She was grateful that, owner-less, it was unlocked. She made her way to the back, but everything seemed silent.

"Jennifer? I need to speak with you," Lydia called quietly, but no one answered. "I can see ghosts, Jennifer. I know you're here. Please."

"They said you would come, but I didn't think it'd be in the middle of the night," Jennifer answered, stepping into view. "No one will tell me much, only that I'm to send you to the future."

"Aw, give the gal a break," a new voice protested. "It's not her fault, much."

Lydia turned to the second ghost, confused. A pretty young woman in a dancer's outfit stood leaning against a wall.

"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Lydia asked.

"My name's Ginger, sugar. Juno sent me, y'know."

"You can travel in time, too?"

"Oh, gosh, no. So far as I know, Jenny's the only ghost that can do that. We all have our little gifts. Me, I've got a great sense of direction and awesome legs!"

Giggling, Ginger began tap dancing, her legs multiplying and creating more and more intricate dance steps. Lydia applauded softly, smiling.

"That's great! I really need to get home, though. Um, did Juno tell you why...the person I expected didn't show up?"

"Thanks! I'm afraid not. Juno just sent me to make sure you get home safe is all."

Lydia hesitated.

"Are you all right?" Jennifer asked, kindly.

"There are people here I care about," Lydia said. "I'm leaving them."

"They won't remember you much," Jennifer told her, hoping it would help. "You are from 1993? Until you left your own time, your presence in the past was only something that was going to happen, not something that had happened. Once you get back to your own time, time will catch up to itself and your presence here will be something that has taken place. Then, they will remember."

"How do you know?" Lydia asked, but Jennifer just shrugged.

"It's part of my magic."

"We really need to go, sugar," Ginger urged, gently.

Lydia nodded, taking a deep breath.

"I'm ready."

Jennifer let loose her magic, while Ginger held onto Lydia, concentrating on time and place. As her senses blurred, Lydia felt a shift in the time she left, as if something had sealed shut. She wondered if she only imagined the seam of light that flared, then closed. The journey was over quickly, just as Lydia remembered.

Opening her eyes, Lydia found herself in the attic of her home, standing close to Adam's model of Winter River. She gave a small sigh of relief, until she saw Jennifer, the older version, huddling in a corner, shivering. Seeing the other ghost, Ginger ran over to Jennifer, putting an arm around her.

"Jennifer?" Lydia asked, confused.

"I'm sorry," Jennifer whispered. "I tried to go back for you, but he caught me."

"Now, she's being punished," Keegan snarled, appearing close to Jennifer, but ignoring Ginger. "She betrayed me, by helping you. The silly wench thought I wouldn't know. ME! Her master!"

"You're not her master," Lydia scoffed, angrily. "You're nothing but a thief!"

"You call it theft. I call it survival of the fittest!" Keegan taunted. "Look, Lydia. See the power I have amassed! Look on the wall behind you."

Lydia turned and saw a large mirror, in an ornate frame. Inside the mirror, Lydia could see not only the Maitlands, but her father and Delia. All four were staring out with expressions of fear and worry. Barbara banged on the glass, trying to shout something to Lydia.

"Let them outta there!" Ginger demanded, indignantly.

"I might, if Lydia pleases me," Keegan said, smugly, stalking towards her. "Tell me about your trip to the past. What did you learn?"

"Nothing," Lydia told him, shaking her head. "I wasn't able to find out anything."

Keegan grabbed her arm, yanking her close to him.

"Don't lie to me, you little bitch! I know my Jenny sent you back to when she died. You'll tell me everything or your family will stay right where they are. Forever!"

"You want to know what I did in the past, Keegan, you coward?" Lydia spat. "I got to know a lovely family named Edwards. Would you like to meet one of them? Let me introduce you. Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse, Betelgeuse!"

Keegan snarled, backhanding Lydia sharply, knocking her backward and to the ground. A rumble filled the attic. Ginger used the distraction to release Keegan's prisoners from the mirror. Lydia's family watched, stunned, as Betelgeuse appeared between Lydia and Keegan, knocking the other man back a pace or two. Barbara started to dart forward to confront both men, but Adam caught her arm.

Betelgeuse took a slow look around the room, his eyes narrowed and wary. He smirked at Barbara and Adam, then started a bit, when he saw Jennifer and Ginger.

"Oh, hi, Ging. What're you doing here?"

"I was helping Lydia get back home."

Betelgeuse turned to Lydia, his eyebrows raising questioningly. When his gaze fell on her, a bright flash of light ignited between them, making Lydia cry out. Betelgeuse flung a hand up in front of his eyes, wincing.

"What the hell was that?" Charles yelped.

"That was time reasserting itself," Betelgeuse declared, still grimacing.

Time seemed to stop for a few moments, as Betelgeuse and Lydia stared at each other. Almost in awe, Betelgeuse took in the long, green silk dress that had been fashionable, when he was still alive. He let his memories of Lydia in that dress surface, as he ran his eyes from her feet to her bound hair, where the feathered hairpin he had given her rested. Lydia studied him in return, taking in the white and black striped suit, the small, black buttons running down his tie, his messy, blond hair, and the dark circles that stood out so clearly against dead white skin. Lydia smiled softly. Betelgeuse took an involuntary step forward, before his attention was drawn back to Keegan.

"Do you think this creature can help you?" the thief sneered. "No ghost can defeat me! They are too bound by rules to do anything."

Betelgeuse blinked, then slid over to Keegan, throwing an arm around his shoulders in a manner that was more aggressive than friendly.

"Well, here's the thing, pal," Betelgeuse drawled, smirking, his voice lowering to a stage whisper that could be heard perfectly by everyone. "I don't give a fuck about rules. Why don't you go away for a bit, so I can get caught up."

With a flick of his fingers, Betelgeuse sent Keegan away, disappearing into nothing with a howl of rage. Looking around at his audience, Betelgeuse pointed to the now-empty space where Keegan had been.

"That is only temporary," he warned, before walking forward to squat down next to Lydia. "Tell me this is the part where you explain why you ended up six hundred years in the past?"

