(Anyone on Deviantart?)

"Who could that be? All the people I invited are already here."

"Maybe your Mom has a meeting with a business partner or something? You know she has to work nights."

"Nice attempt at vampuric humor." Vivi said somewhat miffed.

"Should you go see?"

"I think James is taking care of that and I feel that I do not have the energy to schmooze with the big wigs of industry. I would much rather have fun."

"If you say so. Hey Lucinda do you perchance play foosball?" Max said leaning in closer. She continued to sip my root beer float acting a little aloof.

"I know how to play it, but I can't say that I am that good at it."

"Let's find out." The two headed over to the foosball table and prepped for the game.

"The key is to relax your grip. You stay too stiff and you will…"A quick flick of the wrist and the ball was in the goal.

"Lose the goal?"

"Nice move."

"Thanks." The two play foosball ending in a tied game. Lucinda thought that Max was cute and fun to be around, but something about him only made him seem like they could be nothing more than friends. He just didn't scream I want him as my boyfriend to her. She was about to tell Vivi when…

"Excuse me Vivi?" A well dress woman with indeed an ageless beauty came into the room.

"What is it Mommy?"

"I need you to send your friends home early. I'm sorry, but I have some guests coming over and well I really need to impress them.

"Who are they?"

"Business associates. I don't have time for this now. Please just have your friends go home now." Vivi wasn't too happy, but she could see her mother was stressed and did as she had asked. Vivi informed the others and they called their rides. Lydia was the first to arrive.

"When you said that it was going to be a few minutes I didn't think it was going to be in a literal sense."

"I didn't think so either. It turns out Vivi's mother had an unexpected business meeting and needed us to leave."

"Oh. I see. So who was that boy you were talking to?

"Max."

"Um. Sounds cute looked cute too."

"He's a guy that Vivi's trying to set me up with."

"You don't sound too happy about that."

"Call it a sixth sense, but I think that he is only friend material not boyfriend material."

"I see. Have you told Vivi yet?"

"Nope and to be honest, I am a little scared too."

"I don't blame you. She seems abrasive." Aunt Lydia and Lucinda drove on back to the home stead where Uncle Beetlejuice was stirring up something to eat.

"We're home."

"Hey Babes and Louie, just getting dinner ready.

"It's not going to be a fast food dinner is it?"

"No, that's just mine. I made you girls your normal person's food." He said doing the air quotes while rolling his eyes. Dinner for the girls had sandwiches and Uncle BJ had the Roach motel surprise! If you knew what inside it you would want it to remain a secret. The food was eaten and the family went off in to each other's rooms. Before going to bed she placed the lavender on her window sills and placed the charms here and there across her room as her father would have wanted it done. Once that had been accomplished she went to dream. Once more unknowing to the night visitor who was unable to come into the room for precautions held him out. He was miffed at first but that slight scowl on his face turned into one of mirth. His enemy was getting serious and that made things all the more interesting to him. He knew he would win, but the challenge was always desirable in any case.

The next day brought in early morning chaos known as the alarm was set later than it should have been. The young teen went about here and there to gather her things together and get dressed on time, while her uncle tried to remember what he looked like in his teenage disguise and the aunt was now stressing over a design that she was supposed to have done two weeks ago for the new 'Haunted' collection at her Spooky Boutique. Oh what a wonderful day this was turning out to be and it was not yet noon. Wondering how the rest of the day shall go? Well, let us see for ourselves.

Eventually the family was able to figure out something before arriving reasonably late to Deadly Nightshade High. The two students ran into the building and rushed to their classes. A minor scolding was given and the two went to their seats. Lucinda went straight to making up for being late by paying more attention to the teacher's lectures, while Sham Spade did the opposite. To be clear he was paying attention, just not to the teacher whose class he was in. No he was for once doing his job. (Le Gasp!) Yes indeed he was surveying the layout of the student body. No surprise the students snuck silent glances at the Ex-Monster hunter's offspring. Some had malice, others interest, but all of them curiosity. Some he felt were a little too curious. There was one trying to copy all the answers off of her homework and put onto hers. Maybe a little fright doodle will do the trick? But he was soon reprimanded by the teacher for not paying attention to the class. Let's just say that he was now the one being closely looked at.

Class was let out and the three went to their next class. That is correct three. Or did you forget that Brad was in every class that Lucinda was in. Nothing happened it was another boring class and when it came time for Lucinda to change her books for the next class she was stopped by a familiar foe.

"Good day Lucinda."

