A/n: Thanks for your reviews!

Chapter 2- Spooked

"Did you have any problems today while you ran your errands?" Jim asked while he cut the pork chop on his plate.

"No; no problems," Johanna replied as she reached for her glass to take a drink. She supposed it was true; she hadn't had any of the types of problems that he feared…and her grandmother's ghost hadn't given her any problems…or had she? There was the matter of those upcoming visitations to consider.

"Are you okay?" Jim asked.

Her gaze flicked back to his face. "Yeah, why?"

"You seem quiet this evening; usually you have more to say about your outings. Are you sure everything went okay?"

Johanna conjured up a smile for him. "Yes, everything was fine. There wasn't a reporter in sight. I picked up the dry cleaning and I went to the market and got some things we needed. You'll be happy to know that bacon was on sale."

"That's always good news," he quipped.

She grinned. "We don't want you suffering from bacon deprivation."

"Hell no; that would be a crime. Did you get some snacks? The chip selection has been lacking the last few evenings."

"Yes, dear," she laughed. "I stocked the snack cupboard."

"Good girl. What else did you do?"

"I bought some flowers and took them to my grandparents' graves."

Jim broke a roll in half and spread some butter on it. "I really wish you wouldn't go to those places alone. Cemeteries aren't high traffic areas…I don't like the idea of you being by yourself in quieter areas like that. I want you to stick to places where there are a lot of people around."

Johanna nodded; a part of her agreeing that she shouldn't have gone alone. As much as she enjoyed 'meeting' her grandmother, so to speak, ghosts probably didn't show themselves if you had company with you. There was power in numbers after all. "The next time I want to go, I'll wait until you can take me."

He glanced at her; studying her intently for a moment. "That was an awful quick agreement; are you sure nothing happened?"

"I'm sure. It's just that it was too quiet and gave me the creeps."

Her husband nodded, satisfied with her response. "I'll take you next time."

"I'll want to go to my mother's when it's closer to Christmas," she murmured.

"I know; I'll get you there, don't worry."

"I'm not worried," she replied; not worried about that anyway. She was worried about the guests she was supposed to receive…Sarah had assured her that they were loved ones…but that didn't mean it would go well, did it? "How was work?"

"I'm afraid I have nothing to entertain you with tonight, sweetheart; it was a slow day at the office."

She laughed softly. "I guess every day can't be entertaining."

"We should probably be relieved by that knowledge."

She would've agreed, but she had that run in with a ghost clouding her mind. She took a few bites of her dinner before breaking the silence that fell between them. "Do you still believe in ghosts?" she asked.

Jim glanced up from his plate. "Why; did you see one?"

Johanna laughed nervously. "No; I was watching one of those shows about haunted places around the world and I just wondered if you still believed."

"Yes, I still believe. If ghosts weren't real, so many people wouldn't report seeing them and having experiences. Do you still believe?"

"Most definitely," she replied; she had all the proof she needed.

A grin tugged at Jim's lips. "Was the Balfour on that show?" he asked; thinking of the haunted hotel that he and Johanna had stayed at during a stop on their road trip the summer before they started dating.

"No; I'm sorry to disappoint you."

He laughed. "Do you want to go back and visit the Balfour?"

"No; I believe I already told you that on your birthday when you mentioned going back for another round," Johanna stated. "I have no desire to renew my acquaintance with that womanizing ghost who likes to cop a feel."

"He was harmless," Jim laughed. "You should've been flattered."

She arched a brow at him. "I did not sign up to be felt up by a ghost…and you'd think that you would've been against another man, whether he be a ghost or not, putting his hands on me."

"I am totally against other men putting their hands on you," he declared. "But it wasn't like Charlie the ghost could get very far with you…a little cheap thrill was all he was going to get."

"But still; you could've been a little outraged…even if you had to fake it."

"What for?" he asked. "You weren't my wife then…you weren't even my girlfriend."

Johanna narrowed her eyes at him. "And yet that didn't keep you from copping a feel and kissing me whenever the mood struck you, now did it?"

