I wanted to think up something really fancy for this disclaimer… But for once, I'll keep it simple. Beetlejuice is not mine. Though I would like him to be. Though I would swim an ocean, or cross a desert, if I could have him. If he is by any chance, for sale for that price Mr. Burton, contact me. Until then… This is fan fiction, and making me no money… or beetles.

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Not so much Beej in this one... Hopefully you'll still love it. And what's that Vincent just said? He cannot be serious... Maybe there's more to our bashful prince than meets the eye? Or maybe, Lydia just has that effect on people... Especially the dead. :)

I guess that leaves two Halloween specials to go... Wonder if I'll get them done? Heh heh... I'm evil- in my own little ways. But this will definitely be the last you see of Prince Vince for a while, so... enjoy!

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It was getting late, and as wonderful as the night had been, Lydia knew that there were only a few more dances before the evening wound to a close. More importantly, they had to leave before the last dance if she wanted Vincent to walk her home, rather than another ride from her father, who would surely show up just as the last song wound down.

Lydia felt like the last two hours had been something of a dream, and for the life of her, couldn't get the goofy grin off her face. She really did feel like a princess, for all that it was something she'd never dreamed she wanted, not the sort of dwell on such frivolous fantasies.

Being there with Vincent though, didn't make it feel like such a frivolous fantasy… It made it feel real. And she was not princess of some faery-tale glen with unicorns and elves… She was princess of the land of the dead. How cool was that?

Unless she was wrong, Vincent was enjoying himself too, despite his earlier objections. But then, she supposed that this was about as far from the sort of dance he was used to, as the living world was from the neitherworld. And he claimed her every dance, not that anyone was there to object. And the way he looked at her, those deep eyes peering the depths of her soul? It gave her wonderful chills.

As the music fell into a slow dance again, she once again decided to do something daring, and as he would have swung her into another traditional dance, truly she didn't know one from another, she backed off a little bit, with a grin. "Let's slow dance, Vincent." She pressed, making him consider her in confusion. "Look," She gestured around them, "Fancy dances are fun… But what they're doing looks like fun too."

Vincent's eyes followed hers, and he at last seemed to take in the closeness of the other guests, the slow movements, the way they hung on each other. She swore he looked embarrassed. "To be honest," He mused aloud, "I had not noticed." His gaze turned back to her. "How could I see them, when the loveliest creature in the room is dancing in my arms?"

This took Lydia a moment to process, lips twitching in shy amusement. "Okay," She said at last, "I mean, that's sweet. But this is a song we're supposed to slow dance to… And I want to try it."

He faltered visibly for a moment, before nodding, his lips pressed into an uneasy line. "As you wish it of course, my princess." He agreed. After a moment of studying those closest, he hesitantly put both hands on her waist, while she lifted her arms about his shoulders. He fell into a sort of slow box step after this, holding her at first at a deliberate distance.

But Lydia would have none of that, and claimed that distance easily, resting her weight against his slender frame, her head tucked neatly under his chin. At first, he stopped dancing completely, too surprised maybe, but after a moment, his arms slid further around her, and his lead resumed. She took a deep, slow breath of his smell… It was a bit frost touched, like leaves burnt by the first of winter. A little earthy. Good.

Vincent too, took a deep breath, and held it longer than a living person would have been able to, before letting it out in a sigh. "I believe that this is a living world custom," He mused softly, as if to keep the words between them, "That I could grow used to."

Lydia just turned her face into his jacket, the soft fuzz there tickling her cheek and lips, and reflected that she'd done all she could now. If he was going to work up the courage to kiss her, surely she couldn't have given him any more encouragement than this… But she didn't think he'd do it yet. Not in front of everyone. Maybe on the walk home…

"What do you want to do when the dance is over?" She asked softly, drawing her head back just enough to meet his gaze. "Once I'm home, there's no reason we can't sneak out together back into the neitherworld…"

A look crossed Vincent's face that she couldn't immediately read, but it didn't look pleased. "Lydia… Forgive me. Once this dance ends, I will be required to spend the remainder of the evening with my family. I will already be forced to answer for having remained as long as I have."

