A/N (1): Hello again my fellow fanfic readers. I'm writing to you from class. Why? Don't really know. It seems to be the only place I can type properly! And have time… and am emotionally sound so I can write and not want to kill my computer or everyone around me. *sticks out tongue* I don't know why but my fingers have been refusing to type anything properly and it's highly annoying! It's been like this for about a month but at school, I can type so here I am writing my new chapter for your reading enjoyment. Hope to get a lot of reviews for this chapter like some of my other ones!! I like getting them! I will comment on them in my next and final chapter. OMG this is the second last chapter!!!!!!! HOLY COW! That is freaky! This has been going on for like, almost a year? Over a year! My baby is all grown up! *cries* Well if this ends I'll just have to write another one won't I? Well you tell me and if you have any suggestions for new chapters or for a fanfic, tell me in a review or e-mail! *smiles happily* though I've had my ending to this story mapped out for over a year now and I will end it how I want to! Trust me, you will all love it! Or hate it. Or freak out and start crying! Idk, I'm not you but I sure as hell love my ending! You will have to review, urging me to update the last chapter soon! And the funny thing is I'm forming a soundtrack to this thing!!! By accident mind you. I will add it to my last chapter in my author's notes for fun.

One more thing, I noticed in the movie/show the time difference from the Neitherworld and the real world. So I'm guessing hours in the Neitherworld are like a few seconds to a minute or two in the real world... that's how it is in the carton it seems. And in the movie a few seconds on Saturn is two hours in the real world. So BJ was in the waiting room for three human years. That'd make it like a hundred year at least his time or something we're guessing here. Then again he doesn't age so who cares, he will always look the same age wise.

So lets get started shall we? (Sorry for the really long author's notes…)

[Review comments at the bottom]

Disclaimer: Geez I hate these, oh well… no I don't own Beetlejuice but if anyone wants to get me a really good Christmas present then buying me the rights to the script and everything that would be a very good start. Remember that is the future! Or just get me Tim Burton!

Marry Christmas everybody! Happy New Year! Happy Hanukah! Kwanza, Winter Solstice, Yule Time and happy birthday to some of you out their! I'll be back with the new chapter in the new year, bringing this fanfic to the right age of 1 ½. (About that anyways…)

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Chapter Thirteen: Losing Grip on Reality

Beetlejuice drop to his knees, pounding his fists to the ground. Back arched and head down he started to snarl harshly. The pained roars making him sound like a badly wounded animal. His messy hair fell forward into his face, eyes glowing a deep yellow underneath the stands of dirt covered blonde hair, a veil to mask his shame and self-pity. Emotionally and physically dead, he slowly fell back onto the cold black ground. He lifted his knees up in front of himself and laid his arms out on top. Head still lowered Beetlejuice ground his teeth together, growling away tears that he fought to keep at bay.

"Fuck…" He breathed out aggressively, choking on a singly tear which slowly slide along his cheek and into his open mouth. "God damn it…" He softly cursed again as another tear slid along his face, taking a small stream of grime with it. Beetlejuice let out a silent sigh. He didn't move. All he had was to wait for the time when he'd be called upon to be exercised.

Exercised…

He almost found it ironic that he'd be given an exorcism. He regretted so much but none of it would matter to him anymore. The only thing Beetlejuice wanted now was to say goodbye to Lydia and apologize for hurting her, but he'd never get to. He almost didn't care. He pushed that thought to the back of his head and let himself feel guilty and suffer for his last few hours in this realm and on earth. He was angry with himself, not Lydia. He never should have yelled and gone off on her like he had. Dwelling and replaying ever stupid and selfish thing he had done to hurt Lydia Beetlejuice slowly raised his head and whipping his face with the back of his hands. Still didn't care about anyone else, just himself…and one more person, he thought to himself.

"Cute…" The word slipped out from his lips. Juno had said he was put there to be changed. Now he was. Beetlejuice cared about someone other than himself. He just had to do something really, really stupid to notice it, and still none of that matter. He'd never see her again after tonight, never hear her laughter or see her smile. Dropping his head once more Beetlejuice let himself freeze in position to stare down at the ground from behind his hair.

