A/N: Thank you for continuing to read! I appreciate reviews, follows and favorites. I'm sorry that the days I update aren't on a set schedule, but when I finish a chapter I still have to send it to my beta for editing and life can get in the way! Just know that I truly want to continue this story and eventually move past the childhood/teen years of Shawn and into his adult life. If you have anything you want me to address in this fic please let me know!

Also, this chapter was sickening to write because I had to imagine what happened to him even though I wrote down much less graphic details. I need to go read fluffy Fanfics now.

It's been suggested by my awesome beta that i change the rating to M, I'm not familiar with the rating scales so i trust my beta!

Thank you to my beta: TheShulesLovinPsycho !

Please read & review..

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Chapter 4: All Good Things Must Come To An End

1986

Shawn and his father rumbled down the now wet road at a steady pace, they had just left Gus' house when the rain started pouring down. It was Thursday, only two more days until his mother would be back for bedtime. It had been nice while it lasted, and he was grateful for the days he'd spent without worrying about what would happen in the week had been nice, school went by quickly and without homework, he and Gus played for hours on end and his dad only made him test his talents a few times. He just wished it didn't have to end.

The brown-haired child rested his head against the window, listening to the thick droplets of water beat against the glass. The radio DJs' voices filled the car and kept a light mood on the otherwise darkening day. Shawn shifted his gaze to his dad who was now chuckling at Crock Daniels' story. The corners of his lips twitched upwards at the sight of his dad, finally relaxed and not shouting every few seconds at something Shawn had done.

"Are you alright?" Henry asked, catching his son's lingering eyes on him.

Shawn was startled, he blinked a few times before responding, "Yeah, I'm actually pretty tired though. Me and Gus played 'firemen' today and I had to put out a two-story building, talk about exhausting!"

Henry smiled at the imagination of the kids before turning serious, "Wait.. Firemen? What about cops?"

Shawn sighed, he should have known his father would chastise him on his choice of make-believe. "Yes, firemen. They're cool, dad! They put out flames and get to rescue people and slide down a giant pole!"

Henry rolled his eyes at the last comment. "Police officers save people too, Shawn. Hell, we protect people from the need to be saved. Don't you want to be a detective one day like your old man?" Henry asked, somewhat offended.

"Not really, no." Shawn said quietly with a flinch, he didn't want to have this conversation and ruin the good mood but his father needed to know that just because the elder Spencer was a cop doesn't mean he had to be one as well.

Henry shook his head but said no more, choosing to listen to the radio instead. Shawn went back to the window and watched the blurry outlines of houses and trees pass by, they were almost home. He knew he'd disappointed his dad, but it's not like his dad hadn't done the same to him many times before.

The car came to a stop and Henry shifted it to 'park' before following Shawn's lead and unbuckling his seatbelt.

"Come on kid. Let's get some food ready, you're mom is actually getting home early tonight." Henry closed the driver's side door as he spoke.

Shawn froze in place on his side of the car. A chorus of 'no's' rang throughout his head, he did not want to see her.. Henry was nearing the door when Shawn snapped out of it and glumly went towards his father. He sighed lightly, and forced a smile onto his tired face as his dad faced him.

"I didn't know she'd be home so early." He said simply, no hurt or anger showing.

Henry nodded, "Me either, but one of her clients cancelled so we get mama bear for the night!"

Shawn walked through the threshold and into their living room, passing his father without responding. He almost scoffed at the 'mama bear' nickname. It fit her fairly well, she ripped people apart and held no guilty conscience for doing so. Shawn walked up the stairs to his bedroom, setting down his backpack near the now closed door and then plopping down on his bed.

Another sigh slipped out of his mouth, but he refused to let the tears that he felt forming come out as well. He could feel the anxiety bubbling up inside of his chest, it was overwhelming. His hands found their way to his hair, and his head to his knees. He sat like that for a while, his thoughts consuming him.

I should have known I wouldn't have a full week without her.

I wish I could just tell someone...but who would believe me?

Mom's right. I deserve everytging she does to me.

He slowly lifted his head, and placed his arms around his legs, hugging them tightly. He didn't stray from that position until his dad's voice travelled up the stairs, creeping into his room and bringing reality back. He screwed his eyes shut and opened them again before pushing himself off the bed.

The youngest Spencer made his way down the stairs, listening for any indication that his mother had arrived. Nothing yet.

He jumped over the last step and pounced into the kitchen, where his father was taking meatloaf out of the oven. Shawn's eyes flickered over the side-dishes, mashed potatoes and green beans. The smallest smile presented itself on Shawn's face, this was his favorite meal.

"Can you set the table, bud?" His dad asked as he sliced the meatloaf into perfectly even pieces. Shawn picked up the plates and silverware and made his way to the rounded rectangular table just outside of the kitchen area.

After laying everything down and pouring milk into each glass, he sat down in his seat and ate delicately, not wanting to have too much food in his stomach. He wanted to eat more, to actually enjoy the food, but he couldn't. He waited for his mom to come home, a growing pain in his stomach becoming his main focus. His father opted to wait until Maddie arrived to eat, but let Shawn because he needed to go to bed soon and waiting up for the female Spencer could always take longer than intended.

"I'm finished, dad. Can I go upstairs?" Shawn asked, gulping down the last of his milk.

Henry did a double-take at his son, not once in his child's life did he ever ask to go to bed early.

"You.. want to go to bed early?" He was honestly dumbfounded. Shawn winced slightly before looking at his dad, "Um, yeah. I'm really tired."