A sly grin tugged at his lips. "I can't deny that…but I didn't hear you saying no, so clearly you wanted me to kiss you and cop a feel whenever possible."

She raised her chin in defiance. "I'm not that kind of girl, Jim Beckett."

He chuckled. "I don't know about that…after all, you did sleep on top of me at the Balfour."

"Only because I was afraid."

"Mhmm, that's the story for publication; but we both know it was just an excuse for you to crawl all over me and get your hands on me."

Johanna leaned back in her chair. "If that was the case; why did I not make any move on you that night?"

"Because you were feigning shyness…or baiting the trap."

"Baiting the trap!" she exclaimed. "What trap!?"

"To catch a man; you were at that man trapping age, sweetheart. It's alright; I was strong. I didn't succumb to your devious intentions until months later."

She glared at him. "You must feel like living dangerously tonight."

Jim shrugged; a grin still on his lips. "I told you it was a slow day; I'm just living it up a little."

"Uh huh," she replied; doing her best to keep from smiling. "If anyone was baiting a trap back then it was you…that's why you kept renting rooms where we had to share a bed."

"Again, you didn't say no…and we know why…more excuses to get your pretty little hands on me."

"If that's what you want to believe, honey."

"It's not just a belief; it's a fact," he said with a wink. "It's alright, you know; I don't mind that you can't keep your hands off of me."

She laughed. "I think that might be the other way around."

Jim raised his glass to her. "We'll just call it mutual."

"That's more like it," she said, clinking her glass against his. "I'm kind of surprised you grew up believing in ghosts; considering how Lizzie was."

"Well, like I said; I feel there's plenty of evidence; but I didn't get all of my mother's practicality…I got a healthy dose of my father and he believed. Mom did too; she just hated to admit it."

Johanna nodded. "That sounds like her."

"Is there a reason ghosts are on your mind tonight; besides the show you were watching?"

She shifted in her seat. "Well, you know I believe in those things…I've always told you that I felt like people were around me…some people would think that's crazy."

Jim shook his head. "I don't; I never have. I told you a long time ago that it was normal."

"I know," she replied, her foot taping against the floor. "But…."

"But what?"

"Well…sometimes when I'm alone I talk to my mother."

He gave her a soft smile. "There's nothing wrong with that, Jo. Sometimes I talk to my father. Are you afraid I'll think you're crazy if I walk in on you having a discussion with Naomi one day?"

Her gaze dipped to her plate. "Maybe."

"Don't worry, sweetheart; I won't think you're crazy if I catch you talking to her. You always say you feel like she's here at times; and I'm sure she is…you were Naomi's favorite after all; of course she'd want to be here with you."

Her smile wobbled a little. "I miss her."

"I know…that feeling is probably intensified by current events," Jim remarked. "If it makes you feel better to talk to Naomi; then talk to her. I'm sure she's listening. I won't think anything of it…and if you walk into the garage one day while I'm working on the car and asking my father to give me a clue, you can do me the favor of not thinking I'm crazy too."

Her hand reached for his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Deal."

"We probably shouldn't mention it to our daughter though," Jim remarked. "She'd probably have us both committed…she has a little too much of my mother's logical, practical thinking gene."

Johanna nodded. "That's true…we won't tell her."

Jim eyed his wife as she scooped up a bite of potatoes. "Why did a TV show about haunted places bring all of this up for you?"

"I don't know; you know me, when I have too much time on my hands, my mind tends to dwell."

"Well stop it; you're fine. Everyone talks to a loved one who's passed on; lots of people feel the presence of a loved one. Some people even see ghosts."

"Oh I know," she said with a slight laugh; her stomach twisting into a nervous knot. "At the Balfour, we didn't see any of the ghosts, although we felt them, heard them and seen the evidence of their tricks," she recalled; suddenly realizing that she shouldn't have been surprised that her grandmother could hold an object; the ghost at the Balfour had hidden things from her and Jim and had tossed her belongings on the floor.

"Just because we didn't see them didn't make the experience any less real," Jim remarked as she trailed off.

"I know…I was just wondering what you'd do if you saw a ghost."

"I don't think it would bother me too much…there's one standing right behind you now."