"This is that part," Lydia assured him. She looked ruefully at her family, who were all staring warily at Betelgeuse. "I think I owe a lot of explanations, don't I?"

"Well, yeah, but on the other hand, a lot of our stranger conversations make sense now," Betelgeuse retorted, making Lydia giggle.

Betelgeuse stared at her, standing, his head tilted to one side, then held his hand out to her. The hand was bloodless, covered with mold, and had long, pointed nails that were almost claws. Delia shivered, seeing that dead, dangerous hand extended in invitation to her step-daughter. Barbara pulled away from Adam in alarm. Lydia, though, serenely placed her hand in Betelgeuse's, his sharp nails brushing lightly against her wrist. With a firm tug, Betelgeuse helped Lydia to her feet, pulling her close to him.

"Well, let's not do explanations here," Delia decided, breaking the moment. "I think we could all use something to drink, so we'll go sit at the table, like civilized people."

"I really hope, by drink, she doesn't mean coffee," Betelgeuse said, chortling.

"Betel..." Lydia began, before cutting herself off, biting her lower lip.

"Not the most convenient thing is it?" Betelgeuse said, cheerfully.

"No," Lydia agreed. "I need to give you a nickname. BJ might work."

"Technically, it should be BG, Lyds," Betelgeuse corrected, amused, as they followed Delia to the dining room.

"I am not calling you BeeGee," Lydia protested, laughing. "That band sucked! Anyway, it's not like spelling was standardized, when you were named."

"Suit yourself, babes," Betelgeuse agreed, with a loud laugh.

Lydia grinned at him, leading him into the dining room. She was mildly surprised, when, as everyone settled at the table, Delia poured out glasses of good, strong wine. Betelgeuse sat next to Lydia, with a smirk.

"I think I'm upsetting her," he whispered loudly.

"We're wondering why you're here," Barbara told him sharply. "Juno told us that Jennifer sent Lydia back in time to find out information on Keegan, but no one mentioned anything about you."

"Well, that's our Juno-bug for ya," Betelgeuse told her, shrugging.

"When I went back in time, I lived with Betelgeuse and his family, the Edwards," Lydia explained. "Betelgeuse is here, because I want him to be."

"The problem is his help comes with a high price," Adam reminded her. "How do you know he won't try to force you to marry him again?"

"She's already reneged on that deal," Betelgeuse reminded them, rolling his eyes.

"I was fifteen. I'm giving myself a pass on breaking that particular promise," Lydia told him, smirking. "On the other hand, given fourteenth century customs and that you did save the Maitlands from exorcism, I'll give you a pass on it, too. Let's just move on."

"Works for me, babes."

"Are we just going to ignore that he almost killed your father, too?" Adam asked, exasperated.

"If I'd wanted Chuck dead, I would've wrapped my coils around him and snapped his neck," Betelgeuse said, smiling meanly.

Delia gasped, while the others glared at Betelgeuse. Lydia winced, realizing it wasn't going to be easy to make peace between Betelgeuse and her family.

"Betelgeuse, you can be such a jerk!" Ginger scolded indignantly. "Yeah?" Betelgeuse sneered.

"Yeah," Lydia agreed dryly, before pleading, "Can we all please forgive and forget? It was four years ago and everyone is fine. It's not like he didn't pay for what he did."

"All right, pumpkin," Charles said. "If you want us to trust this guy, we'll try, especially since you're determined to fight this Keegan."

"Fine," Barbara agreed, reluctantly. "Did you find out anything? Lydia, going into the past like that was dangerous!"

"She has a point there, Lyds," Betelgeuse interrupted. "I mean, you missed the Black Death by less than a decade."

"I know, but what choice did I have? No one seemed to know anything about Keegan or was willing to do anything!"

"Keegan...that the guy I sent away? I've heard that name before."

"Yeah. He's been stealing the magic of other ghosts and forced Jennifer to be his servant. He keeps them prisoner somehow."

"Lydia, what did you find out?" Delia stressed.

"Yes. You know we can't do anything against Keegan until the children are safe!" Jennifer pleaded.

"Do I know you?" Betelgeuse asked Jennifer, his eyes narrowed.

"Your cousin and Lydia did. I sold sewing supplies."

"That doesn't tell me much," Betelgeuse chuckled.

"You tried to fondle her bottom and she smacked you with a very wet mop, saying you needed cleaning," Lydia reminded him.

"Oh, sure, sure," Betelgeuse said, recognition dawning, making him smirk. "I remember now."

"Of course you do. Jennifer, the man who took your mother's cross, right before you died? That was Keegan, disguised."

"Would that be enough to enslave her?" Delia asked, looking around and seeing the others were equally confused, except Betelgeuse, who shrugged.

"Sure. People get attached to things, pour emotions into them. Could be a cross, a set of clothes, anything. You get hold of something personal like that and you can turn a person's strength and emotions against them."

"How can we defeat him, if all he has to do is steal something from us to control us?" Barbara asked, angry at the thought.

Betelgeuse shook his head, though.

"It's not that simple. Look, all ghosts have magic and all of us have limits on us, like that bullshit about my name. I think, for Keegan, it's that he can't just take stuff. People gotta choose to hand stuff to him."

"What I don't get is why does no one know about this guy?" Charles protested. "He goes around capturing ghosts and using their magic up...I thought you people had regulations!"

"That's why he uses kids," Betelgeuse said, grimacing.

"He does that, because he's a coward," Lydia retorted.

"No, because he's smart," Betelgeuse corrected, adding hastily, "Evil, yeah, yeah, but, smart. See, child ghosts are kinda fragile. A lot of the time, they pass right on, without becoming ghosts. When they do that, there aren't even any records on them. So, by keeping to kids, he avoids the authorities."

"Pass on?" Lydia asked.

"The afterlife, what we see of it...well, it co-exists with the living world and isn't permanent, at least, no one thinks it is. But, some ghosts pass on to a more permanent afterlife, heaven, hell, those places..." Ginger began.

