Same thing applies to this chapter as well: 5 reviews, please! Honestly, it isn't much. And I know this story sits in a not very often visited part of FF.net, but for every 1 review that's posted, there are prob'ly about 3 people who actually read, you know? Even more in more visited sections, like DBZ. So if you read it, at least comment one or 2 words saying you liked it or not. Please? I like to smile... ^_^
On to the next chapter!!
**UPDATE NOTICE!!**
This chapter has been updated! Spelling and grammar have been improved as well as punctuation. Also, there are added bits that were not there before! It may be wise to re-read this chapter if you wish to pick up on some extra stuff! Thank you!
Spencers13 2001-2002
PG-13 — Sci-Fi/Fantasy — Action Drama
Story concept, Endri & Kyle © Spencers13
Chapter Two - So what have you been doing?
"Lydia Lydia, rise and whine. It's almost eleven o'clock," Beetlejuice whispered, shaking Lydia's shoulder. "Come-on, I wanna talk to you and stuff." He had woken up early in the morning and laid there, tossing and turning, waiting for her to wake as well. Finally, almost two hours later, he could take the waiting no longer, and decided to wake her himself. He shook her a bit more. "Please, Lyds."
Lydia curled into a tight ball and mumbled something he couldn't make out. He shook her again and asked her to repeat herself.
"Please, Jason just a little longer I'm so tired" she mumbled louder.
"Jason? Who's Jason? Lydia?" he questioned her. Oh, man she must already have a boyfriend. No, with her looks, she's probably already married. I should have guessed sooner.
Suddenly, Lydia cried out as if in pain, startling Beetlejuice. "No! Please! I'm sorry! I won't disobey again! Please don't hurt me anymore!" She flung her arms out then pulled them back, covering her face as if to protect it.
Beetlejuice reached around and flipped her toward him, drawing her up into his arms. "Lydia! It's me! Wake up!" he shouted.
Her eyes flew open and darted around the room, coming to rest on her friend's face. Sweat covered her body and dampened her clothes and hair, her breath coming in shallow gasps.
Beetlejuice held her close and rocked her gently, stroking her hair. "Lydia, please, what's wrong? Oh no, Babes, it's okay. I got you I got you" he continued to whisper soft, soothing words, trying his best to calm her. Being someone supportive was something he wasn't used to, but he seemed to be doing well enough.
Eventually, her breath slowed, and she reached up to hold onto his silk shirt collar. "Oh Beetlejuice. I-uh was just having a nightmare. I'm okay now."
"You sure, Lyds? That musta been a hellish nightmare." He continued to stroke at her hair. "Who's Jason, Babes?"
Beetlejuice felt a tension grip her entire body, and she trembled under his touch. "Oh uh Jason? N-No one. I don't know anyone by that name," she sputtered quickly. She tried to pull away, but he held firm to her arms.
"Lydia I've never known you to lie to me."
She was surprised by his frankness, but knew he was right. She had never lied to him before, and now she was right after she came to see him after so long. What kind of person would he think she turned into?
"Lyds," Beetlejuice caught her attention, "You can tell me anything. You know that." He paused a few seconds, suddenly worried about something. "Lydia?" She looked up at him through those glossy, grey eyes. "Am I still your best friend?"
She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder. "I never once thought you weren't, Beej."
He sighed and cradled her, stroking the length of her back slowly. To spend all day like this would be more than he could ever dream. He had his best friend back, and that meant more to him than anything. Her awkward behavior, however, pulled him down from his natural high and drew his face into a crumple of concern.
"Lydia?"
"Mmm?"
"Would you tell me?"
"Tell you what?" came her confused reply.
"Who that guy is."
Lydia fell silent again. Should I tell him? It really is none of his business, but he's only concerned for me. I'm sure I'd be hounding him for answers too if he spouted some strange woman's name in his sleep. Could it be he's jealous? She smiled inwardly. That would be quite interesting wouldn't it? It wouldn't be the first time he was ever green with jealousy. She remembered a time when Prince Vince got under her best friend's skin when he took her out on dates and tried to woo her with presents, movies and balloons. She almost relished the thought of him being possessive of her. That was long ago, though. Now she felt that same relish, but for some reason, it was different. Then, he was jealous over friendship, now he seemed envious of something different. Could her past suspicions be true? Could he really care for her more than she realized? She admitted at times that she didn't think certain emotions possible for his type of character. Now, though, she began to rethink a few things.
