When they arrived at the Roadhouse Lydia had changed from her everyday clothes to her Neitherworld clothes. They had changed slightly over the years. Her dark red spider web poncho now only reached her waist and hung down her right shoulder showing her creamy skin. She wore a pair of black leggings that came to her knees showing strong, toned calf muscles to her black boots. She kept her gloves with her fingers exposed and wore a pair of silver earrings that dropped down with beetles hanging from them. A gift from Beetlejuice on her sixteenth birthday. She pulled her long hair up and wrapped it in a loose pony tail that hung down to her shoulders, a few wisps falling out around her face. Even though they had just arrived she already felt her headache starting to disappear.

"Hi ya Lydia. It's been a while since you've been here. I was beginning to miss you." Ginger said smiling her large, sweet smile when they walked into the living-dead room.

"Bonjour Lydia, comment allez-vous?" Jacques asked giving her a boney hug.

"I am doing much better now, thank you Jacques. I'm sorry I haven't been around here lately, but with finals I just didn't have much time. Now that I don't have anymore school I can spend a lot more time here. You guys have no idea how much I missed you and being in the Neitherworld." Lydia said. When they smiled and she could feel the genuine warmth and friendship radiating from, not just Beetlejuice, but everyone. She felt the weight being lifted off of her shoulders. Even though she had a few friends in the real world, she always felt like she was different from them, never really gaining their true friendship. Here, she was always welcome.

"How's about we go for a walk in the Neitherwoods, the fresh air will do you some good." Beetlejuice said and grabbed her hand, heading for the door. After a quick goodbye to Jacques and Ginger they headed for the woods. "Feelin' any better Babes?" He asked after a while.

"Much better BJ. You always know how to make me feel good." Lydia said looking up at the tall trees and beautiful scenery. Beetlejuice looked at her out of the corner of his eye. God she smelled so good, she always smelled like fresh flowers with something very earthy, moss and cedar. It was the perfect combination for her. He loved when she had a small smile playing on the corner of her mouth. It was hidden, but always there. Without thinking he reached out and grabbed her hand. She was so warm and soft. His mind told him that he shouldn't have taken the risk, but somewhere deep in his heart he couldn't stop himself.

Lydia felt Beetlejuice grasp her hand. When his cool touch reached her warm skin she felt a bolt of energy course through her. It made her hand feel like it had just woken up from being asleep, each and every nerve heightened to a euphoric degree. She glanced at him and felt brave. She laced her fingers with his and rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.

Beetlejuice felt the intimate touch and looked over at her. Lydia turned to face him and a sheepish smile spread on her face. She looked so innocent and beautiful it made his heart ache just to look at her.

"You could make a ghost blush Lyds." He said looking away for a split second. Lydia's smile vanished and she drew her eyes together in confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Lyds," He started and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. He watched her bite her lower lip and chew it. She always did that when she was either nervous or studying. It made her look irresistible. "You make me feel..." Why did she have to look so damn beautiful and innocent? It wasn't fair. "Forget it Babes." He wanted to shout to the world how he felt about her, but he just couldn't make himself do it. He started to walk again and he felt her hand slip away from his. He stopped and turned around. Lydia stood rooted to her stop, her arms hanging at her sides.

"I make you feel what Beej? Tell me please." She was pleading with him. He looked at her and saw something in her eyes. It was fear, but fear of what? Him? He couldn't take that.

Lydia's heart was racing and she was more afraid of what was going to come out of his mouth than anything else she had ever experienced. He wasn't looking at her, but down at the ground and it looked like he was battling with himself, not sure of what he wanted to say. Finally he lifted his head to look at her.

"Lydia, I've watched you grow from a girl into a woman. I've made you laugh and held you while you cried. I've been there for both the good and the bad. Babes, every time I see you, you make me go weak at the knees." He'd spit it out and felt the words hang between them. Lydia didn't say anything while she took in his words. He felt like the sandworms would be less painful than this, this waiting.

"Beej, you're my best friend,"

"That's why I didn't want to say anything." He said frustrated and feeling like his heart was breaking into a thousand pieces.

"Beetlejuice please, let me finish." Lydia reached for him, desperation in her voice. "Since I met you my feelings have not changed. They have grown. You made me feel safe and protected, but over time you've made my heart race and skin tingle. Every time I see you my stomach plummets and I get a lump in my throat."

Beetlejuice stood in his spot and absorbed what she had said. He looked at her as she waited for him to respond. He opened and closed his mouth, but couldn't seem to find the right words. When he saw her cast her eyes down and start rubbing her arms, looking so vulnerable he finally snapped out of his trance. He walked over to her and with his long, red tipped finger he lifted her chin so she was looking at him.

Without saying a word he leaned in and touched his lips to hers, butterfly soft. It wasn't like any other feeling he had ever experienced, but had dreamed of for a long time. He felt Lydia's arms slowly come up and wrap around his neck and he slipped his hands around her slim waist. He deepened the kiss and unleashed the feelings he had held in check for so long.

Lydia shuddered when he kissed her and immediately wanted more. She felt him deepen the kiss and she opened her mouth to allow more in. He tasted so good, dark and exotic and she ran her hands up his neck and tangled them in his hair drawing him deeper into her.