"It's where everyone is supposed to end up at the end of time, depending on your religion of choice. Man, you think living people fight about that stuff? You got nothing on ghosts. You should see Shakespeare and Arthur Conan Doyle get into it," Betelgeuse cackled. "It's pretty funny."

"So, can we free the children by taking back their personal items?" Barbara asked, pointedly.

"How are we supposed to do that? He could have them scattered all over the world!" Delia protested.

"Nah, they'll all be in one place and time," Betelgeuse said confidently.

"Well, how do you know that?" Adam asked skeptically.

"'Cause no one knows much about Keegan," Betelgeuse said. "If he'd kept his items spread out, even hidden, odds are someone would've stumbled on one or two of them. If they had, the kid would get free and we'd know more about the guy."

"No child's ever gotten free. That much is true," Jennifer agreed.

"So, how do we find where he hides things?" Charles asked, dubiously.

"That's the hard part," Betelgeuse admitted.

Lydia tried and failed to stifle a yawn, rubbing at her eyes. She'd taken a swallow of wine and it was creating a pleasant warmth in her stomach, but it was adding to her drowsiness. Betelgeuse studied her, his expression fond.

"WELL," he announced loudly, making everyone but Lydia jump. "Let's say we brainstorm on it and discuss it more tomorrow."

"Are you bored?" Jennifer asked spitefully.

"No," Betelgeuse answered coldly. "But it was already late at night, before Juno showed up in the past and Lydia still hasn't slept."

"I'm sorry, but he's right. I'm not much use right now, though I really should go back to Mrs. Allen's."

"Oh, honey, nothing will happen to her house in one night," Delia protested. "Besides, do you feel up to driving?"

"Ginger can keep an eye on it for you," Betelgeuse suggested.

"HEY," she protested, glaring.

"Aw, c'mon, Ging," Betelgeuse coaxed. "Do a neighbor a favor!"

"Fine, but you owe me, Betel-jerk!" Ginger huffed, disappearing.

"Some people are so grouchy," Betelgeuse mused, unrepentant.

"Usually people having to deal with you," Barbara retorted.

"True, but you're not exactly a barrel of laughs, Babs," Betelgeuse said, grinning smugly.

"Okay, have fun bickering at each other," Lydia sighed, standing.

Betelgeuse stood, wrapping her arm around is.

"I'll escort you out. I need some space for thinking."

Lydia rolled her eyes, letting him see she wasn't fooled, but turned to the others and smiled ruefully.

"Good night, everyone. I'll see you in the morning," Lydia assured them.

"Good night. Sleep well, sweetheart," the others told her.

"Come on, you," Lydia said to Betelgeuse, tugging on his arm. Lydia led him into the living room, stopping by one of the windows.

"You should be able to do your thinking in here," she offered, smiling a bit shyly.

"Thanks, babes. You gonna be okay?"

Lydia hesitated, then shrugged, feeling awkward.

"I wish this was over, but yeah. As long as we get those kids free, I'll be fine."

"Aw, don't worry so much. Once we figure out where he stashes stuff, Keegan'll be easy to take care of."

"Do you have a plan on how to find that out?"

"I will by the time you wake up," Betelgeuse promised.

Lydia didn't answer, but reached up and placed her hand on Betelgeuse's cheek. Lydia knew from her friendship with the Maitlands that a ghost's appearance was mainly an illusion. They were solid, sure, but the scarier aspects of their appearances were simply reflections of their deaths or personalities.

The mold that appeared on Betelgeuse's face wasn't real, but simply a part of his spirit form, like weird stubble. His ghost form didn't accumulate dirt, the way an actual, animated corpse would. Betelgeuse's skin felt soft against Lydia's hand, giving off a strange blend of hot and cold, as if his magic was made of competing storm fronts. As close as Lydia was to Betelgeuse, she could detect only a faint scent of burning wood and leaves coming from him. She caressed his cheek, studying the planes of his face, soothed by how familiar they were, despite the deathly pallor and sunken eyes.

Betelgeuse took Lydia's touch for an invitation, leaning down and kissing her deeply. He wrapped his arms around her torso, pulling her closer. He tasted like a thunderstorm. Lydia leaned into him eagerly, placing her arms around him. After a few moments, he pulled away, chuckling a bit.

"This isn't you going to bed, babes."

"No, I know," Lydia said, laughing a bit helplessly. Reluctantly, she pulled away, smiling. "I do need to sleep. Good night."

"Yeah, git out!" Betelgeuse ordered, smirking. "I'll be right here."

Lydia had started to walk away, when he said git, still smiling in amusement. At his last words, however, she turned back, her expression grave.

"If I didn't know that, I wouldn't have come back," Lydia told him softly.

"Yeah, I love you too, babes," Betelgeuse said, winking. "G'night."

"Good night," Lydia repeated, heading for the stairs.

She was half way up them, when Betelgeuse called her name. Leaning over the railing, she stared down at him, questioningly. He grimaced a bit, gesturing helplessly with one hand. Betelgeuse stared hard at her, looking faintly worried.

"Um. About that marriage thing, babes. Okay, it was an under-handed thing to do, but...I wouldn't have hurt you."

"I know," Lydia said, smiling softly at him. Coming from Betelgeuse, it was an abject apology and she accepted it, forgiving him again.

"Sweet dreams, babes."

"You too," Lydia said, then laughed. "Good night."

"That's three, babes," he teased, fading into the shadows.

Lydia went upstairs, leaving Betelgeuse to his thoughts. Exhausted as she was, she couldn't resist showering first, luxuriating in modern plumbing and hair care products. She let herself stay in the shower, until the hot water ran out, then quickly dried off and got into her pajamas. She crawled into bed and fell swiftly asleep.

Lydia slept soundly, in the warmth of her soft bed. She woke up fairly early, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle Keegan. Getting up, she dressed in black jeans and a black poet's shirt. She braided her hair, using her feather hairpin as an accessory. Once dressed, she headed downstairs and found Delia standing just outside the kitchen, looking horrified and intrigued.