Her lips twisted in amusement, at him being in trouble for their hanging around together, for once. "So should I ask you to introduce me too?" She teased, though honestly that was about the last thing she wanted. If anything though, Vincent's face grew more pained. "What is it?" She puzzled, loosening her grip, just a bit.

"My family… That is," He seemed deeply upset now, "While I have told them about you… They don't approve, of my courting a living girl." His words couldn't have shocked her more if he'd just announced he really wasn't a prince, and it had all just been one big joke. She stopped, and stared at him. For the first time, he wanted to look anywhere but at her. "They believe… That is, I don't, but they… They believe the relationship is beneath me."

Now it was surprisingly like being struck, Lydia's eyes widened in absolute shock, and then, almost immediately, began burning in fury. "What the hell?" She demanded flatly, making him flinch.

"Y- you see, Lydia… No one in my family has been living in many generations." He explained softly, looking like he wanted to turn to ash under her gaze. "The dead being born from the dead… It's somewhat expected. Even if I were to court a formerly living girl, my parents, their own parents… Would deeply disapprove. But to court a girl still actually living…?"

He let his words end here, just for a moment, before lifting his gaze to her again. "I cannot change my family, Lydia… And I do not wish to lie to you. Yet-" And here his features strengthened a little, as the darkness in his eyes deepened. "Yet I will continue to court you, my Lydia. As long as you will allow it. I… have never felt about another girl, as I feel for you."

Lydia was dumbfounded, and for a minute, didn't know whether to be more angry with his family, or impressed that he was willing to defy them for her sake. In the end though, the latter won out. "Vincent," She whispered, her voice soft, "I didn't think…" And here her words ran out, and she just stared, as if seeing him for the first time. It was, she thought, the perfect time for him to kiss her…

"Lydia Deetz!" The girl in question, hearing her name spoken in that tone, just about jumped out of her skin, yanking her head to the side to see who had interrupted. Though she couldn't bring to mind the name of the teacher, it was obvious that the woman knew her, in person or by reputation, there was no telling. "Two textbooks!" She snapped, making Lydia now blink in confusion.

"Two… what?" The girl echoed dumbly. What the hell was she talking about?

The teacher reached out, taking them each by the shoulder, and physically pulled them apart. "I expect the girls at this school to always keep the width of two textbooks between themselves and their dance partners!" She repeated briskly, eyes heavy with disapproval. "This is not a public school senior prom! Try to be on your best behavior, Ms. Deetz!"

Still reeling, and now admittedly furious as well, Lydia cast a glance at her other classmates, none of whom were being chastised this way. But she turned her gaze down, and muttered through her teeth, "Yes, teacher." It wasn't fair that she'd been singled out that way… She'd been about to have her first kiss, she was certain of it!

But now of course, the mood of the dance was completely ruined. "Lydia," Vincent ventured softly, "I don't understand… Were we doing something wrong?"

"No!" She growled, still through her teeth, lifting her flashing eyes to his. "We weren't!" He seemed a little taken aback by her vehemence, but didn't counter her. She continued staring at him for a moment, trying to cool down, then grabbed his hand, and squeezed it, tightly. "Walk me home." She whispered, her voice considerably more collected. "Will you?"

"Yes, of course." He agreed immediately, perhaps as relieved as she was to leave this unsettling situation behind. Relieved as well, to be ending the date before he got in any more trouble with his own family… "If you wish, that is."

"I do." She let him lead her though the crowd for once, leaving behind the mass of bodies, both living and dead, and the eerie music with no place in this world. They didn't say a word to each other as they walked down the long halls, Vincent apparently already having committed them to memory, and indeed, until they were outside again.