"Hello to you too Dracula." She said while searching for her books.

"Please call me Vlad. I believe that you may prefer to call me that." He said while moving closer to her side.

"I don't think so. What do you want?"

"My dear what makes you think that I want anything from you?"

"Because you are you. It is as simple as that in many regards."

"Good answer my dear."

"I am not your dear." She said turning away from him only to somehow be drawn to turn back to him again.

"You will be soon enough." He said holding her chin within his hand. His eyes they were half closed but drawn solely to hers. His distance was shorting itself through the seconds. Senses were coming in at an odd pace. She shook his hand off ignoring the chilling sensation for the ticked off fire within her.

"I am not your dear and I don't see a reason for me to become your dear. At least any good reason for me to become your dear."

"Neither can I." The voice belonged to a one named Max. Dressed in rebel rocker style he imposed a defying picture to Vlad's gothic upper class chic.

"What does this have to do with you, Max?" The vampire said with truly little interest towards the mummy boy.

"It has to do with me since she is my girlfriend." There was definitely a shock silence wave rolling over the grounds. Dracula was no exception. But he was the first to get angry. The ones who actually felt the most joy at the statement where the three girls who had cornered Lucinda at her locker the day before. They were gleeful that their seen rival is now no longer an issue to their desires for Dracula. She was taken and no longer free. Max took the moment to lead Lucinda out of Dracula's way, casually putting his arm around her shoulders and then giving his rival a smirk over his victory. Once out of earshot of the others Lucinda decided it was time to talk to him about this girlfriend thing.

"What are you talking about? Me being your girlfriend?"

"Oh that. Figured it was better than saying that you were just a friend. Seems to have done a good job so far on that pale prick. I bet that guy is seething at the seams over this." He said looking behind. A smirk of triumph over his well sculpted features. Lucinda found it a bit more annoying than it would have been otherwise. It felt as if he was not taking this seriously. A no big deal when it could blow up to become that way.

"Do you even realize what you just did?" Lucinda said through almost clenched teeth.

"Get you away from Dracula?" His voice nonchalant.

"You told a lie to everyone." She said careful not to say it too loud for anyone to hear.

"What if it isn't?"

"We aren't dating."

"Yet, Lucinda. Keyword is yet. We aren't dating yet." She gives him a scowl of low grade anger and he turns his eyes to her eyes in a plea.

"Please just give me one chance. That is all I ask. One date and if you end up liking it we can try for another and then maybe. Well you can probably see the finish line." Thinking it over, she figured she really didn't have anything to lose. The date was set for the next night. A traditional movie date, you know the type. A movie that was considered good by all parties. Popcorn, soda and candy to snack on. And of course at one point the guy may yawn and then stretch placing their arm strategically over the girls shoulder.

The next night Lucinda was ready for her date that night with Max. She decided (actually Vivi decided) that she would wear the cute side skirt dress with the illusion neckline. The colors were of course the all flattering black and lovely teal accents along the dress line. Her hair was put up in an urban style and her makeup was done with flawless application. Needless to say she was looking quite good. Her aunt dropped her off at the movie theater in the Neitherworld. Standing outside the door with tickets in hand was Max looking tres cute in his skater boy look. When he saw her his eyes lit up a little. He went over to her said she looked cute earning a smile from Lucinda. They go into the theater and enjoyed the movie. They laughed and found topics that interested each other. At the end the two shared a kiss and they were finding that the date was so far a success. Too much of a success for some in the audience and yet hidden from the world.

"What is going on?" said a deep voice.

"This isn't what we were to see." A whisper of a voice replied.

"We should end this." Deep voice again. A third voice was about to speak. A voice that held mystique from another world.

"Calm yourself. Too much is it that we are assuming. Time is not exact in all matters. We shall keep a close eye on what is to unfold. Things shall become what will become. After all the heart is an organ we know much about."

"We know much about many of the organs." The whisper voice said snickering.

"True enough. Let us be gone." They disappear on the sound of the wind not a person had seen them leave, but a person had not seen them enter as well.

The date ended and Lucinda went home unsure of how to feel about the date. It was true that she enjoyed their time that was spent together. She even enjoyed the kiss they shared, but she did not feel that he was right for her. But she said it was only a first date and the norm was to figure out how one felt after the third date. Feeling that was the date she would tell him that they will stay together or give up the farce.