"Good morning. What's up?" Lydia asked, hearing a series of bangs from the kitchen.

"He's in there, that ghost!" Delia said in a low voice. "He's trying to make pancakes!"

"Wh-why is Betel-BJ making pancakes?" Lydia asked, incredulously.

"I didn't ask. I just gave him a cookbook and got out," Delia admitted. "It might have something to do with the person with him...some boy!"

"I better find out what's going on," Lydia said, laughing slightly and heading into the kitchen.

It wasn't as bad as Lydia had expected. There was quite a bit of flour covering the counter-top and the boy sitting on top of it. The boy was still a small child, looking about seven or eight, with big, brown eyes, and straight brown hair. He had enough flour on his face and front that Lydia was pretty sure Betelgeuse had thrown some on him. However, there were only two bowls and a few utensils, laying around. Betelgeuse was wearing an apron and peering down at one of Delia's cookbooks, frowning slightly. He had a little bit of flour on his front too, though his face appeared no dirtier than usual.

"Good morning," Lydia greeted, unable to hide her grin.

"Hey, babes, good morning!" Betelgeuse returned, grinning back.

"What are you doing? Have you ever cooked anything before?"

"I roasted a few rabbits over campfires, when I was alive."

"You roasted bunnies?" the boy squawked, his eyes wide with horror.

"Oh, hush. It was a long time ago and supermarkets weren't a thing, yet," Betelgeuse told him, rolling his eyes.

"Who's your young friend?" Lydia asked.

"Ah. Lydia, meet little Davey. Davey, this is Lydia."

"Hi," Davey said, reaching his fingers towards the pancake batter.

"Stop that!" Betelgeuse complained, moving the bowl away. "You're not supposed to eat the batter."

"It's nice to meet you, Davey. Why pancakes?"

"Why not? Kid deserves something for helping us out," Betelgeuse said, casually.

"I know where Keegan the creep takes stuff to," Davey boasted.

"Yup, took me longer than it should've to realize there had to be a couple of little sneaks among all those kids," Betelgeuse admitted.

"Betelgeuse, that's rude," Lydia scolded.

"Oh, it's okay, Miss Lydia. I like being a sneak," Davey assured her, grinning, innocence lighting his face.

"Oh! Well, all right then," she agreed, grinning, elbowing Betelgeuse, when he guffawed.

"Pancakes first, then we'll all go on a little trip," Betelgeuse said.

"Through the mirrors, right?" Davey asked eagerly.

"Yup, through the looking glass, just like Alice," Betelgeuse promised. "Hey, Lyds, you think you can talk the squares upstairs into coming along?"

"I'm sure Barbara and Adam will help, yes," Lydia said sharply.

"Huh, guess I better lay off the in-laws," Betelgeuse whispered loudly to Davey, who nodded, his eyes wide.

"I would appreciate that," Lydia agreed, pouring more batter into the waiting skillet. "Come on, let's finish breakfast, so we can get to work finishing Keegan."

"I love this blood-thirsty streak of yours, babes," Betelgeuse told her, leering.

"Great," Lydia laughed, grabbing a spatula and turning back to the burner. "Exactly what I want to be loved for."

"Hey! I love ya for all kinds of reasons," Betelgeuse protested, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing close. "That's just one."

"I love you too," Lydia said, leaning back into him.

Lydia twisted halfway around, so they could kiss. Barbara walked in to the disturbing sight of Betelgeuse sticking out his tongue to lick across Lydia's lower lip. She looked from them to Davey, who was giggling, with his hands placed over his eyes.

"Sorry to interrupt," Barbara lied, annoyed.

"BABS!" Betelgeuse shouted with fake enthusiasm. "You're just in time for breakfast!"

Betelgeuse snatched a huge beetle out from one of his pockets and bit it in half, munching hungrily.

"Care for some?" he offered sweetly.

"He is so gross," Davey said admiringly.

"Not to mention a bad influence," Lydia agreed, ruffling the boy's head. "Good morning, Barbara. Breakfast really is almost ready. We're making pancakes."

"Good morning. That sounds great," Barbara said, looking at Betelgeuse, with his floured apron, dubiously.

"Hey, so I'm a messy cook!" Betelgeuse said, defensively. "Get over it."

"Are they done yet?" Davey complained.

"Yeah, hold your horses, ya bottomless pit," Betelgeuse assured him. "Betelgeuse!" Barbara snapped.

"HEY! Lay off the B-word!" "BJ," Lydia corrected, calmly. "Why don't you and Davey set the table, while Barbara and I finish cooking?"

"Huh. Subtle, you are not, babes, but okay," Betelgeuse grumbled, getting down the plates and handing some silverware to the boy. "Come on, Davey. Let's give them some girl time."

Lydia just smirked, waving good-bye with her fingers, as they left the room. When they were gone, she turned to Barbara, who stared at Lydia with an uneasy expression of apology and defiance. Lydia smiled gently, taking a deep breath.

"He's not as bad as you think," Lydia told her, turning and pouring the pancake batter.

"He's perverted, untrustworthy, and...mercenary!" Barbara objected.

"Okay, fair enough, he is those things. It's just...that's not all he is," Lydia explained. "He's also strong, clever, funny, wise, and, in his own way, loyal to his friends and family."

Barbara shook her head, smiling in defeat.

"Wow. You really are in love with him, huh?"

"Give him a second chance and you might get to see why," Lydia hoped. "Antagonize him and he'll deliberately show you only his worst side."

"Lydia, that's childish."

"Yeah, he's that too," Lydia admitted, turning and handing Barbara the full platter of pancakes. "Also, he wants you and Adam to come with us. Davey is going to show us where Keegan hides things."

"How are we supposed to do that? We can't leave the house!"

"I don't know, but Betelgeuse must. He wouldn't ask, if it weren't possible. He and Davey were talking about traveling through mirrors."

"Mirrors? Well, if he can find a way, we'll go and help," Barbara agreed, puzzled.