Lydia felt like she'd drawn her first breath in several minutes, closing her eyes at the touch of the cool October breeze on her face. Halloween… Her favorite holiday. She wouldn't let some bitter old prude make her forget that.

Allowing herself to relax, Lydia shrugged her shoulders a little, letting the tension ease out of them. Only then did she turn her attention back to Vincent, who was watching her with some concern. "I guess I have a problem with authority." She murmured, mildly amused to be admitting this to, well, authority.

"Yes, well, far be it from me to attempt to curtail your fiery spirit." He mused, visibly letting his guard down as well. "Just as well that you have no reason to answer to me, then."

It was almost along the same lines she'd been thinking, and she gave a small laugh, tugging him forward gently. "Come on. If we hurry, we can watch the trick or treaters." She urged him, again making him shake his head in rueful bafflement, and follow along anyway. "Most of the stuff's store bought, but sometimes kids can get really creative." Like me…

At first the streets seemed empty though, and she wondered if it was too late for trick or treating, even in a place like Winter River. So they walked in silence instead, her hand in his, so close that their sides almost brushed. It was for once, a comfortable quiet. Possibly because Vincent was too distracted by the 'wonders' of her world, to pay much mind to it.

"Is there really only one moon?" He asked suddenly, considering the smallish orb in the distance. "Why is it so far away? How can it possibly influence the magic of your world, this way?"

"The moon influences the tides, and that's about it." Lydia mused, considering the pretty thing for a moment herself. "The living don't really have magic… It's pretty much just a neitherworld thing. People from the neitherworld, anyway." This seemed to surprise him anew, and he seemed to take in their surroundings with a new sense of awe. How do you manage without magic, she could almost hear him musing.

She stopped under a street light, taking his mind from this the next moment, as she pointed to a lagging group of school children. Clad in masks, capes and rags, they were hurrying up to one of the few houses whose porch was still lit, gathering in their little semi-circle, and yelling, 'Trick or Treat!' It made Lydia happy, remembering the times she'd done that… She probably would have done it this year, except for the better offer.

"What are they doing?" Vincent puzzled, watching as the door swung open, until a mummy wrapped in linens lurched out, roaring. "The children!" He protested, starting forward in alarm, until Lydia stopped him, laughing. He turned to her in worry, not understanding her humor. "Are they not in danger?" He pressed, assuming that they were being attacked by some less than friendly monster.

"Look again, Vincent." Lydia assured him gently, gesturing towards the house. The mummy was now laughing, handing out handfuls of candy to the giggling kids. One of them touched his wrappings in awe, and then the lot ran off down the block, to the next house, while the mummy retreated, without harm.

"I, truly don't understand." Vincent confessed softly. "They looked as if they were in danger… They sounded frightened!"

"Facing your fears is a tradition on Halloween." Lydia explained gently, pulling him forward again. "Children dress up, go door to door, and say 'Trick or Treat!' If the person inside has candy ready, they give it to them. A lot of people try to act scary… Because it's the one night of the year, when even people who scare easily, think of scary as fun. But people aren't really in danger." She paused, then added as an afterthought, "Usually."

"Very, odd customs, your world has." He mused, but she did notice that he was smiling. "So people give candy to children, simply for that little chant? What a wonderful way to celebrate…"

"They don't do that in the neitherworld?" This surprised her a little, she assumed that since most dead were once living, they'd take their holidays with them, when they died. Apparently that wasn't the case. "That's too bad. Do they still carve Jack o' Lanterns?"

"Well, yes, of course." He assured her, seeming surprised that she would have to question it. "Halloween wouldn't be complete without them."

This just made her laugh, and give him a little push, which seemed to amuse him. "Yeah, well I know just about as much about your world, as you do mine!" She pointed out, and was about to say more, when it suddenly occurred to her that they were no longer alone.

