I know I just posted a new chapter a few days ago, but I'm going to be at a concert tonight and I'll be going out of town for the next few days. I don't know if I'll be able to have good access to the internet from my laptop. so just to be safe I'm going to leave this here. If I do get a chance, I'll post the next chapter maybe Saturday or Sunday. Enjoy! :)

"We're here!" Ray called out, jostling me from the brink of sleep. I slowly opened my eyes and blinked to get rid of my exhaustion. I peered through the car window, and could see in the glow of the streetlights that we were back at the Ghostbusters' firehouse. I scanned the building, taking it all in. It was the first time I'd seen the outside of the building. It towered three stories up above the street and I was surprised that I hadn't thought to explore the inside of it before. I smiled at the little Ghostbusters sign that was swinging above the garage doors.

"Um…Melanie…?"

I suddenly realized that sometime during the car ride back to the firehouse, my head had moved from Egon's shoulder to his chest. He had his arms wrapped around me and I was now preventing him from moving. I glanced over at Peter who was flashing an amused smirk at me. I felt myself blush as I sat up and turned to face Egon apologetically.

"Sorry…I didn't think I'd really fall asleep that quickly." I muttered. Egon smiled and pushed the car door open.

I turned back to Peter who hadn't gotten out of his side of the car. He was still staring at me, which made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"Hey Ghost girl…how old are you?" Peter finally asked as I took Egon's hand and stepped out of the car. I turned back to him and hesitated before answering.

"Twenty-four." I said. He scoffed. I frowned and then placed a hand on my hip. "Why is that funny?"

"No, no…I was just wondering if you're factoring in the few birthdays you've spent as one of the undead." He got out of the car finally, a teasing grin still on his face. I narrowed my eyes at him, unamused. Egon took my arm and pulled me away from Peter who was still trying to stifle his laughter.

"Ignore him. That's what I do." Egon said supportively as he led me towards the door to the firehouse.

I shivered in the cool October night air and remembered that I still had no shoes on my feet. My jeans and t-shirt were smudged with soot and dirt from the warehouse fire. Egon seemed to notice the change in me.

"We'll find you a change of clothes while you get cleaned up." He offered. I smiled thankfully up at him as he opened the door for me.

"Good, you're back. Louis keeps calling and…" Dana Barrett stopped her trek from across the room when she saw that there was a stranger with the Ghostbusters. Her eyes stayed glued to me curiously before Peter shoved his way through and ran to meet her.

"Hi Dana…you remember that pesky ghost that was giving us some trouble a little while ago?" Peter said as he gently kissed Dana on the cheek. She nodded, still looking at me. Peter gestured back towards me. "Well, that's her. Dana, I'd like you to meet Egon's girlfriend."

I froze and glanced sideways up to see Egon's equally rigid reaction.

"This is Melanie." Egon said softly. I smiled warmly as Dana hesitantly approached me and offered me her hand.

"Nice to meet you." I said eagerly. "I mean…in person. I kind of saw you earlier."

Dana's face was full of confusion, yet she seemed perfectly at ease with the circumstances. She turned back to Peter who slid his arm around her waist.

"What were you saying when we walked in, Dana?" Ray asked. Dana's eyes flickered to him and she suddenly was pulled out of her daze.

"Louis has been calling the whole time you've been gone. I told him you were busy but he was so intent on you guys being there. He may have been wanting you to come and liven up the party, because it sounded pretty dead over there." Dana's gaze flew over to me and her eyes widened. "I-I'm sorry…"

Peter burst into laughter. I fidgeted uncomfortably but couldn't stop the slow smile as it spread across my face. I looked up to see that Ray, Egon and Winston were all looking for my reaction, and as I began to laugh they all smiled in relief.

"Come on, Melanie. You can have first dibs on the shower." Egon said as he shoved me up the stairs.

"Oh…I have some of my shampoo and stuff up there in the cabinet. I leave it here just in case sometimes…you're welcome to use it." Dana called up after me. I turned around and gave her a grateful smile.

"Thanks!" I said. I could still feel all of the other Ghostbusters staring after me as Egon and I reached the top of the staircase. I guess they were still a little shocked to see a ghost come to life in front of them.

"I'll find you a change of clothes while you're in there." Egon said. I smiled and then nodded as I slipped into the bathroom. Before I shut the door I turned around and hesitated.

"Hey, Egon?"

He turned to face me. I looked down at the floor for a few seconds before raising my gaze back to his.

"Um…are you okay? After the…you know…?" I asked quietly. He blinked in surprise and then slightly rolled his shoulders as if testing the movement.

"I really didn't think much about it yet, to be honest." He said simply. He smirked and I couldn't resist smiling back at him. I closed the door and then hurriedly rushed to the shower after grabbing the floral scented shower gels and shampoo from one of the cabinets.