The fork fell from her fingers, goosebumps rising on her arms as she jerked around to inspect the area. Jim's laughter sounded behind her. "Made you look," he laughed.

"Jackass!" she declared as she kicked him under the table. "You stay on your own side of the bed tonight!"

Her husband's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Now, Jo; you know you can't stay away from me in bed during this time of year; you get too cold."

"I'll get an extra blanket," she retorted.

He continued to laugh. "You should've seen the look on your face."

"It's not funny," Johanna replied. "You know they scare me."

"That's what makes it funny," he teased. "Come on, let's go back to the Balfour this weekend and see if we spot the ghosts this time. It'll be fun."

"Forget it; I've had enough ghostly encounters to last me for awhile."

"Sweetheart; that was thirty-seven years ago."

"The memory lingers," she quipped; wishing she had the guts to spill the beans about her visit…maybe it would prevent the others from coming but she worried about invoking their anger…God only knew what that would bring and she had enough problems without pissing off dead relatives.

"I'm sorry," Jim said as he caressed her hand. "Please say you'll still wrap yourself around me tonight in your sleep or I'll never forgive myself."

"Aren't you just a funny man tonight," she replied; failing to suppress a smile as she caught the amused twinkle in his eyes.

"It's my job to entertain you," he told her as he pressed a kiss to her hand. "And if you'll lift my punishment and allow me to cross the center of the bed tonight; I can amuse you in other ways, if you prefer."

She eyed him, a small smile lingering on her lips despite her best attempts to squash it. "I am not having sex with you after what you did to me."

"I said I was sorry," he teased. "Don't be so harsh."

"That's how lessons are learned, darling; and while we're on the topic of punishments, I have another matter of business to bring to the table."

"Uh oh, you're putting on your lawyer voice," Jim remarked with a grin. "You're going to get sassy and feisty with me…it's very sexy."

"You just rein in your smooth talking ways, Mr. Beckett," she stated; doing her best to be stern. "You know that I don't allow such business in my courtroom; I'm not swayed by bribes."

"That's not what history tells me. I have been in your courtroom many times before, sweetheart."

"Don't get cute with me; I'm warning you," she threatened lightly.

Jim smiled. "But I was born cute; I don't know how to stop."

Johanna resisted the bait as she kept her gaze trained on him. "Consider yourself under oath, starting now."

"That no nonsense side of you is really very attractive."

She smirked at him. "Do you remember about four days ago I bought a new ChapStick and it disappeared from my desk?"

Jim nodded. "I do recall the disappearance of your ChapStick…and the frenzy of tearing your desk apart that its loss provoked. If I recall correctly; you had lost a previous ChapStick and felt as though this must be some kind of curse dooming you to have chapped lips in the winter…although I can say from personal experience and knowledge that your lips are as wonderful as ever, no sign of chapping despite this heinous crime of missing lip products."

She licked her lips as she eyed him. "It's funny you should classify it as a crime," she stated.

"Why is that?"

"Because this wasn't a disappearance…it was a theft."

"That's a serious offense," Jim quipped. "What makes you think it was a theft?"

"Oh, a little search I performed today," she replied smugly as she pulled the tube of ChapStick from her pocket. "I found this in your desk drawer."

Jim leaned back against his chair, doing his best not to grin. "I hope you had a warrant to search my desk."

"No need for a warrant; I had probable cause."

"Is that right? May I ask why I'm a suspect?"

"Just a suspicion since you're the only person who shares that room with me. Would you like to tell me how it came to be in your desk drawer, Mr. Beckett?"

Jim shrugged. "Maybe a ghost put it there in an attempt to frame me."

"Somehow I doubt that."

"It's true; a ghost planted it in there. I'm innocent."

Johanna laughed. "You're guilty of the theft and have now added perjury."

"Can you prove I did it?"

"I had it fingerprinted," she tossed back. "Your prints are all over it."

Jim laughed. "Nice try."

"Fine; you're guilty because a tip came in and told me it was in your possession."

"And just who was this person who tipped you off?"

She shrugged. "Maybe it was a ghost."