She once more did the rituals she had to do then went off to sleep. A visitor again appeared and stayed outside the window to look in on her again. He hoped she had forgotten to do her rituals that kept him out at night, but finding that it was not done so he left after a good while. The morning sun rose and the girl awoke ready for the day.

At school Beetlejuice was uncomfortable with the development between Max and Lucinda. Last night it took all of the well persuasion of his lovely wife to keep him from causing a disturbance with his niece's date. Can you blame him? Since he and Liz didn't have a child of their own Lucinda was the closest he had to daughter. She loved him and looked up to something that no one else would ever admit to or actually do. So yeah he felt protective of her and he felt that this mummy's boy wasn't good enough for his precious niece. If he had been given his way on their date he would have done something not exactly mean. He would have sent up a plague of locusts on him since well the boy may have felt home sick. Like he thought it wasn't totally mean. Now however after reading her online journal he was ready to scare this boy away from an afterlife. Okay so maybe he was coming a little off the handle. Since he had attempted to put a snake in his locker. An angry venomous king cobra snake to be exact. The attempt was foiled when Vivi made a remark that broke his concentration. He ended up getting bit but don't worry he of course is alright since hey he's dead. Been dead for about three hundred years or so. Still the bite hurt and he learned not to put a snake in Max's locker. But that also made him more convinced to ruin their second date. He knew it was coming soon. He just had to wait and get the little details to make the prank extra sweet. He would bide his time till the moment came.

The school day was filled with mouths gabbing away at the news of yesterday that there was a monster dating the daughter of Van Helsing and that they had been spotted on a date last night. Yes this was big news to them. It meant that perhaps any misconceptions about the Van Helsing girl were wrong. That the girl was deadly or perhaps a secret assassin for hire. Yep these overdone theories were being laid to rest. But they did not help the sulking vampire king. He was not pleased even more over the development. By all accounts it looked like the mummy and the girl were getting along as a couple, but the count saw otherwise. Through the subtle hints they gave off he could see that there was uncertainty. Uncertainty was good for him. Uncertainty about a he supposed good looking boy, but he lacked decorum, breeding and other qualities needed to impress a lady. Qualities he had and would surely use to steer Lucinda away from Mummy boy. Oh sure it sounded common, but when he does it. It becomes a masterful plan. All he needed was a moment and he would break apart this uncertain romance.

The day goes on till it is time for the class with Dracula. He of course appeared calm and cool that could send any girl swooning. Lucinda nearly found herself watching him with interest, but thought of Max instead and their upcoming date. What were they going to do for that date? They could always go to a movie again. It worked well the last time. Or they could always go out to eat, but where would we eat? She hoped he wasn't expecting a fancy restaurant for her, because she would have been fine with a Red Robin's. Then there was the subject of payment. Would they go Dutch? Or would he pay? These were questions she wasn't sure how to bring up with him. But those questions would soon go out the door when Dracula sent his interference.

"My dear what is it that causes you to frown so?"

"What do you want Dracula?"

"I believe I have just explained that in my earlier question. But I shall say it again for you. What causes you to frown?"

"I am not frowning." If you were not to count talking to him causing her to frown, then yes she was not frowning.

"You are frowning. Which leads me to think this train of thought. Lucinda why do you torture yourself with the idea of being Max's girlfriend?"

"Torture?"

"Yes, torture having to pick an undead that is more or less inadequate for you. One, who is rather weak on many sides of strength, brains and of course charm."

"Since when do you care about my date life?"

"In a way I have always looked at it that way. The world of the supernatural has always been my field of expertise. You will take heed of what I have said about Max being inadequate for you. I know what I say."

"It isn't any of your business nor do I care that you think Max is inadequate for me." A sour note to leave on for the two of them, but one must continue on through the story. The second date was on its way with four groups of people besides the couple. One was of course was the ghost with the most Beetlejuice, ready to make it the worst second date ever without his wife and niece knowing of course. The second was Dracula, there on a recon mission. To observe and see the weak points in their 'relationship' and then act upon them. The third group was the three vampire groupie girls, who were there to see that no matter what the couple would stay that way. The fourth group was once more the group that was there and yet not there at the same time, with a plan that was to work to its final detail.

The date was at street fair that was going on downtown. Simple rides like a Ferris wheel, spinning rides, tilt a whirl (unfortunately it was closed for repairs), the stall games and carnival food. Bright lights and people talking about this and that were of course apart of the scene. The two walked closely together through the crowd to look about. Beetlejuice had a million things in his head to do and couldn't wait for them to make a decision. The moment there was opportunity he would come a knockin. And boy indeed were there some opportunities he took. The first was a mere trip…into the bobbing for apples tub. Causing him to become rather soaked and embarrassed. But Lucinda being a kind person saw it as a simple accident and went looking for a towel for the mummy boy. This actually managed to make the two seem cozier. Face palming was Beetlejuice's thing at the realization.