"Thank you, Barbara," Lydia said, hugging her. Barbara hugged her back, smiling ruefully.

"You're welcome, hon."

They went to the dining room, finding Betelgeuse and Davey sitting on the table at opposite ends, facing each other. The two ghosts were building an enormous card castle. Betelgeuse had used his magic on the cards. Some were spinning and others were glowing in multiple colors. Fire spewed out of a couple of the windows.

"Betelgeuse!" Lydia interrupted, laughing. "Did you forget something?"

"What?" Betelgeuse asked defensively, then looked where Lydia was pointing, seeing the plates and dishes stacked haphazardly on a chair. "Oh. Yeah, that."

"Yeah, that. Sorry, but you're going to have to clear the table."

"Sure, babes, yeah, no problem at all," Betelgeuse rambled, sweeping the card castle into his hands, where it became an ordinary-seeming deck of cards.

He climbed off the table and helped Davey get down, smiling in an attempt at innocence. Davey grabbed the plates and Betelgeuse caught the silverware. Once the table was set, everyone sat down and began eating. Charles and Delia had left to run some errands, not sticking around to sample Betelgeuse's cooking. Barbara sighed, turning to Betelgeuse, once she saw him swallow.

"Lydia says you want Adam and I to go with you, when you go get the kids' stuff. How are we going to be able to leave the house?"

"Mirrors," Betelgeuse said simply, shrugging.

"What about mirrors?" Adam asked, puzzled.

Betelgeuse sighed, then explained, "Mirrors, well all reflective surfaces really, are all connected and ghosts can enter them. Mirrors contain everywhere, all at once. So you can be in a mirror and still be here, see what I mean? You guys gotta start working this stuff out, come on! There's no rule that doesn't have a loophole."

"But, won't we still have to stay inside the mirror, then?" Barbara asked.

"Well, yeah, sure, but you'll be able to see what's happening and you can use magic, same as if you were using it on something in the next room. We can hand stuff to you, too."

"All right, of course we want to help," Adam agreed, while Barbara nodded.

"Good, good! We'll go as soon as the pit there is done scarfing down pancakes," Betelgeuse said, earning a scowl from Barbara.

"You took as many as me," the boy pointed out. "It's just my mouth is smaller."

Everyone jumped a bit, when Betelgeuse began cackling loudly, reaching over and ruffling Davey's hair.

"Ya got me there, kid," Betelgeuse admitted, grinning. "I do have kind of a big mouth on me."

"But, the sooner you eat, the sooner we get to go through the mirrors," Lydia reminded Davey kindly.

"OOOoo, YES!" he shouted, shoveling in a huge mouthful of pancakes.

"I messed up," Lydia laughed, ruefully.

"Yeah, way to be a good influence, babes," Betelgeuse teased.

"You should talk," Lydia scoffed.

"I'm done now!" Davey announced, licking syrup off of his fingers.

"Good job. So, we all ready?"

"We can use the mirror in the attic. It should be big enough," Barbara suggested.

Everyone filed up the stairs to the attic, following Davey, who raced ahead. Once there, they stood huddled around the mirror, hesitating. Betelgeuse chuckled at the others.

"Well, we going or not?" he asked sarcastically.

"We're going as soon as you tell us how, oh Ghostly One," Lydia mocked, lightly.

Betelgeuse waggled his eyebrows at her, taking her hand and laying it on the glass of the mirror. Immediately, the cool of the glass warmed and the mirror lost its solidity. Lydia gave a slight gasp, awed despite knowing what ghosts could do. Betelgeuse turned to Davey, gesturing him through.

"Go on, kid. You, Babs, and Adam go first."

"All right!" Davey crowed, hopping inside the mirror, followed closely by Barbara and Adam.

"Well, someone's having fun," Lydia pointed out ruefully.

"He's got good reason to be excited. Even I'm impressed with this bit," Betelgeuse admitted, leading her into the mirror.

As soon as they were on the other side, Lydia understood the boy's excitement. She had expected a gray or white emptiness. What she found instead was a dream-like world that shifted and changed around her. She saw doors and staircases, standing free and leading both to rooms and to grassy fields. Betelgeuse stood, grinning, surrounded by a nimbus of sunlight.

The area wasn't empty of people, either. Lydia supposed most of them had to be ghosts. Still, an impressive number of men, women, and children flowed by, some lingering and others speeding through. There was plenty of talking and chattering, some people greeting each other, as if meeting on a city street.

"Okay, kid, you're up," Betelgeuse told Davey.

Davey nodded, grabbing Betelgeuse's wrist and pulling him along. The child ghost led Betelgeuse up a set of stairs to a closed door. Lydia tried to keep track of their direction, but was soon lost. She found herself going up staircases, down escalators, through tunnels, and even over a river! Betelgeuse alone took their journey in stride, patiently waiting as Davey chose their path.

After about twenty minutes, Davey stopped in front of a huge, iron door, nodding decisively. The door stood by itself, unattached, underneath a projection of rock, in shadow. Davey pushed, but the heavy door didn't budge. Betelgeuse examined the door, walking around it and humming thoughtfully. Coming back around, he pointed out large brown stalks than ran from the door into the ground. Reaching into his pocket, Betelgeuse pulled out a large flashlight, shining it on the door, which slowly blossomed open, turning into a portal of wrought iron flowers. Betelgeuse grinned in triumph, putting the flashlight away.

Everyone but Betelgeuse gasped, eyes wide. The portal was open, but the area on the other side was completely dark. Betelgeuse frowned, taking Davey's hand and leading him inside. Lydia followed them, while Barbara and Adam stayed just inside the portal, keeping it open. Lydia found herself in almost total darkness.

"Betelgeuse, I can't see," she told him.

"Hell, babes, I can barely see," he told her, handing Davey over to her by touch. "Just a sec."