He chuckled. "And did the ghost tell you why I'd do such a thing?"

"It was mentioned that you like to watch me look for things…apparently, you like to annoy me for kicks."

"I'm pleading the fifth; I want my lawyer before this line of questioning proceeds any further."

"Another admission of guilt," Johanna remarked; smiling in victory.

"Alright, I'm guilty," he replied. "Go ahead; punish me; I'm all yours, I'm throwing myself at your mercy."

"Oh you'll be punished," she told him. "You can count on it."

"Sounds exciting, I'm looking forward to it."

"We'll see about that," she stated. "But really; what would you do if you seen a ghost?"

Jim gave a quiet laugh. "Honey; I think you should avoid watching those haunted places TV shows; it gave you the heebie jeebies."

"Okay; but you still haven't answered my question."

Her husband pondered the question for a moment as he took another bite of his dinner. "I'd probably ask them what the hell they were doing here; and then I'd ask what they wanted."

"Would you be scared?" Johanna asked.

He shook his head. "No; I don't see how they can harm anyone…unless of course they scare you to death."

"That's a pleasant thought," she muttered.

"You asked…and really; don't watch that show anymore, you weren't this distressed by our visit to the Balfour."

"I'm not distressed," Johanna declared. "I was just curious and making conversation."

"Okay; what would you do if you saw a ghost?"

"I'd…probably talk to it," she stammered. "And while talking to it, I'd probably think that maybe I had fallen and hit my head or that I was losing my mind or something."

"But you said you believe in ghosts."

"I do but that doesn't mean I wouldn't doubt my sanity for a moment."

Jim smiled. "Well listen, if you see any ghosts lurking around; you let me know and I'll call some of those paranormal people to come clear them out, okay?"

She gave a laugh. "Yeah; I'll do that."

"I suggest that tonight before you go even attempt to sleep; you should probably watch your Dr Quinn dvds to wash that ghost business out of your head."

"They had a ghost on one of their episodes too; a Halloween one," Johanna remarked.

"Fine, watch one of those Golden Girls reruns you're fond of; that should make you laugh and clear your mind."

"I'll do that," she replied; wishing it would be that easy to clear her mind. "How's your dinner?"

Jim smiled at her. "Wonderful as always."

Johanna smiled; at least her overwhelmed mind hadn't caused her to botch dinner.

After dinner was finished and the kitchen had been cleaned up; Johanna headed for the office, intending to distract her mind from thoughts of ghosts by browsing the internet while Jim did his work. As she entered the room, she noticed that Jim was rifling through his desk drawers.

"What are you doing?" she asked as she settled down in her chair.

"What did you do with my pen?" he questioned.

Johanna looked at him oddly. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about; my silver pen. It was laying here beside my laptop this morning and now it's gone. You hid it to get even."

"I didn't take your pen," she replied honestly. "I prefer to seek revenge in other ways…ways I have yet to plot and I assure you, I can think up something better than pen nabbing."

"That's what you want me to think," Jim remarked. "I know you; now where did you put it?"

"Jim; I didn't hide your pen," Johanna insisted. "Maybe it's in your briefcase."

"You know I don't take that pen to work."

That was true, Johanna thought to herself; the pen had been a gift from her and Katie for his twentieth anniversary with the law firm. It had his name engraved on it, along with the words 'We love you always, Johanna and Katie'. He had always cherished the pen and rarely ever took it out of the house and always made sure to have a stock of refills on hand for it. She hadn't taken it; she wouldn't hide that from him.

"It's not here," he declared as he searched his briefcase.

"Maybe it's upstairs on the nightstand; you were working on a crossword puzzle last night."

"I told you, it was on the desk this morning," he said firmly.

She sighed. "Maybe you just thought it was there because you're used to it being there. You could've taken it upstairs."

Jim eyed her. "It was there. I know you took it to get even for your ChapStick."

"I did not!"

"Then you won't mind if I search your desk," he stated.

Johanna pushed her chair back from her desk. "Go ahead; be my guest."

Jim smirked at her as he rounded her desk and began to pull open the drawers. He searched through the contents of each one and then shut them with a hint of aggravation before turning to face her.