Henry felt his son's forehead and cheeks as he spoke, "Are you feeling okay?" Shawn nodded and his father sputtered a little bit, still confused.

"Yeah go ahead, I guess. I'll tell your mom you were too tired to stay up."

Shawn nodded again and hugged his father before climbing the stairs two at a time.

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Shawn heard the front door open and close, signaling his mother's arrival. He was tucked into his bed, pretending to be asleep and waiting for what was sure to come.

Quiet murmuring could be heard throughout the home, his father had probably informed his mother of his strange behavior prior to her homecoming and he'd started regretting his decision.

.

.

.

Acting strange was a sign that something was wrong, and if Henry were to pry he just might find out what she's been doing to her son.

Maddie smiled at her husband to show acknowledgment as he talked about his day at the station, it had been rather boring and involved mostly paperwork. She responded at appropriate times but was hardly paying attention, all she could focus on was the empty seat beside her. Shawn was hiding from her and she didn't like it one bit.

That little twerp, she thought angrily, He's letting his guard down and making Henry suspicious.

"-work?" Madeline tuned back into the conversation.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"I asked you how work was." Henry stated, one eyebrow quirked. "Everything okay?"

She smiled reassuringly at her husband, "Of course, Honey. It was just a long day today, I had an appointment at a station a couple towns over and the officers weren't too happy to speak with me."

Henry nodded, knowing exactly how those officers felt. It wasn't a great experience being evaluated.

Time passed quickly as they chatted, but Maddie was growing more agitated by the second. And then her saving grace came in the form of a phone call.

"Henry Spencer here."

"It should be in the records room already."

"Okay, I'll be right in Chief."

Henry sighed and turned to his wife as he hung up the home phone, "I have to go in for a bit and find a case file that is apparently important, so much so that they managed to lose it." Sarcasm dripped from his words and he kissed his wife before going to change.

"I think I'll go make sure Shawnee is tucked in, and then I'm ready to get some shut-eye. Don't be back too late" She spoke warmly, leaving Henry to his business.

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He'd heard the phone ring, but couldn't tell who answered it. Soon there was the sound of the front door closing, Shawn wouldn't risk going to the window to check who'd left.

The pitter-patter of footsteps made their way to his room, too light to be his father's. He closed his eyes once more, and he breathed at an even pace, hoping that maybe, just maybe, his mother would leave him alone for the night.

The door opened and closed gently, as not to draw attention. "Get up, Shawn. I know you're awake." There was malice in her words, she was beyond mad.

Shawn laid still, he knew he'd gotten himself in trouble and that he was worsening it right now but he **couldn't** move. She grabbed his arm and yanked him upwards, her nails digging into his shoulder area.

Shawn gasped in pain as she released her grip, his uninjured arm finding its way to the other.

"What. The. Hell. is wrong with you?" She glared at him.

Shawn shrank back, "I.. I was tired.I didn't know dad would think something was up.. I didn't think you would be mad." That was a lie, he knew she would be mad.. But he hadn't cared in the moment.

"Please, mommy, just let me go to sleep. I promise I won't do this again!" His voice quivered, the desperation taking over.

"Oh! You won't do it again? Maybe you shouldn't have done it in the first place!" Maddie spoke the words in a mocking tone, her son was pitiful.

She reached and grasped his hair firmly before pulling back roughly. Shawn nearly yelped out of pain, but managed to control himself. A previously unshed tear made its way down his cheek as Maddie yanked him by the hair again. This time though, she brought him towards her.

With a wicked smile, she grabbed Shawn's chin and pulled him into a forceful kiss. Shawn immediately threw his head back, ready to vomit.

"Please don't! Please mom, I don't want to do this. I promise I'll behave!"

She frowned and grabbed his face again, "Shut up. I don't want to hear another word from you, do you understand?"

Shawn nodded and closed his eyes wishing he were somewhere else.

This is wrong.

Shawn's lips hurt, and he felt as though his chin had broken in two.

I'm going to throw up...

Maddie let go of Shawn's mouth and pulled back. He opened his eyes fearfully and wished he hadn't.

She undid the zipper on her slacks and pulled the pants down before getting back onto the twin bed. Grabbing Shawn's hand, she looked him in the eye before guiding him to her. .

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Shawn sat with his back against the tub in his bathroom, his face void of any emotion. She'd left long ago, he'd heard the shower run and stop. He heard his father come home and retreat to their bedroom.

Shawn still didn't move when he heard his dad's loud snoring, or when his eyes started to droop as the exhaustion kicked in. He didn't want to lay in his bed, the memory of what he'd done haunting him.

He slowly slid from his position on the tub, sleep taking over. He slept there all night, not caring in the slightest that it was cold, tiled floor.

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He awoke to bile in his throat and the shrill beeping of his alarm clock. He'd considered just letting it continue to siren off, but he couldn't stand the noise.

He stood and stretched before opening the bathroom door and heading to his bedside table. He slapped his hand down on the button and silence took over.

Shawn glanced toward his bed briefly before heading back to the restroom. Another shower was much needed, and he didn't have much time until it was time to leave. He inspected his shoulder for brushing or cuts but as usual, there were none. She knew how to get away with it. He sighed and stepped out of the shower.

Soon he was walking down the stairs, greeting his father and rushing out the door to the truck. He attempted to push his thoughts to the back of his mind and focus on the cars they were passing.

Today is going to be a long day, he thought, resigning to the bad memory that kept replaying in his head.