Beetlejuice? She wanted to look around, to see if she could spot him… But then again, if the prince didn't know he was there, she didn't want to tell him. He already seemed to have a problem with the poltergeist… She glanced to the side, taking in his relaxed features, and decided that he hadn't sensed him. Lydia drew her lips in a moue, not sure whether to be annoyed or not. What possible interest could he have in her date? Shouldn't he be off with the teacher she'd set him up with?

And more importantly, when the hell was she going to get some time alone with her boyfriend? Unconsciously she spun the ring on her left hand, and then that quickly, knew what to talk about, to get her mind off Beetlejuice. "So what kind of metal are these anyway?" She asked, lifting her hand by way of demonstration.

"Black gold, of course." Vincent assured her, as if she might have doubted him. "I would settle for no less for you, my princess."

Huh, black gold? Lydia's lips twisted in amusement. She assumed he didn't mean oil, so it must just be a special neitherworld metal then. "Well, it feels awesome." She noted, turning it to glint menacingly in the meager light. "Cold and tingly. I guess because it's from the neitherworld. Of course, the desk wasn't like that…"

"Well, wedding bands are a different sort of item." He noted, making her blink, and look at him again. Wedding bands? "That's how I was able to make certain it fit. Not just any jewelry adjusts itself so easily to the wearer's hand."

Wedding bands? For real, wedding bands? "For real, wedding bands?" She echoed her thoughts, in sort of a faint voice. "Are you serious?"

"Of course, my Lydia. How else should we celebrate the night, as prince and princess, without true wedding bands?" He paused as she stopped in her tracks, her stomach suddenly queasy. "What is it? I thought them to your liking… I had them fashioned especially for you!"

Lydia was certain that somehow, somewhere, Beetlejuice was laughing his ass off about this, but all she could do was smile weakly, and ask in a small voice. "But that, doesn't mean we're married, right?"

"Oh, no, certainly not." He assured her gravely, perhaps a bit upset that she'd react that way to the mere suggestion of it. "For that a ceremony is needed, words are to be said, and witnessed…" And then, as if to prove that he had in fact, completely missed her unease, he went on to say, "However, if you would like to be, I certainly have no objections…"

Lydia's jaw dropped, and she stared at him in abject amazement. It took her a moment more in fact, to notice the curl at the corner of his mouth, and the amused glint in his eye. When she did, a slow heat flushed her face, not certain whether to be more embarrassed or angry. "Vincent!" She choked, trying not to give him the satisfaction of laughing. "That was…!" And of course, that was as far as she got before she fell into uncontrollable giggles.

"I should hope," He mused, still watching her with that mocking curve to his mouth, "That you think me capable of realizing that you're still far too young to marry, my Lydia. However, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to make my point."

She wiped her eyes, surprised that no 'other' laughter had been heard. Beetlejuice knew how to hide himself well… But then, why could she still sense him? Maybe she was imagining things… "And what if I'd said yes?" She teased, wanting to see what he'd come up with next.

"Well, then I would have agreed." He assured her, in that same tone. Just as she would have laughed again though, she suddenly saw that though his features hadn't changed, his eyes were now very serious. The laugh choked in her throat, and she stood there, more confused than before. "I am patient, my Lydia." He went on, reaching for her hand again, "But I am not a fool."

This time, her blush was for a completely different reason, as her head spun alarmingly. She should be terrified by the idea that this guy, whom she liked, yes, but barely knew, was serious about something like… marrying her! "So much for needing the parents' approval…" She murmured, closing her eyes for a moment, to get her head back on straight.

When she opened them again, Vincent was still watching her, his smile gone, his eyes as intense as she'd ever seen them. She instantly felt warm from head to toe, having a guy look at her like that. Like… She didn't even know what. It left her stomach doing back-flips. Oh god, he was going to kiss her… He was going to kiss her, wasn't he?