The three wenches were giddy at the sight. They were even giddier when an idea popped into their heads to make the two closer. One of them persuaded a ride operator to allow the couple first entry into their ride. The two had no intention to go onto the ride if the operator had been insistent. The two boarded their vessel and then went into the dark depths of the ride. The cave at first having no light soon bore the light of a relaxing pink and purple glow. Then the cave came into a pale white light. Inside the scenes of love and romance were displayed everywhere one looked while the soothing music of harp and flute with its partner piano came softly from the speakers hidden.

"Nice atmosphere." Max said moving his arm around Lucinda's shoulder causing her to lean in on him. He took the chance to attempt a kiss on her lips. But that was stopped by the interruption of water from a busted pipe. That no one saw a tiny minion running away from the scene. Whose master hidden in the shadows was pleased at the sight below.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just water no harm to you unless you're the wicked witch of the west." He finished with a laugh. Their faces weren't as confident or fun loving as they had been when they had first gotten at the carnival's grounds. No this look was now one that spoke of being a bit hazy about what could have gone wrong next. The two got out of the ride and went to find something else to do. But the two were soon separated by an event that was far from innocent.

Yes, an event that truly was different from being innocent. The lights went out for but a tiny fraction of a second, but it was so much so that people stopped to look around. When nothing happened the crowds moved on to their destinations. Then the shrill cry of metal grinding against metal flew in sparks against the eardrums of the crowds. People's nerves began to shudder and uneasy shouts were thrown about. Till the bell fell. It was the tilt a whirl that had been the source of the horrid noise. It was shifting and turning abruptly like a wild horse in a corral. Tossing this way and that it was giving only mild relief to those who were glad that no one was on it. But that was soon short lived as the rounded cage and come flying off of its hinges and came rolling down the line. Everywhere beings and creatures were running to stay out of the metal road rage. Knocking over stalls and people to be clear of its wake. The trouble was starting for Lucinda. She found herself separated from Max who was being carried well over the other side of the carnival by the massive crowd. Trying to make it out the girl was tossed to the ground right in the wake of the tilt a whirl's top. Fear had crippled the girl's legs. Movement was a foreign thought a near impossible idea. Her uncle tried to make it out of the crowd to her before the metal could come into contact but was being pushed further away by the stomping herd. Never in his afterlife had he himself felt such fear. It was almost as if the scene was playing in slow motion and he was stuck in glue. The next thing he saw was the metal wheel going over the spot she was at before coming to a stop. What he had not seen was the dash that had carried her away.

Hidden on a billboard just across the street from the carnival's entrance were Dracula and Lucinda. Surprise was more than an understatement for the girl. Flabbergasted perhaps a better choice of words. Why had this man saved her? Why did he bring her here? Two questions that posed the most pressing need for answers. Answers she may have to wait for since the vampire king had other plans that needed to be done. The first was to take Lucinda back to her home and then he was going to see to the cause of that metal contraptions frantic revolution. He was swift in bringing her back home despite the comments that she needed to be returned back to the carnival in order to see if the mummy Max was alright or not. He didn't care for such trifles. The minute she had been set down onto the front porch her aunt came running out. She was surprised to find her there.

She had just finished a phone call from her frantic husband about the incident and had thought (like Beetlejuice) that she had been run over to her possible death. She went to her niece and held her tight before the two of them went back to the carnival grounds. The police were there and so were the paramedics. Beetlejuice nearly had a life attack at the sight of Lucinda when she came running towards him.

"Louie? How are you not dead?" Lucinda quickly explained what had happened to her misusing one comment about Dracula and the explanation lifted his soul. Max soon came around and pulled Lucinda in for a bone crushing hug in worry over what was believed to have happened to her. The police of course came to question her and then soon left when they had all they needed. It didn't take long for them to send everyone else home after the questions were asked and answered. The solution appeared to be a power surge that had overriding the system into turning the already problematic ride into overdrive. Causing the gears to grind each other so bad that they broke off and caused the tilt a whirl to break apart and go off thanks to gravity. The police were mostly thankful that the damage didn't involve lives. But that didn't ease the worry of the three family members. What were they to tell Van Helsing and Jane? It was not like this would ever be a secret event. This would more likely be a most talked about event in the area. Or it could go national. Who was anyone kidding it was so going to go national. But they were reminded that the two were out of the country at the moment. Still word travels.