He waited, not moving for hours, waiting for something to happen. He didn't know how he'd be executed but he waited passionately for it. Some how, he knew he had to accept it willingly but for the likes of him, he didn't know why.

Raising his head up once more Beetlejuice frowned crossly. It seemed selfish again and a bit stupid, but he was not going to accept this.

Beetlejuice stood up and frustratingly passed back and forth, waiting. If he had to go, getting a few kicked out of it would be fun before his time came. He flipped his hand and turned sharply on his heels. Now, holding a lit cigarette he continued to pass around his cell, circling the mirror. This was the first time he had used his power since he was placed in his cell. Putting the cigarette to his lips he thought to himself.

Why should he go down without a fight? How would that be any fun?

Beetlejuice smiled a twisted green smirk. Exhaling smoke and letting a small chuckle erupt around him before finally shouted loud, challenging the empty void around him,

"Over my undead body you bastards! Come get me!"

---

In a short amount of time and only a few steps forward Lydia found herself gaping at the scene she had just walked into. The dark stone walls of a castle hallway loamed around her in a menacing, if not in an over exaggerated way. The question of where they were, got stuck in her throat pretty fast. She knew.

Juno kept walking in front of her, keeping a swift pass and never looking over shoulder to see if Lydia was even following. Lydia picked up her feet and quickly walked after Juno. Her long skirt twisted around her legs and she had to keep picking up the front to walk faster. Barefoot and feeling out of place, Lydia wished she had grabbed something different to wear, or at least shoes. She wanted to disappear into her sweater and never come out until she was back in the safety of her home.

But intrigued by her dark surroundings Lydia kept getting lost in the fascinating ambience of the castle; its dark stone walls, chipped and cracking from age, the long red clean rug on the floor, and large torches ablaze on the walls next to large gloomy paintings. The hallways had no windows but branched off to other closed wooden doors and the odd hallways leading to bigger and fewer doors. Stepping to the side to see around Juno, Lydia saw that they were heading towards the end of the hall and another closed door; larger than the others and made of some kind of dark grey metal, not wood.

Lydia stopped abruptly behind Juno who turned to look down at her briefly. She leaned down and poked at her with her skinny dead index finger.

"Do not speak unless he asked you a question directly! Keep your head down and mind your body language! You came of your own free will and so can be punished like the rest of us in this place." Her voice was harsh and very fast. Lydia nodded. She couldn't help but imagine what kind of ghost this prince would be: as mean as BJ turned out to be or as stubbornly strict as Juno was?

Juno knocked softly on the loud door. It opened slowly and Lydia held her breath as they walked through the doorframe and into the room passed it.

Remembering what she had been told Lydia lowered her head slightly and silently followed Juno. Lydia stole a few glances about the room as she put her head down. They had come in through a side door into a large reception hall. Lydia had never been in a castle but she had seen enough old movies to have a slight idea of where she was. It was no brighter than the hallway, even though there were more high candles lining the room. The ceiling was incredibly high up and looked much too dark to see where it ended. The floor had no rug like the hallway but had shining and semi-reflective stone.

Ghosts of all shapes and sizes, dressed in the finest clothes Lydia had ever seen in her life. She felt even more out of place. They were all so colourfully dressed, but looked highly serious and miserable. She on the other hand was dressed in black from head to toe, dress very casually for her and probably looked scared to be there. Lydia caught the odd glance of someone near by every time she looked up. No reassuring smiles or nods, just hard glares and questionable expressions.

"Juno, come forward with your quest." A melancholy yet calming voice said silencing any soft whispering in the crowd. Juno walked out into the middle of the hall quickly. She bowed at the waist before rising again. Lydia froze in place, she didn't move until a guard poked her in the back for her to move. Softly scuttling out in her bare feet Lydia couldn't help but glance up at the speaker.

On a platform before them sat a young man, looking only a few years older than Lydia was. He might have looked young but his elegantly defined facial structure made him look more of a man than most boys that age. He was tall and lanky with all black royally designed clothes. His hair was black and shinning that hung in his face. His features were all well defined though his expression gave the idea that he could start to cry any minute. Drooped over the arm rest of his large black metal thrown he met her gaze and blinked a few times when he realised she was looking up into his face. Lydia lowered her head and stared back at the floor, her toes curling up in a shy manner when she stopped to stand beside Juno.