Betelgeuse turned the flashlight back on and shown it around. The light revealed a medium cavern, about the size of a large bedroom. Betelgeuse shown the light all around, turning in a complete circle. There was no exit to the cavern, except for the full length mirror, where they had come through the portal. The light also revealed a few spare pieces of furniture, including a mattress and a table. Five, large, wooden chests sat against one wall. Betelgeuse looked at them grimly.

"Will the children's things be in there? Which one do we take?" Barbara asked.

"All of them," Betelgeuse rasped, angrily.

"Can I find my baseball glove, now?" Davey asked eagerly.

"Not yet, kid," Betelgeuse said.

"Let the kid have his glove!" Barbara demanded.

"We're not ready for that, yet," Betelgeuse said impatiently, waving her off.

"You're not ready, but you're not the one being used and abused by that monster. We came here in order to get those things for them. You might think it's funny to dangle his freedom in front of him, but I don't!" Barbara snapped.

"You wouldn't know a joke, if it bit your pert, prissy ass," Betelgeuse snarled. "I said NOT NOW and, if you had half a brain, you'd be able to figure out why! But, oh no! You FUCKING LOSERS can't even figure out HOW TO GET INTO A MIRROR ON YOUR OWN!"

"I-it's okay," Davey said, in a small, frightened voice. "I can wait."

Betelgeuse closed his eyes, making a whining, strangled sound in the back of his throat, twitching. He whirled in Davey's direction, then dropped down, squatting on his ankles. He held up an index finger and motioned the boy forward.

"C'mere," Betelgeuse coaxed, but saw the boy hesitate. "Come on, Davey. It's okay. Just c'mere a sec."

Davey reluctantly approached, his lips trembling. He liked Betelgeuse, when the older ghost was being funny. Angered, Betelgeuse terrified him. When Davey was close enough, Betelgeuse reached out and brushed the hair back from the boy's forehead.

"Look, kid, I get it. And I'm not stringing you along for kicks, no matter what Babs says. The second any of you kids get something back, Keegan's going to know, right? That's when the real fight starts and I don't want that to happen here, you see? This is his territory and not a good place to pick a fight. SO. You gimme two more hours, okay? Two hours and you can take your mitt, no matter what's going on. Deal?"

"Yeah, deal," Davey agreed, sounding happier.

"She's a pill, but she's a pill that likes kids," Betelgeuse said, smirking. "Why don't you go wait with Barbara and Adam, okay?"

"Okay," Davey said, going back into the portal, then smiling up at Barbara, who hugged him gently around his shoulders.

Betelgeuse went over to one of the chests and tried to lift it, using ordinary, human levels of strength. It didn't budge. He glared at it. Lydia laughed and came over.

"Come on. One of us on each end should work," she told him.

Betelgeuse gave her a lazy smirk.

"Yeah, we could do that," he said brusquely, then grinned. "Or, I could just do this."

He clapped his hands and the chests began crawling across the cavern floor, towards the portal, moving like snakes, becoming longer and shorter. Lydia rolled her eyes, laughing lightly.

"Well, I guess you didn't need me," she said, mock pouting.

"Hey, you're having fun, aren't you?"

"Despite how serious our goal is, yes, I am having fun," Lydia admitted.

"Nothing says you can't do something important and have fun at the same time. Frankly, I think sticking Keegan where it hurts is a lot of fun," Betelgeuse said, as they went through the portal.

"I'm sorry," Barbara told Beetlejuice as he passed.

He stopped, eyebrows raising in surprise. He shook his head, smiling a bit ruefully.

"Don't lose sleep over it, Babs," he assured her, with wry humor.

"Where are we going now?" Davey asked.

Betelgeuse made a long, clearing his throat noise, showing he was thinking.

"Hate to say this, Lyds, but your attic might be the best place. Your sewing teacher's house is too much his territory, too, and, well, there's really no other place in Winter River that I'm attached to."

"How about the dining room? It's pretty large, if we get the furniture out of the way," Adam suggested.

Everyone agreed and they headed back the way they came. It only took half an hour to get home and to get a large space in the dining room cleared. Betelgeuse left the wooden chests against one wall and surveyed everything with satisfaction.

"Okay, what now?" Lydia asked. "Are we ready for the children?"

"Not quite," Juno said, appearing next to Betelgeuse. "I have news and there's one other thing he needs, before he goes through with this madness."

"Hey, Granny," Betelgeuse greeted her with surprisingly sincere affection.

"Will you stop calling me that?" Juno asked tiredly, clearing not expecting him to agree. "Keegan has the Lost Souls' sword. Before you do anything else, you damn well better have a weapon that can kill him!"

"Can't BJ just use his magic?" Adam asked, puzzled.

"That was the original plan, but not if he has that damn sword," Betelgeuse said, grumbling. "Damn the luck."

"Wait, wait, what is the Lost Souls' sword?" Lydia asked.

"It's a magic sword, forged by a sorcerer priest many, many centuries ago. It was specifically created to exorcise ghosts!"

"Betelgeuse," Lydia said, worriedly, frowning.

"HEY! I do know how to sword fight," Betelgeuse said, annoyed.

"Except, even if you have one, an ordinary sword won't work on Keegan and I don't have anything I can give you!" Juno retorted.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's think about this, right? He gets his magic by stealing it, based on items of emotional attachment. I can't use the kids' stuff, cause that would put them in even more danger...I gotta find a way to turn his magic on him..."

"What about your emotional attachments? Couldn't you fight him using a weapon made from something you care about?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, maybe, but I've been dead six hundred years and I don't got a lot of attachments to speak of..." Betelgeuse began, then stopped, turning and staring hard at Lydia.

"What?" Lydia asked, as a smug smirk lit up Betelgeuse's face. "I don't have a sword."

"Actually, babes, ya kinda do."

"I'm pretty sure I don't!"

Betelgeuse walked over to her and neatly plucked her hairpin from her, dangling it in front of her eyes. Lydia bit her lip, shaking her head.

"Oh, no, you've got to be kidding!"

"It's a weapon that has sentimental meaning to me, babes."

"It's a hairpin. You can't go up against a sword with a hairpin!" Lydia protested. "You'd have to get so close."

