Forget it.”
“C’mon, Gus! Now’s your chance to strike out for equality and justice for all.” Shawn stood up and rounded the desk to clasp Gus’s shoulder. “Where’s your sense of patriotism? Where’s your sense of fair play?”
“I’m relying on common sense, Shawn. No way. Nu uh. Forget it. It isn’t going to happen!”
Shawn sighed, then shrugged. “Fine, but will you at least drive the getaway car?”
“Shawn…” Gus started but Shawn cut him off.
“It’ll be like James Bond.”
For a moment Gus stared at him, then he nodded. “Fine. But I get to be 007.”
“That’s the spirit!” Shawn grabbed his jacket with one hand and Gus’s arm with the other. “You’re driving! Let’s go!”
“Where are we going now?”
“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
“That’s Mission Impossible! Not James Bond.”
“Just get in the car.” Shawn climbed into the passenger seat. “And take us back to the station.”
“It’s a good thing I’m already in my tux,” Gus said out as he climbed into the driver’s seat. “It helps get me in the right frame of mind.”
“Yeah, great. We’ll get you a martini later,” Shawn rolled his eyes. “Now hurry up! I need to get there before Jules and Lassy leave.”
“After tonight, I don’t think they’re going to be heading home any time soon.” Gus pointed out.
*****************
“Spencer, go home.” Lassiter looked even more exhausted and haggard than he had earlier that night. “I don’t have the time or patience for your antics.”
“I can’t help it, Lassy. The visions have given me a message and I need to make sure you get it.”
“What message is that?” Jules came around the corner holding several thick files.
“I see… a clubhouse.” Shawn held one hand up to his eyes. “No, wait. Maybe it’s a bar?”
Jules frowned at him, looking confused, but Lassiter nodded. “Thank you. That clears things up nicely. Now go home.”
“Aww, c’mon, Lassy. Don’t be like that.” Shawn peeked through one eye at the detective. “You know it can take a few minutes before the picture comes in clear.”
“Yeah?” Lassiter straightened up and glared at Spencer. “Well unless your visions are telling you the easiest way for me to clean up your little mess from earlier, I’m not interested. Go. Home. Now.”
“Wait a minute, it’s definitely not a club house.” Shawn shook his head, then his arm flew out from his body like it was possessed. “Wait, wait!” He pointed two fingers at Lassiter and then saluted. “Always be prepared, Lassy!”
Lassiter threw down the files he was holding onto his desk and came around the corner, clearly gunning for Shawn. Juliet hastily stepped between them. “Was that the boy scout salute?”
“How would I know?” Lassiter snapped.
“You weren’t a boy scout?” Shawn paused his antics long, astonished. “That’s a surprise, Lassy. You seem the type.”
“It is the boy scout salute and motto.” Gus chimed in and when everyone turned to look at him, he shrugged. “I only lack two badges to be an Eagle Scout.”
“Gus, you never fail to amaze me.” Shawn shook his head.
“Thank you, Shawn.”
“Dude, that wasn’t a compliment.”
“Okay, so what about the boy scouts?” Jules caught Shawn’s attention again. “They’re a club.”
“But you don’t find many boy scouts in bars.” Lassiter pointed out scathingly.
“Depends on the bar you go to,” Shawn countered, then ducked around Jules again when Lassiter looked ready to throttle him. “And it’s not boy scouts… but it is a club… of sorts… very exclusive…. X marks the spot!”
“Shawn!” Gus hissed at him. “Make sense.”
“No, wait!” Jules held up one hand. “X marks the spot. Is it the X Bar?”
“What’s the X Bar?” Gus demanded.
“It’s a bar on Sycamore Street. Its real name is MacBeth’s, but it’s mutant friendly. Its nickname is the X Bar.” Juliet glanced at Lassiter and Shawn narrowed his eyes.
“There’s been trouble there lately.” Shawn guessed slowly.
Jules nodded her head. “There was a big brawl down there the other day. What does that have to do with anything?”
“Do you know what the fight was about?” Shawn asked, glancing at Lassiter, who looked interested for the first time since he’d walked in the door.
“The bartender said there was a young guy in there stirring up trouble.” Lassiter frowned. “He fit the description of the guy with the fire power tonight.”
“Pyro.” Shawn nodded. “What kind of trouble?”
“Apparently, he was looking for…” Jules faltered. “Something.” She shrugged.
“What does he have to do with anything?” Lassiter demanded.
“Find this guy and you’ll find the guy who started the riot tonight.” Shawn answered.
“How do you suggest I do that?” Lassiter asked, angrily. “I don’t even have enough men to cover the actual police work tonight, let alone go on some wild goosechase for this mutant boogieman.”
“Leave that to me.” Shawn grinned and nodded to Gus. “And 00 here.”
*****************
“Leave it to you?” Gus snapped as he and Shawn got back in the car. “Are you crazy, Shawn? This guy nearly turned you into BBQ once already tonight.”
“I know.” Shawn pulled out his cell phone and scrolled through the numbers. “But we’re taking backup.”
“Who?”
“Bobby?” Shawn spoke into the phone. “Hey, it’s Shawn. Listen, I’ve got a message from the powers that be. Can you meet me at a bar on Sycamore Street?” He listened for a moment. “It’s called MacBeth’s and Gus and I are en route.” He nodded for a second. “Great! See you in a few minutes.”
“You don’t really think this Pyro guy is even going to be there, do you?”
“I doubt it. But I’m betting he left behind some contact information.” Shawn grinned. “And a little display of my psychic abilities, Bobby’s frost powers, and your mad nerf ball skills should get us the street cred necessary to get it.”
Gus made a choked noise and Shawn turned to him. “This is a fool proof plan, Gus. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Don’t say that! Now you’ve jinxed us!”
“Don’t be so superstitious. I’ve got it all worked out.”
“That’s what scares me, Shawn.” Gus retorted, but he turned the car towards the bar. “And we’re leaving if someone so much as lights up a cigarette. Got it?”
“Gus…”
“And if anyone has anything weird… like horns! We’re leaving if someone has horns.”
“Gus…”
“And don’t get me started on anyone who can talk to bugs. This bar is downtown. They probably have cockroaches the size of dogs.”
“Bugs?” For a moment, Shawn looked totally nonplussed. “Do you really think someone could do that?”
“I didn’t think guys could fly or sprout knives from their hands a week ago.”
“Good point.” Shawn conceded. “If we see any dog sized cockroaches, we’ll leave.”
Gus gave Shawn a pointed look. “And I’m driving the getaway car, so I say when we leave.”
“You wouldn’t leave me,” Shawn retorted confidently.
“You’re supposedly a psychic, Shawn.” Gus asked grimly. “Are you sure you wanna bet on that?”
“You totally would leave me!” Shawn sounded astonished. “I’m your best friend. We’re supposed to be tight!”
“Then stick close and when I say go, run for the car.”
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Date: 2008-10-13 12:43 pm (UTC)