"Your highness," Juno started very politely. "This is Miss Lydia Deetz; she uh…has a request of you."

The man Juno had addressed as highness slowly sat up straight, his eye brows rising. "Does she now?" He stood up slowly. Lydia still stared at the ground, unsure of what she should be doing. She could feel the heaviness of the atmosphere even without knowing what was going on.

"Well them, Miss Lydia, what is your request of me?" His voice seemed closer, much closer, as Lydia's eyes rose up just for a small look at him she saw that he was standing before her. His own eyes looking right back into hers. He stood back before softly bowed respectfully. Lydia swallowed and froze again, holding her breath.

"I... uhm…" Lydia stammered out giving Juno a quick glance. Juno was still looking straight a head and making no movement to look back at her or the man in front of Lydia.

"It is alright." The man took her pale hand in his and brought it to his lips to kiss her knuckles tenderly. "You do not need to answer in front of all these people." He let go of her hand and took a small step back. "Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Vince, ruler of the Neitherworld. You must be very confused." He snapped his fingers and two footmen rushed over beside him. "These two will escort you to one of my private studies. You may rest there until you are ready. If you need me just ask of it."

Lydia nodded softly; giving him what she hoped was a grateful smile. His eyes were sad but calming. They made her feel safe but cold at the same time. Lydia couldn't say if she was comfortable around him but he seemed to be the friendliest face in the crowd around them.

Lydia attempted a small curtsy of her own but failed awkwardly. She saw the corner of his lips side curl up slightly in on one side in, what Lydia thought, was an amused smirk.

Blushing a dull pink Lydia stood up straight again and turned to follow the two ghosts out of the room. Lydia hears soft whispers pass between Prince Vince and Juno but couldn't understand them before she heard Juno's heals click off in the opposite directing. The stares of the crowd still were making her feel uneasy. They parted to let her and the two footmen pass through without a hassle. Lydia kept her face down as she fought to conceal her pink face. From behind her she heard the Prince's charming voice call out to his guards,

"Guards if you please,"

Lydia paused at the door and looked back over her shoulder, the crowd had filled in a bit and she couldn't see anymore. Whispers bubbled up from the throng of ghosts. Lydia was once again curious to what was happening. Looking forward at the footmen she saw them pause and wait for her quietly, both standing one opposite walls with their hands folded behind their backs. She figured if they were waiting now they wouldn't mind another minutes or two.

Lydia took a step over to look around one ghost to see what was going on. Side stepping her way around everyone Lydia watched as large doors from the end of the hall opened up to let a group of armed guards enter. They looked as if they had just been fighting off some deranged monster, or maybe that's how they had dies, she thought for a second. She was about to leave when she noticed that they were dragging a man in by his upper arms. Lydia stood, paralyzed from a mixture of shock and confusion.

The man was shoved to his feet and thrown in front of the group of guards to present him to the Prince.

"Hello Beetlejuice." Vince said soft and politely.

Lydia looked the man over, wondering what had happened to him. He looks almost familiar to her but she knew she hadn't seen anyone like him before. He looked as if he was possible in his early thirties, tall, dirty and pale. His hair was blonde through what looked like layers of dirt and black muck or maybe it was blood. Thick and dripping down the side of his face. Lydia gasped as she noticed how badly beaten his body was. Dark painful bruises were visible through the ripped sleeved of his buttoned up shirt. His lip was split and dark black blood ran along his chin.

Lydia covered her mouth with her hands feeling a wave of sympathy and compassion wash over her. The man smiled up at Vince with a green tinted smile.

"Beetlejuice I see you gave my guards some trouble. You should have just come on your own free will." Vince said him shaking his head. "What a pity. Guards put him in a holding cell until morning; he's bleeding all over my floor." The guards saluted the Prince before grabbing at the man again to drag him off.

Lydia couldn't help but feel sick. And despite what Juno had told her she couldn't stand there and watch the Prince treat someone so horribly. Lydia bit down hard on her lip and scrambled over to the Prince's side.