'Well?" she asked. "Did you find it in there?"

"No," he replied gruffly. "Where's your purse?"

Her brow arched. "It's upstairs on the dresser where it always is when we're home. If you dump it out; make sure you put everything back in where I have it…and while you're at it, see if you can find that roll of LifeSavers I know is in there but can't find."

Jim regarded her studiously for a moment and crossed purse search off his list…for the moment. "Okay, Sassy; it's not in your purse…."

She eyed him. "What are you getting at, warden? Are you going to strip search me next?"

He smiled; his eyes moving over her figure as she remained in her chair. "Is that an option?"

"Nope," she replied.

Jim stepped closed. "Fine; I can search you without taking anything off of you. Stand up."

Johanna laughed. "You can't be serious."

"I'm serious," he replied; a hint of amusement in his eyes.

She smirked at him as she got to her feet. "Okay; I'm game; knock yourself out."

"I'm going to find that pen," he stated; his fingers slipping into the pocket of her jeans.

"Don't you think you would've noticed if it was in my pocket?"

"Not when you're distracting me with dinner."

"Mhmm," she said as his arms slipped around her, his hands dipping into her back pockets. "See what I mean; you're always looking for an excuse to cop a feel."

He smirked as he gave her a pat. "Like you don't enjoy it."

"No comment; I'd rather not incriminate myself."

Jim couldn't resist the urge to steal a kiss and while he had her distracted, his hand slipped beneath the hem of her sweater.

"What are you doing?" she asked; feeling his fingertips gliding up her side.

"I want to see what you have in your bra," he remarked.

"The same thing that's always in my bra," Johanna replied. "And I know for a fact that you're well acquainted with the contents."

"That's true," he said with a grin as his fingers slid beneath the band of her bra. "But I also know that you sometimes shove other things in there as well…one time I found a twenty-dollar bill in there."

"Well there's nothing in there besides the usual suspects tonight," she told him as he continued his search. "You're just getting a cheap thrill."

"Well then I can't say my search was a total loss, now can I?" Jim asked.

She smirked and gave him a little shove; making his hands slip out from under her shirt. "I don't have your pen, I swear. Go look on the nightstand."

"Fine; but it's not there…so I'm looking in your purse; my suspicion has been renewed."

"Go ahead; find my LifeSavers."

He gave her a playful swat, making her laugh. "I'll search down here," she told him. "Honestly; I didn't take it."

"Uh huh," he said before crossing the threshold of the office and leaving her alone.

She shook her head and moved across the office; intending to search the floor around his desk. She shivered slightly; the air suddenly feeling cooler as she dropped down to her knees to search under the desk. A soft feminine giggle sounded, making her blood run cold as her head shot up; searching for the source of the sound. She saw nothing in the room…but she felt it. "Sarah?" she whispered.

The soft laughter sounded again, putting her even more on edge. "Sarah," she practically hissed. "Is it you? Did you take that pen?"

The lights dimmed for a split second but her grandmother didn't show herself; although she felt the presence of someone. "Oh, Lord," she muttered; what if it wasn't Sarah? What if it was one of the others? What if a whole host of ghosts had been unleashed upon her? That wasn't a pleasing thought.

A book fell off the bookcase, startling her; the cover flying open and the pages whipped up as if a breeze was stirring them. She moved toward it with trepidation; glancing down at the picture on the page that the book was open to. It was a picture of a cardinal…her guest was Sarah. "Sarah," she whispered again. "Where's the pen? I appreciate you getting even on my behalf but he loves that pen…give it back."

The smell of Chanel perfume filled the air around her and Jim's silver pen rolled off the bookcase and hit the carpet. "Thank you," she told her as she picked it up.

Johanna felt the sensation of a hand brushing her back, making her shiver. The scent of perfume faded and the room returned to its normal temperature. Sarah had gone…but her eyes darted around the room; searching, making sure her grandmother hadn't left any friends behind. She saw no evidence of anything and she felt as though she was alone as she gripped the pen and picked up the book; putting it back on the bookcase.