"Aw, babes, don't be so worried," Betelgeuse assured her. "It just needs a little juice, is all!"

Betelgeuse twirled the hairpin between his fingers and it began to grow, glowing with a greenish light. When Betelgeuse stopped, he held a long, two-edged sword. The feather had transformed into a practical hilt and now existed only as a light, decorative etching along the hilt and down the blade. Barbara whistled softly.

"Okay, I'll stop underestimating you now," Lydia conceded.

"No, you won't," Betelgeuse said, chuckling.

"Now, all you have to do is win the duel," Juno said dryly, puffing on a cigarette.

"Aw, June-buggy, you're such a pessimist. Cheer up! I'm about to create more paperwork for ya," Betelgeuse told her, kissing her forehead. "Okay, we're ready as we're gonna be. Davey, go get Jennifer and the other kids."

"Yippeeee!" Davey crowed, hopping back into the mirror.

While they waited, Betelgeuse dumped the contents of the chests on the floor. He pulled Lydia to one side of the mess, while the others settled near the furniture on the other side. Soon, Jennifer and the children, over two dozen of them, came in through the mirror. They looked at the items and gave cries of joy. The children all rushed forward, claiming their toys, clothes, and books. Jennifer knelt down on one side and reverently picked up her mother's cross.

"Good God, you really did it!" she whispered.

"It'll cost him what's left of himself," Keegan snarled, appearing in the middle of the room.

"Back in the mirror. EVERYONE!" Betelgeuse commanded, stepping forward.

Betelgeuse stood between Keegan and the others, as the adults herded the children into the mirror. Lydia went through, then turned, needing to watch and be sure her lover was safe. She watched as Keegan drew his own sword, brandishing it at Betelgeuse.

"You damn idiot. What did you do this for? You think I don't have ways to find stuff out? I know all about your attempted marriage and how that girl betrayed you. She left you high and dry and you ride to her rescue?!"

"Huh, well, I guess that is one way of looking at things," Betelgeuse said, pretending to consider that. He turned briefly to the mirror, smiling and winking at Lydia. Turning back, he spread his hands in a helpless gesture, shrugging and smirking. "Aw, hell, what can I say? I love the gal!"

"Then, you can die for her, as much as a shadow can die," Keegan snarled.

"Or, I can kill you for her," Betelgeuse countered, cackling and winking. "I like that much better!"

"Are they going to fight or just talk?" Jennifer complained.

"They're sizing each other up," Juno explained, her worry lines deeper than ever. "That ghost wouldn't fight, if he didn't think he could win, and he's arrogant, but not a fool."

"BJ'll win. He has to," Lydia said, firmly, her eyes never leaving him.

"Of course he will," Barbara agreed, standing behind Lydia and placing her hands on her shoulders.

Watching the men fight, it was apparent that neither were experts with a sword. Betelgeuse might have had more training, but he was a bit clumsy and out of practice. Keegan compensated for his lack of skill with ferocity and strength. Betelgeuse did the same with trickery and clowning, trying to distract his opponent.

Betelgeuse's strategy was the most effective, playing to his strengths. Keegan lunged powerfully, his sword aimed at Betelgeuse's belly. Betelgeuse staggered, his manner exaggerated, to one side and did a perfect prat fall. When he landed, a large number of bugs, snakes and worms exploded out from his pockets, rolling and slithering across the floor. Keegan gave a choked gasp of disgust, reeling back. Betelgeuse hopped nimbly to his feet, chortling.

Juno scoffed.

"Dammit, he needs to stop playing games! I've never understood why he does things like that!"

"It's who he is," Lydia tried to explain, "His nature."

"His nature?" Barbara asked skeptically.

"Mmhmmm. He's so many things. Clown. Monster," Lydia admitted, as Betelgeuse's upper body split in to two snakes, each with one arm and a semi-human head, with needle sharp teeth. Keegan's sword flew clumsily between the two snake forms. The left snake hissed and backhanded Keegan sending him flying backwards. Lydia smiled sweetly, continuing softly. "Lover."

As if he had heard her, Betelgeuse returned to his normal form and stared into the mirror, directly at Lydia. He winked, blowing her a kiss. Lydia placed her hand on the mirror, as if touching his cheek.

Keegan took advantage of the distraction to tackle Betelgeuse, knocking the feathered sword out of his hand. Lydia gasped, but Betelgeuse just grinned, turning into a giant snake. He surged forward, sinking razor sharp teeth into Keegan's right shoulder. Keegan howled, dropping his sword from suddenly nerveless fingers. Betelgeuse changed back and picked up the Lost Souls sword. He stood over Keegan, who had sank to his knees, unaccustomed to pain. Betelgeuse looked to the mirror, giving Juno a challenging stare.

Pursing her lips, Juno nodded, grimly.

Raising the sword, Betelgeuse swiftly and efficiently cut off Keegan's head, letting loose an intense spray of blood that coated Betelgeuse's face and chest. Everyone froze, watching as Keegan's corpse shriveled and decayed into nothing. There was a moment of silence, then the children burst into song and laughter, dancing around each other. Lydia gave a quiet sigh of relief.

"Does anyone have a clean handkerchief?" she asked wryly.

Adam gave her his handkerchief, using magic to give it a bit of soap and water. Lydia took it gratefully, heading back into the attic and joining Betelgeuse. She crooked her finger and he leaned closer to her, eyebrows raised. Silently, she washed his face and neck, then reached up and kissed him. Betelgeuse kept still, amused, until she was finished, returning the kiss.

"They're kissing again," Davey announced, annoyed, leaning halfway out of the mirror.

"So? That's no excuse for hiding in the mirror all day," Betelgeuse said, with mock annoyance. "HEY, YOU PEOPLE! Come on and git out here. In case you weren't paying attention, I won."

The children ran out of the mirror, surrounding Betelgeuse and Lydia, running and dancing around them, shouting and laughing.

"Oh, great. Now I'm a maypole," Betelgeuse complained.

