A nice and quick update on my part. I still own nothing.

"You're the one that can see us."

It was a statement, not a question. Melinda was silent. She'd been through this all before, and wasn't in the mood to question the ghost's….mysterious-ness. She merely nodded. "What's your name?" She questioned softly.

"Riley. Riley Holt." The ghost replied tentatively, as if unsure whether she could trust Melinda or not. But Melinda just nodded again, glanced around to make sure that no one was watching them, and spoke.

"I'm Melinda Gordon." She introduced herself.

Riley smirked slightly. "Pleasure. I'd shake your hand, but..." She trailed off lightly, with a shrug. But Melinda didn't seem to find this amusing.

"So then, you know you're dead?" she asked.

Riley rolled her eyes. "Obviously," she answered, her hardened green gaze softening slightly, and her voice edged with just a touch of sadness that she seemed to be trying to hide. Her emerald-colored gaze wandered briefly to her own covered body, and the quickly back to Melinda.

"Excuse me," A gruff voice made Melinda look up at a tall, stone-faced police officer. "This is a crime scene. We'd rather that no one else be around while we're working."

When she nodded, he watched her suspiciously for a moment, before turning and walking back over to speak with a weary looking investigator.

"Come on," Melinda whispered to Riley, walking quietly away from the scene. The ghost seemed reluctant to leave her body behind, but after a moment, she whipped around and followed Melinda.

They walked back into the antique shop, Melinda glancing around in search of Delia. Spotting the woman at the cash register with a customer, she walked over and waited politely until the man left.

"I'm going to be in the back, okay?" She asked.

"'Kay," Delia gave her a smile, seeming not to think much of this, before walking over to another customer.

When they had reached the back of the store, Melinda turned around to face Riley again, her brown eyes scanning the ghost's features in a searching manner. Riley's green eyes were pools of sorrow, despite the defiance of her expression.

"I'm sorry," Melinda told her quietly.

Riley's eyes flashed in brief annoyance. The earth-bound spirit seemed unwilling to meet the woman's gaze now. "I don't need your sympathy!"

"But you do need my help." Melinda replied firmly. "You need to cross over."

A snort from Riley.

"Why are you still here?" Melinda's tone was persistent as she surveyed the ghost seriously.

Riley shrugged. "I like it here."

"But there's a better place for you," Melinda insisted.

"Says you."

"I mean it!" Melinda insisted earnestly, her light brown eyes narrowing. "I know it feels like you'd be happier here, but that isn't true."

Riley rolled her eyes again. "Let's not dwell on this, okay?" Her tone was brisk, a warning.

Melinda sighed. This spirit obviously was having some problems crossing over that she wouldn't admit…but arguing wasn't going to solve anything. She needed to find out anything that could possibly be the cause of why Riley was still here. After a pause, she said, "Who killed you?"

Riley looked away again, trying to interest herself in one of the items on the shelves around her. "I…I don't remember." She admitted softly.

Melinda's gaze softened. "Sometimes it's hard, if you died suddenly or violently," She paused, unsure of how she should put this. "….Both of which apply to…your case. It'll come, though, you just have to try!"

In seconds, Riley's fierce green gaze was back on Melinda, and it appeared that the ghost's temper had been roused again. "I know what you're doing. Pulling some therapist-act to help me 'cross over', or whatever you call it!" She snapped, and the sound of shattering glass could be heard behind her as her energy caused a small vase to explode.

Melinda blinked, started. "Listen, I'm just trying to—"

"No, you listen!" Riley snarled, interrupting her. "I'm not crossing over, and I'd like to see you try to change that!" Disinterested in Melinda's reply, she whipped around, surveying her surroundings once more. "Nice shop." Were the last, venomous words before the ghost disappeared a blink of an eye.

Melinda stood, frozen to the spot in surprise at the sudden temper flare. Never before had she met a ghost so against crossing over…and for reasons they didn't even seem to know themselves. She sighed, the shock of the outburst dulling a bit, and shook her head.

"She didn't hurt you, did she?" Jim interrupted Melinda's recount of the day's events as he sat down next to her on their bed.

Melinda shook her head, smiling slightly at her husband's concern. "No…but I can't say the same for the antique china vase. She was angry."

Jim sighed, shaking his head slowly and looking away. "This is all my fault. I should have been able to save her!" He muttered angrily. "And now some bit-"

Melinda winced slightly.

Jim sighed. "…And now some angry ghost has a grudge against you for it." He sat tensely, avoiding his wife's gaze. "I'm just making your job harder."

Melinda surveyed him quietly. Her heart broke at the sight of the man she loved, who was usually so easy-going and humorous, now taking all of the stress and blame for what had happened. Maybe I shouldn't have told him. She mused, but either way, it was too late to go back now. Leaning her head against Jim's shoulder, she sighed softly.

"You know that isn't true. It wasn't your fault. These things happen for a reason…and anyway, I don't think that was the reason she was so angry. She's hiding something." Melinda paused. "Whether sub-consciously, or on purpose."

Jim didn't seem to take a lot of comfort in these, but his expression lightened slightly. "I guess it's just been a long day. Let's get some rest; maybe everything will look better in the morning." Although he sounded as if he doubted it, Melinda took this as a good sign, and nodded. But as Jim began to lie down, she stopped him by touching his shoulder.

"I love you." She reminded him gently. And for the first time, Jim let a smile cross his face.

"I love you too," He answered, and the two kissed before lying down. The room was dimmed considerabley as Jim turned off the light, and as her husband slowly drifted off to sleep, Melinda lay on her side, her eyes staring into the emptiness of the clouded night sky outside her window. Something still troubled her.

Okay, the only reason this chapter was up so fast is that I had typed the first chapter and almost had this one done when I decided to post this on Now, I shall stop and wait for reviews! Updates might not come as quickly now, with tomorrow being Christmas, and the day after that, my friend from out of town is coming, so I'll be a little busy. Please keep checking back and reviewing, I'll have Chapter Three up soon!