Vince jumped a little from Lydia's sudden appearance beside him. Her small hands tightly took hold of his coat sleeve.

"Who was that? What happened to him?" Her begging eyes looked up at him. "He's hurt." Lydia's voice was smaller than normal but she didn't want everyone to hear her. Vince blinked a few times before giving her a small smile.

"That man is a criminal Miss Lydia." His voice was calm but seemed to suppress a laugh. "Why don't we go talk now instead of later?" One of his hands gently took hers from his coat and his other snaked around her waist as he went to lead her out of the room via the side door.

"You Bastard Prince!" A roar of anger bellowed throughout the reception hall, echoing off of the stone walls. Lydia jumped and snatched hold of the Prince's arm once more. The man had turned around to yell at the Prince and was now struggling to get free from the guards. He continued to growl at Vince and was lashing out to get at him.

Lydia's mind surged. His voice…

"Wait…." She breathed slowly letting go of Vince and taking a set forward. The Prince's arm shot up to stop her. Lydia looked up at him. "Who is he...? I think…"

"He's nobody Miss Lydia. You won't have to see him again." His voice was flat and blunt.

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Beetlejuice tossed his head to the side, knocking hair from his face to see the Prince; Vince's smug smirk and his watery eyes which hid his thoughts and intentions. Beetlejuice blinked and looked at the pale figure hidden by half of Vince's body. His eyes grew wide and he fell limp to his knees staring in alarm.

His lips moved but no sound came out of them, just mouthing one word.

The guards took their chance and hit him hard in the back of the head hard enough to make him pass out. The last thing he saw before blacking out was her scared face, her hands rising to her mouth to smother a scream, and Prince Vince pulling her small body close to his side.

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"Come Miss Lydia." Vince had turned and slowly urged Lydia to follow him. Lydia allowed him to pull her along but kept looking over her shoulder at the man being dragged away.

"Prince, what will happen to him?" Lydia asked looked up at him in worry. He just glanced down at her from the corner of his eye and smiled like nothing had happened. Lydia bit her lip again as he lead her from the reception hall and back down the long hallway.

"Please Prince tell me." She inquired again. His grip tightened slightly on her wrist.

"Please Miss Lydia call me Vince, there is no need to be so formal with me." He answered softly stopping outside a door along the hall. The two footmen opened it and stood on either side of the door. Vince pulled Lydia inside. On entering Vince let go of her waist letting her have a good around.

Lydia looked around into a sitting room. Through an open door on the other side of the room she could see the end of a bed. Ignoring it Lydia walked a few steps away from the door. The room was brighter then the hallway and the reception hall; moon light filled the room through the large open windows which took up most of the wall space on the far side of the sitting room. The furniture looked old but in a good condition. A few wooden tables, some chairs. One wall was covered from floor to ceiling with book cases, completely filled with books of all sizes and colours. The door closed behind her. Hearing the door close behind her Lydia turned to see Vince with his hands behind him and a distressing expression on his face.

Lydia looked over at him questionably "Uhmm…Vince? Are you alright?" His lips curled up and he took a few steps towards her to stand by her side. His head lowered as he walked, his black hair falling forward to cast shadows on his face.

"Oh Miss Lydia, you are very caring." He said; his voice lowered in a sad manner. "I'm sure you wish to leave soon. What is your request of me?"

Lydia thought he sounded upset over her leaving. She looked away from him. "You are very sweet to be going out of your way for this," She didn't know really how to ask him but she decided the best way was to be blunt about it. "My request… is that I wish to have my memory back." Her voice came out dry and nervous as if he'd get mad at her.

"Are you sure that's what you want? I've glimpsed into the past few months of your life. Are you sure you want to see what your past was like before I altered it?"

"You changed my past?" Lydia's head shot around to look at him. Her eyes grew wide and he body was starting to reject control. Vince looked up at her, one eyebrow raised at her sudden out burst.

"Oh no, not me, I just give the consent to the council who did." He reached out and lightly touched her arm to comfort her. "I do not know your past and what was changed. All I know is what I've been told and what has happened since it had been meddled with. It is quite sad Miss. Are you sure?"