"It's a phallic symbol. I would think you'd approve," Lydia teased, as Anna Simons threw herself into Lydia's arms, hugging tightly. Betelgeuse smirked and picked the boy up, when Davey similarly threw himself at the poltergeist.

"We won!" Davey crowed. "That was scary, but I liked it when you fell and bugs went everywhere. He made the greatest face! So gross. Will I be able to become a snake someday, too? Can you teach me?"

"Uh, sure. Glad you enjoyed it," Betelgeuse said, chuckling.

"I think one troublesome bio-exorcist is enough," Juno said sternly. "Most of you will be joining your parents."

"My parents are still alive," Davey argued. "I mean, they're super old, but alive."

"Well, you're not staying here," Betelgeuse said, chuckling. "This house is a bit full, know what I mean? You can visit, though."

"Oh, all right. But, will you teach me the snake thing? Pleeeaasse?" the boy coaxed, pouting.

"You gotta learn more basic magic first, but sure. You develop enough mojo to pull it off and I'll show you the ropes."

"I don't deserve this," Juno sighed.

Betelgeuse handed her the Lost Souls' sword. She took it reluctantly, looking disturbed.

"Hey, it could be worse. They'll owe you for turning that in. Maybe they'll get you a new assistant."

"As a reward or a punishment?" she asked, shaking her head and disappearing.

Jennifer appeared next to them, taking Davey from Betelgeuse.

"Thank you, both. I'll make sure they all find proper homes," Jennifer assured them.

"Good, good, nice to see all the little details getting cleaned up," Betelgeuse said, ruffling Davey's hair.

Jennifer ignored him, giving Lydia a hug, then herding the children back into the mirror.

"I hope they do visit," Lydia said.

"Eh, they'll be around," Betelgeuse promised, grinning. "Who else is gonna teach them basic mischief making?"

Lydia laughed, looking forward to the promised mischief. Betelgeuse certainly provided it, as he became a fixture in the Deetz-Maitland household. He abandoned Adam's model, in favor of hanging out in Lydia's bedroom mirror. It made a convenient portal for Lydia and Betelgeuse to go back and forth between the living world and the afterlife.

Lydia and Betelgeuse were together as often as they could manage it. Lydia still visited Mrs. Allen and had started college. She enjoyed coming home, never knowing what she was going to find. Betelgeuse had slowly, but surely, began forging friendships with the rest of the household, but he also entertained himself, and sometimes others, freely and with great exuberance.

Lydia herself was not immune to his pranks and jokes. Coming home from school one day, she opened her bedroom door to be greeted by a hissing snake's head rearing over her. Lydia instinctively, but clumsily, tried to push the thing away, but got tangled up. She and the snake-headed man ended up in a messy pile in the middle of the hallway, where the snake transformed back into Betelgeuse, who lay on the floor, cackling with laughter.

"Aw, babes, you should've seen your face," he crowed, chortling.

"BJ!" Lydia said, annoyed.

Barbara came up behind them, having heard them falling. She shook her head indulgently.

"Can you two not play like this in the hallway? For heaven's sake, BJ, you could at least let her get her books put away."

"Hey, she's been waiting over six centuries for me to pull that joke on her!" Betelgeuse claimed, smugly.

"I...WHAT?" Lydia said, astonished, before the memory surfaced of Betelgeuse saying she looked like she expected him to grow a snake's head and jump out at her. "Betelgeuse...you JERK!"

Betelgeuse just lay there, snickering complacently, as Lydia rested her forehead on his shoulder, laughing helplessly. Barbara stepped around them, shrugging, not getting the joke.

"Well, don't forget Davey and a few of the other kids will be here soon."

"Davey's coming over?" Lydia asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I promised a bunch of the kids that I'd create some more cartoons for them," Betelgeuse said. "I didn't mention that?"

"Cartoons?" Barbara asked dubiously. "Uh, just remember to keep it rated G, okay?"

"Barbara, babes, I'm from the fourteenth century. You'll have to tell me what the hell G stands for."

"It means general audiences," she explained firmly. "Nothing more violent than what you would see in a Looney Tunes cartoon, no profanity, and no sex, beyond kissing, hugging, and some innuendo, as long as the kids don't get it."

"AH. Thanks," Betelgeuse said. "I'll keep that in mind."

Lydia stood up and Betelgeuse floated to his feet.

"Well, come on, then," she said. "Knowing them, they'll be waiting impatiently."

Sure enough, the children were waiting in the living room, the television already on and blaring. Davey, Anna, Helen and Alex chased each other around the room. Betelgeuse caught Davey and Helen up, dumping them gently on one end of the couch. Anna and Alex quickly settled in the middle, leaving the other end for Betelgeuse and Lydia.

"SO. What are you in the mood for?" Betelgeuse asked. "A fairy tale? Crime drama?"

"HALLOWEEN!" the children cried, eagerly.

"Good choice," Betelgeuse praised.

"You can use that party I told you about...the one Delia had for me, when I was ten?" Lydia suggested.

Betelgeuse laughed, using his juice to conjure up an image on the television. The children and Lydia watched, laughing, as they saw cartoon images of Betelgeuse and Lydia preparing for Halloween. Davey bounced over and gave Lydia a hug, when Delia dressed her as a pink bunny. Betelgeuse chortled, allowing the cartoon Lydia to change the bunny into a werewolf, earning a quick kiss.

"Remind me to never let you meet any of my classmates," Lydia said.

"I don't need to meet them. I've heard you talk about them!"

"That party people in a can thing sounds fun though," she said, ignoring him. "I'll keep that in mind, if we ever do throw a Halloween party."

"You do that, babes, but I'm telling you now-I'm not running all over Winter River with a blow dryer, hunting down party animals," Betelgeuse warned her, getting in the last word.

Author's note: The cartoon Betelgeuse creates at the end of the story is, of course, from the actual Beetlejuice cartoon. The episode described, Laugh of the Party, was written by Patsy Cameron and Ted Anasti. Also, I wish to thank a friend, who helped me with the idea for how the iron door would open. :D