"Lyds?"
She looked up at him. Those green irises of his seemed much greener and larger than in the past. He blinked at her. He's waiting for an answer and he deserves one, she decided. Yes, she would tell him everything he wanted to know. She owed it to him. Still, it would not be easy. Swallowing, she clutched his collar tighter and tried to scoot closer, but she was already pressed firmly against him.
"He was my boyfriend over a year ago."
Beetlejuice was silent. A year ago? So does that mean he's gone, or what?
Lydia could feel the tension in his shoulders and sense his confusion. "I take it you'd like more?"
"Well, uh *ahem* if you want to, that is I guess?"
She tried to smile, but it was difficult. "I met him at college. I was studying to be a professional photographer, and he was training to be an art teacher there at the school."
"You dated a teacher?" he blurted before he could stop himself.
This time, Lydia did smile. "Well, in a manner of speaking, yes, I suppose so. He was very nice; always getting me things and taking me to new places. After a while, though he started to change." She paused, taking comfort in Beetlejuice's closeness. "At first it was simple mouth battles. We would yell at each other almost every day. He made me so mad when he would hang around with his other friends who all happened to be girls. But then things went downhill really fast."
Beetlejuice ran his hand back up her back to her shoulder. "Lydia you don't have to--"
"No, BJ," she broke in, "You're my best friend I should tell you everything. I want to tell you. It's just that it's a bit difficult for me."
He nodded against her head and kept silent, allowing her to set a pace she was comfortable with.
An empty moment passed. Then another, then
"He hit me," she said quietly.
A hushed breath escaped his lips. Gripping her shoulder tenderly, he resumed stroking her hair, keeping silent, knowing she surely wasn't finished.
"I was able to brush it off at first, thinking it really was my fault for making him mad, but then" she choked quietly, "Then he would come home every night drunk and beat me up just because he was drunk. He blamed me for letting him get that way. No-No matter what I begged of him he wouldn't stop." At the end, her voice was a mere whisper, and tears began leaking their way out of her eyes. Fortunately, they went unnoticed.
Beetlejuice continued to cradle her close as he began a slow rocking motion, hoping it would help comfort her. He said nothing, still, waiting for her to finish on her own.
Lydia still didn't remove her head from his shoulder. It was hard enough recounting her past to him, being as painful as it was. Yet she was also embarrassed somewhat, and to look him in the eyes and allow him to see her tears now would be too difficult.
Her breath caught in her throat. Now would come the hardest thing of all to admit. She checked herself, making sure she really wanted to tell him or not. She had told others; her parents, a courtroom full of people, her therapist and doctor. Hopefully, this would be the last time she would have to repeat herself. Beetlejuice did deserve to know, and she believed she owed everything to him. She sighed and, in an unknown gesture, slipped her hand from his collar to his neck. Beetlejuice stifled his wide-eyed surprise by her movement, still trying to comfort her in his subtle ways.
"Then h-hitting me didn't seem to be enough for him," she whispered. "He kept wanting me. He wouldn't stop hounding me to give myself up to him. I didn't want to, Beej. I knew he wasn't the right one for me. But he didn't care about love and morals he just took and he kept on taking. Over and over I-I can't count how many times he he"
"No, stop, Lyds," his voice cracked. "I don't wanna hear anymore, and I'm sure I know what happened. Don't put yourself through it again."
Lydia nodded against him and closed her mouth gratefully.
A low growl sounded in Beetlejuice's throat. "If I'd been there for you I'd have ripped that bastard apart so fast--"
"Which is why I stopped myself from calling you so many times then, Beetlejuice. I knew you'd want to hurt him. Even though he probably deserved it, he deserved prison more, and that's where he is now. Rotting away."
Beetlejuice settled himself, "You're right sorry. You know me, Babes." He pulled away and grinned down at her for the few seconds it took to notice her tears. "Lydia I wish I knew what to do," he whispered, wiping tenderly at her wet cheeks.
"You don't have to do anything, Beetlejuice. Just being here with me right now is more than I could ever ask for." She smiled weakly.
"It's guaranteed, I'm not leaving. Ever."
"That a promise?" she asked, hugging him.
"No," he whispered into her ear, "A fact."