The next day the carnival was all that anyone would talk about no one was that interested in Van Helsing's daughter. No they were more interested in what the couple of Max and Lucinda Van Helsing's daughter did when in danger at the fair. Everyone wanted to hear the whole story from their eyes and ears at the scene. Teachers had the hardest time getting the students attention more than what it usually took. Yes this was hot news for a community like theirs.

Max took it well telling the story like it was no big deal. The way he told it. It sounded like he was a hero. This didn't really sit well with Lucinda, since it sounded like he was turning into a bragger. Something that seemed up Vlad's alley than Max's. Surprising he was the only one who remanded quiet. He wasn't even pestering Lucinda and her friends about anything. If it wasn't for the three queens throwing themselves at him then no one would have even known he was there. Lucinda was growing more suspicious about this oddity that Dracula was displaying.

Inside of her head were questions. Was he up to something more sinister than typical bad boy school bully? Is it possible that he was actually behind the tilt a whirl incident? Did he set it up so that he could look good to her? But why would he try so hard to make himself look good to her? Was it so that she would break up with Max? Not that they are official yet.

It was when she was deep in thought that she hadn't noticed someone was trying to get her attention. The end result was a surprise kiss upon her lips.

"You keep spacing out like that and I am going to have to keep kissing you like that. You got that?" Max said smirking down at Lucinda as he moved her closer to his bandaged wrapped form.

"Could you not do that?"

"Why so frosty Babe?"

"Babe?"

"Yeah, thought it fit you."

"I don't think…"

"Okay whatever." He said not looking at her but at another girl going by in a short skirt which was the attention he was giving the most too. The rest of the day involved more bragging and eye wondering. There were even times were he completely disregarded anything Lucinda tried to talk to him about. Now things were spiraling. Was this what Max was truly like? Or was this something that involved Dracula's hand? Make it seem like Max was a jerk?

To test the theory she took out a talisman that's purpose was to tell you if someone was under some spell or influence of the supernatural. If it stayed silver it meant no procession. If it turned any color you can tell the level of procession or what the influence was. Red was of course the color of vampires and meant that they had the control over their minds. Now normally this was used on people. She had no idea what would happen if she used it on a mummy. Would it stay silver or change because of him being a mummy? She pulled him away from the crowd and into an area where they could talk.

"Max we need to talk."

"I know. My behavior is what we have to talk about. I guess I didn't realize how pig headed I was getting."

"Since when does a guy realize his mistake in less than a day?"

"Since that guy knew what he was doing, but was stupid enough to let it happen. I just wanted to impress others too much. Occupational hazard of being a relation of the great pharaohs of ancient Egypt. I know it's a pretty weak excuse and I don't blame you if you want to go ahead and break up. Ra is it just me that thinks this sounds totally lame?"

"I wouldn't say that it sounds lame. Just a bit much to believe." She fingered the talisman in her hand. Max took notice of it and brought his hand towards it.

"What's that?"

"Oh this. Nothing really. Just an interesting piece of jewelry."

"Can I take a look at it?"

"Sure." She hands it over to him he holds it for a second looking at it from all sides and then gives it back. Lucinda was careful to look at it without allowing him to see it. The color had changed, but it wasn't red. It was blue, a dark ominous blue. She took it as a sign that it was him being a mummy. The fear of him being possessed was past her now. But she still was weary of this realization that Max seemed to have had in such a short amount of time. Shaking it away she placed it in the back of her mind and dealt with the just barely going over the situation. She and Max talked further agreeing that they would see to the third date and then the final decision on their status as a couple would go on or fall into friendship.

The day ended in little fuss afterwards, but something wasn't right. Not right at all and many could feel the eerie sense that was descending down onto their town.

The next day the feeling was swept away in the wind as it was the weekend now and that meant fun time for three family members. A way to forget the chaos of the week days and the chaos to come from still not reporting the carnival incident to Van Helsing.

"Day-0. Me say Daayy-0. Daylight come and me want to go home. Daylight come and me want to go home." The three sang as they walked through the woods. Beetlejuice technically was soaring while the two girls walked behind him. They stopped for a moment to enjoy a picnic and then go back home to the sounds of a wailing phone call from one Jane Helsing. News got to her faster than it had her father, but that didn't make things better.