"Please I'd like my memory back. I am so confused about everything that's going on. I wish to know."

"Of course Miss." He said walking behind her.

"Lydia." She said laughing lightly smiling over her shoulder.

"Of course, Lydia…" Lydia sighed and looked forwards again. The Prince smiled at the back of her head and took a step closer, closing the space between them, his arms came up beside her head slowly. One hand gently cradling her jaw to tilt her head up, and the other to gently press against her forehead, a small, dull purple light grew around it. Lydia eyes closed softly and she sighed.

Her body slowly collapsed back into Vince's arms. Looking down at her he sighed as well, his smile fading away.

He picked her up gently, embracing her petite body to his. Lydia's head fell to her chest as he lifted her up, her breathing was shallow and her sleep would be long.

"I will miss you Lydia…" Vince said softly to himself.

---

Lydia groaned and rolled onto her side. Opening her eyes slowly she looked around. She was still in the Prince's castle. The sitting room as visible to her from where she lay on the bed she had seen before. Her head hurt and she had to fight to keep her eyes open. Blinking a few times Lydia raised a hand to her face. She pushes the hair from her eyes. Her palm brushed over her lips which started to quiver on contact. Her eyes grew wide suddenly.

Lydia touched her lips softly with her finger tips recalling kiss after kiss that had been given to her. Given to her by the man she thought she loved. The man she still wanted to love. The man she had see not long ago and didn't recollect.

"Beetlejuice…" She breathed his name softly. All this time she had been with him and hadn't known, and now…

He was hurt and somewhere in a cell and all she wanted to do was go be with him. Apologize for everything and be near him again. She forgave him and now wanted more than anything to see him and make sure he was ok. Even for everything he had tried to do to her and how he hurt her family. She still forgave him for everything. Lydia sat up straight.

"Oh god…" She mouthed silently, her eyes beginning to water. She stared dazed for a moment before a sudden voice made her jump.

"Miss Lydia you are awake."

Vince wads standing over her. He bent down and touched her back lightly. "Lydia...?" Her knees came up to her chest as tears started to roll down her face. Vince sat down beside her on the bed. "Lydia there is no need to cry. You are in no harm here." Her head fell down, starting to cry harder; her hands moved cover her face. Vince wrapped his arms around her and brought her close to him. "Lydia, do not cry. Is there anything you need? Don't cry." He continued trying to calm her down.

Lydia's body jerked, her hand shooting out to grab the front of Vince's coat. "Let him go please!" She sobbed. "Please let him go... please…"

"Let him go? Why should I?" Vince frowned. Lydia started to cry harder into his chest. Her shoulders bobbed up and down as her body shook. "Honestly Miss Lydia, what reason could you possibly have for wanting that man to go free? He's a criminal, a lowlife; you shouldn't pay him any mind."

Lydia let go of his coat. She pushed out of his hold and stared at him in anger. "Don't say that! I know he…can be mean…and rude…and selfish and hurtful…but please, let him go. He's no really a bad guy… He's not."

He got off the bed slowly and glared down at Lydia. Thoughts of her apparent desperation and caring nature distracted him. "You confuse me miss. But I'm sorry. I will not let him go." He turned quickly to leave but was stopped by two tight hands which reached out to take hold of his forearm.

"Please…" Vince turned his head to look back at Lydia. Her voice and plea once again intriguing him and yet he did not knowing why. She looked up at him, her eyes blood shot and filled with tears, her makeup streaked and smeared around the sides of her face. Vince glanced over her; he still fought with his inner thoughts to focus on what it was she was saying.

"I hurt him…" She said softly. "I hurt him and I feel so horrible for it…I want to make sure he's ok. I can't let him go like this. Please let him go. He has to know that I don't hate him."

Vince's sad eyes hardened and found no more joy in seeing her upset. "You asked your request of me. It's time for you to leave." He jerked out of her grip and walked out on her. Lydia jumped up clumsily and ran for the door after him.

"Please, your highness." She said loudly. Lydia choked back her tears and forced herself to stand up straight again.