Lydia clutched him tighter than she ever dared, delighting in every sensation she felt. His hair, surprisingly soft, tickled at her nose and lips. The silkiness of his shirt brushed against her throat as did the softness of his well-worn striped jacket. The skin on his hands and neck was also soft, and she imagined the rest of his body was the same. He must have been taking good care of himself.
She brought her stray thoughts back to him and the way he was holding her so very close. She never felt this good when with someone else. Is this what it's supposed to feel like? I never imagined Beetlejuice Her thoughts drained from her as he squeezed her a bit more, then pulled away to gaze at her.
There was no way, in her world or his, that she would give up someone like him again.
"Um Babes? Can I ask you one more question about this?" He almost looked as if he regretted asking the question even as he voiced it.
"Sure, BJ. What is it?"
He cleared his throat quietly. "How'd you get away from all that?"
That one's easy enough, she thought. "My parents, actually. They came over to our apartment for a surprise visit one day. The minute dad saw my black eye, fat lip and various bruises, he and Delia packed up my things and took me back home. You know I probably wouldn't be alive right now if they hadn't."
Beetlejuice's voice surged with guilt. "I should've come back to you I could've protected you. But you were right - I always listened to you. I felt I had to. You told me not to come back, and I listened."
"No! Don't think that way! I was stupid back then you were right! I was a spoiled brat I I just--I said so many dumb things to you, Beetlejuice. I hope you can forgive me someday." Her gaze lowered to his chest in shame, wishing all at once that she could vanish from his sight or collapse against him in a desperate need to be held.
Beetlejuice decided for her. He pulled her against himself, startling her, and held her as tight as he could once more. "Someday is today, Lydia. Of course I forgive you, but will you forgive the things I said too? Please say you do?" he begged, almost succumbing to tears.
"Yes, yes! Definitely yes! I forgave you a long time ago, Beetlejuice. I should have come to you sooner--"
"No," he cut her off. "No more what-if's or should-have's. It's just here and now, Lydia. You're here, and I'm here, and that's all that matters." He rocked her again, treasuring her weight in his lap and savoring the sweet smell of her hair as she snuggled closer into his neck. "Oh, Lydia I never realized how much I cared about you until after you left"
"Me too," she whispered into the hollow of his throat, almost allowing her lips to brush his pale, room temperature skin. Another hair's width more, and they would have.
Several silent moments passed between them, then. Beetlejuice couldn't bring himself to let her go just yet, and Lydia seemed content to stay in his arms.
"Are you married?" he asked suddenly. Lydia's response was an unfeigned laugh that brought a broad smile to his lips. "Guess not. How about a boyfriend? Got another one of those?" Lydia giggled some more and shook her head against him. "No, huh? Mmm" he mused.
Lydia finally pulled away again and gazed at him, a smile turning up the corners of her lips, and her eyes shining brightly. "Beetlejuice, are you trying to say something?"
He stared at her with wide green eyes, swallowing hard. "Uh are you hungry?" he blurted quickly.
She sighed, a bit disappointed, but checked herself over anyway. Her stomach was too empty for her taste. "Yes, you?"
"I haven't felt hungry in years, but I guess I could choke somethin' down for you," he smiled sweetly. "How else am I gonna put on those pounds you wanted me to?"
Lydia grinned up at him. "Mmmm can't wait to see what's crawling around your fridge."
Beetlejuice floated up into the air, keeping his hold on her. He settled them both to a standing position on the floor and laughed. "Naw, with my luck, Jacques would've cleaned up everything since I've been in my room for so long. I'm sure there's something edible for you in there." With that, he took her hand and lead her out through the living room to the kitchen, and she was all too willing to hold on and follow.
Jacques appeared to already be up, but wasn't around.
"I think Jacques is out on his morning jog," Beetlejuice mused, pulling open the refrigerator door. His guess that the skeleton had cleaned everything out and put real food in there had been right. The milk had not yet expired, fruits and vegetables filled the bottom drawer and other miscellaneous foods sat along the shelves and lined the door. Nothing looked appealing though. "You want anything in here?" he asked Lydia who was snooping in a cupboard.