"It's not upstairs, Jo," Jim called out as his footsteps sounded in the hallway a few moments later.

"I found it," she replied; trying to shake off her latest 'visit' so to speak.

"Isn't that a coincidence?" he said smugly as he entered the room. "Where was it?"

"On the bookcase; and I didn't put it there, I swear."

"Well neither did I," he remarked as he took his pen from her hand. "So how did it get there? One of those ghosts you were talking about?"

Johanna shrugged. "Stranger things have happened."

Jim smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "We're even now," he told her; refusing to believe that she hadn't hidden his pen. "And here's your LifeSavers," he said as he pulled the roll from his pocket.

"Did you dump out my purse?" she asked as she snatched her candy from his hand.

"Yes, I did."

"Did you put everything back the way it was?"

"Nope," Jim said as he moved back to his desk. "I left it all laying in the middle of the bed; you can put it back."

She glared at him; a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "You definitely stay on your side of the bed tonight."

"We'll see," he quipped.

"I guess we will," she retorted as she moved back to her own desk and opened her laptop; thinking that maybe she should Google some facts about ghosts.

Johanna stared at the TV screen later that night, watching yet another rerun of the Golden Girls as she tried to relax enough to sleep. The room was dark, except for the light of the TV and she glanced at Jim as he laid on his side of the bed, sound asleep and unaware of her unease. Her ears kept straining for the sounds of a visitor; her eyes searching the shadowed corners of the room for any sign of a ghostly being. So far she hadn't seen or heard anything, but her anxiety over the issue wouldn't abate. Sarah told her not to be afraid…but she was. They might be loved ones, but that didn't mean she shouldn't be worried.

A loud bang startled her, making her jump; her heart thumping wildly. She held her breath and listened, icy fingers of dread sliding down her spine despite the knowledge that Sarah's arrival had been silent. Another bang sounded and she recognized it as the neighbor's garage door. Johanna glanced at the clock; it was nearly one-thirty…she usually heard their garage door around that time every night; their neighbor clearly worked a nightshift somewhere. Her heartrate settled and she shivered; she didn't like this visitation business hanging over her head. She didn't want it…and maybe it wouldn't happen anyway. Maybe Sarah had just been trying to scare her into being a little more outgoing again. Of course the threat of ghosts wasn't a good way to do it…it only made her want to hide.

She shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts; she was tired and she wanted to sleep…but she was afraid. She glanced at Jim once more…she was probably safe at night with Jim being there; the ghost wouldn't want to risk waking Jim…would they? Johanna sighed and moved across the bed, snuggling up against her husband.

"I knew you'd be back," Jim's sleepy voice murmured.

"What?"

"I knew you wouldn't stick to that 'stay on your own side thing'…I knew you'd want to be friendly again," he teased as his arms slipped around her.

"Just shut up and hold me," she retorted as they both shifted a bit so that she could settle against him more snugly; his arms wrapped around her tightly.

Jim nuzzled her hair while laughing softly. "Those sound like the words of a woman who doesn't want to admit that her husband was right."

"Why should I when he gloats so easily?" she asked lightly; another shiver racing through her as she held on to him tightly.

He pulled the covers up over her more securely; tucking them around her with one hand as the other kept hold of her. "Do you want me to turn up the heat, sweetheart?"

"Maybe in the morning," Johanna murmured; her hand clutching his shirt. "I want you to stay here; you'll keep me warm…you always do."

"Your personal heating system is on the job," Jim replied, giving her hip a loving squeeze as he brushed a kiss against her hair.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too…now tell your brain to stop thinking so much and go to sleep. It was just a show; those haunted places are far from here…I won't any let any ghosts get you."

Johanna raised her head long enough to press a kiss to his lips. "You're my hero."

His lips curved upwards; his hand falling against the back of her head and guiding it back to his chest. "And you're my damsel; among other things. You sleep now; you're safe."

Her body relaxed and she angled her head to see the TV as Jim held her tightly. She was safe with Jim…ghosts wouldn't come as long as Jim was there to keep them at bay. With that thought in mind, she allowed her tired eyes to close; hoping that her dreams wouldn't be haunted.