Instead, he took a step back, and drew her with him, drawing her forward into the night once more. By this point, Lydia didn't know what to think, and offered no objections whatsoever. She didn't speak again in fact, until they reached the Winter River Bridge, and the sound of rushing water brought her to her senses. "You know," She said softly, "You're a lot more intense than you let on."

At first, only silence answered her observation, until Vincent noted softly, "You are the first girl I've ever felt at liberty to be myself with, my Lydia. Be certain, if I do show such a side, it is because I trust you not to judge me for it." As she was debating how to take this, he glanced at her from the side, and added, "I sincerely hope, you feel the same way with me."

Well, she never hadn't, had she? She wasn't the kind of person to pretend to be anything she wasn't, with anybody… Yet what was that she'd been thinking earlier? About not wanting to fight in front of him, because of what he'd think? Suddenly she had a whole other reason to dwell, as she wondered for the first time, if she was being as honest with him, as he was with her.

When her house came into sight, they both stopped, and Vincent for one, looked regretful. "That such a night should have to end…" He murmured, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, not yet drawing away, "Perhaps I might be excused for my thoughts, of a time when it might not." With this, he lifted her hand to his lips, and planted a soft, light kiss there, before drawing away. "I must go now, my princess."

"What about…?" She began, looking down at her hand, only to find the ring already gone.

He lifted it between his thumb and forefinger, looking regretful, then palmed it quickly. "I must go," He said softly, "Before I find more reason to stay. Thank you, my Lydia, for being my princess… Even if it was only for one night."

Before she could say anything to this, and she was just finally getting her head back on straight enough to vent a little of what she was feeling, she found herself talking to empty air. Instead, her intended words came out as a little screech of frustration, muffled with her fist. She didn't want her parents to hear, after all…

But someone had to take the frustration that was still building up inside her, and she knew just the ghost for the job. "Beej!" She finally hissed, eyes darting around her, trying to find the poltergeist's hiding spot.

Not giving her a chance to, Beetlejuice materialized out of thin air, not ten feet away, looking disappointed. "Well that wasn't worth shit, was it?" He muttered to himself, straightening his tie, once more in his familiar black and white suit. "Here I thought maybe one of us would be getting lucky, at least… Prick didn't even kiss you!"

His utter sense of irreverence made her forget her anger, and stare at him, shocked that he'd risk such dangerous words, of such a powerful person… And one who already didn't like him. "Should you be talking that way about your prince?" She asked after a moment, bemused. "I mean, you do answer to him, right?"

"Babes," He drawled, matter-of-factly, "I don't answer to nobody, if I don't gotta. And I sure as hell ain't answering to that knee-high drip of a boyfriend of yours." This said, he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, glancing up at the house. "So you going in, or what?"

"Not, yet." She denied slowly, deciding even as she said it. "How about you tell me how your date went, first?" Truth be told, she just wasn't eager to go inside yet. Halloween wasn't technically over, and she wanted to enjoy it just as long as she could. Not to mention, she was curious…

Beetlejuice showed her all his teeth. "All the gory details, huh? Well sorry to disappoint you kid, but I didn't get past second base with that broad… Though getting there was kinda fun."

Lydia just followed him bemusedly as he went around the back of the house, to sit beneath the tree that her old bike was still embedded into. She wasn't really listening to him anyway, she was already reliving the events of the night in her mind. She never had gotten her kiss, she supposed. The one on her hand could not count. But it had been a good night.

Actually, it had been a long night. And as much as she loved Halloween, she was glad that it would be another year, before she celebrated a night like that again. And yet, there in the darkness, she was already turning over in her mind how that night would go…

"You ain't listening to shit." Beetlejuice suddenly interrupted, giving her a scowl. Lydia smiled, and shook her head. "Well, okay, long as we have that straight…" And he immediately launched back into his tale, this time with less mind for underage ears.

And all she could do, was look at the sky, and smile. I love Halloween. But I have a feeling, it's never going to be the same again…

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