"Maybe some milk?" she asked. She glanced back into the pantry and noticed several boxes of the Neitherworld's idea of cereal. She didn't want to get near the box of "Lice Krispies". "Corn Pops" took on a whole new meaning when she noticed a foot emblazoned on the front of the box, and she didn't want to chip her teeth on "Fruity Boulders". The only box that stood out from the rest was "Count Chocula". That was the only one that seemed normal.
"Is this really Count Chocula?" she asked Beetlejuice, holding up the box.
"Naw, just a really good copy," he said, pouring two glasses of milk. "Tastes just like the Real World stuff, too. Don't worry, it's digestible. I wouldn't let you let you eat it otherwise."
"You want some too?" she asked, opening the cardboard lid.
Beetlejuice dug around some cabinets looking for bowls. "Dammit, Jacques," he mumbled to himself, "The minute I go away, you're rearranging everything Ah!" He pulled out two clean bowls from a storage area above the sink. "Sure. Why not?"
Lydia poured the cereal, then put the box back in the pantry. When she returned to the kitchen table, Beetlejuice had already poured the milk into the bowls and replaced it in the refrigerator.
They sat silently across from each other for a few minutes enjoying their breakfast and company. Beetlejuice ate slowly. It was as if he could barely stomach it, but he kept going for her sake. After a while, he noticed her glancing at him with every other bite she took.
"What'sa matter, Babes?" he asked, gulping his milk.
Lydia blushed slightly, unable to decide if she should make conversation or continue staring at his hair. It was longer than it used to be. The little sprigs on top of his head that normally stood up were now drooping down over his forehead creating bangs. The rest of his hair cascaded past his shoulders down to just above his shoulder blades. It made him look younger.
Those eyes of his too. They seemed to be alive themselves. The emerald green irises swirled constantly, making them glow slightly. They reminded her of a sparkling gem being turned in a bright light. They fascinated her. To her recollection, she had never noticed them swirling so much before
"Lydia?"
She snapped to attention. "Huh? Oh! I'm sorry, BJ. I was just thinking."
"'Bout what?"
She quickly searched for something to say, not really wanting to reveal she had been ogling him and mulling over his new good looks well, new to her, that is. "Um so why did you lock yourself in your room? Did you not come out at all?"
Beetlejuice lowered his eyes to his half-finished cereal and took a sip of milk before replying. "I don't know why I did that. I just didn't wanna see people or for them to see me. I was kinda torn up inside and wanted to be alone, you know. I'd never admit it to anyone else, Lyds, but I cried for days, weeks even." He took another quick bite of his cereal. "I spent more and more time in my room, and eventually, I just stayed in there. But it's not like I never left. I did almost every night, actually. Sometimes I'd sit on top of the Roadhouse and stare at the stars. Sometimes I'd slip off to a lake down the road some and go swimming even. There's nothin' like a moonlight swim to clear your head, Babes. You should try it sometime."
Lydia smiled across the table at him. Having finished her cereal, she was left to stare at him in wonder as he told her more of the things he had done.
"Then one day I was thinking of you, and I got really scared. I almost forgot what you looked like." He lowered his head in shame. "I quick and dug out all the pictures I had of you and stared at 'em for hours. I was kinda disappointed that I only had a few, so I decided to draw you," Beetlejuice paused for a long moment. "I uh hope you don't think I'm obsessed or psycho or anything. I was just trying to remember you."
"Beetlejuice," Lydia began. She reached across the table and took hold of his hand. "I admit I was scared at first, but then I realized how talented you were. Some of those drawings look as good as the photos themselves. It's very flattering."
He blushed slightly. "I guess some of you kinda rubbed off on me."
"I only have one question."
"Yeah?"
"Why the statue?"
Beetlejuice smirked. "That one was to remind me of how tall you used to be kinda like a life-sized thing."
Lydia giggled. "Don't tell me you used to talk to it too."
Beetlejuice's blush deepened. "Uh only when I was really lonely."
She laughed outright. "Well, you don't need to talk to it anymore. You can talk to the real thing. I'm more interactive."
He squeezed her hand gently. "And a lot easier on the eyes than granite."
Lydia blushed that time. She quickly picked up her glass of milk and downed it in record time.
Just then, Jacques jogged into the kitchen holding the day's paper and humming "Frère Jacques". He came to a screeching halt when he saw Beetlejuice sitting at the table with Lydia.
"B-Be-atlejuice?! Can it really be vous?" he shrieked.
