A/N: I was asked long ago to write a sequel to my Psych tale, Double Trouble, and here I've finally finished it. Enjoy this opening scene!

1987

Headphones over his ears, ten year old Shawn Spencer bobbed his head in time to the music that was playing from his walkman. He was on his stomach, reading a comic book. He gave a start when the headphones were suddenly pulled from his ears and he was deprived of the music. "Dad!" he protested, looking up. "I was listening to that."

"Shawn, I seem to remember that I told you that you weren't going to lay around all summer," Henry Spencer responded, picking up the walkman and stopping the cassette. "The trash is overflowing in the can. Didn't you promise that would take it out everyday if I didn't make you take those dancing lessons?"

"But you never agreed to that deal when it was on the table," Shawn pointed out, sitting up. He made a grab for the walkman but his father held it out of his reach. "You didn't want to have lessons, so we told Mom that the instructor insulted us. There was no deal so technically I don't have to take the trash out."

"Well, I'm your father and I'm telling you that you are going to take the trash out," Henry told him firmly. "Now go."

Heaving a dramatic sigh, Shawn dragged himself off his bed. "And then I can have my walkman back?" he asked hopefully.

"Shawn, you don't need music blaring in your ears all the time," his father informed him. "Go outside and listen to the sound of the world if you want hear something. Listen to the birds singing and the other kids laughing."

Wrinkling his nose, Shawn shook his head. "The sound of the neighbors arguing?" he suggested. "No thanks. I'll just take my walkman."

"Outside. Now."

Defeated, Shawn groaned as he shuffled his feet to his door. He glanced over his shoulder in time to see his father pick up the comic book. "Dad! I was reading that!"

"Shawn, I don't want to hear it," Henry told him. "You know I don't approve of these things."

From downstairs came the thundering organ chords that signalled the beginning of the overture of Phantom of the Opera. Father and son cringed at the same time and exchanged new looks. "I guess Mom is still obsessed with that musical thing, huh?" Shawn said.

"I knew I shouldn't have bought it for her," Henry muttered. He moved past Shawn and headed downstairs. "Maddie! You're going to have the neighbors call the police on us if you don't turn it down a little."

Whatever Madeleine Spencer said in response was lost in the orchestration that was playing. Shawn hurried down after his father. He glanced between the trash can and the door. He made a snap decision and rushed outside, leaving the overflowing trash can.

"Shawn!"

(Twenty One Years Later)

Walking out of the theater, the young woman paused under the lights that light the front of the building and pulled her keys out of her purse. She then slung her purse over her shoulder and set off for the dark street. In one hand she held her keys in a defensive position, and in her left hand she held a whistle. Her eyes were constantly moving as she walked to her car, which was parked under the streetlamp.

She'd just put her key in the lock when the sound of a hand coming down on the top of the car roof made her jump. She looked up, her left hand coming up with the whistle. "Oh, it's you," she said with no little relief, relaxing slightly. "I was just working late and lost track of time. Opening night is coming up soon and I wanted to make sure everything is in order. But I guess you knew that."

The person on the other side of the car made no sound as they moved around the front. "Look, I know you're upset about what happened," the young woman said, moving to remain facing the person. Her voice grew more and more nervous as she spoke. "But I promise everything is going to work out for the best. The show must go on, right?"

She pulled the car door open. "We'll talk tomorrow, alright?" she said, moving to get in.

The other person moved quickly, grabbing her by the back of the neck. There was a thud as the woman's head was slammed against the door frame. Her attacker gently eased her into the car, shoving her to the passenger side. The person climbed in, started the car, and drove away from the streetlight.