"Highness?" Vince said looking back at her, a pained look crossing his face. "I never thought that appropriate. Lowness is more suitable." His eyes clouded over and his lips fell from a hardened line to that of a sad pout. Lydia blinked a few times before taking a few steps towards him. She fiddles with the shoulder of her sweater a little before folding her hands in front of her.

She swallowed softly and looked down at the floor. "Please your...Lowness? You don't really understand. I…" Lydia bit down on her lip hard as she pushed hair from her face nervously. "I love Beetlejuice…"

Vince tore his gaze from her, his breathing growing faster and his expression hardening to a furious look. "Love him?" He scoffed. "That no good bastard? How could anyone love such a worthless thing? Leave now!"

Reaching for her, Vince latched onto her wrist and started pulling her towards the door. He swung her around, letting go of as she fell over into the wall. "GO!" He yelled at her and pointed towards the closed door, urging her to leave. "Get out of my sight!"

"Please… Prince Vince I'll do anything!" She begged him again.

"What could you possible do for me?" He asked turning away again.

"Anything you want. Just let him go." Lydia said again. "Please Prince…"

Vince exhaled slowly, forcing himself to look back down at her. He couldn't help but look her over, wondering why she fascinated him so. Her supple eyes showed such life. Her pale skin was warm and glowed in the soft light of the moon. Black sweet smelling hair, a petite and thin body veiled in more black. Vince's hand seemed to twitch, his fingers tightening up before relaxing again. Vince stepped towards her, his glare no longer existent, only a kind and sad expression of guilt showing on his face.

"Maybe there is something you can do for me. I'm quit sure we can arrange a compromise." Vince gave Lydia a slight smile but not a happy one. It was a greedy small grin which made her skin crawl. Vince came closer, his eyes burning into Lydia's flesh.

"I will go order my guards to hold Beetlejuice for the time being until we have come to an arrangement, my darling." He said as he strode passed her towards the door, his fingers rising to lightly run along her jaw line.

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A/N (2): OOOOOOH! *laughs* Jill, or anyone else who has ever watched Pride and Prejudice, notice the "Darcy arousal" there?? HAHA! "Hand twitch" lol.

Ok people. Review this time! No reviews no chapter for a really long time! There's only one chapter left. Read, review and it won't end unhappily! Really I will give it a twist so everyone ends up being screwed over and make you all hate this. Or I could make it end nicely and make everyone happy. So review please!

Ok, two other things to bring to your attention:

First of all, does that fact that I reordered time; go me being the Goblin King (Labyrinth fun here), once again make Lydia a virgin?? It does to me. What do you think? So if BJ was removed, is she a virgin again? And Vince doesn't know she has sexy with Beetlejuice. So hmmm ideas!

And secondly, how should this end? I'm giving you a chance to tell me! So tell me! Who should live? Who should die? How many more movie references can I shove into a chapter? Hahahaha

Review Comments:

Jade: even though you didn't review this, you did tell me you liked it. So thank you very much. Hope you get your Christmas present soon! Talk to you soon Baby! *kisses*

Becky: hey beck-beck or should we say Imora-Thea-Mi-Savur. Good to see you got an account finally. You're x-men fanfic so far is great! Update soon! Thanks for reviewing! *high fives*

LilithBlack333: Well here's more. Sorry for ending with a cliff hanger again!! Hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing!

Yaoiholic28: YAY for the Emo prince!!! Nice song there. *giggles* well here is a very obvious plot twist! Hope you enjoy it still!! I need help with how to end this story so please review again.

Siamese2005: Sorry for the cliff hanger. Here's another one for you to freak out over! Review again please. Thanks. *smiles*

WithoutHesitation: YAY go crazy! Scream and dance! Here is my new chapter! I hope you love it and have close to the same reaction as the last one! Review again please!!!

wolfinstine3d: mmm I will consider your suggestion. I most likely will at some point. *smiles* Thank you for the review. And really I was right? She was 14 in the movie? Wow. All I know is that in the last season of the cartoon she was like 14 so I was just guessing. *smiles happily*

Everyone else that had reviewed in the past: Dudes! Come back to me! Review please???? i miss you all so much.