Beetlejuice released Lydia's hand and stood. "Even though I could hear you and Ginger talking through my door, Bony Buddy, it's still good to see you again." He crossed the space between them and hugged his skeletal friend who was still rigid with shock. He pulled away and shook his bony hand.
"I can not believe zis! Suddenly, Lydia comes back, and now vous 'ave come out of your 'iding! I sink I need to sit down!" Jacques plopped down into a chair at the table, and the three friends proceeded to fondly talk of days past.
Lydia spent the whole day with Beetlejuice, never leaving his side, coming into contact with him whenever possible. It was just such a shock to see him again, that she needed constant reminding that he was really there.
They talked, and talked and talked more. Finally, when the sun began to set on the horizon, Lydia realized that she had to get back to the Real World. She specifically came home to visit her parents, and then she disappeared from under their noses for a whole day now. They were probably worried.
Lydia stood on the doorstep of the Roadhouse in front of Beetlejuice. The setting sun cast a brilliant glow that seemed to illuminate the sparkles in his eyes all the more. She stared into them mesmerized, the very thought of turning away and leaving feeling like daggers piercing her heart.
"Do you really have to go?" he asked for what had to be the tenth time in as half as many minutes.
"Yes, I'm sorry," she replied.
"You will come back right?"
"I don't think wild flying sandworms could keep me away." She smiled, and Beetlejuice grinned back at her, but his sadness still showed through on his features. "BJ," Lydia relented, "Come back with me. I don't think either of us want to be apart right now."
His mood immediately picked up. "Really? You sure?"
"Yeah, it'll be like old times. You can hide in my room from my parents!" she laughed. "And you know what, Beetlejuice?"
"What?"
"I want you to stay with me as long as you want. I can't stand the thought of not being around you," she said, taking one of his large hands into both of hers.
Beetlejuice grinned and squeezed her tiny fingers gently in reply. "Well what are you waiting for? Gimme those three B's!"
Lydia almost jumped for joy, but kept her composure as she closed her eyes and repeated her best friend's name. They vanished in a fine black mist and reformed standing in her bedroom in the exact place she had been when she left just a day before. To their fortune, her parents weren't around to see them enter in their most unusual way.
Lydia shivered; that feeling of intense power still swirling around her bones. Where was it coming from?
"Wait here, Beej," she said, shaking the feeling off. "I should go downstairs and tell my parents I'm back. It should only take a few minutes," she finished almost guiltily.
"I'm not goin' anywhere, Babes."
Lydia smiled up at him, squeezed his hand again, then exited the room in search of her parents.
Charles and Delia Deetz were both in the kitchen when Lydia poked her head through the door. They seemed a bit high-strung.
"Hello, Dad, Delia," she said as casually as possible.
Charles yelped and fell out of his chair, and Delia stepped over him in her rush to get to Lydia.
"Are you all right, Lydia, dear? We were so worried about you! Where were you?" she ranted.
"I'm fine. I'm fine," Lydia assured them. "I was just visiting an old friend. I'm sorry for not telling you."
"We thought you might have been kidnapped, Pumpkin," Charles said, settling back in his chair. "We called the police."
"What? Well call them back. I'm fine, Dad. I wasn't kidnapped; I just stepped out to a friend's house for the day on a whim."
"Who was it?" Delia just had to poke her nose into things.
"Oh-uh Betty. I went to see Betty," she said quickly. Perhaps a half-truth wasn't as bad as a complete lie.
Her father humphed, but hugged Lydia anyway. "Try to tell us the next time you run off for more than eight hours, okay, Pumpkin? We worry about you. Ever since that creep--"
"No problem, Dad," Lydia cut him off. "I'll be in my room. Knock if you need anything." She wandered off back up the stairs, her mind deeply troubled with the thought of not being with Beetlejuice every second she could. She smiled at him warmly when she opened the door and noticed him perched on the edge of her old canopy bed, waiting.
***********
Awwww! That's sweet, don't you think?! They want to stay together! ^_^
A comment on "Vinnie's" review: Don't worry, if you stick around long enough, you'll see more old characters. And actually, many people believe they would fall in love with each other eventually if the show was ever continued and allowed them to "grow". It's so set into my mind that that's what would happen, that I can't think of them just staying friends... but we'll have to wait to see how this story turns out first. If you have anymore questions, just ask! ^_^
Until next chapter!